Decking

Abstract

A stand (10) for use in supporting temporary raised decking in a confined area within a building comprises a frame (12) having an elongate crossmember (16) upon which boards or the like can be supported to form a platform. The crossmember has a socket (24) at each of its ends in which a respective post (28) is selectively removably received. The posts each comprise sets of receptors (30) spaced from one another along their length for selective and removable attachment of safety rails extending orthogonal to the post both in orthogonal and in linearly opposed pairs. The safety rails are attachable between neighbouring ones of the posts received in the sockets, to form a safety barrier. A bridge bar fitted between adjacent stands, a ladder support bracket / gate keeper, anti-flip brackets, and methods of setting out the stands are also described.

Description

DECKING

[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 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 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 W02005 / 124057 Al. The trestles (sometimes called “bandstands”) act as stands on which the work platform rests and comprise upright frames which, at least for the purposes of initial assembly of the system, maintain themselves in an upright position. 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 instructions provided in a training manual. For safety, both scaffolding and these known trestle systems are provided with edge protection, to prevent workers, work 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.

[0003] The present invention provides a stand comprising a frame having an elongate crossmember upon which planks, boards, or like 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 the post in both orthogonal and / or linearly opposed pairs, whereby a plurality of the safety rails are attachable betweenneighbouring ones of the posts received in the sockets, to form a safety barrier. The platform-forming components can span between, and be supported by, the crossmembers of a first set of two or more of the stands spaced apart at a suitable distance from each other (e.g. 1.2 metres or less). This set of stands is arranged in a row with their crossmembers arranged generally parallel to each other and crosswise of the row. A corresponding second set of the stands may be similarly placed next to the first set, e.g. 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 the inboard socket or crossmember of the corresponding stand in the first set. Further platform-forming components may be supported by the second set of stands, whereby the width 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 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 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 stand sets therefore support their maximum number of platform-forming components (typically five standard sized scaffolding boards side by side on their crossmembers, 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 support fewer platform-forming componentsside by side on its crossmembers, to provide the platform width adjustment increment's].

[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 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 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, 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 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 larger floor area, the stand may further comprise a 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 the stand, to span between the stand and an adjacent similar stand. Each end fitting of the bridge bar may comprise a bifurcated portion adapted to embrace an outer wall of the socket. Each end fitting may furthercomprise an inverted generally 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. 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 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 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.

[0009] The stand may further comprise an anti-flip bracket selectively removably attachable to the 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 support a 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 crossmember of the stand.

[0010] The stand 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 supported for accessing the platform. A suitable safety gate which may be fitted to a neighbouring one of the posts is described in W02008 / 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 to non-rotatably engage the post by embracing two opposed sides of the post while leaving the safety rail attachment receptors on at least one of those sides exposed for 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 the safety rail attachment receptors. The stile may comprise part of a generally planarframe of the combined bracket, this frame extending 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. 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 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 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 form a continuous barrier preventing side access to the deck.

[0011] In a modification, the crossmember may have a kink in its 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 forsupporting 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 lengthened and shortened. The downwardly open channel(s) of such brackets are therefore straight (and axially aligned).

[0012] In an alternative modification, the stand may further comprise an antiflip bracket 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 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 antiflip bracket frame extending at an angle <t> to the axis of the channel, where Tan'1(x / (n.w) < <t> < Tan-1(x / 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= Tan'1(x / (n-z).w),and <t>, n, x, w are as above, the distal edge of the anti-flip bracket frame will be substantially exactly alignable with the aligned distal edges of overhanging platformforming component ends when the pair of touching overlapping stands overlap each other in the correct order by z platform-forming components’ widths.

[0013] The stand may comprise two vertical legs each provided with a respective foot extending substantially symmetrically to either side of the crossmember, each foot being rotated in the same direction about the axis of the leg through the angle <t> away from 90 degrees from the axis of the crossmember. If the stands are overlapped in the correct order, these feetwill be more closely alignable in the platform-forming component longitudinal direction than feet which are at right angles to the stand crossmember. For example, where <t> = Tan-1(x / (n-z).w), the feet will be substantially exactly alignable in the platform-forming component longitudinal direction when the pair of touching overlapping stands overlap each other in the correct order by z platform-forming components’ widths.

[0014] The invention correspondingly extends to a method of constructing a raised deck using a plurality of stands as discussed above, the method comprising: arranging a first set of the stands in a first row with their crossmembers arranged generally parallel to each other and crosswise of the first row; 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 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 the inboard socket or crossmember of the corresponding stand in the first set, and placing elongate platform-forming components to span between the crossmembers of stands in the first set and placing elongate 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.

[0015] The method may further comprise 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.

[0016] The method may further comprise installing the posts in the sockets at the edges of the platform and attaching the safety rails between neighbouring ones of these posts to form a safety barrier.

[0017] The method may further comprise forming a bight or a 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.

[0018] The invention and some of its further optional features and advantages are further explained below with reference to illustrative embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:FIG. 1 shows a stand embodying the invention, without its removable posts fitted;FIG. 2 shows a complementary removable post for the stand of FIG. 1;FIG. 3 shows safety rail attachment receptors (pocket clusters) of the post of Fig. 2 in more detail;FIG. 4 is a view of the upper portion of the stand of F1G.1, showing a pair of the removable posts, received one in each of the stand’s sockets;FIG. 5 is a top view of the complementary bridge bar which can be used to span between a pair of stands of the kind shown in the preceding Figures;FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the bridge bar of FIG. 5;FIG. 7 shows the bridge bar in use, spanning between a pair of the stands;FIG. 8 shows in more detail the end fitting of the bridge bar and the socket and crossmember of the corresponding stand on which that end fitting is supported;FIG. 9 corresponds to FIG. 8, but shows the end of one of the removable posts received in the socket;FIG. 10 corresponds to FIG. 4, but shows a standard anti-flip bracket fitted to the stand’s crossmember;FIG. 11 is a top view of a modified form of the anti-flip bracket;FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the anti-flip bracket of FIG. 11;FIG. 13 corresponds to FIG. 7, but shows the modified anti-flip bracket of FIGs. 11 and 12 fitted to the bridge bar;FIG. 14 is a top view of a further modified form of anti-flip bracket;FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the anti-flip bracket of FIG. 14;FIG. 16 shows the anti-flip bracket of FIGs. 14 and 15 fitted to the crossmember of a stand of the kind shown in FIGs. 1 and 4;FIGs. 17 and 18 show anti-flip brackets of FIGs. 11, 12, 14 and 15, fitted to the crossmembers of a pair of overlapped stands of the kind shown in FIGs. 1 and 4;FIG. 19 shows several anti-flip brackets of the kind shown in FIGs. 14 and 15, fitted to the crossmember of a stand of the kind shown in FIGs. 1 and 4;FIG. 20 shows a back view of a gate keeper / ladder support bracket complementary to the removable post shown in FIGs. 2 and 3;FIG. 21 is a side view of the gate keeper / ladder support bracket of FIG. 20;FIG. 22 shows the bracket of FIGs. 20 and 21 during fitment to the removable post;FIG. 23 shows the bracket of FIGs. 20 and 21 fitted to the post;FIG. 24 shows a deck assembled using components as shown in the preceding Figures; FIG. 25 shows an edge protection barrier and safety gate fitted to a ladder access opening formed in the deck of FIG. 24;FIG. 26 is a diagrammatic plan view of partially overlapping stands having kinked crossmembers, and a corresponding anti-flip bracket;FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of stands partially overlapped in echelon fashion, and possible anti-flip bracket configurations, andFIG. 28 is a diagrammatic plan view of stands partially overlapped in alternating offset fashion, and possible anti-flip bracket configurations.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a stand 10 comprising a generally planar frame 12 having a pair of vertical legs or uprights 14 connected at their upper ends by a crossmember 16 upon which platform-forming components such as planks or boards (not shown) can be supported in use to make a platform. Each leg 14 is formed from two telescopically engaged parts, so that the height of the stand can be adjusted. The lower parts of the legs 14a are connected to each other by a pair of rails 18 to form a base of the stand. The two vertical legs or uprights 14 are each provided with a foot 20 extending at right angles to the crossmember 14 and extending the same distance to either side of the crossmember 14. Diagonal braces 22 are provided between outer portions of the foot 20 and the corresponding leg or upright 14, to complete the base of the stand and make it self-standing at least during setting out. However, the particular form of the feet is immaterial, and any other suitable supporting base arrangement can be used tohold the stand upright. The feet 20 may also lend the stand frame 12 sufficient lateral stability in use when supporting a platform or deck; though stability can be increased where required by suitable cross-bracing and / or framing (not shown) between adjacent stands in a row. Much of the stand may be readily fabricated from e.g. welded mild steel box section; the stand feet 20 being formed e.g. from mild steel plate.

[0020] Each end of the crossmember 16 extends outwardly beyond the corresponding post or upright 14. A respective e.g. box-section socket 24 is fixed to each extremity of the crossmember 16. To increase the depth of the socket and hence the stability of the inserted post, the socket 24 may depend below the crossmember end. The length of the crossmember 16 may be matched to accommodate an integer number of elongate platform-forming components of a nominally similar width, such as scaffolding boards of nominally equal width (five in the example shown in FIG. 1; hereafter referred to as “boards” for simplicity). The sockets 24 for example jut out beyond their corresponding legs 14 by somewhat less than half a board width, whereby two of the stands may be minimally overlapped, with only one side of a socket at one end of one stand’s crossmember overlapping and contacting the opposite side of the socket at the other end of the other stand’s crossmember, without the juxtaposed feet 20 of the two stands interfering with one another. Greater similar overlaps in which the crossmembers 16 of the two stands are positioned closely next to each other in parallel, partially overlapping each other to support one or more boards in common, may also be accommodated without interference from the stand feet 20. At least an inboard portion of each socket 24 may extend upwardly above the top bearing surface of the crossmember 16 to form a lip or tab 26 for inter alia preventing the boards from slipping sideways off the crossmember 16.

[0021] FIGs. 2 and 3 show an e.g. box-section removable post 28 selectively receivable in the sockets 24, for example those sockets 24 at the outer edges of the deck supported by the stands 10, and sockets at any other edges of the deck, for example at an access bight or at a central access opening. F1G.4 shows the upper part of one of the stands 10 with a post 28 received in each of its sockets 24. The removable post 28 comprises a plurality of sets of receptors 30 (two sets of four in the example shown). The sets of receptors 30 are spaced from one another along the length of the post 28 (i.e. each set at a different height along the post when the post isreceived in its socket) and configured for selective and removable attachment of safety rails extending orthogonal to the post (i.e. the safety rails can be installed generally horizontally on a vertically installed post) in orthogonal or linearly opposed pairs, whereby a plurality of the safety rails 32 are attachable between neighbouring ones of the posts received in the sockets, to form a safety barrier. See for example, FIGs. 24 and 25. A great variety of edge protection barrier configurations are thereby made possible. The length of safety rails may be telescopically adjustable, and / or they may be provided in a variety of different lengths.

[0022] FIGs. 5 and 6 illustrate one example of the bridge bar 34 which lends itself to be used in larger spaces as it is more economical to transport and quicker to install than a stand. It replaces a stand in between two others. The bridge bar 34 has fittings 36 at both of its ends by which it can be selectively removably attached to span between the two stands (FIG. 7). Each end fitting 36 may comprise a bifurcated portion 38 adapted to embrace an outer wall of the corresponding stand’s socket 24. Each end fitting 36 may further comprise an inverted generally U-shaped portion 40 adapted to embrace the corresponding stand’s crossmember 16. The upwardly extending lip or tab 26 of the socket 24 may be engageable within an aperture 42 of the end fitting 36 defined by the bifurcated 38 and inverted generally U-shaped 40 portions, thereby selectively removably retaining the end fitting 36 over the socket 24 and an adjacent end of the crossmember 16, whether a post 28 is present in the socket (see FIG. 9) or not (see FIG. 8). Moreover, the end fitting 36 may be configured so as not to block the socket 24 for selective removable reception of the post 28, when the bridge bar 34 is attached to the stand (FIGs. 8 and 9).

[0023] FIG. 10 shows a known anti-flip bracket 44 (e.g. as shown in GB 2378978 A) fitted to the stand’s crossmember 16. The known anti-flip bracket 44 comprises a pair of downwardly open channels 46 by which it is mounted on the crossmember 16. A metal strip 48 links the facing ends of the channels 46 and lies along the top of the crossmember 16. A C-shaped tubular frame 50 extends laterally from and links the two channel sections 46. The frame 50 is configured to lie under and support the overhanging ends of boards (not shown) supported on the stand crossmember 16. For interoperability of anti-flip brackets, the main body of the bridge bar 34 and the stand’s crossmember 16 may have the same external cross-section. This cross-sectionmay also substantially match the external dimensions of the stand’s sockets 24. Hence the end fittings 36 of the bridge bar 34 may typically be wider than its main body and wider than the stand’s crossmember 16, whereby the end fittings may block fitment of the known anti-flip bracket 44 to the bridge bar 34.

[0024] FIGs. 11-13 show a modified form of the anti-flip bracket 144 in which the overall length of the two downwardly open channel sections 146 and linking strip 148 has been reduced. The modified anti-flip bracket 146 will therefore not only fit onto the stand crossmember 16, but also (as shown in FIG. 13) onto the bridge bar 34. The supporting frame 150 of the bracket 144 is n-shaped, whereby its distal edge is of substantially the same width as the previously known C-shaped frame 50. It is therefore able to support overhanging board ends across the entire width of the stand 10 or bridge bar 34. Optionally, the frame 150 may include a central bar 151 (as indicated in dotted lines) to provide additional support for the overhanging board ends (e.g. providing adequate support at a variety of different overhangs, from less than, to up to slightly greater than, the full overhang of the frame 150). Additionally or alternatively, for the same purpose, the upper surface of the bracket may be covered with a support plate, grid or mesh. End portions of two prior art anti-flip brackets 44 are just visible in FIG. 13, on the crossmembers of the two stands 10 supporting the bridge bar 34. These anti-flip brackets 44 could be replaced by modified anti-flip brackets 144. The frame 150 may extend upwardly at a slight angle in the direction away from the channel sections 146, so that the overhanging board ends are firmly supported even if the channel sections are a somewhat loose fit over the bridge bar or stand crossmember.

[0025] FIGs. 14-16 show a further modified form of anti-flip bracket 244 with a single downwardly open channel 246 and a laterally projecting support frame 250 which is wide enough to support only a single overhanging board end. Such anti-flip brackets 244 for individual boards may be used for example in the case of partially overlapping stands 10 at the ends of the deck, or partially overlapping stands 10 at board end junctions within the deck; or where required to support individual overhanging board ends in the vicinity of an access bight or central access opening in the deck. Central bars 251 and / or coverings again may optionally be provided, asdiscussed above in relation to FIGs. 11 and 12. The frame 250 may again be slightly upwardly angled, for the reasons discussed above in regard to the frame 150.

[0026] FIGs. 17 and 18 show a first stand 10a placed immediately in front of and laterally offset from a second stand 10b, with their respective crossmembers 16a and 16b next to one another and partially overlapping, in preparation for supporting one end (or a part of one end) of a temporary access deck (not shown). Each stand has a maximum capacity of five boards and as illustrated the two stands are overlapped by three board widths. A substantially continuous deck of boards can be laid across the two stands, whereby two of the board ends will be uniquely supported by the stand 10a in the main part of each of these Figures. The next three board ends further to the left (and thus extending out of the field of view of FIGs. 17 and 18) will be supported by both stand 10a and stand 10b. A final two board ends still further to the left (and therefore again outside the field of view) will be supported by the stand 10b alone. Thus, in the illustrated configuration the two stands together support a portion of deck end which is seven boards wide. The overlap between the two stands could of course be increased to four boards’ widths, whereby the portion of deck end supported will be decreased to six boards. Conversely, the stand overlap could be decreased to two boards’ widths, or to one board’s width, supporting eight or nine board ends respectively. Boards not of a normal width (e.g. wider boards or part of a board cut lengthwise) can be used to further fine tune the width of the platform if needed, e.g. to match the width of a room or other work site. Similarly, boards cut or made to a particular length can be used to match the supported deck to the length of the work site / room. Boards of adjustable length or width could also be used for these purposes - such as telescopic boards - see e.g. GB 2353320 A, GB 2471718 A. When the stands are minimally overlapped by only the socket 24b at the right-hand end of stand 10b and the socket (not shown) at the left-hand end of stand 10a (i.e. the socket at the opposite end of the crossmember 16a to the socket 24a), the full 10 boards’ width capacity of the two stands side-by-side is realised. As stated elsewhere, the maximum capacity of a stand may be other than five standard boards. The stand crossmembers can include markings, indicating to which boarded extension it has been set for the purpose of aligning boards and stands in adjacent rows. Overlapping rows of standsmay be used in combination with adjacent rows of stands which support and are spanned by bridge bars, as described above.

[0027] Returning to the configuration shown in FIGs. 17 and 18, a full-width anti-flip bracket 144 is shown fitted to the crossmember 16b to support the five board ends overhanging stand 16b. A pair of single board anti-flip brackets 244 are shown fitted side-by-side to the crossmember 16a, to support the overhanging board ends which are exclusively carried by stand 10a. It can readily be seen how the number of the brackets 244 may be adjusted to match different incremental overlaps between the two stands. At minimum overlap, two full-width anti-flip brackets 144 (or 44) may be used side by side, one still on the crossmember 16b and the other on the crossmember 16a. The anti-flip brackets 44, 144, 244 may be fitted to project to whichever side of the crossmember 16 or bridge bar 34 that overhanging board ends are or will be present. FIG. 19 for example shows an arrangement in which three single board antiflip brackets 244 extend to one side of a stand crossmember 16 and two single board anti-flip brackets 244 extend to the other side of the crossmember 16. Such an arrangement typically may be used at an access opening in the deck; though the access opening example shown in FIGs. 24 and 25 and further described below uses different arrangements. The modular system of components provided by the present invention is versatile and can be configured and adapted as circumstances demand. One end of a bridge bar 34 fitted with a full-width anti-flip bracket 144 is also visible in FIG. 19.

[0028] FIGs. 20-23 show an example of the combined safety gate keeper and ladder support bracket 52 selectively removably attachable to one of the posts 28. The combined bracket 52 may comprise a pin 54 engageable in a hollow interior of the post 28 to suspend the combined bracket 52 from the top of the post (see FIGs. 22-25). The combined bracket 52 may be configured to non-rotatably engage the post 28 by a pair of gusset plates 56 which embrace two opposed sides of the post while leaving the safety rail attachment receptors 30 on those sides exposed for the attachment of safety rails. The combined bracket 52 may comprise a stile 58 configured to lie lengthwise against the post 28, the stile 58 having a recess 60 for accommodating one of the safety rail attachment receptors 30a (FIG. 22). The stile 58 may comprise part of a generally planar frame 62 of the combined bracket 52, this frame extending perpendicular to the gate leaf opening and closing direction when the bracket is attached to the post, toextend into the path of movement of the gate leaf and act as a stop. An upwardly open channel 64 may project from the side of the bracket’s frame 62 facing the gate leaf (66, FIGs. 24 and 25), to form the keeper; the gate leaf 66 being liftable over a distal wall of the channel to lie in the channel 64 and thereby hold the gate leaf 66 in a closed position. A ladder support arm 68 may project normal to the plane of the bracket’s frame 62, from the side of the frame 62 opposite to the channel 64. The laterally projecting arm 68 may be offset from the bracket’s stile 58. Safety rails extending in the same direction as the arm 68 may therefore be attached to the same post 28a (FIGs. 24 and 25) that carries the combined bracket 52, and a ladder 70 leaned against and secured to the arm 68. Such an arrangement may be necessary when the ladder is positioned in a bight or central access aperture 72 formed in the platform 74; the safety rails 32a (FIG. 25) extending in the same direction as the arm 68 serving to protect one edge of the bight or aperture 72. The offset can ensure that these safety rails 32a are positioned behind the portion of the ladder 70 extending above the arm 68 and therefore do not interfere with or obstruct the safe use of the ladder 70.

[0029] FIG. 24 shows 3m long boards 76 and 1.5m long boards 78 (right to left) making up the edge of the platform 74 closest to the viewer. To form the central opening 72 shown, a 1.5m board 78 is placed next to a 3m board 76 followed by a 1.8m board 80 next to a 1.5m board 82. Next, a 3-board wide opening 72 is formed to provide access. Once the opening 72 is complete, the 3m and 1.5m board configuration 76 / 78 is re-started.

[0030] Horizontal guard rails 32, 32a are placed on three sides of the opening 72 with a standard gate 66 on the remaining side. Other configurations are readily possible, adapted to a particular work site. As a non-limiting example, the foreground boards 76, 78 shown in FIG. 24 may be omitted and the front row of stands correspondingly overlapped with the next row, to form a narrower deck.

[0031] FIG. 26 is a diagrammatic plan view of partially overlapping stands of a modified form, having kinked crossmembers 316, 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 the width of the crossmember. The stands may therefore be overlapped with their crossmembers 316 tessellating so that all their offsets in a given direction are aligned. A compatibly modified anti-flip bracket 344 extending the full width of a sucha stand may have a pair of the downwardly open channels 346L, 346R offset from one another to fit the kinked crossmember. Compared to a standard anti-flip bracket 44, the frame of the modified anti-flip bracket 344 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 (the left side in FIG. 26), and the opposite side of the frame may be shortened by half the width of the crossmember, whereby the modified anti-flip bracket 344 may be fitted to the kinked crossmember with its distal edge accurately aligned with the aligned distal edges of the overhanging board ends. Anti-flip brackets for supporting individual boards may be provided in correspondingly lengthened and shortened forms. Where the crossmember 316 accommodates an odd number of nominally equal width boards, single-board anti-flip brackets may also be provided having a downwardly open channel with a complementary kink to that of the crossmember 316, to fit over the kinked central portion of the crossmember 316.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of stand crossmembers 16 partially overlapped in echelon fashion, also indicating possible complementarily modified asymmetric anti-flip bracket configurations. For a better fit to the distal edge of the overhanging board ends, the distal edge 450 of such a modified anti-flip bracket may lie at a small angle to the axis of its downwardly open channel(s), where is in the range:Tan'1(x / (n.w) < <t> < Tam^x / w) and n is the number of boards 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 board.Where: = Tan'1(x / (n-z).w), and , n, x, w are as above, the distal edge 450 of the anti-flip bracket frame will be substantially exactly alignable with the aligned distal edges of overhanging board ends when the pair of touching overlapping stands overlap each other in the correct order by z boards’ widths. To better align the stand feet in the board longitudinal direction, they may be rotated through the angle (in the anticlockwise direction in the exampleleft stand-in front of-right echelon configuration shown) away from a ninety-degree orientation relative to the crossmember 16.

[0033] FIG. 28 shows a diagrammatic plan view of stand crossmembers 16 partially overlapped in alternating offset fashion. For a better fit to the distal edge of the overhanging board ends, the associated anti-flip brackets may be provided in two different forms respectively having a long overhang Li and a short overhang L2; the difference in the length of overhang corresponding to the width of the stand crossmember 16. Any of the anti-flip brackets described with respect to FIGs. 26 to 28 may incorporate any or all of the modifications discussed in paragraphs

[0024] and

[0025] above.

[0034] The stand and its ancillary components as described above provide versatile and robust modular systems for constructing temporary decking and like access platforms in a great variety of sizes and configurations, in all cases with a high standard of edge protection. The work platforms thus formed may be quickly and safely erected, used, reconfigured, and dismantled by a non-specialist workforce.

[0035] The ancillary components such as the bridge bar, combined gate keeper / ladder support bracket, and modified forms of anti-flip bracket, as well as the modified forms of stands disclosed herein, constitute independent inventions which may be the subject of one or more divisional patent applications.

Claims

25AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 02 July 2025 (02.07.2025)1. A modular system comprising a plurality of stands, each stand comprising a frame having an elongate crossmember upon which planks, boards, or like components can be supported in use to form a work 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 the post selectively either in mutually orthogonal pairs or in 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; a second set of the stands being similarly arranged in a row adjacent to the first set, and platform forming components supported by the crossmembers of the first and second sets of stands to form the work platform; in which 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 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 the 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 or peg extending transversely from an end of a safety rail, for selective and removable attachment of the safety rail.

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

5. A modular system as claimed in in any preceding claim, further comprising a 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 the stand and an adjacent one of the stands.

6. A modular system as claimed in claim 5, in which each end fitting of the bridge bar comprises a bifurcated portion adapted to embrace an outer wall of the socket.

7. A modular system as claimed in claim 6, in which each end fitting further comprises an inverted generally U-shaped portion adapted to embrace the crossmember.

8. A modular system as claimed in claim 7, in which at least an inboard portion of each socket comprises an upwardly extending lip or tab engageable within an aperture of the end fitting defined by the bifurcated and inverted generally U-shaped portions.

9. A modular system as claimed in any of claims 5 - 8, in which the end fittings are configured so as not to block the associated sockets for selective removable reception of the posts, when the bridge bar is attached to the stands.

10. A modular system as claimed in any of claims 5 - 9, in which the bridge bar has a similar length to the crossmember, for supporting the same number of platformforming components.

11. A modular system as claimed in any of claims 5 - 9, in which the bridge bar is one of a set of such bridge bars of different lengths, each for accommodating a different integer 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.

14. A modular system as claimed in claim 12 or 13, in which the total length of the channel or channels is less than the length of the crossmember.

15. A modular system as claimed in claim 14, in which the anti-flip bracket comprises a frame under the distal portion of the overhanging ends of the platformforming components that is wide enough to stably support all the overhanging ends.

16. 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 components 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 is 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 bracket frame extending at the angle to the axis of the channel, whereTan-1(x / (n.w) < <t> < Tan_1(x / w) and n is the number of platform-forming components of equal width accommodated by the crossmember,28 x is the width of the crossmember and w is the width of the platform-forming component.

19. 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 arm against which a ladder can be supported for accessing the work 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 recess for accommodating one of the safety rail attachment receptors.

21. A modular system as claimed in claim 20, in which the stile comprises part of a generally planar frame of the combined bracket, this frame configured to extend perpendicular to the gate leaf opening and closing direction when the combined bracket is attached to the post, to extend into the path of movement of the gate leaf and act as a stop.

22. A modular system as claimed in claim 21, in which an upwardly open channel projects from the side of the combined bracket’s frame facing the gate leaf, to form the keeper.

23. A modular system as claimed in claim 22, in which the laterally projecting arm projects normal to the plane of the combined bracket’s frame, from the side of this frame opposite to the channel.

24. A modular system as claimed in any of claims 20 - 23, in which the laterally projecting arm is offset from the combined bracket’s stile.

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 the29 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.

26. A modular system comprising a plurality of stands 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 platformforming components are supported by the stands and the bridge bars to form the work platform.

1. A modular system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the posts are installed in the sockets at the edges of the work platform and safety rails are attached between neighbouring ones of these posts.

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: arranging a first set of the stands in a first row with their crossmembers arranged generally parallel to each other and crosswise of the first row; 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 the 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.

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.

30. A method of constructing a raised deck using a modular system of stands as claimed 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; 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.

31. The method of claim 28, 29, or 30, further comprising installing the posts in the sockets 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 a 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.

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