Elevated working platform and related methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10138679-B2
Application number	US-201715423844-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 3, 2017
Priority date	Feb 5, 2016
Publication date	Nov 27, 2018
Grant date	Nov 27, 2018

Abstract

Elevated work platform apparatuses, as well as associated methods, are provided. In one particular embodiment, an elevated platform apparatus is provided comprising a first assembly having a pair of rails coupled with a plurality of rungs, a second assembly hingedly coupled with the first assembly, a platform pivotally coupled with the first assembly and configured to extend to, and engage a portion of, the second assembly. The apparatus further includes a cage associated with the platform. The cage may include at least one bar and at least one gate, the at least one gate being configured to swing in a first direction upon a user stepping on to the platform from the first rail assembly, and then swing back to a closed position after the user is standing on the platform. Platform includes a toe-kick structure that is collapsible relative to the deck of the platform.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An elevated platform apparatus comprising:
a first assembly having a pair of rails coupled with a plurality of rungs;
a second assembly having a pair of rails, the second assembly being hingedly coupled with the first assembly;
a platform pivotally coupled to the first assembly, the platform including a deck and a toe-kick structure, the toe-kick structure including at least one wall configured to be displaced between a first position, wherein the at least one wall extends outward from a working surface of the deck at a substantially perpendicular angle, and a second position, wherein the at least one wall is positioned substantially flat against the working surface of the deck, wherein the first assembly and the second assembly are configured to pivot relative to each other between a deployed state and a collapsed state, wherein when the first and second assemblies are in the deployed state, the platform extends from the first assembly and engages a portion of the second assembly;
a cage associated with the platform, the cage including:
at least one gate, the at least one gate being configures to swing in a first direction upon a user stepping on to the platform from the first rail assembly, and swing back to a closed position after the user is standing on the working surface of the platform, the at least one gate also being limited from being displaced in a second direction, opposite the first direction, beyond the closed position,
a pair of extension members pivotally coupled with the pair of rails of the first assembly,
an upper bar being pivotally coupled with the pair of extension members and also being pivotally coupled with the pair of rails of the first assembly,
a lower bar pivotally coupled with the pair of rails of the second assembly;

at least one first link member having a first end pivotally coupled with the second assembly and a second end pivotally coupled with the platform;
at least one second link member having a first end pivotally coupled with the lower bar and a second end pivotally coupled with the platform, wherein the second end of the at least one first link member and the second end of the at least one second link member share a common point of pivotal connection with the platform; and
a latch member associated with the at least one wall and configures to engage the at least one second link member to maintain the at least one side wall in the first position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one gate includes a pair of gates adjacent one another.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one gate is pivotally coupled with one of the pair of extension members by way of a bracket.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the bracket includes a recess sized and shaped to receive a portion of one of the pair of rails of the first assembly.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one wall includes a first side wall, a second side wall and an end wall.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the first side wall and the second side wall are formed of a substantially rigid material and are pivotally coupled with the deck.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the end wall comprises a substantially collapsible material.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the end wall comprises at least one of the group consisting of a nylon material and a flexible strap.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising at least one pair of wheels coupled with the apparatus.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein each wheel of the at least one pair of wheels is coupled with a separate rail of the pair of rails of the second assembly.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the at least one pair of wheels are pivotally coupled with the pair of rails of the second assembly such that each wheel is selectively positionable between a first position relative to the pair of rails of the second assembly and a second position relative to the pair of rails of the second assembly, wherein, when in the second position, the at least one pair of wheels are positioned substantially within a volumetric envelope defined by the pair of rails of the second assembly.

12. An elevated platform apparatus comprising:
a first assembly having a pair of rails coupled with a plurality of rungs;
a second assembly having a pair of rails, the second assembly being hingedly coupled with the first assembly;
a platform pivotally coupled to the first assembly, the platform including a deck and a toe-kick structure, the toe-kick structure including a first side wall, a second side wall and an end wall, wherein at least the first side wall is configured to be displaced between a first position, wherein the first side wall extends outward from a working surface of the deck at a substantially perpendicular angle, and a second position, wherein the first side wall is positioned substantially flat against the working surface of the deck;
wherein the first side wall and the second side wall are formed of a substantially rigid material and are pivotally coupled with the deck;
wherein the end wall comprises at least one of the group consisting of a nylon material and a flexible strap.

Assignees

• Wing Entpr Inc

Inventors

• Russell Brian
• Moss N Ryan

Classifications

• E06C7/185

  Devices providing a back support to a person on the ladder, e.g. cages · CPC title

• E06C1/16

  with {hinged} struts which rest on the ground (with struts rigid with the ladder E06C1/24; having platforms E06C1/39) · CPC title

• E06C7/182

  situated at the top of the ladder · CPC title

• E06C1/393 Primary

  Ladders having platforms foldable with the ladder · CPC title

• E06C1/397

  characterised by having wheels, rollers, or runners · CPC title