Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02456619 2004-02-02
BRACKET
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention is related to a bracket for supporting a platform, and
in particular, a bracket for supporting a platform whicl-i is adapted to be
mounted
on a stud.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Typically, during the framing stage of construction of residences
and other buildings, stud walls are created which form the framework for
exterior
walls of the buildings. In the course of framing the building, soffits - i.e.,
substantially horizontal undersides of eaves - are built. The soffits extend
outwardly from the stud wall, along the top of the stud wall.
[0003] In order to construct the soffits during framing, workers typically are
positioned on step ladders which are based on the floor of the topmost level
of
the building, e.g., a second or third floor level. The workers positioned on
the
step ladders must reach beyond the stud wall in order to construct the
soffits.
However, there is a risk that a worker who is reaching, or extending himself,
beyond the stud wall might lose his balance and consequently fall off the
ladder,
possibly resulting in injury.
[0004] There is therefore a need for an alternative means for supporting a
worker engaged in constructing soffits.
1
CA 02456619 2004-02-02
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In its broad aspect, the invention provides a bracket for supporting
a platform. The bracket is adapted for mounting on a stud, and the bracket has
a
body having an upper surface for receiving the platform and a mounting portion
rigidly attached to a side part of the body extending substantially
orthogonally
from the upper surface. The mounting portion is adapted for rigid connection
to
the stud. Also, the body and the mounting portion form a cantilever support
for
the platform when the bracket is mounted on the stud.
[0006] In another of its aspects, the upper surface of the body is provided
by a flange positioned along a top side of the body, the flange being adapted
to
receive the platform.
[0007] In yet another of its aspects, the bracket additionally includes a
receptacle attached to the body, for receiving and retaining a railing support
element.
[0008] The invention additionally provides, in another aspect, a number of
brackets for supporting a platform. The brackets are adapted for mounting on a
stud wall. The brackets, once mounted on the stud wall, support the platform
at
a predetermined position relative to the stud wall.
[0009] In yet another aspect, each of the brackets additionally includes a
receptacle attached to the body, for receiving and iretaining a railing
support
element forming part of a railing assembly. The result is that the railing
assembly
is supported by the brackets in position beside the platform.
[0010] In yet another of its aspects, the invention provides a platform
assembly for attachment to a stud wall in a preselected position. The platform
assembly includes a platform including one or more substantially planar
platform
elements, and a number of brackets for supporting the platform. The brackets
2
CA 02456619 2004-02-02
are adapted for mounting on a stud wall. The brackets support the platform at
a
predetermined position relative to the stud wall.
[0011] In another aspect, the platform assembly additionally includes a
railing assembly for providing a railing at a predetermined height above the
platform. Each bracket also additionally includes a receptacle attached to the
body, for receiving and retaining a railing support element forming part of
the
railing assembly. The railing assembly is supported by the brackets in
position
beside the platform.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The invention will be better understood with reference to the
drawings, in which:
(0013] Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a preferrecl embadiment of a plurality
of brackets in the preferred embodiment, mounted on a stud wall;
[0014] Fig. 2 is an elevation view of a stud wall with the brackets of Fig. 1
secured in position on the stud wall;
[0015] Fig. 3 is a side view of the stud wall and a bracket of Fig. 2;
[0016] Fig. 4 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the bracket
of the invention;
[0017] Fig. 5 is a side view of the bracket of Fig. 4; and
[0018] Fig. 6 is another isometric view of the bracket of Fig. 4.
3
CA 02456619 2004-02-02
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EN9BODIMENT(S)
[0019] Reference is first made to Figs. 1 - 6 to describe a preferred
embodiment of a bracket indicated generally by the numeral 20 in accordance
with the invention. The bracket 20 is for supporting a platform 22, and is
also
adapted for mounting on a stud 24. Preferably, the bracket 20 has a body 26
with an upper surface 28 for receiving the platform 22, and a mounting portion
30
rigidly attached to a side part 32 which extends substantially orthogonally
from
the upper surface 28. In the preferred embodiment, the mounting portion 30 is
adapted for rigid attachment to the stud 24, as will be described. When the
bracket 20 is mounted on the stud 24, the body 26 and the mounting portion 30
form a cantilever to support the platform 22.
[0020] Fig. 1 shows a portion of a typical plaaform 22. Preferably, the
platform 22 consists of at least two wooden planks 37, 38, but the platform 22
can be made of any suitable materials.
[0021] As can be seen in Figs. 1 - 6, the upper surface 28 is preferably
provided by a flange 34. 1n the preferred embodiment, the flange 34 has a
plurality of holes 36 in it, so that the platform 22 can easily be secured to
the
bracket 20. Nails (not shown) or any suitable fasteners, inserted through the
holes 36 (Fig. 4) into the platform 22, are used to secure the platform 22 to
the
bracket 20.
[0022] Preferably, the bracket 20 includes a receptacle 40 attached to the
body 26, for receiving a railing support element 42. As can be seen in Figs. 1
-
3, a railing assembly 44 is preferably positioned beside and above the
platform
22, and the railing assembly 44 includes a plurality of railing support
elements
42. The railing assembly 44 preferably also includes one or more railings 46
which are supported by the railing support elements 42. As can be seen in
Figs.
1 and 6, the receptacle 40 preferably includes holes 48 through which pins
(not
4
CA 02456619 2004-02-02
shown) or any suitable fasteners can be inserted, to hold the railing support
elements 42 in position in the receptacles 40.
[0023] As shown in Figs. 1 and 3 - 6, the mounting portion 30 preferably
consists of two plates 50, 52 extending from a connecting piece 53 attached to
the side part 32 of the body 26, substantially parallel to each other.
Preferably,
the plates 50, 52 are spaced apart so that the stud 24 can be received
therebetween, in a relatively close fit. The plates 50, 52 preferably include
a
plurality of holes 54 through which nails or screws (not shown) or any
suitable
fasteners can be inserted, to secure the mounting portion 30 rigidly to the
stud
24. Preferably, two-headed nails (not shown) are used, to facilitate
relatively
easy and quick removal of the nails.
[0024] As can be seen in Figs. 2 and 4 - 6, in the preferred embodiment,
the plate 50 is formed as an integral part of a unitary main segment 56 of the
body 26, to provide strength.
[0025] A platform assembly 60 for attachment to a stud wall 62 (Figs. 1, 2)
in a preselected position includes a plurality of brackets 20 mounted on the
stud
wall 62 and the platform 22. In the preferred embodiment, the platform
assembly
60 additionally includes the railing assembly 44, as shown in Figs. 1 - 3.
[0026] In use, a number of brackets 20 are mounted on the stud wall 62 at
substantially the same height, by driving nails, screws, or any suitable
fasteners
through the holes 54 in the mounting portion plates 50, 52. Once the brackets
20
are secured, the platform elements 37, 38 are positioned on the upper surfaces
28 of the body 26 of each bracket 20. Preferably, the platform elements 37, 38
are secured to the upper surfaces 28. Subsequently, the railing assembly 44 is
installed on the brackets 20.
[0027] As can be seen in Figs. 1 - 3, the brackets 20 are secured to the
studs 24 so that the platform 22 (and, in particular, thE: planks 37, 38) is
located
CA 02456619 2004-02-02
in a predetermined position below a soffit 66 which is positioned generally
along
the top of the stud wall 62. The predetermined position is at a distance below
the
soffit 66 which enables the workers to reach the sofft 66 when standing on the
planks 37, 38, i.e., without using ladders. Upon the mounting portion 30 being
secured to the stud 24, the body 26 and the mounting portion 30 form a
cantilever to support the platform 22.
[0028] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention
can take many forms, and that such forms are within the scope of the invention
as claimed. For example, the bracket 20 could bE: formed with a side part
extending above the upper surface when the bracket 20 is mounted on the stud
24. Alternatively, the bracket 20 could have two side parts, i.e., one
extending
above the upper surface, and one extending below the upper surface. In
addition, other means (such as clamps, for gripping ridges on the mounting
portions) could be used to secure the mounting portion to the stud. Therefore,
the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the
description of the preferred versions contained herein.
6
