AU2007201862B2 - Loading platform - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Name of applicant/Nominated Person: Mario Carrabs Address for Service: Davies Collison Cave, Patent Attorneys 1 Nicholson Street, MELBOURNE, Victoria, 3000.

Invention title: "Loading platform".

Details of Associated Provisional Application: Provisional Patent Application No. 2006902235.

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: Technical field.

This invention concerns loading platforms, which are often used in the construction of multi-storey buildings. After the floors of a multi-storey building have been constructed, loading platforms, at the levels of the various floors and extending D 5 outwardly from an open side of the building, enable building materials and heavy o00 of equipment to be removed from the interior of the building, at the level at which the loading platform is installed. In addition, the loading platform may also 0 be used to convey materials or heavy items of equipment into a building at the required level. Typically, the materials or equipment items are removed from, or placed on, the loading platform, using a crane. The present invention provides a loading platform that can also be used in the renovation of a fully constructed multi-storey building, and by removalists.

Preliminary note.

In this specification, including the claims, "directional" terms (such as "top", "bottom", "side", "underside", "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "above", "upwards", "below", "vertical", "inwards", "outwards", and the like) will be used in the sense that these terms would have with reference to an embodiment of the invention positioned as shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

Background to the invention.

Loading platforms have been used in the construction of multi-storey buildings for a number of years. In Australia, the best-known form of loading platform is probably the loading platform that is described in the specification of International patent application No. PCT/AU98/00359, filed by John C. Preston, which is WIPO Publication No. WO 98/53161. The Australian patent application derived from that PCT application became Australian patent No. 708,796. A similar loading platform is described in the specification of Australian patent No. 722,781 (which is a patent of addition to patent No. 708,796).

(-i That loading platform is mounted on wheels or rollers, that are constrained to rotate within respective side-facing channels in two spaced apart guide rails that are held in position, by builders' props or struts, on a concrete floor of a partially constructed N 5 building, to form a support structure for a deck platform. In the improved loading 00 oo platform arrangement of patent of addition No. 722,781, an abutment member (typically a beam) is mounted under the guide rails and abuts against the edge of the Obuilding's floor. The abutment member is used to locate the guide rails in a position that ensures that the distance the guide rails project outside the building is limited, so that the extent to which the deck platform can be rolled along the guide rails to be moved outside the building is also limited (for safety reasons).

To remove a load from the building, the deck platform is pushed out of the building to form an external platform onto which the load is placed (using a trolley or a forklift vehicle if the item is too large to be pushed or pulled along the platform manually). A crane then lifts the load from the platform. This procedure is reversed when an item or load, placed on the platform by a crane, is to be moved into the building. Usually, a number of loading platforms will be used during the construction of a multi-storey building, positioned one above each other on different floors on the same side of the building, as shown in Figures 8 and 9 of the specification of patent No. 708,796.

When it is not in use, such a loading platform is pushed into the building, to allow a load to be placed by a crane on a deck platform of a lower loading platform.

When inside the building, the loading platform occupies a significant area of the floor space near to the open side of the building, which is a nuisance when floor space is restricted.

SDisclosure of the invention.

SIt is an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of loading platform which can be constructed so that it occupies significantly less floor space, when not in use, than the loading platforms described in the specifications of Australian patents Nos. 708,796 and 722,781; and can be O used by removalists for the removal of bulky items from a room, or for the 00 of bulky or heavy items into a room.

SThis objective is achieved by having the tray of the loading platform outside the building with which it is being used at all times. To ensure that a crane can have access to each of the loading platforms when multiple loading platforms are in use (as noted above, usually positioned one above another), the tray of the loading platform is constructed so that it can be moved about a pivot axis from a first position in which (as in the Preston loading platforms of patents Nos. 708,796 and 722,781) the tray surface is substantially horizontal, to a second position in which the tray surface is substantially vertical.

In the present invention, the tray of the loading platform, the top surface of which is generally planar (flat), is mounted on a pair of side arms which extend beyond the inner edge of the tray. The tray and its side arms are pivotally supported at the ends of a pair of elongate support beams of a support structure that comprises those two elongate beams, securely mounted on the floor of a building (if the building is under construction or if it is a completed building with French doors or with a building access point which extends down to floor level), or on the sill of a window of a constructed building. Typically, a pivot axle passes through aligned apertures of circular cross-section that are present near the adjacent ends of each side arm and each support beam.

The invention also includes "holding/movement means which hold the tray of the 00 loading platform in a first position in which its generally planar top surface is substantially horizontal, or in a second position (the storage or "parked" position when the platform is ;not in use) in which the top surface of the tray is substantially vertical, and are used to rotate the side arms about the pivot axis from one of these positions to the other.

Thus, according to the present invention, there is provided a loading platform for use in an 00D open wall space of a building, said loading platform comprising: 00 a) a tray member having a substantially planar top surface; said tray member being mounted on a pair of substantially parallel, elongate side arms, each of said side

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Oarms extending beyond the edge of said tray member that is closest to said building; 0 b) a pair of support beams, adapted to be positioned at said open wall space with a major portion of each support beam within said building and a minor portion of each support beam extending outside said building; c) respective clamping means for operative engagement with said major portion of each of said support beams, to clamp said support beams firmly to the structure of said building when so positioned; d) respective pivot connection means connecting each end of a support beam that is outside said building to a respective end of one of said side arms; and e) holding/movement means, said holding/movement means being operative to hold said tray member in a first position in which said top surface of said tray <0 member is substantially horizontal and in a second position in which, when said side arms have been rotated in an upward direction about said pivot connection means, said top surface of said tray member is substantially vertical, and to enable said tray member to be rotated about said pivot connection means between said first and second positions.

Normally, the loading platform will be assembled outside the building with which it is to be used, with the side arms spaced apart a distance which is less than the width of said open wall space, then the loading platform will be lifted by a crane to the floor of the building on which it is to be installed.

the floor of the building on which it is to be installed.

Typically, each of the support beams will be clamped in position using at least one builders' prop. The (or each) builder's prop is positioned vertically between the top surface of a support beam and the soffit above it (optionally with at least one spacer O 5 such as a block of wood between the ends of the prop and these surfaces), and then adjusted in length and "tightened" to provide an effective clamp which holds the associated support beam in position. (It will be noted that builders' props are used

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O for a similar purpose in the loading platforms described in the specifications of the aforementioned patents Nos. 708,796 and 722,781.) If the opening in the wall space is a window which is not at floor level, a block of wood or similar spacer will be placed under each support beam to enable the support beams to be clamped in place relative to the window sill with its elongate direction substantially horizontal.

Typically, each support beam will be constructed from a rigid metal material, preferably steel. Preferably, each support beam is a rolled steel joist.

If each support beam has a generally U-shaped cross-section, each end of a side arm which is remote from the tray that is mounted on it will have a width that enables that end to be positioned within the channel between the arms of the beam. In this situation, the pivot connection can be established using pivot axles which pass horizontally through respective, corresponding, circular apertures in the arms of the beams, near the ends of those beams, and also through a circular aperture in the ends of the associated side arms. The ends of the side arms may have to be shaped to permit rotation of the side arms about the pivot axle without those ends contacting the webs of the beams.

In an alternative, but preferred, arrangement, each support beam is constructed using a relatively thin, steel support beam which has two reinforcing plates welded onto either side of the beam near the end thereof which is used for the pivotal connection to a side arm. The pivot connection is established by passing a pivot axle through a circular aperture in the tongue of the steel support beam which extends beyond the end of each pair of reinforcing plates, and also through a circular aperture in the end of the associated side arm.

IND

00 the loading platform is intended to be used with windows of various widths, either a range of tray members, each having a different width, will be Oprovided, so that the tray member with the most appropriate width can be selected for a particular application, or the tray member will have multiple mounting positions for the side arms, so that a tray with side arms that are appropriately spaced for a particular window opening can be constructed.

A basic form of "holding/movement means" is a pair of chains, each of which has one end attached to the outer end of a respective side arm of the loading platform, and the other end attached to a point on the associated support beam that is at or near the the end thereof which is remote from the tray member. When the top surface of the tray member is substantially horizontal, each chain or a link of, or a shackle attached to, the chain at the appropriate point is passed over a respective hook member that is mounted on the casing of a support prop. The length of each chain is such that, in this position, the chain is taut and in tension, so that the tray member is prevented from moving further in a downward direction. When the tray member has been moved to the position in which its top surface is vertical, the appropriate link of each chain or another shackle attached to the chain at the appropriate point is passed over its associated hook on the builders' prop, to retain the tray member in that position.

However, this basic form of holding/movement means is not the preferred form of holding/movement means for the present invention. The preferred holding/movement means comprises a pair of hydraulic rams, each connected Sbetween a respective support beam and an arm extending below the associated side arm of the tray member, or an arm extending above a respective support t beam and the associated side arm of the tray member.

,O 5 Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example 00 only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings.

Figure 1 is a partly schematic, perspective sketch of one form of the loading platform of the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates one construction of a support beam of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a downward, partly sectional view at 3-3 of Figure 2, with a tray member and its side walls connected to the support beams.

Figure 4 is a partly schematic perspective sketch showing a different arrangement whereby each side arm is pivotally connected to the support beams.

Figure 5 is a side view of the arrangement shown in Figure 4, with the holding/movement means comprising a hydraulic ram.

Figure 6 illustrates an assembled embodiment of another realisation of the loading platform of the present invention with the holding/movement means comprising a hydraulic ram.

Figure 7 is a top view of two different tray member arrangements for a loading platform of the type shown in Figure 6.

SFigure 8 depicts schematically a number of loading platforms, each having the construction shown in Figure 6, installed on respective floors of a multi-storey building under construction.

Figure 9 shows, partly schematically, how the present invention may be used O 5 when the open space of a building is a window that does not extend down to floor 00 level.

Detailed description of the illustrated embodiments.

The loading platform 10 shown in Figure 1 has a tray member 11 mounted on a pair of parallel side arms 12. Each side arm 12 is pivotally connected at 13 to a respective support beam 14.

The tray member 11 has a generally planar top surface. It may be a solid flat surface. It may be constructed of slats, or of mesh supported on a frame or the like. Preferably, the tray member is made of metal.

The tray member 11 shown in Figure 1 is bolted or pinned onto the side arms 12 by bolts or pins 16 which pass through respective apertures in the tray member which are close to the side edges of the tray member, and through the associated side arm 12, before being held in place by nuts or bolted cleats. Additional apertures 15 are provided in the tray member, so that the side arms can be moved closer to each other before the tray member is bolted or pinned to the side arms.

The tray member shown in Figure 4 has similar arrays of apertures 15, for the same purpose.

This arrangement is only one example of the way in which the tray member 11 may be mounted on the side arms 12. Any other suitable mounting technique may be used.

The support beams shown in Figure 1 are held in position on the floor of a building by a pair of builders' props 20. The foot 21 of each prop 20 is placed on the top surface of its associated support beam 14, then the prop is extended until the top plate 22 of the prop bears against the soffit above the prop. Further action to extend the prop length results in no further extension, but the force then exerted IND between the top plate 22 and the soffit above, and between the foot 21 and the 00 support beam 14, acts to clamp the support beam firmly in position. Although a respective single prop 20 is used to clamp each support beam 14 in the arrangement O shown in Figure 1, in many instances particularly if the support beam 14 is a long beam two (or possibly more than two) props will be used to clamp each support beam, as shown in Figures 6 and 8.

The holding/movement means in the arrangement shown in Figure 1 is a pair of chains 23. One end 24 of each chain is attached to its associated support beam 14 inwardly of the prop 20. The other end 25 of each chain is attached to the outer end of the associated side arm 12. A respective hook (or similar device) 26 is mounted on the outer casing of each prop 20. The distance between the hook 26 and the foot 21 of the prop 20 is such that, when the appropriate link of the associated chain (or a shackle attached to that link of the chain) is passed over the hook 26, the chain becomes taut and tensioned when the elongate directions of the support beams 14 and the side arms 12 are parallel to (in some instances, co-linear with) each other, and the top surface of the tray member 11 is substantially horizontal. Thus the chains 23 acts to prevent any downward movement of the tray member 11 when it is in the position shown in Figure 1.

When the tray member 11 is lifted (for example, by pulling on the chain) to the position in which its top surface is substantially vertical, the appropriate link of each chain 23 (or another shackle attached to that link of the chain) can be passed over the hook 26, to hold the tray member in this new position.

SOther suitable mechanisms that allow the tray member to move between its S"horizontal" and "vertical' positions, and which are operative to hold the tray member in these two positions, may be used as the holding/movement means of t, the present invention. The preferred holding/movement means is a pair of hydraulic rams (as shown in Figures 5 and 6, described in more detail below), which also INO provide a mechanism for moving the tray member of the loading platform between 00 "in use" and "parked" positions.

C Any one of a variety of arrangements whereby the end of a side arm 12 may be pivotally connected to the end of its associated support beam 14 may be used.

The support beam construction shown in Figures 2 and 3 consists of a relatively thin, but nevertheless strong, steel beam 14 which has a downward step 30 near its end which is connected to a side arm 12. Reinforcing plates 31, having the same stepped shape as the end of the support beam, are bolted or welded to each side of the support beam, with the "steps" of the reinforcing plates in registration with the step of the support beam 14. The step 30 facilitates the location of the loading platform at the edge of the floor of a building under construction (that is, it may be used as an abutment member, in the same way as the abutment member of the loading platform arrangement of patent of addition No. 722,781 is used), and (b) enables the top surface of the tray member 11 to be at essentially the same level as the floor on which the support beams 14 are clamped.

The reinforcing plates 31 each have a size such that the end of the support beam to which they are attached protrudes from between the reinforcing plates and becomes a tongue 32. An aperture 33 of circular cross-section extends horizontally through the tongue 32. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, a pivot axle 34 passes through the aperture 33 and also through a similar aperture in the end of the associated side arm 12, to form the pivotal connection between the side arm S12 and its associated support beam 14.

The support beam 14 that is shown in Figure 4 has a generally U-shaped crosssection, with the arms 35 of the extending vertically upwards from the web 36 of the U-beam. A pair of circular apertures 37, at corresponding positions in the .O 5 arms of the support beam 14, near the end of the support beam, enable a pivot axle 00oO 39 to form a pivotal connection of the side arm 12 to the support beam 14 when the end of the associated side arm 12 (which is dimensioned to fit between Sthe arms 35, and which has a horizontal aperture 38 of circular cross-section extending through it) is positioned between the arms 35. To form the pivot connection, the axle member 39 is passed through one aperture 37, the aperture 38, then the other aperture 37.

As will be seen from Figures 4 and 5, the end 40 of each side arm 12 may need to have a semi-circular or at least arcuate shape (Figure or to be cut away (Figure to enable the side arms 12 to rotate about the axle member 39 without touching the web 36 of the support beam 14.

Figure 5 is a side view partly schematic of the support beam and tray member shown in Figure 4, including holding/movement means in the form of a pair of hydraulic rams 50, each having ram arms 51 and 52 that are connected, respectively, to the upper end of a vertical arm 53 that is bolted onto the associated support beam 14 and to a mounting point 54 attached to (or formed integrally with) the associated side arm 12. In Figure 5, the hydraulic rams are shown fully extended, so that they hold the tray member 11 with its upper surface horizontal. Contraction of the hydraulic rams would result in the shortening of the extension of the ram arms 52 and the rotation of the side arms about their pivot axes 39 until the upper surface of the tray member becomes vertical. The contaction of the hydraulic rams will then cease, so the the hydraulic rams will hold the tray member in its new position.

Figure 6 depicts another embodiment of the loading platform of the present invention. In this embodiment, the tray member is formed as two tray components 41 and 42. The tray component 41 is mounted on extensions 43 of the support beams 14 (each of which has the construction illustrated in Figure The tray component 42 is mounted on associated side arms 44. Since the support beam has N the construction shown in Figure 2, the "extension" 43 comprises that portion of 00 oo the beam 14 and the reinforcing plates 31 that extend between the step 30 and the (-i tongue 32. The extension 43 of the support arms and the side arms 44 are Opivotally connected by pivot axles 48 so that the tray component 42 may be moved between a first position in which the planar top surface of the tray component 42 is horizontal, and a second position (the actual position shown in Figure 6) in which the planar top surface of the tray component 42 is vertical. The tray component 41 has side (safety) fences 45. The tray component 42 has side (safety) fences 46 and a rear safety fence 47.

The holding/movement means of the embodiment shown in Figure 6 comprises a pair of hydraulic rams 50, having ram arms 51 and 52 that are each connected, respectively, to a mounting point 55 attached to or formed integrally with the associated support arm extension 43, and to the end region of a control arm 57 that is bolted or welded onto the associated side arm 44. Each control arm 57 extends downwardly from its side arm 44 when the tray component 42 is horizontal (that is, when the tray component 42 has been moved about its pivot axles 48 from the position shown in Figure 6 by a right angle). In Figure 6, the hydraulic rams are shown fully extended, so that they hold the tray component 42 with its upper surface vertical. Contraction of the hydraulic rams would result in the shortening of the extension of the ram arms 52 and the rotation of the side arms 44 about their pivot axles 48 until the upper surface of the tray component becomes horizontal.

Figure 7(a) is a top view of the loading platform of Figure 6, in which the extensions 43 of the support beams (which are, of course, part of the support beams) and the side arms 44 have been separated. Figure 7(b) is similar to Figure but shows an alternative configuration of the tray component 42. In view of the description, above, of the embodiment of Figure 6, no additional explanation of Figure 7 is necessary.

Figure 8 shows four loading platforms of the type illustrated in Figure 6, installed, one above the other, in a building under construction. Only the lowest loading platform has the top surfaces of both of its tray components horizontal, and accessible by a crane. The other three loading platforms have their outer tray components 42 in the "not in use" or "parked" position, shown in Figure 6, so that their tray components will not interfere with the use of a crane to lift materials from or to load materials onto the lowest loading platform.

Figure 9 illustrates how a loading platform constructed in accordance with the present invention may be used to pass goods or materials through a window space 60 (either into or out of a building). A block 61 is positioned under each support beam 14. When the associated builders' prop 20 is tightened, it clamps the supporting beams 14, the block 61 and the floor 62 together.

Engineers will appreciate that examples only of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and described above. Variations of, and modifications to, the illustrated embodiments (in addition to the alternative constructions already noted above) may be made without departing from the present inventive concept, as defined by the claims.

Claims (13)

1. A loading platform for use in an open wall space of a building, said loading ;platform comprising: a) a tray member having a substantially planar top surface; said tray member being mounted on a pair of substantially parallel, elongate i side arms, each of said side arms extending beyond the edge of said 00oo tray member that is closest to said building; O Sb) a pair of support beams, adapted to be positioned at said open wall space with a major portion of each support beam within said building and a minor portion of each support beam extending outside said building; c) respective clamping means for operative engagement with said major portion of each of said support beams, to clamp said support beams firmly to the structure of said building when so positioned; d) respective pivot connection means connecting each end of a support beam that is outside said building to a respective end of one of said side arms; and e) holding/movement means, said holding/movement means being operative to hold said tray member in a first position in which said top surface of said tray member is substantially horizontal and in a second position in which, when said side arms have been rotated in an upward direction about said pivot connection means, said top surface of said tray member is substantially vertical, and to enable said tray member to be rotated about said pivot connection means between said first and second positions.

2. A loading platform as defined in claim 1, in which said tray member has multiple mounting positions thereon, for mounting said tray member on said side arms at different spacings of said side arms.

3. A loading platform as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, in which said clamping means comprises at least one builders' prop associated with each support i ~beam, said (or each) builder's prop being positioned vertically between the top surface of its associated support beam and having a foot that is in IN contact with said top surface and a top plate that is in contact with the soffit 00 it. O

4. A loading platform as defined in claim 3, in which at least one rigid spacer is located between said top surface of said associated support beam and/or between said top plate and said soffit.

A loading platform as defined in any preceding claim, in which each said support beam extends outside said open wall space a distance sufficient for a tray component to be mounted on said portion of said support beam which is outside said open wall space, and said tray member comprises a second tray component.

6. A loading platform as defined in any preceding claim, in which each said support beam is a steel beam with a U-shaped cross-section formed by two parallel arms extending vertically upwards from a web of the support beam; each said support beam having a pair of circular apertures at corresponding positions in the arms thereof, near the end of the support beam closest to said tray member; the end of each said side arm that is remote from said tray member has a width that is smaller than the distance between said parallel arms of said steel beam with a U-shaped cross-section; and said pivotal connection means comprises a respective pivot axle that passes through one of said circular apertures in the arms of said support beam, then through a circular aperture in said end of said side arm, then through the other of said circular apertures in the arms of its (Ni INO associated support beam. 00

7. A loading platform as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5, in which each said support beam comprises a relatively thin steel beam which has a step downward near the end thereof that is connected to a side arm; a pair of reinforcing plates, each having the same stepped shape as the end of said support beam, are bolted or welded to each side of said support beam, with the three "steps" in registration; said reinforcing plates each have a size such that the end of the support beam to which they are attached protrudes from between the reinforcing plates to become a tongue; an aperture of circular cross-section extends horizontally through said tongue; and a pivot axle passes through said aperture in said tongue and also through a circular aperture in the end of the associated side arm, to form said pivot connection means.

8. A loading platform as defined in any preceding claim, in which said holding/movement means comprises a pair of chains, each of said chains having one end attached to a respective support beam at or near the end thereof that is remote from said tray member and the other end thereof attached to the associated side arm at or near the end thereof that is remote from said building; each said chain having a length that permits it to pass over a hook member attached to the the outside of a builders' prop installed to clamp said support beam in position when the top surface of said tray member is horizontal. (Ni NO

9. A loading platform as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7, in which said o00 means comprises a pair of hydraulic rams. 0

10. A loading platform as defined in claim 9, in which each hydraulic ram is connected between a respective support beam and an arm extending below the associated side arm of the tray member, or a respective side arm of the tray member and an arm extending above the associated support beam.

11. A loading platform as defined in any preceding claim, including a respective safety fence extending above each said side arm.

12. A loading platform as defined in any preceding claim, including a respective safety fence extending above the edge of said tray member which is remote from said building.

13. A loading platform substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this twentyseventh day of April, 2007 MARIO CARRABS by his Patent Attorneys Davies Collison Cave.