Abstract:
A modular platform including a multiplicity of elongate interior frame members and elongate perimeter frame members forming a grid frame adapted to receive floor panels within interstitial zones. The modular platform may be elevated relative to the underlying ground to provide a level support surface even if the ground is not level. The modular platform is adapted to accommodate solid walls if a semi-permanent or permanent structure is desired. The platform may be easily assembled in various sizes and may be disassembled for reuse.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This non-provisional application claims the benefit of, and priority from, U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/115,305 having a filing date of Feb. 12, 2015. The contents of such priority application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to temporary structures, and more specifically to a modular platform adapted to support a tent in raised relation to the ground for temporary shelter and further adapted to accommodate solid walls if a semi-permanent or permanent structure is desired. Such a modular platform may likewise have application in other environments of use such as sidewalks, decks and other platforms as may be desired. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The use of soft-walled tents for shelter is well known. Such structures provide the benefits of light weight and portability which facilitate their use as mobile, temporary structures. In some instances, it may be necessary to use a tent for a prolonged period of time. In such circumstances, it may be desirable for the tent to exhibit characteristics of a more permanent structure to provide the user with a greater degree of comfort and security. Moreover, in some instances it may be desirable to replace a temporary tent structure with a semi-permanent or permanent wall structure for longer periods of use. 
     In the past, it was known to use a wooden plank arrangement to form a platform for use in supporting a tent and for other uses. Moreover, it is known to construct such wooden plank platforms in raised relation to the underlying ground in order to protect a user from moisture penetration from the ground in the event of rain. As will be appreciated, the construction of such a raised wooden platform may be time consuming and may require significant skill. Moreover, once such wooden platforms have been assembled, the components may be unsuitable for reuse. Further, such prior wooden platforms are not constructed to accommodate the erection of solid walls in the event that a semi-permanent or permanent structure is desired. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides advantages and alternatives over the prior art by providing a modular platform for use in various environments of use including sidewalks, decks, and support for a tent or walled structure. Of course, such uses are merely exemplary and the modular platform may likewise find application in other environments of use. The modular platform may be elevated relative to the underlying ground to provide a level support surface even if the ground is not level. The modular platform is also adapted to accommodate solid walls if a semi-permanent or permanent structure is desired. The platform may be easily disassembled for reuse. 
     In accordance with one exemplary aspect, the present disclosure provides a modular flooring platform which can be disassembled for reuse. The modular flooring platform includes a plurality of elongate interior frame members. The interior frame members include a substantially hollow tubular body portion defining a hollow interior. The interior frame members may each including a pair of lateral ledge elements defining substantially flat fins projecting away from opposing sides of the hollow tubular body portion at a common, defined elevation. The modular flooring platform further includes a plurality of elongate perimeter frame members. The perimeter frame members include a substantially hollow tubular body portion defining a hollow interior. The perimeter frame members may each include an inboard lateral edge element defining a substantially flat fin projecting away from a first side of the hollow tubular body and an outboard lateral ledge element projecting away from a second side of the hollow tubular body. The outboard lateral ledge defines a raised lip spaced apart from the hollow tubular body portion of the perimeter frame member. The modular flooring platform further includes a plurality of angle-forming connection elements. Each angle-forming connection element includes a plurality of hollow tubular legs projecting away from an intersection such that at least two of the hollow tubular legs are in angled relation to one another. The hollow tubular legs are adapted to slide in telescoping relation into the hollow tubular body portions of the interior frame members and the perimeter frame members. The interior frame members, perimeter frame members and angle-forming connection elements are connectable to form a grid frame having a perimeter channel formed by the outboard lateral ledge elements. The formed grid includes a plurality of interstices at least partially surrounded by interior frame members at locations inboard from the perimeter channel. A plurality of removable floor panels are adapted to fit in nested relation within the interstices to define a supporting flooring surface. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary modular platform consistent with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary modular platform consistent with the present disclosure in underlying supporting relation to a soft-sided tent; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic perspective view illustrating an exemplary interior frame member used in forming the frame grid of an exemplary modular platform consistent with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic sectional view of an exemplary interior frame member used in forming the frame grid of an exemplary modular platform consistent with the present disclosure taken generally along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic perspective view illustrating an exemplary perimeter frame member used in forming the frame grid of an exemplary modular platform consistent with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic sectional view of an exemplary interior frame member used in forming the frame grid of an exemplary modular platform consistent with the present disclosure taken generally along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic perspective view illustrating an exemplary three leg connection adapted to connect frame members together along a perimeter when forming the grid frame of an exemplary modular platform consistent with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic perspective view illustrating an exemplary four leg connection adapted to connect frame members together at an interior of a grid frame of an exemplary modular platform consistent with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary adjustable jack which may be used in combination with like devices to engage a grid frame and level a platform in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic sectional view of an exemplary platform skirt which may be used at the perimeter of an exemplary modular platform consistent with the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic perspective view illustrating use of modular solid wall panels within an outboard perimeter channel of an exemplary modular platform consistent with the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Before the exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is in no way limited in its application or construction to the details and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the invention is capable of other embodiments and being practiced or being carried out in various ways. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein to the extent possible, like elements are designated by like reference numerals in the various views. In  FIG. 1  an exemplary modular platform  10  consistent with the present disclosure is illustrated. As illustrated, the modular platform  10  defines a grid of floor panels  12  supported in nested relation within a grid frame  14 . In this regard, the grid frame  14  may be formed from an interconnected arrangement of tubular structural members formed from steel, aluminum, carbon fiber composites, or other suitable structural materials as may be desired. 
     As shown, the individual floor panels  12  are sized and shaped to fit in drop-in nested relation within the interstitial zones  15  between the frame members in the grid frame  14 . In this regard, the floor panels  12  may be substantially square as shown. However, it is likewise contemplated that other geometries such as triangles, rectangles, pentagons, hexagons and the like may be used if the grid frame is altered. By way of example only and not limitation, one suitable material for the floor panels  12  is a load bearing structural insulated panel having a galvanized steel skin over a dense polyurethane core. One such material is marketed under the trade designation IPANEL® by Outdoor Venture Corporation having a place of business in Stearns, Ky., USA. Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to any particular panel material and other insulated or non-insulated materials may likewise be used to form the floor panels  12  if desired. As will be appreciated, in  FIG. 1 , in order to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, the grid frame  14  is illustrated with several empty interstitial zones  15  adapted for acceptance of floor panels  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , it may be seen that following the assembly and leveling of the platform  10 , a soft sided tent  20  may be erected on the surface of the platform  10  using support lines anchored to the surrounding ground. In this arrangement, the tent  20  is spaced away from the underlying ground, and the platform  10  provides a level support defining a floor for the tent  20 . In this regard, it will be understood that the configuration of the tent  20  is in no way critical to the practice of the present disclosure. To the contrary, it is contemplated that virtually any tent configuration may be used. 
     As indicated previously, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, the grid frame  14  of the platform  10  may be formed from a plurality of interconnected frame members of hollow, tubular construction along their lengths. By way of example only, and not limitation,  FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate one exemplary construction for suitable interior frame members  30  for use at the interior of the grid frame  14  at positions inboard from the perimeter. As shown, the illustrated exemplary interior frame members  30  may include a box profile tubular body  32  extending substantially along the length of the interior frame members  30 . In the illustrated exemplary construction, a pair of lateral ledge elements  34  extends away from opposing sides of the tubular body  32 . As shown, in the exemplary construction, the lateral ledge elements  34  are positioned at the same height on opposing sides of the tubular body  32 . Both of the lateral ledge elements  34  may be substantially planar so as to define generally flat fins located at substantially equal elevations on each side of the tubular body  32 . 
     As will be appreciated, upon assembly of the grid frame  14 , the lateral ledge elements  34  may provide underlying support for the floor panels  12  such that the floor panels  12  may be nested in the interstitial zones  15  between the interior frame members  30 . In this arrangement, the floor panels  12  and the interior frame members  30  and upper surfaces of tubular bodies  32  cooperatively form a substantially planar upper surface. Adequate support is provided by the lateral ledge elements  34  which may project a relatively short distance of about 2 inches to about 4 inches away from the sides of the tubular body  32 . 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate one exemplary construction for hollow tubular perimeter frame members  40  which may be used in construction of a grid frame  14  in accordance with the present disclosure. In this regard, such perimeter frame members  40  may act to cooperatively define the perimeter of an exemplary grid frame  14 . As shown, in the illustrated, exemplary construction, the perimeter frame members  40  may include a hollow tubular box profile tubular body  42  extending substantially along the length of the perimeter frame members  40 . A substantially planar inboard lateral ledge element  44  may extend a relatively short distance away from one side of the tubular body  42  to define a substantially flat fin. 
     Upon assembly of the grid frame  14 , the inboard lateral ledge elements  44  projecting away from perimeter frame members  40  may cooperate with the lateral ledge elements  34  projecting away from interior frame members  30  to provide underlying support for floor panels  12  positioned at the perimeter of the platform  10  such that floor panels  12  may be nested in the interstitial zones  15  between the interior frame members  30  and the perimeter frame members  40 . Adequate support is provided by the inboard lateral ledge elements  44  which may project a relatively short distance of about 2 inches to about 4 inches away from the tubular body  42 . 
     In the illustrated exemplary construction, the perimeter frame members  40  include an outboard lateral ledge element  45  extends away from the opposing side of the tubular body  42 . As shown, in the exemplary construction, the outboard lateral ledge elements  45  are substantially “L” shaped and include a raised lip  46  disposed in spaced-apart relation to the tubular body  42 . The tubular body  42  and the outboard lateral ledge element  45  thereby form a perimeter channel  47  having a width and depth adequate to receive and support wall panels if desired in a manner to be described further hereinafter. As shown, the perimeter channel  47  may be discontinuous around the perimeter of the modular platform  10 . However, the spaces between the perimeter segments are relatively short in length such that the perimeter channel  47  is not substantially interrupted. 
     The interior dimensions of the tubular body  32  of the interior frame members  30  are preferably substantially equivalent to the interior dimensions of the tubular body  42  of the perimeter frame members  40 . Moreover, the lateral ledge elements  34 , inboard lateral ledge elements  44  and outboard lateral ledge elements  45 , may all project outwardly from the respective tubular bodies  32 ,  42  at a substantially common elevation. The use of such common configurations facilitates interconnection of the interior frame members  30  and the perimeter frame members  40  to form the grid frame  14 . 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate exemplary connection elements  48 ,  49  for use in attaching the interior frame members  30  and/or the perimeter frame members  40 . As will be readily understood, the illustrated exemplary three leg connection element  48  ( FIG. 7 ) may be formed from tubular box structures having outer perimeter dimensions slightly smaller than the inner dimensions of the tubular bodies  32 ,  42  of the frame members  30 ,  40 . In use, the individual legs of the three leg connection element  48  may slide in telescoping relation into the tubular bodies  32 ,  42 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , such three leg connection elements  48  may be used to form the perimeter connections of the grid frame  14 . Likewise, the illustrated exemplary four leg connection element  49  ( FIG. 8 ) may be formed from tubular box structures having outer perimeter dimensions slightly smaller than the inner dimensions of the tubular bodies  32 , of the interior frame members  30  such that the individual legs of the four leg connection element may slide in telescoping relation into the tubular bodies  32  of,  42 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , such four leg connection elements  49  may be used to form the interior connections of the grid frame  14 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , in the exemplary construction, the intersection point of the connection elements  48 ,  49  may include a support plate  50  surrounding an opening  51  which may be used to receive an engagement stud  58  on a leveling jack  60  ( FIG. 9 ) or other support device as may be desired. While only one surface of the connection elements  48 ,  49  is shown, it will be understood that support plates  50  and openings  51  may likewise be located on opposing sides as well. The connection elements  48 ,  49  also may include through holes with Valco clips (i.e. snap buttons) to lock into place within the interior of the frame members. Thus, the connection elements  48 ,  49  do not substantially interrupt the planar character of the platform surface. Moreover, the attachment can be readily reversed, thereby permitting reuse of all components. 
     Once the platform  10  is assembled, it may be raised away from the underlying ground and leveled by use of a plurality of leveling jacks  60  ( FIG. 9 ) such as scissor jacks or the like placed at intersection points of frame members within the grid frame  14  and which provide underlying support. As will be appreciated, alternative leveling devices may be used to provide underlying support if desired. By way of example only, such alternative devices may include screw jacks, pneumatic levelers, hydraulic levelers, airbags and the like. As indicated previously, in accordance with one exemplary practice, leveling jacks  60  may include an outwardly projecting engagement stud  58  adapted to matedly engage a corresponding opening  51  within an opposing connection element  48 ,  49 . As will be appreciated, through the use of multiple leveling devices, operated alone or in combination with spacer blocks (not shown), the platform  10  may be raised and leveled even if the underlying terrain is substantially irregular. As will be appreciated, a significant benefit of the platform  10  is that it can be assembled and erected substantially without the use of any tools other than a jack handle or the like during leveling. 
     As will be appreciated, in some environments of use it may be desirable to provide a barrier around the perimeter of the platform  10  during use. Such barriers may be useful in preventing introduction of wildlife, blowing sand or other potentially damaging forces into the space underneath the raised platform  10 . By way of example only, and not limitation, one exemplary perimeter barrier may be a perimeter skirt  70  ( FIG. 10 ) which is adapted to hook into the perimeter channel  47  at the perimeter of the raised platform  10  and hang downwardly therefrom. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , one exemplary perimeter skirt  70  may incorporate a so called “J-Clip”  72  having a hooking end  73  and an elongated tail segment  74  extending downwardly away from the hooking end  72 . As illustrated, the tail segment  74  may have a substantially vertical upper segment  76  intersecting a lower segment  78 . As shown, the lower segment  78  may be angled inwardly generally towards the hooking end  72  to define a substantially dogleg profile. By way of example only, and not limitation, the J-Clip  72  may be formed from a structurally stable sewable material such as molded non-break polypropylene, nylon or the like having a thickness of about 0.5 inches to about 2 inches. However, other materials and/or thicknesses may likewise be used as desired. As will be appreciated, such materials are structurally stable, but may nonetheless be punctured by needles to permit attachment of other structures. 
     As shown, in the illustrated exemplary construction, an elongated flexible curtain member  80  of a suitable fabric or the like may be attached to the J-Clip  72  by needles or other techniques so as to form a downwardly extending pliable trim structure which may contact the ground. As will be appreciated, due to the pliable nature of the curtain member  80 , irregularities in the ground surface can nonetheless be covered. If desired, weighting elements such as stones or the like may be used to hold the curtain member  80  in place against the ground following installation. Thus an effective perimeter skirting system is established. 
     As indicated previously, it is also contemplated that a platform  10  consistent with the present disclosure may be used in support of a semi-permanent or permanent structure rather than being used with a soft-sided tent. By way of example only, and not limitation, in  FIG. 11 , it may be seen that a platform  10  consistent with the present disclosure includes a perimeter channel  47  adapted to receive and retain wall panels  84  for use in forming a semi-permanent or permanent structure. By way of example only and not limitation, one suitable material for the wall panels  84  is the load bearing structural insulated panel having a galvanized steel skin over a dense polyurethane core which is marketed under the trade designation IPANEL® by Outdoor Venture Corporation located in Stearns, Ky., USA. Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to any particular wall panel material and other insulated or non-insulated materials may likewise be used if desired. By way of example only, and not limitation, alternative panels may include panels formed from wood, steel, aluminum plastics and the like as may be known to those of skill in the art. 
     Of course, variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present disclosure. The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
     Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.