Folding construction platform

Abstract

A construction platform includes an inboard portion that attaches to a floor of a building under construction and an outboard portion that extends beyond the floor to allow loading and unloading of material from a crane. A hinged joint extends through both the inboard portion and the outboard portion of the construction platform to allow the construction platform to fold up for storage and transport.

1 . A folding construction platform for landing and loading material comprising:
 an inboard platform portion that has attachment features for attaching the construction platform to a structural feature;   an outboard platform portion that has a landing deck that extends laterally from the structural feature; and   a hinged joint that divides the construction platform into a first side and a second side along a line that runs through both the inboard portion and the outboard portion, the hinged joint providing a range of angular variation between the first side and the second side.   
   
   
       2 . The folding construction platform of  claim 1  wherein the hinged joint has an angular range of angular variation between the first side and the second side is from zero to one hundred and eighty degrees. 
   
   
       3 . The folding construction platform of  claim 1  wherein the attachment features include a clamp plate and two or more bolts that extend through the clamp plate to attach the folding construction platform to a concrete floor. 
   
   
       4 . The folding construction platform of  claim 3  wherein the attachment features further include a cupping feature for cupping a shoring post that extends upwards to a higher floor. 
   
   
       5 . The folding construction platform of  claim 1  further comprising safety cables mounted on posts to form barriers that extend around the landing deck. 
   
   
       6 . The folding construction platform of  claim 1  further comprising lifting eyes that provide attachment points for transporting the folding construction platform. 
   
   
       7 . The folding construction platform of  claim 1  wherein the landing deck has a rectangular upper surface that is rectangular and the hinged joint extends along a midline of the rectangular surface. 
   
   
       8 . The folding construction platform of  claim 1  further comprising bolts that, when secured, prevent articulation of the hinged joint. 
   
   
       9 . A folding construction platform for attaching to a floor of a building under construction to load and unload material from a crane comprising:
 a first platform portion that has a first platform anchoring component for anchoring the folding construction platform to a floor that underlies the anchoring component, the first platform portion also having a first landing surface that extends outwards from the floor;   a second platform portion that has a second platform anchoring component for anchoring the folding construction platform to the floor that underlies the anchoring component, the second platform portion also having a second landing surface that extends outwards from the floor; and   a hinge joint that joins the first portion to the second portion and provides a range of angular variation between the first landing surface and the second landing surface, the range of angular variation including an unfolded position in which the first landing surface and the second landing surface extend along a common plane and a folded position in which the first landing surface and the second landing surface face in opposite directions.   
   
   
       10 . The folding construction platform of  claim 9  wherein the first platform anchoring component includes a first beam that extends parallel to the hinge joint to lie on the floor when in the unfolded position and the second platform anchoring component includes a second beam that extends parallel to the hinge joint to lie on the floor when in the unfolded position. 
   
   
       11 . The folding construction platform of  claim 10  further comprising a first clamp plate and a first plurality of attachment bolts that attach the first beam to the floor and at least a second clamp plate and a second plurality of attachment bolts that attach the second beam to the floor. 
   
   
       12 . The folding construction platform of  claim 10  further comprising a first cupping portion in the first beam, a first shoring post that engages the first cupping portion at one end, a second cupping portion in the second beam, and a second shoring post that engages the second cupping portion at one end. 
   
   
       13 . The folding construction platform of  claim 12  further comprising lifting eyes on both the first platform portion and the second platform portion. 
   
   
       14 . The folding construction platform of  claim 13  further comprising securing bolts that prevent angular variation between the first portion and the second portion when engaged. 
   
   
       15 . The folding construction platform of  claim 14  further comprising a barrier extending around the first landing surface and the second landing surface. 
   
   
       16 . The folding construction platform of  claim 15  wherein the first portion is a mirror image of the second portion.