A LAPBOARD FOR A SAFETY DECK

Abstract

A lapboard for a safety deck assembly, the safety deck assembly comprising a upper deck formed of one or more decking panels having a substantially planar upper surface and an elevated support assembly comprising a number of elongate legs, a base for each elongate leg to form a foot, a head for each elongate leg to at least partially support a decking panel relative to an upper end of the leg, the lapboard comprising a substantially planar upper surface and at least one receiving opening formed in an underside of the lapboard to receive a portion of the head to locate the upper surface of the lapboard substantially coplanar with the upper surface of the decking panels, the lapboard being smaller in width than the decking panels.

Claims

1. A lapboard for a safety deck assembly, the safety deck assembly comprising a upper deck formed of one or more decking panels having a substantially planar upper surface and an elevated support assembly comprising a number of elongate legs, a base for each elongate leg to form a foot, a head for each elongate leg to at least partially support a decking panel relative to an upper end of the leg, the lapboard comprising a substantially planar upper surface and at least one receiving opening formed in an underside of the lapboard to receive a portion of the head to locate the upper surface of the lapboard substantially coplanar with the upper surface of the decking panels, the lapboard being smaller in width than the one or more decking panels.

2. (canceled)

3. A lapboard as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lapboard has a width of approximately 800 mm to 900 mm.

4. A lapboard as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of strengthening ribs provided on an underside of the lapboard.

5. A lapboard as claimed in claim 4 wherein the strengthening ribs are provided in a regular array.

6. A lapboard as claimed in claim 4 wherein the strengthening ribs extend substantially perpendicularly to an underside of the substantially planar upper surface.

7. A lapboard as claimed in claim 4 wherein the strengthening ribs form a number of open cells on the underside of the lapboard.

8. A lapboard as claimed in claim 1 wherein a receiving opening is provided at each corner of the lapboard.

9. A lapboard as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one receiving opening is defined by one or more strengthening ribs provided on an underside of the lapboard.

10. A lapboard as claimed in claim 1 wherein a set of four receiving openings is provided at each corner region of the underside of the lapboard with one of the four receiving openings located at a corner.

11-14. (canceled)

15. A lapboard as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lapboard is formed in a single piece.

16. A safety deck assembly comprising a upper deck formed of one or more decking panels having a substantially planar upper surface and an elevated support assembly comprising a number of elongate legs, a base for each elongate leg to form a foot, a head for each elongate leg to at least partially support a decking panel relative to an upper end of the leg, and at least one lapboard as claimed in claim 1.

17. A safety deck assembly as claimed in claim 16 comprising a number of decking panels to form a substantially planar deck spaced from a floor using the elongate legs.

18. A safety deck assembly as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the base and the head have the same configuration used inverted relative to one another mounted relative to opposite ends of each of the elongate legs to form a foot at a lower end and a head at an upper end for locating the decking panels/lapboard.

19. A safety deck assembly as claimed in claim 18 wherein the base and the head each include a main opening defined by a receiving collar to receive a portion of a respective elongate leg.

20. A safety deck assembly as claimed in claim 19 wherein the main opening is provided with a base wall to support a respective end of the elongate leg.

21. A safety deck assembly as claimed in claim 20 wherein a number of bearing formations are provided on the head spaced about the receiving collar so that the bearing formations support at least one decking panel/lapboard relative to the head.

22. A safety deck assembly as claimed in claim 21 wherein each bearing portion has a support surface to abut a portion of a decking panel/lapboard.

23. A safety deck assembly as claimed in claim 22 wherein the support surfaces are planar and spaced from the receiving collar.

24. A safety deck assembly as claimed in claim 21 wherein at least one of the bearing formations of each head is received, at least partially, in an opening in the underside of a decking board/lapboard to locate the decking board/lapboard relative to the head.

25. A safety deck assembly as claimed in claim 24 wherein the bearing formation is received within the opening in the underside of a decking board/lapboard to minimise lateral movement of the decking board/lapboard relative to the head.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0041] FIG. 1 is an axonometric view from above of a lapboard for a safety deck according to an embodiment.

[0042] FIG. 2 is an axonometric view from below of the lapboard illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a side view of the lapboard illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a top view of the lapboard illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the lapboard illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0046] FIG. 6 is an axonometric view of a safety deck assembly with which a lapboard may be used.

[0047] FIG. 6A is an axonometric detail view of a base as illustrated in the portion of FIG. 6 identified using reference letter A.

[0048] FIG. 6B is an axonometric detail view of a base as illustrated in the portion of FIG. 6 identified using reference letter B.

[0049] FIG. 6C is an axonometric detail view of a base as illustrated in the portion of FIG. 6 identified using reference letter C.

[0050] FIG. 7A is an isometric view from an upper side of a lapboard according to an alternative embodiment.

[0051] FIG. 7B is an isometric view from a lower side of the lapboard illustrated in FIG. 7A.

[0052] FIG. 8 is an isometric view from a first angle of a lapboard mounted relative to a deck panel in an embodiment.

[0053] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the configuration illustrated in FIG. 8 but with the head supporting the lapboard inboard of the edge of the lapboard.

[0054] FIG. 10 is a view from below of the configuration illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0055] With reference to the accompanying figures, a lapboard 10 for a safety deck assembly 11 is provided.

[0056] An example of a safety deck assembly 11 is shown in FIGS. 6 to 6C. The safety deck assembly 11 illustrated comprises an upper deck formed of a single decking panel 12 in that instance, the decking panel 12 having a substantially planar upper surface. The decking panel 12 is supported above a surface by an elevated support assembly 13 comprising a number of elongate legs 14, a base 15 for each elongate leg 14 to form a foot, a head 16 for each elongate leg 14 to at least partially support the decking panel 12 relative to an upper end of the elongate leg 14.

[0057] The safety deck assembly 11 will normally include a number of decking panels 12 to form a substantially planar deck. The planar deck will typically be formed above a floor of the structure (not shown). The planar deck will typically be formed within the confines of the structure, namely inside a number of walls of the structure. The walls may have doorways or door openings integrated thereinto.

[0058] The safety deck of the assembly will typically be spaced from the floor of the structure using the elongate legs 14. A base/head 15, 16 will generally be mounted relative to opposite ends of each of the elongate legs 14 to form a foot at a lower end and a head at an upper end for locating the decking panels.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 6C, the base/head 15, 16 may be the same component and simply used in an inverted orientation relative to the elongate leg 14 when provided as the base/head 15, 16.

[0060] The base/head 15, 16 may be provided with one or more attachment configuration to attach one or more diagonal bracing members 17 relative to any one or more of the elongate legs 14. Typically, diagonal bracing members 17 will be provided in the same configuration as the elongate legs 14 (and be interchangeable with the elongate legs 14 as this will minimise the number of parts that need to be provided to form the safety deck assembly 11) and provided at an angle relative to one or more of the elongate legs 14. A number of horizontal members 22 may be provided to brace the elongate legs 14.

[0061] In the illustrated embodiment, the elongate leg 14 is removably attached to the base/head 15, 16. A pin 18 may be used to attach the elongate leg 14 to the base/head 15, 16. A pin 18 may be used to attach the base/head 15, 16 to a diagonal bracing member 17. Typically, the pin 18 will be inserted transversely through aligned openings provided in the elongate leg 14, base/head 15, 16 and/or diagonal bracing member 17.

[0062] The base/head 15, 16 illustrated has a receiving collar 19 defining a main opening to receive a portion of the elongate leg 14. The main opening is normally provided with a base wall to abut/support an end of the elongate leg 14. The main opening may be any shape, but typically, the receiving collar 19 and base wall will typically define a main opening which corresponds in shape to the external shape of the elongate leg 14. The elongate leg 14 shown is substantially rectangular in cross sectional shape and therefore, the main opening is substantially rectangular in shape as well.

[0063] Typically, the elongate leg 14 will be received in the main opening in a friction fit. As best seen in FIG. 6C, a transversely extending pin 18 may be provided to attach the elongate leg 14 relative to the base/head 15, 16, the transverse pin 18 extending through aligned openings in the leg 14 and the receiving collar 19 which align when the elongate leg 14 is located in the receiving collar 19.

[0064] A number of bearing formations 20 may be provided on the base/head 15, 16. The bearing portions 15, 16 may be spaced about the external side(s) of the receiving collar 19. The bearing formations 20 will typically abut the ground or other support surface when the base/head 15, 16 is used as a foot for an elongate leg 14. When the base/head 15, 16 is used as a head, the bearing formations 20 will typically support at least one decking panel 12/lapboard 10 relative to the head 16. The bearing portions 20 will typically extend past the plane of the base wall of the receiving collar 19.

[0065] Each bearing portion 20 is preferably shaped. Each bearing portion 20 may have a support surface 21. In use, the support surfaces 21 will typically be placed on the ground or other surface when the base/head 15, 16 is used as a base and the support surfaces 21 will typically abut a portion of a decking panel 12/lapboard 10 when the base/head 15, 16 is used as a head 16.

[0066] The support surfaces 21 of the bearing portions 20 are typically planar. The support surfaces 21 are typically substantially parallel to the preferred base wall of the base/head 15, 16. The support surfaces 21 are typically substantially perpendicular to the axis of the main opening. The support surfaces 21 are typically spaced from the preferred base wall of the base/head. Generally, the bearing portions 20 extend on opposite side of the preferred base wall to the receiving collar 19 and may be mounted relative thereto. The bearing portions 20 will normally be located outside the receiving collar 19 in order to spread the load outside the footprint of the elongate leg 14, when located in the base/head 15, 16.

[0067] At least one of the bearing formations 20 of each head 16 will typically be received, at least partially, in an opening in the underside of a decking board 12/lapboard 10. This will typically locate the decking board 12/lapboard 10 relative to the head 16, minimising and typically preventing any lateral movement of the decking board 12/lapboard 10 relative to the head whilst supporting the decking board 12/lapboard 10 through the support surfaces 21 abutting an underside of the upper surface of the decking board 12/lapboard 10.

[0068] The lapboard 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 comprises a substantially planar upper surface 23 and at least one receiving opening 24 formed in an underside of the lapboard 10 to receive a portion of the head 16 to locate the upper surface 23 of the lapboard 10 substantially coplanar with the upper surface of the decking panels 12, the lapboard 10 being smaller in width than the decking panels 12.

[0069] Although the lapboard 10 may be any shape, it will typically be generally rectangular in external shape as shown. The lapboard 10 will normally have an upper surface 23. The upper surface 23 is typically one upon which a workman will stand. The upper surface 23 is normally planar. One or more grip members or formations 25 may be provided on the upper surface 23 of the lapboard 10. Generally, grip formations are spread over the upper surface of the lapboard.

[0070] The dimensions of the lapboard 10 are typically related to the dimensions of the decking panel 12 with which the lapboard 10 is used. Normally, a preferred decking panel 12 is substantially square, having a length and a width of approximately 1 m. The lapboard 10 is typically standard length to match the length of the decking panel 12, normally 1 m.

[0071] The thickness of the lapboard 10 is preferably the same as the thickness of the decking panel 12. Although the thickness may vary, a thickness of approximately 30 to mm is preferred, as this thickness has been found to provide sufficient rigidity and strength to support even a reasonably heavy workman thereon but still be light enough (depending on material(s) used) to be easily transported and assembled. In an embodiment, the lapboard 10 may be approximate 40 mm in thickness. It is not strictly necessary that the lapboard 10 and the decking panels 12 be the same thickness but it is preferred that the upper surface 23 of the lapboard 10 and the upper surface of the decking panels 12 are coplanar when in use.

[0072] The width of the lapboard 10 is typically smaller than the width of the decking panel 12. This will allow the lapboard 10 to be installed between an edge of a peripheral decking board 12 in the safety deck assembly 11 and an obstruction, typically a fixed wall of the structure for example, to bridge the gap. Lapboards 10 may be provided in a number of different widths in order to span different sized gaps.

[0073] The lapboard 10 may have any width. A width of approximately 800 mm to 900 mm is preferred as the width of a standard internal door is typically approximately 850 mm. The width of the lapboard 10 may be important as the width will typically effectively locate the elongate legs 14 of the support assembly 13 of the safety deck assembly 11 relative to which the lapboard 10 is mounted (as the heads of the support assembly 13 of the safety deck assembly 11 will normally engage the at least one receiving opening 24 provide in an underside of the lapboard 10). Providing a lapboard 10 of approximately 800 mm to 900 mm in width allows the elongate legs 14 of the support assembly 13 of the safety deck assembly 11 to be positioned on either side of a standard width door frame or opening, without obstructing access through the door by positioning an elongate leg 14 within the width of the door frame or opening.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 5 in particular, at least one receiving opening 24 is typically formed in an underside of the lapboard 10 to receive a portion of the head 16, to locate the upper surface 23 of the lapboard 10 substantially coplanar with the upper surface of the decking panels 12. The underside of the lapboard 10 is preferably open. Typically, a plurality of strengthening ribs 30 are provided on an underside of the lapboard 10. The strengthening ribs 30 are typically provided in a regular array. The strengthening ribs 30 typically extend substantially perpendicularly to an underside of the substantially planar upper surface 23. In one form, a rectangular array of strengthening ribs 30 is provided.

[0075] The provision of the strengthening ribs 30 will typically form a number of open cells 29 on the underside of the lapboard 10. The cells 29 will typically be open at a lower side and closed at an upper side by the underside of the substantially planar upper surface 23 of the lapboard 10.

[0076] Each corner region of the underside of the lapboard 10 typically has at least one receiving opening 24. Normally, a receiving opening 24 is provided at each corner of the lapboard 10. More than one receiving opening 24 may be provided. Where more than one receiving opening 24 is provided, the receiving openings 24 are typically spaced apart to correspond to the spacings of the bearing portions 20 on the head 16.

[0077] The configuration of the at least one receiving opening 24 is typically dependent upon the configuration of the head 16, and particularly on the configuration of the bearing portions 20 provided on the head 16. Typically, the at least one receiving opening 24 is defined by one or more strengthening ribs 30. The at least one receiving opening 24 will typically receive a bearing portion, at least partially therein. The shape and configuration of the at least one receiving opening 24 will typically correspond to the bearing portion 20 such that lateral movement of the bearing portion 20 within the receiving opening 24 is minimised.

[0078] In one form as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, a set of four receiving openings 24 may be provided at each corner region of the underside of the lapboard 10. The set of four receiving openings 24 is typically provided in a rectangular layout with one of the four receiving openings 24 located at the corner. This enables a head with four bearing portions 20 to support a corner of four decking panels 12, two decking panels 12 and two lapboards 10 or a corner of a single decking panel 12.

[0079] The at least one receiving opening 24 may be provided or associated with an opening through the upper surface of the lapboard 10. If provided, the opening through the upper surface of the lapboard 10 is smaller than a portion of the bearing portion 20 such that the bearing portion 20 does not extend through the opening above the level of the substantially planar upper surface 23 of the lapboard 10.

[0080] As illustrated in FIGS. 7B and 8, at least one securing opening 31 may be provided in one or more of the peripheral walls of the lapboard 10. Typically, any securing openings 31 are provided adjacent to a corner of the lapboard 10. The at least one securing opening can be used to receive a pin 18 thereinto to secure the lapboard relative to a head 16.

[0081] The lower edges of the respective strengthening ribs 30 are typically all coplanar.

[0082] The lower edges of the strengthening ribs 30 of at least some of the cells provided on the underside of the lapboard 10 will typically abut the base wall of the head 16 on an opposite side to the elongate leg 14, when the lapboard 10 is installed on the head. As mentioned above, depending upon the location of the lapboard 10 relative to each head 16, a head 16 may have one bearing portion 20 received in one receiving opening 24 on the underside of the lapboard 10, two bearing portions 20 received in two respective receiving openings 24 on the underside of the lapboard 10 or four bearing portions 20 received in four respective receiving openings 24 on the underside of the lapboard 10.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 5, a central portion of the underside of the lapboard 10 may include an annular strengthening wall 26. One or more radiating strengthening ribs 27 may be provided, radiating from the annular strengthening wall 26. A rectangular surround strengthening wall formed from four strengthening ribs 30 may be provided about the one or more radiating strengthening ribs 27. A regular array of rectangular cells formed by a number of strengthening ribs 30 may be provided outside the rectangular surround strengthening wall.

[0084] At least one opening 28 may be provided through the substantially planar upper surface 23 of the lapboard 10. The at least one opening may be provided through a cell. The provision of an opening through a cell will generally allow any water that falls onto the upper surface of the lapboard 10 to drain through the lapboard 10.

[0085] The lapboard 10 is typically formed in a single piece. The lapboard 10 is preferably formed from a high strength material such as plastic or light metal. The lapboard 10 is typically rigid and strong. The lapboard 10 may be formed in a single piece using a moulding process.

[0086] The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B is similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 but without openings through the upper surface of the lapboard 10 which coincide with the at least one receiving opening 24. The underside of the lapboard illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B is the same as that illustrated in FIG. 2 but without the openings through the upper surface of the lapboard 10 which coincide with the at least one receiving opening 24.

[0087] FIGS. 8 to 10 show the use of the lapboard 10 in situations where the gap between the edge of the deck formed from main decking boards 12 and another structure such as a wall for example, is smaller than the width of the lapboard 10. In this situation, the lapboard 10 may still be lapped or have one edge supported by the main decking boards 12. The lapboard may lap with an edge on each side thereof supported on an adjacent deck portion to cover a doorway opening where there are two decks at the same height either side of the door.

[0088] The outer edge of the lapboard 10 may be supported at an outer edge by a head 16 (stacked on another head 16 as shown to locate the upper head 16 at the correct height) as illustrated in FIG. 9, or inboard of the edge of the lapboard 10 by a head 16 (stacked on another head 16 as shown to locate the upper head 16 at the correct height).

[0089] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 6C, the base/head 15, 16 may be the same component and simply used in an inverted orientation relative to the elongate leg 14 when provided as the base/head 15, 16. If the height of the lapboard 10 needs to one adjusted, a head 16 may be stacked on another head 16, at the upper end of the elongate leg 14 or at the base.

[0090] The bearing formations 20 support at least one decking panel 12/lapboard 10 relative to the head 16, with at least one bearing formation 20 of the head being received in at least one receiving opening 24 on an underside of the lapboard 10 in the corner region.

[0091] The one or more embodiments are described above by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.