Platform system

• US 10,640,983 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2017
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Safe Rack LLC
• Original Assignee: Safe Rack LLC
• Inventors: Honeycutt, Robert W., Lane, Joseph N., Jones, Carson Allan, King, Jr., Paul Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Menezes, Marcus
• Application Number:
  US15/466,465
• Publication Number:
  US 20170275888A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,140 Days
• Field of Search: 182119, 182123, 182130
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 11/025 Stairways having stringers E04F11/035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 11/035 Stairways consisting of a plurality of assembled modular parts without further support E04F11/032 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 11/112 of metal or with an upper layer of metal
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2011/0209 mainly of metal
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2011/1868 Miscellaneous features of handrails not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2011/187 lengthwise adjustable, e.g. telescopic
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 27/00 Temporary arrangements for giving access from one level to another for men or vehicles, e.g. steps, ramps for scaffolds E04G5/10; gangways B63; lifts B66

Abstract

A platform system comprising a platform structure having at least one modular platform unit with platform connection features on a side surface thereof to which other components can be connected, the other components including at least two of the following: another modular platform unit, a stair unit, a tower unit, a handrail unit, and a ladder unit. A stair assembly is connected to the platform structure via said connection features, the stair assembly comprising a plurality of stair units connected together to provide a number of steps equal to the sum of steps of the stair units.

Claims

1. A platform system comprising:

a platform structure having at least one modular platform unit with platform connection features on side surfaces thereof to which other components can be connected, said other components including at least two of another modular platform unit, a stair unit having a plurality of steps, a tower unit, a handrail unit, and a ladder unit;

said at least one modular platform unit having a square configuration with four sides of equivalent length, the four sides respectively forming the side surfaces on which the connection features are located so that the other components can be connected to any one of the side surfaces; and

a stair assembly connected to said platform structure via said platform connection features, said stair assembly comprising a plurality of stair units, each having a plurality of steps, which are connected together to provide a number of steps equal to the sum of steps of said stair units,

wherein handrail sections of said stair units are connected to form a continuous handrail along a length of said stair assembly.

2. A platform system as in claim 1, wherein said handrail sections of said stair units are connected together using transition handrail sections.

3. A platform system as in claim 2, comprising internal couplings for connecting handrails of said handrail sections and said transition handrail sections together.

4. A platform system as in claim 3, wherein said internal couplings comprise coupling elements that are tightened to engage an inner surface of said handrails.

5. A platform system as in claim 1, wherein said plurality of stair units comprises at least three of said stair units.

6. A platform system as in claim 5, wherein each of said plurality of stair units has no more than six steps.

7. A platform system as in claim 1, wherein handrail units and handrails of said stair assembly are attached to at least one of said platform structure and said stair assembly using a nut plate locking assembly inserted into a tubular end of a handrail support post.

8. A platform system comprising:

a platform structure having at least one modular platform unit with platform connection features on side surfaces thereof to which other components can be connected, said other components including at least two of another modular platform unit, a stair unit having a plurality of steps, a tower unit, a handrail unit, and a ladder unit;

said at least one modular platform unit having a square configuration with four sides of equivalent length, the four sides respectively forming the side surfaces on which the connection features are located so that the other components can be connected to any one of the side surfaces; and

a stair assembly connected to said platform structure via said platform connection features, said stair assembly comprising a plurality of stair units, each having a plurality of steps, which are connected together to provide a number of steps equal to the sum of steps of said stair units,

wherein left and right stringers of each said stair unit comprise a side plate having upper and lower stair connection features for attachment of upper termination elements and base elements, respectively,

wherein said stair units of said stair assembly are interconnected together at an interconnection location via web plates that are attached to said side plates using said upper stair connection features in lieu of said upper termination elements of a first one of said stair units and said lower stair connection features in lieu of said base elements of a second one of said stair units at the interconnection location.

9. A platform system comprising:

a platform structure having at least one modular platform unit with platform connection features on side surfaces thereof to which other components can be connected, said other components including at least two of another modular platform unit, a stair unit having a plurality of steps, a tower unit, a handrail unit, and a ladder unit;

said at least one modular platform unit having a square configuration with four sides of equivalent length, the four sides respectively forming the side surfaces on which the connection features are located so that the other components can be connected to any one of the side surfaces;

a stair assembly connected to said platform structure via said platform connection features, said stair assembly comprising a plurality of stair units, each having a plurality of steps, which are connected together to provide a number of steps equal to the sum of steps of said stair units; and

a tower assembly connected to said platform structure via said platform connection features, said tower assembly comprising a plurality of tower units connected together to provide a total height corresponding to a height of said stair assembly,

wherein said tower units are interconnected using generally U-shaped brackets.