TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to work platforms and, more specifically, to work platforms for being used with a sloped or uneven surface.
BACKGROUND
Scaffolding is a temporary structure used in construction to support workers and materials during the building process. It consists of metal or wooden platforms, braces, and tubes that are assembled around the exterior of a building. Scaffolding provides a safe and stable working platform at different heights, allowing workers to access higher areas, perform tasks, and transport materials.
When construction is performed on a bridge structure, construction workers may need to engage the bridge from beneath the bridge. In various instances, the surface below the ends of the bridge is sloped. In these instances, the construction workers may need to stand on or otherwise be supported by the sloped surface when working on the bridge.
SUMMARY
An example work platform system for use on a sloped surface includes a plurality of support elements and a work platform being supported by the plurality of support elements. Each support element including a first base member, a second base member, a vertical support member, and a horizontal support element. The first and second base members are attached to the sloped surface. The vertical support member is attached to the first base member such that the vertical support member extends in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a horizontal axis from which the sloped surface extends. The horizontal support member is attached to the second base member and configured to be removably attached to the vertical support member, where the horizontal support member is substantially parallel to the horizontal axis when attached to both the vertical support member and the second base member. The work platform is supported by the horizontal support members of the plurality of support elements such that the work platform is substantially parallel to the horizontal axis.
An example support element for a work platform system used on a sloped surface includes a first base member, a second base member, a vertical support member, and a horizontal support member. The first and second base members are configured to be attached to the sloped surface. The vertical support member is pivotally attached to the first base member such that the first base member is capable of extending in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a horizontal axis from which the sloped surface extends. The horizontal support member is pivotally attached to the second base member such that the horizontal support member is capable of extending in a direction that is substantially parallel to the horizontal axis, where the horizontal support member is configured to be removably attached to the vertical support member such that the horizontal support member maintains a substantially parallel position relative to the horizontal axis.
An example method of assembling a work platform system on a sloped surface includes attaching a plurality of support element to the sloped surface. Attaching each of the support elements to the sloped surface includes attaching a first base member to the sloped surface such that a vertical support member is attached to the sloped surface via a connection between the first base member and the vertical support member. Attaching each of the support elements to the sloped surface further includes attaching a second base member to the sloped surface such that a horizontal support member is attached to the sloped surface via a connection between the second base member and the horizontal support member. Attaching each of the support members to the sloped surface further includes attaching the horizontal support member to the vertical support member such that the horizontal support member is substantially parallel to a horizontal axis from which the sloped surface extends. The method of assembly the work platform system further includes supporting a work platform with the horizontal support members of the plurality of support elements such that the work platform is substantially parallel to the horizontal axis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a right-side schematic view of an example work platform system attached to a sloped surface;
FIG. 2 is a front schematic view of the example work platform of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a rear, left-side perspective view of another example work platform system attached to a sloped surface;
FIG. 4 is a front, left-side perspective view of the work platform system of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a rear, right-side perspective view of the work platform system of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a rear, right-side perspective view of an example support element for the work platform system of FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 illustrates an example base member for the support element of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a partial, perspective view of another example support element that can be used with the work platform system of FIG. 3;
FIG. 9 illustrates an example horizontal support member and base member for the support element of FIG. 8; and
FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a method for assembling a work platform system on a sloped surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The Detailed Description describes exemplary embodiments of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way. Indeed, the invention is broader than and unlimited by the exemplary embodiments, and the terms used in the claims have their full ordinary meaning. Features and components of one exemplary embodiment may be incorporated into the other exemplary embodiments. Inventions within the scope of this application may include additional features, or may have less features, than those shown in, and described in connection with, the exemplary embodiments.
The work platform systems described herein are configured to be used on a sloped surface such that a work platform system includes a substantially flat surface for engagement by one or more users at a work site. The systems are customizable such that the systems can be used for various amounts of slope, which allows for the systems to be used at different work sites.
FIGS. 1-2 illustrate an example of a work platform system 100 that is used on a sloped surface 101 to provide workers with a substantially flat work platform 102. The sloped surface 101 can extend at an angle α relative to a horizontal axis 103, and the work platform system 100 can be configured to attach to the sloped surface 101 and provide a substantially flat work platform 102 at various angles α between the sloped surface 101 and horizontal axis 103. The system 100 includes a plurality of support elements 104a-104d that are configured to support the work platform 102. Referring to FIG. 2, while the illustrated example shows the system 100 having four support elements 104a-104d, it should be understood that the system 100 can have any suitable number of support elements 104a-104d depending on the desired length L of the work platform 102. For example, the system 100 can include two or more support elements, three or more support elements, four or more support elements, five or more support elements, six or more support elements, seven or more support elements, eight or more support elements, nine or more support elements, ten or more support elements, eleven or more support elements, twelve or more support elements, etc.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the support elements 104a-104d can include a first base member 106, a second base member 108, a vertical support member 110, and a horizontal support member 112. The first base member 106 and the second base member 108 can be attached to the sloped surface 101. The vertical support member 110 is attached to the first base member 106 such that the vertical support member 110 can extend substantially perpendicular to the horizontal axis 103, and the horizontal support member 112 is attached to the second base member 108 such that the horizontal support member 112 can extend substantially parallel to the horizontal axis 103. The vertical support member 110 can be pivotally attached to the first base member 106 such that the vertical support member 110 can be moved to a substantially perpendicular position relative to the horizontal axis 103 regardless of the degree of the angle α between the sloped surface 101 and the horizontal axis 103. The horizontal support member 112 can be pivotally attached to the second base member 108 such that the vertical support member 110 can be moved to a substantially parallel position relative to the horizontal axis 103 regardless of the degree of the angle α between the sloped surface 101 and the horizontal axis 103. The vertical support member 110 and the horizontal support member 112 can be fixedly attached to each other to maintain the vertical support member 110 in a substantially perpendicular position relative to the horizontal axis 103 and to maintain the horizontal support member 110 in a substantially parallel position relative to the horizontal axis 103. The work platform 102 can be supported by the horizontal support member 112 such that the work platform 102 is substantially parallel to the horizontal axis 103 and in a substantially flat position.
Referring to FIG. 1, the first and second base members 106, 108 can be attached to the sloped surface 101 such that the second base member 108 is positioned a distance D from the first base member 106. The distance D can be any suitable distance depending on the desired width W and/or height H of the work platform 102. The first and second base members 106, 108 can take any suitable form that is capable of being attached to or otherwise being secured in a desired position on the sloped surface 101 while also attaching to the vertical and horizontal support members, respectively. For example, each of the base members 106, 108 can include a plate member (e.g., plate member 238 shown in FIG. 7) and one or more connection members (e.g., connection members 240, 242 shown in FIG. 7) that extend from the plate member for attachment to the corresponding vertical or horizontal support member 110, 112. The base members 106, 108 can attach to the sloped surface 101 by one or more fasteners (e.g., bolt(s), stake(s), etc.), and the one or more connection members can attach to the corresponding vertical or horizontal support member 110, 112 by one or more fasteners (e.g., bolt(s), pin(s), etc.) that allow for pivotal movement of the vertical and horizontal support members 110, 112 relative to the corresponding base member 106, 108. However, it should be understood that the base members 106, 108 can take any other suitable form and attach to the sloped surface and corresponding vertical or horizontal support member 110, 112. The base members 106, 108 can be made of, for example, a metal material (e.g., aluminum, steel, etc.), a wooden material, or any other suitable material. The vertical and horizontal support members 110, 112 can be elongated rods or bars made of a metal material (e.g., aluminum, steel, etc.), a wooden material, or any other suitable material.
Referring to FIG. 1, in various implementations, the vertical support member 110 can be configured to be removably attached to the horizontal support member 112. In the illustrated example, the vertical support member 110 can include a first connector 114 and the horizontal support member 112 can include a second connector 116, where the first and second connectors 114, 116 are configured to be removably connected to each other. For example, the first connector 114 can include a rosette (e.g., similar to the rosette 214 shown in FIG. 6) and the second connector 116 can include one or more openings for aligning with an opening of the rosette (e.g., similar to the openings 215 shown in FIG. 6) such that a fastener (e.g., a bolt, a pin, etc.) can be placed through the openings of the second connector 116 and the openings of the rosette of the first connector 114 such that the vertical and horizontal support members 110, 112 are connected. Removal of the fastener from the first and second connectors 114, 116 allows for the vertical and horizontal support members to be disconnected. In other examples, the second connector 116 can include a rosette and the first connector 114 can include one or more openings for aligning with an opening of the rosette to allow for a removable connection (via a fastener) between the vertical and horizontal support members 110, 112. In other examples, rather than having a rosette, the first and second connectors 114, 116 can each include one or more openings for alignment with each other that are configured to receive a fastener to removably connect the vertical and horizontal support members 110, 112. In some instances, the first connector 114 can include a first bracket (e.g., similar to the bracket 314 shown in FIG. 8) and the second connector 116 can include a second bracket (e.g., similar to the bracket 316 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9), where the first and second brackets are configured to removably connect to each other to removably connect the vertical and horizontal support members 110, 112. It should be understood that the vertical and horizontal support members 110, 112 can be removably connected by any other suitable means. In other implementations, the vertical and horizontal support members 110, 112 can be permanently connected to each other (e.g., via a welding connection or any other type of permanent connection).
Referring to FIG. 1, in some instances, the vertical support member 110 can have a height H1 that is adjustable. For example, the vertical support member 110 can have a first portion 118 that is externally threaded and a second portion 120 that is internally threaded, where the external threads of the first portion 118 are in engagement with the internal threads of the second portion 120 such that second portion 120 can be moved relative to the first portion to adjust the height H1 of the vertical support member 110. In other examples, the first portion 118 can be internally threaded and the second portion 120 can be externally threaded. In other examples, the vertical support member 110 can be telescoping such that the second portion 120 can be moved away from the first portion 118. In these instances, a fastener (e.g., a pin, a spring-loaded pin, a bolt, etc.) can be inserted into aligned openings of the first and second portions 118, 120 to secure the second portion 120 relative to the first portion 118. It should be understood that the height H1 of the vertical support member 110 can be achieved by any other suitable means. In any of the implementations described above, the vertical support member 110 can include an engagement member 122 that allows for a user to easily engage the vertical support member 110 to adjust the height H1 thereof. The engagement member 122 can be a handle, an opening, or any other type of member that assists a user in adjusting the height H1 of the vertical support member 110.
Adjusting the height H1 of the vertical support member 110 can allow for a user to adjust the system 100 based on the desired width W and/or height H of the work platform 102, as well as adjusting the system 100 to ensure the horizontal support member 112 is in a substantially horizontal position relative to the horizontal axis 103. For example, the connector 114 can be secured to the second portion 120 of the vertical support member 110 such that movement of the second portion 120 relative to the first portion 118 allows for movement of the connector 114 and, consequently, movement of the vertical connection point between the vertical and horizontal support members 110, 112.
In some implementations, the location of the connector 114 relative to the vertical support element 110 is adjustable such that the connector 114 can be moved to move the vertical connection point between the vertical and horizontal support members 110, 112. For example, the connector 114 can be removable attached to the vertical support element 110 and configured to be fixed in a desired position relative to the vertical support element 114. The connector 114 can be fixed to the vertical support element 110 by a fastener (e.g., a bolt, a clamp, etc.). This movement of the connector 114 relative to the vertical support element 110 can be in addition to the vertical support element 110 being adjustable or an alternative to the vertical support element 110 being adjustable.
Still referring to FIG. 1, in some instances, the horizontal support member 112 can have a width W1 that is adjustable. For example, the horizontal support member 112 can have a first portion 124 that is externally threaded and a second portion 126 that is internally threaded, where the external threads of the first portion 124 are in engagement with the internal threads of the second portion 126 such that second portion 126 can be moved relative to the first portion to adjust the width W1 of the horizontal support member 112. In other examples, the first portion 124 can be internally threaded and the second portion 126 can be externally threaded. In other examples, the horizontal support member 112 can be telescoping such that the second portion 126 can be moved in away from the first portion 124. In these instances, a fastener (e.g., a pin, a spring-loaded pin, a bolt, etc.) can be inserted into aligned openings of the first and second portions 124, 126 to secure the second portion 126 relative to the first portion 124. It should be understood that the width W1 of the horizontal support member 112 can be achieved by any other suitable means. In any of the implementations described above, the horizontal support member 112 can include an engagement member 128 that allows for a user to easily engage the horizontal support member 112 to adjust the width W1 thereof. The engagement member 128 can be a handle, an opening, or any other type of member that assists a user in adjusting the width W1 of the horizontal support member 112.
Adjusting the width W1 of the horizontal support member 112 can allow for a user to adjust the system 100 based on the desired width W of the work platform 102, as well as adjusting the system 100 to ensure the horizontal support member 112 is in a substantially horizontal position relative to the horizontal axis 103. For example, the connector 116 can be secured to the second portion 126 of the horizontal support member 112 such that movement of the second portion 126 relative to the first portion 124 allows for movement of the connector 116 and, consequently, movement the horizontal connection point between the vertical and horizontal support members 110, 112.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the work platform 102 can include one or more boards or decks that extend across the horizontal support members 112 of the support elements 104a-104d. In some instances, the work platform 102 can simply be placed on top of the horizontal support members 112. In some instances, the work platform 102 can be secured to the horizontal support members 112 (or any other portion of the system 100) by one or more connection elements (e.g., bolts, clamps, brackets, magnets, adhesives, etc.) The work platform 102 can be made of, for example, a wooden material, a metal material, or any other suitable material that supports one or more users working at a work site.
The work platform system 100 is advantageous because it allows for user(s) to customize the length L (FIG. 2) and/or width W (FIG. 1) of the work platform 102 based on the work site at which work is being conducted. For example, any suitable number of support elements 104a-104d can be used to support the work platform 102 based on the desired length L of the work platform 102. Also, the height H (FIG. 1) and/or width W (FIG. 1) of the work platform 102 can be adjusted in various ways. For example, the first and second base members 106, 108 can be attached to the sloped surface 101 at any desired distance D (FIG. 1), the height H1 of the vertical support member 110 can be adjusted, and/or the width W1 of the horizontal support member 112 can be adjusted These adjustable portions of the support elements 104a-104d, alone or any combination thereof, can be used to create a desired height H and/or width W for the work platform 102.
Referring to FIG. 2, in various implementations, the work platform system 100 can include one or more rails 130, 132 that connect to and extend between the support elements 104a-104d. For example, the system 100 can include a top rail 130 and a center rail 132. However, it should be understood that the system 100 can include any suitable number of rails depending on the work site on which the system 100 is being used. The rails 130, 132 can be connected to the support elements 104a-104d by any suitable means, such as, for example, any connection means described in the present application. The rails 130, 132 provide for a barrier for user(s) that are working on the work platform.
FIGS. 3-7 illustrate an example of a work platform system 200 that is used on a sloped surface 201 to provide workers with a substantially flat work platform 202. The sloped surface 201 can extend at an angle (e.g., similar to the angle α shown in FIG. 1) relative to a horizontal axis (e.g., similar to the horizontal axis 103 shown in FIG. 1), and the work platform system 200 can be configured to attach to the sloped surface 201 and provide a substantially flat work platform 202 at various angles α between the sloped surface 201 and horizontal axis. The system 200 includes a plurality of support elements 204 that are configured to support the work platform 202. The system 200 can have any suitable number of support elements 204 depending on the desired length (e.g., similar to the length L shown in FIG. 2) of the work platform 202. For example, the system 200 can include two or more support elements, three or more support elements, four or more support elements, five or more support elements, six or more support elements, seven or more support elements, eight or more support elements, nine or more support elements, ten or more support elements, eleven or more support elements, twelve or more support elements, etc.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, each of the support elements 204 can include a first base member 206, a second base member 208, a vertical support member 210, and a horizontal support member 212. The first base member 206 and the second base member 208 can be attached to the sloped surface 201. The first and second base members 206, 208 can be attached to the sloped surface 201 such that the second base member 208 is positioned a distance (e.g., similar to the distance D shown in FIG. 1) from the first base member 206. The distance D can be any suitable distance depending on the desired width W and/or height H of the work platform 202 (e.g., similar to the width W and height H shown in FIG. 1).
Referring to FIG. 7, in the illustrated example, each of the base members 206, 208 include a plate member 238 and connection members 240, 242 extending upward from the plate member 238. The plate member 238 is configured to attach to the sloped surface 201. For example, the plate member 238 can include one or more openings 244 for receiving a fastener (e.g., a bolt, a stake, etc.) to secure the plate member 238 to the sloped surface. In the illustrated implementation, the plate member 238 includes four openings 244 positioned at the corners of the plate member 238. However, it should be understood that the plate member 238 can have any suitable number of openings 244, and the openings 244 can be disposed at any location on the plate member 238 that allows for a fastener to be inserted through the openings 244 to connect the plate member 238 to the sloped surface 201.
The connection members 240, 242 having aligned openings 248 for receiving a fastener (e.g., a bolt, a pin, etc.), where the aligned openings 248 are configured to align with one or more openings of the corresponding vertical or horizontal support member 210, 212 such that a fastener can be inserted into the aligned openings 248 and the opening(s) of the corresponding support member 210, 212 to pivotally attach the connection members 240, 242 to the corresponding support member 210, 212. It should be understood, however, that the base members 206, 208 can take any other suitable form that is capable of pivotally attaching to the corresponding vertical or horizontal support member 210, 212 while also being secured to the sloped surface 201, such as, for example, any other form for a base member described in the present application. The base members 206, 208 can be made of, for example, a metal material (e.g., aluminum, steel, etc.), a wooden material, or any other suitable material.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the vertical support member 210 is attached to the first base member 206 such that the vertical support member 210 can extend substantially perpendicular to the horizontal axis, and the horizontal support member 212 is attached to the second base member 208 such that the horizontal support member 212 can extend substantially parallel to the horizontal axis. In the illustrated example, the vertical support member 210 is pivotally attached to the first base member 206 and the horizontal support member 212 is pivotally attached to the second base member 208. These pivotal attachments allow for the vertical support member 210 to be moved to the substantially perpendicular position relative to the horizontal axis, and allow for the horizontal support member 212 to be move to the substantially parallel position relative to the horizontal axis, regardless of the degree of the angle between the sloped surface 201 and the horizontal axis. The vertical and horizontal support members 210, 212 can be elongated rods or bars made of a metal material (e.g., aluminum, steel, etc.), a wooden material, or any other suitable material.
The vertical support member 210 and the horizontal support member 212 can be fixedly attached to each other to maintain the vertical support member 210 in a substantially perpendicular position relative to the horizontal axis and to maintain the horizontal support member 210 in a substantially parallel position relative to the horizontal axis. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, in the illustrated example, the vertical support member 210 includes a rosette 214 having one or more openings 215, and the horizontal support member includes a bracket 216 having one or more openings 217. The opening(s) 215 of the rosette 214 can be aligned with the openings 217 of the bracket 216 such that a fastener 234 (e.g., a bolt, a pin, etc.) can be inserted into the openings 215, 217 to secure the horizontal support member 212 to the vertical support member 210. It should be understood that the vertical and horizontal support members 210, 212 can be connected to each other by any other suitable means, such as, for example, any other means for connecting vertical and horizontal support members described in the present application.
In some instances, the vertical support member 210 can have a height (e.g., similar to the height H1 shown in FIG. 1) that is adjustable. For example, referring to FIG. 6, the vertical support member 210 can have a first portion 218 that is externally threaded and a second portion 220 that is internally threaded, where the external threads of the first portion 218 are in engagement with the internal threads of the second portion 220 such that second portion 220 can be moved relative to the first portion 218 to adjust the height of the vertical support member 210. In various examples, the vertical support member 210 can include an engagement member 222 that allows for a user to easily engage the vertical support member 210 to adjust the height thereof. It should be understood, however, that the height of the vertical support member 210 can be adjustable by any other suitable means, such as, for example, any other means described in the present application for adjusting the height of a vertical support member. Adjusting the height of the vertical support member 210 can allow for a user to adjust the system 200 based on the desired width and/or height of the work platform 102, as well as adjusting the system 100 to ensure the horizontal support member 212 is in a substantially horizontal position relative to the horizontal axis. For example, the bracket 214 can be secured to the second portion 220 of the vertical support member 210 such that movement of the second portion 220 relative to the first portion 218 allows for movement of the bracket 214 and, consequently, movement of the vertical connection point between the vertical and horizontal support members 210, 212. While the width of the horizontal support member 212 (e.g., the width W1 shown in FIG. 1) is shown as being fixed, it should be understood that the width of the horizontal support member can also be configured to be adjusted, such as, for example, by any means described in the present application for adjusting the width of a horizontal support member.
Referring to FIGS. 3-5, the work platform 202 can be supported by the horizontal support member 212 such that the work platform 202 is substantially parallel to the horizontal axis and in a substantially flat position. Referring to FIGS. 3 and S, the work platform 202 includes a frame 203 and a body member 205 supported by the frame 203, where the frame 203 is attached to two or more of the support elements 204 by one or more connectors 207. The connector(s) 207 can be bracket(s), fastener(s), or any other suitable type of member that is capable of connecting a frame 203 to the support elements 204. The work platform 202 can include any suitable number of frames 203 and any suitable number of body members 205 that allow for the work platform 202 to extend a desired length for the work platform system 200. The frame(s) 203 can be made of, for example, a metal material (e.g., aluminum, steel, etc.), a wooden material, or any other suitable material. The body member(s) 205 can include one or more boards or decks that are made of a wooden material, a metal material, or any other suitable material that supports one or more users working at a work site. It should be understood, however, that the work platform 202 can take any other suitable form that is capable of being supported by the support elements 204 while also supporting one or more users working at the work site.
The work platform system 200 is advantageous because it allows for user(s) to customize the length and/or width of the work platform 202 based on the work site at which work is being conducted. For example, any suitable number of support elements 204 can be used to support the work platform 202 based on the desired length of the work platform 202. Also, the height and/or width of the work platform 202 can be adjusted in various ways. For example, the first and second base members 206, 208 can be attached to the sloped surface 201 at any desired distance apart from each other and the height of the vertical support member 210 can be adjusted. In some implementations, the width of the horizontal support member 212 can be adjusted. These adjustable portions of the support elements 204, alone or any combination thereof, can be used to create a desired height and/or width for the work platform 202.
Referring to FIGS. 3-5, in various implementations, the work platform system 200 can include one or more rails 230, 232 that connect to and extend between the support elements 204. For example, the system 200 can include a top rail 230 and a center rail 232. However, it should be understood that the system 200 can include any suitable number rails depending on the work site on which the system 200 is being used. In the illustrated example, the rails 230, 232 are connected to the support elements 204 by a rosette and bracket connection. However, it should be understood that the rails 230, 232 can be connected to the support elements 204 by any other suitable means. The rails 230, 232 provide for a barrier for user(s) that are working on the work platform.
FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate another example of a support element 304 that can be used with a work platform system (e.g., any work platform system described in the present application). That is, a plurality of the support elements 304 can be used to support a work platform (e.g., any work platform described in the present application) such that one or more users can be supported by the work platform at a work site. In this example, the support element 304 can include a first base member (not shown), a second base member 308 (FIG. 8), a vertical support member 310, and a horizontal support member 312. The first and second base members can be configured to attach to a sloped surface. The first base member and the second base member 308 can take any suitable form, such as, for example, any form described in the present application. The first and second base members can be attached to the sloped surface such that the second base member 308 is positioned a distance (e.g., similar to the distance D shown in FIG. 1) from the first base member. The distance D can be any suitable distance depending on the desired width W and/or height H of the work platform that is supported by the support element 304 (e.g., similar to the width W and height H of the work platform 102 shown in FIG. 1).
The vertical support member 310 is attached to the first base member such that the vertical support member 310 can extend substantially perpendicular to a horizontal axis (e.g., similar to the horizontal axis 103 shown in FIG. 1), and the horizontal support member 312 is attached to the second base member 308 such that the horizontal support member 312 can extend substantially parallel to the horizontal axis. In the illustrated example, the vertical support member 310 is pivotally attached to the first base member and the horizontal support member 312 is pivotally attached to the second base member 308. These pivotal attachments allow for the vertical support member 310 to be moved to the substantially perpendicular position relative to the horizontal axis, and allow for the horizontal support member 312 to be move to the substantially parallel position relative to the horizontal axis, regardless of the degree of the angle (e.g., similar to the angle α shown in FIG. 1) between the sloped surface and the horizontal axis. The vertical and horizontal support members 310, 312 can take any suitable form, such as, for example, any form described in the present application. In some instances, the vertical support member 310 can have a height (e.g., similar to the height H1 shown in FIG. 1) that is adjustable. The vertical support member 310 can take any suitable form that allows for its height to be adjusted, such as, for example, any form described in the present application.
The vertical support member 310 and the horizontal support member 312 can be fixedly attached to each other to maintain the vertical support member 310 in a substantially perpendicular position relative to the horizontal axis and to maintain the horizontal support member 310 in a substantially parallel position relative to the horizontal axis. The vertical support member 310 can a first bracket 314, and the horizontal support member can include a second bracket 316 having one or more protruding members 317 for engaging the first bracket 314 to secure the second bracket 316 to the first bracket 314. In the illustrated example, the bracket 316 is shown as having two protruding members 317. In some implementations, the second bracket 316 can include a locking member 319 that is configured to engage the first bracket 314 when the one or more protruding members 317 are engaging the first bracket 314 to lock the second bracket 316 to the first bracket 314. In various examples, the first bracket 314 can include one or more openings or grooves for receiving the protruding members 317 of the second bracket 316.
FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a method 400 for assembling a work platform system on a sloped surface (e.g., the sloped surface 101 shown in FIG. 1). The method 400 includes attaching a first base member to a sloped surface such that a vertical support member is attached to the sloped surface via a connection between the first base member and the vertical support member (as shown at box 402). The vertical support member can be connected to the first base member prior to attaching the first base member to the sloped surface, or the vertical support member can be connected to the first base member after attaching the first base member to the sloped surface. The vertical support member can be connected to the first base member by any suitable means, such as, for example, by any means described in the present application. For example, the vertical support member can be pivotally connected to the first base member. The first base member and the vertical support member can take any suitable form, such as, for example, any form described in the present application.
The method 400 further includes attaching a second base member to the sloped surface such that a horizontal support member is attached to the sloped surface via a connection between the second base member and the horizontal support member (as shown at box 404). The horizontal support member can be connected to the second base member prior to attaching the second base member to the sloped surface, or the horizontal support member can be connected to the second base member after attaching the second base member to the sloped surface. The horizontal support member can be connected to the second base member by any suitable means, such as, for example, by any means described in the present application. For example, the horizontal support member can be pivotally connected to the second base member. The second base member and the horizontal support member can take any suitable form, such as, for example, any form described in the present application.
The method 400 further includes attaching the horizontal support member to the vertical support member such that the horizontal support member is substantially parallel to a horizontal axis (e.g., the horizontal axis 103 shown in FIG. 1) from which the sloped surface extends (as shown at box 406). The horizontal support member can be attached to the vertical support member by any suitable means, such as, for example, any means described in the present application.
The method 400 further includes supporting a work platform with the horizontal support member (as shown at box 408). The work platform can take any suitable form, such as, for example, any form described in the present application. The work platform can be connected to or otherwise support by the horizontal support element by any suitable means, such as, for example, any means described in the present application. In various examples, the method 400 can include repeating the steps shown in boxes 402-406 to create a plurality of support elements (e.g., any support element described in the present application) and then supporting the work platform with the plurality of support elements.
While the various examples described in the present application describe a work platform system having a plurality of support elements that include a vertical support member that is substantially perpendicular to a horizontal axis and a horizontal support member that is substantially parallel to the horizontal axis, it should be understood that the vertical and horizontal support members can take any other angle relative to the horizontal axis as long as the work platform that is supported thereby is capable of being positioned in a substantially parallel position relative to the horizontal axis. For example, the vertical support member can be positioned at any other angle relative to the horizontal axis as long as the horizontal support member can be attached to the vertical support member in a substantially parallel position relative to the horizontal axis. In other examples, both the horizontal and vertical support elements can be at other angles relative to the horizontal axis, but the work platform can be attached to one or both of the horizontal and vertical support elements in a way that allows for the work platform to be at a substantially parallel position relative to the horizontal axis. In some of these examples, the support elements can further include a tilting plate or other type of tilting connector that allows for the work platform to be attached to the horizontal and/or vertical support members and be in a substantially parallel position relative to the horizontal axis.
While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the inventions may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination with exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein, all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present inventions. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts and features of the inventions—such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, devices and components, alternatives as to form, fit and function, and so on—may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present inventions even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein.
Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the inventions may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Moreover, while various aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of an invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific invention. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated.
Patent Application
20250122735
