US20080235885A1

US20080235885A1 - Support platform

Info

Publication number: US20080235885A1
Application number: US11/728,938
Authority: US
Inventors: Chien-Yao Huang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-03-27
Filing date: 2007-03-27
Publication date: 2008-10-02

Abstract

A support platform includes a hollow frame, and a plurality of support plates mounted in the frame and each having a flat tread portion and a ramp portion. The flat tread portion of each of the support plates is located above and partially covers the ramp portion of an adjacent one of the support plates. Thus, when the heel portion of a high-heel shoe is inserted into one of the conduits of the support plates, the heel portion of the high-heel shoe is stopped and supported by the respective ramp portion to prevent the heel portion of the high-heel shoe from being jammed or upset as to protect a female passenger's safety.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a support platform and, more particularly, to a support platform mounted on a ditch, trench, passageway, channel and the like to facilitate passage of passengers.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional support platform 1 in accordance with the prior art shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 comprises a hollow frame 11, and a plurality of upright support plates 12 mounted in the frame 11 to define a plurality of gaps 13 between the support plates 12. Thus, the support platform 1 is mounted on a ditch to function as a ditch cover or mounted on a passageway to function as a passage. However, when the heel portion 21 of a high-heel shoe 2 is inserted into one of the gaps 13 between the support plates 12, the heel portion 21 of the high-heel shoe 2 is easily upset or falls down, thereby causing danger to a female passenger's safety. In addition, when a passenger's article falls down onto the support plates 12, the article easily passes through one of the gaps 13 between the support plates 12 so that the article is easily lost unintentionally. Further, the gaps 13 extend through the support plates 12, so that a person located under the support platform can water upward through the gaps 13 between the support plates 12, thereby greatly decreasing a female passenger's privacy.
Another conventional support platform 3 in accordance with the prior art shown in FIG. 10 comprises a solid frame 31 having a plurality of elongated slots 32. Thus, the support platform 3 is mounted on a ditch to function as a ditch cover or mounted on a passageway to function as a passage. However, when the heel portion 21 of a high-heel shoe 2 is inserted into one of the slots 32 of the frame 31, the heel portion 21 of the high-heel shoe 2 is easily upset or falls down, thereby causing danger to a female passenger's safety. In addition, when a passenger's article falls down onto the frame 31, the article easily passes through one of the slots 32 of the frame 31 so that the article is easily lost unintentionally. Further, each of the slots 32 extends through the frame 31, so that a person located under the support platform can water upward through the slots 32, thereby greatly decreasing a female passenger's privacy.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance one embodiment of with the present invention, there is provided a support platform comprising a hollow frame, and a plurality of support plates mounted in the frame and each having a first end formed with a flat tread portion and a second end formed with a ramp portion inclined relative to the flat tread portion. The flat tread portion of each of the support plates is located above and partially covers the ramp portion of an adjacent one of the support plates.
In accordance another embodiment of with the present invention, there is provided a support platform comprising a hollow frame, and a plurality of oblique support plates mounted in the frame. Each of the support plates has a partial portion located above and partially covers an adjacent one of the support plates.
In accordance a further embodiment of with the present invention, there is provided a support platform comprising a hollow frame, and a plurality of support plates mounted in the frame and each having a first end formed with a first ramp portion, a mediate portion formed with a flat tread portion and a second end formed with a second ramp portion inclined relative to the flat tread portion. The first ramp portion of each of the support plates is located above and partially covers the second ramp portion of an adjacent one of the support plates.
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a support platform on which a passenger walks safely to provide a comfortable sensation to the passenger.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a support platform, wherein when the heel portion of a high-heel shoe is inserted into one of the conduits of the support plates, the heel portion of the high-heel shoe is stopped and supported by the respective ramp portion to prevent the heel portion of the high-heel shoe from being jammed or upset as to protect a female passenger's safety.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a support platform, wherein when a passenger's article falls down onto the support plates, the article is stopped by the ramp portion of each of the support plates to prevent the article from being lost unintentionally.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a support platform, wherein the support platform comprises at least one reinforcing rib secured in the frame and rested on a distal end of the ramp portion of each of the support plates to reinforce the strength of the support plates.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a support platform, wherein each of the conduits of the support plates is sheltered and interrupted by the respective ramp portion, so that a person located under the support platform cannot see the conduits of the support plates so as to protect a female passenger's privacy.
Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a support platform in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the support platform as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a support platform in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of a support platform in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a support platform in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a support platform in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the support platform for a passageway in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a conventional support platform in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the conventional support platform as shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another conventional support platform in accordance with the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a support platform in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a hollow frame 4, and a plurality of support plates 5 mounted in the frame 4 and each having a first end formed with a flat tread portion 51 and a second end formed with a ramp portion 52 inclined relative to the flat tread portion 51, wherein the flat tread portion 51 of each of the support plates 5 is located above and partially covers the ramp portion 52 of an adjacent one of the support plates 5. Thus, the support platform is mounted on a ditch to function as a ditch cover or mounted on a passageway to function as a passage.
The support plates 5 are parallel with each other and are arranged in an axial direction of the frame 4. Each of the support plates 5 extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the frame 4. The flat tread portion 51 of each of the support plates 5 has a top face flush with a top surface 40 of the frame 4. The ramp portion 52 of each of the support plates 5 extends downward in an inclined way relative to the flat tread portion 51. The flat tread portions 51 of the support plates 5 are parallel and in line with each other, and the ramp portions 52 of the support plates 5 are parallel with each other. A distance between any two adjacent flat tread portions 51 of the support plates 5 is smaller than that between any two adjacent ramp portions 52 of the support plates 5. The support plates 5 are spaced from each other to define a plurality of conduits 53 located between the flat tread portion 51 of each of the support plates 5 and the ramp portion 52 of an adjacent one of the support plates 5 to provide a water draining function and a light permeable effect. Each of the conduits 53 of the support plates 5 faces the respective ramp portion 52.
As shown in FIG. 2, when the heel portion 21 of a high-heel shoe 2 is inserted into one of the conduits 53 of the support plates 5, the heel portion 21 of the high-heel shoe 2 is stopped and supported by the respective ramp portion 52 to prevent the heel portion 21 of the high-heel shoe 2 from being jammed or upset or from falling down so as to protect a female passenger's safety. In addition, when a passenger's article falls down onto the support plates 5, the article is stopped by the ramp portion 52 of each of the support plates 5 to prevent the article from being lost.
Referring to FIG. 3, the support platform further comprises at least one reinforcing rib 6 secured in the frame 4 and rested on a distal end of the ramp portion 52 of each of the support plates 5 to reinforce the strength of the support plates 5.
Accordingly, when the heel portion 21 of a high-heel shoe 2 is inserted into one of the conduits 53 of the support plates 5, the heel portion 21 of the high-heel shoe 2 is stopped and supported by the respective ramp portion 52 to prevent the heel portion 21 of the high-heel shoe 2 from being jammed or upset as to protect a female passenger's safety. In addition, when a passenger's article falls down onto the support plates 5, the article is stopped by the ramp portion 52 of each of the support plates 5 to prevent the article from being lost unintentionally. Further, the support platform comprises at least one reinforcing rib 6 secured in the frame 4 and rested on a distal end of the ramp portion 52 of each of the support plates 5 to reinforce the strength of the support plates 5. Further, each of the conduits 53 of the support plates 5 is sheltered and interrupted by the respective ramp portion 52, so that a person located under the support platform cannot see the conduits 53 of the support plates 5 so as to protect a female passenger's privacy.
Referring to FIG. 4, the support platform comprises a hollow frame 4, and a plurality of oblique support plates 7 mounted in the frame 4, wherein each of the support plates 7 has a partial portion located above and partially covers an adjacent one of the support plates 7. The support plates 7 are parallel with each other. Each of the support plates 7 has a top face flush with a top surface 40 of the frame 4. The support plates 7 are spaced from each other to define a plurality of conduits 71 therebetween to provide a water draining function and a light permeable effect. Thus, when the heel portion 21 of the high-heel shoe 2 is inserted into one of the conduits 71 of the support plates 7, the heel portion 21 of the high-heel shoe 2 is stopped and supported by the respective support plate 7 to prevent the heel portion 21 of the high-heel shoe 2 from being jammed or upset or from falling down so as to protect a female passenger's safety.
Referring to FIG. 5, each of the support plates 8 has a top formed with a downward extending oblique wing 80, and the support plates 8 are spaced from each other to define a plurality of conduits 81 therebetween to provide a water draining function and a light permeable effect.
Referring to FIG. 6, the support platform comprises a hollow frame 4, and a plurality of support plates 9 mounted in the frame 4 and each having a first end formed with a first ramp portion 94, a mediate portion formed with a flat tread portion 91 and a second end formed with a second ramp portion 92 inclined relative to the flat tread portion 91, wherein the first ramp portion 94 of each of the support plates 9 is located above and partially covers the second ramp portion 92 of an adjacent one of the support plates 9.
The flat tread portion 91 of each of the support plates 9 is located between the first ramp portion 94 and the second ramp portion 92 and has a top face flush with a top surface 40 of the frame 4. The first ramp portion 94 of each of the support plates 9 extends downward in an inclined way relative to the flat tread portion 91, and the second ramp portion 92 of each of the support plates 9 extends downward in an inclined way relative to the flat tread portion 91. The first ramp portion 94 of each of the support plates 9 has a length smaller than that of the second ramp portion 92. The flat tread portions 91 of the support plates 5 are parallel and in line with each other, the first ramp portion 94 of the support plates 9 are parallel with each other, and the second ramp portion 92 of the support plates 9 are parallel with each other. The support plates 9 are spaced from each other to define a plurality of conduits 93 located between the first ramp portion 94 of each of the support plates 9 and the second ramp portion 92 of an adjacent one of the support plates 9 to provide a water draining function and a light permeable effect. Each of the conduits 93 of the support plates 9 faces the respective second ramp portion 92.
As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of support platforms “A” are arranged to form a passageway.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A support platform, comprising:

a hollow frame;

a plurality of support plates mounted in the frame and each having a first end formed with a flat tread portion and a second end formed with a ramp portion inclined relative to the flat tread portion;

wherein the flat tread portion of each of the support plates is located above and partially covers the ramp portion of an adjacent one of the support plates;

wherein the flat tread portion of each of the support plates has a top face flush with a top surface of the frame.

2. The support platform in accordance with claim 1, wherein the support plates are parallel with each other and are arranged in an axial direction of the frame, and each of the support plates extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the frame.

3. (canceled)

4. The support platform in accordance with claim 1, wherein the ramp portion of each of the support plates extends downward in an inclined way relative to the flat tread portion.

5. The support platform in accordance with claim 1, wherein the flat tread portions of the support plates are parallel and in line with each other, and the ramp portions of the support plates are parallel with each other.

6. The support platform in accordance with claim 1, wherein distance between any two adjacent flat tread portions of the support plates is smaller than that between any two adjacent ramp portions of the support plates.

7. The support platform in accordance with claim 1, wherein the support plates are spaced from each other to define a plurality of conduits located between the flat tread portion of each of the support plates and the ramp portion of an adjacent one of the support plates.

8. The support platform in accordance with claim 7, wherein each of the conduits of the support plates faces the respective ramp portion.

9. The support platform in accordance with claim 1, further comprising at least one reinforcing rib secured in the frame and rested on a distal end of the ramp portion of each of the support plates.

10. A support platform, comprising:

a hollow frame;

a plurality of oblique support plates mounted in the frame;

wherein each of the support plates has a partial portion located above and partially covers an adjacent one of the support plates;

wherein each of the support plates has a top face flush with a top surface of the frame.

11. The support platform in accordance with claim 10, wherein the support plates are parallel with each other.

12. (canceled)

13. The support platform in accordance with claim 10, wherein the support plates are spaced from each other to define a plurality of conduits therebetween.

14. The support platform in accordance with claim 10, wherein the each of the support plates has a top formed with a downward extending oblique wing.

15. A support platform, comprising:

a hollow frame;

a plurality of support plates mounted in the frame and each having a first end formed with a first ramp portion, a mediate portion formed with a flat tread portion and a second end formed with a second ramp portion inclined relative to the flat tread portion;

wherein the first ramp portion of each of the support plates is located above and partially covers the second ramp portion of an adjacent one of the support plates.

16. The support platform in accordance with claim 15, wherein the flat tread portion of each of the support plates is located between the first ramp portion and the second ramp portion and has a top face flush with a top surface of the frame.

17. The support platform in accordance with claim 15, wherein the first ramp portion of each of the support plates extends downward in an inclined way relative to the flat tread portion, and the second ramp portion of each of the support plates extends downward in an inclined way relative to the flat tread portion.

18. The support platform in accordance with claim 15, wherein the first ramp portion of each of the support plates has a length smaller than that of the second ramp portion.

19. The support platform in accordance with claim 15, wherein the flat tread portions of the support plates are parallel and in line with each other, the first ramp portion of the support plates are parallel with each other, and the second ramp portion of the support plates are parallel with each other.

20. The support platform in accordance with claim 15, wherein the support plates are spaced from each other to define a plurality of conduits located between the first ramp portion of each of the support plates and the second ramp portion of an adjacent one of the support plates, and each of the conduits of the support plates faces the respective second ramp portion.