GB2417974A - Lightweight rope access work platform - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable rope access work platform comprising decking (15) supported by a framework (1) having a length and a width, end rails movably connectible with the decking or its framework to move between a position for use extending upwardly from the decking and a folded position disposed laying adjacent to the decking, and a pair of elongate side handrails (49, 51) releasably connectible with the end rails and characterised in that the separation distance between the pair of elongate side rails is greater than the width of the deck. Side rails 49, 51 are connectible for use by pins passing through holes 27; legs 59 provide the required offset. End rails 21 pivot about hinges 19 so as to lie adjacent decking 15 for transport, rails 49, 51 being fastened to the folded platform by cargo straps.

Description

Lightweight Rope Access Work Platform

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a work platform.

Modem rope access or industrial climbing techniques ("abseiling" in their simplest fond) are relatively new and have been used commercially for about 23 years. They use light weight sports combing and caving ropes and equipment of limited strength to enable men to reach difficult access areas without the need for scaffolding ete. A typical safe working load is 200 Kilograms.

British Patent No 2311321 describes an extendable modular work platform which can be arranged in longs spells and various eonfgurations yet is light enough to enable it to be used with and suspended from rope. It provides a means of accessing areas that could not be economically accessed by normal methods such as timber planking and staging.

However, there has always been a need for a stronger, lighter, single unit, that would be much lighter, easier to handle and carry and also able to pass through narrow openings. The present invention aims to provide a solution.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a portable rope access work platform comprising decking supported by a framework having a length and a wiclth, end rails movably connectible with the decking or its framework to move between a position for use extending upwardly from the decking and a folded position disposed laying adjacent to the decking, and a pair of elongate side handrails releasably connectible with the end rails and charactensed in Blat the separation distance between the pair of elongate side raids is greater than the width of the fleck.

Preferably provision is made for attaching the elongate side rails to the platform in a storage transportation position when not in the position for use of the p]atfoml. Preferably the platform folds flat or substantially flat when not in use for storage and/or transportation purposes.

By having the deck narrower than the space between the side rails, there is sufficient working space for a person standing on the platform. On the other hand, when the side rails are disconnected from the end rails and the end rails are in their collapsed storage position, the narrow width of the decking allows the platfonn to pass through small gaps - such as man holes - otherwise In one piece. By using light weight materials the weight of all the component parts can be Icept to under 25Kg allowing it to be carried by one man. The deck width is reduced down to 530mm whilst the side hand rails extend beyond this to provide an adequate working width. This size allows the platform to pass through a 22" (560mm) diameter hole. Such a size of hole Is commonly used on tanks, and therefore the platfonn can be used inside such tanks.

The only prior art platforms that permit this require the decking to be dismantled to reduce its width for passage through the hole and subsequently erected once through.

Preferably the platform is provided with multiple height suspension points that enable it to be suspended on ropes down, say, the side of a building, or pulled up higher for world under roofs or decks.

The design and rating of the platform is such that it can be supported on standard rope access equipment.

The thin section used for the framework to keep the weight down is reinforced at tile stress points to ensure adequate weight bearing capacity.

The platform is light, simple and can be quickly and easily assembled to its working configuration, theses being important features for rope access work which is often in different or confined locations.

The present invention will now be described further, herehafter by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings; in which: Figure] is a side view of the platform in its erected position, Figure 2 is an end view on A of figure I, Figure 3 is a plan view of the platform with the end rails in their folded position, Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 are fragmentary details of the construction, and; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the platform in its collapsed transportation configuration.

Referring firstly to figures 1 and 2, a portable rope access work platform according to the invention comprises a rectangular frame work 1 having parallel side members 3, 5 and connecting end members 7, 9. Five spaced box section cross-bars 11 connect the side members 3, 5. Box section supports 13 extend between the box section cross-bars 11. The box section members support a 6.35mm ply wood deck 15. A longitudinal stiffener 17 is attached along the upper side of each side member 3, 5. The aforesaid longitudinal stiffener 17 is stitch welded to the side frame member.

Hinge plates 19 are attached to the connecting end members 7, 9. Each cad member 7, 9 has pivotally connected thereto, by way of a hinge plate and a pin connector (not Illustrated), a respective end frame 21. The end frame comprises a framework having a pair of upright members 23 and a pair of lateral members 25 whose ends terminate at the uprights 23. A pin connection point 27 is funned at each junction point of the uptight with the lateral members. The end frame also includes a central upright member 29 extending between the lateral members 25, and a pair of inclined members 31, 33 extending towards the bottom of the uprights to join the lateral member 25 adjacent the lower end of the central upright. The upper lateral member 25 carries a first central suspension point 35 and two lateral suspension points 37, 39. A further two suspension points 41, 43 are provided in a respective bracket 45, 47 extending between the upright and the lower lateral member.

Tlle platform further comprises longitudinal side rails 49, 51 each comprising a pair of spaced elongate members 53, 55 connected by longitudinally spaced bracing element 57. The ends of the longitudinal side rails are provided with perpendicularly extending legs 59 having end pin holes 61 to facilitate connection with the end frame via the connection point 27 using suitable pins and it-clips (not illustrated) and thereby off set the side rails from the side of the end frame. By this means the opposite side rails are spaced more widely apart than the width of the decking thereby affording adequate working room for a person on the platform.

Removal of pins and it-clips from the connections points 27, 61 allows the side rails to be removed and the end frames to pivot inward towards one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the relationship between the height of the end frame from the deck (approxhnately 900nm) and the length of the deck is such that the free ends of the end l; -ames overlap one another.

The dimensions may be revised to avoid this so that the end frames fold flat and, lie parallel with the decking. The side frames are conveniently strapped to the platform for transportation and/or storage purposes using two cargo straps SO, as seen in figure S. The deck frame is conveniently provided with tape carrying handles 71 in the middle of each side and at each deck end support.

Figure 4 is a detail of the centre rail eye 35 and Figure 5 a detail of the lateral side eyes 37, 39. Figure 6 is a detail of the holes in the legs 59.

Figure 7 is a detail of the fillet plates 41, 43 containing the further suspension points. The five suspension points allow the platform to be suspended in a variety of different ways to suit different applications.

It will be apparent from the above description that the end frames have a width that is not greater than the width of the decking. This is the preferred construction, however, it will be appreciated that these side frames may be provided with connecting legs that are moveably and/ or releasably comected thereto which take the place of the perpendicularly extending legs 59 of the side rails and with which the side rails are connectible in order to offset the side rails, albeit that this is a less preferred arrangement.

Claims (6)

1. A portable rope access work platform comprising decking supported by a framework having a length and a width, end rails movably connectible with the decking or its framework to move between a position for use extending upwardly from the decking and a folded position disposed laying adjacent to the decking, and a pair of elongate side handrails releasably connectible with the end rails and characterized in that the separation distance between the pair of elongate side rails is greater than the width of the deck.

2. A portable rope access work platfonn as claimed in claim 1 in which provision is made for attaching the elongate side rails to the platform in a storage transportation position when not in the position for use of the platform.

3. A portable rope access work platform as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the platfonn folds flat or substantially flat when not in use for storage and/or transportation purposes.

4. A portable rope access work platform as claimed in any one of claims I to 3 in which the deck width is less than 560mm.

5. A portable rope access work platform as claimed in any one of the preceding clauns in which the elongate side rails have legs extending therefrom that are releasably connectible with the end rails and wherein the legs serve to set the elongate side rails off loom the end rails so that the pair of the side rails are set a greater distance apart than the width of the deck.

6. A portable rope access work platform constructed and arranged substantially as herehlbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.