GB2560443A

GB2560443A - Fall from heights prevention system

Info

Publication number: GB2560443A
Application number: GB1803584.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Camallas Divilly Eugene
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-04-04
Filing date: 2018-03-06
Publication date: 2018-09-12
Anticipated expiration: 2038-03-06
Also published as: GB2560443B; GB2561198A; GB201803584D0; GB201705437D0

Abstract

A working platform 18 with guard rails 19, 20, is positioned around the cargo area (A) of a vehicle such as a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) where the outer edge of the cargo area is utilised as one secure stable support side for the platform to rest on 6 and be securely anchored to, while the outer edge of the platform distant from the cargo area is held by vertical supports 4, which may be capable of telescopic adjustment on a vertical upright 1. The height of the platform and guard rails can be changed by moving the vertical telescopic supports. The platform support 5, 6, is preferably flexibly tethered to the cargo area where it is resting by ratchet straps for example. Ladders or steps can be used to access and egress the platform. The platform area may be created by a plurality of smaller platforms resting on the support structure. The platform is used for unloading and loading of an HGV with the guard barrier providing a safety measure against falling and may be dismantled. Guard rails may have a length of 1-2 m and the breadth of the platform may be 45-120cm.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Fall from heights prevention system

Abstract Title: Dismantlable platform and guard rail kit for a vehicle (57) A working platform 18 with guard rails 19, 20, is positioned around the cargo area (A) of a vehicle such as a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) where the outer edge of the cargo area is utilised as one secure stable support side for the platform to rest on 6 and be securely anchored to, while the outer edge of the platform distant from the cargo area is held by vertical supports 4, which may be capable of telescopic adjustment on a vertical upright 1. The height of the platform and guard rails can be changed by moving the vertical telescopic supports. The platform support 5, 6, is preferably flexibly tethered to the cargo area where it is resting by ratchet straps for example. Ladders or steps can be used to access and egress the platform. The platform area may be created by a plurality of smaller platforms resting on the support structure. The platform is used for unloading and loading of an HGV with the guard barrier providing a safety measure against falling and may be dismantled. Guard rails may have a length of 1-2 m and the breadth of the platform may be 45-120cm.

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

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FALL FROM HEIGHTS PREVENTION SYSTEM

This invention relates to preventing workers falling from the cargo area of Heavy Goods Vehicles and vehicles of a similar type.

Field of invention

The present invention is concerned with preventing people falling from heights namely the cargo area of Heavy Goods Vehicles and such like while it is being loaded or unloaded in a situation where a designated loading bay or area has not been established due to lack of space and/or the area is in an on-going state of change. An example of this would be a building site.

Background to the invention

Heavy Goods Vehicles and similar smaller vehicles that are used for the vast majority of deliveries around the world need to carry the maximum payload possible on any single journey. As a result only the absolute necessities are carried in order to meet the legal requirement standards. Heavy Goods Vehicles that do not require side protection to contain the load safely will usually only transport the load on a flat body trailer be it an articulated vehicle or a ridged body vehicle and the load is secured using a form of tethering only. In such cases the goods vehicle will arrive at its destination to receive or discharge a payload. When it is necessary for an operative to alight onto the cargo area in order to assist with loading or unloading, that operative will find that they are now on an elevated platform and without any edge protection. If said operative were to fall, a serious injury or even fatality may result.

In order to prevent such an incident a physical barrier or fall prevention system needs to be employed. Mentioned below are the most common methods used on building sites at present including the disadvantages associated with them.

The first and easiest to set up is the fall arrest system using an overhead line running centre the length of the load where the operative has to wear a harness and is secured to the overhead line by a lanyard, fall arrest block and inertia reel. The major hazards associated with this is when using a crane, the fall arrest system itself can become entangled in the load being lifted. While carrying out their work an operative may have to work on top of the goods to be loaded/unloaded and may not have an even surface to walk on if re-bar (concrete reinforcing metal bar) or such like is the cargo. If the operative should lose balance, slip or trip while near the edge and a body part becomes trapped in any part of the load an injury can occur as he/she will fall a distance before the inertia reel or the lanyard takes up the slack as the running line itself will also allow a certain amount of movement. There may be no access around the outside of the load.

The next common system employed is upright vertical posts placed in the bed of the lorry and chains or straps slung around to act as restraint barriers.

Again similar hazards arise as mentioned above, that is no access to outside of load, slips trips or falls while climbing over the load, possibility of getting trapped or crushed if unable to move away from the load being lifted.

Air Bags and Bean Bags can be laid on the ground around the work area to allow for soft landing when a person falls. These also have potential to cause injury as no access is allowed to the outside of load. The operative is confined to walk or stand on top of the cargo. If a limb is trapped while falling the operative will sustain injury. A minimum of two metres is required all around the work area on the ground for the bags to be deployed correctly. There is also the possibility of leakage through punctures. They can also become very muddy and reduce handling efficiency.

The most proven and preferred method to reduce falls from height is a physical barrier and a trip free work area.

Platforms that are level with the cargo area and fitted with guard rails are the safest form of fall prevention as they offer a physical barrier and a flat working surface with easy access around the outside of the load and provides an area of refuge as the load is lifted.

Mobile ridged platforms that can be pushed or lifted into position around the cargo area can be used on bigger sites where there is a designated loading area with level hard standing. These platforms are usually heavy and bulky and can be difficult to manoeuvre into position. Fixed dimension rigid platforms can pose difficulties if they are to be deployed in an area close to public thoroughfares or highways, such as a footpath where minimal space has been allowed on the road and cordoned off to allow standing room for the HGV to be loaded/unloaded while pedestrians pass on one side and vehicular traffic passes on the other side. The platform structure will need to be of minimal dimensions for stability and safe working, as a result it may be necessary to egress outside the cordoned off area causing obstruction to traffic flow. These platforms take up the same amount of space when they are in use or out of use.

All HGVs are not the same; the cargo area i.e. trailer or flat body of the vehicle can vary in height and length and so platforms may not fit in a tight formation around the elevated work area which may give rise to gaps for people to fall through or it may be necessary to adjust the height level so that the cargo area and platform are level with each other. This levelling is often ignored and can result in slips or trips causing injury.

There are other types of platforms that can be fixed onto the body of the vehicle which in order to work need special adaptions to said vehicle. A heavy goods vehicle arriving on site without these adaptions will not be able to use the platform.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a solution which will eliminate the previously mentioned hazards and potential causes of injuries, it will embody a safe system of work and fall prevention, it is easy and quick to set up while standing at ground level; it has a symbiotic relationship with the cargo area to be loaded/ unloaded and therefore in terms of stability the need for structural components is reduced. This arrangement allows one platform type to be used that will accommodate all size and height of goods vehicles and it can be used in spaces where other fall prevention systems of this type would prove to be too cumbersome.

When stowed away it requires much less space than when in the deployed position.

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention, there is provided an arrangement for supporting a working platform and guard rails positioned around the cargo area of a Heavy Goods Vehicle at a height from the ground level with the said cargo area where the outer edge of the cargo area is utilised as one secure stable support side for the platform to rest on and be securely anchored to, while the extreme outer edge of the platform distant from the cargo area and including the guard rails, is supported by vertical telescopic supports from ground level and capable of adjustment in order to allow the extreme outer edge of the platform to be level with the inner edge resting on the said cargo area and the totality arrangement anchored by flexible securing devices to the said cargo area of the Heavy Goods Vehicle.

This arrangement comprises a plurality of tubular bars rectangular or round of which, one end is fabricated such that it forms a forklike shape or an inverted V to be positioned on the ground parallel to the direction of the cargo area body and the extreme straight end to be directly above the fork shape causing the tubular bar to be at ninety degrees to the plane it is standing on, the vertical length will be determined by the maximum height requirement of the level to be achieved in order to form a level surface with the cargo area of the vehicle to be loaded or unloaded, this tubular vertical bar will have a number of holes in predetermined positions along its height parallel to the forklike shape and horizontal to the ground, capable of accepting a fixing pin through the hollow section. This tubular bar will be referred to as the ground bearing upright. There is also provided a plurality of tubular bars rectangular or round which is capable of sliding in a telescopic manner onto the ground bearing upright and extends a predetermined length vertical above the ground bearing upright, this will be referred to from now on as the slider bar. The slider bar has at close to its lower end a tubular bar of similar cross sectional area fixed in a horizontal plane at ninety degrees to the vertical which is also ninety degrees to the fork shape on the ground bearing upright. This tubular bar will be referred to as the platform support. The slider bar extends at a distance below the platform support and has a preferred number of holes that can match any of the holes on the ground bearing upright to allow the platform support movement in a vertical direction and to be positioned preferably level with the cargo area. The platform support may be telescopic in a horizontal direction or of fixed length determined by the width of the platform required. Fixed median on the platform support at the extreme end away from the ground bearing upright is a predetermined length of angle type metal in a horizontal position to ground level and at ninety degrees to the platform support and parallel with the fork shape on the ground bearing upright with the internal ninety degree angle of the angle type, facing away from the platform support and in a ground facing aspect. The angle type metal will be referred to as the truck rest. The upper surface of the platform support and the upper surface of the truck rest are aligned to be level. The arrangement also comprises securing devices positioned at or near the extreme ends on the underside of the platform support in order to attach the said arrangement securely by adjustable flexible means to the underside of the cargo area of the Heavy Goods vehicle. On the platform support close to the median position, two holes penetrate from the top to the underside in a vertical direction; this is referred to as the platform location hole.

On the slider bar on both adjacent sides and at a determined distance above the platform support there is provided securing attachments and locking mechanisms for a guard rail to be attached in a horizontal aspect these will be referred to as lower guard rail securing devices. Aligned at a more extreme distance vertical above the lower guard rail securing devices the arrangement comprises upper guard rail securing devices and locking mechanisms of which at least one device allows an upper guard rail to be attached in a pivotal manner and also secured in a horizontal aspect. Together in use the upper and lower guard rails, locked in their respective securing devices will form a horizontal vertical barrier above the platform and parallel with the cargo area.

Also included is at least two telescopic corner posts, each of similarity and dimension to the telescopic ground bearing upright, with guard rail securing devices and locking mechanisms on the slider bar, but without the need for a horizontal platform support, the fixture may also incorporate a three point ground support stand at its lower extreme end. The positions of the guard rail securing devices and locking devices will allow the guard rails to form a ninety degrees aspect to each other.

The invention comprises a plurality of flat robust sheets in a predetermined length and width and shaped along its length, parallel to the cargo area, to give two planes so that the smaller dimensioned plane is at ninety degrees vertical to the larger horizontal dimensioned plane when in use. This will be referred to as The Platform. Integral to the larger horizontal dimensioned plane are two vertical platform locating pins at extreme distance length wise and close to or at median position in a predetermined location along its shorter edge. Each of these locating pins has at ninety degrees to its length at least one hole penetrating at the distant end from the platform which allows the insertion of a locking clip when in use.

On the smaller dimensioned plane and in an upward direction median to the length of the said plane is a vertical extended and shaped support fixture which is slung over and engages with the lower guard rail when in use.

Included in the arrangement is a plurality of flexible tethering, fixed to the securing devices on the underside of the platform support and secured to the underside of the cargo area so that the arrangement is anchored in a secure, stable, and solid fixed state to the said cargo area of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment the tethering may be formed of woven like material such as ratchet straps or flexible metal bonds or any suitable method already available. In an alternative embodiment the attachment means may comprise a plurality of clamps.

Included in the arrangement on at least one side of the cargo area at the front is a point of access and egress to the platform from ground level by means of a ladder or steps. On the other side of the cargo area also at the front, guard rails traverse the platform in a direction ninety degrees away from the cargo area extending towards the outer guard rails at equal height and fixed to the slider bar, while in close proximity to the cargo area, the guard rails are held in place by an upwardly extending guard rail support, anchored onto the cargo area. This arrangement is referred to as the End Barrier.

The invention is applicable in that it offers a physical barrier and a flat working surface with easy access around the leading edge. The invention also provides an area of refuge as the load is lifted local to the cargo area. The arrangement is installed in sections thus reducing manual handling, as well as allowing it to be easily installed in reduced working spaces.

Thus, according to the present invention there is provided a goods vehicle dismantlable platform and guard rail kit comprising: a plurality of base support uprights;

a plurality of guard and support members each constructed to receive telescopically a support upright; the guard and support members each incorporating a platform support member, a cargo area abutment member and a guard rail support upright, there being height adjustment means as between the guard and support members and the support uprights and guard rail securement means on the guard rail support upright;

a plurality of guard rails constructed to be secured between adjacent guard and support members;

at least one platform member constructed to overlay the platform support members; and means enabling the dismantlable platform to be secured to the vehicle.

The platform support member is preferably rigidly attached to the guard rail support upright. However for minimal stowage space purposes the platform support member may be hinged to the upright, or detachable therefrom, to be rendered rigid thereto on deployment, for example with bolts or pins.

Each base support upright may have a base comprising a pair of stays in triangular array. This base may be attached to the upright outward thereof, that is, on a side remote from the attachment to the vehicle.

The height adjustment means may be arranged to prevent misalignment of the upright and the guard and support member, for example by having pin or bolt holes not centrally located therealong. Whether pins, such as those having retention protruberances at a distal end and a spring-loaded handle by which they may be withdrawn, or bolts are used, the pins or bolts may be attached close to their intended locations, with wire cord or chain.

According to a feature of the invention the abutment member or rest may be L-shaped in section.

The at least one platform member has a floor portion and a vertical portion integral with the floor portion, thus providing both stiffening to the platform member and reducing the risk of an operative's foot straying beyond the platform. As between the platform support members and the platforms there may be locating and platform retaining means.

The at least one guard rail may be at at least one end thereof arranged for pivotal attachment to a guard and support member. Some of the at least one guard rails may be constructed to be dropped into and retained by pockets in the guard and support members. Preferably the at least one guard rail comprises an upper guard/hand rail and a lower, intermediate guard rail. There may be at least one end barrier member. This may comprise a fence post attached to a floor underlie, perhaps adapted to lay beneath and be restrained by the abutment member.

The kit may incorporate a ladder, preferably with at least one hand rail.

Particular Description

Apparatus in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompany drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a ground bearing upright;

Figure 2 shows a guard and support member;

Figure 3 shows the ground bearing support and guard and support member in combination; Figure 4 shows a lower guard rail;

Figure 5 shows an upper guard rail;

Figure 6 shows a platform member;

Figure 7 shows an end barrier member;

Figure 8 shows the end barrier arrangement in combination with a ground bearing upright; Figure 9 shows apparatus assembled to one side of a lorry flat bed;

Figure 10 shows apparatus assembled to one side of a lorry flat bed, with ladder access;

Figure 11 depicts a corner post;

Figure 12 is a schematic isometric view from below of the attachment of the apparatus to a lorry; Figure 13 is a schematic end view of the attachment of the apparatus to a lorry;

Figure 14 is a plan view of the apparatus assembled to a lorry flat bed.

Collectively the figures 1 to 14 depict the various components of dismantlable platform and guard apparatus to be assembled to a lorry, or trailer, load bed.

Thus Figure 1 shows one of a plurality of ground bearing upright supports 1 having a base member 2. The base member 2 comprises a pair of feet in vertical triangular array, welded, or otherwise rigidly attached to the base of the support 1 on the outer side thereof, remote from the platform itself.

The support 1 is formed of square section metal tube and is perforated at the sides by location holes 3 which are not centrally disposed through the sides of the support 1, thus to ensure the correct positioning of the tube 4 over the upright 1. Ina particular embodiment the feet are spread 500mm apart and their apex is 500mm from the ground. At their lower end they are each sealed with metal plates. A 6mm thick reinforcing metal plate is interposed between the base member and the support 1, which latter terminates somewhat above ground level. In another embodiment the feet are provided with telescopic extension pieces having base plates.

The guard and support member of figure 2 comprises a square section metal tube 4 constructed to receive telescopically an upright support 1 and, welded thereto at a proximal end, a platform support member 5. To a distal end of the platform support member 5 is welded a cargo rest abutment 6. The tube 4 is perforated with holes 3 sited and sized for alignment with the holes 3 in the upright support 1. Attached to the tube 4 at appropriate locations are guard rail securing devices 8, 8a, 8b and 9, as well as guard rail locking mechanisms 10, 10a and 10b. The platform support member 5 has platform locators 7 and attachment points 11 for adjustable webbing. A pin 14, perhaps actually a bolt and perhaps with captive nuts attached to the tube 4, is employed to hold the tube 4 to the upright support 1 via holes 3, at the appropriate length. The cargo rest abutment 6 is of open right angle section.

Figure 3 shows a support 1 with a guard and support member mounted thereto. The base member 2 being attached to the outer side of the support 1 inhibits any tendency of the support combination to rotate inwards while also inhibiting longitudinal rocking.

Figure 4 shows a lower guard rail 19. This has vertical tongues 13 at each end, adapted to drop into the retaining devices 8a, 8b of adjacent guard and support members.

Figure 5 shows an upper guard, or hand rail 20 with a pivot attachment 12 at one end and a vertical tongue 13 at the other end. The tongue 13 is adapted to drop into the guard rail securing device 8 of one guard and support member and to be attached to the pivot attachment 9 of an adjacent guard and support member. This pivot attachment 9 allows the upper hand rail from the first telescopic upright to be fitted to the second telescopic upright while the operative is standing safely on the ground. When hand rail is locked in position, and the second telescopic assembly with the hand rail in position is hoisted into the air and the cargo abutment 6 is in position the upper hand rail will be caused to arrive in the required position to form a fall prevention rail, barrier, when people go about their tasks on the completed platform. If the operative does not attach the upper hand rail before the assembly is hoisted into position, the upper hand rail position will be too high to reach from the ground if the said hand rail is not already in position. The arrangement also serves to allow for unevenness of the ground surrounding the vehicle.

The platform member shown in figure 6 has a floor portion 18 and, integral therewith, a vertical wall member 16, this to assist the floor portion 18 to resist flexing and also to reduce the possibility of an operative's foot straying beyond the platform. The platform member is formed to extend between adjacent guard and support members and carries location pins 15, 22 to retain the platform member to the platform support member 5. It will be noted that the platform member is sized to be coterminous with the inner edge of the abutment member 6. A hook member 17 is formed on the platform wall member 16, to supplement the guard system and the integrity of the assembly. The platform member is ribbed, to reduce the possibility of an operative slipping on it. The ribbing will also enhance the strength and rigidity of the platform.

The end barrier member shown in figure 7 comprises a fence post 26 attached to a floor underlier 27. To the post 26 are attached securing devices 31, 31a and 26 and 36a for mounting two barrier members 29 and 30. The upper barrier member 29 carries a socket 28 sized to fit over a tube 4.

Figure 8 shows an end barrier member assembled to a guard and support member and thence to an upright support 1. The underlier 27 is constructed for lying beneath the abutment 6 and held in place thereby. Beneath and parallel to the end barrier lower guard rail 30 and above the platform 18 is a toe board 23, positioned and secured by a toe board locating pin 24 through a free platform locating hole 7.

Figure 9 shows an embodiment of the apparatus fitted to one side of a cargo surface A. Five supports 1 with guard and support member attached thereto are arrayed alongside the surface A with abutments 6 overlapping the edge of the surface A. Platform members 18, 16 overly the horizontal supports 5 and 6. An end barrier member is fitted to an end support 1 and guard and support member combination at one end.

In figure 10, instead of an end barrier is a ladder 40 with hand rails 41. The ladder attaches to the support 1 via a yoke 42 and the hand rails 41 on one side of the ladder are constructed to fit to the securing devices 8b and 9 on the tube 4. On the other side of the ladder the handrails 41 attach to a modified end barrier.

On the corner post illustrated in figure 11 the feet of base 2 are at right angles one to another.

Figures 12 and 13 illustrate the attachment means of the apparatus to a lorry. The platform support 5 has proximal and distal anchor holes 5a and 5b therebeneath to accept hooks 11a and lib on ratchet straps 11. An engagement hook 11c is arranged on the ratchet strap 11 to engage the under flange of the lorry cargo support A.

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic plan view of a cargo surface A with a working platform and guard rails deployed around the edge of the cargo area of a Heavy Goods Vehicle.

Deployment of this arrangement will commence at the rear end of the cargo area on one side of the vehicle.

The upper guard rail 20 is attached to the slider bar tube 4 using pivot attachment 12 and pivotal guard rail securing device 9. The slider bar tube 4 is then placed onto the ground bearing upright 1 in a telescopic manner to enclose the upright 1, such that the platform support 5 is above and in extreme direction away from the fork shape 2 and forms the structure shown in figure 3. This structure will now be referred to as the ground bearing telescopic upright.

Ensuring that the pivotal guard rail securing device 9 is facing in a forward direction away from the rear, the first ground bearing telescopic upright figure 3, is brought close to the cargo area and the cargo rest 6 will be placed on and in close confinement to the top and side of the said cargo area using the ninety degree angle of the cargo rest. The platform support 5 can now be held in a level horizontal aspect using a levelling device such as a spirit level, the ground bearing upright section allows the lower fork shape end to stand on the ground while the platform support remains in the said level aspect and position. Horizontal holes in the ground bearing telescopic upright figure 3 now line up in a position that when fixing pin 14 is inserted through and allowed to remain in these holes, the platform support will be held and maintained in a level aspect to the cargo area. Using flexible tethering securing devices 11 underneath the platform support 5, the arrangement will be tethered tight and secure in close proximity to the cargo area using readily available securing points on the said cargo area causing the ground bearing telescopic upright to be stable and prevented from movement in any direction. Flexible tethering such as ratchet straps and the like are readily available on the market. The fixing point on the cargo area of the HGV will be an extreme distance from the cargo rest towards ground level of at least the depth of the structure of the cargo carrying area.

The second ground bearing telescopic upright figure 3 will be aligned so as to have the same dimensions as the first ground bearing telescopic upright and can now be moved into position alongside and at a given distance from the first by inserting the projection 13 free end of the upper guard rail 20 into the upper guard rail securing device 8 of the second ground bearing telescopic upright, the guard rail locking mechanism 10 will be activated and the arrangement will be hoisted in an upward direction until the fork shape 2 is standing on the ground and the cargo rest is positioned on the cargo area similar to the first ground bearing telescopic upright.

The lower guard rail 19 will be inserted into the guard rail securing devices 8a and 8b on both ground bearing telescopic uprights and the locking mechanisms 10a and 10b will be activated.

The platform figure 6 is now placed into position by inserting the platform location pins 15 into the platform location holes 7 on both platform supports 5. Locking clip 22 will now be inserted into the holes on both platform locating pins 15. This will allow the platform to rest evenly on top of the platform support and the cargo rest. The second ground bearing telescopic upright will then be tethered to the cargo area as per the first ground bearing telescopic upright.

A plurality of additions continues until the left side of the cargo area is completed to the front end. At the front end of the platform at ninety degrees between the cargo area and the guard rails a leading edge has formed, a barrier will now be installed to prevent anyone from falling of this leading edge. This structure will be referred to as the End Barrier, figure 7, and installation will be as follows with reference to the accompany drawings.

Before placing the final ground bearing telescopic upright, the upper guard rail figure 5 will not be attached to the slider bar figure 2 using pivot attachment 12. Instead, the end barrier upper guard rail 29 will be secured in that location using holder 28 and fixed securely in place using pivotal guard rail securing device 9. The free end of the end barrier upper guard rail 29 will then be secured and locked into the upper guard rail securing device 31 and locking mechanism 36 on the end barrier upright 26, which is permanently fixed to the end barrier upright holder 27. The final ground bearing telescopic upright on that side of the cargo area is then hoisted into position and the end barrier upright holder Yl is guided into position and held in a sandwich fashion underneath the cargo rest 6 and on top of the cargo area A. The end barrier lower guard rail 30 is then placed securely in position between the end barrier upright 26 and the ground bearing telescopic upright, figure 8, using respective securing devices 31a and 8b and locking mechanisms 36a and 10b. The lower guard rail 19 will be inserted into the guard rail securing device 8a and 8b on the penultimate and final ground bearing telescopic uprights and the locking mechanisms 10a and 10b will be activated. The platform figure 6 will now be placed into position using the method described earlier. That ground bearing telescopic upright will then be tethered to the cargo area as per the previous ground bearing telescopic uprights, the end barrier will now be in place and secure.

Underneath and parallel to the end barrier lower guard rail 30 and on top of the platform figure 6, a toe board 23 will be positioned and secured by the toe board locating pin 24 through the free platform locating hole 7. The end barrier can be installed either on the right or left sides of the cargo area at the front.

Installation of the arrangement will continue along the right hand side commencing at the rear and side of the cargo area and proceed as for the left side until the extreme forward is reached and an access ladder or steps will be secured in close proximity to the platform support and ground bearing telescopic upright using clamps or other such means to maintain anchorage to and allow safe access and egress on and of the said platform. Hand rails will be included as a safety feature on the said ladder or steps.

Installation of the arrangement will continue around and parallel along the rear of the cargo area using a plurality of ground bearing telescopic uprights and will include at least two telescopic corner posts 21 at the extreme corners, distant from the cargo area at the rear, as in Diagram 1. The telescopic corner posts 21 will support the upper and lower guard rails and will be installed using the same method as for the ground bearing telescopic uprights but without the need for the platform support or truck rest as both corner posts will be held securely in place by the action and direction of the adjacent guard rails in a horizontal aspect at ninety degrees to each other. The platform figure 6 will be installed in the same manner as platform installations previously described and will include two corner platforms of differing dimensions. Included in the arrangement in assisting with the deployment of the corner posts is at least one extension bar of predetermined dimensions and shape to be used by the installer to assist with the insertion of the upper guard rail projection 13 being secured to the upper guard rail securing device 8 on the relevant telescopic ground bearing upright in proximity to the said corner post.

Access to the platform will be provided by ladder or steps at the front, on either the left or right side of the cargo area, the installation method is the same on both sides, but it must be installed on the side that is free from the end barrier.

Removal of the arrangement is the reverse of installation.

Including any materials already mentioned, components for this arrangement can be manufactured using ferrous or non-ferrous metal (steel or aluminium alloy) or any rigid or semirigid materials such as plastics and polymers when found to be suitable.

Typical dimensions for this embodiment of the invention are as follows. The support upright 1 may be 50mm square with a 4 - 5mm wall thickness. The tube 5 may be 60mm square with a 4 - 5 mm wall thickness. The distance between supports may be 1 - 2 metres, preferably 1.5 metres. The breadth of the platform may be 45 to 120cm, 60cm being usually adequate.

Claims

1. A goods vehicle dismantlable platform and guard rail kit comprising:

a plurality of guard and support members each incorporating a platform support member, a cargo area rest member and a guard rail support upright, there being guard rail securement means on the guard rail support upright;

2. A kit as claimed in claim 1 and comprising also a plurality of base members; constructed for telescopic association with a guard rail support upright; thus providing height adjustment means for the guard and support members.

3. A kit as claimed in claim 2 and wherein each base member comprises a pair of stays in triangular array attached to an upright support.

4. A kit as claimed in claim 3 and wherein the stays are attached to the upright support outward thereof.

5. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 and wherein the height adjustment means is arranged to prevent misalignment of the upright and the guard and support member.

6. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and wherein the rest member is Lshaped in section.

7. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and wherein the at least one platform member has a floor portion and a vertical portion integral with the floor portion.

8. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and wherein as between the platform support members and the platforms there are locating and platform retaining means.

9. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and wherein the at least one guard rail is at at least one end thereof arranged for pivotal attachment to a guard and support member.

10. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and wherein some of the at least one guard rails are constructed to be dropped into and retained by pockets in the guard and support members.

11. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and wherein the at least one guard rail comprises an upper guard/hand rail and a lower, intermediate guard rail.

12. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and comprising at least one end barrier member.

13. A kit as claimed in claim 12 and wherein the at least one end barrier member comprises a fence post attached to a floor underlier.

14. A kit as claimed in claim 15 and wherein the floor underlier is adapted to lie beneath and be restrained by the abutment member.

15. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and incorporating a ladder.

16. A kit as claimed in claim 14 and wherein the ladder has at least one hand rail.

17. A goods vehicle dismantlable platform and guard rail kit for supporting a working platform and guard rails positioned around the cargo area of a Heavy Goods Vehicle at a height from the ground level with the said cargo area where the outer edge of the cargo area is utilised as one secure stable support side for the platform to rest on and be securely anchored to, while the extreme outer edge of the platform distant from the cargo area and including the guard rails is supported by vertical telescopic supports from ground level and capable of adjustment in order to allow the extreme outer edge of the platform to be level with the inner edge resting on the said cargo area and the totality arrangement anchored by flexible securing devices to the said cargo area of the Heavy Goods Vehicle.

18. A kit as claimed in claim 17 and wherein the cargo area is surrounded by a plurality of vertical telescopic supports at predetermined distances from each other.

19. A kit as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18 and wherein the majority number of vertical telescopic supports includes at least one platform support at ninety degrees to the vertical, extending away horizontally towards and resting on the edge of the cargo area.

20. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and wherein at least two vertical telescopic supports need not include a platform support.

21. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and wherein the working platform consists of a plurality of smaller platforms resting on the platform supports with dimensions that determine the proximity of the vertical telescopic supports relative to each other.

22. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and that includes guard rails linked horizontally to vertical supports at a suitable level above the working platform so as to cause a barrier to be formed in order to prevent people falling from the said platform.

23. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and that includes flexible tethering that secures each platform support to the cargo area.

24. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and wherein the base upright is formed of steel 50mm square in cross section with a 4 - 5mm wall thickness.

25. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and wherein the slider tube is formed of steel 60mm square in cross section with a 4 - 5 mm wall thickness.

5

26. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and wherein the length of the at least one guard rail is 1 - 2 metres.

27. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and wherein the length of the at least one guard rail is 1.5 metres.

28. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and wherein the breadth of the platform is 45 to 120cm.

29. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and wherein the securing means 15 comprises a plurality of ratchet straps.

30. In or for a dismantlable scaffold kit of the type which may be attached to a structure a base support upright having a base comprising a pair of stays in triangular array.

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31. A base support upright as claimed in claim 30 and wherein the base is attached to the upright outward thereof in relation to the structure.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1803584.0 Examiner: Mr David J Evans