Patent Publication Number: US-11643828-B2

Title: Support apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a National Stage application of, and claims priority to, PCT/GB2018/052938, filed Oct. 12, 2018, which further claims priority to GB Patent Application No. 1716844.4, filed Oct. 13, 2017, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     This invention relates to a support apparatus, in particular a safety platform. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Our patent applications WO 2016/151307 and GB2536629 disclose an adjustable scaffold. The present invention, at least in preferred embodiments, seeks to develop the adjustable scaffold described therein. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In accordance with the present invention there is provided a support apparatus for supporting a user in an elevated working position above a ground surface. The support apparatus comprises a frame for supporting a floor portion of the support apparatus, the frame having a length and a width; and a plurality of leg members mounted to the frame for supporting the frame above the ground surface, each leg member having a foot portion for engaging the ground surface. Each leg member is rotatably mounted to the frame for rotation about a rotational axis which is substantially perpendicular to the width and the length of the frame, and each leg member extends from the frame in a radial direction of the rotational axis, whereby the foot portion is offset from the rotational axis. 
     Thus, in accordance with the invention rotation of the leg members about the rotational axis allows the foot portion of each leg member to be positioned to provide maximum stability with the flexibility to position the support apparatus as close to working surfaces, such as walls, as is required. In addition, the leg members can be rotated to minimise the total width of the support apparatus, so that the support apparatus can be moved through doors and the like. 
     At least a portion of each leg member may extend from the frame at an acute angle to the rotational axis. That portion of the leg member may be telescopically extensible. In this way, telescopic extension of the leg member increases both the height of the frame above the ground surface and the offset of the foot portion from the rotational axis. This is advantageous in that as the support apparatus is used at increasing height the effective footprint of the support apparatus increases to increase overall stability. 
     Each leg member may be pivotally mounted to the frame about a pivot axis transverse to the rotational axis. This allows the leg members to be folded against the frame for transport. A locking mechanism, for example comprising complementary holes and a locking pin, may be provided to lock the leg member in a working position. 
     The foot portion of each leg member may comprise a wheel member, for example a castor. The wheel member may be spring mounted within the foot portion, whereby the weight of a user on the frame causes the foot portion to engage the ground surface in preference to engagement of the ground surface by the wheel member. Alternatively, a locking mechanism may be provided for the wheel member. The wheel members allow easy transportation of the support apparatus from one working location to another. 
     Each leg member may be rotatably mounted to the frame by the leg member being received within a collar. A locking mechanism, for example comprising complementary holes and a locking pin, may be provided to lock the leg member in a working position. The leg members may be removably received within the collars. In this way the leg members may be replaced optionally with alternative leg members. For example, straight leg members may be used to convert the support apparatus into a stairwell platform. The collar may be pivotally mounted to the frame about a pivot axis transverse to the rotational axis. The frame may be provided with a lip portion at an end thereof for engagement with a stair. 
     The frame may be telescopically extensible to increase the length thereof. The frame may be provided with a railing assembly. The railing assembly may be telescopically extensible to increase the length thereof with the extension of the frame. 
     The invention extends to a kit of parts for forming the support apparatus. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is an illustration of a support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown in a first configuration; 
         FIG.  2    is a further illustration of the support apparatus of  FIG.  1   , shown with a person supported thereon; 
         FIG.  3    is a yet further illustration of the support apparatus of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is another illustration of the support apparatus of  FIG.  1   , shown in a further configuration; 
         FIG.  5    is an illustration of the support apparatus as shown in  FIG.  4   , in the absence of a railing assembly; 
         FIG.  6    is an illustration of the support apparatus of  FIGS.  1  and  2   , shown in an extended configuration; 
         FIG.  7    is an illustration of a further support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  8    is a further illustration of the further support apparatus of  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  9    shows a detail view of a leg bracket for use with the support apparatus as shown in any of  FIGS.  1  to  6    or the further support apparatus as shown in  FIGS.  7  and  8   ; 
         FIG.  10    is an illustration of the further support apparatus of  FIG.  7   , shown with a railing assembly provided thereon; 
         FIG.  11    is an illustration of the further support apparatus of  FIG.  10   , shown with a floor member provided thereon; 
         FIG.  12    is another illustration of the further support apparatus of  FIG.  11   ; and 
         FIG.  13    is a further illustration of the further support apparatus of  FIGS.  11  and  12   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG.  1    is an illustration of a support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown in a first configuration. The support apparatus  1  comprises a floor portion  20  configured to be supported off a ground surface G by a plurality of leg members  40   a ,  40   b . In this example, a frame  60  is provided between the floor portion  20  and the plurality of leg members  40   a ,  40   b . A safety barrier in the form of a railing assembly  80  extends upwardly from the floor portion  20  to substantially prevent inadvertent access or egress of a user of the support apparatus respectively to or from the floor portion  20 . 
     The floor portion  20  provides a working surface for supporting the user and/or one or more tools of the user above the ground surface G. In this example, the working surface of the floor portion  20  is provided by a solid floor portion. The working surface is substantially horizontal in use. The operation and configuration of the floor portion  20  will be explained further with reference to  FIG.  5    hereinafter. 
     The support apparatus  1  comprises four leg members  40   a ,  40   b . The plurality of leg members  40   a ,  40   b  are each pivotably mounted relative to the floor portion  20 , each about an axis of rotation in a direction away from the working surface of the floor portion  20 . In this example, the axis of rotation about which the plurality of leg members  40   a ,  40   b  are pivotably mounted relative to the floor portion  20  is substantially transverse to the working surface. In other words, the axis of rotation is substantially vertical in use. The leg members  40   a ,  40   b  each comprise a foot portion  42  at a lower end of the leg member  40   a ,  40   b , opposite an upper end of the floor portion  20 . For each leg member  40   a ,  40   b , the foot portion  42  is radially spaced from the axis of rotation of the leg member  40   a ,  40   b . Thus, when one of the leg members  40   a ,  40   b  is rotated about the axis of rotation, the foot portion  42  moves along an arcuate path to a different position relative to the axis of rotation. In this example, a first pair of leg members  40   a  are each rotated such that they align with a length of the support apparatus  1 . That is, the foot portion  42  of each of the first pair of leg members  40   a  extend substantially lengthways away from the frame  60 . A second pair of leg members  40   b  are each rotated such that they align with a width of the support apparatus  1 . That is, the foot portion  42  of each of the second pair of leg members  40   b  extend substantially width ways away from the frame  60 . In this example, the leg members  40   a ,  40   b  are formed from steel for strength. In this example, the leg members  40   a ,  40   b  are also extendable to adjustably separate the foot portion  42  of the leg member  40   a ,  40   b  from the floor portion at the upper end of the leg member  40   a ,  40   b.    
     The foot portion  42  may comprise a wheel member, for example a caster (not shown) for movement of the support apparatus  1  over the ground surface G. Other examples of a wheel member maybe a wheel, a roller, a ball or the like. In examples, the caster may be adjustably mounted within the foot portion  42  such that the caster can be raised or lowered whereby to allow or substantially prevent movement of the support apparatus  1  over the ground surface G in dependence on the protrusion of the caster out of the foot portion  42 . In this example, the caster is connected to the foot portion via a spring, such that a sufficient load on the support apparatus  1  causes the foot portion  42  to engage with the ground surface G to substantially prevent free movement of the support apparatus  1  over the ground surface G. The spring in this example is configured to be operable by any load indicative of the weight of a user on the support apparatus  1 . In this way, the support apparatus  1  cannot be easily moved whilst a user is on the floor portion  20 . The leg members  40   a ,  40   b  will be explained further with reference to  FIGS.  3  to  5    hereinafter. 
     The frame  60  is formed as an open frame defining a length and a width of the support apparatus  1 . The frame  60  has each of the leg members  40   a ,  40   b  mounted thereto. The frame  60  is movable from a first configuration in which the frame  60  is provided in an unextended configuration (as shown in  FIG.  1   ) into a second configuration in which the frame  60  is provided in an extended configuration. In the second configuration, it will be understood that the length of the frame  60  is greater than in the first configuration. In this example, the frame  60  is configured to be extensible by telescopic extension of a first portion of the frame  60  relative to a second portion of the frame  60 . The floor portion  20  is directly supported on the frame  60 . Thus, the weight of a user on the floor portion  20  is passed from the floor portion  20  to the frame  60 , from the frame  60  to the upper end of the leg members  40   a ,  40   b  and through the leg members  40   a ,  40   b  to the foot portion  42  at the lower end of the leg members  40 , and to the ground surface G. The frame  60  will be explained further with reference to  FIG.  8    hereinafter. 
     The railing assembly  80  is mounted to the frame  60  and extensible therewith during movement of the frame  60  from the first configuration to the second configuration. The railing assembly  80  will be explained further with reference to  FIG.  6    hereinafter. 
     In this example, the support apparatus  1  is arranged to provide the working surface of the floor portion  20  at a height of between 550 millimetres and 650 millimetres above the ground surface G. 
       FIG.  2    is a further illustration of the support apparatus  1  of  FIG.  1   , shown with a user  100  supported thereon. The support apparatus  1  allows the user  100  to reach a task at height without unsafe reaching. The support apparatus  1  is substantially as described with reference to  FIG.  1   . 
       FIG.  3    is a yet further illustration of the support apparatus of  FIG.  1   .  FIG.  3    illustrates the leg members  40   a ,  40   b  in more detail. In particular, further detail regarding one of the second pair of leg members  40   b  will be described. It will be understood that the description of the features and functionality of the one of the second pair of leg members  40   b  can apply equally to either of the first pair of leg members  40   a . In particular, the leg member  40   b  comprises a first portion  44  which extends in a first direction. The leg member  40   b  further comprises a second portion  46  extending from the first portion  44  in a second direction, different from the first direction. The foot portion  42  is connected to the first portion  44  of the leg member  40   b  via the second portion  46 . In this example, the foot portion  42  is connected to the second portion  46  via a third portion  50 . The third portion  50  extends in substantially the first direction. Thus, both the first portion  44  and the third portion  50  extend in substantially the same direction. 
     The foot portion  42  comprises a fixed foot  48  having an engaging surface to contact the ground surface G when sufficient force is applied to the support apparatus  1  as described hereinbefore. The foot portion  42  further comprises a wheel member (not shown) for selective engagement with the ground surface G for easy movement of the support apparatus on the ground surface G when a user is not present on the support apparatus  1  (for safety). In this example, the fixed foot  48  is in the form of a shell structure to substantially enclose the movement means. Thus, a user is protected from injury caused by trapping by the wheel member. 
     The first portion  44  is arranged to be received within a collar member  62  extending from the support frame  60 . The first portion  44  and the collar member  62  are together provided with securing means in the form of a pin-connector  54  to secure the leg member  40   b  to the support frame  60  via the first portion  44  and the collar member  62  at one of a plurality of predetermined rotational positions. The axis of rotation of the leg member  40   b  extends through the collar member  62  and through the first portion  44 . The first direction is substantially aligned with the axis of rotation. In this example, the second direction makes an angle of approximately 30 degrees with the first direction. Thus, the second portion  46  extends away from the first portion  44  at an angle of approximately 30 degrees from the first direction. 
     The first portion  44 , the second portion  46 , the third portion  50  and the fixed foot  48  are substantially formed from metal. In this example, the first portion  44 , the second portion  46  and the third portion  50  are formed from tubular section. The second portion  46  provides an extensible member, such that a radial offset between the first portion  44  and the foot portion  42  can be adjusted by extension or retraction of the second portion  46 . In examples where the second direction is different from 90 degrees from the first direction, extension or retraction of the second portion  46  also results in adjustment of a height of the working surface of the floor portion  20  relative to the ground surface G. In this example, a first component  47   a  of the second portion  46  is provided with a plurality of holes  53  defined therein for selective engagement by a protruding element 52 of a second component (not shown in  FIG.  3   ) of the second portion  46 . In this example, there are three holes  53 , providing three different extension positions of the second portion  46  of the leg member  40   b . The first component  47   a  of the second portion  46  is an elongate member arranged to have slidably received therein the second component of the second portion  46 , the second component being a further elongate member having an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the first component  47   a . Thus, the leg member  40   b  is telescopically extensible. 
       FIG.  4    is another illustration of the support apparatus of  FIG.  1   , shown in a further configuration. In particular,  FIG.  4    shows each of the leg members  40   a ,  40   b  in an extended configuration with the second component  47   b  of the second portion  46  secured in an extended position relative to the first component  47   a  of the second portion  46 . It will be understood that the support apparatus  1  is both higher and more stable in the extended configuration since the foot portion  42  of the leg members  40   a ,  40   b  are separated from the frame  60  by a greater distance in both the direction of the axis of rotation and a direction transverse to the axis of rotation and substantially away from the frame  60 . Further, it will be seen in the configuration shown in  FIG.  4    that the first pair of leg members  40   a  have been rotated about their respective axes of rotation such that there are now in a corresponding configuration to the second pair of leg members  40   b . That is, the first pair of leg members  40   a  are rotated such that they align with a width of the support apparatus  1 . That is, the foot portion  42  of each of the first pair of leg members  40   a  extend substantially widthways away from the frame  60 . Compared to the configuration shown in  FIGS.  1  to  3   , the configuration of the leg members  40   a  in  FIG.  4    provides greater stability of the support apparatus. However, it will be noted that in the configuration of  FIGS.  1  to  3   , with the leg members  40   a  extending lengthways, rather than widthways from the frame  60 , the support apparatus can be located close to a wall to allow the user to work on the wall without having to reach over from the support apparatus  1 . 
       FIG.  5    is an illustration of the support apparatus  1  as shown in  FIG.  4   , in the absence of a railing assembly  80 . The frame  60  comprises a first portion  61   a  and a second portion  61   b . The first portion  61   a  is movably mounted to the second portion  61   b . In particular, the length of the frame  60  can be changed by movement of the first portion  61   a  relative to the second portion  61   b . The first portion  61   a  is in the form of a first pair of side arms  61   a , each for receiving therein one each of a second pair of side arms  61   b  providing the second portion  61   b . One leg member  40   a ,  40   b  is mounted to each of the side arms  61   a ,  61   b . The leg members  40   a ,  40   b  are mounted to the side arms  61   a ,  61   b  via the collar  62  for rotation about a pivot axis through a pivot pin  66 . The pivot axis is parallel to the width of the frame  60 . Thus, the leg members  40   a ,  40   b , when pivoted about the pivot pin  66  can fold to lie flat against the frame  60 . This is advantageous for the transportation of the support apparatus, for example in a van. To collar  62  comprises a flange plate  64  having a hole defined therein for passage of the pivot pin  66  therethrough. The flange plate  64  has further defined therein a further hole for passage therethrough of a locking pin  68 . The leg members  40   a ,  40   b  can be secured in a deployed configuration where the leg members  40   a ,  40   b  extend downwards by engagement of the locking pin  68  through the further hole in the flange plate  64 . 
     The frame  60  has supported thereon the floor portion  20 . In particular, the floor portion  20  is provided by a first floor board  22  supported on the first portion  61   a  of the frame  60  and a second floor board  24  supported on the second portion  61   b  of the frame  60 . In this example, the first floor board  22  is mounted for sliding under the second floor board  24  when the frame  60  is moved between the extended configuration and the unextended configuration. In this example, the floor board  22 ,  24  are formed from a wooden board. However, it will be understood that in other examples, the floor portion  20  may be provided by an openwork construction, for example an openwork lattice. 
       FIG.  6    is an illustration of the support apparatus of  FIGS.  1  and  2   , shown in an extended configuration. In the extended configuration, the first portion  61   a  of the frame  60  is spaced from the second portion  61   b  of the frame  60 . Furthermore, as will be appreciated from  FIG.  6   , the railing apparatus  80  is also in an extended configuration and continues to substantially prevent inadvertent access or egress of a user of the support apparatus  1  respectively to or from the floor portion  20 , which is also extended. Thus, the support apparatus  1  can be easily resized to fit the available space, or for easy maneuvering through the available space. 
       FIG.  7    is an illustration of a further support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in  FIG.  7   , the leg members  40   a ,  40   b  of the support apparatus  1  shown in the preceding Figures have all been removed from the frame  60  to be replaced by a different set of legs. In this particular example, the first portion  61   a  of the frame  60  of the support apparatus  1  has mounted thereto a pair of stairwell platform legs  110 . The support apparatus  1  is thus transformed into a stairwell platform  101 . The stairwell platform legs  110  are long enough to extend upwards from a set of stairs with the other end of the frame  60  supported on an upper step, for example at a top of the set of stairs S. In this example, the stairwell platform legs  110  are at least two metres in length. Thus, a level working platform can be provided above a set of stairs S. The open region defined by the frame  60  allows a user to assemble the stairwell platform  101 , in particular the stairwell platform legs  110  whilst at a bottom of the set of stairs S, and then walk through the open region to install the floor portion  20  and the railing assembly from a top of the set of stairs S. As can be seen, further features of the frame  60  are of use when the support apparatus is configured as the stairwell platform  101 . The frame  60  further comprises a support member in the form of lateral prop  70  which is extendably mounted at a lateral side of the frame  60 . In this example, the frame  60  comprises a pair of lateral props  70 . Each lateral prop  70  can be extended to stabilise the stairwell platform  101  away from a wall of the set of stairs S. When not required, the lateral props  70  can be slidably received within the frame  60  so as to reduce a size of the frame  60  and the support apparatus  1 ,  101  during maneuvering. 
     The frame  60  further comprises a lip portion  72 . In this example, the frame  60  comprises a lip portion  72  at each end thereof. Thus, either end of the frame  60  can be supported directly on a step, typically a top step, of the set of stairs S via the lip portion  72 . In some examples, the lip portion has defined therein a plurality of holes  73  for mounting the lip portion  72  to the set of stairs S. Thus, the lip portion  72  can be secured to the set of stairs S for safety and stability, for example with screws. It will be understood that although the pair of stairwell platform legs  110  are mounted at one end of the frame  60 , there need be no legs mounted at the other end of the frame  60  because the other end of the frame  60  can be supported on the top step via the lip portion  72 . 
       FIG.  8    is a further illustration of the further support apparatus of  FIG.  7   , viewed from the top of the set of stairs S.  FIG.  8    clearly shows the holes  73  defined within the lip portion  72  for mounting the lip portion  72  of the frame  60  to the set of stairs S, for example using a screw fastening. 
       FIG.  9    shows a detail view of a flange plate for use with the support apparatus as shown in any of  FIGS.  1  to  6    or the further support apparatus as shown in  FIG.  7  or  8   . The flange plate  64  and the collar  62  are substantially as described with reference to  FIG.  5    hereinbefore. As can be seen, the locking pin  68  for securing the flange plate  64  and the collar  62  in place against the first portion  61   a  of the frame  60  is a drop-nose pin for easy insertion and securement of the locking pin  68 . As can be seen in detail in  FIG.  9   , the collar  62  has defined therein a plurality of holes  74 , such that a leg locking pin  75  can be inserted through a pair of opposing holes  74  and through holes defined in an upper end of the legs, in this case the stairwell platform legs  110  to secure the legs  110 ,  40   a ,  40   b  in place at the collar  62 . The leg locking pin  75  is also used similarly to the pin connector  54  in order to set a rotational angle of the legs  110 ,  40   a ,  40   b . It will be understood that in this example, the angle of the stairwell platform legs  110  makes no difference to the operation of the stairwell platform  101 . 
       FIG.  10    is an illustration of the further support apparatus of  FIG.  7   , shown with a railing assembly provided thereon.  FIG.  11    is an illustration of the further support apparatus of  FIG.  10   , shown with a floor member provided thereon.  FIG.  12    is another illustration of the further support apparatus of  FIG.  11   .  FIG.  13    is a further illustration of the further support apparatus of  FIGS.  11  and  12   . Corresponding reference numerals are used to show corresponding components. 
     In summary, a support apparatus  1  for supporting a user in an elevated working position above a ground surface G comprises a frame  60  for supporting a floor portion  20  of the support apparatus and a plurality of leg members  40   a ,  40   b  mounted to the frame  60  for supporting the frame above the ground surface G. Each leg member has a foot portion  42  for engaging the ground surface G. Each leg member is rotatably mounted to the frame for rotation about a rotational axis which is substantially perpendicular to the width and the length of the frame and each leg member extends from the frame in a radial direction of the rotational axis, whereby the foot portion is offset from the rotational axis. 
     Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and variations of them mean “including but not limited to”, and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise. 
     Features, integers, characteristics or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.