TRIPLE PLANK PLATFORM

Abstract

A telescoping work platform utilizing three planks that are slidable to each other allows for a longer maximum length for use while providing for a shorter collapsed length for storage all while providing necessary structural support.

Claims

1. A telescoping work platform, comprising: a plank midsection having two longitudinal ends comprising: an even number of rectilinear channels; and a reinforcing plate proximate each plank midsection longitudinal end; two outer plank sections, each outer plank section having two longitudinal ends and comprising: a number of rectilinear prongs equal to one half the number of rectilinear channels and each rectilinear prong sized to slideably fit within a respective rectilinear channel; and an end cap at least partially covering one of the outer plank section longitudinal ends.

2. The telescoping work platform of claim 1 wherein the outer plank sections are equal in length and the plank midsection is approximately the same length as the outer plank sections.

3. The telescoping work platform of claim 1 further comprising a stop associated with each outer plank section to prevent the complete removal of the two outer plank sections from the plank midsection.

4. The telescoping work platform of claim 1 wherein each reinforcing plate is fastened to the plank midsection by rivets.

5. The telescoping work platform of claim 4 wherein each rectilinear prong has a groove to accommodate a rivet.

6. The telescoping work platform of claim 1 wherein each end cap is fastened to its respective outer plank longitudinal ends by rivets.

7. The telescoping work platform of claim 1 wherein the plank midsection is comprised of extruded aluminum.

8. The telescoping work platform of claim 1 wherein the plank midsection comprises two assemblies, each assembly comprising one or more rectilinear channels.

9. The telescoping work platform of claim 1 wherein each outer plank section prong is a unibody construction.

10. The telescoping work platform of claim 1 wherein each outer plank section prong is comprised of extruded aluminum.

11. A telescoping work platform, comprising: a plank midsection comprising two longitudinal ends and a number of rectilinear channels running between the two longitudinal ends; two outer plank sections, each outer plank section comprising and end cap and a number of rectilinear prongs equal to less no more than one half the number of rectilinear channels, each rectilinear prong sized to slideably fit within a respective rectilinear channel; and a reinforcing plate proximate each plank midsection longitudinal end.

12. The telescoping work platform of claim 11 wherein the telescoping work platform has a collapsed configuration that is approximately one third the length of its fully extended configuration.

13. The telescoping work platform of claim 11 wherein the outer plank sections are equal in length and the plank midsection is approximately the same length as the outer plank sections.

14. The telescoping work platform of claim 11 wherein the plank midsection comprises two assemblies, each assembly comprising one or more rectilinear channels.

15. The telescoping work platform of claim 11 wherein each outer plank section prong is a unibody construction.

16. The telescoping work platform of claim 11 wherein each outer plank section prong is comprised of extruded aluminum.

17. The telescoping work platform of claim 11 further comprising a stop associated with each outer plank section to prevent the complete removal of the two outer plank sections from the plank midsection.

18. The telescoping work platform of claim 11 wherein the plank midsection is comprised of extruded aluminum.

19. The telescoping work platform of claim 11 wherein each end cap is fastened to its respective rectilinear prongs by rivets and each end cap is fastened to its respective longitudinal end of the plank midsection by rivets.

20. A telescoping work platform, comprising: a plank midsection comprising two longitudinal ends and a number of rectilinear channels running between the two longitudinal ends; and two outer plank sections, each outer plank section comprising and end cap and a number of rectilinear prongs equal to less no more than one half the number of rectilinear channels, each rectilinear prong sized to slideably fit within a respective rectilinear channel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Subject matter hereof may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying figures, in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view depicting a triple plank platform in a collapsed, stored configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a right side elevation view depicting the triple plank platform of FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a left side elevation view depicting the triple plank platform of FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a top view depicting the triple plank platform of FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view depicting the triple plank platform of FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a bottom view depicting the triple plank platform of FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view depicting a triple plank platform with one of the two outer plank sections extended in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 8 is a top view depicting the triple plank platform of FIG. 7.

[0025] FIG. 9 is a front elevation view depicting the triple plank platform of FIG. 7.

[0026] FIG. 10 is a bottom view depicting the triple plank platform of FIG. 7.

[0027] FIG. 11 is a top perspective view depicting a triple plank platform with both outer plank sections extended in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure (fully extended configuration).

[0028] FIG. 12 is a top view depicting the triple plank platform of FIG. 11.

[0029] FIG. 13 is a front elevation view depicting the triple plank platform of FIG. 11.

[0030] FIG. 14 is a bottom view depicting the triple plank platform of FIG. 11.

[0031] FIG. 15 is a top perspective view depicting a plank midsection of a triple plank platform in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 16 is a right side elevation view depicting the plank midsection of FIG. 15.

[0033] FIG. 17 is a left side elevation view depicting the plank midsection of FIG. 15.

[0034] FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view depicting the plank midsection of FIG. 15.

[0035] FIG. 19 is a top view depicting the plank midsection of FIG. 15.

[0036] FIG. 20 is a front elevation view depicting the plank midsection of FIG. 15.

[0037] FIG. 21 is a bottom view depicting the plank midsection of FIG. 15.

[0038] FIG. 22 is a top is a top perspective view depicting an outer plank section of a triple plank platform in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 23 is a right side elevation view depicting the outer plank section of FIG. 22.

[0040] FIG. 23a is a detail view of a prong end of an outer plank indicated by A-A in FIG. 23.

[0041] FIG. 24 is a left side elevation view depicting the outer plank section of FIG. 22.

[0042] FIG. 25 is a bottom perspective view depicting the outer plank section of FIG. 22.

[0043] FIG. 26 is a top view depicting the outer plank section of FIG. 22.

[0044] FIG. 27 is a front elevation view depicting the outer plank section of FIG. 22.

[0045] FIG. 28 is a bottom view depicting the outer plank section of FIG. 22.

[0046] While various embodiments are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the claimed inventions to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a triple plank platform 100 is depicted in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The triple plank platform 100 preferably has a plank midsection 200 and two outer plank sections 300, 400. \In a preferred embodiment, the outer plank sections 300, 400 are identical and can be used interchangeably at either longitudinal ends 270, 280 of the plank midsection 200. The triple plank platform 100 can be configured in a fully collapsed configuration as depicted in FIG. 1. Each of the outer plank sections 300, 400 can slideably move in relation to the plank midsection 200 to adjust the overall length of the triple plank platform 100 (as depicted in FIGS. 7 and 11) to a fully extended configuration (FIG. 11).

[0048] The plank midsection 200 comprises several channels 210 (as seen in FIGS. 15-18) that are sized to accommodate prongs 310 of the outer plank sections 300, 400. The channels 210 and prongs 310 are preferably rectilinear in shape for stiffness and sized to allow the prongs 310 to slide within the channels 210 with little effort, but provide adequate stiffness when the triple plank platform 100 is fully expanded.

[0049] Preferably, the plank midsection 200 includes reinforcing plates 220 at its longitudinal ends 270, 280 to provide stiffness and protect the ends of the channels 210. The reinforcing plate 220 can be a single part or multiple pieces as depicted in FIGS. 15-18 and are fastened to the plank midsection 200 by any means known in the art. The preferred embodiment of fastening the reinforcing plates 220 is with rivets 230. The preferred embodiment uses an arrangement of rivets 230 to fasten the reinforcing plates 220 with placement at channels 210 that will not interfere with the top surface of the prongs 310. To accommodate any rivets 230 along the bottom of the plank midsection 200, the prongs 310 may have grooves 340 sized to allow the prongs 310 to slide over the rivets 230 with no contact.

[0050] The plank midsection 200 may also include support beams 260 that provide additional stiffness and to fasten multiple parts of plank midsection 200 if so configured. Stops 250 may be located at the longitudinal ends of the plank midsection 200 to prevent plank outer sections 300, 400 from being completely removed from the plank midsection 200. Stops 250 may be any structure known in the art such as a bolt, screw, or a detent. Preferably, stops 250 are removable to allow the plank outer sections 300, 400 to be removed from the plank midsection 200 for cleaning or repair. Alternatively, or in addition to stops 250 on the plank midsection 200, stops may be attached to the prong ends (not shown) to prevent plank outer sections 300, 400 from being completely removed from the plank midsection 200.

[0051] Details of the plank outer sections 300, 400 are provided in FIGS. 23-28. Plank outer sections 300, 400 are comprised of prongs 310 sized to slideably fit within the channels 210 of the plank midsection 200. The prongs 310 are connected by an endcap 320 fastened at one of the plank outer section 300, 400 longitudinal ends 360, 370 to provide a gripping area to adjust the length 110 of the triple plank platform 100 and to protect the outer ends of the prongs 310. Endcaps 310 can be fastened to the prongs 310 by any means known in the art, but are preferably fastened by rivets 330. Endcap 320 can be a unitary piece that wraps from the tops to bottom of the prongs 310 as depicted in FIGS. 22 and 25 or may be multiple pieces. The preferred embodiment uses at least two rivets 330 on each side of the endcap 320 to maintain the alignment of the prongs 310. As most clearly seen in FIG. 23a, each prong 310 has a groove 340 in its bottom sized to allow the prong 310 to slide over rivets 230 holding the reinforcing plates 220 to the bottom of the plank midsection 200.

[0052] The preferred embodiment of the triple plank platform 100 is for prongs 310 on one of the plank outer sections 300, 400 to alternate channels 210 to allow weight placed on the triple plank platform 100 to be distributed evenly between the plank outer sections 300, 400. The preferred embodiment also contemplates the plank outer sections 300, 400 being of similar length 390, 490 as the plank midsection 200 length 290. Such an arrangement allows for the length 110 of the triple plank platform 100 in its fully extended orientation (FIG. 11) to be approximately three times the length 110 of the triple plank platform 100 in its fully collapsed orientation (FIG. 1) or adjustable to any length 110 in between those extremes.

[0053] The components of the triple plank platform 100 are preferably made of aluminum to provide both the necessary strength and stiffness which minimizing overall weight. However, the disclosure does contemplate any of the components of the triple plank platform 100 being made of any suitable materials known in the art to provide the necessary characteristics for each component.

[0054] Being intended as a work platform to stand upon, it is preferential to have a grooved surface on the tops of the plank midsection 200 and prongs 310 to provide better traction. Alternatively, or additionally, a material such as grip tape or paint may be added to the top of the midsection 200 or prongs 210 to increase traction.

[0055] Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. These embodiments are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed inventions. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the embodiments that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations and locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the claimed inventions.

[0056] Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the subject matter hereof may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the subject matter hereof may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the various embodiments can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when not described in such embodiments unless otherwise noted.

[0057] Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other embodiments can also include a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended.

[0058] Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein.

[0059] For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.