Collapsible Platform Assembly

Abstract

A collapsible platform assembly includes an upper platform having a perimeter wall, a top surface, and a plurality of pivoting support legs, and a lower platform having a perimeter wall, a top surface, and a plurality of pivoting support legs. A connector assembly connects the lower platform to the upper platform. The connector assembly is configured to provide adjustability of the collapsible platform assembly between a deployed configuration with the upper and lower platforms separated and a collapsed configuration with the top surface of the lower platform nesting within the perimeter wall of the upper platform. When deployed, the collapsible platform assembly provides two elevated platforms that can support a user to reach high areas. When collapsed, the platform assembly reduces in size with the lower platform nesting within the upper platform for compact storage and easy transport.

Claims

1. A collapsible platform assembly, comprising: an upper platform comprising a perimeter wall, a top surface, and a plurality of pivoting support legs; a lower platform comprising a perimeter wall, a top surface, and a plurality of pivoting support legs; a connector assembly that connects the lower platform to the upper platform; wherein the connector assembly is configured to provide adjustability of the collapsible platform assembly between a deployed configuration with the upper and lower platforms separated and a collapsed configuration with the top surface of the lower platform nesting within the perimeter wall of the upper platform.

2. The collapsible platform assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper platform top surface and the lower platform top surface include textured elements for improved grip.

3. The collapsible platform assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector assembly comprises a pair of upper connectors each having an upper end pivotally connected to the upper platform and a pair of lower connectors each having a first end pivotally connected to a lower end of each upper connector, wherein a lower end of each lower connector is pivotally connected to the lower platform.

4. The collapsible platform assembly of claim 3, wherein the lower ends of the lower connectors are pivotally connected to the perimeter wall of the lower platform.

5. The collapsible platform assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper platform support legs and lower platform support legs extend outwardly at an angle from the upper and lower platforms when the platform assembly is in the deployed position.

6. The collapsible platform assembly of claim 1, further comprising a carrying handle.

7. The collapsible platform assembly of claim 6, wherein the carrying handle is affixed to the perimeter wall of the upper platform.

8. The collapsible platform assembly of claim 7, wherein the handle includes a pair of opposing ends each adjustably connected to the perimeter wall of the upper platform.

9. The collapsible platform assembly of claim 1, wherein the lower platform nests between the support legs of the upper platform when the connector assembly is in the full collapsed position.

10. The collapsible platform assembly of claim 9, wherein the upper legs abut the upper platform perimeter wall on one side and the lower platform perimeter wall on an opposing side when the connector assembly is in the fully collapsed position.

11. The collapsible platform assembly of claim 9, wherein the lower platform legs each include one side that lays flush against an interior side of the lower platform top surface when the connector assembly is in the fully collapsed position.

12. The collapsible platform assembly of claim 9, wherein the upper platform legs each include one side that lays flush against an interior side of the upper platform top surface when the connector assembly is in the fully collapsed position.

13. The collapsible platform assembly of claim 9, wherein the lower platform includes a width and a length that are both less than a width and a length of the upper platform.

14. The collapsible platform assembly of claim 9, further comprising one or more straps configured to secure the assembly in the fully collapsed position.

15. The collapsible platform assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the support legs of the upper platform includes a length that is greater than a length of each of the support legs of the lower platform.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

[0010] FIG. 1 shows an upper perspective view of an embodiment of the collapsible platform assembly in the deployed configuration.

[0011] FIG. 2 shows a lower perspective view of an embodiment of the collapsible platform assembly in the collapsed configuration.

[0012] FIG. 3 shows an upper perspective view of an embodiment of the collapsible platform assembly in the collapsed configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the collapsible platform assembly. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for providing a platform assembly that can be deployed to provide a wider and safer support area, and collapsed for compact storage and easy transport via an attached carry handle. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

[0014] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an upper perspective view of an embodiment of the collapsible platform assembly in the deployed configuration. The collapsible platform assembly includes an upper platform 11 comprising a perimeter wall 21, a top surface 19, and a plurality of pivoting support legs 13. Connected to the upper platform 11 is a lower platform 12 comprising a perimeter wall 22, a top surface 20, and a plurality of pivoting support legs 14. In the shown embodiment, each top surface 19, 20 includes a textured element for improved grip and safety.

[0015] The upper platform 11 is connected to the lower platform 12 via a connector assembly. The connector assembly is configured to provide adjustability of the collapsible platform assembly between a deployed configuration with the upper and lower platforms separated, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and a collapsed configuration with the top surface of the lower platform nesting within the perimeter wall of the upper platform, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The connector assembly includes a pair of upper connectors 15 each having an upper end pivotally connected to the upper platform 19 and a pair of lower connectors 16 each having a first end pivotally connected to a lower end of each upper connector 15. A lower end of each lower connector 16 is pivotally connected to the lower platform 12. Further, the upper and lower support legs 13, 14 are pivotally connected to their respective upper and lower platforms 11, 12. The pivoting connection points of the support legs 13, 14 further allow the assembly to move between collapsed and deployed configurations. Each of the support legs 13 of the upper platform 11 includes a length that is greater than a length of each of the support legs 14 of the lower platform 12, providing the two-level deployed configuration of the assembly.

[0016] In the shown embodiment, the lower ends of the lower connectors 16 are pivotally connected to the outer side of the perimeter wall 22 of the lower platform 12. This positioning makes it easier for the lower platform 12 to nest within the upper platform 11 when the assembly is collapsed. Additionally, the upper platform support legs 13 and lower platform support legs 14 extend outwardly at an angle from the upper and lower platforms 11, 12 when the platform assembly is in the deployed position. This provides a more stable support for the deployed assembly, and further maintains that the upper and lower support legs 13, 14 do not interfere with one another when the assembly is in the process of being collapsed or deployed.

[0017] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an upper perspective view of an embodiment of the collapsible platform assembly in the collapsed configuration. The lower platform 12 includes a width and a length that are both less than a width and a length of the upper platform 11, which allows for nesting of the lower platform 12 within the upper platform 11, such that the lower platform 12 is entirely contained within the area defined by the perimeter wall 21 of the upper platform. The lower platform 12 nests between the support legs 13 of the upper platform 11 when the connector assembly is in the full collapsed position.

[0018] In the shown embodiment, the upper legs 13 abut the upper platform perimeter wall 21 on one side and the lower platform perimeter wall 22 on an opposing side when the connector assembly 25 is in the fully collapsed position. This helps provide friction to maintain the collapsed position of the components of the present invention. In other embodiments, the assembly can have different fasteners, such as clips, straps, or the like, for securing the assembly in its collapsed position. Further, in the shown embodiment, the lower platform legs 14 each include one side that lays flush against an interior side 24 of the lower platform top surface 20 when the connector assembly 25 is in the fully collapsed position. Similarly, the upper platform legs 13 each include one side that lays flush against an interior side 23 of the upper platform top surface 19 when the connector assembly is in the fully collapsed position. This provides a more compact folded size for the assembly when in the collapsed configuration.

[0019] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a lower perspective view of an embodiment of the collapsible platform assembly in the collapsed configuration. In the shown embodiment, the collapsible platform assembly includes a carry handle 31 to facilitate easy transport of the assembly when not in use and in the collapsed position. Further, in the shown embodiment, the carrying handle is affixed to the perimeter wall 21 of the upper platform 11, such that the handle 31 includes a pair of opposing ends each adjustably connected to the perimeter wall 21 of the upper platform 11. This allows the center of mass to adjust with gravity as the user carries the collapsed assembly, making it much easier and more comfortable to transport. The textured upper surface elements 32 also allows the upper platform 11 to support various items thereon when the assembly is in the collapsed position. In this way, the assembly is easy to store and transport while providing additional utility when in the collapsed configuration.

[0020] It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0021] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.