Platform system for greenhouse roof

Abstract

A platform system useful for constructing, maintaining, or repairing greenhouse roofs comprises a platform section providing a working area surface formed with removable treads supported on left and right platform rails. The platform section is supported by downwardly projecting upper and lower support bases appointed to rest on structural members of the roof, thereby providing a clearance between the working area surface and the roof beneath. Guardrails extend along the sides of the platform section between guardrail posts attached at the upper and lower ends of the platform rails. The system is light-weight, minimizing the loading imposed on the roof and permitting it to be readily positioned by a small work crew. The support base may include retractable rollers that permit it to be slid upward across the eaves and onto the roof. A deployment assist cart may be used to erect, support, and access the platform system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A platform system elongated along a platform length direction between a lower end and an upper end and having opposing left and right sides separated along a platform width direction, the platform system being configured for placement on a roof structure and comprising:
 (a) left and right upper-end guardrail posts and left and right lower-end guardrail posts;   (b) a platform section that extends along the platform length direction for a platform length and comprises:
 (i) left and right platform rails that are disposed in spaced-apart, parallel relationship and extend horizontally along the length of the platform section between the upper and lower ends of the platform system, the upper-end guardrail posts and the lower-end guardrail posts being attached to the respective platform rails, 
 (ii) a plurality of platform treads disposed along at least a portion of the platform length, each tread having left and right edges and spanning the left and right platform rails and being removably secured thereto, the treads collectively defining a working platform area having a platform width sufficient to accommodate a worker and a preselected working length defined by the number of treads present, and 
 (iii) left and right guardrails that extend horizontally along the respective sides of the platform system for substantially the platform length, are attached to the respective left and right platform rails through the lower and upper guardrail posts, and are situated at a preselected height above the platform area; 
   (c) an upper support base proximate the upper end and comprising an upper horizontal member; and   (d) a lower support base proximate the lower end and comprising a lower horizontal member, and
 wherein the upper and lower support bases project downward from the platform section and are configured to rest on the roof structure to support the platform system and maintain a clearance between the roof structure and the platform section. 
   
     
     
         2 . The platform system of  claim 1 , further comprising a roller assembly associated with the upper support base, the roller assembly comprising one or more rollers having a retracted position and an extended position, the roller assembly being configured such that when the platform system is placed on a roof structure: (a) with the rollers in the retracted position the upper support base is in contact with the roof structure; and (b) with the rollers in the extended position the rollers are in contact with the roof structure and the upper support base is elevated above the roof structure, thereby permitting the platform system to be rolled along the platform length direction. 
     
     
         3 . The platform system of  claim 2 , wherein the roller assembly comprises a spring mechanism that is operable to urge the one or more rollers downward into the extended position and has a compliance such that imposition of at least a predetermined weight on the platform system is sufficient to overcome the downward urging and drive the one or more rollers into the retracted position. 
     
     
         4 . The platform system of  claim 2 , wherein the roller assembly comprises at least two rollers, one of the at least two rollers being situated on each of the left and right sides of the platform system. 
     
     
         5 . The platform system of  claim 1 , further comprising a roller assembly associated with each of the upper and lower support bases, each roller assembly comprising one or more rollers having a retracted position and an extended position, the roller assemblies being configured such that when the platform system is placed on a roof structure: (a) with the one or more rollers in the retracted position the support bases are in contact with the roof structure; and (b) with the one or more rollers in the extended position the rollers are in contact with the roof structure and the support bases are elevated above the roof structure, thereby permitting the platform system to be rolled along the platform length direction. 
     
     
         6 . The platform system of  claim 5 , wherein each roller assembly comprises a spring mechanism that is operable to urge the one or more rollers of the roller assembly downward into the extended position and has a compliance such that imposition of at least a predetermined weight on the platform system is sufficient to overcome the downward urging and drive the one or more rollers of each roller assembly into the retracted position. 
     
     
         7 . The platform system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of tread attachments, at least one of which is disposed proximate each edge of each of the platform treads to removably secure the platform treads to the platform rails. 
     
     
         8 . The platform system of  claim 7 , wherein each tread attachment comprises a stud having an enlarged head and upstanding from one of the respective platform rails, and at least one keyhole-shaped slot is provided proximate each edge of each platform tread, each keyhole-shaped slot being configured for locking engagement with one of the studs. 
     
     
         9 . The platform system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of anchorages, each configured to engage a locking clip of a personal fall arrest system. 
     
     
         10 . The platform system of  claim 9 , wherein the anchorages comprise one or more discrete anchorage points spaced along each of the guardrails and attached thereto, each anchorage point providing an aperture configured to engage the locking clip. 
     
     
         11 . The platform system of  claim 1 , wherein the upper-end guardrail posts and the upper support base are formed as an upper end assembly and the lower-end guardrail posts and the lower support base are formed as a lower end assembly, and the upper and lower end assemblies are separably joined to the platform section by connections made at points of engagement between the guardrails and the platform rails and the end assemblies. 
     
     
         12 . The platform system of  claim 1 , being capable of supporting a rated load of at least 200 kg and having a ratio of an unloaded weight “W” of the platform system to a full working area “A” that is at most 8 pounds per square foot of working area. 
     
     
         13 . The platform system of  claim 1 , wherein the left and right platform rails and the left and right guardrails are each comprised of a plurality of subsections that are collinearly disposed and separably joined together in a locking connection to form the respective platform rails and guardrails. 
     
     
         14 . The platform system of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a coupling support assembly situated intermediate the upper and lower ends and comprising a middle support base comprising a middle horizontal member and left and right middle guardrail posts connected to the middle support base,   and wherein respective subsections of the platform rails and the guardrails are separably joined together through locking connections made using connectors disposed at points of engagement on the coupling support assembly.   
     
     
         15 . The platform system of  claim 14 , wherein each of the connectors comprises a first connector element attached to an end of the respective platform rail or guardrail subsection, a second connector element attached to the coupling support assembly, and a locking pin, the connector elements being configured to be joined in mating relationship and secured to each other by mutual engagement with the locking pin, the first connector element being one of a connector pin and a mating socket and the second connector element being the other of the connector pin and the mating socket. 
     
     
         16 . A platform erection system, comprising the platform system of  claim 1  and a deployment assist cart comprising:
 (a) a platform base section; 
 (b) a deployment support upstanding from the platform base section; 
 (c) deployment rails connected to the deployment support and configured to receive the platform system for deployment on a roof structure. 
 
     
     
         17 . The platform erection system of  claim 16 , wherein the deployment rails are rotatable between a loading position configured to accept the platform system and a deployment position configured to permit the platform system to be maneuvered from the deployment rails onto a surface of the roof structure. 
     
     
         18 . A method of providing access to a structure, comprising:
 (a) providing a platform system as recited by  claim 1 ; and   (b) disposing the platform system on a flat or sloped area of the structure, whereby access is provided to the area.   
     
     
         19 . A kit, comprising parts that, when assembled, are capable of forming the platform system of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 19 , further comprising parts that, when assembled, are capable of forming a deployment assist cart comprising:
 (a) a platform base section;   (b) a deployment support upstanding from the platform base section;   (c) deployment rails connected to the deployment support and configured to receive the platform system for deployment on a roof structure.