GB2497274A - Vehicle station platform system - Google Patents

Abstract

The platform system comprises a plurality of elongate support members 14 in the ground at spaced locations such that a first end of each support is beneath ground level in use and a second end of each support protrudes above ground level and has an alignment formation at the second end. A plurality of beams 16 are provided such that each beam spans a pair of supports and the beam is supported at spaced locations along its length by the second ends of the respective support members. A generally planar platform member 12 is mounted on the beams so as to provide an upper surface for supporting passage of users. The beams may be mounted directly to the alignment formation, which may take the form of a cap member 18 on the support member. In use the vehicle station platform system is provided for allowing access to a vehicle.

Description

Platform Installation System The present invention relates to a platform system and a method for erecting platforms at a height above ground level, typically, although not exclusively, for use as a railway platform.

In light of increasing demands on rail travel, railway vehicle operators have responded by increasing the length of railway vehicles to accommodate more passengers on some routes. This is typically achieved by increasing the number of railway coaches for each train.

However the length of existing platforms at railway stations must also be increased to accommodate the increase in train length. This poses a problem since there is significant pressure to minimise any disruption caused by the erection of such new platform facilities. Accordingly it is desirable to maintain as far as possible the normal operation of an existing railway line and associated railway platform(s).

In spite of such requirements, it is also necessary that any platform extension must be cost-effective in its own right as well as being sufficiently durable to allow the new platform to be sustained broadly in line with the life expectancy of the exiting platform.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a platform which can be erected to a desired height above the ground in an efficient and/or cost effective manner. It may be considered an additional or alternative aim to provide a platform erection system that requires minimal disruption to existing structures or vehicle routes.

According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle station platform system for allowing access to a vehicle, the platform system comprising: a plurality of elongate support members for dilving into the ground at spaced locations such that a first end of each support is beneath ground level in use and a second end of each support protrudes above ground level, each support having an alignment formation at the second end thereof; a plurality of beams, each beam spanning a pair of supports such that the beam is supported at spaced locations along its length by the second ends of the respective support members: and a generally planar platform member mounted on a plurality of said beams so as to provide an upper surface for supporting passage of users there-over.

According to one embodiment, the beams are mounted directly to the alignment formations at the second end of the supports. The platform member may be mounted directly to the beams. Thus the number of components and the complexity of the installation process is minimised as far as possible.

Typically each platform member is supported by a pair of spaced beams and each beam may be supported by a pair of spaced support members. The support members are typically discrete and/or individually driven into the ground.

In one embodiment, the alignment formation comprises a cap member which may be mounted on the second of the support member. An individual alignment formation, typically in the form of a cap member, may be provided on each support member. That is to say, each support member may have a respective cap.

The alignment formation may be rotatably mountable on the support member. The alignment formation may have a peripheral wall in the form of a cuff or collar portion. The alignment formation, may comprise an end wall having an alignment aperture therein. The alignment aperture may be elongate in form, such as a slot.

This, in combination with the rotatable mounting of the alignment formation, allows for a range-taking mounting which can serve to increase installation efficiency.

The design of the end cap to facilitate rotation on the pile as advantageous, at least in part as it enables a check on tolerances to be performed over the end of the pile.

The beam may have a locating pin for insertion into the alignment aperture. In one embodiment, the beam comprises a through bore or hole, through which a locating pin passes. The pin may pass through substantially the entire width or depth of the beam. The beam may comprises a recess, part way along its length in which a pin head formation is located. The pins may be located part way along the length of the beam and oriented substantially laterally to a beam longitudinal axis.

The platform system may be modular. A plurality of platform members may be arranged in a side-by-side alignment or a linear array so as to define an elongate platform. A series of pairs of support members may be arranged such that each successive pair is spaced from an adjacent pair in a first direction. The first direction may be aligned with the length of the platform. Each support member within a pair may be spaced from the other member of the pair in a second direction, which is typically lateral or perpendicular to the first direction. Support members with a pair or between adjacent pairs may be substantially equally spaced.

The beams may be laterally oriented with respect to the length of the platform and/or first direction. Successive beams may be spaced from one or more adjacent beam in the first direction. Beams may be substantially equally spaced.

There may be a one-dimensional or linear array of beams.

There may be a substantially regular, repeating pattern of any, or any combination, of supports, beams and/or platform members along the length of platform.

The platform member may comprise a slab. The platform members with in the array may be aligned so as to form a generally continuous platform surface. Each platform member in the platform may share common features, which may be aligned within or along the platform once formed. For example, the platform members may have a textured surface region and/or a common channel formation. The platform members may be instafled in a modular fashion to create the overall platform. A family of platform members may be provided from which the desired platform sections can be selected. Each platform member within the family may share common installation features.

One or more platform members may comprise a drainage aperture or down hole.

A drainage channel may be provided below or beneath the drainage aperture to receive fluid passing through the drainage aperture. The drainage channel may be provided in the ground, for example as an open channel.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of construction of a platform comprising: inserting a plurality of elongate support members into the ground at spaced locations such that a first end of each support is beneath ground level in use and a second end of each support protrudes above ground level, each support having an alignment formation at the second end thereof; arranging a plurality of beams on said alignment formations, such that each beam spans a plurality of supports; and mounting a generally planar platform member on a plurality of said beams so as to provide an upper surface for supporting passage of users there-over.

The platform may be constructed using such a process in a modular fashion. An elongate platform may be erected by aligning successive platform members in a first direction. The beams may be oriented laterally to said first direction.

Any of the optional features defined in relation to the structure of the first aspect, or any components or sub-assemblies thereof, may also apply to the method of the second aspect.

The terms railway" in UK English, as used herein, may be considered interchangeable with the terms railroad', as used, for example, in American English. Whilst the present invention is particularly suited to use in conjunction with a railway, it may equally be applicable to other vehicle access platforms, such as for tramways or other passenger or freight vehicle stations, such as vehicle loading platforms for trucks or similar.

Practicable embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which; Figure I shows a cross section through a platform according to one implementation of the invention; Figure 2 is a side view showing further detail of the alignment formation of Figure 1: Figure 3 shows a plan view of the underside of the alignment formation of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows additional features which may be used in conjunction with the platforms of Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a sectional view of a platform according to a further implementation of the invention; and, Figures 6A and 6B show a plan view from above of two different platforms constructed in accordance with the present invention, The present invention derives from the basic concept of providing a modular platform system.

Turning firstly to Figure 1 there is shown a platform 10 comprising an upwardly facing deck 12, which is supported at a desired height above the surrounding ground level by a support system, which generally comprises a plurality of spaced piles 14 and intermediate beams 16 supporting the deck 12 above the piles 14.

The piles 14 may comprise reinforced concrete or steel piles suitable for driving into the ground. In the present example, the piles are steel piles which can be driven into the ground to the desired depth using vibratory pile driving equipment, such as an impact vibration pile hammer, so that vibrations in the pile are induced whUst driving the pile into the ground, thereby easing the insertion process.

Conventional pile lengths are used: which may be varied depending on the substrata at the site. The piles are tubular in this embodiment and have a diameter of approximately 400 mm although pile diameters anywhere between 300 and 600 mm could be used depending on the requirements of the platform and the ground conditions.

The piles 14 are driven into the ground such that their lower (or leading) end penetrates the substrata. In the event that upper ballast layers are present at the site, the ballast may be grubbed out prior to piling. Once inserted into the ground, the pile upper ends protrude above the level of the ground, including any ballast layers) in their immediate vicinity by approximately 200 mm and typically to a height greater than 200 mm, such as between 200 and 300mm. The piles are spaced laterally with respect to a longitudinal direction of the platform 10.

Successive pairs of piles, arranged as shown in Figure 1, are inserted into the ground at spaced locations in the direction of the platform to be erected.

On the upper end of each pile 14, there is provided a capping head 18 as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The capping head 18 comprises a peripheral wall 20 depending perpendicularly from a generally planar end wall or base 22. The peripheral wall is shaped to closely surround (i.e. to correspond to) the sectional profile of the pile 14 at its upper end. The wall 20 in this embodiment is generally circular in plan.

The wall 20 is provided with reinforcement bars 24 which extend from the plate 22 along interior surface of the wall 20 in a direction which is generally parallel with the central axis 26 of the wall. A total of three reinforcement bars are provided in this embodiment, which are equally spaced about axis 26, that is by 120°. The bars are fixed the peripheral wall, typically by welding.

The end wall 22 is of greater width and length dimensions than the peripheral wall and therefore overhangs, or extends beyond the perimeter of, the peripheral wall.

The end wall 22 is rectangular in plan. The peripheral wall 20 is longitudinally offset from a central point of the end wall 22, such that the overhang 23 is greater to one side of the wall (i.e. the left hand side as shown in Figure 3) than the other.

A stiffening flange arrangement is provided at the join between the wall 20 and the end plate 22, which in this embodiment takes the form of a pair of spaced stiffener plates 28. The flange arrangement is located in the corner formed at the join between the end and peripheral walls and extends outwardly from the outer surface of the peripheral wafi in the direction of the larger end wall overhang 23.

In the end wall is provided an elongate alignment aperture 30, which takes the form of a slot. The alignment slot has a first end which terminates at a location inside the end wall which aligned with the axis 26, that is, at the centre of the peripheral wall 20. The slot 30 extends from its first end radially outward towards the peripheral wall 20 as shown in Figure 3, terminating within the boundary of the peripheral wall. The slot extends in a longitudinal direction from its first end towards the overhang 23. in a direction substantially parallel with the side walls and midway there-between.

The direction of the slot is substantially aligned with the flange arrangement 28.

In use, a single capping head 18 is provided on the upper end of each pile 14 such that the pile end is located within the peripheral wall 20. The pile end abuts against the underside of end wall 22. The capping head axis 26 is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the bean on which it is mounted. An outer surface of the pile is closely surrounded by the peripheral wall and contacts the reinforcements 24. In that condition, the capping head can be rotated on the pile end about its axis to achieve a desired orientation relative to the beam 16 to be placed thereon. The capping head is rotated until its elongate edges and/or slot are aligned with a longitudinal axis of the beam placed thereon.

The beams 16 are reinforced concrete beams of length greater than the spacing of the piles 14 such that an overhanging beam portion 32 extends laterally beyond the region of contact between the piles and the beam. In this regard, the beam may be considered to be cantilevered. In this embodiment the beam overhangs the piles at both ends thereof.

Each beam 16 rests upon the capping heads 18 at the pile ends such that the end wafi 22 of each capping head is sandwiched between the respective pUe end and the beam 16.

Each beam 16 is provided with locating pins 34 at spaced locations along its length which correspond to the spacing of the piles 14. The pins pass through the width/depth dimension of the beam and protrude through the lower face of the beam when mounted as shown in Figure 1. The opposing, upper, face of the beam has a recess 36 therein, which is generally U-shaped in section, and in which a pin head formation is located. Recesses 36 are provided at spaced locations for mounting of each pin head therein. Each recess extends only a short way into the beam, allowing the pin heads to be flush with or sunken relative to the outer face of the beam. The pins are typically formed of steel and may otherwise be referred to as locating rods.

Each bean has a corresponding bore or aperture to accommodate each pin. The pin may be threaded and may be considered to comprise a threaded bolt which can be inserted and fixed to locate the beam on a corresponding end cap.

When mounting the beam 16 on the respective piles 14, the protruding end of each pin is located within the slot opening 30 in the capping heads 18. Thus the slot is range-taking and allows for insertion of a pin at any location along its length.

This has the benefit that beams can be simply located and mounted on respective pile pairs despite slight dislocation or tolerances that can occur during installation of the platform. The capping head and slot are designed such that a beam can be safely and securely supported at any pin insertion point along the length of the slot 30.

The deck 12 is mounted on two or more beams 16 such that it is supported in a generally horizontal alignment. The deck comprises a per-formed slab or deck unit in which is formed a number of features prior to installation. In this example concerning a railway platform, the deck unit comprises a slab which is quadrilateral, generally rectangular, in plan and being symmetrical about a central axis 38. At the axis there is provided a central channel leading to a or through hole for drainage of water from the platform. The upper surface of the slab is tapered slightly towards the channel.

Figure 4 shows further details of features which may be provided on the slab upper surface, such as visual indicia 39 to warn users of the platform edge. Such indicia may take the form of one or more painted lines or text. Furthermore there is provided tactile indicia 41 in the form of a surface section comprising raised bumps or other raised formations. The visual and tactile indicia are located on either side of the central axis 38 a predetermined distance from each opposing edge of the slab. In this manner a slab having different surface sections, including different surface textures, appearances and or materials may be provided.

Also shown in Figure 4 is a cover 43 for the central drainage channel, which is typically an open gridded cover, and a mounting 45 for additional members such as a lamp post or else a post for supporting a shelter or else an electronic display or other equipment as may conventionally be found on a vehicle platform. Each slab may have one or more mountings 45 of this kind spaced along its centreline.

Prior to installation of the beams 16 and slabs 12, an open drainage channel 42 is installed in the ground beneath the intended location of the drainage aperture 40 (i.e. equidistant between adjacent piles 14 or aligned with axis 38). The drainage channel extends the length of the platform and receives waler drained from the platform via through hole 40 in use.

The outer edges of the slab 12 overhang the beam slightly and are raised above the ground level so as so as to define the opposing lateral edges of the constructed platform. The platform edge may be raised by anywhere between 400 mm and 1500mm depending on the intended application.

As shown in Figure 1, the platform is erected between spaced railway tracks 44 and 46, for example along the approach to an existing railway station, such that it can be adjoined 10, or an extension of, an existing platform.

Turning now to Figure 6A, there is shown a plan view of a platform 10 as shown in Figure 1 once erected. A plurality of pairs of piles 14 are inserted into the ground, each pair being spaced longitudinally with respect to the direction of the platform.

Each pile 14 of a pair is spaced from the other pile in the pair laterally with respect to the longitudinal direction of the platform 10 such that the beams are also oriented laterally whilst being spaced from adjacent beams in a longitudinal direction. Accordingly, there is a two-dimensional array of piles, arranged in two rows, and a one-dimensional array of beams spanning each pile.

Each slab 12 is mounted directly on a pair of spaced beams in an end-to-end abutting relationship with an adjacent slab. The plurality of slabs are constructed to a generally common design, such that the slab edges and other features described above align along the length of the platform so as to define a substantially continuous upper surface. The abutting ends of adjacent slabs are mounted on a common beam. Accordingly, a rigid construction can be erected with a minimal number of piles and beams.

In the configuration of Figure 6A, it can be seen that the track tapers along its length to accommodate the convergence of the railway tracks on either side of the platform. The outer edges of each slab are thus provided with a common angle of taper, whilst the total width of each slab is reduced with length along the platform from a maximum width of approximately 5 metres at a first end to a minimum width of approximately 3.9 metres at the opposing end.

In this manner an elongate platform can be constructed in a modular manner. That is to say, the desired number of slabs can be fabricated off-site to suit a predetermined platform length and having the desired features. On-site, the platform is thus constructed by inserting the piles into the ground and mounting the capping heads and beams thereto, prior to laying the platform slabs. Using such a modular construction, additional slabs can be added simply by inserting a further pair of piles and associated beam to support a further slab at an end of an existing platform.

This type of construction, including the beneficial ease of alignment using the above-described capping heads, can thus be carried out quickly and efficiently with a minimal number of operations being required on site. Accordingly this represents a reduced level of disruption or interruption to the usage of existing railways.

Turning now to Figures 5 and 6B there is shown cross-sectional and plan views of a further platform 100 constructed in accordance with the present invention. In this configuration, the platform 100 is as described above except that the slab 102 has only one exposed or open edge 104. The opposing edge 106 is provided with a fencing or barrier 108 attached thereto. In this regard, the edge 106 is provided with an attachment formation for connection to a corresponding, opposing attachment formation towards the lower edge of the barrier 108. The barrier 108 is of between I and 2 metres in height.

The slab in this embodiment, slopes towards the edge 1 06, in front of which there is provided the drainage channel 110 having one or more through holes in the form of down pipes 112 for drainage into the open channel 114 which is oriented longitudinally with the platform in the ground below. Thus the drainage channels 110, 114 are generally longitudinally aligned but offset from the centre of the platform towards the edge 106.

The edge 106 and barrier 108 thus represent the rear of the platform 100, whereas the edge 104 will be located closest to the associated railway track 116. This type of platform is suitable for erection adjacent a single railway line, rather than the embodiment of Figure I, which can be located between a pair of spaced lines. In the embodiment of Figures 5 and 68, the beam is of smaller width than the corresponding beam in Figure 1. Accordingly, the piles in Figure 5 may be more closely spaced. Furthermore, the platform 100 of Figure 63 has substantially parallel, rather than tapered major edges.

The platforms described above may be of width anywhere between, for example 2 and 6 metres. However in the specific example shown in Figure 1, the platform is between 4 and 5 metres, in width, typically in the vicinity of 4.5m width, whereas the platform 100 of Figures is approximately 3m in width.

The platforms described above in relation to Figures BA and 6B may be constructed in a similar modular fashion. In either embodiment, the platform may be provided with an end slab 118 having different features to those described above. For example, the end slab 118 may be angled so as to provide ramp access to the platform. Alternatively, the end slab 118 may be level with the remainder of the platform but may be provided with a barrier formation at its distal end at which the platform terminates. In either configuration, the end slab 118 may be provided with a larger area 120 of visual and/or tactile indicia to mark the end of the platform.

The platform systems described above enable existing railway platforms to be extended so that they can accommodate longer trains and, thereby, higher passenger numbers. However the system can also be used to construct entirely new railway platforms also. Similarly the platforms may be used for other, typically land-based vehicular routes or lines, such as tiamways, monorail fines as well as other vehicular carriageways.

Whilst the above embodiments rely on beams being supported in a lateral orientation by a pair of spaced piles, it will be appreciated that three or more laterally spaced piles may also be used to support beams depending on the width ot the platform to be erected.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>Claims: 1. A vehicle station platform comprising: a plurality of elongate support members extending into the ground at spaced locations such that a first end of each support is beneath ground level in use and a second end of each support protrudes above ground level, each support having an alignment formation at the second end thereof; a plurality of beams, each beam spanning a plurality of supports such that the beam is supported at spaced locations along its length by the second ends of the respective support members; and a generally planar platform member mounted on a plurality of said beams so as to provide an upper surface for supporting passage of users there-over.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. The platform of claim 1, wherein the beams are mounted directly to the alignment formations at the second end of the supports.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. The platform of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the platform member is mounted directly on a plurality of spaced beams.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. The platform of any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of platform members are provided in an edge abutting relationship so as to form an elongate platform having a longitudinal axis, wherein each beam is oriented laterally relative to said axis.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. The platform of claim 4 wherein each platform member is supported by a pair of longitudinally spaced beams.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. The platform of claim 4 or 5, wherein each beam is supported by a pair of laterally spaced support members.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. The platform of any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein successive pairs of support members are spaced longitudinally along the length of the platform, each pair of support members supporting a beam, on which is supported the abutting edges of two adjacent platform members so as to define a substantially continuous platform surface.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. The platform of any preceding claim, wherein the alignment formation comprises an individual cap member mounted on the second end of each support member.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. The platform of claim 8, wherein the cap member is rotatably mountable on the support member.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. The platform member of claim $ or 9, wherein the cap member comprises a collar portion arranged to closely surround the support member and planar wall extending across an end of the collar portion and protruding beyond the perimeter of the collar.</claim-text> <claim-text>Ii. The platform of claim 10, wherein the collar is generally circular in section and the planar wall is quadrilateral in plan.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. The platform of any one of claims 8 or 11, wherein the cap member has an end wall sandwiched between the respective support member and beam, the end wall having an elongate alignment aperture therein, through which is received a locating member depending from the beam.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. The platform of claim 12, wherein the beam locating member compses a pin mounted within the beam and protruding outwardly from a face thereof.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. The platform of any preceding claim, wherein each platform member comprises a modular slab having pre-formed features therein selected from any or any combination of a tactile surface section, a drainage channel, and/or a mounting for a barrier or lighting u nit.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. A method of construction of a vehicle station platform comprising: inserting a plurality of elongate support members into the ground at discrete spaced locations such that a first end of each support is beneath ground level and a second end of each support protrudes above ground level, each support having an alignment formation at the second end thereof; arranging a plurality of beams on said alignment formations, such that each beam spans a plurality of supports; and mounting a generally planar platform member on a plurality of said beams so as to provide an upper surface for supporting passage of users there-over.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. The method of claim 15, wherein the alignment formation comprises a rotatable cap for the support member and the method comprises rotating the cap into aUgnment with the beam mounted thereon.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. The method of claim 15 or 16, wherein the alignment formation comprises an elongate alignment slot and the method comprises inserting an alignment pin depending from the beam into the alignment slot upon mounting of the beam to the support member.lB. The method of any one of claims 15 to 17, comprising inserting the elongate supports into the ground in an array of successive pairs, each support in each pair being spaced laterally with respect to a longitudinal direction of the platform, and each successive pair being spaced from an adjacent pair in said longitudinal direction so as to define an array of supports in two rows.19. The method of any one of claims 15 to 18, comprising mounting the beams directly onto said alignment formations such that each beam spans a pair of support members in a lateral direction relative to the length of the platform, each beam being spaced from an adjacent beam in the longitudinal direction.20. The method of any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the platform members are prefabricated to have desired platform surface features, the method comprising mounting the pre-fabricated platform members in a modular fashion in an edge abutting relationship so as to define a substantially continuous platform surface.21. A modular platform system and an associated method of construction thereof substantially as hereinbef ore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>