Accessible work over platform with outrigger system, apparatus, and method

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a work over platform apparatus, system, and method of use with trenches and cellars. The apparatus includes two platform portions joined at the center by a set of hinges. The set of hinges is divided to allow for cutouts in each of the platform portions. When deployed the cutout portions are aligned to form an opening that allows work personnel to access the cellar through the work over platform. The work over platform may be collapsed along its hinges for compact transport to and from a work site. The system includes multiple apparatuses positioned adjacent to one another along the same cellar. Outriggers for guidelines are positioned in a novel spider leg fashion to allow greater accessibility to the platform by vehicles. The method includes deploying, using, and collapsing the apparatus.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An accessible work over platform system for installation over a trench, comprising:
 a first platform comprising:
 a first platform first portion having a first platform first cutout; 
 a first platform second portion having a first platform second cutout; and 
 a first platform hinge system disposed between the first platform first portion and the first platform second portion;
 wherein the first platform first cutout and the first platform second cutout form a first platform opening through the first platform when the first platform first portion and the first platform second portion are aligned to form a first platform planar surface; and 
 
   a second platform disposed adjacent to the first platform, the second platform comprising:
 a second platform first portion having a second platform first cutout; 
 a second platform second portion having a second platform second cutout; and 
 a second platform hinge system disposed between the second platform first portion and the second platform second portion;
 wherein the second platform first cutout and the second platform second cutout form a second platform opening through the second platform when the second platform first portion and the second platform second portion are aligned to form a second platform planar surface. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the hinge systems comprises:
 a first hinge disposed on one side of the opening; and   a second hinge disposed on the other side of the opening.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the platforms is collapsible along their respective hinge system. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion and second portion of each of the platforms are polygonal in shape when each of the first portions and the second portions form respective planar surfaces. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein each of the platforms further comprises:
 one or more attachment plates attached to at least one of the polygonal sides of the platform;   a pair of outriggers each attached to a set of the one or more attachment plates.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein each of the pair of outriggers comprises:
 a tubular section with a bend attached to the set of one or more attachment plates;   a telescoping section configured to extend from the tubular section in a spider leg design; and   a foot pad disposed on the telescoping section.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising;
 a plurality of first platform cover plates configured to cover the opening of the first platform; and   a plurality of second platform cover plates configured to cover the opening of the second platform.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein each of the pluralities of cover plates comprises:
 a first cover plate with a first cutout;   a second cover plate with a second cutout, wherein the first and second cutouts form a cover plate opening when aligned; and   one or more spacer cover plates, disposed adjacent to but not between the first cover plate and the second cover plate.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first platform opening and the second platform opening has a center that is offset from a center of its respective first or second platform. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , where the trench comprises an oil field cellar. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , where the first platform opening has the same shape and size as the second platform opening. 
     
     
         12 . A method of using a work over platform system on a trench, the work over platform system comprising:
 a first platform comprising:
 a first platform first portion having a first platform first cutout; 
 a first platform second portion having a first platform second cutout, where the first platform first portion and first platform second portion are polygonal in shape when each of the first platform first portions and the first platform second portions form respective planar surfaces; 
 a first platform hinge system disposed between the first platform first portion and the first platform second portion, where the first platform first cutout and the first platform second cutout form first platform opening through the first platform when the first platform first portion and the first platform second portion are aligned to form a first platform planar surface; 
 one or more first platform attachment plates attached to at least one of the polygonal sides of each of the first platform first portion and the first platform second portion; and 
 a pair of first platform outriggers each attached to a set of the one or more first platform attachment plates; and 
   a second platform comprising:
 a second platform first portion having a second platform first cutout; 
 a second platform second portion having a second platform second cutout, where the second platform first portion and second platform second portion are polygonal in shape when each of the second platform first portions and the second platform second portions form respective second platform planar surfaces; 
 a second platform hinge system disposed between the second platform first portion and the second platform second portion, where the second platform first cutout and the second platform second cutout form a second platform opening through the second platform when the second platform first portion and the second platform second portion are aligned to form a second platform planar surface; 
 one or more second platform attachment plates attached to at least one of the polygonal sides of each of the second platform first portion and the second platform second portion; and 
 a pair of second platform outriggers each attached to a set of the one or more second platform attachment plates; 
   the method comprising:
 setting up the first platform over the trench; 
 setting up the second platform over the trench and adjacent to the first platform; 
 attaching the pair of first platform outriggers to the set of one or more first platform attachment plates; 
 attaching the pair of second platform outriggers to the set of one or more second platform attachment plates, where the set of one or more second platform attachment plates on the second platform are facing the opposite side the second platform relative to the set of one or more first platform attachment plates; 
 setting up work over equipment using the first platform opening; 
 setting up work over equipment using the second platform opening; 
 positioning a plurality of first platform cover plates over the first platform opening to form a first cover plate opening; and 
 positioning a plurality of second platform cover plates over the second platform opening to form a second cover plate opening. 
   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 performing work over operations through the first cover plate opening and the second cover plate opening simultaneously.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of setting up the first platform comprises:
 moving the first platform to the trench;   moving the first platform hinge system to an open position to form the first platform opening;   locking the first platform hinge system into the open position;   positioning the first platform opening over a first well head in the trench; and wherein the step of setting up the second platform comprises:
 moving the second platform to the trench; 
 moving the second platform hinge system to an open position to form the second platform opening; 
 locking the second platform hinge system into the open position; and 
 positioning the second platform opening over a second well head in the trench. 
   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , the method further comprising:
 unlocking the first platform hinge system;   moving the first platform hinge system into a closed position;   unlocking the second platform hinge system; and   moving the second platform hinge system into a closed position.