Elevated Worker Support Platform with Extension Assembly

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63/641,679, filed May 2, 2024.

The present invention relates to an elevated platform for supporting workers thereon. More particularly, the present invention relates to an elevated platform including an extension assembly for selectively extending the upper supporting surface of the platform, which may include an extendable railing alongside the extension assembly, and/or an elevated platform formed in modular sections which can be detachably mounted on upright columns of the main frame of the platform.

In many instances within industrial settings there is a requirement to provide elevated platforms for supporting workers thereon in high traffic areas of factories or maintenance applications. A further requirement that is typical of many elevated platforms is that some portion of the platform can be moved in and out of the way of equipment as needed. In some instances, movable platforms can be pivoted like a drawbridge, but the resulting platform commonly undergoes deflection in use due to the desire to maintain the movable platform a manageable weight for movement while spanning a reasonable distance when deployed. In other instances, movable platforms are supported for longitudinal sliding relative to a main platform; however, the movable platform is typically at a different elevation than the main platform to allow the movable platform to be retracted under the main platform which results in a dangerous trip hazard at the elevation change between the platforms. Furthermore, railings associated with moving platforms are commonly formed of chains and the like so as to be flexible; however the resulting railing formed of chains is less secure than a rigid railing.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an elevated platform assembly comprising:

The combination of a translating extension frame to support loads with a folding platform resting on the extension frame in the extended position provides a rigid underlying support to the extension platform while also enabling the platform to be supported at the same elevational as the main platform to prevent any trip hazards otherwise resulting from a stepped platform.

The assembly may further comprise rollers supported between the extension frame and the main frame to support the extension frame for said translating movement between the extended position and the retracted position.

The rollers may include first rollers supported at the proximal end of the extension frame in rolling contact with the main frame and second rollers supported on the main frame in rolling contact with the extension frame between the proximal end and the distal end of the extension frame.

The extension platform may include two or more joists extending in the longitudinal direction of the extension frame in the extended position, in which each joist includes a first joist section supporting the first panel thereon and a second joist section supporting the second panel thereon, and in which the first and second joist sections define the pivotal connections of the extension platform at the first axis, the second axis and the third axis.

Preferably at least a portion of at least one of the panels extends longitudinally beyond the third axis to be received within a corresponding recess in the other panel in the extended position. In the illustrated embodiment, a portion of each of the first panel and the second panel extends longitudinally beyond the third axis to be received within a corresponding recess in the other one of the first panel and the second panel in the extended position.

The distal end of the extension frame may include a first mating connector and a second mating connector thereon, wherein the first mating connector is arranged to mate with the second mating connector of a second elevated platform assembly of like configuration and the second mating connector is arranged to mate with the first mating connector of said second elevated platform assembly of like configuration, whereby the extension platforms of the elevated platform assemblies are arranged to coupled to form a bridge between the main platforms of the elevated platform assemblies in the extended position.

The upper supporting surface of the first and second panels is preferably substantially flush with the upper supporting surface of the main platform.

The assembly may further comprise an intermediate frame supporting the extension frame relative to the main frame, wherein the intermediate frame is supported on the main frame for translating movement in a lateral direction relative to the main frame in which the lateral direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the extension frame; and wherein the extension frame is supported on the intermediate frame for said translating movement in the longitudinal direction relative to the intermediate frame.

The intermediate frame may be supported on intermediate rollers in rolling contact with track members mounted in fixed relation to the main frame.

The assembly may further comprise a lateral drive motor operatively connected between the main frame and the intermediate frame so as to be arranged to drive movement of the extension frame in the lateral direction and a longitudinal drive motor operatively connected between the intermediate frame and the extension frame so as to be arranged to drive movement of the extension frame in the longitudinal direction, the lateral drive motor and the longitudinal drive motor being operable independently of one another.

The assembly may further include a gap panel pivotally supported on the main frame alongside the main platform to extend longitudinally of the extension frame towards the distal end of the extension frame in the extended position in interference with the displacement of the extension platform towards the retracted position whereby the gap panel is upwardly pivotal in response to displacement of the extension platform towards the retracted position.

The assembly may further include a railing extending in the longitudinal direction of the extension frame in the extended position, the railing comprising: (i) a first railing post supported in fixed relation to the extension frame in proximity to the distal end of the extension frame; (ii) a second railing post supported in fixed relation to the main frame; and (iii) a railing member including a first section pivotally coupled to the first railing post about a first axis and a second section pivotally coupled to the second railing post about a second axis, (iv) wherein the first and second sections are pivotally coupled relative to one another about a third axis lying parallel to the first and second axes whereby the first and second sections of the railing member are pivotal together with translating movement of the extension frame relative to the main frame between the extended position in which the first and second sections extend in the longitudinal direction end to end with one another and the retracted position in which the first and second sections are folded relative to one another.

The assembly may further comprise:

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an elevated platform assembly comprising:

The folding arrangement of the rigid railing sections relative to one another provides a rigid railing for optimal safety when extended, while enabling the railing to be readily collapsed with the retraction of the extension platform relative to the main platform.

The first axis, the second axis, and the third axis may be vertically oriented whereby the railing member is folded laterally outwardly from the extension platform in the retracted position of the extension frame relative to the extended position.

The assembly may further comprise (i) an intermediate railing post supported between the first railing post and the second railing post in pivotal connection with each of the first section and the second section of the railing member; and (ii) a lower member including a first section pivotally coupled to the first railing post below the first section of the railing member and a second section pivotally coupled to the second railing post below the second section of the railing member; (iii) wherein the first and second sections of the lower member are pivotally coupled to the intermediate railing post below the third axis; and (vi) wherein the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis are horizontally oriented whereby the intermediate post is displaced upwardly and the railing member is folded upwardly in the retracted position of the extension frame relative to the extended position.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an elevated platform assembly comprising:

The cradle provides support to the rail of the main platform received therein both vertically and laterally of the main platform to support and maintain alignment of the main platform with the columns during assembly until the primary and secondary fastener flanges are fastened together. Furthermore, the fasteners are only required to provide support to the main platform longitudinally of the main platform. such that the fasteners are not relied upon to transfer weight from the platform to the columns.

The cradle may provide support to the rail of the main platform received therein both vertically and laterally of the main platform, in which the assembly further comprises a fastener received through the primary and second fasteners flanges in which the fastener provides support to the rail of the platform primarily longitudinally of the main platform.

The cradle may include a pair of side flanges providing lateral support to the rail of the main platform received therein, in which the side flanges are oriented parallel to the primary and secondary fastener flanges located between the side flanges, and in which the side flanges have access openings formed therein through which fastening tools can be received to fasten a fastener through the primary and secondary fastener flanges.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

Referring to the accompanying figures there is illustrated an elevated worker support platform assembly generally indicated by reference numeral. The platform assemblyis particularly suited for supporting workers thereon at an elevated location spaced above a ground surface upon which the assembly is supported.

The assemblygenerally includes a main frameincluding a plurality of columnswhich support a plurality of modular main platformsthereon. In the illustrated embodiment, a first extension assemblyis supported at a first end of the main frameand a second extension assemblyis supported at an opposing second end of the main frame. The main platformsdefine a substantially continuous and level upper supporting surfacearranged to supporting the workers thereon.

The first extension assemblyin this instance includes an extension framethat is supported on the main frame for translating movement in a longitudinal direction of the extension frame between an extended position protruding outwardly from the main frame and a retracted position in which the extension frameis retracted inwardly into the main frame relative to the extended position. An extension platformis supported on the extension frame to define an upper supporting surfacethat is at the same elevation so as to be flush and substantially continuous with the upper supporting surface of the main platforms in the extended position. The extension platformis upwardly foldable at a central hinge responsive to the extension frame being retracted inwardly into the retracted position as described in further detail below.

The second extension assemblyin the illustrated embodiment, includes the same extension framesupporting the same extension platformwith an upper supporting surfacethat is again at the same elevation so as to be flush and substantially continuous with the upper supporting surface of the main platforms in the extended position like the first extension assembly. The second extension assemblydiffers from the first extension frameby the addition of an intermediate framethat supports the extension frameon the main frame. The intermediate frameis supported on the main frame for translating movement relative to the main frame in a lateral direction of the extension assembly (corresponding to a longitudinal direction of the main platforms), while in turn supporting the extension frame for translating movement relative to the intermediate framein the longitudinal direction of the extension assembly.

Each columnof the main framecomprises a vertical post comprising a tube having a square cross-section in the illustrated example for spanning the full height of the column between a footing plateat the bottom end of the column and the cradleat the top end of the column. The footing plateincludes fastener apertures therein for securing the footing plate relative to the ground surface such as a foundation or floor of a building structure. The columnsare supported in pairs at spaced apart positions along the length of the main frame such that four columnsare provided at the four corners of each rectangular main platform. At intermediate locations along a length of the main framebetween adjacent main platforms, a single column may support the ends of both adjacent platforms thereon. At opposing ends of the main frame, two of the columns are spaced apart across the width of the main frame at one end of a corresponding one of the main platforms.

Each columnincludes a set of earscomprising upright flanges protruding outward from the post at a location spaced below the cradleat the top end of the column onto which bracing memberscan be secured. Each corresponding pair of columnsat opposing sides of the main frame may include a pair of vertically spaced apart earsat the inner side of the column such that bracing memberssupported in an intersecting manner in an X-shaped pattern can be secured to the earsto fix the columns rigidly in parallel and spaced apart relation to one another. Additional earsmay be provided on opposing sides of each column in the longitudinal direction of the main platform such that additional bracing memberscan be secured between each column and the one or more main platformssupported thereon.

The cradleat the top end of each column serves to receive a portion of the end of one or more main platformstherein in an assembled configuration of the main frame such that the cradle provides vertical support and support in a lateral direction of the main frame to each of the main platforms received within the cradle. More particularly, each cradleis a U-shaped trough having a horizontal bottom flangeand two side flangesextending upward from laterally opposing sides of the bottom flangeto extend in the longitudinal direction of the main frame. Opposing ends of the cradle in the longitudinal direction of the main frame remain open. The cradleis also open at the top across a length of the cradle, and is specifically open at longitudinally opposing ends of the cradle to receive a portion of each respective main platforminserted downwardly through the open top of the cradle to be engaged upon the bottom flangeduring assembly. When an end portion of each main platformis received within a corresponding end of the cradle, the side flangescontain the end portion of the main platformtherebetween in the lateral direction while the bottom flangeprovides vertical support to the main platform engaged thereon.

A primary fastener flangeis fixedly mounted within the cradleat a location which is laterally centred between the side flangeswhile being parallel to the side flanges so as to be spaced from each of the side flanges. The fastener flangeis fixed to the bottom flange, for example by welding. The primary fastener flangehas a length in the longitudinal direction of the main frame which is shorter than the bottom flangesuch that the bottom flangeprotrudes longitudinally beyond the primary fastener flangeat both ends to define a ledge for receiving a corresponding portion of the main platformon the protruding ledge.

As described in further detail below, secondary fastener flangesare provided on the end portions of the main platformthat are received within the corresponding ends of the cradle. The secondary fastener flanges include fastener apertures therein for alignment with a faster aperture in the primary fastener flangeof the cradlein an assembled configuration of the main platform. This enables a suitable joining fastenerto be inserted through the primary and secondary fastener flanges perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the main platform. To enable insertion and tightening of the fastener, access openingsare provided in each of the side flangesin alignment with the apertures in the fastener flanges. The fastenercan thus be inserted horizontally through one of the access openingsfor insertion through the cooperating apertures while a suitable nut can be inserted through the other access opening for assembling and tightening a bolted connection of the joining fastener. The access openingsare oversized relative to the fastenerto also enable suitable tools to be inserted through the access openings for tightening the fastener. Additional cap members (not shown) such as a rubber or plastic member, can be inserted into the access openings to close the access openings once fastening is complete and the access openings are no longer required. The cap members may be press-fit or snap fit into the access openings such that they can be readily removed as required for access to the joining fastener. The fastenerprovides support in the longitudinal direction of the main frame to retain the end portion of the main platformsupported on the respective ledge at the corresponding end of the cradle.

Each main platformcomprises two longitudinally extending rail membersspanning substantially the full length of the main platform adjacent laterally opposing sides. A plurality of crossbarsare fixedly joined between the rail members to extend perpendicularly to the rail members in parallel to one another at longitudinally spaced positions. One or more deck panelsare supported on the top side of the rail members and the crossbars to span across the width and the length of the main platform and to define a respective portion of the upper supporting surfaceof the main platforms on the main frame. Along one side of the main platform from which the first and second extension assemblies protrude, the crossbars may include end portions protruding beyond the rail memberat the inner side such that a portion of the deck panelsare cantilevered at the side of the main platform.

Opposing ends of the rail membersprotrude longitudinally beyond the crossbarsat opposing ends of the main platform such that the protruding end portion of each rail memberdefines an end portion of the main platformthat is received within the corresponding end of one of the cradlesin the mounted position. Each rail member is a tube of rectangular cross-section having dimensions that closely fits the lateral dimension between the side flangesof the cradle and the height of the side flanges.

The end of each rail member locates one of the secondary fastener flangesthereon such that the secondary fastener flangeprotrudes from the end of the rail member in a vertical orientation that is offset laterally slightly to one side of centre of the rail member in the lateral direction by approximately the thickness of the primary fastener flange. In this manner, when the end portions of two adjacent main platforms are received within a common cradle, the ends of the rail membersare supported on the ledges at opposing ends of the bottom flangeof the cradle while the secondary fastener flangesof the two main platformare laterally offset adjacent opposing sides of the primary fastener flange. A common fastenercan be inserted through the cooperating apertures in the fastener flanges so that a single fastenercan be used to secure the secondary fastener flangesof two adjacent main platforms onto a corresponding column. At the junction of each adjacent pair of main platforms, for each of the main platforms each of the longitudinal rail membersat laterally opposing sides of the main frame are received within the cradlesof the respective columnsof a laterally spaced apart pair of the columns.

The columndescribed above is an intermediate column for use at the junction of two adjacent main platforms at an intermediate location along the length of the main frame. At opposing ends of the main frame, an end columnA may be provided which only supports the end portion of one of the rail membersof a single main platformthereon. In this instance, the bottom flangeis not required to protrude beyond the primary fastener flangeat one end of the cradle.

As further shown in, in yet further embodiments the column may be configured as a double intermediate columnB which has protruding ledges at longitudinally opposed ends for receiving end portions of longitudinally adjacent main platforms inserted therein, however, the column in this instance differs from the intermediate columndescribed above in that the side flanges are spaced farther apart to receive end portions of two laterally adjacent rail membersof two main platforms that are laterally adjacent one another. Accordingly the end portions of four separate platforms can be received within the cradle in this instance. Two separate primary fastener flangesare provided at laterally spaced positions for alignment with the laterally adjacent rail members in this instance.

In yet a further embodiment shown in, a double end columnC is configured for receiving two laterally adjacent rail membersof two laterally adjacent main platformstherein at one end similarly to the double intermediate columnB, however, the bottom flangedoes not protrude beyond the primary fastener flangesat one of the longitudinally opposing ends of the cradle such that the cradle is intended to be mounted at one end of the main frame in the longitudinal direction of the main frame.

All embodiments of the columns include access openingsin the side flangesto permit access to tools for fastening the secondary fastener flangesof the main platforms onto the primary fastener flangesof the cradle as described above.

Turning now to the first extension assemblyand the second extension assembly, the extension framein each instance includes two longitudinal frame membersformed of square tubing that extend substantially the full length of the extension frame in the longitudinal direction of the extension frame, corresponding to a lateral direction of the main frame. The longitudinal frame membersextend along opposing sides of the extension frame and are fixed relative to one another by a plurality of crossbarsconnected between the longitudinal frame membersto define a ladder shaped frame extending in the longitudinal direction between an inner proximal end supported on the main frameand an outer distal end which protrudes laterally outward from the main frameso as to be positioned farther from the main frame than the proximal end in the extended position.

The extension frame is supported for translating movement in a longitudinal direction of the extension frame by a set of rollers including proximal rollersat the proximal ends of the longitudinal frame membersrespectively and distal rollersthat support the extension frame thereon towards the distal end of the extension frame.

The proximal rollersare mounted at a fixed location on the extension frame for rolling movement about an axis oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction. The rollers form a rolling contact with longitudinal track membersthat are supported on the main frame. Each track memberhas a channel member having a C shaped cross-section with an open side at the interior facing the opposing track member. The channel member of the track numberis supported alongside a square tubing member for added structural rigidity of the track member. The track membersextend in the longitudinal direction of the extension frame, corresponding to the lateral direction of the main frame, across the width of the main frame between the longitudinal rail membersat opposing sides of the main frame.

In the instance of the first extension assembly, the track membersare fixedly supported relative to the longitudinal rail membersof a respective one of the main platformsupon which the extension assembly is supported. In the instance of the second extension assembly, the track membersare fixedly supported on the intermediate framewhich is in turn supported on a respective one of the main platformsof the main frame for translating movement along the length of the main platform as described in further detail below.

The distal rollersare supported at an inner side of the main frame from which the extension assemblies protrude so as to be fixed relative to the main frame in the lateral direction of the main frame, corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the extension assembly. One of the distal rollersis aligned with each one of the longitudinal frame membersof the extension frame such that the frame membersare engaged upon the rollers and the rollers form a rolling contact with the frame members as the extension frame is longitudinally extended and retracted relative to the main frame.

A guide flangeextends downwardly from a bottom surface of each longitudinal frame memberof the extension frame along the length thereof at a location spaced inwardly from an outer side of the extension frame. The overall width in the lateral direction of the extension assembly between the outer sides of the guide flangesis arranged to closely match the lateral spacing between a corresponding pair of the distal rollersof the extension assembly such that the guide flanges are received at the inner sides of the pair of distal rollersto assist in locating the extension frame in the lateral direction relative to the distal rollers. This ensures that the corresponding bottom surfaces of the longitudinal frame membersremain engaged upon the distal rollersas the extension frame is extended and retracted relative to the main frame.

In the instance of the first extension assembly, an outer crossbaris supported on the main frameparallel and spaced below a corresponding rail memberof the main platform by a pair of vertical legsconnected between the outer crossbar and the rail memberat opposing ends of the outer crossbar. The outer crossbaris mounted on the main frame to span across the width of the first extension assemblyin the lateral direction of the extension assembly. The distal rollersare mounted on the legsrespectively which are spaced apart by a distance slightly greater than the lateral width of the extension frame to receive the extension frame between the legs in the lateral direction and between the outer crossbar below and the longitudinal rail memberabove in the vertical direction.

In the instance of the second extension assemblya similar outer crossbarwith legsare formed as part of the intermediate frameas described in further detail below. The distal rollersin this instance are again supported on the legsto support the extension frame for translating movement in the longitudinal direction of the extension assembly, corresponding to a lateral direction of the main frame.