IP Library Granted Patent US 10,563,365
Granted Patent B2
US 10,563,365 · App. 15/728,223 · Granted Feb 18, 2020

Articulating work platform support system, work platform system, and methods of use thereof

Inventors: Paul Jolicoeur (Troy, NY); Roy Scrafford (Scotia, NY); Clifford Westrick (Albany, NY); Dave Gordon (Schenectady, NY); Tom Silic (Saratoga Springs, NY); Edward Tifft (N. Bennington, VT); Mathieu Grumberg (Delmar, NY)
Assignee: BRANDSAFWAY SERVICES LLC
E01D19/106E04G1/34E04G3/30E04G5/14E04G7/02E04G2003/283Y10T29/49826Y10T29/49947Y10T403/32106
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,563,365
App. No.
15/728,223
Granted
Feb 18, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

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.

Claims (54)

1. A work platform support structure comprising:

a first work platform support level 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 first, second and third elongate structural members is connectable with at least one of the first and second 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 first work platform when the first work platform is positioned with respect to the first and second interconnection structures and the first, second and third elongate members in the extended or final position; and

a second work platform support level comprising

a third interconnection structure connected in fixed relation to a fourth interconnection structure using a fourth elongate structural member;

a fifth elongate structural member connectable to the third interconnection structure, wherein, when connected, the fifth elongate structural member is pivotable relative to the fourth elongate structural member from a first position to an extended or final position;

a sixth elongate structural member connectable to the fourth interconnection structure, wherein, when connected, the sixth elongate structural member is pivotable relative to the fourth elongate structural member from a first position to an extended or final position;

wherein at least one of the fourth, fifth and sixth elongate structural members is connectable with at least one of the third and fourth interconnection structures using a pin; and

wherein the pivoting of at least one of the fifth or sixth elongate structural members is restricted by at least a portion of a second work platform when the second work platform is positioned with respect to the third and fourth interconnection structures and the fourth, fifth and sixth elongate members in the extended or final position,

wherein the second work platform support level is positioned under the first work platform support level.

2. The work platform support structure of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second interconnection structures and at least one of the third and fourth interconnection structures includes: an element, an additional element and a section situated therebetween connecting the element and the additional element, the element having a centralized element opening disposed generally at or about a center of the element, and a slot extending from the centralized element opening to a distal end, the slot configured to receive and retain a suspension connector therein, at or near the distal end of the slot.

3. The work platform support structure of claim 2 , further comprising a first suspension connector retained by the at least one of the first and second interconnection structures and a second suspension connector retained by the at least one of the third and fourth interconnection structures.

4. The work platform support structure of claim 2 , wherein the at least one of the first and second interconnection structures and the at least one of the third and fourth interconnection structures are vertically aligned.

5. The work platform support structure of claim 4 , further comprising a suspension connector retained by both the at least one of the first and second interconnection structures and the at least one of the third and fourth interconnection structures.

6. The work platform support structure of claim 1 , wherein the first work platform support level further comprises a first additional interconnection structure, a second additional interconnection structure, and a first additional elongate structural member, wherein the first additional interconnection structure and second additional interconnection structure are connectable to the second elongate structural member and third elongate structural member, respectively, and the first additional elongate structural member is connectable to the first and second additional interconnection structures, and wherein the second work platform support level further comprises a third additional interconnection structure, a fourth additional interconnection structure, and a second additional elongate structural member, wherein the third and fourth additional interconnection structures are connectable to the fifth and sixth elongate structural member, respectively, and the second additional elongate structural member is connectable to the third and fourth additional interconnection structures.

7. The work platform support structure of claim 1 , wherein the first work platform support level is parallel with the second work platform support level.

8. A work platform support structure comprising:

a first work platform support level comprising

a first interconnection structure connectable in fixed relation to a second interconnection structure using a first elongate structural member;

a third interconnection structure connectable to a fourth interconnection structure using a second elongate structural member, the third and the fourth interconnection structures further connectable to the first and the second interconnection structures using third and fourth elongate structural members;

wherein, when connected, the second, the third and the fourth elongate structural members, and the third and the fourth interconnection structures articulate with respect to the first and second interconnection structures and the first elongate structural member to an extended or final position;

wherein at least one of the first, second, third and fourth elongate structural members is connectable with at least one of the respective first, second, third and fourth interconnection structures using a pin to provide free rotation of the at least one elongate member with respect to the respective at least one of the first, second, third and fourth interconnection structures about the pin;

wherein the free rotation is restricted by at least one of: i) a first additional pin that is to be located proximate a perimeter of the respective at least one of the first, second, third and fourth interconnection structures; and ii) at least a portion of a first work platform when the platform is positioned with respect to the first, second, third and fourth interconnection structures and the first, second, third and fourth elongate members in the extended or final position; and

a second work platform support level comprising

a fifth interconnection structure connectable in fixed relation to a sixth interconnection structure using a fifth elongate structural member;

a seventh interconnection structure connectable to an eighth interconnection structure using a sixth elongate structural member, the seventh and the eighth interconnection structures further connectable to the fifth and the sixth interconnection structures using seventh and eighth elongate structural members;

wherein, when connected, the sixth, the seventh and the eighth elongate structural members, and the seventh and the eighth interconnection structures articulate with respect to the fifth and sixth interconnection structures and the fifth elongate structural member to an extended or final position;

wherein at least one of the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth elongate structural members is connectable with at least one of the respective fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth interconnection structures using a pin to provide free rotation of the at least one elongate member with respect to the respective at least one of the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth interconnection structures about the pin;

wherein the free rotation is restricted by at least one of: i) a second additional pin that is to be located proximate a perimeter of the respective at least one of the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth interconnection structures; and ii) at least a portion of a second work platform when the platform is positioned with respect to the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth interconnection structures and the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth elongate members in the extended or final position, and

wherein the second work platform support level is positioned under the first work platform support level.

9. The work platform support structure of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first, second, third and fourth interconnection structures and at least one of the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth interconnection structures includes: an element, an additional element and a section situated therebetween connecting the element and the additional element, the element having a centralized element opening disposed generally at or about a center of the element, and a slot extending from the centralized element opening to a distal end, the slot configured to receive and retain a suspension connector therein, at or near the distal end of the slot.

10. The work platform support structure of claim 9 , further comprising a first suspension connector retained by the at least one of the first, second, third and fourth interconnection structures and a second suspension connector retained by the at least one of the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth interconnection structures.

11. The work platform support structure of claim 9 , wherein the at least one of the first, second, third and fourth interconnection structures and the at least one of the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth interconnection structures are vertically aligned.

12. The work platform support structure of claim 11 , further comprising a suspension connector retained by both the at least one of the first, second, third and fourth interconnection structures and the at least one of the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth interconnection structures.

13. The work platform support structure of claim 8 , wherein the first work platform support level is parallel with the second work platform support level.

14. A method of installing a work platform support structure comprising a first work platform support level and a second work platform support level, the method comprising:

providing the first work platform support level; and

providing a second work platform support level above the first work platform support level, wherein the providing a second work platform support level comprises

providing a first interconnection structure, second interconnection structure and first elongate structural member, wherein the first elongate structural member is connected to and in operable association with the first and second interconnection structures,

providing a second elongate structural member and a 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 elongate structural member 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 elongate structural member from a first position to an extended position.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the providing a second work platform support level further comprises providing a third interconnection structure and a fourth interconnection structure, connecting the third interconnection structure to the second elongate structural member, and connecting the fourth interconnection structure to the third elongate structural member.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the steps of providing the third interconnection structure and connecting the third interconnection structure to the second elongate structural member are before the step of articulating the second elongate structural member; and wherein the steps of providing the fourth interconnection structure and connecting the fourth interconnection structure to the third elongate structural member are before the step of articulating the third elongate structural member.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of providing a second work platform support level further comprises providing a fourth elongate structural member and connecting the fourth elongate structural member to the third and fourth interconnection structures.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the steps of providing the third interconnection structure and fourth interconnection structure, connecting the third interconnection structure to the second elongate structural member, connecting the fourth interconnection structure to the third elongate structural member, providing the fourth elongate structural member and connecting the fourth elongate structural member to the third and fourth interconnection structures are before the steps of articulating the second elongate structural member and articulating the third elongate structural member.

19. The method of claim 18 , further including the step of articulating the fourth elongate structural member, third interconnection structure and fourth interconnection structure with respect to the first elongate structural member.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the steps of articulating the second elongate structural member and articulating the third elongate structural member occur simultaneously with the step of articulating the fourth elongate structural member, third interconnection structure and fourth interconnection structure.

Assignments (7)
NOTICE AND CONFIRMATION OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (SUPPLEMENTAL) Recorded Aug 8, 2023
From: BRAND SHARED SERVICES LLC; BRANDSAFWAY SERVICES LLC; MATCOR, INC.; SAFEWORKS, LLC
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA
Reel/Frame 064529/0752 →
SECURED NOTES NOTICE AND CONFIRMATION OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Aug 8, 2023
From: SAFEWORKS, LLC; BRAND SHARED SERVICES LLC; BRANDSAFWAY SERVICES LLC; FORMING CONCEPTS, INC.; MATCOR, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 064530/0135 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 15, 2019
From: SAFWAY SERVICES, LLC
To: BRANDSAFWAY SERVICES LLC
Reel/Frame 049864/0660 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 29, 2019
From: THYSSENKRUPP SAFWAY, INC.
To: SAFWAY SERVICES, LLC
Reel/Frame 049019/0249 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 29, 2019
From: SAFWAY SERVICES, INC.
To: THYSSENKRUPP SAFWAY, INC.
Reel/Frame 049019/0147 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 29, 2019
From: JOLICOEUR, PAUL; SCRAFFORD, ROY; WESTRICK, CLIFFORD; GORDON, DAVE; SILIC, TOM; TIFFT, EDWARD; GRUMBERG, MATHIEU
To: BEECHE SYSTEMS CORP.
Reel/Frame 049018/0474 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 29, 2019
From: BEECHE SYSTEMS CORP.
To: SAFWAY SERVICES, INC.
Reel/Frame 049018/0596 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 14598994 · Jan 16, 2015
Division 13106958 · May 13, 2011
Continuation 12853921 · Aug 10, 2010
Division 10814945 · Mar 31, 2004
Related Publication 20180030679A1 · Feb 1, 2018