AU604370B2

AU604370B2 - Foldable work platform

Info

Publication number: AU604370B2
Application number: AU21728/88A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John E. Murrell
Original assignee: ROSEMARY LANGSTONE
Current assignee: ROSEMARY LANGSTONE
Priority date: 1987-09-08
Filing date: 1988-08-31
Publication date: 1990-12-13
Anticipated expiration: 2008-08-31
Also published as: AU2172888A

Description

44__ 604370 COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICAT ION

(ORIGINAL)

Class Int. Class Application Number Lodged Complete Specification Lodged Accepted Published 0 00 0 t o 0 c oo 00 0 oo0 00 0 0 a o o o 0 0 0 0 0e 0 e cc c 0 Priority Related Art This document contains the amendments made under Section 49 and is cor'ect for printing.

Names of Applicants Addresses of Applicants C C SC t.' S c C C ROSEMARY LANGSTONE, WILLIAM HOUSTON and NIGEL

WILSON

40 Glenfern Road, Howick, Auckland, New Zealand; 72 Fisher Parade, Pakuranga, Auckland, New Zealand; and 67 Alexander Street, Crows Nest, New South Wales, 2065, Commonwealth of Australia, respectively H. R. HODGKINSON CO.

26A Alfred Street MILSONS POINT NSW 2061 "Foldable Work Platform" full description of this method of performing it known to Actual Inventor Address for Service Complete Specification for the Invention entitled: The following statement is a invention including the best us:a

I

THIS INVENTION relates to work platforms and more particularly to a portable and foldable work platform which is safe and sturdy but is light enough to be carried in one hand.

It is frequently necessary or desirable to carry out jobs or work at locations elevated some distance from the floor or ground and for such operations a step-ladder or a plank between, say, a pair of trestles may well be utilised.

Whilst plank-and-support combinations are often used by tradesmen, the average householder tends to feel insecure standing on a plank, especially if the householder is elderly, disabled or infirm. The ubiquitous step-ladder on 0 00 00oo° the other hand has treads of small area which necessitate 0°0 0 moving it frequently to a fresh position, otherwise the user o0 risks overbalancing.

oo0 0 oooo 0 Conversely platform stool/step configurations do not allow 00 for free movement such as taking a step to either side or for safe rotation of the user's body. Also the user cannot take a step backwards to facilitate stooping or bending C e a while on the platform.

1 C' It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the above and other advantages by the provision of a portable and foldable work platform which comprises a platform member adapted to be elevatedly and horizontally disposed when in operational mode; four leg members each of i which is hingedly attached adjacent a corner of the platform J e cc member by being hingedly attached at respective sides of the I platform member at or adjacent each end thereof; a front rail member, substantially of inverted U-shape configuration, the lower ends of limbs of which are hingedly attached at respective 2 T sides of the said platform member at or adjacent the front end thereof; and a pair of side rails; the arrangement being such that a first pair of the said leg members being at or adjacent the front end of the platform member, is adapted to lie parallel to and outward from the sides of the said platform member when the said work platform is folded into non-operational mode, whilst a second pair of the said leg members being at or adjacent the rear end of the platform member, is each hingedly attached intermediate its respective ends so that a lower part of each said leg member of the second pair constitutes a floor-engaging leg portion and an upper part of each said leg member of the second pair extends upwardly of the said platform member when in said operational mode; each said side rail being pivotally attached at one end thereof to a respective upper end of each said leg member of the second pair and at the other end 0 00 000 thereof to a respective limb of the said front rail member; 6 0 0 o the arrangement further being such that when the said second 0 o° oo pair of leg members are folded into said non-operational 0:0 :mode they underlie the said platform member, and the said front rail member and attached side rails are caused to fold so that they also lie parallel to and outward from the sides of the said platform member, the platform member thereby being totally supported within the area defined between one coca of the front leg members and the respective limb of the ::front rail on the one side and the other front leg member t c and respective other limb of the front rail on the other side; wherein at least one leg member of the said first pair Coe is provided with a linkage member which is pivoted, at one end thereof, to the respective said leg member and, at the C other end thereof, is slidably connected to a slotted plate C located on the respective side of the said platform member; C a locking means being provided, adapted to be operable so as 3 I~ 7 to prevent the said other end of the linkage member from sliding in said slot when in the operational mode.

The advantages of this arrangement will be understood when it is appreciated that the shaped rail member and side rails are all located beyond the area defined by the work platform itself, thereby providing more accessibility to the platform and ease of movement by the user when standing thereon. Furthermore, with advantage the legs are similarly outside or alongside the platform area, rather than say at the ends thereof, thereby providing greater stability.

It will also be readily appreciated that, by having the platform wholly contained within the area defined by the upper rails and the front legs upon folding (that is to say ao the platform lying between one limb of the front rail with the corresponding front leg on one side and the other front c limb and front leg on the other side) greater compactness of 'ter the folded platform can be achieved, for storage thereof.

In order that the reader may gain a better understanding of i the present invention, hereinafter will be described a preferred embodiment thereof, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: SFIGURE I illustrates in general perspective an embodiment of a work platform according to the present invention, in operational mode; FIGURE 2 shows the folded or non-operational mode for the work platform of Figure 1; FIGURE 3 shows an intermediate stage in the folding SFoperation; FIGURE 4 shows the front leg locking stays incorporating

~-~IF-IY

the interlinked folding control link; and :FIGURE 5 shows the means of anchoring leg stays to eliminate accidental folding when the unit is moved while in the operational mode.

Throughout the drawings, like integers are referenced by the same numeral.

Referring generally to the drawings there is illustrated a work platform which includes a platform member 1, which ideally has an anti-slip tread 2 on its upper surface, and is provided with plates 3 and 4. To each plate 3, 4 is hinged or pivoted the lower end of each respective limb of a front rail member 5 of inverted U-shaped configuration. Also to each plate 3, 4 is hingedly attached leg members 6 and 7, the lower end of each leg member 6, 7 being preferably splayed outwardly, and perhaps also forwardly. At their lower respective ends as shown, non-slip plastic or rubber ferrules 9 and 8 may be fitted. Leg members 6 and 7 may be rigidly connected together by means such as cross members and 11. The leg members 6, 7 are additionally provided with linkage members 12 and 12a pivoted at one end of each to the leg members 6, 7 respectively and slidably connected at their other ends to slotted plates 13, 14 by means of cross bar 45, Locking tab 15 is pivotally fixed to platform member I.

C C Hingedly attached to platform member I via a pair of S trunnions 16 and 17, are a pair of elongated leg members 43 and 44, the lower parts 18 and 19 of which, constitute floor-engaging legs. As in the case of the first-described a Oe legs (6 and the lower ends of parts 18, 19 are splayed a and have ferrules 20 and 21 fitted respectively thereto.

7 x~I ;i ,t i o i 1 i ;il i:i i:: 1 _li i ii: i ii ii r Btl,~ These lower parts 18, 19 have positioned between them two treaded steps 22 and 23, the bottom one of which (23) is fitted with steadying braces 24 and The upper parts 26 and 27 of the elongated leg members 43, 44 extend upwardly of platform member 1 when the work platform is in the operational or erected mode.

The upper ends of parts 26 and 27 of the leg members 43, 44 are pivotally attached to the rearward ends of side rails 28 and 29 by means of shaped brackets 31 and 32 respectively, whilst the ends of these side rails are pivotally attached to respective limbs 41, 42 of the front rail member 5 by means of shaped brackets 33 and 32 respectively, A bracing member 40 extends between the upper part 26 of the elongated leg member 18 to the cross bar 45 connecting linkage members 12 and 12a for the purpose of imparting rigidity and stability when the platform is in the operational mode, and to facilitate the folding of front legs 6, 7 when converting to non-operational mode as indicated in Figure 3.

Preferably the shaped front rail member 5 has pivotally attached between its upper web 34 and the side rails 28, 29 a tray 35 indented to hold paint tins, paint trays, buckets, tools, screws/nails etc. These are however by way of example only. The tray 35 supported by slotted support member 36, 37 pivotally mounted to brackets 38, 39 respectively which are attached in turn to 32 and 33 respectively, allowing the tray to fold parallel with the sides 41, 42 of the shaped rail member I c -II Work platform member 1 is ideally fabricated from aluminium with diamond tread pattern to provide the non-slip work surface 2, while the various other components may also be of, for example, tubular aluminium stock. As to dimensions, platform element 1 is preferably about 29 inches (740mm) above floor level, while the web 34 of front rail member may well be, say 65 inches (1650mm) above floor level. When folded for storage or transportation, a work platform having these dimensions would occupy a space of only 51 x 25 x 6 inches (1300mm x 640mm x 150mm).

Whilst Figure 1 is a general perspective view of the work platform according to the present invention, Figures 2 and 3 illustrate respectively the inventive work platform in the folded or non-operational mode and in an intermediate state of folding. Figures 4 and 5 show the detail of the linkage members 12, 12a and locking tab The inventive work platform has many applications, for example, in the areas of: hanging curtains and Christmas decorations; painting and decorating; reaching high storage spaces; hanging wallpaper; changing light globes; hedge trimming; glasshouse cleaning; pruning; fruit picking, etc.

Apart from its obvious usefulness to the 'home handyman', the work platform will also be found to be of use, for example, to plasterers, joiners, plumbers, decorators, I ,signwriters, builders, electricians, maintenance engineers and the like.

109ft From the foregoing, the reader will readily appreciate that portable and foldable work platforms made in accordance with the present invention will provide the public with a new or much-improved article or, at the very least, offer a useful and most attractive alternative.

C

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Claims

1. A portable and foldable work platform comprising a platform member adapted to be elevatedly and horizontally disposed when in operational mode; four leg members each of which is hingedly attached adjacent a corner of the platform member by being hingedly attached at respective sides of the platform member at or adjacent each end thereof; a front rail member, substantially of inverted shape configuration, the lower ends of limbs of which are hingedly attached at respective sides of the said platform member at or adjacent the front end thereof; and a pair of side rails; the arrangement being such that a first pair of o the said leg members being at or adjacent the front end ,c of the platform member, is adapted to lie parallel to oc and outward from the sides of the said platform member o oo"c when the said work platform is folded into non- 00 C o operational mode, whilst a second pair of the said leg members being at or adjacent the rear end of the platform member, is each hingedly attached intermediate i; its respective ends so that a lower part of each said leg member of the second pair constitutes a floor- engaging leg portion and an upper part of each said leg member of the second pair extends upwardly of the said platform member when in said operational mode; each said side rail being pivotally attached at one end thereof to a respective upper end of each said leg member of the second pair and at the other end thereof to a respective limb of the said front rail member; the arrangement further being such that when the said second pair of leg members are folded into said non- operational mode they underlie the said platform 9 7 member, and the said front rail member and attached side rails are caused to fold so that they also lie parallel to and outward from the sides of the said platform member, the platform member thereby being totally supported within the area defined between one of the front leg members and the respective limb of the front rail on the one side and the other front leg member and respective other limb of the front rail on the other side; wherein at least one leg member of the said first pair is provided with a linkage member which is pivoted, at one end thereof, to the respective said leg member and, at the other end thereof, is slidably connected to a slotted plate located on the respective side of the said platform member; a locking means being provided, adapted to be operable so as to prevent the c said other end of the linkage member from sliding in 2 said slot when in the operational mode.

S2. The work platform as claimed in claim I1, wherein the first pair of said leg members are rigidly connected together by cross-members.

3, The work platform as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the linkage member on one side is connected at its other end to the other end og I the second linkage member on the other side,

4. The work platform as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking means is provided as a tab pivotally attached to a side of the platform adjacent the slotted plate so as to engage the linkage member in the slot to prevent its movement therein in a first locking position and to release the linkage :it member for sliding movement in a second open position. The work platform as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said legs of the second pair thereof have disposed between them and intermediate ii said platform member and the ground, at least two ji treaded steps. i 6. The work platform as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pivot points between rotating leg, rail or platfoiii; members is offset by means of a bracket to avoid a scissors type action between respective rotating members at the pivot point. S7, A portable and foldable work platform, substantially as K hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 10th day of July 1990 i ROSEMARY LANGSTONE, y WILLIAM HOUSTON and i NIGEL WILSON by: Ai Patent Attorneys for the LI Applicants