Articulating work platform support system, work platform system, and methods of use thereof
View Patent ↗The invention includes a work platform and support system that includes a hub and joist configuration, wherein the hubs and joists are capable of articulation, or pivoting. One method of installation allows for sections of new work platform system to be extended from an existing suspended work platform system. The system is also capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least four times the maximum intended load applied to it.
1. A work platform support structure comprising:
a first interconnection structure connected in fixed relation to a second interconnection structure using a first elongate structural member;
a second elongate structural member connectable to the first interconnection structure, wherein, when connected, the second elongate structural member is pivotable relative to the first elongate structural member from a first position to an extended or final position;
a third elongate structural member connectable to the second interconnection structure, wherein, when connected, the third elongate structural member is pivotable relative to the first elongate structural member from a first position to an extended or final position;
wherein at least one of the elongate structural members is connectable with at least one of the interconnection structures using a pin; and
wherein the pivoting of at least one of the second or third elongate structural members is restricted by at least a portion of a work platform when the work platform is positioned with respect to the interconnection structures and the elongate members in the extended or final position.
2. The work platform support structure of claim 1 , wherein the pivoting is further restricted by an additional pin that is to be located proximate a perimeter of the corresponding interconnection structure.
3. The work platform support structure of claim 1 , further comprising a third interconnection structure connectable to at least one of the second elongate structural member and the third elongate structural member.
4. The work platform support structure of claim 3 , wherein the third interconnection structure is connectable to both the second elongate structural member and the third elongate structural member.
5. The work platform support structure of claim 1 , further comprising a third interconnection structure connectable to the second elongate structural member.
6. The work platform support structure of claim 5 , further comprising a fourth interconnection structure connectable to the third elongate structural member.
7. The work platform support structure of claim 6 , wherein, when connected, the third interconnection structure pivots relative to at least a portion of the second elongate structural member.
8. The work platform support structure of claim 7 , wherein, when connected, the fourth interconnection structure pivots relative to at least a portion of the third elongate structural member.
9. The work platform support structure of claim 8 , further comprising a fourth elongate structural member connectable to at least one of the third interconnection structure and fourth interconnection structure.
10. The work platform support structure of claim 9 , wherein the fourth elongate structural member is connectable to both of the third interconnection structure and fourth interconnection structure.
11. The work platform support structure of claim 1 , wherein the second and third elongate structural members are substantially perpendicular to the first elongate structural member when in the extended or final position.
12. The work platform support structure of claim 11 , wherein the second and third elongate structural members are substantially parallel with the first elongate structural member when in the first position.
13. A work platform support structure comprising:
a first interconnection structure connected in fixed relation to a second interconnection structure using a first elongate structural member;
a second elongate structural member connectable to the first interconnection structure, wherein, when connected, the second elongate structural member is pivotable relative to the first elongate structural member from a first position to an extended or final position;
a third elongate structural member connectable to the second interconnection structure, wherein, when connected, the third elongate structural member is pivotable relative to the first elongate structural member from a first position to an extended or final position;
wherein at least one of the elongate structural members is connectable with at least one of the interconnection structures using a pin;
wherein the second and third elongate structural members are substantially perpendicular to the first elongate structural member when in the extended or final position; and
wherein the pivoting of at least one of the second or third elongate structural members is restricted by at least one of: i) an additional pin that is to be located proximate a perimeter of the corresponding interconnection structure; and ii) at least a portion of a work platform when the work platform is positioned with respect to the interconnection structures and the elongate members in the extended or final position.
14. A method of installing an additional work platform system module with respect to a first work platform system module, the method comprising:
providing the work platform support structure of claim 1 , wherein the providing includes:
providing a first work platform system module comprising a first work platform support system module having the first interconnection structure, the second interconnection structure, the first elongate structural member connected to and in operable association with the first and second interconnection structures, and a first work platform supported by the support system module;
providing the second elongate structural member and the third elongate structural member;
connecting the second elongate structural member to the first interconnection structure;
articulating the second elongate structural member with respect to the first work platform support system module from a first position to an extended position;
connecting the third elongate structural member to the second interconnection structure; and
articulating the third elongate structural member with respect to the first work platform support system module from a first position to an extended position.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the articulating of at least one of the second elongate structural member and the third elongate structural member is completed in a cantilevered manner.
16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising providing a first additional interconnection structure.
17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising connecting the first additional interconnection structure to the second elongate structural member.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the connecting the first additional interconnection structure to the second elongate structural member occurs before the articulating of the second elongate structural member.
19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the connecting the first additional interconnection structure to the second elongate structural member occurs after the articulating of the first additional elongate structural member.
20. The method of claim 17 , further comprising providing a second additional interconnection structure.
21. The method of claim 20 , further comprising connecting the second additional interconnection structure to the third elongate structural member.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the connecting the second additional interconnection structure to the third elongate structural member occurs before the articulating of the second additional elongate structural member.
23. The method of claim 21 , wherein the connecting the second additional interconnection structure to the third elongate structural member occurs after the articulating of the second additional elongate structural member.
24. The method of claim 21 , further comprising providing a fourth elongate structural member.
25. The method of claim 24 , further comprising connecting the fourth elongate structural member to the first and second additional interconnection structures.
26. The method of claim 14 , further comprising providing an additional pair of interconnection structures.
27. The method of claim 26 , further comprising connecting the additional pair of interconnection structures to the second and third elongate structural members.
28. The method of claim 27 , wherein the articulating the second elongate structural member and the articulating the third elongate structural member includes articulating the additional pair of interconnection structures.
29. The method of claim 27 , wherein the connecting the additional pair of interconnection structures to the second and third elongate structural members includes using a pin such that at least one of the additional pair of interconnection structures is freely rotatable about the pin.
30. The method of claim 14 , wherein at least one of the connecting the second elongate structural member to the first interconnection structure and the connecting the third elongate structural member to the second interconnection structure include using the pin such that the second or third elongate structural member is freely rotatable relative to the first elongate structural member.
31. The method of claim 14 , wherein at least one of the articulating the second elongate structural member and the articulating the third elongate structural member includes translating at least one of the second or third elongate structural members.
32. The method of claim 14 , wherein the connecting the second elongate structural member to the first interconnection structure and connecting the third elongate structural member to the second interconnection structure occur before the articulating the second elongate structural member with respect to the first work platform support system module from a first position to an extended position and the articulating the third elongate structural member with respect to the first work platform support system module from a first position to an extended position.
33. The method of claim 32 , wherein the second and third elongate structural members are substantially perpendicular to the first elongate structural member in the extended position.
34. The method of claim 33 , wherein the second and third elongate structural members are substantially parallel with the first elongate structural member in the first position.
35. The method of claim 34 , wherein the articulating the second elongate structural member with respect to the first work platform support system module from a first position to an extended position occurs before the connecting the third elongate structural member to the second interconnection structure.
36. The method of claim 14 , further comprising securing at least one of the second elongate structural member or third elongate structural member in the extended position by the at least a portion of a work platform when the work platform is positioned with respect to the elongate structural members in the extended position.