Decking

Abstract

A stand (10, Fig 4) for use in supporting temporary raised decking in a confined area within a building comprises a frame (12, Fig 1) having an elongate crossmember 16 upon which planks, boards, or li

Description

[0001] This invention relates to temporary raised decking used in the construction of buildings and the like. When working on the construction of a building 5 from the inside, it can be convenient to provide such decking over the entire floor area of a room or other confined area within the building. For example, the decking can be used to reach and construct upper parts of the surrounding walls and an upper floor / ceiling / roof beams / roof trusses etc. supported by or over these walls.

[0002] More particularly, the invention concerns a modular system of stands 10 and associated components adapted to provide such decking. Known trestle systems used to support a work platform at a low elevated height compared to the heights achievable using scaffolding are shown for example in GB2364733 A and WO2005 / 124057 Al. The trestles (sometimes called “bandstands”) act as stands on LO which the work platform rests and comprise upright frames which, at least for the CM 15 purposes of initial assembly of the system, maintain themselves in an upright position. CM Unlike scaffolding, such trestle systems can be safely set up by non-specialist personnel with relatively little training or supervision, e.g. by following the CM instructions provided in a training manual. For safety, both scaffolding and these I- known trestle systems are provided with edge protection, to prevent workers, work 20 materials etc. from accidentally falling from the platform. Both scaffolding and these known trestle systems are primarily intended to provide a linear work platform, e.g. for use adjacent to a wall under construction or undergoing renovation. Therefore they are not well suited to provide decking extending over substantially the entire floor area of a room. 25

[0003] The present invention provides a A modular system comprising a plurality of stands, as defined in claim 1. The platform-forming components can span between, and be supported by, the crossmembers of the first set of the stands spaced apart at a suitable distance from each other (e.g. 1.2 metres or less). Further platformforming components may be supported by the second set of stands, whereby the width 30 of the work platform is extended across both sets. The degree of overlap between the crossmembers in the adjacent sets of stands can be adjusted (the crossmembers of the stands are longitudinally “slid” next to one another), whereby the total width of the platform can be adjusted. One or more yet further sets of stands may be similarly placed adjacent to the second set, to support still further platform-forming components, and thereby further extend platform to any desired width. The platform can thereby be extended to form a deck which occupies substantially the entire floor 5 area of a room in a building under construction or renovation; or substantially occupy any other area of substantially any length or width as desired. Corresponding stands in the various sets may therefore be arranged in a closely adjacent or touching, staggered or alternating offset, or echelon, or sliding-stand formation. The overlap which may be required to adjust the width of the platform to a sufficiently close fit to 10 the desired floor dimension, may be shared across all the sets of stands, or may be concentrated in fewer sets, e.g. between the penultimate and final sets to be installed. The other stand sets may therefore have minimum overlap, with only their corresponding sockets lying next to each other. These minimally overlapping adjacent LO stand sets therefore support their maximum number of platform-forming components CM 15 (typically five standard sized scaffolding boards side by side on their crossmembers, CM although other maximum numbers and / or platform-forming component sizes are possible). The stand set or sets with a greater overlap with its neighbour will uniquely CM support fewer platform-forming components side by side on its crossmembers, to I- provide the platform width adjustment increment(s). 20

[0004] The posts may be installed in the sockets at the edges of the platform and safety rails may be attached between neighbouring ones of these posts. For example, posts may be inserted into all the outboard sockets in the two sets of stands at the opposite edges of the platform, to form opposed platform edge safety barriers running lengthwise of the platform-forming components. Further posts may be 25 installed in one socket in each of the pairs of overlapping sockets of the endmost stands of all the sets, so that safety rails can be attached between neighbouring ones of: these further posts and the corner posts, to form opposed platform edge safety barriers running widthwise of the platform-forming components. However, other edge protection barrier configurations are also possible. For example, the deck may be 30 configured with a bight or a central aperture for ladder access, the edges of which can also be protected by similarly constructed safety barriers.

[0005] One or both ends of the stand crossmember may extend outward of the remainder of the frame, with the corresponding socket or sockets positioned outward of the frame. This allows the sets of stands supporting the deck to be placed next to each other with the minimum overlap, and in all the preferred greater overlaps, 5 without support feet attached to the frame interfering with one another.

[0006] Each set of receptors may comprise a cluster of four pockets circumferentially spaced about the longitudinal axis of the post, each pocket being configured for reception of a pin or peg extending transversely from an end of a safety rail, for selective and removable attachment of the safety rails. The post and socket 10 may have complementary non-round (e.g. square) transverse cross-sections, whereby the sets of receptors are positioned in a predetermined orientation relative to the stands when the posts are inserted into the sockets.

[0007] To reduce the number of stands required to support a deck covering a LO larger floor area, the modular system may further comprise a plurality of bridge bars, CM 15 each bridge bar having fittings at both of its ends by which the bridge bar can be CM selectively removably attached to the crossmember and / or to one of the sockets of one of the stands, to span between that stand and an adjacent one of the stands. Each end CM fitting of the bridge bar may comprise a bifurcated portion adapted to embrace an I- outer wall of the socket. Each end fitting may further comprise an inverted generally 20 U-shaped portion adapted to embrace the crossmember. At least an inboard portion of each socket may comprise an upwardly extending lip or tab engageable within an aperture of the end fitting defined by the bifurcated and inverted generally U-shaped portions, thereby selectively removably retaining the end fitting over the socket and an adjacent end of the crossmember, whether a post is present in the socket or not. 25 Moreover, the end fitting may be configured so as not to block the socket for selective removable reception of the post, when the bridge bar is attached to the stand.

[0008] The bridge bar (and also the crossmember) may be of any suitable length, for example designed to snugly support an integer number of nominally similar-width platform-forming components side by side. For example, the bridge bar 30 may have a similar length, bending strength and stiffness to the crossmember, for supporting the same or a similar number of platform-forming components. It may however be sized to accommodate more platform-forming components than the crossmember, in which case its bending strength and stiffness is suitably increased. The bridge bar may be one of a set of such bridge bars of different lengths, each for accommodating a different number of platform-forming components such as scaffolding boards, e.g. a set comprising different lengths respectively suitable for 5 supporting one nominally similar width component and upwards, in increments of one component; although the shortest bridge bar length and the increment are independently variable, and may include lengths for use with fractional or other widths of platform-forming components. Thus, the bridge bar may provide a further or alternative means for adjusting the deck width to fit the floor area. 10

[0009] At least one of the stands may further comprise an anti-flip bracket 20 25 selectively removably attachable to its crossmember. The anti-flip bracket can thus serve to support overhanging ends of the platform-forming components supported on the crossmember. The anti-flip bracket may be similar to that disclosed in GB 2378978 A. It may comprise a channel having a downwardly facing opening to fit over the crossmember (and / or over the bridge bar where used), and a frame secured to the channel to be positioned under the overhanging ends of the platform-forming components when the channel is so fitted. A pair of such channels may be provided, linked by a strip which lies along the top of the crossmember (or bridge bar) in use. The total length of the channel or channels may be less than the length of the crossmember (and thus less than the length of a bridge bar used to support the same number of nominally similar-width platform-forming components). Such an anti-flip bracket can therefore be fitted either to the crossmember or to the bridge bar, in the latter case without interference from the bifurcated portions of the end fittings, if these are wider than the remainder of the bridge bar. This may be so when the bridge bar, crossmember and post are all constructed using the same gauge of a tubular material, such as mild steel box section, which may be convenient. The anti-flip bracket frame under the distal portion of the overhanging ends of the platform-forming components may nevertheless be wide enough (e.g. wider than the total length of the channel(s) if necessary), to stably support all the overhanging platform-forming components. Alternatively, the anti-flip bracket may be configured to support the overhanging ends of fewer nominally similar-width platform-forming components than the stand crossmember and / or the bridge bar, for example configured to supporta single platform-forming component, such as a single scaffold board. The frame may extend upwardly at a slight angle in a direction away from the channel or channels, whereby the frame will firmly support overhanging ends of the platform-forming components, even if the channel or channels are a slightly loose fit over the bridge bar or 5 crossmember of the stand.

[0010] The modular system may further comprise a combined safety gate keeper and ladder support bracket selectively removably attachable to one of the posts, the combined bracket comprising a keeper for releasably holding a safety gate leaf in a closed position and a laterally projecting arm against which a ladder can be 10 supported for accessing the platform. A suitable safety gate which may be fitted to a neighbouring one of the posts is described in WO2008 / 110812 Al. The combined bracket may comprise a pin engageable in a hollow interior of the post to suspend the combined bracket from the top of the post. The combined bracket may be configured LO to non-rotatably engage the post by embracing two opposed sides of the post while CM 15 leaving the safety rail attachment receptors on at least one of those sides exposed for CM the attachment of safety rails. The combined bracket may comprise a stile configured to lie lengthwise against the post, the stile having a recess for accommodating one of CM the safety rail attachment receptors. The stile may comprise part of a generally planar I- frame of the combined bracket, this frame extending perpendicular to the gate leaf 20 opening and closing direction when the bracket is attached to the post, to extend into the path of movement of the gate leaf and act as a stop. An upwardly open channel may project from the side of the bracket’s frame facing the gate leaf, to form the keeper; the gate leaf being liftable over a distal wall of the channel to lie in the channel and thereby hold the gate leaf in a closed position. The laterally projecting arm may 25 project normal to the plane of the bracket's frame, from the side of the frame opposite to the channel. The laterally projecting arm may be offset from the bracket’s stile. Safety rails extending in the same direction as the arm may therefore be attached to the same post that carries the bracket, and a ladder leaned against and secured to the arm. Such an arrangement may be necessary when the ladder is positioned in a bight 30 or central access aperture formed in the platform; the safety rails extending in the same direction as the arm serving to protect one edge of the bight or aperture. The offset can ensure that these safety rails are positioned behind the portion of the ladder extending above the arm and therefore do not interfere with or obstruct the safe use of the ladder. The bight or aperture in the platform may allow continued access to a deck occupying substantially the entire floor area of a room under construction, when all the door and window lintels have been put in place, and the upper walls of the room 5 form a continuous barrier preventing side access to the deck.

[0011] In a modification, the crossmember of each stand may have a kink in its 10 20 25 central section so that the parts of the crossmember on either side of the kink are parallel to one another and transversely offset from each other by substantially the width of the crossmember. The stands may therefore be overlapped with their crossmembers tessellating so that all their offsets in a given direction are aligned. An anti-flip bracket extending the full width of a such a stand may have a pair of the downwardly open channels offset from one another to fit the kinked crossmember. The frame of this anti-flip bracket may be lengthened by half the width of the crossmember on the side corresponding to the part of the crossmember offset away from the anti-flip bracket’s distal end, and the opposite side of the frame may be shortened by half the width of the crossmember, whereby the anti-flip bracket may be fitted to the crossmember and the distal edge of the anti-flip bracket may be accurately aligned with the aligned distal edges of the overhanging platform-forming component ends. Anti-flip brackets for supporting individual platform-forming components, such as individual boards, may be provided in correspondingly lengthened and shortened forms. The bridge bar (where provided) may be correspondingly modified so that its end fittings are offset from each other by the width of the crossmember, but in the opposite direction to the offset in the stand crossmember (counter-offset). For example, the bridge bar may be kinked in mirror image to the crossmember. Anti-flip brackets to fit the full length of the bridge bar may in this case be provided, which are the mirror image of those for fitting the full width of the kinked stand. The appropriate lengthened and shortened anti-flip brackets for supporting individual boards on the kinked stand will also fit the kinked bridge bar. Alternatively, the part of the modified bridge bar between the end fittings may be substantially straight, i.e. extend slightly diagonally, to provide the counter-offset between the end fittings. The sides of the full-length anti-flip brackets for fitment to this form of bridge bar will be correspondingly 1 9 09 9^ lengthened and shortened. The downwardly open channel(s) of such brackets are therefore straight (and axially aligned).

[0012] In an alternative modification, at least one of the stands may further comprise an anti-flip bracket selectively removably attachable to its crossmember so as to extend over substantially the full width of the stand, the anti-flip bracket comprising a channel having a downwardly facing opening to fit over the stand crossmember and a frame secured to the channel so as to be positioned under the overhanging ends of the platform-forming components when the channel is so fitted, a distal edge of the anti-flip bracket frame extending at an angle to the axis of the channel, where Tan'1 (x / (n.w) <<t> <Tan^fx / w) and n is the number of platform-forming components of nominally equal width accommodated by the stand crossmember, x is the width of the stand crossmember and w is the nominal width of the platform-forming component. If the stands are overlapped in the correct order, such an anti-flip bracket may be more closely aligned with the distal edges of the overhanging platform-forming component ends than an anti-flip bracket in which the distal edge of the frame is parallel to the axis of the downwardly open channel. For example, where 0 = Tan'1 (x / (n-z).w),

Claims

1. A modular system comprising a plurality of stands, each stand comprising a frame having an elongate crossmember upon which planks, boards, or like5 components can be supported in use to form a platform, the crossmember having a respective socket at each of its ends in which a respective post is selectively removably received, the posts each comprising a plurality of sets of receptors, the sets of receptors being spaced from one another along the length of the post and configured for selective and removable attachment of safety rails extending orthogonal to the10 post in both orthogonal and linearly opposed pairs, whereby a plurality of the safety rails are attachable between neighbouring ones of the posts received in the sockets, to form a safety barrier;a first set of the stands being arranged in a row with the stand frames arranged generally parallel to each other and crosswise of the row;15 a second set of the stands being similarly arranged in a row adjacent to the first set, and platform-forming components supported by the first and second sets of stands to form a work platform;the crossmembers in the first set being parallel to the crossmembers in the second set, but offset from each other and partially overlapping, so that a side of the inboard20 socket of each stand in the second set is positioned against or close to a side of the inboard socket or crossmember of the corresponding stand in the first set.

2. A modular system as claimed in claim 1, in which one or both ends of the crossmember of each stand extend outward of the remainder of the frame, with the25 corresponding socket or sockets positioned outward of the frame.

3. A modular system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which each set of receptors comprises a cluster of four pockets circumferentially spaced about the longitudinal axis of the corresponding post, each pocket being configured for reception of a pin or30 peg extending transversely from an end of a safety rail, for selective and removableattachment of the safety rail.

4. A modular system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the posts and sockets have complementary non-round transverse cross-sections.

5. A modular system as claimed in in any preceding claim, further comprising a5 plurality of bridge bars, each bridge bar having fittings at both of its ends by which the bridge bar can be selectively removably attached to the crossmember and / or to one of the sockets of one of the stands, to span between that stand and an adjacent one of the stands.10 6. A modular system as claimed in claim 5, in which each end fitting of the bridgebar comprises a bifurcated portion adapted to embrace an outer wall of the socket.

7. A modular system as claimed in claim 5 or 6, in which each end fitting furtherLO comprises an inverted generally U-shaped portion adapted to embrace the CM 15 crossmember.CM8. A modular system as claimed in claim 7, in which at least an inboard portion ofCM each socket comprises an upwardly extending lip or tab engageable within an aperture I-of the end fitting defined by the bifurcated and inverted generally U-shaped portions.

209. A modular system as claimed in any of claims 5 - 8, in which the end fitting is configured so as not to block the associated socket for selective removable reception of the post, when the bridge bar is attached to the stand.25 10. A modular system as claimed in any of claims 5 - 9, in which the bridge bar hasa similar length to the crossmember, for supporting the same number of platform-forming components.

11. A modular system as claimed in any of claims 5 - 9, in which the bridge bar is30 one of a set of such bridge bars of different lengths, each for accommodating a differentinteger number of platform-forming components of equal width; or in which the length of the bridge bar is telescopically adjustable.

12. A modular system as claimed in in any preceding claim, in which at least one of the stands further comprises an anti-flip bracket selectively removably attachable to its crossmember.

13. A modular system as claimed in claim 12, in which the anti-flip bracket comprises a channel or channels providing a downwardly facing opening to fit over the crossmember.10 14. A modular system as claimed in claim 13, in which the total length of thechannel or channels is less than the length of the crossmember.

15. A modular system as claimed in claim 14, in which the anti-flip bracketLO comprises a frame under the distal portion of the overhanging ends of the platform-CM 15 forming components that is wide enough to stably support all the overhanging ends,CM16. A modular system as claimed in claim 14, in which the anti-flip bracket is configured to support the overhanging ends of fewer platform-forming componentsI-than the crossmember.

17. A modular system as claimed in claim 14, in which the anti-flip bracket is configured to supporta single platform-forming component.

18. A modular system as claimed in claim 15, in which the anti-flip bracket is25 selectively removably attachable to the crossmember so as to extend over substantially the full width of the stand, the anti-flip bracket comprising a channel having a downwardly facing opening to fit over the crossmember and a frame secured to the channel so as to be positioned under the overhanging ends of the platformforming components when the channel is so fitted, a distal edge of the anti-flip bracket30 frame extending at the angle 0 to the axis of the channel, whereTan-1 (x / (n.w) <4> <Tan^fx / w) andn is the number of platform-forming components of equal width accommodated by the crossmember,x is the width of the crossmember andw is the width of the platform-forming component.

519. A modular system as claimed in in any preceding claim, and further comprising a combined safety gate keeper and ladder support bracket selectively removably attachable to one of the posts, the combined bracket comprising a keeper for releasably holding a safety gate leaf in a closed position and a laterally projecting arm10 against which a ladder can be supported for accessing the platform.

20. A modular system as claimed in claim 19, in which the combined bracket comprises a stile configured to lie lengthwise against the post, the stile having a recessLO for accommodating one of the safety rail attachment receptors.CM isCM 21. A modular system as claimed in claim 19 or 20, in which the laterally projecting arm is offset from the bracket’s stile.CM22. A modular system as claimed in claim 20 or 21, in which the stile comprises20 part of a generally planar frame of the combined bracket, this frame configured toextend perpendicular to the gate leaf opening and closing direction when the bracket is attached to the post, to extend into the path of movement of the gate leaf and act as a stop.25 23. A modular system as claimed in claim 22, in which an upwardly open channelprojects from the side of the bracket’s frame facing the gate leaf, to form the keeper.

24. A modular system as claimed in claim 23, in which the laterally projecting arm projects normal to the plane of the bracket’s frame, from the side of this frame30 opposite to the channel.

25. A modular system as claimed in in any preceding claim, in which the crossmember comprises a kinked central section such that the parts of the crossmember on either side of the kink are parallel to one another and transversely offset from each other by substantially the width of the crossmember.

526. A modular system as claimed in any of claims 5-11, in which a third set of the stands is arranged in a third row with the crossmembers of the third set aligned with crossmembers of the first set, and a said bridge bar is attached between each of the aligned crossmembers, and platform-forming components are supported by the stands10 and the bridge bars to form the work platform.

27. A modular system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the posts are installed in the sockets at the edges of the platform and safety rails are attachedLO between neighbouring ones of these posts.CM isCM 28. A method of constructing a raised deck using a modular system of stands as claimed in any of claims 1-25, the method comprising:CM arranging a first set of the stands in a first row with their crossmembers arranged I-generally parallel to each other and crosswise of the first row;20 arranging a second set of the stands in a second row with their crossmembers arranged generally parallel to each other and crosswise of the second row and so that the crossmembers in the first set are parallel to the crossmembers in the second set, but offset from each other and partially overlapping, so that a side of the inboard socket of each stand in the second set is positioned against or close to a side of the25 inboard socket or crossmember of the corresponding stand in the first set, and placing platform-forming components to span between the crossmembers of stands in the first set and placing platform-forming components to span between the stands of the second set, whereby all the platform-forming components make up a substantially continuous platform which forms the raised deck.1 9 09 9^29. The method of claim 28, further comprising adjusting the overlap between the stands in the first set and the stands in the second set whereby the width of the platform is adjusted to match the width of an area in which the stands are situated.5 30. A method of constructing a raised deck using a modular system of stands asclaimed in any of claims 5-11, the method comprising:arranging a third set of the stands in a third row with their crossmembers aligned with crossmembers in the first set,installing a said bridge bar between each of the aligned crossmembers;10 placing platform-forming components to span between the crossmembers of stands in the third set and placing platform-forming components to span between the bridge bars, whereby all the platform-forming components make up a substantially continuous platform which forms the raised deck.15 31. The method of claim 28, 29, or 30, further comprising installing the posts in thesockets at the edges of the platform and attaching the safety rails between neighbouring ones of these posts to form a safety barrier.

32. The method of claim 28, 29, 30, or 31, further comprising forming a bight or a20 central aperture in the platform, installing the posts in the sockets at the edges of the bight or central aperture and attaching the safety rails between neighbouring ones of these posts to form a safety barrier.

Images