GB2299313A

GB2299313A - Mobile work platform convertible into load carrying platform or barrow

Info

Publication number: GB2299313A
Application number: GB9606051A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Everley Michael Kitching; Caroline Susan Kitching
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-03-24
Filing date: 1996-03-22
Publication date: 1996-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 2016-03-22
Also published as: GB9506095D0; GB2299313B; GB9606051D0

Abstract

A working platform (not shown) of wood, plastic, or metal has a support frame, which is placed on cross members 3, or on cross bars 8 on end frames 6. A safety rail (21, fig. 3) may be added. This protects three sides of the platform, leaving the fourth side open for access. Additional end frames (30, fig. 4) may be used to add height. Adjustable props 20 are provided for levelling; they may have feet whose attitudes are adjustable through ball and socket joints. When the frame is used as a trailer or barrow, wheels 9 are mounted towards the centre, as shown; this gives good balance and maneouvrability. End frames 6 may be filled with mesh to retain a load between them. When a platform is supported, the wheels 9 and their axle 10 are positioned at one end of the frame (fig 4), to render the platform stable.

Description

MOVABLE PLATFORM The present invention relates to a movable platform.

In particular, the platform may be used either as a barrow or trailer for the transportation of articles, or as a raised platform to give a user access to elevated positions.

According to the present invention, a movable platform comprises a base frame, a platform provided on the base frame, and two wheels rotatably mounted on the base frame, each wheel being movable between a first position substantially adjacent one end of the frame, and a second position intermediate the ends of the frame.

The provision that the wheels may be moved between a first and a second position is particularly advantageous.

Where the movable platform is to be used as a trailer or barrow, the wheels are provided in the second position intermediate the ends of the base frame. In this position, the wheels act as a pivot point for the platform near its mid-point. Accordingly, the weight of articles on the platform to either side of the wheels tend to balance out.

This makes the transportation of the articles much easier than where the wheels are provided at the end of the frame, since in this position the entire weight of the articles on the platform must be balanced by the user, or by a vehicle towing the platform. Further, the platform is more manoeuvrable with the wheels intermediate the ends than with the wheels at the ends making it possible to turn the platform sharply in a small space. If only two wheels are provided, the platform can turn around a sharper corner than if more wheels are provided. On the other hand, where the platform is used as a raised platform on which a user can stand, it is necessary for the platform to be stable.

In this case, a pivot point near the middle of the frame is undesirable as this leads to the frame being unstable and pivoting as a user moves along the platform. Accordingly, when the platform is used in this manner, it is advantageous for the wheels to be provided towards one end of the frame. By moving the wheels the platform can easily be converted between a raised platform and a barrow or trailer.

It is preferred that a prop stand is provided at the end of the frame opposite the first position. This allows the platform to stably be supported substantially horizontally when the wheels are in the first position.

Advantageously, the height of the prop stand is adjustable to compensate for uneven ground. This may be achieved by prop stands which are extendable and retractable.

Preferably, the prop stands include a large rotatable foot.

This enhances the stability irrespective of the orientation of the prop stand with respect to the ground. A prop stand may be provided at each corner of the platform to increase the stability, and to compensate for sloping ground.

Where the movable platform is used as a raised platform, the ends of the base frame advantageously include end supports on which the platform is mounted. This allows the platform to be positioned at an elevation above the base frame and gives a user standing on the platform increased reach. In this case, the end supports advantageously comprise two parallel bars projecting substantially perpendicularly from the two corners of the end of the base frame, and a transverse bar extending between the two parallel bars, the transverse bar being arranged to support the platform. Advantageously, a plurality of spaced apart transverse bars are provided.

This allows the platform to be positioned at one of a plurality of different heights. This is advantageous in that the platform can be adjusted to the required height for different users and different applications.

Preferably, a bar is provided between the end supports at each end of the base frame. This acts as a safety bar to prevent a user from falling off the platform.

The movable platform may include a handle arranged to allow a user to push or pull the movable platform. This handle may include a means for attaching to a vehicle to tow the platform, or a separate tow bar may be provided.

Preferably, the wheels are co-axially mounted on the base frame.

The base frame may include two axles, one in the first position, and the other in the second position. In this case, the wheels may be removable from the axles to allow transfer from one axle to the other axle to move the wheels between the first and second position.

Alternatively, a single axle may be provided, the axle being movable between the first and second position. This is preferably achieved by providing two fixtures for the axle on the base frame, one at the first position and one at the second position. In this case, at least one of the wheels should be removable from the axle. To reposition the wheels, the removable wheel is removed from the axle, the axle removed from the first fixture and re-positioned in the second fixture, and the wheel replaced.

Alternatively, the axle may be slidably movable along the base frame to any desired position. In this case, it is preferred that the axle is provided in an axle housing, and the housing is slidably mounted on the base frame.

Advantageously, the base frame and, where included, the end supports, are formed from tubular metal. This has high strength, yet is lightweight to assist easy transportation of the movable platform.

The present invention will now be described in accordance with the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the movable platform; Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the movable axle for use in the platform of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a safety rail; Figure 4 shows a side view of the movable platform with an extension for greater height; and, Figure 5 shows a plan view of the movable platform of Figure 4.

As shown in Figure 1, the movable platform includes a base frame 1. The frame comprises two long sides 2 of tubular metal bar, typically of between 1.5 and 2m in length and two opposed ends 3 also of tubular metal bar, typically of 0.6 to lm in length, the sides and end formed into a rectangular frame. For strength, an additional cross bar 4 is provided between the opposed long sides. A handle may be connected to one of the two opposed ends 3, the handle being used to attach to a vehicle for towing the platform, or for pushing or pulling the platform by hand.

The tubular bar may have either a circular or generally square cross-section.

At each corner of the frame 1, there is provided a tubular receiving socket 5. Two sockets 5 at the corners of one end of the base frame receive an end support 6. The end support comprises two elongate bars 7 which are received in the socket 5, and extend generally perpendicular to the base frame. Transverse bars 8 are provided between the two elongate bars 7 of the end support 6.

A bracing bar 25 is provided between each of the elongate bars 7 of the end supports 6 and the long sides 2 of the base frame 1. The bracing bar 25 ensures that the end supports 6 are held rigidly in the sockets 5. The bracing bars 25 are bolted to the end supports 6 and base frame 1, and can be interchanged for bars of different length.

A platform is formed from a planar sheet, for example of wood, metal or plastics material supported by a tubular metal frame. The platform is suspended either on the ends 3 of the base frame, or the transverse members 8 on the end support. The height of the platform can be adjusted by supporting the platform on different transverse members 8.

When the moving platform is used as a raised platform, a safety bar 21 as shown in Figure 3 may be used. The safety bar 21 includes four tubular metal bars 22 linked by cross members 23 and 24. The cross-members 23 are of generally the same length as the ends 3 of the base frame 1, and the cross member 24 the same length as the sides of the base frame 1. Accordingly, the bars 22 are spaced relative to each other in the same way as the elongate bars 7 of the end supports 6. The bars 22 may therefore fit onto the elongate bars 7 of the end support, with the cross members 23 an 24 forming a safety bar around three sides.

The cross-members 23, 24 are closer to one end of the metal bars 22 than the other end. This means that the height of the safety bar may be changed depending which way up the safety bar 21 is provided on the end supports 6.

The cross-members of the safety bar may alternatively be provided on both long sides of the platform, and across only one end, thereby still allowing access to the platform, but preventing a user from falling forwards or backwards.

Alternatively, the safety rail may be formed from two end portions comprising bars 22 and cross members 23. A separate cross member 24 is provided which is arranged to connect to the bars 22 to form the safety rail.

Figure 4 shows an example of the platform with additional end supports 30 allowing the height of the platform 34 to be further increased. The elongate bars 31 of the additional end supports 30 fit onto the elongate bars 7 of the end support 6 in a similar manner to the safety bar 21. Two of the bracing bars 25 are replaced by longer bars which brace the additional end supports 30.

Triangular frames 32 are pivotally mounted to each elongate bar 31 of the additional end support 30, and to the base frame 1. The triangular frames 32 each include a prop leg 33 which contacts the floor. By pivoting the triangular frames 32, additional support is given to the movable platform to help prevent the platform from tipping over due to the higher centre of gravity when the platform is raised. Figure 5 shows a typical arrangement of the triangular frames 32 from above when the movable platform is positioned for working on a hedge 35.

Where the movable platform is to be used as a trailer or barrow, the end supports 6 may be removed to give a flat bed trailer. Alternatively, the end supports may be retained, and used to support a mesh which defines ends and sides for the trailer, and retain the load carried by the trailer.

Wheels 9 are mounted on an axle 10, and this is mounted on the base frame. As shown more clearly in Figure 2, the axle 10 comprises a tubular metal bar. This may have a square cross-section. Two cylindrical end portions 12 are provided on the metal bar. A wheel 9 is rotatably mounted on each of the cylindrical ends 12. Each of the wheels 9 is mounted onto the cylindrical end 12 with a plate washer 13 and a spacer 14 in board of the wheel, and a washer 15 and fixing clip 16, 17 out board of the wheel.

With this arrangement, the wheels 9 are free to rotate with respect to the axle 10, the washers 13, 15 and spacer 14 separating the wheels 9 from the fixed parts of the axle 10. One of the clips 16 is a split pin which retains the wheel 9 on the axle 10. The other clip 17 is an "R"-clip which is easily removable from the axle 10 to allow removal of the wheel 9. The axle 10 is supported on the base frame by a pair of mounting 11 provided on opposite sides of the base frame. Two sets of mounting 11 are provided, one pair at one end of the base frame, and the other pair along the length of the base frame. This allows the axle 10 to be positioned in either the first or second position.

To move the wheels from one position to the other, the R clip 17 is removed, allowing the wheel 9, and the associated washers 13, 15 and spacer 14 to be removed from the cylindrical ends 12. The axle 10 is then slid from one pair of mountings 11, and is inserted in the other pair of bearings 11. The washer 13, spacer 14, wheel 9, washer 15 and R clip 16 are subsequently remounted on the cylindrical end 12 of the axle 10 in the new position.

When the moving platform is used as a trailer, the axle 10 and wheels 9 are supported by the pair of mountings 11 near the middle of the frame 1, whereas the axle 10 and wheels 9 are supported by the pair of mountings 11 at the end of the frame 1 when the moving platform is used as a raised platform.

A pair of support props 20 are provided at the end of frame opposite to the first position to support the frame at this end whichever position the wheels are in. The support props 20 may be adjustable to compensate for uneven ground. Support props may also be provided at the end of the frame adjacent the first position. In this case, the support props 20 must all have an adjustable length to allow the platform to be supported by the props. Each prop has a large foot connected to the prop by a ball and socket joint allowing the foot to rotate and lie flatly on the ground, even where this is uneven.

Claims

1. A movable platform comprising a base frame (1), a platform provided on the base frame (1), and two wheels (9) rotatably mounted on the base frame (1), each wheel (9) being movable between a first position substantially adjacent one end of the frame (1), and a second position intermediate the ends of the frame (1).

2. A movable platform according to claim 1, further comprising a prop stand (20) provided at the end of the frame (1) opposite the first position.

3. A movable platform according to claim 2, in which the height of the prop stand (20) is adjustable.

4. A movable platform according to claim 3, in which the prop stands (20) are extendable and retractable.

5. A movable platform according to any one of claims 2 to 4, in which each of the prop stands (20) include a large rotatable foot.

6. A movable support according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the ends of the base frame (1) include end supports (6) on which the platform is mounted.

7. A movable support according to claim 6, in which the end supports (6) include two parallel bars (7) projecting substantially perpendicularly from the two corners of the end of the base frame (1), and a transverse bar (8) extending between the two parallel bars (7), the transverse bar (8) being arranged to support the platform.

8. A movable support according to claim 7, in which a plurality of spaced apart transverse bars (8) are provided.

9. A movable support according to any one of the preceding claims, further include a handle arranged to allow a user to push or pull the movable platform.

10. A movable support according to claim 9, in which the handle includes a means for attaching to a vehicle to tow the platform.

11. A movable support according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the base frame (1) includes two axles (10), one in the first position, and the other in the second position, and in which the wheels (9) are removable from the axles (10) to allow transfer from one axle (10) to the other axle (10) to move the wheels (9) between the first and second position.

12. A movable support according to any one of claims 1 to 10, including a single axle (10), the axle (10) being movable between the first and second position.

13. A movable support according to claim 12, in which the base frame (1) includes two fixtures (11) for the axle (10), one at the first position and one at the second position, and in which at least one of the wheels (9) is removable from the axle (10), so that, in use, the removable wheel (9) is removed from the axle (10), the axle (10) removed from the first fixture and re-positioned in the second fixture, and the wheel (9) replaced.

14. A movable support according to any one of claims 1 to 10, including a single axle (10), slidably movable along the base frame (1) between the first and second position.

15. A movable support according to claim 14, in which the base frame (1) includes an axle housing for supporting the axle (10), the housing being slidably mounted on the base frame (1)