Elevated working platform and related methods

Abstract

Elevated work platforms, as well as associated methods, are provided. In one particular embodiment, an elevated platform apparatus is provided comprising a first rail assembly having a pair of rails coupled with a plurality of rungs, a second rail assembly hingedly coupled with the first rail assembly, a platform configured to rest upon a portion of the first rail assembly and the second rails assembly and 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. The at least one gate is also limited from being displaced in a second direction, opposite the first direction, beyond the closed position.

Claims

1. An elevated platform apparatus comprising: a first rail assembly having a pair of rails coupled with a plurality of rungs; a second rail assembly, an upper end of the second rail assembly being hingedly coupled with an upper end of the first rail assembly, the first rail assembly and the second rail assembly being selectively positionable relative to each other between a deployed state and a collapsed state; a platform having a support surface, a first side portion and a second side portion, wherein, when the first rail assembly and the second rail assembly are in the deployed state, the platform extends between the first rail assembly and the second rail assembly such that a first end of the first side portion extends beyond and is spaced apart from a first rail of the pair of rails and a first end of the second side portion extends beyond and is spaced apart from a second rail of the pair of rails; a cage associated with the platform, wherein, when the first rail assembly and the second rail assembly are in the deployed state, the cage includes: a first post coupled with and extending upward from the first end of the first side portion, a second post coupled with and extending upward from the first end of the second side portion, a first nonlinear frame structure extending from an upper end of the first post to an upper end of the second post, a first gate pivotally coupled to the first post and pivotal between a first position, wherein the first gate extends from the first post toward the second post, to a second position wherein the gate is rotated in a first direction about the first post to extend above a portion of the platform, wherein the first gate is biased toward the first position and wherein the first gate is limited from rotating in a second direction, opposite the first direction, beyond the first position, a second gate pivotally coupled to the second post and pivotal between a first position, wherein the second gate extends from the second post toward the first gate, and a second position wherein the second gate is rotated about the second post to extend above a portion of the platform, wherein the second gate is biased toward the first position and wherein the first gate is limited from rotating in a second direction, opposite the first direction, beyond the first position; wherein, when the first rail assembly and the second rail assembly are in the collapsed state, the support surface of the platform is positioned adjacent the first gate and the second gate.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platform is pivotally coupled with the first rail assembly and wherein the apparatus includes a locking member configured to releasably lock a second end of the platform with the second rail assembly.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first post includes a lower portion that flares laterally outward from the first end of the first side portion of the platform and wherein the second post includes a lower portion that flare laterally outward from the first end of the second side portion of the platform.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first gate includes a pivoting coupling member having an inclined engagement surface, wherein the inclined engagement surface, in conjunction with the weight of the gate, biases the gate to the closed position.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first rail assembly includes an outer rail assembly and an inner rail assembly slidingly coupled with the first rail assembly.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising at least one adjustment mechanism configured to selectively lock the inner rail assembly at a specified location relative to outer rail assembly.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a pulley system associated with the first assembly.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the pulley system includes a tension line having a first, free end and a second end coupled with the outer rail assembly, the tension line being fed through a first pulley coupled to the outer rail assembly and a second pulley coupled with the inner rail assembly.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the second rail assembly includes an outer rail assembly and an inner rail assembly slidingly coupled with the first rail assembly.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising at least one other adjustment mechanism configured to selectively lock the inner rail assembly of the second assembly at a specified location relative to outer rail assembly of the second assembly.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising another pulley system associated with the second assembly.

12. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a barrier structure positioned below the platform and on an interior surface of the outer rail assembly at a location adjacent the at least one adjusting mechanism.

13. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein rails of the inner rail assembly are disposed within cross-sectional cavities of associated rails of the outer rail assembly, and wherein the rails of the outer rail assembly each include a bracket at their upper end substantially circumscribing the rails of the outer rail assembly and the rails of the inner rail assembly, the bracket defining a slot located along a surface of the rails of the inner rail assembly.

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

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one pair of wheels includes: a first pair of wheels coupled with at least one of the first assembly and the second assembly at a fixed location; a second pair of wheels coupled with the first assembly, the second pair of wheels including at least one retraction mechanism; a third pair of wheels coupled with the second assembly, the third pair of wheels including at least one retraction mechanism.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each of the at least one retraction mechanism associated with the second pair of wheels and the at least one retraction mechanism associated with third pair of wheels includes a cam cylinder, a push rod, a cam follower and at least one biasing member.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second nonlinear frame structure having a first end coupled with the first post at a location between the upper end of the first post and the lower end of the first post, the second nonlinear frame structure having a second end coupled with the second post at a location between the upper end of the second post and the lower end of the second post, the second nonlinear frame structure being sized and positioned such that the first and second posts are positioned within and internal periphery of the second nonlinear frame structure.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a flexible barrier extending between the platform and the second nonlinear frame structure.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the entirety of the first nonlinear frame structure is positioned at an elevation above both the upper end of the first rail assembly and the upper end of the second rail assembly when the first rail assembly and the second rail assembly are in the deployed position.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one adjustable stabilizer coupled with at least one of the first rail assembly and the second rail assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an elevated platform apparatus in a closed or collapsed state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows the elevated platform apparatus of FIG. 1 in a partially closed or partially collapsed state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 shows the elevated platform apparatus of FIG. 1 in another partially closed or partially collapsed state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 shows additional details of certain components of the elevated platform apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 shows further details of additional components of the elevated platform apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

(7) FIG. 6 shows details of further components of the elevated platform apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

(8) FIG. 7 shows an enlarged portion of an elevated platform apparatus depicting additional components and mechanisms that may be used in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

(9) FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of a mechanism shown in FIG. 7 according to an embodiment of the invention;

(10) FIG. 9 shows an enlarged view of a portion of an elevated platform apparatus depicting various components and mechanisms to an embodiment of the invention;

(11) FIGS. 10A and 10B show a reverse perspective view and a side view of a component of the elevated platform apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

(12) FIGS. 11A-11C show additional components incorporated into an elevated platform apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; and

(13) FIG. 12 shows an elevated platform apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(14) Referring to FIGS. 1-3, an elevated platform apparatus 100 is shown (referred to herein as the apparatus for purposes of convenience). The apparatus 100 includes a first assembly 102 having a first pair of spaced apart rails 104A with a plurality of rungs 106A extending between, and coupled to, the rails 104A. The rungs 106A are substantially evenly spaced, parallel to one another, and are configured to be substantially level when the apparatus 100 is in an orientation for intended use, so that they may be used as steps for a user to ascend (or descend) the apparatus 100. The first pair of rails 104A and their associated rungs 106A may be referred to as an outer rail assembly. The first assembly 102 may further include a second pair of spaced apart rails 104B with a plurality of rungs 106B extending between, and coupled to, the rails 104B. Again, the rungs 106B are evenly spaced, parallel to one another, and are configured to be substantially level when the apparatus 100 is in an orientation for intended use so that they, too, may be used as steps for a user to ascend (or descend) the apparatus 100. The second pair of rails 104B and their associated rungs 106B may be referred to as an inner rail assembly. The inner rail assembly is slidably coupled with the outer rail assembly such that the overall height of the assembly 102 may be selectively adjusted by a user. When the first assembly 102 is in a generally contracted state (exhibiting a shorter height), at least some of the rungs 106B of the inner rail assembly are adjacent to, and aligned with, at least some of the rungs 106A of the outer rail assembly. Thus, a rung 106A from the outer rail assembly and an aligned rung 106B from the inner rail assembly may cooperatively form a common step when a user is ascending or descending the apparatus 100 with the first assembly 102 in such a contract stated. On the other hand, when the first assembly 102 is in an extended state (exhibiting a relatively taller height), one or more of the rungs 106B of the inner rail assembly may be displaced upwardly from rungs 106A of the outer rail assembly, acting as their own, independent step, effectively providing more steps for a user to ascend.

(15) The apparatus 100 also includes a second assembly 108 that may be configured similarly to the first assembly. For example, the second assembly 108 may include a first pair of spaced apart rails 110A with a plurality of rungs 112A extending between, and coupled to, the spaced apart rails 110A. The first pair of rails 110A and their associated rungs 112A may be referred to as an outer rail assembly. The second assembly 108 may further include a second pair of spaced apart rails 110B and a plurality of rungs 112B extending between, and coupled to, the rails 112B. The second pair of rails 110B and their associated rungs 112B may be referred to as an inner rail assembly. As with the first assembly 102, the inner rail assembly of the second assembly 108 is slidably coupled with the outer rail assembly of the second assembly 108 such that the overall height of the assembly 108 may be selectively adjusted by a user. In some embodiments, rather than rungs 112A and 112B, bracing or other structural components may be used to couple associated rail pairs (110A or 110B) and provide a desired level of support and strength to the spaced apart rails 110 of the second assembly.

(16) The first and second assemblies 102 and 108 may be formed of a variety of materials and using a variety of manufacturing techniques. For example, in one embodiment, the rails 104A, 104B, 110A and 110B may be formed of a composite material, such as fiberglass, while the rungs and other structural components may be formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. In other embodiments, the assemblies 102 and 108 (and their various components) may be formed of other materials including other composite materials, plastics, polymers, metals, metal alloys or combinations of such materials. Additionally, in one embodiment, the rungs may be coupled with their associated rails in a manner such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,086,499 entitled LIGHT WEIGHT LADDER SYSTEMS AND METHODS, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

(17) The assemblies 102 and 108 may be coupled to one another by way of a pair of hinges 114 enabling them to extend into a deployed condition (FIG. 1) where they are positioned such that their lower ends are spaced apart from one another (creating a stable base for the apparatus 100), and collapse into a stowed condition where their lower ends are positioned relatively close to one another (FIG. 3with FIG. 2 showing a transition between the states or conditions shown in FIGS. 1 and 3). As noted above, the first and second assemblies 102 and 108 may be independently adjustable such that they each may extend to varying elevations enabling the overall height of the apparatus to be selectively adjusted. Such assemblies 102 and 108 may be constructed, for example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,182,431, entitled COMBINATION EXTENSIONS AND STEP LADDER RUNGS THEREFOR, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

(18) Adjustment mechanisms 116 may be associated with either or both of the assemblies 102 and 108 to enable elevation or height adjustment of such assemblies. The adjustment mechanism 116 may be similar to that described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,182,431, or it may be of a different configuration. Another example of an adjustment mechanism (such as is depicted in FIGS. 1-3) is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0229918 (U.S. application Ser. No. 12/399,815 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,186,481) entitled LADDERS, LADDER COMPONENTS AND RELATED METHODS, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

(19) A platform or deck 120 is associated with the rail assemblies 102 and 108 and may rest on the uppermost rungs, or other associated structure, of the assemblies 102 and 108 when the apparatus 100 is in a deployed condition (see FIG. 1). In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the platform is rotatably coupled with the first assembly 102 (e.g., with the pair of rails 104B of the inner rail assembly) and selectively engages the second assembly 108 to lock the platform 120 in a working position as shown in FIG. 1. When in the working or deployed state, the platform 120 provides an enlarged area or support surface for a worker to stand on comfortably and safely so that they can work at the highest support position of the apparatus 100.

(20) A safety enclosure, referred to herein as a cage 122, may be formed about the platform to encompass a worker while standing on the platform 120. When designed appropriately, the provision of a cage may preclude the necessity of a worker needing to wear a harness and tie off while working on the apparatus. The cage 122 may include a first bar 124 positioned at a first elevation that extends around most (e.g., three sides) of the perimeter of the work space defined by the platform 120. The cage 122 may also include a second bar 126 positioned at a second (higher) elevation that extends around most of the perimeter of the work space defined by the platform 120. One or more gates 128 may be located on one side of the cage 122 and configured to enable a user to climb the first assembly 102 and pass through the gates 128 with the gates 128 closing behind the user as he or she stands on the platform 120. A number of components of the cage 122 may be coupled together using hinges or pivoting joints enabling them to be deployed, as shown in FIG. 1, and collapsed as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3. For example, the bars 124 and 126 may be pivotally or hingedly coupled with extensions 132 coupled with the first assembly 102, or may be coupled to rails (e.g., rails 104A) of the first assembly 102. Similarly, the bars 124 and 126 may be pivotally coupled relative to the gate members 128.

(21) The gates 128 may be configured, for example, to swing or pivot inwardly as the user pass through them from the rungs 106 of the first assembly 102 to the platform 120, automatically swing back to the position shown in FIG. 1 (through the use of springs or other biasing mechanisms or actuators), and then resist any force applied to it in an outward direction to prevent a user from inadvertently stepping back through the gates 128 and falling from the platform 120. A user may pull the gates 128 inwardly and pass through them from the platform 120 to the rungs of the first assembly 102 to exit the cage 122 and descend from the platform 120.

(22) Referring briefly to FIG. 4, an example is shown of self returning gates 128 according to one embodiment of the invention which largely uses gravity to bias the gates into the closed position (i.e., the position shown in FIG. 1). Each of the gates 128 are rotatably coupled with an associated post member 130 positioned adjacent to an extension member 132 projecting from the first assembly 102. One or more of the connections between the gates 128 and their associated post member 130 may include a pair of collars 134A and 134B. The pair of collars 134A and 134B may each include mating inclined engagement surfaces 136A and 136B. When the gates 128 are rotated inwardly (i.e., as a user pushes the gates 128 to pass through onto the platform 120), the rotation of the upper collar 134A relative to the lower collar 134B causes the upper collar 134A (and the associated gate 128) to be displaced slightly upwardly (relative to the lower collar 134B). With the upper collar 134A in the rotated position (i.e., with the gate 128 opened inwardly), the weight of the gate 128 pushes down through the inclined surface 136A of the upper collar 134A on to the inclined surface 136B of the lower collar 134B causing the gate 128 and upper collar 134A to rotate back to their closed position. Of course, other mechanisms may be used in place of, or in addition to, that shown in FIG. 5 to bias the gates 128 to their closed positions.

(23) Returning to FIGS. 1-3, the upper bar 126 may be positioned at a height, for example, that is between the waist height and the chest height of an average user (e.g., between approximately 3 feet and 5 feet above the platform 120). In one embodiment, the height of the upper bar 126 (as well as the lower bar(s) 124) may be adjustable to accommodate users of varying heights. In such a case, a minimum height may be defined per relevant safety standards or in accordance with appropriate design considerations. Additionally, in one embodiment, either or both of the bars 124 and 126 may be enlarged relative to the perimeter of the platform 120 such that the volume defined by the cage is larger than just the volume that would be defined by the perimeter of the platform 122 extended upwards. In other words, while a user may be able to stand on a relatively small surface area, the rest of the user's body may need more space to move about, especially if the user is wearing a tool belt or carrying other equipment needed to accomplish their task.

(24) Stated another way, the perimeter of the upper portion of the cage 122 (such as may be defined by tracing a path starting at a first end 140 of the upper bar 126, following the upper bar 126 around to its second end 142, and then across the gates 128 back to the first end 140 of the upper bar 126) is larger than the perimeter of the platform 120. Similarly, the area bound by the perimeter of the upper portion of the cage 122 in such an embodiment is larger than the area that is bound by the perimeter of the platform 120.

(25) The upper bar 126 may be pivotally coupled to the extension members 132 extending from the rails 104 of the first assembly 102 above the hinges 114. It is noted that the extension members 132 may be integral with the associated rails 104 (e.g., with the rails 104A of the inner rail assembly), or they may be separate members coupled with the rails through appropriate means. The lower bar 124 may be pivotally coupled to the extension members 132 or it may be coupled to the rails 104 depending on the height of the bar 124 relative to the platform 120.

(26) As may be seen in FIG. 5, the cage 122 may include netting or other components to form a flexible barrier 144 about at least a portion of the perimeter of the cage 122 to further confine a user within the cage 122. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the flexible barrier 144 may include netting extending generally between the platform 120 and the lower bar 124 and may extend about the sides of the cage 122 while not impeding the entrance through the gates 128. The flexible barrier may provide additional security in preventing a user from placing a foot or leg through the space defined between the platform 120 and the lower bar 124. If desired, such a flexible barrier 144 may be extended further, for example, up to the upper bar 126.

(27) Referring to FIG. 6, a lock 152 may be associated with the platform 120 such that when the apparatus 100 is deployed (in the condition shown in FIG. 1), the platform 120 is secured in place and the apparatus is in a stable condition with the assemblies fixed in relative position to one another. A pair of locks 152 may be used with one being positioned on each side of the platform 120, preventing it from folding into a collapsed state until both locks 152 are independently actuated by a user. In the embodiment shown, the locks 152 include a lever 154 that is rotatably coupled with the platform 120 and biased into catching- or locking-engagement with a shoulder 156 or other protrusion associated with the second assembly 108 (e.g., by way a spring or other biasing member). Application of force to the lever 154 of the lock 152 by a user can overcome the biasing force such that the lock or locks 152 disengage the shoulder 156 and enable the platform 120 to rotate upwards and into a collapsed state such as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

(28) The apparatus 100 may further include wheels 160 associated with either or both of the assemblies 102 and 108. In one embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 1-3, a first set of wheels 160 may be coupled with the second assembly 108 at a fixed location and be configured such that they do not touch the ground when the apparatus 100 is in a deployed condition as shown in FIG. 1, but are configured to engage the ground when the apparatus is collapsed (FIG. 3) and then tilted beyond a given angle. This enables the wheels 160 to be used to rolling the apparatus (e.g., such as by being dragged by a user) when in a collapsed state, while preventing the apparatus 100 from rolling on the wheels 160 when it is in a deployed condition.

(29) Feet 170 may be coupled to the bottom of the rails and have appropriate engagement surfaces associated therewith to provide the apparatus 100 with the desired friction and stability when placed on a supporting surface. In one embodiment, the feet 170 may be configured to snap-on to the associated rail. For example, the feet 170 (or a combination of the feet and the wheels 160) may be manufactured and assembled as described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/445,387 entitled LADDERS, LADDER COMPONENTS AND RELATED METHODS, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

(30) In another embodiment, retractable wheels 172 may be associated the first assembly 102, the second assembly 108 or both, in place of, or in addition to, the wheels 160 discussed above. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, retractable wheels 172 may be coupled to the first assembly 102 (in addition to fixed location wheels 160 such as described above). While specifically shown in association with the first assembly 102 in FIG. 8, a first pair of retractable wheels 172 may be coupled to the first assembly 102 and a second pair of retractable wheels 172 may be coupled with the second assembly. When in a deployed state, the retractable wheels 172 may engage the ground or other supporting surface such that the first and second assemblies 102 and 108 are lifted above the ground and the apparatus 100 may be maneuvered from one location to another by rolling it about on the retractable wheels 172. Once the apparatus is in a desired position on a supporting surface, the retractable wheels 172 may be retracted to a stored state so that the feet 170 of the apparatus may rest securely on the ground or other supporting surface.

(31) In one embodiment, each of the retractable wheels 172 (e.g., four, with two being associated with each assembly 102 and 108) may be capable of independent actuation rather that relying on a single mechanism to deploy or retract the set of wheels simultaneously. Such may help to prevent the inadvertent deployment of wheels during use of the apparatus 100, since independent actuation would require a more affirmative act.

(32) Various types of actuating mechanisms may be used for deploying and retracting the wheels 172. For example, in one embodiment, the wheels 172 may be constructed with a biasing element that, when subjected only to the weight of the apparatus 100, enables the wheels to be deployed such that the apparatus may be rolled from one position to another, while, when a user climbs onto the apparatus 100, the additional weight of the user causes the wheels 172 to retract so that the feet 170 engage the ground and stabilize the apparatus 100.

(33) In another embodiment, the retractable wheels 172 may include a cam-follower retraction mechanism similar to what is found in many retractable ball-point pens. For example, referring to FIG. 8, an exploded view of a retraction mechanism 174 is shown. The mechanism 174 includes a housing 176, a cam sleeve 178 having a plurality of axially extending slots 180 circumferentially disposed about an interior surface thereof and formed between a plurality of cam features 182 having angled engagement surfaces 184 formed at their lower ends. The mechanism further includes a push rod 186 having an undulating engagement surface 188 and a plurality of fins 190 as well as a cam follower 192 having a plurality of fins 194, with each fin 194 having an angled engagement surface 196. The mechanism 174 further includes one or more springs 198, end caps 200, a mounting plate 202 for mounting to the wheel 172 or caster, and a plurality of fasters 204 to couple the various components together in a desired configuration.

(34) The fins 190 of the push rod 186 are positioned within corresponding slots 180 of the cam sleeve 178 such that the push rod 186 may be axially displaced within the cam sleeve 178 along an longitudinal axis but not rotate within the cam sleeve about the longitudinal axis. The cam follower 192 is configured so that its engagement surfaces 196 engage the undulating engagement surface 188 of the push rod 186 and selectively engage the engagement surfaces 184 of the cam features 182. When not engaged with the engagement surfaces 184 of the cam features 182, the fins 194 of the follower are disposed within the slots 180 so that the follower may be displaced upwardly within the cam sleeve 178.

(35) In operation, a user may lift up on a corner of the apparatus (e.g., so that a foot 170 adjacent the retractable wheel 172 is displaced off of the ground) and push down on the mounting plate 202. Assuming that the mechanism 174 is in a retracted state (i.e., with the wheel or caster displaced upwards), this causes the fins 194 of the cam follower 192 to disengage the slots 180 of the cam sleeve 178 while the undulating surface 188 of the push rod 190 effects a rotation of the cam follower 192 such that when the user removes their foot (i.e., removes application of force to the lower portion of the mechanism 174), the spring 198 pushes the cam follower 192 upwards causing its engagement surfaces 196 to abut the engagement surfaces 184 of the cam features 182. This places the cam follower 192, push rod 186 and, ultimately the wheel 172 or caster in a lower axial position relative to the cam sleeve 178 and housing 178 such that the wheel is deployed and may engage the ground instead of the foot 170 that is adjacent the retractable wheel 172. Pushing down on the mounting plate 202 again causes the cam follower 192 to disengage the cam features 182 and enables it to return to its prior axial position with the fins 194 disposed within slots 180 of the cam sleeve 178, placing the wheel in a retracted position. Thus, each retractable wheel 172 may be independently, selectively actuated as noted above. With all of the retractable wheels 172 in a deployed state, the apparatus 100 may be easily wheeled to a new location while maintaining the entire apparatus in a deployed state (i.e., in the state shown in FIG. 1) without collapsing the apparatus (i.e., the state shown in FIG. 3). When the apparatus 100 is in a desired location, the user may retract each wheel 172 such that all of the feet 170 rest on the ground or other supporting surface.

(36) It is noted that various combinations of actuators or mechanisms may be used and that all of the retractable wheels 172 need not use the same type of mechanism. For example, a mechanism such as shown in FIG. 8 may be used with the retractable wheels 172 associated with the first assembly 102 while other mechanisms (e.g., those that deploy and retract based on applied weight, as described above) may be used with the retractable wheels 172 associated with the second assembly 108. Additionally, as previously noted, the retractable wheels 172 need not replace the wheels 160 that are placed in a fixed location on one of the assemblies (i.e., 102 or 108). Instead, the apparatus 100 may include, for example, a total of six or more wheels with two or more wheels used for transporting the apparatus 100 when in a collapsed state (i.e., wheels 160) and four or more wheels for selective deployments and retraction that may be used to maneuver the apparatus 100 when it is in a deployed or in-use state (i.e., retractable wheels 172).

(37) Another feature that may also be included with the apparatus 100 is a stabilizer mechanism. For example, stabilizers or outrigger mechanisms may be associated with the first assembly 102, the second assembly 108, or both, to provide a wider support base and provide greater stability to the apparatus 100. Such stabilizers may also enable the apparatus 100 to be placed in areas having relatively uneven ground wherein the stabilizers adjust to compensate for such unevenness. Referring briefly to FIG. 9, a stabilizer 220 is shown in association with a rail 110A of the second assembly 108 of an apparatus 100. The stabilizer 220 includes a first swinging arm 222 having one end pivotally coupled with the rail 110A and having an adjustment mechanism 224 that enables the length of the swing arm 222 to be selectively adjusted. For example, the swinging arm 222 may include tubular members (of circular or polygonal cross shape) with one being telescopingly disposed within the other. The adjustment mechanism 224 may include a locking pin or detent mechanism to enable the selective locking of the two tubular members at one or more desired positions relative to each other. The second end of the first swinging arm 222 is pivotally coupled to a second swinging arm 226. The second swing arm 226 has a first end pivotally coupled with the rail 110A at a location spaced from the connection of the first swinging arm 222. The second swinging arm 226 is also adjustable in length with a foot 228 or traction member disposed at its lower end for engaging the ground or other support surface. In one embodiment, the second swinging arm 226 may include two tubular members with one being telescopingly disposed within the other. The second swinging arm may further include a mechanism to enable the selective adjustment of such tubular arms relative to each other. For example, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, a mechanism may be used so that rotation of the lower tubular member relative to the upper tubular member in one direction locks the two members relative to each other, while rotation in the other direction unlocks the members and enables the lower tubular member to slide in and out of the upper tubular member to adjust the overall length of the swinging arm 226. Such a configuration enables the adjustment of the second swinging arm to be non-incremental (i.e., allowing any length of the second swinging arm between a defined maximum and a defined minimum).

(38) While a single stabilizer 220 is shown in FIG. 9, it will be understood that a second stabilizer may be coupled with the corresponding rail, of the pair of rails 110B, for the second assembly 108. Additionally, while shown in association with the second assembly 108, such a stabilizer mechanism may be used in association with the first assembly 102, or in association with both the first assembly 102 and the second assembly 108.

(39) Referring now to FIGS. 10A and 10B, a reinforcing bracket 240 is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The reinforcing bracket may be positioned on the upper ends of the external rails (104A and 110A) of the two assemblies (102 and 108). For purposes of simplicity, reference will be made to rail 104A in the following description. The bracket 240 may wrap around all four corners of the rail 104A. However, the bracket 240 is discontinuous on the interior side of the rail 104A. Although discontinuous along the interior side, the bracket 240 wraps around the interior corners of the rail 104A and extends along an interior surface of the inner rails 104B, thus substantially circumscribing or enclosing the inner rail 104B within the bracket 240. The bracket 240 reinforces the upper portion of the rail 104A, which is generally formed as a C-channel shape, so that the upper end of the outer rail 104A does not splay or spread outward (away from engagement with the inner rail 104B) when a load is applied to the rail 104A during use of the apparatus 100 (including when a force is applied to the adjustment mechanism 116 used to adjust the height of an associated assembly). The discontinuous nature of the bracket 240 defines a slot 242 through which various components (e.g., inner rungs 106B, support brackets 244, etc.) may pass through when the inner rails 104B are slidingly displaced relative to the outer rails 104A to adjust the height of the assembly 102.

(40) While the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 shows a certain number of outer rungs 106A and inner rungs 106B, it is noted that the present apparatus may be configured at a variety of heights, with any number of rungs (inner and outer). As such, in configurations where the assemblies 102 and 108 are relatively tall, and include numerous rungs, it may become difficult to adjust the inner rails (104B and 110B) relative to the outer rails (104A and 110B) due to their height and orientation. As such, one or more pulley systems, or other adjustment systems, may be used. For example, referring now to FIGS. 11A-11C, a pulley system 260 is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Each assembly 102 and 108 includes its own pulley system for independent selective adjustment of the assembly. As seen in FIGS. 11A and 11C, a given system 260 may include a rope 262, cable or other tension line fed through a first pulley 264 that is coupled with the outer rails (104A or 110A), a bracket or some other portion of the outer rail assembly. The rope 262 may be fed through a second pulley 266 which is coupled with an inner rail (104B or 110B) or to, bracket or other component associated with the inner rail assembly, as shown in FIG. 11B. One end of the rope 262 is coupled with an outer rail assembly (e.g., outer rails 104A or 110A) as indicated at 268 in FIG. 11C.

(41) In operation, when it is desired to raise an assembly (e.g., 102) to an increased height, a user may actuate the adjustment mechanisms 116 associated with the assembly 102 to enable sliding displacement of the inner rails 104B relative to the outer rails 104A, and then pull the free end of the rope 262 (i.e., apply a tensile force to the rope 262 from the free end). This causes the rope to pull upward on the second pulley 266 causing the inner rails 104B (and associated rungs 106B and other components, including the platform 120 and cage 122 components) to be displaced upward relative to the outer rails 104A. Once at a desired height, the adjustment mechanisms 116 may again be actuated to lock the inner rails 104B relative to the outer rails 104A. A similar process may be used in adjusting the assembly to a lower height by allowing the free end of the rope 262 to slowly be displaced back through the first pulley 264 while keeping the rope 262 relatively taut.

(42) Referring again to FIG. 11A, a bracket 270 may be coupled to each outer rail 104A and 110A adjacent the location of the adjustment mechanisms 116. Not only does the bracket help to provide structural support to the assemblies 102 and 108, but also serves as a safety barrier to prevent a user from pinching or smashing their fingers during use of the apparatusspecifically during actuation of the adjustment mechanisms 116. For example, when actuating an adjustment mechanism, a user may tend to place the palm of their hand on the lower portion of the lever of the adjustment mechanism 116, wrapping their fingers around the back side of the outer rail (104A or 110A) and along the interior side of the rails. If a user keeps their fingers in this position after actuating the adjustment mechanisms 116, their fingers may get caught or smashed by components associated with the inner rails 104B or 110B as they slide relative to the outer rails 104A and 110B (e.g., inner rungs 106B and 112B, brackets, etc.). The placement of the brackets 270 on the back side of the rails (i.e., the side facing the other assembly) at a location that is adjacent the adjustment mechanisms helps to prevent a user from wrapping their fingers around the outer rails 104A and 110A, eliminating, or at least reducing, the risk of potential injury to the user's hands.

(43) Referring now to FIG. 12, another embodiment of an apparatus 300 is shown. The apparatus 300 is generally similar to the previously described apparatus 100, including a first assembly 102 and a second assembly 108, with their various components, as well as a platform 120. However, the apparatus 300 includes not only a first set of gates 128, but a second set of gates 302 on the opposing side of the platform 120. The second set of gates 302 may be pivotally coupled with various components of the cage 122 (e.g., the upper and lower bars 304 and 306) and may function similarly to the first set of gates 128 as described above. The second set of gates 302 enable a user to access the platform 120 of the apparatus 300 by climbing the rungs of either assembly 102 or 108, providing greater efficiency and functionality to a user of the apparatus 100.

(44) While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.