Mounted platform assembly

Abstract

The present invention describes a platform assembly having a centre clamp ( 2 ) formed from at least two clamp segments ( 25 ), a platform ( 1 ) formed from multiple platform segments ( 15 ) fixed together and a plurality of brackets ( 6 ) mounted into the centre clamp ( 2 ) at one end and supporting the platform ( 1 ) at the other end. The centre clamp ( 2 ) is formed from at least two clamp segments ( 25 ), which are joined together around a post or trunk ( 70 ) and once joined together, the hole in the centre of the clamp ( 2 ) has clearance around the post or trunk ( 70 ), so that the clamp ( 2 ) can be used on multiple diameters. The clamp ( 2 ) includes adjustment means ( 5 , U, L) that can be operated to adjust the pitch and roll of the platform ( 1, 50 ) to achieve its horizontal position before the clamp ( 2 ) is secured to the trunk or post ( 70 ) to fix this position.

1 . A platform assembly for securing to a substantially vertical tree trunk or a post, having a center clamp formed from at least two segments, which are joined together around the tree trunk or post, a platform, and a plurality of brackets mounted on the center clamp at one end and supporting the platform at the other end. 
     
     
         2 . The platform assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the center clamp includes an adjustment means adapted to orientate and maintain a horizontal alignment of the platform. 
     
     
         3 . The platform assembly of  claim 2 , wherein each of the brackets supports the platform from one of a radial edge and an underside. 
     
     
         4 . The platform assembly of  claim 3 , wherein each of the brackets is joined to the center clamp by one of a clip and a push fit feature at one end. 
     
     
         5 . The platform assembly of  claim 4 , wherein one clamp segment accommodates one of a single bolt and a single fixing, and an opposite clamp segment accommodates one of multiple bolts and multiple fixings. 
     
     
         6 . The platform assembly of  claim 5 , wherein each of the clamp segments have a series of five bolt holes, one bolt hole centered in a middle of the clamp segment, two bolt holes equispaced above a centerline of the clamp segment, and two bolt holes equispaced below the centerline of the clamp segment. 
     
     
         7 . The platform assembly of  claim 6 , wherein in each pair of clamp segments, one member of an opposing pair has a bolt located in the center bolt hole and the other member of the pair has four bolts, two upper bolts located in the bolt holes above the centerline of the clamp segment and two lower bolts located in the bolt holes below the centerline of the clamp segment. 
     
     
         8 . The platform assembly of  claim 5 , wherein an adjustment is facilitated by two upper bolts lying on opposite clamp segments along an axis  1  and two lower bolts lying on the opposite clamp segments along an axis  2  perpendicular to axis  1 . 
     
     
         9 . The platform assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the brackets are curved radially outwards from the center clamp to the platform. 
     
     
         10 . The platform assembly of  claim 9  for a track, wherein one of the platform and brackets have one or more location features to maintain a position and a central location of the track. 
     
     
         11 . The platform assembly of  claim 10 , wherein one or more tunnel accessories clipped onto one of a radial outside edge of the platform and a feature around the outer edge of the platform with one of a snap and a push fit. 
     
     
         12 . The platform assembly of  claim 11 , wherein a dual tunnel accessory comprises two radially adjacent tunnels. 
     
     
         13 . The platform assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising one or more internal platform extension plates, located on one or more support arms. 
     
     
         14 . The platform assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising an extension platform that is larger in a diameter than the platform and sits on a top edge of the platform.