Work platform and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10858848-B2
Application number	US-201815908283-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 28, 2018
Priority date	Mar 22, 2016
Publication date	Dec 8, 2020
Grant date	Dec 8, 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. A work platform having legs which are coplanar with the platform when the legs are in a closed position. The work platform having a hinge bracket with a tab against which a leg contacts and is stopped when the leg is in an open position.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A work platform comprising:
a platform having a handle;
a first leg assembly attached in proximity to a first end of the platform, the first leg assembly having a first leg and a second leg opposing the first leg, and a step attached to the first and second legs;
a second leg assembly attached in proximity to a second end of the platform; and
a hinge bracket attached to the platform in proximity to the first end of the platform, the hinge bracket having a tab which extends outward from the platform, the first leg rotating relative to the platform between a closed position where the first leg is coplanar with the platform, and an open position where the first leg contacts the tab, which acts as a stop, preventing the first leg from opening further, the first leg pushing against the tab from a load on the platform, in the open position, the platform is supported by the first and second leg assemblies and the first leg forms an angle between 90 degrees and 145 degrees with the platform, the first leg is attached to the platform by a single pivot rivet that extends from the first leg through the hinge bracket and to the platform, the hinge bracket has a first portion which is flat and is fixed with fasteners to a first side of the platform in proximity to the first end of the platform, the first portion has a pivot hole through which the pivot rivet extends and the first side has a side hole through which the pivot rivet extends, the side hole and the pivot hole in alignment and a leg bracket attached with a leg fastener to the first leg in proximity top of the first leg, the leg bracket defining a pocket with the first leg in which a second flange of the pivot rivet is seated, the leg bracket having a leg hole through which the pivot rivet extends toward the hinge bracket from the pocket, the leg bracket disposed between the second flange of the pivot rivet and the hinge bracket.

2. The work platform of claim 1 wherein the pivot rivet has a first flange disposed inside the first side of the platform so the first side of the platform is disposed between the first flange and the hinge bracket.

3. The work platform of claim 2 wherein the pivot rivet has a central portion which is cylindrically shaped so the first leg can rotate about the central portion, the first flange attached in proximity to an outside end of the central portion and flares out from the central portion so the pivot rivet cannot come out of the leg hole, the second flange attached in proximity to an inside end of the central portion and flares out from the central portion of the pivot rivet so the pivot rivet cannot come out of the side hole.

4. The work platform of claim 3 wherein the hinge bracket includes a second portion which is flat and extends down from the first portion and together with the first portion forms an L shape, and wherein the platform includes a cover which attaches to the first end of the platform and the second portion attaches to the cover, the first and second portions form a one-piece plate.

5. The work platform of claim 4 wherein the hinge bracket includes a bottom flange which extends perpendicularly inward from a bottom of the second portion toward the platform, the bottom platform disposed under the cover.

6. The work platform of claim 5 wherein the tab extends perpendicularly outward away from the platform from a side of the second portion, the tab and the bottom flange and the first and second portions being one continuous piece of metal.

7. The work platform of claim 6 wherein the leg bracket has a first element that attaches to a front face of the first leg and a second element that extends perpendicularly from the first element and attaches to an inner face of the first leg, the second element having a bump, a space between the bump and the inner face defining the pocket, the bump having the leg hole.

Assignees

• Woodward Steven
• Parker Thomas
• Werner Co

Inventors

• Woodward Steven
• Parker Thomas

Classifications

• E04G1/34 Primary

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

• E04G2001/307

  The ladders being self-supporting folding ladders · CPC title

• E04G1/30 Primary

  Ladder scaffolds {(ladders having platforms E06C1/39, platforms on, or for use on; ladders E06C7/16)} · CPC title