Horizontally supported planar surfaces – Plural related horizontal surfaces – Separable component
Patent
1995-07-24
1998-01-27
Chen, Jose V.
Horizontally supported planar surfaces
Plural related horizontal surfaces
Separable component
108153, 52 7, A47B 300
Patent
active
057112304
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a platform system, in particular for staging units. Such units are commonly used in the entertainment industry (theaters, studios, concert halls, etc.). The platform system of the invention may however find wider application, particularly in the building industry.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The present invention is particularly concerned with a platform system of the general type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,201, according to which at least one unit each comprises a substantially flat platform having on the underside thereof downwardly extending hollow posts of square cross-section, and legs of circular cross-section insertable into said posts to provide a platform of variable height and angle of rake.
In the known platform system of this type the side frame elements, which may be of conventional truss design, are welded to the corner posts, as a result of which the platform has a high packing volume. Also, in the known system, it is necessary to weld the side frame to the corner posts with considerably accuracy. It would therefore be desirable to provide a platform system wherein the various components thereof could be readily assembled on site, possibly by selection from components of different sizes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is therefore concerned with an improvement of the corner post construction and its manner of connection to the main part of the frame of the platform system.
The present invention provides a platform system comprising at least one unit each comprising a substantially flat platform having on the underside thereof downwardly extending hollow posts, and legs insertable into the said posts, which posts are cast or moulded and each include one or more lugs designed to be connected with the side frame of the platform.
In the platform system of the invention the components thereof can be readily assembled on site, and a strong connection between the corner posts and the side frame can be obtained with good accuracy.
The lugs which are integral with the corner posts are suitably connectable to the side frame by rivets or the like, the connection between the lugs and the side frame being preferably reinforced by adhesive. However, the corner posts may be welded or bonded to the side frame, if desired.
The corner posts will be preferably each provided with an integral nut, threaded boss, or the like screwthreaded portion for cooperating with a screw or bolt for fixing the supporting legs into the posts. As in the platform system of U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,201, the posts are preferably of square cross-section and the legs are of circular cross-section. Tightening the screw or bolt into the thread in the nut or boss on the corner post drives the leg against the two opposing inner faces of the post. The legs are preferably of scaffold tube inserted into the posts to provide staging of variable height or angle of rake.
The cast or moulded corner posts can be provided at their upper ends with flanges to receive and retain the corners of the flat top of the platform. The flat platform top is usually a sheet of wood.
The invention in another aspect provides a cast or moulded corner post for use in the platform system of the invention, the post having at least one lug integral therewith for connection to a side frame member of the platform.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a corner post and adjacent part of a typical side frame of a platform system according to the invention;
FIG. 2 in a section taken along the line X--X in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 3 is top elevation of the corner post shown in FIG. 1.
The drawings show a corner post and adjacent side frame of a platform system which is generally of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,201.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the Figures, the corner post 1 is cast from
REFERENCES:
patent: 3255721 (1966-06-01), Peterschmidt
patent: 3533363 (1970-10-01), Reiss
patent: 3749343 (1973-07-01), Marschak
patent: 3851601 (1974-12-01), Davis
patent: 4242969 (1981-01-01), Checkwood et al.
patent: 4585365 (1986-04-01), Manno
patent: 4630550 (1986-12-01), Weitzman
patent: 4813201 (1989-03-01), Parsons et al.
Chen José V.
P. L. Parsons & Company Ltd.
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