Apparatus having a handle on which a user stands, and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10738487-B2
Application number	US-201615299099-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 20, 2016
Priority date	Mar 22, 2016
Publication date	Aug 11, 2020
Grant date	Aug 11, 2020

Abstract

An apparatus includes a platform having a first end and a second end and a handle. The apparatus includes a first leg assembly rotatably attached to the platform in proximity to the first end. The apparatus includes a second leg assembly attentively attached to the platform in proximity to the second end. When the first and second leg assemblies are essentially perpendicular to the platform, the apparatus is in a use state and the user is able to stand on the platform and be supported by the first and second leg assemblies. When the apparatus is in the use state, the user is able to pick up the apparatus by the handle with only one of the hands without tipping the apparatus. A method for a user with hands to stand on an apparatus.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An apparatus on which a user with hands stands comprising:
a platform having a first end and a second end and a handle, the handle having a first insert and a second insert;
a support bar disposed under and in contact with the platform and extending between the first end and the second end, the first insert and the second insert attached to the support bar, each insert has holes through which fasteners extend perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the insert to hold the insert to the support bar;
a first leg assembly rotatably attached to the platform in proximity to the first end; and
a second leg assembly attentively attached to the platform in proximity to the second end, when the first and second leg assemblies are essentially in parallel with the platform, the apparatus is in a folded state, when the first and second leg assemblies are essentially perpendicular to the platform, the apparatus is in a use state and the user is able to stand on the platform and be supported by the first and second leg assemblies, when the apparatus is in the use state, the user is able to pick up the apparatus by the handle with only one of the user's hands without tipping the apparatus, the apparatus able to support at least 250 lbs. of load.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle is disposed in the platform.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the handle has a first slot and a second slot adjacent the first slot, the first and second slots disposed essentially in the platform's middle.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the platform has a centerline and a center of gravity; and
the first slot is disposed on a first side of the centerline and above the platform's center of gravity and the second slot is disposed on a second side of the centerline and above the platform's center of gravity.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein each slot extends through the platform from the platform's top to the platform bottom.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each slot has a first elongate side and a second elongate side essentially in parallel in spaced relation with the first elongate side, with each elongate side essentially in parallel with the centerline.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each slot has an oval shape.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first insert fits in the first slot and conforms to the oval shape of the first slot and the second insert fits in the second slot and conforms to the oval shape of the second slot.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first and second leg assembly each comprise a first leg and a second leg in spaced relation and in parallel with the first leg.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein each leg assembly has a step attached between the first and second legs on which the user and step to reach and stand on the platform when the apparatus is in the use state.

Assignees

• Woodward Steve
• Dangrow Joe
• Lessner Sharon
• Werner Co

Inventors

• Woodward Steve
• Dangrow Joe
• Lessner Sharon

Classifications

• E06C1/39

  Ladders having platforms; Ladders changeable into platforms (platforms for use on ladders E06C7/16) · CPC title

• E04G2001/307

  The ladders being self-supporting folding ladders · CPC title

• E06C7/00

  Component parts, supporting parts, or accessories · CPC title

• E04G1/15

  essentially comprising special means for supporting or forming platforms (E04G1/20 takes precedence); Platforms (boards or planks therefor E04G5/08 {, clips or connections for securing boards E04G7/28}) · CPC title

• E04G1/34 Primary

  Scaffold constructions able to be folded in prismatic or flat parts or able to be turned down · CPC title