Modular platform, walkway or ramp

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a modular ramp ( 10 ) formed of prefabricated components. The modular ramp ( 10 ) includes a raked floor ( 12 ), elongate members in the form of floor pillars ( 14 ) and ( 15 ), and hand rails ( 16 ). The raked floor ( 12 ) is formed of a number prefabricated floor segments, an example of which are prefabricated floor panels ( 32 ) which extend between adjacent prefabricated floor bearers ( 34 ). The floor bearers ( 34 ) are supported by the floor pillars ( 14 ) and ( 15 ). The prefabricated floor bearers ( 34 ) have sleeves ( 56 ) and 58 attached at each end for respective receipt of the floor pillars ( 14 ) and ( 15 ). The pillars ( 14 ) and ( 15 ) are thus arranged for longitudinal movement relative to the sleeves such as ( 56 ) and locating pins ( 83 ) retain the pillars ( 14 ) or ( 15 ) relative to the sleeve ( 56 ).

1 . A deck support which is adjustable to support a deck of a platform, walkway or ramp at a predetermined elevation, the deck support comprising a prefabricated moveable member arranged to engage a corresponding elongate member for retention and longitudinal movement relative to the elongate member, the prefabricated moveable member having an extension arranged to directly support the deck laterally of the elongate member by contact with an underneath surface of the deck and wherein the prefabricated moveable member is locatable at predetermined longitudinal positions relative to the elongate member.  
     
     
         2 . A deck support which is adjustable to support a deck of a platform, walkway or ramp at a predetermined elevation, the deck support comprising a prefabricated moveable member and a corresponding elongate member, the prefabricated moveable member being arranged to engage the elongate member prefabricated moveable member for retention and longitudinal movement relative to the elongate member, the prefabricated moveable member having an extension arranged to directly support the deck laterally of the elongate member by contact with an underneath surface of the deck and wherein the prefabricated moveable member is locatable at predetermined longitudinal positions relative to the elongate member.  
     
     
         3 . A deck support as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the prefabricated moveable member comprises a slideable member arranged to slide axially relative to the elongate member.  
     
     
         4 . A deck support as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the slidable member is a collar, sleeve or other tubular member or partly tubular member having a section corresponding to a partial section of a tubular member.  
     
     
         5 . A deck support as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the slidable member has a hole formed in one or more of its walls arranged for alignment with corresponding longitudinally spaced holes of the elongate member and receipt of a locating pin.  
     
     
         6 . A deck support as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the deck support comprises a slideable member position at opposite ends of said extension.  
     
     
         7 . A deck support as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the extension comprises a support bearer.  
     
     
         8 . A deck support as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the deck support has two or more support bearers that extend from a common slideable member.  
     
     
         9 . A deck support as claimed in  claim 2  wherein a foot extends from an end of the elongate member, the foot being pivotable relative to the elongate member to accommodate for sloping supporting surfaces.  
     
     
         10 . A deck support as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the prefabricated moveable member further comprises a handrail support arranged to support one or more prefabricated handrails above the deck.  
     
     
         11 . A deck support as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the handrail support member is arranged to retain a lower end of a handrail upright of said prefabricated handrail.  
     
     
         12 . A deck support as claimed in  10  wherein the handrail support is arranged to receive two adjacent handrail uprights of corresponding adjacent prefabricated handrails.  
     
     
         13 . A deck support as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the handrail support comprises a collar, sleeve or other tubular member or a partly tubular member having a section corresponding to a partial section of a tubular member.  
     
     
         14 . A deck support as claimed in  12  wherein the handrail support is arranged for inclination of said handrail upright relative to said elongate member, in a plane which is substantially normal to said extension.  
     
     
         15 . A deck support as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the extension covers a lower end of said handrail support to prevent passage of said handrail upright therethrough.  
     
     
         16 . A deck support as claimed in  claim 10  further comprising two or more further handrail supports positioned at predetermined positions along the extension.  
     
     
         17 . A deck support as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the elongate member comprises a roof support for supporting a roof.  
     
     
         18 . A deck support as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the elongate member is arranged to slideably receive a roof support upright for abutment of a lower end of the roof support upright against an upper edge of said prefabricated moveable member.  
     
     
         19 . A method of erecting a platform, walkway or ramp comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of deck supports which are adjustable to support a deck of a platform, walkway or ramp at a predetermined elevation, each of the deck supports comprising a prefabricated moveable member and a corresponding elongate member, the prefabricated moveable member being arranged to engage the elongate member for retention and longitudinal movement relative to the elongate member, the prefabricated moveable member having an extension arranged to directly support the deck laterally of the elongate member by contact with an underneath surface of the deck and the prefabricated moveable member being locatable at predetermined longitudinal positions relative to the elongate member;    adjusting the deck supports by longitudinally moving said prefabricated moveable members relative to corresponding elongate members;    positioning and orientating the deck supports so that their extensions are arranged to support corresponding portions of a deck at a desired elevation; and    placing the deck onto the extensions so that the extensions support corresponding portions of the deck to form an erected platform, walkway or ramp.    
     
     
         20 . A modular apparatus for constructing a platform, walkway or ramp, said modular apparatus comprising: 
 a plurality of prefabricated deck segments arranged to collectively form a deck of a platform, walkway or ramp; and    a plurality of deck supports for supporting the prefabricated deck segments to form said deck; wherein    each deck support is adjustable to support a deck of a platform, walkway or ramp at a predetermined elevation, each deck support comprising a prefabricated moveable member and a corresponding elongate member, the prefabricated moveable member being arranged to engage the elongate member for retention and longitudinal movement relative to the elongate member, the prefabricated prefabricted moveable member having an extension arranged to directly support the deck laterally of the elongate member by contact with an underneath surface of the deck, the prefabricated moveable member being locatable at predetermined longitudinal positions relative to the elongate member.    
     
     
         21 . A modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 20  further comprising one or more prefabricated handrails, each prefabricated handrail comprising one or more rails supported by one or more handrail uprights and being arranged for attachment to one or more said deck supports.  
     
     
         22 . A modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 20  wherein one or more edges of said prefabricated deck segments are folded to provide adjacent first and second angular regions.  
     
     
         23 . A modular apparatus as claimed in  claim 22  wherein, in use, the first angular region extends upwardly, substantially normally of a plane in which the deck segment lies and the second angular region extends downwardly and away from the deck segment to form an enclosed angle with the first angular region of approximately 45°.  
     
     
         24 . A platform, walkway or ramp assembly, said assembly comprising: 
 a plurality of deck supports which are each adjustable to support a deck of a platform, walkway or ramp at a predetermined elevation, each deck support comprising a prefabricated moveable member and a corresponding elongate member, the prefabricated moveable member being arranged to engage the elongate member for retention and longitudinal movement relative to the elongate member, the prefabricated member having an extension arranged to directly support the deck laterally of the elongate member by contact with an underneath surface of the deck and the prefabricated moveable member being locatable at predetermined longitudinal positions relative to the elongate member; and    a plurality of prefabricated deck segments;    wherein said prefabricated deck segments are supported by the extensions of said deck supports to form a platform, walkway or ramp.    
     
     
         25 . A platform, walkway or ramp assembly as claimed in  claim 24  further comprising one or more prefabricated handrails, each prefabricated handrail comprising one or more rails supported by one or more handrail uprights and being arranged for attachment to one or more said deck supports.