A support assembly

Abstract

A support assembly 50 for attachment to a structure (1,fig.1). The support assembly comprises a ladder element 60 with upper and lower ends 61,62 and a platform 70 with first and second edges 71,72. T

Description

FIELD The present disclosure relates to a support assembly for attachment to a structure, for example a podium; and to a structure / podium comprising the support assembly. BACKGROUND There is often a need during construction or maintenance for a user to work at a height from the ground. It is known to provide a structure for this purpose. There are various types of structure available to a user, depending on the nature of the task being undertaken, the user’s experience, and / or the height requirements. One known structure is scaffolding, which comprises a system of individual components which may be secured together to form a scaffold of a required configuration and size. A scaffold is normally only erected for larger, longer term, projects and by specialist operatives. Another known structure is an access tower, comprising a plurality of modular elements which may be arranged to form an access tower of a desired height. Access towers are relatively simple to erect and so are suitable for both professional and domestic users. Another type of structure is a podium, which shares many characteristics with an access tower but often has a single configuration, offering only a single working height. As with access towers, podiums are suitable for both professional and domestic users. A podium provides a temporary work platform for a user, comprising a platform arranged at a predetermined distance from the ground. The platform may be partially or fully surrounded by a guard rail to provide a safe working environment on the platform. A separate ladder may be provided to allow access to the platform. One of the guard rails may be opened / removed to allow user access to / from the platform. A podium may be positioned adjacent a vertical work site (such as a wall), providing a stable platform from which the user can perform tasks at the site, including reaching beyond the envelope of the podium. Alternatively or additionally, podiums allow a user to carry out work at ceiling height or otherwise at a height beyond the reach of a user standing at ground level. Stabilising legs may be provided. There is a requirement for a podium to be stable and substantially rigid when assembled, whilst being easily transportable and / or stowable. There is also a desire for the assembling and collapsing of the podium to be performed quickly and easily. When not being used, it is desirable for the components of a structure to be stowed in a manner which uses the least space possible. Often, a user does not own a structure but instead hires one from a hire company. Consequently, a hire company may possess a high number of structures in its inventory, and storage space may be at a premium. Where a structure comprises multiple modular components, some components may become separated during storage, and a user may not be provided with, or be able to locate, all the necessary components to create a safe structure. A user could otherwise be provided with or select incompatible components. In the case of a podium, the components may comprise side panels, guard rails, access door(s), platform and a ladder. While some of the components may be attached to one another, others may still be discrete and could become separated from the rest. It is an object of certain embodiments disclosed herein to provide a support assembly and / or structure that will at least go some way towards improving on the above or which will at least provide the public or construction professionals with a useful choice. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a support assembly for attachment to a structure, the support assembly comprising: a ladder element having an upper end and a lower end; and a platform having a first edge and a second edge, the second edge opposite the first edge, wherein the platform comprises a first pair of attachment devices arranged adjacent the first edge, and a second pair of attachment devices adjacent the second edge, the attachment devices for attachment to said structure in use, wherein the upper end of the ladder element is pivotably attached to the second edge of the platform, and the second pair of attachment devices are pivotable with respect to the second edge of the platform and the upper end of the ladder element. In at least one embodiment, each of the first pair of the attachment devices is rotatable relative to each other. In at least one embodiment, each of the second pair of the attachment devices is rotatable relative to each other. In at least one embodiment, each of the first pair of attachment devices is rigidly secured to the platform. In at least one embodiment, the lower end of the ladder element comprises a third pair of attachment devices, for attachment to the structure. In at least one embodiment, the third pair of attachment devices are pivotable with respect to the lower end of the ladder element. In at least one embodiment, the support assembly comprises a first bar attached to the platform adjacent the first edge, the first pair of attachment devices being secured to each end of the first bar. In at least one embodiment, the support assembly comprises a second bar attached to the platform adjacent the second edge, the second pair of attachment devices being secured to each end of the second bar, and wherein the second bar is pivotable with respect to the second edge of the platform and the upper end of the ladder element. In at least one embodiment, the support assembly comprises a third bar attached to the lower end of the ladder element, the third pair of attachment devices being secured to each end of the third bar. In at least one embodiment, the third bar is pivotable with respect to the lower end of the ladder element. In at least one embodiment, the third bar defines a rung of the ladder element. In at least one embodiment, the platform comprises a frame and a deck, the deck being secured to the top of the frame. In at least one embodiment, the first and second pairs of attachment devices are attached to the frame. In at least one embodiment, the attachment devices comprise hooks. In at least one embodiment, at least one hook comprises a locking member. There is already provided a podium comprising: a pair of side frames, each comprising a pair of vertical members and at least one horizontal cross member between the vertical members, the side frames being spaced apart from one another; and a support assembly as disclosed herein, wherein the platform is arranged generally horizontally, and the first and second pairs of attachment devices are attached to the respective horizontal cross members of the side frames, and the ladder element is arranged to extend generally downwardly from the platform. In at least one embodiment, each of the side frames comprises an extension panel, pivotable with respect to the side frame, wherein the lower end of the ladder is attached to the respective extension panel such that the ladder is arranged at a nonperpendicular angle relative to the platform. In at least one embodiment, each extension panel comprises a generally horizontal bottom bar, and a connection boss extending upwardly at a non-perpendicular angle from the bottom bar, wherein the lower end of the ladder is attached to the respective connection bosses. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES In order that the present disclosure may be more readily understood, preferable embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 illustrates a structure and support assembly according to the invention; FIGURE 2 illustrates the support assembly in isolation; FIGURE 3 illustrates a top view of the support assembly; and FIGURE 4 illustrates a side view of the support assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE Figure 1 illustrates a structure comprising a podium 1. The podium 1 comprises a pair of side frames 2, 12. The first side frame 2 comprises a pair of vertical members 3, 4. The vertical members 3, 4 are spaced from one another, with at least one horizontal cross member 5 extending therebetween. The cross member(s) 5 are generally horizontal. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, there are four, vertically spaced, horizontal cross members 5a - 5d, but this is not essential. The horizontal cross member 5c illustrated in Figure 1 is generally at the midpoint of the side frame 2, and located generally at the elevated working height that the podium 1 is configured for. The podium 1 further comprises a second side frame 12, having corresponding vertical members 13, 14, and horizonal cross members 15a-15d, corresponding to those of the first side frame 2. In use, the upper cross members 5a, 15a act as guard rails for a user on the podium 1. The side frames 2, 12 are spaced from one another to create a podium 1 which, in plan view, generally has a square / rectangular footprint. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the podium 1 further comprises a hinged panel 22 secured to the upper end of both the side frames 2, 12. When the hinged panel 22 is substantially planar, as shown in Figure 1, the side frames 2, 12 are spaced from one another. When the hinged panel 22 is hinged, the side frames 2, 12 may move towards one another, thereby reducing the overall volume of the podium 1, for storage. The podium 1 may further comprise an access door 23. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the access door 23 comprises first 23a and second 23b door elements, each hinged to a respective vertical member 4, 14 of the first 2 and second 12 side frames. The door elements 23a, 22b may pivot inwardly. Such arrangements are known. The hinged panel 22 and the access door 23 work with the cross members 5a, 5b, 15a, 15b to create a guard arrangement for a user, whilst allowing the user to enter and exit the podium 1. The podium 1 further comprises extension panels 6, 16, which are pivotable with respect to the respective side frames 2, 12. The extension panel 6 is pivotably secured to the side frame 2 about the lower end of the vertical member 4. Consequently, when the podium 1 is stowed, the extension panel 6 may be swung around so as to be substantially adjacent to the side frame 2. When deployed, as shown in Figure 1, the extension panel 6 is pivoted with respect to the side frame 2 so as to be substantially coplanar with it. The extension panel 6 comprises at least a generally horizontal bottom bar 7a and a connection boss 8 extending upwardly at a non-perpendicular angle from the bottom bar 7a. The second extension panel 16 comprises a corresponding horizonal bottom bar 17a and connection boss 18. The extension panel 6 may further comprise an upper bar 7b. The first 6 and second 16 extension panels generally correspond to one another, but they rotate away from each other when stowed against the surface of the side panels 2, 12. In the embodiment shown, the horizontal bars 7a, 7b, 17a, 17b of the extension panels 6, 16 may be comprised of box section. Advantageously, apertures are provided in one end of the box section bars 7a, 7b, 17a, 17b through which the vertical members 4, 14 of the side frames 2, 12 may pass, to provide a pivoting connection. This avoids the need for a complicated joint if the horizontal bars of the extension panel were otherwise of the same tubular cross section as the vertical members 3,4, 13, 14 of the side frames 2, 12. The lower end of at least one of the vertical members 3,4, 13, 14 of the podium 1 may be provided with a castor 20. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, only the bottoms of the vertical members 3, 13 are provided with a castor 20. In the embodiment shown, the podium 1 further comprises feet 21 at the lower ends of the distal vertical members of the extension panels 6, 16. When assembled, the podium 1 contacts the ground by contact through the two castors 20 and the two feet 21. In the embodiment shown, the lower end of the vertical members 4, 14 do not contact the ground. The castors 20 may be lockable or otherwise include a brake mechanism. The podium 1 may further comprise at least one stabilising leg 22. In the embodiment shown, two stabilising legs 22 are shown. Furthermore, the podium 1 may comprise a stowage tie 24, which may hold the side frames 2, 12 in a collapsed manner when the podium 1 is stored. In Figure 1, the stowage tie 24 is connected to the horizontal cross member 5c of the first side frame 2, and is releasable securable to the horizontal cross member 15c of the second side frame 12 when the podium 1 is collapsed. The stowage tie may be connected / securable to other cross members 5, 15. The present invention provides a support assembly 50 for attachment to a structure, such as the podium 1 illustrated in Figure 1. The support assembly 50 comprises a ladder element 60 having an upper end 61 and a lower end 62. The support assembly 50 further comprises a platform 70 having a first edge 71 and a second edge 72, the second edge 72 being opposite the first edge 71. The platform 70 further comprises a first pair of attachment devices 74a, 74b arranged adjacent the first edge 71 of the platform 70. The platform 70 further comprises a second pair of attachment devices 84a, 84b arranged adjacent the second edge 72 of the platform 70. The attachment devices 74a, 74b, 84a, 84b, are for attachment to the podium 1 in use. Specifically, the attachment devices 74a, 74b, 84a, 84b are for attachment to the horizontal cross members 5, 15 of the podium 1 illustrated in Figure 1. By adjacent is meant that the attachment devices may be arranged at the respective edge, or generally proximal thereto. It will be appreciated that the attachment devices 74a, 74b, 84a, 84b are effectively distributed across the footprint of the platform 70 to provide a stable connection between the platform and the structure / podium 1, such that any load on the platform 70 should be directed through the platform within the footprint of the attachment devices 74a, 74b, 84a, 84b. The upper end 61 of the ladder element 60 is pivotably attached to the second edge 72 of the platform 70. The second pair of attachment devices 84a, 84b are pivotable with respect to the second edge 72 of the platform 70 and the upper end 61 of the ladder element 60. In at least one embodiment, each of the second pair of attachment devices 84a, 84b is rotatable relative to each other, and thus relative to the platform 70. Each of the first pair of attachment devices 74a, 74b may also be rotatable relative to each other, and to the platform 70. Alternatively, each of the first pair of attachment devices 74a, 74b may be rigidly secured to the platform 70. In at least one embodiment, the first pair of attachment devices 74a, 74b are rigidly secured to the platform, while the second pair of attachment devices 84a, 84b are rotatable relative to the platform 70. This allows sufficient rigidity to be provided in the arrangement when the support assembly 50 is attached to a podium 1 in use. In at least one embodiment, the lower end 62 of the ladder 60 comprises a third pair of attachment devices 64a, 64b for attachment to the structure. The third pair of attachment devices 64a, 64b attach to a different part of the structure 1 than the first 74a, 74b and second 84a, 84b pairs of attachment devices. In at least one embodiment, the support assembly 50 comprises a first bar 75 attached to the platform 70 adjacent the first edge 71, and the first pair of attachment devices 74a, 74b are secured to each end of the first bar 75. The first bar 75 is shown in phantom lines in Figure 3. In at least one embodiment, the support assembly 50 comprises a second bar 85 attached to the platform 70 adjacent the second edge 72, and the second pair of attachment devices 84a, 84b are secured to each end of the second bar 85. The second bar 85 is pivotable with respect to the second edge 72 of the platform 70 and the upper end 61 of the ladder element 60. Consequently, the second bar 85, and the second pair of attachment devices 84a, 84b may rotate freely regardless of the relative angle between the platform 70 and ladder element 60. This arrangement provides adjustability when attaching the support assembly 50 to the podium 1. The second bar 85 may take the same general form as the first bar 75. The support assembly 50 further comprises a third bar 65 attached to the lower end 62 of the ladder element 60, and the third pair of attachment devices 64a, 64b are secured to each end of the third bar 65. The third pair of attachment devices 64a, 64b may be rigidly secured to the ends of the bar 65, so that when the third bar 65 rotates relative to the lower end 62 of the ladder element 60, so do the third pair of attachment devices 64a, 64b. The ladder element 60 comprises a pair of stiles 66, which are arranged parallel to one another, with a number of rungs 63 extending between the stiles 66. In the embodiment shown in the figures, there are effectively three rungs 63, but wherein the third bar 65 defines one of the three rungs 63. The rungs 63 and third bar 65 may be equally spaced along the stiles 66. The distance between the top of the upper rung 63 and the surface of the deck 71 may be substantially equal to the pitch between the rungs 63. When the support assembly 50 is installed on the podium 1, the distance between the top of the third bar 65 and the ground may be substantially equal to the pitch between the rungs 63. Consequently, the stepping surfaces provided to the user are equally spaced between the ground and the surface of the deck 71. The platform 70 may comprise a frame 90 and a deck 91, the deck 91 being secured to the frame 90. In the embodiment shown, best seen in Figure 2, the frame 90 comprises at least two parallel box section frame members. The first 75 and second 85 bars may pass through apertures in the frame members, seen at the interface of the ladder element 60 and platform 70 shown in Figure 2. In the embodiment shown, each of the attachment devices 74a, 74b, 84a, 84b, 64a, 64b comprise hooks (i.e. six in total). The hooks may be substantially the same as one another. In at least one embodiment, at least one of the hooks may be provided with a latch, to releasably secure the hook to a bar / boss in use. With reference to Figure 1, it will be noted that when the support assembly 50 is attached to the podium 1, the platform 70 is arranged substantially horizontally, but the ladder element 60 is arranged at a non-vertical angle, so as to facilitate convenient use by a user. As shown in Figure 1, the third pair of attachment devices 64a, 64b at the lower end 62 of the ladder element 60 are attachable to the connection bosses 8, 18 on the extension panels 6, 16. In the embodiment shown, the connection bosses 8, 18 extend at an angle from the horizontal bottom bars 7, 17 at an angle substantially the same as the angle of the ladder element 60. This is so as to alleviate any undue strain in the connection between the lower end 62 of the ladder element 60 and the extension bosses, 8, 18. A benefit of attaching the third part of attachment devices 64a, 64b to the connection bosses 8, 18 is that it holds the extension panels 6, 16 in place relative to the side frames 2, 12 preventing them from rotating about the vertical members 4, 14. Notably, the support assembly 50 embodying the present invention, comprising the platform 70 and the ladder element 60, is a separate item to the podium 1. This allows a considerably less complicated assembly than an arrangement where a ladder element may be hingedly attached to one part of the support structure, and a platform may be hingedly attached to another part of the support structure. By being able to remove the support assembly 50 entirely from the podium 1, the components of the podium 1 may more easily be collapsed down for storage. When the support assembly 50 is removed from the podium 1, it may nevertheless be stowed against one of the side frames 2, 12 of the podium 1. With reference to Figure 1, the first pair of attachment devices 74a, 74b may be temporarily attached at the upper ends of the vertical members 3, 4 of the first side panel 2 such that platform 70 and ladder element 60 hang down adjacent the first side panel 2. The height of the vertical members 3, 4 is preferably larger than the combined length of the platform 70 (the distance between first 71 and second 72 edges) and ladder element 60 of the support assembly 50. When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components. The invention may also broadly consist in the parts, elements, steps, examples and / or features referred to or indicated in the specification individually or collectively in any and all combinations of two or more said parts, elements, steps, examples and / or features. In particular, one or more features in any of the 5 embodiments described herein may be combined with one or more features from any other embodiment(s) described herein. Protection may be sought for any features disclosed in any one or more published documents referenced herein in combination with the present disclosure. o Although certain example embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the appended claims is not intended to be limited solely to these embodiments. The claims are to be construed literally, purposively, and / or to encompass equivalents.

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