STRUCTURAL MEMBER FOR SUSPENDED ACCESS PLATFORM

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 as a continuation of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2024/037874, filed July 12, 2024, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/513,513, filed July 13, 2023, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety and for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of construction and temporary structures that are erected to access various parts of various structures. In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to the structure of work platform systems and the integration of their various attachments.

Work platforms and other access structures, including suspended work platform systems and scaffolding, allow workers to access difficult to reach worksites and can be assembled on the job site as needed. For example, when working on structures such as bridges where there is no stable or suitable ground surface for building up standard supported work platforms, suspended work platforms allow workers to access the undersides of these structures. Suspended work platforms also eliminate the need to build standard work platforms and platform systems to significant and unwieldy heights. However, suspended work platforms alone are not always ideal for accessing some structures. In such cases, supported work platforms may be beneficial to provide improved access to some structures, even after suspended work platforms are in place. It may therefore be beneficial to install supported work platforms on top of suspended work platforms.

Supported or suspended access structures may require various attachments to provide a functional work platform, including, but not limited to: joist suspender attachments, joist socket attachments, pivoting uplift post attachments, grid beam system attachments, and integral containment system attachments. A need exists to integrate these and other attachments into work platform support systems in a manner that allows each work platform to be easily customized.

SUMMARY

One embodiment relates to a joist of a support structure. The joist includes a first channel member. The first channel member includes a first flange, a first sidewall, and a first engagement mechanism. The joist includes a second channel member. The second channel member includes a second flange, a second sidewall, and a second engagement mechanism. The first channel member is separated from and parallel with the second channel member to define a channel. The first sidewall is separated from and parallel with the second sidewall. The first engagement mechanism is separated from and parallel with the second engagement mechanism. The joist is configured to couple with a joist socket via the first and second channel members. At least a portion of the joist socket is configured to be disposed in the channel and interface with the first and second engagement mechanisms of the first and second channel members.

Another embodiment relates to a support structure. The support structure includes a hub. The support structure includes a joist configured to couple with the hub. The joist includes an upper member. The upper member defines a locating feature. The joist includes a channel structure configured to couple with the joist. The channel structure includes an engagement feature. The engagement feature is configured to engage the locating feature.

Another embodiment relates to a channel structure. The channel structure includes a first sidewall and a first engagement mechanism. The channel structure includes a second sidewall and a second engagement mechanism. The channel structure includes an engagement feature configured to engage a locating feature of a joist. The first sidewall is separated from and parallel with the second sidewall. The first engagement mechanism is separated from and parallel with the second engagement mechanism.

These and other aspects and implementations are discussed in detail below. The foregoing information and the following detailed description include illustrative examples of various aspects and implementations, and provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed aspects and implementations. The drawings provide illustration and a further understanding of the various aspects and implementations, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The foregoing information and the following detailed description and drawings include illustrative examples and should not be considered as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an example support structure, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an example support system, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a view of a portion of an example support structure, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example channel structure, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a top portion of an example joist and an example channel structure, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 depicts a front view of a top portion of an example joist and an example channel structure, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of an example channel structure, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a top portion of an example joist, according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Following below are more detailed descriptions of various concepts related to, and implementations of, methods, apparatuses, and systems of work platform system structures and integrating attachments to work platform systems. The various concepts introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways.

The technical solutions disclosed herein are directed to structural support systems. At least some embodiments are directed to a structural member comprising an engagement feature to facilitate proper positioning of the structural member within the structural support system. The structural member may be a channel member configured to couple with a joist of a structural support system. The channel member may facilitate easy addition or removal of accessories to the structural support system. The channel member may include an engagement feature that is configured to engage a locating feature of the joist. For example, the engagement feature may be a projection (e.g., a welded pin) that extends from a bottom surface of the channel member. The locating feature may be an opening in an upper or lower member of the joist. The engagement feature can align with and engage the locating feature to facilitate proper positioning of the channel member relative to the joist.

At least some embodiments are directed to a structural member comprising a monolithic component to facilitate addition or removal of accessories from the structural support system. The structural member may be a joist comprising a joist channel member. The joist channel member may be an integral part of the joist that eliminates the number of tools and fasteners needed to couple a channel member with the joist. The joist channel member may include a flange, a sidewall, and a bend, all of which may create a single monolithic component. With the joist channel member being a part of the joist, accessories can be directly coupled with the joist rather than needing to couple an additional channel structure to the joist, which may reduce overall installation time.

FIG. 1 depicts an example support structure 100. The support structure 100 includes at least one joist 105. For example, the support structure 100 may include four joists 105. The joists 105 may be coupled together. For example, the joists 105 may be coupled together by at least one connector, shown as hub 110. Any number of joists 105 may be coupled together by any number of hubs 110. The joists 105 may be oriented to be coplanar. The joists 105 may be oriented to support a platform 115. In some embodiments, the platform 115 is divided into a plurality of platforms, shown as platforms 116A and 116B. The platform 115 can be divided into any number of platforms 115. The support structure 100 may include a support joist 120. The support joist 120 may extend between two joists 105. The support joist 120 may be disposed between the plurality of platforms 115 and provide structural support to the platforms 115.

FIG. 2 depicts an example support system 200 with a plurality of support structures 100 coupled together at hubs 110. In the exemplary embodiment shown, support system 200 is a work platform system comprising a plurality of support structures 100. In further exemplary embodiments, the support system 200 may be a single support structure 100. In still further exemplary embodiments, support system 200 may be any structure or system which provides a substantially planar surface having at least two coplanar joists 105 or a single joist 105 configured to have two coplanar portions, where the portions are not linear with respect to each other and separated by a distance.

A joist 105 may be any elongate structural member adapted for bearing or supporting a load, such as a bar joist, truss, shaped-steel (i.e., I-beam, C-beam, etc.), or the like. A hub 110 may be any interconnection structure, such as a node, hinge, pivot, post, column, center, shaft, spindle, or the like. One skilled in the art will therefore appreciate that size, shape and arrangement of hubs 110 and joists 105 may vary to provide a support structure 100 and a support system 200. For example, the length of joists 105 and positioning of joists 105 and hubs 110 can vary depending on the desired size and configuration of the support system 200. While the exemplary embodiments show that the support structures 100 are rectangular, forming an overall rectangular support system 200 with joists 105 in one direction being longer than the joists 105 extending in the opposite (e.g., perpendicular) direction, joists 105 may be any length and joined with hubs 110 at any angle permitted by the design of hubs 110.

The size and shape of the platforms 115 may similarly vary depending on the configuration of joists 105 and hubs 110. In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the support system 200 is shown as an access structure, such as a work platform system. Specifically, the support system 200 is shown as a work platform system designed to be suspended from an overhead structure (e.g., a suspended work platform system). However, the support system 200 may be any support structure, as discussed herein, including any type of access structure (e.g., suspended work platform system, supported work platform system, scaffolding, shoring). In some embodiments, the support system 200 is any structure having at least one support structure 100 having two coplanar, parallel joists 105. The support system 200 may be a work platform system, or a suspended work platform system. The support system 200 may be an articulatable suspended work platform system.

FIG. 3 depicts a portion of a support structure 100. A joist 105 of the support structure 100 includes an upper member 305 and a lower member 310. The upper member 305 may be disposed away from the lower member 310. The upper member 305 may be parallel with the lower member 310. The joist 105 includes at least one support member 315. The support member 315 is disposed between the upper member 305 and the lower member 310. The support member 315 may be disposed at an angle relative to the upper member 305 and the lower member 310. For example, the support member 315 may be diagonal relative to the upper member 305 and the lower member 310. The joist 105 may include a plurality of support members 325. For example, the support members 325 may create a truss structure.

The joist 105 may have at least one connection point, shown as hub connection point 320. The upper member 305 may have a hub connection point 320. The lower member 310 may have a hub connection point 320. The joist 105 may couple with a hub 110 via the hub connection point 320. For example, hub connection point 320 may be an opening or a pocket configured to receive a component to couple the joist 105 with the hub 110. For example, a post 325 may extend from a surface (e.g., a top or bottom surface) of the hub 110. The post 325 may be a part of the hub 110 or may be a part of a component that extends through an opening in the hub 110 and beyond the top surface of the hub 110. The upper member 305 may be positioned such that the hub connection point 320 receives the post 325. For example, the post 325 may extend through the hub connection point 320. The hub connection point 320 may be disposed at or approximate to an end 330 of the joist 105. For example, the hub connection point 320 may be an opening disposed at an end 330 of the upper member 305.

In some embodiments, the joist 105 may include at least one channel structure 335. The channel structure 335 can extend along at least a portion of the joist 105. The channel structure 335 may be coupled with the joist 105. For example, a channel structure 335 may be coupled with at least one of the upper member 305 or the lower member 310.

In some embodiments, the joist 105 may have at least one locating feature 340. The locating feature 340 may facilitate alignment and location of the channel structure 335 with the joist 105. For example, the locating feature 340 may be configured to engage with a portion of the channel structure 335 to facilitate proper alignment and placement of the channel structure 335 relative to the joist 105. In some embodiments, the locating feature 340 may be an opening in the upper member 305 or the lower member 310 of the joist 105 configured to receive a corresponding feature (e.g., a pin or post) of the channel structure 335. For example, the corresponding feature may be configured to be disposed in or extend through the locating feature 340 such that the channel structure 335 may be positioned properly relative to the joist 105. Without the locating feature 340, a channel structure 335 with such a corresponding feature may be prevented from coupling with the joist 105 or may be coupled at an undesired position or orientation. The locating feature 340 may be disposed at or proximate to an end 330 of the joist 105. For example, the locating feature 340 may be disposed next to the hub connection point 320. The hub connection point 320 may be closer to the end 330 of the joist 105 than the locating feature 340 such that the hub connection point is disposed between the end 330 and the locating feature 340. With the joist 105 coupled with a hub 110, the locating feature 340 may be disposed adjacent to an outer perimeter of the hub 110.

The joist 105 may have a first end 330 and a second end 330. The joist 105 may have a locating feature 340 at both the first end 330 and the second end 330. The joist 105 may have a hub connection point 320 at both the first end 330 and the second end 330. Both the upper member 305 and the lower member 205 may have at least one hub connection point 320 and at least one locating feature 340.

The support structure 100 may be configured to engage with at least one auxiliary component, shown as joist socket 345. The joist socket 345 can couple with a joist 105 of the support structure 100 via the channel structure 335. The joist socket 345 may slidingly engage the channel structure 335. For example, the joist socket 3345 may be coupled with the channel structure 335 in a manner that permits sliding movement relative to each other. The joist socket 345 may facilitate coupling of other components with the support structure 100. The support structure 100 may include any number or any type of joist sockets 345. The joist socket 345 may couple with any joist 105 of the support structure 100.

FIG. 4 depicts a top perspective view of an example channel structure 335. The channel structure 335 may be an elongated member configured to extend parallel with and along a joist 105 of the support structure 100. The support structure 100 may include a plurality of channel structures 335. For example, a first channel structure 335 may be coupled with a first joist 105 and a second channel structure 335 may be coupled with a second joist 105. In some embodiments, a first channel structure 335 may be coupled with an upper member 305 of a joist 105 and a second channel structure 335 may be coupled with a lower member 310 of the same joist 105.

The channel structure 335 may include at least one engagement feature 405. The engagement feature 405 may facilitate proper placement of the channel structure 335 relative to a joist 105. For example, the engagement feature 405 may correspond with the locating feature 340 of the joist 105. The engagement feature 405 may be configured to engage with the locating feature 340 to orient the channel structure 335 and prevent the channel structure 335 from rotating relative to the joist 105.

The engagement feature 405 may be a projection. For example, the engagement feature 405 may extend from a bottom of the channel structure 335. The engagement feature 405 may be a welded pin. The engagement feature 405 may be coupled with a bottom surface of the channel structure 335 or may extend through an opening of the channel structure 335. The engagement feature 405 may be disposed proximate an end 410 of the channel structure 335. The channel structure 335 may include a plurality of engagement features 405. For example, a first engagement feature 405 may be disposed at a first end 410 of the channel structure 335 and a second engagement feature 405 may be disposed at a second end 410 of the channel structure 335. An engagement feature 405 may be disposed at any location along the channel structure 335. A length of the channel structure 335 may be based on a length of the joist 105 and a location of the engagement feature 405 may be based on a location of a corresponding locating feature 340.

FIGS. 5-7 depict a top portion of an example joist 105 and a portion of an example channel structure 335 that may be coupled with the joist 105. An upper member 305 of a joist 105 may be coupled with a channel structure 335. The channel structure 335 may have a substantially squared tubular structure with a solid, fattened bottom portion 505 with solid, flattened sidewalls 510. The sidewalls 510 may extend upward from the bottom portion 505 at approximately right angles. The bottom portion 505 and the sidewalls 510 may define a channel 512. The channel 512 may extend as long as the channel structure 335. At least a portion of a joist socket 345 may be disposed in the channel 512 to couple with the joist 105. Each sidewall 510 may terminate in an engagement mechanism, shown as bend 515. The bend 515 may have a U-shape. The bend 515 may facilitate easy coupling between the channel structure 335 and the joist socket 345. For example, the joist socket 345 may interface with the bend 515 to couple with the joist 105. The bend 515 may have any shape configured to facilitate easy coupling and sliding engagement between the joist 105 and joist sockets 345. For example, the bend 515 may be or include a horizontal flange configured to engage a joist socket 345.

In some embodiments, the channel structure 335 may couple with the joist 105. For example, the channel structure 335 may couple with the upper member 305. The upper member 305 may be or include at least one flange, shown as joist chord 520. The joist chord 520 may have an L-shape. The upper member 305 may be or include two joist chords 520. For example, a first joist chord 520 may face a first direction, and a second joist chord 520 may face a second (e.g., opposite) direction. The joist chords 520 may extend along the length of the joist 105. The lower member 310 may be or include the same or similar joist chords 520. For example, a channel structure 335 may also or instead couple with the lower member 310 of the joist 105.

In some embodiments, the bottom portion 505 of the channel structure 335 interfaces with a top surface of the joist chords 520. The channel structure 335 may couple with the joist 105 in any manner (e.g., adhesive, mechanical fasteners, welding, etc.). For example, the channel structure 335 may include at least one slot 525. The bottom portion 505 of the channel structure 335 may define the slot 525. The slot 525 may have an oblong shape. The channel structure 335 may have a plurality of slots 525 disposed along the bottom portion 505. A mechanical fastener (e.g., a bolt or screw) may extend through the slot 525 to couple the channel structure 335 with a portion of the joist 105 and secure the channel structure 335 against the joist chords 520. With the channel structure 335 interfacing with the joist chords 520, the engagement feature 405 of the channel structure 335 may engage the locating feature 340 of the joist 105. The locating feature 340 may prevent horizontal lateral movement and rotational movement of the channel structure 335 relative to the joist 105.

FIG. 8 depicts a top portion of an example joist 105. In some embodiments, instead of a separate channel structure 335 and joist chords 520, the joist 105 may include at least one joist channel member 800. The joist channel member 800 may include components of both the joist chords 520 and the channel structure 335 that are integrated into a single structure. For example, the joist channel member 800 may include at least one flange 805. The flange 805 may be similar to a bottom portion of the joist chord 520. The joist channel member 800 may couple with the joist 105 via the flange 805. The joist channel member 800 may include at least one sidewall 810. The sidewall 810 may be, for example, a combination of a top portion of the joist chord 520 and the sidewall 510 of the channel structure 335 such that the top portion of the joist chord 520 and the sidewall 510 of the channel structure 335 are a single, integrated component. In some embodiments, the sidewall 510 may be longer than the flange 805.

The joist channel member 800 may include at least one engagement mechanism, shown as bend 815. The bend 815 may be the same or similar to the bend 515 of the channel structure 335. The bend 815 may have a U-shape. The bend 815 may facilitate easy coupling between the joist channel member 800 and a joist socket 345. For example, the joist socket 345 may interface with the bend 815 to couple with the joist 105. The bend 815 may have any shape configured to facilitate easy coupling and sliding engagement between the joist 105 and joist sockets 345. The flange 805, the sidewall 810, and the bend 815 may be a single, monolithic component. For example, the flange 805 may seamlessly transition into the sidewall 810 and the sidewall 810 may seamlessly transition into the bend 815.

The single, integrated (e.g., monolithic) structure of the joist channel member 800 integrates the functionality of the channel structure 335 directly into the joist 105. As such, no additional tools are needed to couple the channel structure 335 with the joist 105, which may reduce overall installation time. The integrated structure of the joist channel member 800 ensures proper alignment between the joist 105 and the bends 815 such that a joist socket 345 may slide along the length of the joist 105.

The joist 105 may include a plurality of joist channel members 800. For example, the joist 105 may include a first joist channel member 800 facing a first direction and a second joist channel member 800 facing a second (e.g., opposite) direction. The first joist channel member 800 may be spaced apart from the second joist channel member 800. The first joist channel member 800 and the second joist channel member 800 may define a channel 820. For example, the space between the first joist channel members 800 and the second joist channel members 800 may be the channel 820. The bend 815 may extend from the sidewall 810 into the channel 820. The joist 105 may include no structure or component that extends between the sidewall 810 of the first joist channel member 800 and the sidewall 810 of the second joist channel member 800. A joist socket 345 may be disposed, at least partially, in the channel 820 to couple with the joist 105. The joist socket 345 can slide along the joist 105 within the channel 820.

The joist 105 may have joist channel members 800 coupled with or a part of the upper member 305 and the lower member 310. For example, the upper member 305 may include a first set or pair of joist channel members 800. The lower member 310 may include a first set or pair of joist channel members 800. A first joist socket 345 may couple with the upper member 305 of the joist 105 via the first set of joist channel members 800. A second joist socket 345 may couple with the lower member 310 of the joist 105 via the second set of joist channel members 800.

Having now described some illustrative implementations, it is apparent that the foregoing is illustrative and not limiting, having been presented by way of example. In particular, although many of the examples presented herein involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, those acts and those elements may be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives. Acts, elements and features discussed in connection with one implementation are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in other implementations or implementations.

The phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” “comprising” “having” “containing” “involving” “characterized by” “characterized in that” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter, equivalents thereof, and additional items, as well as alternate implementations consisting of the items listed thereafter exclusively. In one implementation, the systems and methods described herein consist of one, each combination of more than one, or all of the described elements, acts, or components.

Any references to implementations or elements or acts of the systems and methods herein referred to in the singular may also embrace implementations including a plurality of these elements, and any references in plural to any implementation or element or act herein may also embrace implementations including only a single element. References in the singular or plural form are not intended to limit the presently disclosed systems or methods, their components, acts, or elements to single or plural configurations. References to any act or element being based on any information, act or element may include implementations where the act or element is based at least in part on any information, act, or element.

Any implementation disclosed herein may be combined with any other implementation or embodiment, and references to “an implementation,” “some implementations,” “one implementation” or the like are not necessarily mutually exclusive and are intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the implementation may be included in at least one implementation or embodiment. Such terms as used herein are not necessarily all referring to the same implementation. Any implementation may be combined with any other implementation, inclusively or exclusively, in any manner consistent with the aspects and implementations disclosed herein.

References to “or” may be construed as inclusive so that any terms described using “or” may indicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the described terms. References to at least one of a conjunctive list of terms may be construed as an inclusive “or” to indicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the described terms. For example, a reference to “at least one of ‘A’ and ‘B’” can include only ‘A’, only ‘B’, as well as both ‘A’ and ‘B’. Such references used in conjunction with “comprising” or other open terminology can include additional items.

Where technical features in the drawings, detailed description or any claim are followed by reference signs, the reference signs have been included to increase the intelligibility of the drawings, detailed description, and claims. Accordingly, neither the reference signs nor their absence have any limiting effect on the scope of any claim elements.

Modifications of described elements and acts such as variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, or orientations can occur without materially departing from the teachings and advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed can be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements can be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions can be altered or varied. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions can also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the disclosed elements and operations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

For example, descriptions of top and bottom, upper and lower, front and back, or left and right may be reversed or interchangeable. Elements described as negative elements can instead be configured as positive elements and elements described as positive elements can instead by configured as negative elements. For example, elements described as having first polarity can instead have a second polarity, and elements described as having a second polarity can instead have a first polarity. Further relative parallel, perpendicular, vertical or other positioning or orientation descriptions include variations within +/-10% or +/-10 degrees of pure vertical, parallel or perpendicular positioning. References to “approximately,” “substantially” or other terms of degree include variations of +/-10% from the given measurement, unit, or range unless explicitly indicated otherwise. Coupled elements can be electrically, mechanically, or physically coupled with one another directly or with intervening elements. Scope of the systems and methods described herein is thus indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are embraced therein.