GB2495144A - Platform assembly made from beams and connecting members - Google Patents

Abstract

The platform assembly comprises a number of load bearing members 71, 70, 74, a number of corner connecting assemblies 7 adapted to connect two load bearing members together at the corner of the platform, a number of flooring sections, number of fixing means adapted to fix the corner assemblies to a pad or pile. The corner assemblies also include a rotatable washer 8 incorporating a slot or elongate aperture, to allow adjustment of the fixing means within the corner assembly. The corner assemblies may be constructed from two parts which connect together to form a unit and may also incorporate outwardly extending flanges which are secured to the load bearing members. The platform assembly may also have intermediate assemblies 6 which are used to connect two load bearing beams together between the corners of the platform. Also claimed are a corner assembly and an intermediate assembly each incorporating a cylinder and a number of flanges for attaching to load bearing members.

Description

PLATFORM ASSEMBLY

Field of the Invention

The present invention related to composite platform assemblies and in particular, but in no way limited, to lightweight modular platform assemblies for use in the rail system, such as LOC staging, extended walkways and depot access platforms.

Background to the Invention

Conventional industrial platforms, especially those for use associated with the railways, are typically formed from steel I-beams or H-beams which are welded or bolted together to form a rigid platform framework. This framework is either built on or manoeuvred onto foundation pads or more commonly foundation piles, which provide a stable support foundation for the platform.

Once the platform framework has been completed, a floor is added and secured in place. The floor is typically formed from sheets of metal grating or metal chequer plate/floor plate flooring, cut to size and secured to the platform framework. These sheets are typically cut to the required size and shape on site, once the platform framework itself has been completed.

Hand rails are then constructed as required, around the perimeter of the platform.

As with the floor, the handrails are generally constructed on site, with fixing locations for handrail posts being drilled as and where required. Staircases, kicking strips, cable management ducting and lighting are then added where required.

It will be understood that this form of construction requires heavy lifting equipment to be brought to site and positioned in a convenient location. This is not always easy if the work is to be carried out in a remote trackside location, especially when the terrain is awkward, such as when the ground is steeply banked towards or away from the track. It also requires a skilled construction crew, since many items need to be cut to size and assembled on site. All of this adds considerably to the time, and the cost, of installing such a platform.

In addition, because these platforms are used in a wide number of applications, such as LOC staging, elevated walkways and depot access platforms, a wide variety of shapes and sizes of platforms have been created over time, such that the components are non-standard.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least mitigate some or all of the above problems.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a platform assembly suitable for mounting on foundation pads or piles, said platform assembly comprising:- (i) a plurality of load bearing members; (U) a plurality of corner assemblies adapted to connect two load bearing members together at a corner of the platform; (Ui) a plurality of flooring sections; and (iv) a plurality of fixing means adapted to fix the respective corner assemblies to a pad or a pile; wherein the corner assemblies include a washer incorporating an elongate hole or slot, adapted to provide adjustment for positioning the fixing means within a corner assembly. The use of a corner assembly and a washer incorporating an elongate hole or slot provides a strong, adjustable means of securing two load bearing members to a pad or a pile. This arrangement creates a single platform assembly module.

For the avoidance of any doubt, the term plurality' in this specification means one or more. For example, it may be that a single flooring section could be used to cover the whole of a platform assembly module.

Preferably the corner assembly comprises a first corner bracket and a second corner bracket, the corner brackets in combination forming a corner structural body adapted to accommodate a washer. Forming the corner assembly from two co-operating brackets provides a cost-effective and flexible assembly method.

Preferably the corner assembly further comprises flanges, the flanges being adapted to be secured to respective load bearing members.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the first corner bracket comprises a plurality of upstanding side walls and a base, two of the side walls terminating in outwardly directing flanges, and the second corner bracket comprises a plurality of side walls, two of the side walls terminating in outwardly directing flanges, the first and second corner brackets in combination, when assembled in use, providing flanges for connecting two load bearing members substantially at right angles.

Preferably the upstanding side walls of the first and second corner brackets form a corner structural body having a substantially square cross-section. It will however be understood that other cross-sections are possible, for example the upstanding side walls of the first and second corner brackets in combination could form a corner structural body having a substantially circular cross-section. In fact, any suitable polygonal cross-section could be used.

In a further preferred embodiment the assembly further comprises a plurality of intermediate assemblies, said intermediate assemblies being adapted to connect two or more load bearing members at a point intermediate between the corners of the platform assembly. This arrangement is important because it allows a number, in fact any number, of single platform assembly modules to be connected together in end-to-end alignment.

Preferably the intermediate assembly comprises first, second and third intermediate brackets, the intermediate brackets in combination forming an intermediate structural body adapted to accommodate a washer. Whilst the first intermediate bracket is adapted to connect two load bearing members in substantially parallel end-to-end alignment, the second and third intermediate brackets can be the same as, or formed by using, two second corner brackets.

Preferably the intermediate assembly further comprises flanges, the flanges being adapted to be secured to respective load bearing members Preferably the first, second and third intermediate brackets each comprise a plurality of upstanding side walls and a base, two of the side walls on each bracket terminating in outwardly directing flanges, the first, second and third intermediate brackets in combination when assembled in use providing flanges for connecting two load bearing members in a substantially in-line end-to-end configuration and connecting to two other load bearing members in substantially parallel corresponding end-to-end alignment and substantially at right angles to the first two, in-line end to end load bearing members.

Preferably the upstanding side walls of the first, second and third intermediate brackets in combination form an intermediate structural body having a substantially square cross-section. As with the corner brackets, other cross-sections are possible, including wherein the upstanding side walls of the first, second and third intermediate brackets in combination form an intermediate structural body having a substantially circular cross-section.

According to a further preferred embodiment the corner assembly comprises a cylinder, one end of the cylinder being adapted to accommodate a washer, a plurality of flanges extending outwardly from the outside of the cylinder, the flanges being adapted to be secured to respective load bearing members. This is a simplified arrangement which retains all of the advantages of the earlier embodiments.

Preferably the cross-section of the cylinder is substantially square. Since most platforms are square or rectangular, a square profile for the corner assemblies makes attachment of the flanges easier.

Preferably the platform assembly further comprises a plurality of intermediate assemblies, the intermediate assemblies being adapted to connect two or more load bearing members at a point intermediate between the corners of the platform assembly. And preferably the intermediate assemblies comprise a cylinder, one end of the cylinder being adapted to accommodate a washer, a plurality of flanges extending from the outside of the cylinder, the flanges being adapted to be secured to respective load bearing members. This simplified arrangement follows that adopted for the corner assembly.

Preferably the cross-section of the cylinder is substantially square, for reasons set out above.

Preferably the bottom of the corner assembly cylinder and or the bottom of the intermediate assembly cylinder it present is closed off with a base, and preferably the base incorporates a substantially circular aperture to accommodate the washer.

Preferably the platform assembly further comprises one or more items selected from the group comprising:-a plurality of handrail assemblies; one or more stairways; one or more location cabinets; one or more cable management system; a lighting system.

Preferably the platform assembly is supplied to site in flat pack assembly form.

Because the components are mostly made from composite materials, a single platform assembly is light enough to flat pack onto a pallet.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:-Figures 1 and 2 show a perspective view of a platform assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 shows the components of a single location platform in flat pack form; Figures 4, 5 and 6 show plan, side elevation and cross-sectional views respectively, of the platform shown in Figure 1; Figure 7 is a key to the components in Figures 4, 5 and 6; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a first corner bracket; Figure 9 shows a plan view from above of a first corner bracket; Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a first intermediate bracket; Figure 11 shows a plan view from above of a first intermediate bracket; Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a second corner bracket; Figure 13 shows a plan view from above of a second corner bracket; Figure 14 and 15 show perspective and side elevational views respectively of a washer; Figure 16 shows a perspective view of an assembled intermediate assembly; Figure 17 shows a plan view from above of an assembled intermediate assembly; Figure 18 shows a plan view from below of an assembled intermediate assembly; Figure 19 shows a perspective view of an assembled corner assembly; Figure 20 shows a plan view from below of an assembled corner assembly; Figure 21 shows a plan view from above of an assembled corner assembly; Figure 22 shows an extended walkway and platform according to the present invention; Figure 23 illustrates a signal platform constructed from platform assembly components; Figure 24 illustrates a portion of the signal platform of Figure 23 with the signal post folded down; Figure 25 illustrates a detail at the bottom of the signal post in an upright configuration; Figures 26 and 27 illustrate alternative forms of construction for a coiner bracket assembly and for an intermediate bracket assembly respectively.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The present invention will now be described by way of examples only. These are not the only ways that the invention may be put into practice, but they are the best ways currently known to the applicant.

Referring to Figures 1, 4, 5 and 6 these show various views, details and sections of a double location cabinet platform assembly. The platform assembly is built on and supported by piles 44, 45. One pile is located at each corner of the platform assembly, making a total of four corner piles, and one pile is located at the centre of each long side of the platform assembly, where two platform assembly modules are joined together, making a total of two intermediate piles and six piles in total. These piles are installed using any suitable piling technique and the tops of the piles are arranged to form a level surface or plane, which will be the bottom of the platform assembly. It will be understood that other forms of foundations or footings could be used, depending on the location, ground conditions and terrain, as determined by a civil engineer.

Load bearing members 70, 71, 72, 74, 76 and 77 span between adjacent piles around the perimeter of the platform assembly and two load bearing members 73, span between the two intermediate piles. These load bearing members can be formed from a wide variety of materials and structural profiles. C-Beams or U-channels are preferred options. A preferred choice is the UTILO (RTM) range of structural profiles manufactured by EXEL Composites UK, Fairoak Lane, Whitehouse, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 3DU, United Kingdom. These structural profiles are formed using glass reinforcements and ISO polyester resin. These glass reinforced resins have excellent high mechanical strength as well as high chemical and wear resistance, whilst being lightweight, making them ideal for this application. In fact, most of the other components of the platform assembly such as the floor grating, hand rails kick strips, stairways and access gates can all be formed from glass reinforced resins.

The load bearing members must be substantially rigidly and securely fastened together. This is achieved using special corner and intermediate assemblies the components of which are illustrated in Figures 8 to 21 inclusive. A corner assembly is preferably formed from two components, a first corner bracket or corner bucket 7 and a second corner bracket or corner frame connection 1. These corner assemblies have two main functions. The first is to firmly anchor together adjacent load bearing members and the second is to secure the platform assembly to the pile or other foundation under the corner assembly. This is achieved by a combination of flanges and a special washer, which will be described in more detail below.

The first corner bracket 7 is formed from four upstanding side walls 81, 82, 83, 84.

Side walls 81 and 84 are not as wide as side walls 82 and 83. In combination the side walls form approximately three quarters of the perimeter of a square. This is shown more clearly in the plan view in Figure 9. Flanges 85 and 86 are located at the ends of side walls 81 and 84 respectively and these flanges extend outwardly from the body of the first corner bracket substantially at right angles to their respective side wall.

The base of the first corner bracket 7 is formed from a plate 87 welded or otherwise firmly fixed to the bottom end edges of the side walls. A substantially circular hole or aperture 88 is formed substantially in the centre of plate 87. This aperture is designed to accommodate a washer which is described below.

The other portion of the corner assembly, namely second corner bracket 1, is shown in Figures 12 and 13. This bracket completes the square of the corner bracket body by providing two side walls 91, 92 and outwardly extending flanges 95, 96. A plate 97 forms the base of the second corner bracket and the quarter circle missing portion 98 ensures that there is a substantially circular aperture in the base of the corner assembly once assembled.

An assembled corner assembly is shown in Figures 19, 20 and 21. The flanges 86, and 85, 96 are bolted to the load bearing members at that particular corner. The load bearing members can be any suitable profile, such as a U-section, box section, C-section or an I-section. This corner assembly therefore securely and rigidly fixes two load bearing members at right angles to each other.

The corner assembly is fixed to the pile using a washer 8 and some fixing means, which is typically a bolt set into the top of the pile and a nut. A typical washer is shown in Figures 14 and 15. The washer 8 has a larger diameter side 101 and a smaller diameter sideloo and a shoulder 102 formed by those two different diameters. The smaller diameter 100 is adapted to fit into and freely rotate within the circular aperture formed by spaces 88 and 98 in the first and second corner brackets. An elongate aperture or slot 103 in the washer, extending from substantially the centre region of the washer to close to the perimeter of the washer is designed to accommodate a bolt extending upwards from the foundation. By providing an elongate hole in a washer that can rotate within the corner assembly means that some misalignment in the positioning of the bolt can be accommodated.

A somewhat different intermediate assembly 6 is required at the piles or footings along the long sides of the platform assembly, where two single platform assemblies are joined together. However, these intermediate assemblies are constructed using very similar principles to those described above for the corner assemblies. Side walls 111, 112 and 113 form half of a square and flanges 115 and 116 extend outwardly from and substantially at right angles to side walls 111 and 113 respectively. A pair of second corner brackets make up the square-shaped intermediate assembly body in this case, and an assembled intermediate assembly is shown in Figures 16, 17 and 18. A gap is deliberately created between the opposing flanges 95 and 96 between the two second corner brackets in order to accommodate the fixings used to secure the brackets to the two load bearing assemblies that span across the platform. The space between these two flanges can be packed out with a spacer or spacers if required.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that platform assemblies according to the present invention are of modular construction. The example illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive consist of two modules of substantially the same rectangular size, joined long side to long side. Where modules are joined together, the normal corner assemblies are replaced as necessary by intermediate assemblies on the side, external faces. In this way as many modules as required can be joined together in a linear fashion.

A further important feature of the invention relates to the handrails 120 and provision for their quick, safe and sturdy installation. Box sections 19 are secured to the platform assembly wherever there is an external flange associated with a corner or an intermediate assembly. These box sections are therefore secured very firmly to both a corner or intermediate assembly and to a load bearing member. The handrails 120 are also modular in construction and are transported to site fully assembled into modules. These include top hand rails 25 complete with end caps, intermediate rails 24, and kick strips 33. These are shown in Figure 5. These handrails are installed around the platform assembly where required, leaving gaps for access gates 35 and stairways 121 as required.

An important feature and advantage of this invention is that the complete unassembled platform assembly can be delivered to site flat placed. An illustration of one platform assembly module in flat packed form is shown in Figure 3. The four perimeter load bearing members 70 -73 are provided cut to the correct lengths and with the ends pre-drilled to accept the appropriate corner or intermediate assembly.

The drilling points for each type of assembly are substantially the same. Load bearing cross-members 78, 79 (see Figure 4) are included and again are pre-drilled to accept fixing brackets 63. Handrails 120, including handrails with access gates 122 are included, together with the necessary four corner assemblies 7. Moulded GRP floor grating 56 is also included, pre-cut to the exact size and shape.

In summary, everything necessary to construct one platform assembly module can be delivered to site on one pallet. Each individual item of that palletised load can be lifted safely and easily by two men, and no special lifting equipment is required.

Once the piles or footings are in place two men can build a platform assembly in a few hours. Location cabinets or other equipment can then be installed as required.

Cable management systems, lighting and fire box access ways can be created as required to accept cables from troughing systems in the vicinity. These additional items, and any staircases or emergency access ladders 124, which tend to be site specific, can be delivered to site in a separate pack or packs.

In summary the invention uses composite profiles as load bearing members, composite grating decks and a composite handrail system, as opposed to steel.

These are connected together using highly innovative corner assemblies and intermediate assemblies where required. These corner and intermediate members are preferably made from metal, and preferably from high strength steel or stainless steel.

As a result of the modular build installation system, the platform assemblies are self-aligning and provide for immediate multi-bc integration. The use of composites offers the following advantages: light weight non conductive self coloured corrosion resistance warm feel vibration damping.

A single platform assembly or single LOC staging therefore weighs as little as 230kg, excluding staircase access cabinets and any ancillaries. Despite this low weight, these platform assemblies are very strong and durable.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that a very wide variety of different structures can be constructed using the basic components described above. A further example of the flexibility of these components is illustrated in Figures 23 to 25 inclusive. These illustrate a signal platform 200 formed from corner assemblies 207 and intermediate assemblies 206 and 206'. These corner and intermediate assemblies are constructed as described above. Extending between these assemblies are load bearing members 270 to 277 inclusive. Extending away from intermediate assembly 206 and towards the centre of the signal platform are load bearing members 278 and 279. In this example the platform sits on a concrete base 280.

Figure 24 shows an enlargement of the mounting point for the signal post. This mounting comprises two mounting plates 259A and 2598 secured to the load bearing members 278 and 279 through fixing holes, two of which, 261 and 262 are shown in Figure 24. A slot 263 in the bracket, shown in Figure 25, accommodates fixing pins 264, 265 to hold the signal post 281 in a vertical position. The signal post is formed from a square section post and this is sized to slip inside the body of the intermediate assembly 206' in order to form a tight sliding fit. This further adds to the stability of the assembly.

This is only one further example of the versatility of the present invention. A more complex structure, but constructed in the same way from the same subset of basic components, is shown in Figure 22.

In summary, both large and small structures having varying degrees of complexity can be constructed using the corner and intermediate assemblies described herein.

Further mounting brackets or other components can be used in addition and fixed to these structures via the corner/intermediate assemblies or load bearing members as required. This enables components such as lights, signals, gantries and the like to be mounted quickly, easily and cheaply in a trackside or other location.

It will also be appreciated and understood from this description that there are a number of ways in which suitable corner and intermediate assemblies can be constructed. The key features of these assemblies are that they have a cylindrical body, that the bottom of the cylindrical body is partly closed to accommodate some form of rotatable slotted washer, and that there are a plurality of outwardly directed flanges for securing to a load bearing member. Whilst the folded metal bracket arrangement described above is particularly convenient, it is not the only way that this can be achieved.

Figures 25 and 27 show plan views from above of a corner bracket and an intermediate bracket respectively of different construction according to a further embodiment of the invention. In this example corner assembly 307 and intermediate assembly 306 are formed from a length of substantially square sectioned pipe or tube. In the corner assembly shown in Figure 26, the bottom of this length of pipe is partially closed off by a base 318, having a substantially circular aperture sized and shaped to accommodate a slotted washer 319. Welded or otherwise attached to the outside of the pipe section are flanges 314 to 317 inclusive. These extend radically outwardly from the assembly.

In this example the flanges are doubled up for strength, but a single flange at each location would work well too.

Figure 27 shows an intermediate assembly constructed according to similar principles. A pipe section with sides 320 to 323 is partially closed at one end by a base 331 which accommodates a slotted washer 330. Flanges 324 to 329 are firmly attached to the outside of the pipe section. The flanges in these examples could also take the form of L-shaped sections, where one leg of the L is welded, riveted, bolted or otherwise firmly attached to the body of the tube.

Other forms of construction that result in the features described are also envisaged.

Claims (8)

1. <claim-text>Claims: 1. A platform assembly suitable for mounting on pads or piles, said assembly compnsing:- (i) a plurality of load bearing members; (H) a plurality of corner assemblies adapted to connect two load bearing members together at a coiner of the platform; (iH) a plurality of floonng sections; and (iv) a plurality of fixing means adapted to fix the respective corner assemblies to a pad or a pile; wherein the corner assemblies include a washer incorporating an elongate hole or slot, adapted to provide adjustment for positioning the fixing means within a corner assembly.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A platform assembly according to Claim 1 wherein the corner assembly comprises a first corner bracket and a second corner bracket, the corner brackets in combination forming a coiner structural body adapted to accommodate a washer.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A platform assembly according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the corner assembly further comprises flanges, the flanges being adapted to be secured to respective load bearing members.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A platform assembly according to Claim 3 when dependent on Claim 2 wherein the first corner bracket comprises a plurality of upstanding side walls and a base, two of the side walls terminating in outwardly directing flanges, and the second corner bracket comprises a plurality of side walls, two of the side walls terminating in outwardly directing flanges, the first and second corner brackets in combination, when assembled in use, providing flanges for connecting two load bearing members substantially at right angles.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A platform assembly according to Claim 4 wherein the upstanding side walls of the first and second corner brackets form a corner structural body having a substantially square cross-section.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A platform assembly according to Claim 4 wherein the upstanding side walls of the first and second corner brackets in combination form a corner structural body having a substantially circular cross-section.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A platform assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the assembly further comprises a plurality of intermediate assemblies, said intermediate assemblies being adapted to connect two or more load bearing members at a point intermediate between the corners of the platform assembly.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A platform assembly according to Claim 7 wherein the intermediate assembly comprises first, second and third intermediate brackets, the intermediate brackets in combination forming an intermediate structural body adapted to accommodate a washer.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A platform assembly according to Claim 7 or Claim 8 wherein the intermediate assembly further comprises flanges, the flanges being adapted to be secured to respective load bearing members.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A platform assembly according to Claim 9 wherein dependent on Claim 8 wherein the first, second and third intermediate brackets each comprise a plurality of upstanding side walls and a base, the side walls terminating in one or more outwardly directing flanges, the first, second and third intermediate brackets in combination when assembled in use providing flanges for connecting two load bearing members in a substantially in-line end-to-end configuration and two other load bearing members in substantially parallel corresponding end-to-end alignment and substantially at right angles to the first two load bearing members.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A platform assembly according to Claim 10 wherein the upstanding side walls of the first, second and third intermediate brackets in combination form an intermediate structural body having a substantially square cross-section.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A platform assembly according to Claim 10 wherein the upstanding side walls of the first, second and third intermediate brackets in combination form an intermediate structural body having a substantially circular cross-section.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A platform assembly according to Claim 1 wherein the coiner assembly comprises a cylinder, one end of the cylinder being adapted to accommodate a washer, a plurality of flanges extending outwardly from the outside of the cylinder.the flanges being adapted to be secured to respective load beanng members.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. A platform assembly according to Claim 13 wherein the cross-section of the cylinder is substantially square.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. A platform assembly according to Claim 13 wherein the platform assembly further comprises a plurality of intermediate assemblies, the intermediate assemblies being adapted to connect two or more load bearing members at a point intermediate between the corners of the platform assembly.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. A platform assembly according to Claim 15 wherein the intermediate assemblies comprise a cylinder, one end of the cylinder being adapted to accommodate a washer, a plurality of flanges extending from the outside of the cylinder, the flanges being adapted to be secured to respective load bearing members.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. A platform assembly according to Claim 16 wherein the cross-section of the cylinder is substantially square.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. A platform assembly according to any of Claims 13 to 17 inclusive wherein the bottom of the corner assembly cylinder and or the bottom of the intermediate assembly cylinder if present is closed off with a base.</claim-text> <claim-text>19. A platform assembly according to Claim 18 wherein the base incorporates a substantially circular aperture to accommodate the washer.</claim-text> <claim-text>20. A platform assembly according to any preceding claim further comprising a plurality of handrail assemblies.</claim-text> <claim-text>21. A platform assembly according to any preceding claim further comprising one or more stairways.</claim-text> <claim-text>22. A platform assembly according to any preceding claim further comprising one or more location cabinets.</claim-text> <claim-text>23. A platform assembly according to any preceding claim further comprising a cable management system.</claim-text> <claim-text>24. A platform assembly according too any preceding claim further comprising a lighting system.</claim-text> <claim-text>25. A platform assembly according to any preceding claim in flat pack assembly form.</claim-text> <claim-text>26. A platform assembly substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any combination of the accompanying drawings.</claim-text> <claim-text>27. A corner assembly adapted to connect together a plurality of load bearing members, said corner assembly comprising a cylinder, one end of the cylinder being partly closed off and adapted to accommodate a rotatable washer, a plurality of flanges extending outwardly from the outside of the cylinder, the flanges being adapted to be secured to respective load bearing members.</claim-text> <claim-text>28. A corner assembly according to Claim 27 wherein the cross-section of the cylinder is substantially square.</claim-text> <claim-text>29. An intermediate assembly adapted to connect together a plurality of load bearing members, said intermediate assembly comprising a cylinder, one end of the cylinder being partly closed off and adapted to accommodate a rotatable washer, a plurality of flanges extending from the outside of the cylinder, the flanges being adapted to be secured to respective load bearing members.</claim-text> <claim-text>30. An intermediate assembly according to Claim 29 wherein the cross-section of the cylinder is substantially square.Amendments to the claims have been made as follows: Claims: 1. A platform assembly suitable for mounting on pads or piles, said assembly comprising:- (i) a plurality of load bearing members; (ii) a plurality of corner assemblies adapted to connect two load bearing members together at a corner of the platform; (iii) a plurality of flooring sections; and (iv) a plurality of fixing means adapted to fix the respective corner assemblies to a pad or a pile; wherein each said corner assembly comprises a cylinder, one end of the cylinder being partly closed off with a base adapted to accommodate a rotatable washer, a plurality of flanges extending outwardly from the outside of the cylinder, the flanges being adapted to be secured to respective load bearing members, said washer incorporating an elongate hole or slot, adapted to provide adjustment for positioning (\IJ the fixing means within a corner assembly. r(\J
2. 2. A platform assembly according to Claim 1 wherein a corner assembly comprises a first corner bracket and a second corner bracket, the corner brackets in N-20 combination forming a cylinder or corner structural body including a base adapted to accommodate the washer.
3. 3. A platform assembly according to Claim 2 wherein the first corner bracket comprises a plurality of upstanding side walls and a base, two of the side walls terminating in outwardly directing flanges, and the second corner bracket comprises a plurality of side walls, two of the side walls terminating in outwardly directing flanges, the first and second corner brackets in combination, when assembled in use, providing flanges for connecting two load bearing members substantially at right angles.
4. 4. A platform assembly according to Claim 3 wherein the upstanding side walls of the first and second corner brackets form a corner structural body having a substantially square cross-section.
5. 5. A platform assembly according to Claim 3 wherein the upstanding side walls of the first and second corner brackets in combination form a coiner structural body having a substantially circular cross-section.
6. 6. A platform assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the assembly further comprises a plurality of intermediate assemblies, said intermediate assembhes being adapted to connect Iwo or more load bearing members at a point intermediate between the corners of the platform assembly.
7. 7. A platform assembly according to Claim 6 wherein the intermediate assembly comprises first, second and third intermediate brackets, the intermediate brackets in combination forming a cylinder or intermediate structural body including a base adapted to accommodate a washer.
8. 8. A platform assembly according to Claim 6 or Claim 7 wherein the (\IJ intermediate assembly further comprises flanges, the flanges being adapted to be secured to respective load bearing members. c'J9. A platform assembly according to Claim 8 wherein the first, second and third intermediate brackets each comprise a plurality of upstanding side walls and a base, the side walls terminating in one or more outwardly directing flanges, the first, second and third intermediate brackets in combination when assembled in use providing flanges for connecting two load bearing members in a substantially in-line end-to-end configuration and two other load bearing members in substantially parallel corresponding end-to-end alignment and substantially at right angles to the first two load bearing members.10. A platform assembly according to Claim 9 wherein the upstanding side walls of the first, second and third intermediate brackets in combination form an intermediate structural body having a substantially square cross-section.11. A platform assembly according to Claim 9 wherein the upstanding side walls of the first, second and third intermediate brackets in combination form an intermediate structural body having a substantially circular cross-section.12. A platform assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the base of the cylinder incorporates a substantially circular aperture to accommodate the washer.13. A platform assembly according to any preceding claim further comprising a plurality of handrail assemblies.14. A platform assembly according to any preceding claim further comprising one or more stairways.15. A platform assembly according to any preceding claim further comprising one or more location cabinets.16. A platform assembly according to any preceding claim further comprising a cable management system. (417. A platform assembly according too any preceding claim further comprising a lighting system.N-20 18. A platform assembly according to any preceding claim in flat pack assembly form.19. A platform assembly substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any combination of the accompanying drawings.20. A corner assembly adapted to connect together a plurality of load bearing members, said corner assembly comprising a cylinder, one end of the cylinder being partly closed off with a base adapted to accommodate a rotatable washer, a plurality of flanges extending outwardly from the outside of the cylinder, the flanges being adapted to be secured to respective load bearing members.21. A corner assembly according to Claim 20 wherein the cross-section across the cylinder is substantially square.22. A corner assembly according to Claim 20 wherein the cross-section across the cylinder is substantially circular.23. A corner assembly according to any of claims 20 to 23 inclusive wherein the base of the cylinder incorporates a substantially circular aperture to accommodate the washer.24. A corner assembly substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any combination of Figures ito 9, 12, 13, and 19 to 21.25. An intermediate assembly adapted to connect together a plurality of load bearing members, said intermediate assembly comprising a cylinder, one end of the cylinder being partly closed off with a base adapted to accommodate a rotatable washer, a plurality of flanges extending from the outside of the cylinder, the flanges being adapted to be secured to respective load bearing members.26. An intermediate assembly according to Claim 25 wherein the cross-section across the cylinder is substantially square. r27. An intermediate assembly according to Claim 25 wherein the cross-section across the cylinder is substantially circular.28. An intermediate assembly according to any of claims 25 to 27 inclusive wherein the base incorporates a substantially circular aperture to accommodate the washer.29. An intermediate assembly substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any combination of Figures ito 7, 10 to 12, and 16 to 18.</claim-text>