GB2142965A

GB2142965A - A stair platform

Info

Publication number: GB2142965A
Application number: GB08416814A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neil Arthur Burton; Eric Martin Roberts
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-07-05
Filing date: 1984-07-02
Publication date: 1985-01-30
Also published as: GB8416814D0; GB2142965B

Abstract

A stair platform for supporting a ladder comprising a flat elongate tray (10) having upstanding side walls (11), a hinged depending leg (12) pivotally attached (at 13) to tray (10) and having one or more adjustable feet (14, 15). The leg (12) may be folded from its operative position as shown, to a stowed position in which it lies alongside and generally parallel to the tray (10). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A stair platform This invention concerns a stair platform which can be placed on one tread of a staircase whilst being simultaneously supported by another lower tread, and providing a surface on which to stand or to support the base of a ladder.

According to the present invention there is provided a stair platform comprising a flat elongate member providing a surface on which to stand orto support the base of a ladder, and having one end adapted to rest on a stair tread, and a depending leg attached adjacent the other end of said elongate member thus to rest on a lower stair tread, said leg including means for adjustment of its length.

Preferably said depending leg is pivotally attached to said elongate member and is movable between an operative position in which it extends generally downwards at right angles to said elongate member, and a stowed position in which it lies substantially parallel to said elongate member, and means for maintaining said leg in its operative position, said adjustment means comprising a movable foot adjustably attached to the base of said leg and adjustable in position relative thereto thus to adjust the height of said leg above a stair tread upon which the foot is adapted to rest.

Two alternative embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment assembled for use on a staircase; Figure 2 is a partly exploded perspective view generally of the device illustrated in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a partly exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to Figure 1 it will be seen that a stair platform in accordance with the invention comprises a flat elongate tray 10 having shallow side walls 11, and a depending leg 12 pivotally attached at 13 adjacent one end of tray 10. A pair of feet 14 are adjustably connected by threaded rods 15 to the base of leg 12 thus to support the platform on a lower stair tread.

Referring now to Figure 2, it will be seen that the leg 12 is pivotally attached at 13 by a pair of hinge pins located in bearing members 16 attached to the underside of tray 10. A pair of winged bolts 17 passing through the leg 12 and the adjacent end of tray 10 act as locking members to maintain the leg 12 in the operative position shown in the drawings.

Alternatively, these may be replaced by springloaded pins which can be withdrawn temporarily when it is required to place the leg 12 in its stowed position.

In Figure 2, the feet 14 are replaced by an alternative arrangement of a single elongate foot 14a having a pairofthreaded rods 15a upstanding therefrom. The rods 15a are located in a base plate 12a of the leg 12 through apertures 18. Conveniently, a pair of locking nuts is located on each threaded rod 15a, one on each face of the base member 1 2a, thus to enable the distance between the latter and the foot 14a to be adjusted to suit the depth of the risers of the staircase.

It will be appreciated that when the device is in use, the leg 12 extends, as illustrated, at right angles to the base of tray 10, and the base of a ladder may rest upon the tray and be retained thereon by the side walls 11 with the top of the ladder resting against the wall of the staircase. The platform is prevented from collapsing by the bolts 17.

After use, the bolts 17 or equivalent spring-loaded pins may be withdrawn and the leg 12 pivotted about its axis 13 to lie alongside and generally parallel to the base of tray 10.

In the alternative embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the tray 10 has been replaced by a loose platform 20 having an upstanding member 21 attached to and extending along one side thereof. The platform 20 is located in an open frame 22 which has a depending leg 23 pivotally attached thereto in a manner similar to leg 12 in Figures 1 and 2. Again, leg 23 includes an adjustable foot 24 similar to the foot 1 4a in Figure 2.

It will be understood that the removable platform 20 can be turned around and mounted on the frame 22 thus to place the upstanding member 21 on one side or the other of the platform thus to enable the base of a ladder to be placed against one side or the other of the platform.

The device can be produced from a rigid plastics material, or alternatively from a combination of parts made from timber and from a light metal alloy. The device must be rigid in use and be afforded sufficient strength to support the weight of a ladder and a person standing thereon, and is preferably as compact and as light as possible when stowed.

1. A stair platform comprising a flat elongate member providing a surface on which to stand or to support the base of a ladder, and having one end adapted to rest on a stair tread, and a depending leg attached adjacent the other end of said elongate member thus to rest on a lower stair tread, said leg including means for adjustment of its length.

2. A stair platform according to Claim 1, wherein said depending leg is pivotally attached to said elongate member and is movable between an operative position in which it extends generally downwards at right angles to said elongate member, and a stowed position in which it lies substantially parallel to said elongate member, there being means to maintain said leg in its operative position.

3. A stair platform according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said adjustment means comprises an adjustable foot extending downwardly from said depending leg and adjustable relative thereto.

4. A stair platform according to Claim 3, wherein said foot includes a pair of threaded rods adjustably located on and attached to said leg, each by a pair of locking nuts.

5. A stair platform according to any preceding claim, wherein said flat elongate member comprises a tray having upstanding walls on at least two sides thereof.

6. A stair platform according to any one of

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A stair platform This invention concerns a stair platform which can be placed on one tread of a staircase whilst being simultaneously supported by another lower tread, and providing a surface on which to stand or to support the base of a ladder. According to the present invention there is provided a stair platform comprising a flat elongate member providing a surface on which to stand orto support the base of a ladder, and having one end adapted to rest on a stair tread, and a depending leg attached adjacent the other end of said elongate member thus to rest on a lower stair tread, said leg including means for adjustment of its length. Preferably said depending leg is pivotally attached to said elongate member and is movable between an operative position in which it extends generally downwards at right angles to said elongate member, and a stowed position in which it lies substantially parallel to said elongate member, and means for maintaining said leg in its operative position, said adjustment means comprising a movable foot adjustably attached to the base of said leg and adjustable in position relative thereto thus to adjust the height of said leg above a stair tread upon which the foot is adapted to rest. Two alternative embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment assembled for use on a staircase; Figure 2 is a partly exploded perspective view generally of the device illustrated in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a partly exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention. Referring now to Figure 1 it will be seen that a stair platform in accordance with the invention comprises a flat elongate tray 10 having shallow side walls 11, and a depending leg 12 pivotally attached at 13 adjacent one end of tray 10. A pair of feet 14 are adjustably connected by threaded rods 15 to the base of leg 12 thus to support the platform on a lower stair tread. Referring now to Figure 2, it will be seen that the leg 12 is pivotally attached at 13 by a pair of hinge pins located in bearing members 16 attached to the underside of tray 10. A pair of winged bolts 17 passing through the leg 12 and the adjacent end of tray 10 act as locking members to maintain the leg 12 in the operative position shown in the drawings. Alternatively, these may be replaced by springloaded pins which can be withdrawn temporarily when it is required to place the leg 12 in its stowed position. In Figure 2, the feet 14 are replaced by an alternative arrangement of a single elongate foot 14a having a pairofthreaded rods 15a upstanding therefrom. The rods 15a are located in a base plate 12a of the leg 12 through apertures 18. Conveniently, a pair of locking nuts is located on each threaded rod 15a, one on each face of the base member 1 2a, thus to enable the distance between the latter and the foot 14a to be adjusted to suit the depth of the risers of the staircase. It will be appreciated that when the device is in use, the leg 12 extends, as illustrated, at right angles to the base of tray 10, and the base of a ladder may rest upon the tray and be retained thereon by the side walls 11 with the top of the ladder resting against the wall of the staircase. The platform is prevented from collapsing by the bolts 17. After use, the bolts 17 or equivalent spring-loaded pins may be withdrawn and the leg 12 pivotted about its axis 13 to lie alongside and generally parallel to the base of tray 10. In the alternative embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the tray 10 has been replaced by a loose platform 20 having an upstanding member 21 attached to and extending along one side thereof. The platform 20 is located in an open frame 22 which has a depending leg 23 pivotally attached thereto in a manner similar to leg 12 in Figures 1 and 2. Again, leg 23 includes an adjustable foot 24 similar to the foot 1 4a in Figure 2. It will be understood that the removable platform 20 can be turned around and mounted on the frame 22 thus to place the upstanding member 21 on one side or the other of the platform thus to enable the base of a ladder to be placed against one side or the other of the platform. The device can be produced from a rigid plastics material, or alternatively from a combination of parts made from timber and from a light metal alloy. The device must be rigid in use and be afforded sufficient strength to support the weight of a ladder and a person standing thereon, and is preferably as compact and as light as possible when stowed. CLAIMS

6. A stair platform according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein said flat elongate member comprises a loose platform removably located on a frame, and having an upstanding member along one side thereof.

7. A stair platform according to Claim 2, wherein said means for maintaining said leg in said operative position comprises at least one member removably connecting a part of said depending leg to a part of said elongate member

8. A stair platform according to Claim 7, wherein said removable member comprises a winged bolt.

9. A stair platform according to Claim 7, wherein said removable member comprises a spring-loaded pin.

10. A stair platform substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.