Modular platform assembly

• US 4,759,162 A
• Filed: 04/16/1987
• Issued: 07/26/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bil-Jax, Inc. (Haulotte Group SA)
• Original Assignee: Steven J. Wyse
• Inventors: Wyse, Steven J.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, Creighton
• Application Number:
  US07/038,927
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• Field of Search: 52/126.6, 52/126.7, 52/79.6, 52/126.4, 52/591, 52/594, 52/7, 52/182, 52/183, 52/184, 52/191, 248/188.5, 248/188.8, 248/188.9, 248/677, 182/179, 182/222
• US Class Current: 52/126.6
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 3/24 Constructional features of stages

Abstract

A modular platform assembly is provided. The assembly has a multiplicity of deck sections of rectangular shape which are connected together or interlocked to produce a platform of desired size. The deck sections are supported on legs which can be used in telescoping relationship to support the deck sections at various desired heights. Certain inner deck sections need only be supported on one leg, which facilitates assembly of the sections. Guard rails can also be employed around edges of the platform and supported by the legs. The legs can be supported on adjustable feet to provide a uniform level for the deck sections. Modular stairs are also provided for easy access to and egress from the platform. The stairs are designed to accommodate platforms of various heights.

Claims

1. A modular platform assembly comprising a plurality of deck sections, each having a rectangular frame made of metal frame members joined at their ends, each of said deck sections having downwardly-extending connecting tubes at the joined ends of said frame members, two of said joined frame members each having fastener means extending outwardly therefrom, each of the other two joined frame members having fastener-receiving means positioned to receive fastener means of other frame members, said deck sections including peripheral deck sections forming peripheral portions of the platform and inner deck sections forming inner portions of the platform, each of said peripheral deck sections having at least two supporting legs connected with two of the connecting tubes thereof, each of said inner deck sections having only one supporting leg connected with one of the connecting tubes thereof, an adjustable foot for each of said supporting legs, stairs comprising two diagonal tubular rails each having connecting means at one end for making a connection with one of said connecting tubes and said supporting legs of said peripheral deck sections, the other ends of said rails having adjusting tubes adjustably connected therewith, for supporting the corresponding ends of said rails on the ground, a plurality of steps, step plates affixed to ends of said steps and extending upwardly, and means connecting said step plates at predetermined positions along said diagonal rails, and a plurality of guard rail posts, said guard rail posts having means at lower ends thereof for connecting said posts to some of said supporting legs, and guard rails affixed to upper portions of said guard rail posts.

2. A platform assembly according to claim 1 characterized by each of said connecting tubes being of predetermined length and having pairs of mutually perpendicular holes spaced at uniform distances therealong, and pin means extending through holes of the adjacent connecting tubes of the connected deck sections.

3. A platform assembly according to claim 1 characterized by each of said fastener means comprising a shank and a head spaced from the frame member and each of said fastener-receiving means comprising a notch in the other two joined frame members received over the shank of one of said fastener means.

4. A platform assembly according to claim 1 characterized by each of said guard rail posts having studs at upper ends thereof for receiving guard rails and having outwardly-extending studs at intermediate portions thereof for receiving other guard rails.

5. A platform assembly according to claim 1 characterized by each of said connecting means of said diagonal tubular rails being adjustably connected to the ends of said rails for longitudinal movement with respect thereto.

6. A modular platform assembly comprising a plurality of deck sections, each having a rectangular frame of metal members of predetermined lengths joined at their ends, each of said members having a downwardly-extending flange, each of said deck sections having downwardly-extending short connecting tubes at the joined ends of said members, said short tubes being of predetermined length and having pairs of mutually perpendicular holes spaced at uniform distances therealong, the flanges of two joined members each having fasteners extending outwardly therefrom, the flanges of the other two joined members each having openings therein to receive the fasteners of a frame member of another deck section, a first one of said deck sections having four tubular legs connected with the four short tubes of said first deck section, a second one of said deck sections having one of the frame members connected with one of the frame members of said first deck section, said second deck section having two of said tubular legs connected to the two short tubes spaced from said first deck section, a third one of said deck sections having one of the frame members connected to the frame member of said first deck section which is joined to the connected frame member of said first deck section, said third deck section having tubular legs connected to the short tubes which are spaced from said connected frame member of said third deck section, and a fourth deck section having two of the joined frame members connected to frame members of said second and third deck sections which are joined to their connected frame members, said fourth deck section having one tubular leg connected to the short tube which is away from both of the joined frame members of said fourth deck section.

7. A platforms assembly according to claim 6 characterized by each of said fasteners of said flanges having a shank and a head at an end of said shank spaced from the flange and the openings of said flanges being notches in the lower edges thereof to receive the shanks of the fastners.

8. A platform assembly according to claim 6 characterized by each of said metal frame members also having an inwardly-extending flange and each of said deck sections having planar sheeting affixed to the inwardly-extending flanges.

9. A modular platform assembly comprising a deck section having a rectangular frame made of angle-iron members of predetermined lengths joined at their ends, each of said members having an inwardly-extending horizontal flange and a downwardly-extending vertical flange at an outer longitudinal edge of the inwardly-extending flange, said deck section having downwardly-extending short tubes at the joined ends of said angle-iron members, said short tubes being of predetermined length and having at least two pair of mutually perpendicular holes spaced at uniform distances therealong, the downwardly-extending flanges of two joined angle-iron members each having at least one headed fastener having a head and a shank with the shank affixed to the downwardly-extending flange and extending perpendicularly therefrom at a predetermined location, with the head of the fastener being spaced from the downwardly-extending flange, the downwardly-extending flanges of the other two angle-iron members each having at least one notch in a lower longitudinal edge thereof at a predetermined location to receive the shank of a fastener of an angle-iron member of another deck section, a tubular leg telescoped with one of said short tubes, said tubular leg having pairs of mutually perpendicular holes spaced at uniform distances along substantially the entire length of said leg, a pin extending through one pair of the holes of the associated short tube and one pair of the holes of the leg, a second tubular leg telescoped within another one of said short tubes, said second leg having pairs of mutually perpendicular holes spaced at uniform distances along substantially the entire length of said second leg, a pin extending through one pair of holes of the associated short tube and one pair of holes of said second leg, stair means comprising two connecting tubes having diagonally disposed end plates at ends thereof and having at least one pair of holes therein, means affixing said end plates to holes in one of said connecting tubes and said tubular legs, two diagonal tubular rails telescoped over said connecting tubes, said diagonal rails having a plurality of pairs of holes spaced at uniform distances along substantially the entire lengths thereof. two extension tubes telescoped within said diagonal rails at ends opposite the ends telescoped with said connecting tubes, said extension tubes having at least one pair of holes therein, pin means connecting said connecting tubes and said diagonal rails, pin means connecting said extension tubes and said diagonal rails, a foot pivotally connected to each of said extension tubes, a step, step plates affixed to ends of said steps, said step plates having at least two holes therein, and fastener means connecting said step plates to holes in intermediate portions of said diagonal rails.

10. A modular platform assembly according to claim 9 characterized by a vertical guard rail post, a lower end of said post having an outwardly-extending vertical plate affixed thereto, fastener means detachably connecting said plate to said tubular leg, and guard rail fastener means affixed to and projecting from at least one upper portion of said guard rail post.

11. A modular platform assembly comprising a deck section having a rectangular frame made of frame members of predetermined lengths joined at their ends, each of said members having an inwardly-extending horizontal flange and a downwardly-extending vertical flange at an outer longitudinal edge of the inwardly-extending flange, said deck section having downwardly-extending short tubes at the joined ends of said frame members, said short tubes being of predetermined length and having a first two pair of mutually perpendicular holes at a predetermined location therein, and a second two pair of mutually perpendicular holes spaced at a predetermined distance from said first two pair, the downwardly-extending flanges of two joined frame members having fasteners, the downwardly-extending flanges of the other two frame members having notches in lower longitudinal edges thereof at predetermined locations to receive fasteners of frame members of other deck sections, a tubular leg telescoped with one of said short tubes, said tubular leg having a third two pair of mutually perpendicular holes at a predetermined location therein and a fourth two pair of mutually perpendicular holes spaced from the third two pair a distance equal to the distance between the first and second two pair of holes, a pin extending through one pair of the holes of the leg and one pair of the holes of the associated short tube, and two aligned holes of the other two pair of mutually-perpendicular holes in the short tubes being aligned with two aligned holes of two pair of mutually-perpendicular holes of a short tube of another deck section, whereby fasteners can be extended through these holes to enable one of the tubes of said deck section to be connected with one of the tubes of the other deck section.

12. A modular platform assembly according to claim 11 characterized by said short tubes being square in transverse cross section.

13. A modular platform assembly comprising a deck section having a rectangular frame made of angle-iron members of predetermined lengths joined at their ends, each of said members having an inwardly-extending horizontal flange and a downwardly-extending vertical flange at an outer longitudinal edge of the inwardly-extending flange, said deck section having downwardly-extending short tubes at the joined ends of said angle-iron members, said short tubes being of predetermined length and having at least two pair of mutually perpendicular holes at a predetermined location therein, the downwardly-extending flanges of two joined angle-iron members each having at least two headed fasteners, each fastener having a head and a shank with the shank affixed to the downwardly-extending flange and extending perpendicularly therefrom at a predetermined location, with the head of the fastener being spaced from the downwardly-extending flange, the downwardly-extending flanges of the other two angle-iron members each having at least two notches in a lower longitudinal edge thereof at predetermined locations to receive the shanks of fasteners of an angle-iron member of another deck section said other two angle-iron members being devoid of headed fasteners or any other projections, one frame member of each opposite pair having only said notches and the other frame member of each opposite pair having said fasteners.