CUSTOMIZABLE PLATFORM FRAME ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A customizable platform assembly includes a frame with a deck portion mounted to the frame. The frame has a side rail; cross members; and an elongated support member mounted to the cross members. The side rail is formed with a decking shelf extending from a first surface of the siderail longitudinally along the side rail. The docking shelf is formed with at least one longitudinal channel. The cross members are slidably attached to the at least one longitudinal channel with attachment hardware. The elongated support member is parallel to and spaced from the side rail.

Claims

1. A customizable platform assembly, comprising: a frame (10), the frame (10) including: a side rail (12) formed with a decking shelf (18) extending from a first surface of the siderail (12) longitudinally along the side rail (12), wherein the docking shelf (18) has at least one longitudinal channel (14) formed therein; cross members (20) slidably attached to the at least one longitudinal channel (14) with attachment hardware; and an elongated support member (28) mounted to the cross members (20), wherein the elongated support member (28) is parallel to and spaced from the side rail (12); and a deck portion mounted to the frame (10).

2. The customizable platform assembly of claim 1, wherein the side rail (12) is a first side rail (12) and further comprising a second side rail (12) parallel to and spaced from the first side rail (12).

3. The customizable platform assembly of claim 1, wherein the side rail (12) further comprises a second surface opposite the first surface, and wherein the second surface has at least one longitudinal channel (16) formed therein.

4. The customizable platform assembly of claim 1, wherein the deck portion comprises deck panels (42).

5. The customizable platform assembly of claim 1, further comprising an end cap (44) attached to an end of the side rail (12) and an end of the elongated support member (28).

6. The customizable platform assembly of claim 1, further comprising poles slidably coupled to the side rail (12) with pole brackets (46).

7. The customizable platform assembly of claim 1, wherein the cross members (20) have a hat channel configuration with a central longitudinal channel (22) and a flange (24) formed on each of opposite margins of the central longitudinal channel (22).

8. The customizable platform assembly of claim 7, wherein the flange (24) has at least one bore (26) formed therein, configured to accommodate attachment hardware.

9. The customizable platform assembly of claim 1, wherein the elongated support member (28) is a tube with a square cross-section.

10. The customizable platform assembly of claim 9, wherein the elongated support member (28) has bores (30, 32) formed therein, configured to accommodate attachment hardware.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a customizable platform frame assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0008] FIG. 2 is an end view of a side rail thereof;

[0009] FIG. 3 is an end view of a hat channel of the assembly of FIG. 1;

[0010] FIG. 4 is an end view of a central tube of the assembly of FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the assembly of FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view thereof;

[0013] FIG. 7 is a detailed sectional view, taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 8 is another detailed sectional view, taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 1; and

[0015] FIG. 9 is a perspective view thereof, shown in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0017] Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a lightweight customizable frame that can be assembled using commodity hardware. The frame may be used, for example, in platforms, flatbed trailers, or truck beds.

[0018] A frame assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention can be configured to suit the particular needs of a site. As a first matter, commodity hardware can be selected to fit hardware slots in the frame components. In embodiments, commodity hardware can include a bolt and nut configuration, where the nut can be shaped to securely fit in select hardware slots. Commodity hardware can be installed in any number or configuration of holes on a plurality of cross member hat channels. Once hardware is installed on the hat channels, the cross members can be adjustably installed between a plurality of dock frame members anywhere along the length thereof by sliding the installed hardware into hardware slots of each dock frame member. The hat channels can have additional slots to affix a plurality of support members to the hat channels. The frame assembly can then be attached to a base, or to additional frame assemblies, utilizing channels of a backing member with commodity hardware adapted to securely fit in the channels.

[0019] While not limiting the materials of the present invention, the frame members may be manufactured from extruded aluminum, cut to length, and machined to form mounting holes. The members may be any suitable dimensions. For example, a dock side member may have a cross section of about 4.75about 4.26 inches, with selected components having a width of about 1.25 to about 1.5 inches. The dock side member may have a docking shell formed with enclosed channels running longitudinally therethrough. A hat channel crossmember may have a width of about 4.4 inches and a height of about 2 inches, with a flange running longitudinally along the outer edges thereof. The hat channel members may be shaped by extruding, bending, or otherwise forming a first and second mounting flange disposed on either side of a substantially U-shaped channel.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1-9, an exemplary assembled frame 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1, including side rails 12 joined by hat channels 20 positioned orthogonally to the side rails. A central channel 22 is formed in each hat channel 20. Central tubes 28 disposed substantially parallel to the side rails 12 are affixed to the hat channels 20 to provide stability to the frame 10. The central tubes 28 may have upper bolt access holes 30 formed therein to accommodate attachment hardware, such as bolts, washers, and nuts; see FIGS. 5-8. In embodiments, the assembled frame 10 can be assembled in a custom manner, utilizing commodity hardware, to fit the needs of a particular application.

[0021] Turning to FIG. 2, each side rail 12 has formed therein horizontal square nut slots 14 and vertical square nut slots 16 to receive square nut hardware; and decking shelf 18, which enable the hat channels 20 to be slidably moved during installation and configuration. It is understood that the configuration of the hardware slots 14, 16 and channels 22 can be configured to accept any known hardware, without limitation.

[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates the hat channels 20 having channel wings 24 or mounting flanges. The flanges 24 can include a plurality of bolt holes 26 which are configured to receive hardware for installation and configuration of the frame assembly 10. See FIG. 5.

[0023] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the square central tubes 28.

[0024] FIGS. 5-6 illustrate assembly of the central tubes 28 to the hat channels 20 with hex head bolts 34, washers 38, and nuts 40. As FIG. 6 shows, the central tubes 28 may have lower bolt holes 32 formed therein at a 90 angle to, and flanking, the upper bolt access holes 30.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 7, the side rails 12 may be coupled to the hat channels 20 by way of hex head bolts 34 seated within the horizontal square nut slots 14 formed in the decking shelf 18.

[0026] Orthogonal to the view of FIG. 7, FIG. 8 illustrates a central tube 28 coupled to to a hat channel 20 with socket head bolts 36.

[0027] The assembled frame 10 of FIG. 1 may be fitted with deck panels 42 and end caps 44 to form a platform surface and the platform may be mounted on poles 48 affixed to the frame 10 with pole brackets 46, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0028] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.