This invention relates to a support apparatus, in particular a safety platform.
Our patent applications WO 2016/151307 and GB2536629 disclose an adjustable scaffold. The present invention, at least in preferred embodiments, seeks to develop the adjustable scaffold described therein.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a support apparatus for supporting a user in an elevated working position above a ground surface. The support apparatus comprises a frame for supporting a floor portion of the support apparatus, the frame having a length and a width; and a plurality of leg members mounted to the frame for supporting the frame above the ground surface, each leg member having a foot portion for engaging the ground surface. Each leg member is rotatably mounted to the frame for rotation about a rotational axis which is substantially perpendicular to the width and the length of the frame, and each leg member extends from the frame in a radial direction of the rotational axis, whereby the foot portion is offset from the rotational axis.
Thus, in accordance with the invention rotation of the leg members about the rotational axis allows the foot portion of each leg member to be positioned to provide maximum stability with the flexibility to position the support apparatus as close to working surfaces, such as walls, as is required. In addition, the leg members can be rotated to minimise the total width of the support apparatus, so that the support apparatus can be moved through doors and the like.
At least a portion of each leg member may extend from the frame at an acute angle to the rotational axis. That portion of the leg member may be telescopically extensible. In this way, telescopic extension of the leg member increases both the height of the frame above the ground surface and the offset of the foot portion from the rotational axis. This is advantageous in that as the support apparatus is used at increasing height the effective footprint of the support apparatus increases to increase overall stability.
Each leg member may be pivotally mounted to the frame about a pivot axis transverse to the rotational axis. This allows the leg members to be folded against the frame for transport. A locking mechanism, for example comprising complementary holes and a locking pin, may be provided to lock the leg member in a working position.
The foot portion of each leg member may comprise a wheel member, for example a castor. The wheel member may be spring mounted within the foot portion, whereby the weight of a user on the frame causes the foot portion to engage the ground surface in preference to engagement of the ground surface by the wheel member. Alternatively, a locking mechanism may be provided for the wheel member. The wheel members allow easy transportation of the support apparatus from one working location to another.
Each leg member may be rotatably mounted to the frame by the leg member being received within a collar. A locking mechanism, for example comprising complementary holes and a locking pin, may be provided to lock the leg member in a working position. The leg members may be removably received within the collars. In this way the leg members may be replaced optionally with alternative leg members. For example, straight leg members may be used to convert the support apparatus into a stairwell platform. The collar may be pivotally mounted to the frame about a pivot axis transverse to the rotational axis. The frame may be provided with a lip portion at an end thereof for engagement with a stair.
The frame may be telescopically extensible to increase the length thereof. The frame may be provided with a railing assembly. The railing assembly may be telescopically extensible to increase the length thereof with the extension of the frame.
The invention extends to a kit of parts for forming the support apparatus.
Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The floor portion 20 provides a working surface for supporting the user and/or one or more tools of the user above the ground surface G. In this example, the working surface of the floor portion 20 is provided by a solid floor portion. The working surface is substantially horizontal in use. The operation and configuration of the floor portion 20 will be explained further with reference to
The support apparatus 1 comprises four leg members 40a, 40b. The plurality of leg members 40a, 40b are each pivotably mounted relative to the floor portion 20, each about an axis of rotation in a direction away from the working surface of the floor portion 20. In this example, the axis of rotation about which the plurality of leg members 40a, 40b are pivotably mounted relative to the floor portion 20 is substantially transverse to the working surface. In other words, the axis of rotation is substantially vertical in use. The leg members 40a, 40b each comprise a foot portion 42 at a lower end of the leg member 40a, 40b, opposite an upper end of the floor portion 20. For each leg member 40a, 40b, the foot portion 42 is radially spaced from the axis of rotation of the leg member 40a, 40b. Thus, when one of the leg members 40a, 40b is rotated about the axis of rotation, the foot portion 42 moves along an arcuate path to a different position relative to the axis of rotation. In this example, a first pair of leg members 40a are each rotated such that they align with a length of the support apparatus 1. That is, the foot portion 42 of each of the first pair of leg members 40a extend substantially lengthways away from the frame 60. A second pair of leg members 40b are each rotated such that they align with a width of the support apparatus 1. That is, the foot portion 42 of each of the second pair of leg members 40b extend substantially widthways away from the frame 60. In this example, the leg members 40a, 40b are formed from steel for strength. In this example, the leg members 40a, 40b are also extendable to adjustably separate the foot portion 42 of the leg member 40a, 40b from the floor portion at the upper end of the leg member 40a, 40b.
The foot portion 42 may comprise a wheel member, for example a caster (not shown) for movement of the support apparatus 1 over the ground surface G. Other examples of a wheel member maybe a wheel, a roller, a ball or the like. In examples, the caster may be adjustably mounted within the foot portion 42 such that the caster can be raised or lowered whereby to allow or substantially prevent movement of the support apparatus 1 over the ground surface G in dependence on the protrusion of the caster out of the foot portion 42. In this example, the caster is connected to the foot portion via a spring, such that a sufficient load on the support apparatus 1 causes the foot portion 42 to engage with the ground surface G to substantially prevent free movement of the support apparatus 1 over the ground surface G. The spring in this example is configured to be operable by any load indicative of the weight of a user on the support apparatus 1. In this way, the support apparatus 1 cannot be easily moved whilst a user is on the floor portion 20. The leg members 40a, 40b will be explained further with reference to
The frame 60 is formed as an open frame defining a length and a width of the support apparatus 1. The frame 60 has each of the leg members 40a, 40b mounted thereto. The frame 60 is movable from a first configuration in which the frame 60 is provided in an unextended configuration (as shown in
The railing assembly 80 is mounted to the frame 60 and extensible therewith during movement of the frame 60 from the first configuration to the second configuration. The railing assembly 80 will be explained further with reference to
In this example, the support apparatus 1 is arranged to provide the working surface of the floor portion 20 at a height of between 550 millimetres and 650 millimetres above the ground surface G.
The foot portion 42 comprises a fixed foot 48 having an engaging surface to contact the ground surface G when sufficient force is applied to the support apparatus 1 as described hereinbefore. The foot portion 42 further comprises a wheel member (not shown) for selective engagement with the ground surface G for easy movement of the support apparatus on the ground surface G when a user is not present on the support apparatus 1 (for safety). In this example, the fixed foot 48 is in the form of a shell structure to substantially enclose the movement means. Thus, a user is protected from injury caused by trapping by the wheel member.
The first portion 44 is arranged to be received within a collar member 62 extending from the support frame 60. The first portion 44 and the collar member 62 are together provided with securing means in the form of a pin-connector 54 to secure the leg member 40b to the support frame 60 via the first portion 44 and the collar member 62 at one of a plurality of predetermined rotational positions. The axis of rotation of the leg member 40b extends through the collar member 62 and through the first portion 44. The first direction is substantially aligned with the axis of rotation. In this example, the second direction makes an angle of approximately 30 degrees with the first direction. Thus, the second portion 46 extends away from the first portion 44 at an angle of approximately 30 degrees from the first direction.
The first portion 44, the second portion 46, the third portion 50 and the fixed foot 48 are substantially formed from metal. In this example, the first portion 44, the second portion 46 and the third portion 50 are formed from tubular section. The second portion 46 provides an extensible member, such that a radial offset between the first portion 44 and the foot portion 42 can be adjusted by extension or retraction of the second portion 46. In examples where the second direction is different from 90 degrees from the first direction, extension or retraction of the second portion 46 also results in adjustment of a height of the working surface of the floor portion 20 relative to the ground surface G. In this example, a first component 47a of the second portion 46 is provided with a plurality of holes 53 defined therein for selective engagement by a protruding element 52 of a second component (not shown in
The frame 60 has supported thereon the floor portion 20. In particular, the floor portion 20 is provided by a first floor board 22 supported on the first portion 61a of the frame 60 and a second floor board 24 supported on the second portion 61b of the frame 60. In this example, the first floor board 22 is mounted for sliding under the second floor board 24 when the frame 60 is moved between the extended configuration and the unextended configuration. In this example, the floor board 22, 24 are formed from a wooden board. However, it will be understood that in other examples, the floor portion 20 may be provided by an openwork construction, for example an openwork lattice.
The frame 60 further comprises a lip portion 72. In this example, the frame 60 comprises a lip portion 72 at each end thereof. Thus, either end of the frame 60 can be supported directly on a step, typically a top step, of the set of stairs S via the lip portion 72. In some examples, the lip portion has defined therein a plurality of holes 73 for mounting the lip portion 72 to the set of stairs S. Thus, the lip portion 72 can be secured to the set of stairs S for safety and stability, for example with screws. It will be understood that although the pair of stairwell platform legs 110 are mounted at one end of the frame 60, there need be no legs mounted at the other end of the frame 60 because the other end of the frame 60 can be supported on the top step via the lip portion 72.
In summary, a support apparatus 1 for supporting a user in an elevated working position above a ground surface G comprises a frame 60 for supporting a floor portion 20 of the support apparatus and a plurality of leg members 40a, 40b mounted to the frame 60 for supporting the frame above the ground surface G. Each leg member has a foot portion 42 for engaging the ground surface G. Each leg member is rotatably mounted to the frame for rotation about a rotational axis which is substantially perpendicular to the width and the length of the frame and each leg member extends from the frame in a radial direction of the rotational axis, whereby the foot portion is offset from the rotational axis.
Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and variations of them mean “including but not limited to”, and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.
Features, integers, characteristics or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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1716844.4 | Oct 2017 | GB | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/GB2018/052938 | 10/12/2018 | WO | 00 |