Void Platforms

Abstract

A panel is disclosed which is suitable for installation to form a platform or part of a platform in a void of a building structure. The panel is operable to extend between a first support member and a second support member both of which extend across at least a portion of the void. The panel has: a deck component with: a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a pair of opposed, substantially straight sides each extending from the first end to the second end; and a substantially planar surface portion which extends: between the opposed sides at the first end, and from the first end at least part of the way, but not necessarily all the way, to the second end; and one or more first engaging formations at the first end of the deck component and operable to engage with the first support member to support the deck component relative to the first support member, and one or more second engaging formations at the second end of the deck component and operable to engage with the second support member to support the deck component relative to the second support member. At least one out of the first and second engaging formation(s) is/are configured to support the relevant end of the deck component relative to the relevant support member from approximately directly vertically beneath, and/or from approximately within vertical planes containing, each of the straight sides of the deck component.

1 . A panel suitable for installation to form a platform or part of a platform in a void of a building structure, the panel being operable to extend between a first support member and a second support member where both support members extend across at least a portion of the void, the panel comprising:
 a deck component with:
 a first end and a second end opposite the first end; 
 a pair of opposed, substantially straight sides each extending from the first end to the second end; and 
 a substantially planar surface portion which extends:
 between the opposed sides at the first end, and 
 from the first end at least part of the way, but not necessarily all the way, to the second end; and 
 
   one or more first engaging formations at the first end of the deck component operable to engage with the first support member to support the deck component relative to the first support member, and   one or more second engaging formations at the second end of the deck component operable to engage with the second support member to support the deck component relative to the second support member,   wherein at least one out of the first and second engaging formation(s) is/are configured to support the relevant end of the deck component relative to the relevant support member from approximately directly vertically beneath, and/or from approximately within vertical planes containing, each of the straight sides of the deck component.   
     
     
         2 . A panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the deck component further includes a side portion, the side portion extending at least partly along one of the sides of the deck component. 
     
     
         3 . A panel as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein there is a single side portion on each side of the deck component, and on each side of the deck component the side portion extends substantially along the whole side from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         4 . A panel as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the surface portion and the side portions of the deck component are formed as a single, unitary component from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         5 . A panel as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the deck component is roll formed and/or folded from sheet metal. 
     
     
         6 . A panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the surface portion of the deck component has a number of relatively larger holes and also a number of relatively smaller holes formed therein, wherein the larger holes and the smaller holes are interspersed evenly, or in a consistent or repeating arrangement with one another, over at least a portion of the area of the surface portion. 
     
     
         7 . A panel as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein:
 the first engaging formation(s) include a pair of hook members,   each hook member has a mounting portion and a support member engaging portion,   the mounting portion of one of the hook members is mounted to an inside surface of the side portion on one side of the deck component, such that the support member engaging portion of this hook member projects out beyond the first end of the deck component, and   the mounting portion of the other of the hook member is mounted to an inside surface of the side portion on the other side of the deck component, such that the support member engaging portion of that hook member also projects out beyond the first end of the deck component.   and wherein:   the second engaging formation(s) also include a pair of hook members,   each hook member has a mounting portion and a support member engaging portion,   the mounting portion of one of the hook members is mounted to an inside surface of the side portion on one side of the deck component, such that the support member engaging portion of this hook member projects out beyond the second end of the deck component, and   the mounting portion of the other of the hook member is mounted to an inside surface of the side portion on the other side of the deck component, such that the support member engaging portion of that hook member also projects out beyond the second end of the deck component.   
     
     
         8 . A panel as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein:
 at one of the ends of the deck component, the support member engaging portions of the two hook members are horizontally offset (i.e. horizontally inwards or horizontally outwards) relative to the mounting portions, and   at the other end of the deck component, the support member engaging portions of the two hook members are not horizontally offset relative to the mounting portions.   
     
     
         9 . A panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the deck component includes an access opening. 
     
     
         10 . A panel as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the panel also has a hatch door which can be closed to cover the access opening and opened to allow access through the access opening. 
     
     
         11 . A panel as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the hatch door is hingedly connected to (or near) one of the sides of the deck component and pivots about the hinged connection when it is moved from open to closed and closed to open. 
     
     
         12 . A panel as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the deck component includes a ladder top receiving opening. 
     
     
         13 . A panel as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein in the deck component:
 the surface portion extends:
 in a width direction of the panel, between the opposed sides at the first end, and 
 in a length direction of the panel, from the first end towards the second end before reaching an edge of the access opening closest to the first end; 
   the access opening extends:
 in the width direction of the panel, between the opposed sides, and 
 in the length direction of the panel, from the edge of the access opening closest to the first end towards the second end before reaching an edge of the ladder top receiving opening closest to the first end; and 
   the ladder top receiving opening
 in the width direction of the panel, between the opposed side, and 
 in the length direction of the panel, towards the second end from the edge of the ladder top receiving opening closest to the first end and for at least part of the way, but not necessarily all of the way, to the second end. 
   
     
     
         14 . A panel as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein in the deck component:
 the surface portion extends:
 in a width direction of the panel, between the opposed sides at the first end, and 
 in a length direction of the panel, from the first end towards the second end before reaching an edge of the access opening closest to the first end; and 
 in a width direction of the panel, between the opposed sides at the second end, and 
 in a length direction of the panel, from the second end back towards the first end before reaching an edge of the access opening closest to the second end; and 
   the access opening extends:
 in the width direction of the panel, between the opposed sides, and 
 in the length direction of the panel, between the edge of the access opening closest to the first end and the edge of the access opening closest to the second end. 
   
     
     
         15 . A panel as claimed in  claim 14 , further including means for securing a ladder relative to the panel. 
     
     
         16 . A panel as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the means for securing a ladder relative to the panel is operable: to secure the ladder against sideways movement relative to the panel, and/or to secure the ladder against movement relative to the panel in a length direction of the panel, and/or to secure the ladder against sliding vertically/down relative to the panel and out of engagement with the panel. 
     
     
         17 . A panel as claimed in any one of  claim 15 , wherein the means for securing a ladder relative to the panel includes a pair of slots or openings which extend from the access opening into the surface portion, each of the slots being spaced from the other in the panel's width direction by a distance suitable to receive siderails of a ladder, and the means for securing a ladder relative to the panel further includes a securing member, the securing member being operable to be disengaged relative to the surface portion to allow installation of the ladder with the siderails of the ladder being received in the slots, and the securing member also being operable to be engaged relative to the surface portion to secure the siderails of the ladder in the slots. 
     
     
         18 . A panel as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the surface portion of the deck component has a part which extends in between the slots, and when a ladder is secured relative to the panel with the siderails of the ladder secured in the slots, the ladder is prevented from sliding vertically out of engagement with the panel provided at least one rung of the ladder is installed above the surface portion. 
     
     
         19 . A panel suitable for installation to form a platform or part of a platform in a void of a building structure, the panel comprising:
 a deck component with a substantially planar surface portion;   an access opening in the surface portion,   optionally, a cover for covering/closing and uncovering/opening the access opening in the surface portion; and   means for securing a ladder relative to the panel.   
     
     
         20 . A panel as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the means for securing a ladder relative to the panel includes a pair of slots or openings which extend from the access opening into the surface portion, each of the slots being spaced from the other in a sideways (width) direction of the panel by a distance suitable to receive siderails of a ladder and, the means for securing a ladder relative to the panel further includes a securing member, the securing member being operable to be disengaged relative to the surface portion to allow installation of a ladder with the siderails of the ladder being received in the slots, and the securing member also being operable to be engaged relative to the surface portion to secure the siderails of the ladder in the slots.