U.S. patent application number 13/010853 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-18 for modular platform.
This patent application is currently assigned to G.E. LEBLANC INC.. Invention is credited to Yvon Dufour, Sebastien Gagne, Steeve Lapointe.
Application Number | 20110198153 13/010853 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44368864 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110198153 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dufour; Yvon ; et
al. |
August 18, 2011 |
MODULAR PLATFORM
Abstract
Disclosed is a modular platform comprising a horizontal frame
that is made of four angle irons and is devised and sized to
receive and support a grid on which one or more persons can stand.
Four supporting legs, each made of an angle iron, are respectively
connected to the four corners of the frame, and extend below the
same in order to maintain it at a distance from the ground.
Reinforcing pieces are positioned below the frame and connected to
the supporting legs for reinforcing the platform. The platform also
comprises at least two thin holding bars extending horizontally
between two opposite sides of the frame, in order to support the
grid on the frame while preventing it from staying directly on the
angle irons forming the frame. Each supporting leg has a lower end
provided with a supporting foot that is adjustable in height, and
has a lower end of a round shape to reduce the contact surface with
the ground. The platform structure makes the platform very easy to
clean.
Inventors: |
Dufour; Yvon; (St-Anselme,
CA) ; Lapointe; Steeve; (Levis, CA) ; Gagne;
Sebastien; (Scott, CA) |
Assignee: |
G.E. LEBLANC INC.
St-Anselme
CA
|
Family ID: |
44368864 |
Appl. No.: |
13/010853 |
Filed: |
January 21, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
182/113 ;
182/222 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04G 1/28 20130101; E04G
27/00 20130101; E04G 5/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
182/113 ;
182/222 |
International
Class: |
E04G 1/15 20060101
E04G001/15; E04G 5/14 20060101 E04G005/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 17, 2010 |
CA |
2693345 |
Claims
1. A modular platform, comprising: a horizontal frame made of four
angle irons, said frame having four corners and being devised and
sized to receive and support a grid on which one or more persons
can stand; a set of four supporting legs, each made of an angle
iron, said supporting legs being respectively connected to the four
corners of the frame, and extending below the same in order to
maintain it at a distance from the ground, the angle irons forming
the supporting legs and those of the frame being fixed to one
another in a rigid manner; and reinforcing pieces positioned below
the frame and connected to the supporting legs for reinforcing the
platform; characterized in that said platform also comprises: at
least two thin holding bars extending horizontally between two
opposite sides of the frame, said holding bars acting as a support
for the grid onto the frame while preventing said grid from staying
directly on the angle irons forming said frame; and each of said
supporting legs has a lower end provided with a supporting foot
adjustable in height, each of said supporting foot having a lower
end of a round shape to reduce the contact surface with the
ground.
2. The modular platform according to claim 1, comprising four
reinforcing pieces positioned in pairs on two lateral faces of the
platform, the pieces of each pair having an extremity fixed to the
frame and another extremity fixed to one of the supporting legs, in
order to extend at an angle in opposite positions from each other
and thus to facilitate access under the frame and grid.
3. The modular platform according to claim 1, which comprises:
three holding bars, two of said holding bars being positioned close
to two opposite sides of the frame, the third holding bar being
positioned parallel between the two first holding bars in the
center of the frame; and the supporting foot at the lower end of
each supporting leg is adjustable in height by screwing inside a
hole provided in a horizontal recess made at the bottom of the
angle iron forming said supporting leg.
4. The modular platform according to claim 1, further comprising: a
modular guardrail fixed directly to the supporting legs of the
platform, said guardrail comprising vertical legs and horizontal
retaining bars all made of angle irons, the angle irons forming the
retaining bars each having a modified angulation in order to
facilitate a flow toward the ground of any liquid that would be
projected onto it.
5. The modular platform according to claim 1, wherein the platform
is connected to at least one other platform of similar structure,
in order to form a unit having a length adapted for a specific
use.
6. A support for one or several persons working on one side of a
meat-cutting table comprising the modular platform according to
claim 1.
7. The modular platform according to claim 2, which comprises:
three number of holding bars, two of said holding bars being
positioned close to two opposite sides of the frame, the third
holding bar being positioned parallel between the two first holding
bars in the center of the frame; and the supporting foot at the
lower end of each supporting leg is adjustable in height by
screwing inside a hole provided in a horizontal recess made at the
bottom of the angle iron forming said supporting leg.
8. The modular platform according to claim 2, comprising: a modular
guardrail fixed directly to the supporting legs of the platform,
said guardrail comprising vertical legs and horizontal retaining
bars all made of angle irons, the angle irons forming the retaining
bars each having a modified angulation in order to facilitate a
flow toward the ground of any liquid that would be projected onto
it.
9. The modular platform according to claim 8, comprising: a modular
guardrail fixed directly to the supporting legs of the platform,
said guardrail comprising vertical legs and horizontal retaining
bars all made of angle irons, the angle irons forming the retaining
bars each having a modified angulation in order to facilitate a
flow toward the ground of any liquid that would be projected onto
it.
10. The modular platform according to claim 9, wherein the platform
is connected to at least one other platform of similar structure,
in order to form a unit having a length adapted for a specific
use.
11. A support for one or several persons working on one side of a
meat-cutting table comprising the modular platform according to
claim 10.
Description
INTRODUCTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a modular platform that is
intended to be used for allowing one or several persons to work at
a given height and is also devised so as to make the cleaning of
its structure easier to carry out, when such is necessary.
TECHNICAL BACKGROUND
[0002] Modular platforms allowing persons to work at a given height
close to a table or to a conveyor, are well known. These known
modular platforms usually have, as a basic structure, a horizontal
frame provided with corners, which frame is devised and sized to
support a grid onto which one or several persons may stay. The
frame stays on supporting legs that are respectively connected to
the corners of the frame and extend below the same in order to
maintain it at a distance away from the ground. Usually,
reinforcing pieces are positioned under the frame and connected to
the supporting legs in order to reinforce the whole structure. Of
course, for security reasons, a modular guardrail can be fixed onto
the supporting legs of the platform. Such a guardrail can extend on
several sides of the platform and leave a place for a stair or any
other means to have access to the grid.
[0003] It is also known that the supporting legs and the other
elements used to manufacture the guardrail of this type of modular
platform, are usually made of iron angles connected to each other
in a rigid manner. Iron angles are interesting in that they allow
to receive, support and retain the grid on the horizontal
frame.
[0004] If the existing modular platforms are well known to be
efficient, they however present a problem of maintenance, in
particular when they are used in places such as industrial meat
processing houses where the platforms are positioned close to the
cutting table provided with conveyors on which pieces of meat are
moved. In such a case, the platforms are usually devised to receive
persons who work on the pieces of meat while the same are moving
onto the cutting table.
[0005] The problem in this particular industrial application, is
that it is necessary, for obvious hygienic reasons, to clean in a
very efficient manner the whole equipment, including not only the
cutting table but also the modular platforms positioned close to
the same. To do so, it is necessary to reduce as much as possible,
the contact between the elements, and to allow an easy access to
all the sides and angles of each platform in order to clean it,
generally with a water jet. It is also necessary to make sure that
the water does not remain in the iron angles and that the platform
dries quickly after cleaning. The same hygienic problem also exists
at the level of contact between the supporting legs of the
horizontal frame and the ground.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a modular
platform which, thanks to its structure, fully responds to the
above-mentioned need, namely to make it easier to clean.
[0007] The modular platform according to the invention basically
comprises: [0008] a horizontal frame made of four angle irons, said
frame having four corners and being devised and sized to receive
and support a grid on which one or more persons can stand; [0009] a
set of four supporting legs, each made of an angle iron, said
supporting legs being respectively connected to the four corners of
the frame, and extending below the same in order to maintain it at
a distance from the ground, the angle irons forming the supporting
legs and those of the frame being fixed to one another in a rigid
manner; and [0010] reinforcing pieces positioned below the frame
and connected to the supporting legs for reinforcing the
platform.
[0011] According to the invention, this platform is characterized
in that it also comprises: [0012] at least two thin holding bars
extending horizontally between two opposite sides of the frame,
said holding bars acting as a support for the grid onto the frame
while preventing said grid from staying directly on the angle irons
forming said frame; and [0013] each of said supporting legs has a
lower end provided with a supporting foot adjustable in height,
each of said supporting foot having a lower end of a round shape to
reduce the contact surface with the ground.
[0014] Thanks to the fact that the grid on which one or more
persons may stand, is positioned onto thin holding bars instead of
standing on the surface of the iron angles forming the frame, the
modular platform is much easier to clean whenever such is
necessary.
[0015] The fact also that each supporting leg is provided with a
supporting foot, adjustable in height and having a lower end of a
round shape, is also particularly advantageous not only to
facilitate installation, but also maintenance of the modular
platform and its neighbourhood, since the surface of contact of the
lower ends of the supporting legs onto the ground is reduced.
[0016] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the
invention: [0017] the number of holding bars is equal to three, two
of said holding bars being positioned close to two opposite sides
of the frame, the third one being positioned parallel between the
two first holding bars in the center of the frame; and [0018] the
supporting foot at the lower end of each supporting leg is
adjustable in height by screwing inside a hole provided in a
horizontal recess made at the bottom of the angle iron forming said
supporting leg.
[0019] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention,
the reinforcing pieces are equal to four, and are and are
positioned in pairs on two lateral faces of the platform, the
pieces of each pair having an extremity fixed to the frame and
another extremity fixed to one of the supporting legs, in order to
extend at an angle in opposite positions from each other and thus
to facilitate access under the frame and grid.
[0020] The fact that the reinforcing pieces extend at an angle,
once again permits to facilitate cleaning of the modular platform,
since water that is sprayed, will easily flow to the ground.
[0021] Of course, the modular platform according to the invention
may also comprise a modular guardrail fixed directly to the
supporting legs of the platform, in order to retain persons
standing on the platform.
[0022] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
guardrail comprises vertical legs and horizontal retaining bars all
made of angle irons, the angle irons that form the retaining bars,
each having a modified angulation in order to facilitate a flow
toward the ground of any liquid that would be projected onto
it.
[0023] Once again, the fact that the angle irons forming the
retaining bars are folded with a special angulation adapted to
them, facilitates the flow toward the ground of water or any other
cleaning liquid projected onto it, and thus facilitates maintenance
of the modular platform.
[0024] As it may be understood, the modular platform according to
the invention, has the great advantage of making its maintenance
extremely simple to carry out by means of a water spray without
having to lift or remove the grid or any other element.
[0025] Of course, the modular platform as disclosed hereinabove,
can also be connected to one or more other platforms of similar
structure, in order to form a unit having a length adapted to a
specific use.
[0026] The invention and its numerous advantages will be better
understood upon reading the following non-limitative description of
a preferred embodiment thereof, made with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular platform according
to a preferred embodiment of the invention, provided with a stair
giving access to its grid.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a view similar to the one of FIG. 1, showing the
modular platform when the grid positioned onto its frame, is
removed.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the modular platform
shown in FIG. 2.
[0030] FIG. 4 is an opposite side elevational view of the modular
platform shown in FIG. 2.
[0031] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modular platform similar
to the one shown in FIG. 1, but comprising also a modular guardrail
fixed onto its structure.
[0032] FIG. 6 is a front elevational view showing the modular
platform shown in FIG. 5.
[0033] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the way that several
modular platforms similar to those illustrated in the previous
Figures, may be combined to form a longer unit for utility
purposes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] As previously indicated, FIGS. 1 to 6 of the accompanying
drawings, illustrate a modular platform 1 according to a preferred
embodiment of the invention.
[0035] This platform 1 comprises a horizontal frame 3 made of four
angle irons 5 and having four corners. This frame 3 is devised and
positioned to receive and support a grid 7 on which can stand one
or more persons.
[0036] The platform 1 also comprises a set of four supporting legs
9 each made of an angle iron. The legs 9 are respectively connected
to the four corners of the frame and extend below the same, in
order to maintain it at a given distance from the ground. Of
course, the angle irons forming the legs 9 and those of the frame 3
are connected to each other in a rigid manner.
[0037] The platform 1 further comprises reinforcing pieces 11
located under the frame and connected to the legs 9 to reinforce
the platform.
[0038] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention shown
in the accompanying drawings, the reinforcing pieces 11 are equal
to four and are positioned in pairs on two lateral sides of the
platform. The pieces 11 of each pair have an extremity fixed to the
frame 3 and another fixed directly to a leg 9, so as to extend at
an angle in opposite directions with respect to each other and thus
to give access under the frame and the grid in order to facilitate
their cleaning, inasmuch as the water sprayed onto these pieces,
automatically flows to the ground.
[0039] Of course, other reinforcing pieces 11 may also be used if
need be, onto one or both of the other lateral sides of the
platform 1.
[0040] According to an important feature of the invention, the
platform 1 disclosed hereinabove, also comprises at least two, and
preferably three, thin holding bars 13 that extend horizontally
between two opposite sides of the frame, two being located close to
two opposite sides of the frame, the third one being positioned in
parallel between the first and second holding bars, in between the
same. These bars 13 act as a support for the grid 7 directly onto
the frame 3 while preventing the same from staying on the surface
of the iron angles 5 forming the same. The fact that the supporting
grid 7 on which one or several persons may be standing, rests on
the holding bars 13 instead of being directly on the surface of the
angle irons 5 forming the frame, makes the maintenance and cleaning
of the modular platform easier, whenever such is required.
[0041] According to another important feature of the present
invention, each supporting leg 9 has a lower end provided with a
supporting foot 15 adjustable in height. Each foot 15 has a lower
end 17 with a rounded shape, in order to reduce the contact surface
with the ground.
[0042] The adjustment of each foot 15 in height can be made by
merely screwing it into a hole 19 provided with a horizontal fold
made to the lower end of the angle iron forming the corresponding
leg 9. Any other kind of system for adjusting the height could
however also be used.
[0043] The fact that each leg 9 is provided with a supporting foot
15 adjustable in height and whose extremity is of a rounded shape,
has the advantage of facilitating not only the installation, but
also the maintenance of the modular platform 1 and its
neighbourhood inasmuch as the contact surfaces of the lower ends of
the legs with the ground, are reduced.
[0044] As shown in the accompanying Figures of the drawings, the
modular platform 1 according to the invention, can advantageously
comprise a stair 21 and/or a modular guardrail 23 fixed to the
frame 3 or to the supporting legs 9 of the platform, so as to allow
one or more persons to climb onto the grid and stay on it.
[0045] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the guardrail 23 comprises
vertical legs 27 and horizontal retaining bars 29 all made of angle
irons. Advantageously, the angle irons forming the retaining bars
29 are each of a modified angulation as shown by number 31 in the
drawings, in order to facilitate the flow toward the ground of any
liquid that would be projected onto it. The fact that the angle
irons forming the retaining bars 29 are folded thanks to this
particular angulation, facilitates once again the flow toward the
ground of any water or liquid projected onto it, and thus
facilitates maintenance.
[0046] As may be noticed, the modular platform 1 according to the
invention has the great advantage of having its maintenance
facilitated by washing in a very simple manner without having to
lift or remove the grid or any other element.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 7, the modular platform 1 disclosed
hereinabove, can be connected to one or more similar other
platforms 1' and 1'', in order to form a unit having a length
adapted to a specific use.
[0048] As previously mentioned, the modular platform 1 according to
the invention, is particularly well adapted for the use as a
support for one or several persons working close to one side of a
meat-cutting table. This is due to the fact that its structure is
very stable and of easy maintenance.
[0049] Of course, modifications could be made to the preferred
embodiment that has been disclosed hereinabove with reference to
the accompanying drawings, without departing from the scope of the
present invention as claimed hereinafter.
* * * * *