Abstract
A platform assembly is provided with at least one foldable and deployable handle. The handle can be operated to a storage position lying between upper and lower surfaces of the upper platform of the assembly. When deployed, the handle can provide a handhold, top cap, and other features to users who are on the upper platform or who are climbing onto the upper platform. Leg assemblies of the platform can be operable between folded and deployed states, and feet of the leg assemblies can be deployed to widen the stance of the platform or folded to reduce the overall width and volumetric envelope within which the platform resides.
Claims
1. A platform assembly, comprising: a bench having a top surface and a bottom surface; and a handle coupled with the bench and movable between a storage position and a deployed position, wherein: when in the storage position, the handle is substantially entirely positioned between a first plane defined on the top surface of the bench and a second plane defined on the bottom surface of the bench, and when in the deployed position, the handle extends upward from the top surface of the bench.
2. The platform assembly of claim 1, wherein the bench comprises an upper platform, a first set of legs coupled to a first end of the upper platform, and a second set of lets coupled to a second end of the upper platform, the first end being positioned at an opposite end from the second end.
3. The platform assembly of claim 1, wherein the bench comprises an upper platform, wherein the top surface is an upward-facing surface of the upper platform and the bottom surface is a downward-facing surface of the upper platform.
4. The platform assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle is coupled with the bench at an outer lateral side surface of the bench between the top surface and the bottom surface.
5. The platform assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle is coupled with rotatably coupled with the bench, and wherein the handle is rotatable between the storage position and the deployed position.
6. The platform assembly of claim 1, wherein the bench further includes a bracket, and the handle is received by the bracket when the handle is in the deployed position.
7. The platform assembly of claim 1, further comprising a support member coupled to an outer end of the handle.
8. The platform assembly of claim 7, wherein the support member defines a plurality of tool support openings.
9. The platform assembly of claim 7, wherein the support member is positionable between the first plane and the second plane when the handle is in the storage position.
10. The platform assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle includes a bar coupled with the bench.
11. The platform assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle is coupled with the bench in a first quadrant of the bench, wherein the platform assembly further comprises a second handle coupled with the bench in a diagonally positioned quadrant from the first quadrant, wherein the second handle is movable relative to the bench between a second bar storage position and a second handle deployed position.
12. The platform assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle is entirely positioned to one side of a longitudinal centerline of the bench.
13. A support platform, comprising: a table; a first leg assembly configured to support a first end of the table, the first leg assembly including a bracket having at least two sidewalls; a second leg assembly configured to support a second end of the table; and a handlebar coupleable with the bracket while extending higher than the table and while being prevented from rotation relative to the table by the at least two sidewalls of the bracket.
14. The support platform of claim 13, wherein the handlebar is pivotably coupled with the table or with the first leg assembly.
15. The support platform of claim 13, wherein the handlebar is slidably coupled with the table or with the first leg assembly.
16. The support platform of claim 13, wherein the bracket is configured to limit longitudinal movement of the handlebar relative to the first leg assembly.
17. The support platform of claim 13, wherein first leg assembly comprises a rail, and the handlebar is parallel to the rail when coupled with the bracket.
18. The support platform of claim 17, wherein the rail and at least a portion of the handlebar coupled with the bracket are oriented at a non-vertical angle when the handlebar is prevented from rotation by the at least two sidewalls.
19. The support platform of claim 13, wherein at least the first leg assembly is movable between a folded position and an opened position, wherein in the folded position, the first leg assembly is substantially parallel to the table, and wherein in the opened position, the first leg assembly extends from the table at an angle of at least 90 degrees.
20. The support platform of claim 13, wherein the handlebar is positionable in a storage configuration parallel to and lateral to a side surface of the table, the side surface extending between the first leg assembly and the second leg assembly.
21. A platform assembly, comprising: an upper platform; a first bracket pivotally coupled with the upper platform; a leg assembly pivotally coupled with the upper platform and including a second bracket; and a handle including a support bar, wherein the handle is movable relative to the upper platform between a first position extending through the first bracket and the second bracket and a second position removed from the second bracket and rotated with respect to the upper platform relative to the first position.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] The accompanying drawings and figures illustrate a number of exemplary embodiments and are part of the specification. Together with the present description, these drawings demonstrate and explain various principles of this disclosure. A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be realized by reference to the following drawings. In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label.
[0034] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a platform assembly in a deployed configuration.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the assembly of FIG. 1.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a front view of the assembly of FIG. 1.
[0037] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a handle retaining portion of the assembly of FIG. 1.
[0038] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a top end of a handle of the assembly of FIG. 1.
[0039] FIG. 6 is a top view of a rear end of the assembly of FIG. 1.
[0040] FIG. 7A is a section view of a foot of the assembly of FIG. 1 in a deployed configuration.
[0041] FIG. 7B is a section view of the foot of FIG. 7B in a transition state between the deployed configuration and a folded configuration.
[0042] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the assembly of FIG. 1 in a folded configuration.
[0043] FIG. 9 is a right side view of the assembly of FIG. 8.
[0044] FIG. 10 is a top view of a rear end of the assembly of FIG. 8.
[0045] FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the handle retaining portion of the assembly of FIG. 8.
[0046] FIG. 12 is a front section view of the assembly of FIG. 8, as taken along section lines 12-12 in FIG. 10.
[0047] FIG. 13 is a partial bottom view of the assembly of FIG. 8.
[0048] FIG. 14A is a section view of the foot of the assembly of FIG. 1 in a second transition state between the deployed configuration and the folded configuration.
[0049] FIG. 14B is a section view of the foot of the assembly of FIG. 1 in the folded configuration.
[0050] FIG. 15 is an isometric view of another platform assembly.
[0051] FIG. 16 is a partial left side view of the assembly of FIG. 15.
[0052] FIG. 17 is a front view of the assembly of FIG. 15.
[0053] FIG. 18 is an isometric view of a top end of a handle of the assembly of FIG. 15.
[0054] FIG. 19 is a detail isometric view of a handle retaining portion of the assembly of FIG. 15.
[0055] FIG. 20 is a partial isometric view of the assembly of FIG. 15 with the handle in a folded configuration and with leg assemblies deployed.
[0056] FIG. 21 is an isometric view of the assembly of FIG. 15 with the handle and leg assemblies in a folded configuration.
[0057] FIG. 22 is an isometric view of a platform assembly in a standing and deployed configuration.
[0058] FIG. 23 is an isometric view of the platform assembly of FIG. 22 in a collapsed and folded configuration.
[0059] FIG. 24 is a detail view of the leg assembly area of the platform assembly of FIG. 22
[0060] FIG. 25 is a detail view of a lower end portion of a support bar and nearby components of the platform assembly of FIG. 22.
[0061] FIG. 26 is an isometric and schematic view of a pin mechanism of the platform assembly of FIG. 22
[0062] FIG. 27 is a detail view of the platform assembly of FIG. 23.
[0063] While the embodiments described herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, the exemplary embodiments described herein are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the instant disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0064] Work platforms often lack handholds, side railings, or similar supports for a user, and the platforms that include such features are bulky, difficult and time consuming to move, or add unnecessary complexity to the platform. Additionally, feet for the platforms add unnecessary bulk, especially when the platform is being stored and shipped. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to platform assemblies and systems in which a handle, bar, rod, handlebar, shaft, or other elongated member is coupled to a bench, benchtop, table, scaffold platform, or other platform (e.g., an elevated standing platform configured to be substantially horizontal and/or parallel to a supporting ground surface) and is movable (e.g., rotatable and/or translatable) between a storage position and a deployed position. The storage position can be substantially parallel to the platform's surface and can keep the handle entirely located between top and bottom surfaces of the platform, thereby minimizing the thickness of the overall assembly for storage and shipping. The deployed position can hold the handle at a position extending higher than the platform to provide a handhold or grip for a user standing on, or ascending onto, the platform, thereby improving their stability and balance while on the platform. The handle can include a horizontal support member (e.g., a top cap, folding supplemental handle, deployable tool platform, hand grip portion, etc.) for the user to grasp or to support tools and equipment at a convenient elevated location over the platform. The handle can therefore add functionality to the platform while adding minimal additional bulk and weight to the platform assembly as a whole.
[0065] Embodiments of the present disclosure also relate to feet for legs or rails of the platform that are configurable into folded configurations wherein the feet lie within the lateral width of the folded assembly, thereby reducing the overall volumetric envelope of the platform when it is stored or transported. The feet may include biasing members to enable inexpensive construction and simple operation between stable deployed and stored states.
[0066] The present description provides examples, and is not limiting of the scope, applicability, or configuration set forth in the claims. Thus, it will be understood that changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements discussed without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, and various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add other procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, the methods described may be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Also, features described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in other embodiments.
[0067] FIGS. 1-14B illustrate a platform assembly 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The platform assembly 100 may include a bench 102 (e.g., a table, benchtop, scaffold, or standing user support platform) and at least one handle, with two handles 104 being shown on platform assembly 100. The bench 102 may comprise an upper platform 106 (e.g., a foot platform, table top, or user standing platform), a first leg assembly 108, and a second leg assembly 110. In FIGS. 1-6, the handles 104 are shown in a deployed configuration relative to the bench 102 and extends upward from and at least partially above the bench 102. In FIGS. 8-13, each handle 104 is shown in a storage or collapsed configuration and is substantially parallel to the upper platform 106. In FIGS. 1-4 and 6, the first leg assembly 108 and the second leg assembly 110 are in a deployed, extended, or standing configuration relative to the upper platform 106, and in FIGS. 8-13, the leg assemblies 108, 110 are in a collapsed, storage, or folded configuration relative to the upper platform 106.
[0068] In some embodiments, the leg assemblies 108, 110 each comprise at least one pair of rails (e.g., 124, 126) and at least one rung (e.g., 128, 130) extending between the pairs of rails 124, 126. The rails 124, 126 may be referred to as legs, and sets of legs can be provided on each opposite end of the bench 102. The pairs of rails 124, 126 may have adjustable lengths, such as telescopically extending and retracting to provide different heights of the upper platform 106 or to provide a reduced collapsed volume of the platform assembly 100. For example, the rails 124, 126 may each comprise an upper rail portion that receives a telescoping lower rail portion. As such, retractable/extendable locking pins or similar selectively lockable and unlockable locks 132 can be provided for the leg assemblies 108, 110. In some examples, leg assemblies 208, 210 may include outer locking mechanisms 232. See FIG. 17.
[0069] In some embodiments, the leg assemblies may each comprise a pair of legs without rungs or length adjustability. In some embodiments, the leg assemblies 108, 110 may comprise a single leg, such as, for example, a U-shaped or an inverted T-shaped leg. The leg assemblies 108, 110 can optionally be locked in position relative to the upper platform 106 via locking assemblies 134 located at the upper ends of the leg assemblies 108, 110. The leg assemblies 108, 110 can be configured to hold the upper platform 106 in a substantially horizontal orientation when on a horizontal ground surface.
[0070] A handle 104 (e.g., handlebar) may be used as a support for a person standing on the upper platform 106, wherein the person can lean on or grasp the handle 104 to steady his or her balance when needed. The handle 104 can therefore help the user avoid bracing himself or herself against a wall adjacent to the bench 102 (e.g., a wall adjacent to a lateral side 120 of the upper platform 106), which can be useful when painting a wall, washing a vehicle, cleaning glass windows, when a nearby object or structure is fragile, or in other situations where lateral movement of the user off of the upper platform 106 or into contact with objects laterally adjacent to the upper platform 106 is undesirable.
[0071] The handles 104 may therefore extend upward from opposite sides of the upper platform 106. The handles 104 may also each extend upward from opposite ends of the upper platform 106. In some examples, handles 104 may be provided on the bench 102 in opposite corners thereof. For example, a top surface 190 of the upper platform 106 may have four quadrants in a horizontal plane (i.e., front left, front right, back left, and back right quadrants), and the handles 104 may be coupled to the upper platform 106 in two opposite or relatively diagonal quadrants (e.g., front left and back right or back left and front right), with the other two quadrants lacking a handle. In some examples, handles 104 may be positioned in adjacent quadrants (e.g., front left and front right or back left and back right), and the other quadrants may lack a handle. In some examples, a handle 104 may be coupled to each corner or quadrant of the assembly 100.
[0072] Each handle 104 may include a support bar 112 pivotally coupled with the upper platform 106 at a position laterally external to the lateral side 120 of the upper platform 106 (e.g., to the left hand side of the upper platform 106 when the user is approaching the platform assembly 100 toward the second leg assembly 110). A handle pivot pin 121 may be provided extending through the support bar 112 and into the upper platform 106 (e.g., at the lateral side 120), with the handle pivot pin 121 defining an axis of rotation of the support bar 112 relative to the upper platform 106. The handle 104 may therefore be rotatable about the handle pivot pin 121 axis of rotation between the deployed, extended configuration (e.g., FIG. 1) and the folded, storage configuration (e.g., FIG. 8). Each individual handle 104 may be entirely positioned on one side of a longitudinal centerline C of the platform assembly 100, as shown in FIG. 6, in both folded and deployed states. Thus, the handle 104 may not extend across the centerline C to be braced or supported on both sides of the centerline C. This positioning can improve access to the upper platform 106 since the handle 104 does not extend across the middle portion of the platform in a manner sufficient to limit or inhibit longitudinal movement of a user across the platform. The longitudinal centerline C may be defined extending parallel to an elongated length dimension of the upper platform 106, e.g., the dimension measured between the ends (e.g., 159; see FIG. 8) of the upper platform 106 respectively coupled to different leg assemblies 108, 110.
[0073] When deployed away from the upper platform 106, the support bar 112 can extend to a rail height H away from the top standing surface of the upper platform 106. See FIG. 2. A distal end 117 the support bar 112 can extend to a rail height H of about 3 feet to about 4 feet away from the top of the upper platform 106. At this rail height H, the handle 104 can extend high enough to sufficiently act as a handhold for an average adult user standing on the upper platform 106 without requiring the user to bend over to grasp the handle 104 for support.
[0074] The handle 104 can extend from the bench 102 while oriented substantially parallel to an adjacent rail (e.g., 124, 126). For example, the adjacent rail 126 shown in FIG. 2 can be oriented at an angle V away from a horizontal ground surface G. The support bar 112 of the handle 104 can likewise be oriented at an angle U away from the top surface of the upper platform 106, wherein the angles U and V are equal to each other. In some examples, the angles U and V are non-vertical and non-perpendicular angles. Angling the support bar 112 (e.g., at angle U) can allow the support bar 112 to be easier or more natural to reach and hold with the user's hand as he or she ascends or climbs onto the upper platform 106 because the distal end 117 of the support bar 112 is slightly angled away from the user and therefore ahead of the user's body as he or she is moving forward (e.g., moving in direction F in FIG. 2) onto the rungs 130 and upper platform 106. Thus, when the user is on the ground surface G, the portion of the support bar 112 that is at the user's arm height can be at a first horizontal distance from the user's position. As the user steps onto a rung 130 and is now closer to the upper platform 106, the portion of the support bar 112 that is now at the user's arm height can remain at substantially the same horizontal distance as the first horizontal distance due to the user following the tilt of the support bar 112. This can therefore make it easier for the user to balance himself or herself while climbing to (or down from) the upper platform 106 since the support bar 112 can act as a consistent-distance handhold or handlebar during his or her movement.
[0075] A handle 104 can be moved between the deployed position (e.g., FIGS. 1-4 and 6) and the collapsed position (e.g., FIGS. 8-13) by pivoting about its respective pivot pin 121 near the locking assemblies 134. FIG. 4 shows that the pivot pin 121 can extend through a rail swivel bracket 139 in the locking assembly 134 and into a fixed position on the upper platform (e.g., on or through the lateral side surface 120). The rail swivel bracket 139 can be fixed to the rail (e.g., 126) and can rotate about a separate bracket pivot pin 133 or bracket axis of rotation. Since the axes of rotation of the rail swivel bracket 139 and the support bar 112 are not the same, the rail swivel bracket 139 can include a curved slot 141 through which the pivot pin 121 of the support bar 112 can extend at a first end of the curved slot 141 while the support bar 112 is in the extended position. The pivot pin 121 can move relative to the rail swivel bracket 139 (along the slot 141) when the rail swivel bracket 139 moves with the rail 126 as the rail 126 is folded. FIG. 11 shows the support bar 112 in the folded configuration, i.e., when the rail swivel bracket 139 has rotated about bracket pivot pin 133 and pivot pin 121 has therefore traversed the curved slot 141 to a second end thereof.
[0076] The support bar 112 can be prevented from rotation about the pivot pin 121 due to its proximal end 152 being received within a rail bracket 150 mounted to and extending laterally from the rail (e.g., 126) positioned adjacent to the support bar 112. See FIG. 4. The rail bracket 150 can comprise at least two side walls 154, 155 and a lateral outer wall 156, wherein the at least two side walls 154, 155 are configured to prevent rotation of the proximal end 152 of the support bar 112 about the axis of rotation of the pivot pin 121. See FIGS. 4 and 11. The lateral outer wall 156 can reinforce the at least two side walls 154, 155 and can prevent movement of the proximal end 152 of the support bar 112 in a direction laterally away from the rail 126. A pin 157 through the rail bracket 150 can prevent longitudinal movement of the support bar 112 through the rail bracket 150 due to mechanical interference/contact with longitudinal face at the proximal end 152 of the support bar 112. Thus, the bracket 150, via pin 157, can limit longitudinal movement of a handlebar (e.g., handle 104) relative to a leg assembly 110. In some embodiments, the rail bracket 150 (or rail 126) can comprise a bottom end wall or protrusion against which the proximal end 152 of the support bar 112 can contact to limit its longitudinal movement (e.g., along longitudinal slot 148). With the support bar 112 between the at least two side walls 154, 155 and held in place by the pivot pin 121, the support bar 112 can be rigidly prevented from rotation relative to the rail 126, thereby providing stability to a user pressing against a side of the handle 104.
[0077] The support bar 112 can include at least one longitudinal slot 148 receiving the pivot pin 121. The longitudinal slot 148 can enable the support bar 112 to longitudinally slide (i.e., slide along its longitudinal axis 158 in FIG. 4) relative to the pivot pin 121 in response to a user pulling longitudinally (e.g., upward) or pushing longitudinally (e.g., downward) on the handle 104. In response to the longitudinal force applied, a proximal end 152 of the handle 104 can slide out of the rail bracket 150, thereby freeing the proximal end 152 from the at least two side walls 154, 155 and permitting rotation of the support bar 112 about the pivot pin 121. The longitudinal sliding of the support bar 112 can move the pivot pin 121 relative to the at least one longitudinal slot 148 from a first end of the slot (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4) toward a second end of the slot (e.g., the end in which the pivot pin 121 is located in FIG. 11). Accordingly, the longitudinal slot 148 can limit the range of longitudinal movement of the support bar 112 relative to the pivot pin 121 and can guide the movement of the support bar 112 between the deployed position and the folded position of the handle 104.
[0078] When the handle 104 transitions to the folded position, at least one handle retainer bracket 122 can receive the handle 104 (e.g., the support bar 112) and thereby limit its rotation about the pivot pin 121 so that the support bar 112 folds to a storage position substantially parallel to the upper platform 106, as shown in FIGS. 8-12. The handle retainer brackets 122 can include a u-shaped portion for receiving the support bar 112. In some examples, the handle retainer brackets 122 can have u-shaped portions with a slightly smaller width than the support bar 112 such that inserting the support bar 112 requires pressure to slightly and elastically expand the u-shaped portions of the bracket so that the support bar 112 is held within the handle retainer brackets 122 by a pinching force or friction fit. The friction on the support bar 112 can then be overcome to free the support bar 112 from the handle retainer brackets 122 and thereby allow the support bar 112 to rotate again about the axis of rotation defined by the pivot pin 121.
[0079] In some examples, a biased pin 111 (e.g., a spring-preloaded, outward-biased pogo pin; see FIGS. 2 and 5) can be positioned in or on the support bar 112 and can interact with (e.g., can be received within) a recess or aperture 109 on the handle retainer bracket 122 (see FIGS. 2 and 8). The biased pin 111 can retain the support bar 112 in the handle retainer bracket 122 until sufficient force is applied to the support bar 112 to overcome the biasing/spring force of the biased pin 111 and thereby cause the pin 111 to withdraw from the recess, aperture, or dent and to thereby release the support bar 112 and to allow the support bar 112 to rotate about the pivot pin 121. Thus, the biased pin 111 can help prevent unintentional removal or sliding of the support bar 112 from a handle retainer bracket 122.
[0080] In some embodiments, the bench 102 can include at least two handle retainer brackets 122 in order to provide stability to the support bar 112 and to prevent unwanted rotation of the support bar 112 while in the storage position. The at least two handle retainer brackets 122 can be positioned near opposite ends of the support bar 112 while in the storage position. In some examples, only one of the handle retainer brackets 122 may include an aperture 109 for receiving a biased pin 111, as shown, for example in FIGS. 1 and 8.
[0081] With the support bar 112 in the storage position, a width 160 of the standing area of the upper platform 106 can be increased by at least a width 162 of the folded support bar 112. See FIGS. 3, 6, 10, and 13. Thus, when a handle 104 is stored, it can increase the overall standing surface of the upper platform 106, and the standing surface area of the platform assembly 100 can include one or more surfaces (e.g., at traction features 194 in FIG. 12) of the support bars 112 that are parallel to and substantially coplanar with a top surface plane defined by the upper platform 106. With two handles 104, the width 160 of the upper platform 106 can be expanded so that the usable standing area of the assembly 100 includes twice the bar widths 162 of the folded support bars 112, as shown in FIG. 10, since both bars 112 can be used as platform support extensions. Small gaps may be formed between the widths 160, 162 of the upper platform 106 and the folded support bars 112, but the gaps may be configured to be small, e.g., smaller than width 162. Thus, the handles 104 can provide different kinds of support for a user while the handles are 104 in both the upright, deployed condition (i.e., lateral support or support to the side of the user) and while in the folded, storage condition (i.e., vertical support or support beneath the user).
[0082] Whether the handle 104 is in the deployed condition or in the storage condition, the support bar 112 and any top cap 114 (e.g., a movable handle, storage element, hand grip, or support member) coupled with the support bar 112 can be both positioned laterally outward from a vertical plane defined by the lateral side surface 120 of the upper platform 106, as shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 10. By being entirely positioned outside the plane of the lateral side surface 120, the handle 104 can be easily rotated between deployed and folded positions without interference with the upper platform 106 and does not reduce the area accessible to the user while he or she moves around on the upper platform 106. The handle 104 can also be stored in a folded condition wherein the handle 104 is entirely positioned lying between a first plane defined by a top surface 190 and a second plane defined by a bottom surface 191 of the upper platform 106 (or by a bottom surface/bottom-facing surface of a folded rail 124, 126 (e.g., a surface facing downward in FIG. 9) or of the collapsed bench 102 in general). See FIGS. 9 and 12. In some examples, the handle 104 may be substantially entirely positioned lying between the first and second planes, such as by having 90 percent or more of the volume of the handle 104 being positioned between the two planes. Thus, a relatively small portion of the handle 104 (e.g., a top part of the storage-positioned top cap 114 in FIG. 9) can extend above the first plane defined by the top surface 190, but the vast majority of the handle 104 may lie within the volumetric envelope defined between the top and bottom of the platform 100 and/or rails 124, 126. In some embodiments, at least the entire support bar 112 of the handle 104 is positioned below the top surface 190.
[0083] When the handle 104 is in the storage condition, the top cap 114 can have its top surface facing upward and parallel to the top surface of the upper platform 106, thereby allowing user access to the tool support features 136 thereof at the upper platform 106 level. Therefore, top cap 114 can be configured to be used to hang or support tools, parts, supplies, and equipment from the tool support features 136 while the handle 104 is folded and stored. This can be beneficial when the bench 102 is used with the leg assemblies 108, 110 deployed relative to the upper platform 106 but when the handle 104 is not deployed (or, for example, when only one side of the assembly has a handle 104 deployed).
[0084] Furthermore, the top cap 114 can include a side notch or recess 164, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 10. The side notch or recess 164 have a size minimized so as to ensure the top cap 114 has its overall volume size maximized but also managed to ensure that the top cap 114 does not prevent the handle 104 from reaching the fully folded condition due to interference with the locking assemblies 134 (e.g., rail swivel bracket 139) protruding from the lateral side of the upper platform 106 when the top cap 114 is the storage position and aligned with the support bar 112. Accordingly, the side notch or recess 164 can allow the top cap 114 to extend all the way to the plane of the end surface 159 of the upper platform 106 when the handle 104 is in the storage condition. As shown in FIG. 10, the length of the handle 104 may be configured so that when in the storage condition, the distal tip 153 of the top cap 114 does not extend beyond the adjacent end surface 159 of the upper platform 106 or beyond the proximal end 152 of an opposite handle 104.
[0085] As mentioned above, the handle 104 may optionally include a top cap 114, and the top cap 114 may be positioned at the distal end 117 of the support bar 112. When included, the top cap 114 may be pivotally coupled with the support bar 112 and movable between a deployed, substantially horizontal position relative to the support bar 112, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5-6, to a stored, folded, straightened position relative to the support bar 112, as shown in FIGS. 8-10 and 12. The top cap 114 can be referred to as a handle, a hand grip, an end support member, or a storage platform.
[0086] FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of the top side and some lateral sides of the top cap 114. The top cap 114 may include one or more tool support features 136a, 136b. The tool support features 136a, 136b may be defined in or through a top surface of the top cap 114 and can provide spaces into which tools and supplies (e.g., nails, screws, glue, etc.) can be inserted, hung, rested, or otherwise supported while using the platform assembly 100. For example, tool support feature 136a can comprise a through-hole aperture configured to open vertically through its top and bottom ends. The tool support feature 136a can therefore receive and retain relatively long and thin tools such as screwdrivers, paintbrush handles, hooks, clips, spatulas, scrapers, similar objects, and combinations thereof.
[0087] A tool support feature 136a may also include a thin-walled portion 142 wherein the sidewall of the top cap 114 at the tool support feature 136a is thinner than one or more adjacent sidewall portions of the same opening (e.g., sidewall portions 143). The thin-walled portion 142 can be formed at a sidewall of the tool support feature 136a that is adjacent to a laterally-outward face 144 of the top cap 114 to better facilitate attaching clips and other spring-loaded, thin objects to the top cap 114. A longitudinal length of the thin-walled portion 142 can be substantially equal to a width of a standard belt clip for a tape measure or drill. The tool support feature 136a May also receive part of an extension of the top cap 114, such as by receiving a clip for a bucket/cup or tray removably attachable to the top cap 114.
[0088] Another tool support feature 136b can form a cup or bucket area with sidewalls and a bottom wall 145. The bottom wall 145 can be configured as a solid, continuous wall lacking bottom openings or perforations, or the bottom wall 145 can be porous or have drain openings. With tool support feature 136b, the top cap 114 can be configured to hold small items or tools such as screws, nails, washers, nuts, glue bottles, pins, clips, and similar objects without the objects falling through the top cap 114.
[0089] The top cap 114 can include a variety of tool support openings for various purposes, such as a plurality of through-hole openings (e.g., 136a), cup-like openings (e.g., 136b), tool support openings with different shapes (e.g., rounded or circular openings), depths, lengths, etc. to adapt to and support a variety of different objects. See also, e.g., top cap 214 of FIG. 18.
[0090] The top cap 114 may be rotatable relative to the support bar 112. In some embodiments, the top cap 114 is directly coupled with the support bar 112 and is adjustably rotatable about an axis of rotation S extending through an adjustment pin 146. See FIG. 5. The top cap 114 may be rotatable relative to the support bar 112 between a deployed configuration configured to be substantially horizontally oriented and angled (e.g., at angle T in FIG. 2) relative to the support bar 112 (as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 6) and a storage configuration. In some examples, the top cap 114 is aligned with the support bar 112 and extends away from the distal end 117 of the support bar 112 when in the storage configuration, as shown in FIGS. 8-10.
[0091] The leg assemblies 108, 110 may each include at least one adjustable foot 170, 172 at a terminal bottom end of their rails 124, 126. The adjustable feet 170, 172 can be movable relative to the respective rails 124, 126 between a deployed or standing condition configured to support the leg assemblies 108, 110 against a ground surface G, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, 6, and 7A, and a storage or folded condition configured to reduce the overall width of the platform assembly 100, as shown in FIGS. 8-10 and 12-14B. The adjustable feet 170, 172 can therefore be referred to as feet members, expandable supports, foldable feet, reconfigurable feet, or stowable feet.
[0092] When the feet 170, 172 are in their deployed or standing configuration, they can increase the overall width of the platform assembly 100 beyond the width of the rest of the parts of the leg assemblies 108, 110, the width (e.g., 160) of the upper platform 106, and the widths (e.g., 162) of the handles 104. See FIGS. 3 and 6. In this state, the increased width of the platform assembly 100 can improve its stability and tipping resistance.
[0093] As shown in FIG. 7A, the feet 170/172 can each include a recess 174 (e.g., a receiving recess, a retaining recess, or a channel for receiving a rail or leg member of the leg assembly) configured to receive a bottom end (e.g., 176) of the adjacent rail (e.g., 124/126) when the feet 170/172 are in the deployed, standing configuration. Thus, the body 171 of a foot 172 can cover and surround the bottom end 176 of the rail 126 when the bottom end 176 is seated in the recess 174. The feet 170, 172 can include an engagement pad 178 on the bottom of the body 171 of the foot, and the engagement pad 178 may be made of a resilient material (e.g., rubber or other elastomeric material) to improve traction and friction against the ground surface G. The body 171 of the foot 172 can extend laterally away from the rail 126 and can increase the overall surface area of the leg assembly 108 that engages the ground surface G when the platform assembly 100 is standing. The engagement pad 178 can define a base surface or ground resting surface for the foot 172 on its bottom treads (i.e., on the opposite side of the bottom end of recess 174) that is substantially perpendicular to the top opening of the recess 174 (e.g., the opening into which the rail 126 is inserted when the foot 172 is in the deployed configuration) or relative to a longitudinal axis 158 of the rail 126 when the rail 126 is seated in the recess 174. In some examples, the engagement pad 178 is configured to be parallel to the ground surface G and at an angle (e.g., V) relative to the longitudinal axis 158 of the rail to which it is attached (e.g., 126).
[0094] A biasing member 180 (e.g., a spring) may connect the body of the foot 172 to the rail 126. The foot 170 or 172, engagement pad 178, and biasing member 180 may be collectively referred to as a foot assembly. The biasing member 180 can help to prevent the foot 172 from falling off of the rail 126 as the platform assembly 100 is moved. The biasing member 180 may apply a longitudinally-oriented biasing force (e.g., B) to the body 171 of the foot 172 (via a spring retaining pin 182) to do so. Thus, to apply the force, the biasing member 180 may be coupled at one of its ends to the spring retaining pin 182 of the foot 172 that extends through a longitudinal slot 184 in the rail 126. In some examples, the biasing member 180 may be coupled to another structure of the foot 172. The opposite end of the biasing member 180 may be coupled to the rail 126, such as by being hooked to a side opening 186 of the rail 126. See FIG. 7A. Accordingly, the foot 172 can be movably transitioned from a rest state shown in FIG. 7A to a transition state shown in FIG. 7B by application of a longitudinal force D on the foot 172 that pulls the foot 172 longitudinally away from the bottom end 176 of the rail 126. The longitudinal force D can withdraw the bottom end 176 from the recess 174 in the body of the foot 172 and can pull downward on the spring retaining pin 182, thereby moving the pin 182 along the slot 184 and stretching the biasing member 180.
[0095] From the transition state of FIG. 7B, the foot 172 can be rotated about 90 degrees relative to the rail 126 about an axis of rotation defined through the spring retaining pin 182 into the straightened transition state shown in FIG. 14A. The bottom end 176 of the rail 126 can rotate past and through a cutout 173 (e.g., a gap, rotation space, or separation surface defined in the body portion of the foot 172) between the recess 174 and a flat surface 188 (e.g., a top surface or straight-foot rail contact surface) of the foot 172. After rotating, the foot 172 can be biased by the biasing member 180 into the straightened, folded position shown in FIG. 14B, where the rail 126 is removed from the recess 174 and the foot 172 is prevented from inadvertently rotating back to the deployed condition (e.g., to the position of FIG. 7A via the cutout 173) by contact between the side of the rail 126 and the flat surface 188 of the body of the foot 172. In the folded position, the rail 126 is positioned out of the recess 174 and non-perpendicular to the base surface of the engagement pad 178. For example, the rail 126 is parallel to the base surface in FIG. 14B. The rail 126 is also parallel to the bottom of recess 174 and parallel to the flat guide surface 188.
[0096] However, the foot 172 can be rotated back to the position of FIG. 7B by application of a longitudinal force on the spring retaining pin 182 that pulls the body of the foot 172 downward relative to the rail 126 relative to the position shown in FIG. 14B and then enables rotation of the bottom end 176 back into the recess 174, moving from the position of FIG. 14A to the position of FIG. 7B, and then finally back to the position of FIG. 7A. In this manner, the foot 172 can be easily folded and deployed without tools and without needing to operate separate locking mechanisms. The biasing member 180 can keep the foot 172 in each of its two stable conditions due to the biasing force B it applies to the spring retaining pin 182.
[0097] In some examples, with the feet 170, 172 in their folded states, the feet 170, 172 are all parallel to the planes of the lateral sides 120 of the upper platform 106 and substantially fit within the maximum width 160 of the upper platform 106 and laterally within the width dimension extending between laterally inner sides of the handles 104. Thus, the feet 170, 172 may not define the maximum width of the bench 102 and may instead lie within the maximum width of the bench when in the feet 170, 172 are in the folded condition. In some examples, the folded feet 170, 172 may protrude laterally outward from the width 160 of the upper platform 106 to a distance of less than 10 percent of the width 160, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 13. In some examples, the folded feet 170, 172 can have 90 percent or more of their widths located within the width 160 of the upper platform 106. In these cases, the folding of the feet can enable easier storage and transportation of the platform assembly 100.
[0098] In some examples, the folded feet 170, 172 and leg assemblies 108, 110 may be entirely positioned within the overall width of the collective platform of the upper platform 106 and handles 104. Thus, the feet 170, 172 and leg assemblies 108, 110 may be folded into a state entirely laterally within and vertically below the overall combined standing area of the platform assembly 100 (e.g., the area across width 160 (extending to include any handle widths 162 on each side of width 160) and between ends 159 of the upper platform 106).
[0099] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 13, a folded foot 172 (e.g., the foot on the right side of FIG. 13) may lie entirely between a first outer lateral side 187 of the upper platform 106 and a second outer lateral side 189 of the handle 104 (e.g., on the outer lateral side of the support bar 112). Thus, the folded foot 172 can be stored in a manner that does not expand the lateral width of the platform assembly 100 beyond the handle 104 or other components. By comparison, when the foot 172 is unfolded, the foot 172 may extend laterally beyond the second lateral side 189, as shown, for example, in FIG. 3. When unfolded, the foot 172 can therefore allow the platform assembly 100 to rest on wider supports for improved stability.
[0100] Furthermore, when the leg assemblies 108, 110 and the feet 170, 172 are in folded states, opposing feet may be aligned with each other and spaced apart from each other without the leg assemblies 108, 110 or feet 170, 172 overlapping, as shown in at least FIG. 9. Thus, the leg assemblies 108, 110 can collapse to a state where both sets of rails 124, 126 are coplanar with each other and with their respective feet 170, 172, thereby further enhancing the portability of the assembly and reducing the overall volumetric envelope in which the platform assembly 100 resides.
[0101] As shown in FIGS. 12-13, the rungs (e.g., 130), rails (e.g., 126), and feet (e.g., 172) may all be substantially coplanar when the platform assembly 100 is in the folded configuration. Likewise, the handles 104 and upper platform 106 may be substantially coplanar and in a plane parallel to the plane of the rungs, rails, and feet. A top surface 190 of the upper platform 106 may comprise a plurality of traction features 192. The traction features 192 can comprise openings, ridges, texturing, and/or grooves that help prevent the user from laterally sliding on the top surface 190. The support bar 112 may also include a set of traction features 194 configured to face upward (i.e., facing outward in the same predominant direction as the top surface 190) when in the storage or folded configuration, as shown in FIG. 12. The traction features 194 of the handle 104 can be substantially coplanar with and parallel to the traction features 192 of the upper platform 106. The handle 104 can therefore also help to prevent lateral sliding or slipping of the user by extending the area on which the user can stand and by extending the area that includes traction features for user engagement. The traction features 194 of the handle 104 may also help improve and stabilize a user's hand grip when grasping the support bar 112, such as when he or she is carrying the folded platform assembly 100 or when climbing onto the platform assembly 100 while holding onto the support bar 112.
[0102] FIGS. 15-21 illustrate features of another example embodiment of a platform assembly 200. The platform assembly 200 may include elements and features in common with platform assembly 100, and parts and features of platform assembly 200 may be implemented in combination with parts and features of platform assembly 100. Furthermore, features described in connection with platform assembly 100 can be applied to corresponding features of platform assembly 200. For example, features and capabilities of the upper platform 106 can be shared by upper platform 206.
[0103] A deployable handle 204 of platform assembly 200 can include a support bar 212 coupled with a top cap 214 and coupled with an upper platform 206. The support bar 212 can be pivotally coupled to the upper platform 206 at a lateral side 220 of the upper platform 206 by a locking assembly 218. The handle 204 can also include a secondary support bar 216 pivotally coupled with the top cap 214 and pivotally coupled with the upper platform 206. The secondary support bar 216 may be coupled with the upper platform 206 on the same side of the longitudinal centerline (e.g., C) as support bar 212 or the rest of handle 204. The handle may be movable between a deployed, upright position relative to the upper platform 206, as shown in FIG. 15-19, and a storage, folded position, as shown in FIGS. 20-21. Leg assemblies 208, 210 (e.g., corresponding to assemblies 108, 110) of the platform assembly 200 can be deployed into a standing configuration (e.g., FIG. 15) and into a folded configuration (e.g., FIG. 21).
[0104] The top cap 214 of the handle 204 may be stabilized by at least two support bars 212, 216. The top cap 214 may also be automatically transitioned between a state substantially parallel to the top surface of the upper platform 206 (as shown in the deployed position) and a state substantially straightened and aligned with the support bars 212, 216 (as shown in the folded position). Thus, no manual adjustment of the position of the top cap 214 relative to the support bar 212 may be required. Rotation of the support bars 212, 216 can guide and pivot the top cap 214 until the support bars 212, 216 reach their final folded positions.
[0105] As shown in detail in FIG. 18, the top cap 214 may include a plurality of tool support openings 236a-j. The tool support openings 236a-j can provide spaces into which tools can be inserted, hung, or rested while using the platform assembly 200. For example, the tool support openings 236a, 236b, 236d, 236e, 236f, can be circular in shape, and the top cap 214 can be open below those openings so that long, thin tools or supplies can be received and held in the openings, such as screwdrivers, paintbrush handles, hooks, caulking guns, and similar objects. In some embodiments, tool support openings can be elongated and thin (e.g., opening 236c) to receive and retain clips, spatulas, scrapers, and other thin tools and objects. Other openings (e.g., 236g) can be large enough to receive larger tools or handles thereof (e.g., a hammer, wrench, or spraygun handle). Aligned notches (e.g., 238) can receive and help stabilize tools or other objects at the end of the top cap 214 such as a round handled tube, pipe, hose, or bucket handle. Keyhole openings 236h-j can be defined in a side surface of the top cap 214 to enable gravity-assisted hanging of tools and equipment on the user-facing side of the top cap 214. Thus, the top cap 214 can serve many purposes, from acting as a handle or grip for a user's hand, to acting as a support against which the user's body can lean, to serving as a retainer or holder for tools and equipment. The surfaces of the top cap 214 can also beneficially be used to provide information to onlookers, such as by holding usage instructions, warning notices, or branding information.
[0106] In some embodiments, the top cap 214 can define an inner channel 240 configured to receive the support bar 212 when the handle 204 is folded into the storage position. See FIGS. 18, 20, and 21. The secondary support bar 216 can be pivotally attached to a lateral surface of the top cap 214, as shown in FIG. 18, which is configured to face toward the user on the upper platform 206. Therefore, when the handle 204 is in the collapsed position, the top cap 214 can be spaced away from the lateral side surface 220 of the upper platform 206 by the stabilizer bar 216, or the secondary support bar 216 can be positioned in a gap between the support bar 212 and the upper platform 206.
[0107] The secondary support bar 216 (e.g., a stabilizer bar or secondary strut member) may be rotatably or pivotably coupled with the upper platform 206 at the lateral side 220 thereof. The secondary support bar 216 can help reinforce the top cap 214 and limit torsion of the support bar 212 when lateral forces are applied to the top cap 214. In some embodiments, since the secondary support bar 216 is rotatably coupled with the upper platform 206 and with the top cap 214, rotation of the support bar 212 into the deployed position (FIG. 15) from the collapsed position (FIG. 20) can automatically rotate the secondary support bar 216 with the support bar 212, and the synchronous movement of the bars 212, 216 can automatically deploy the top cap 214 from its bar-aligned position to its position angled away from the longitudinal axis of the support bar 212. In embodiments where the secondary support bar 216 is omitted, the user may manually rotate the top cap 214 between its folded/straight and deployed/substantially perpendicular positions.
[0108] In some embodiments, the support bar 212 may be coupled with the upper platform 206 by a selective locking assembly 218 configured to lock and hold the support bar 212 in at least two rotated positions relative to the upper platform 206, such as in the vertically-extending upright position of FIG. 15 or in the horizontally-extending collapsed position of FIG. 20. When collapsed, a middle portion of the handle 204 may be retained to, and held in place adjacent to or against, the upper platform 206 by a handle retainer bracket 222. The selective locking assembly 218 may also assist in retaining the handle 204 in the folded position. As shown in FIG. 19, the selective locking assembly 218 may include a plate 219 and a locking pin 217. The support bar 212 may be pivotable about a pivot pin 221 defining an axis of rotation. The locking pin 217 may extend through the support bar 212 and into at least one aperture 223 (see FIG. 20) in the plate 219. Accordingly, with the locking pin 217 extending through a first aperture of the plate 219, i.e., the position of FIG. 19, the locking pin 217 can prevent rotation of the support bar 212 about the axis of rotation through the pivot pin 221 due to interference between the locking pin 217 and the plate 219. When the user wishes to fold the handle 204, the locking pin 217 may be withdrawn from the aperture in the plate 219, thereby freeing rotation of the support bar 212 and permitting rotation to the state shown in FIG. 20. The locking pin 217 can then be reinserted into a different aperture 225 (see FIG. 19) of the plate 219, thereby locking the handle 204 in the folded position.
[0109] By using the selective locking assembly 218, the handle 204 can be transitioned between deployed and folded configurations without contacting or relying on the rails 224, 226 of the leg assemblies 208, 210. Accordingly, the handle 204 can be used in the deployed position when the leg assemblies 208, 210 are collapsed and when they are deployed.
[0110] FIGS. 22-27 illustrate features of another example embodiment of a platform assembly 300. The platform assembly 300 can include elements and features in common with any other platform assembly disclosed herein, including platforms assemblies 100 and 200, and parts and features of platform assembly 300 can be implemented in combination with parts and features of the other platform assemblies disclosed herein. Furthermore, features described in connection with platform assemblies 100 and 200 can be applied to corresponding features of platform assembly 300.
[0111] A deployable handle 304 of platform assembly 300 can include a support bar 312. The handle 304 can be referred to as a pole, handlebar, or support rail of the platform assembly 300. The deployable handle 304 can be operated relative to the upper platform 306 between a plurality of different positions. FIGS. 22, 24, and 25 show an example deployed position of the handle 304, and FIGS. 23 and 27 show an example collapsed, folded, or storage position of the handle 304. In the deployed position, the handle 304 can help support a user standing on, or ascending onto, the upper platform 306 by providing a handhold for the user to grasp. The handle 304 can be positioned entirely on one side of a longitudinal centerline of the upper platform 306, or bench 302/table comprising the upper platform 306 and leg assemblies 308, 310, of the platform assembly 300.
[0112] The handle 304 can also support tools at its distal end 317. The distal end 317 can be stationary and fixed in place relative to the support bar 312 (e.g., not rotatable or adjustable relative to the support bar 312). The distal end 317 can include slots (e.g., 344, 346), apertures, through-holes, and similar structures (e.g., tool support features of FIG. 5) for retaining tools and for providing a grip for the user. See, e.g., FIG. 27. Slots 344, 346 can be shaped with thinned sides, notches, or recesses similar to tool support features 136a. The distal end 317 can alternatively be referred to as a grip, top cap, or end cap for the support bar 312 and can cover and protect the end of the support bar 312. In some examples, the distal end 317 can be a plastic cap or housing installed on the support bar 312 using a fastener (e.g., rivet or screw) or by clipping/locking onto the support bar 312. In some examples, the slots 344, 346 can be defined on different side walls 348, 350 of the distal end 317. One side wall 350 can be facing upward when the handle 304 is in the folded or collapsed position (e.g., FIG. 27), so the slot 346 in that wall can open upward and retain tools inserted from above while the distal end 317 is in that position. Another side wall 348 can be facing upward when the handle 304 is in the deployed position (e.g., FIG. 22), so the slot 344 in that wall can open upward and retain tools while in that position. The slots 344, 346 can have differing shapes and features or can be substantially the same. Accordingly, in some examples, the distal end 317 can retain the same kinds of tools and objects whether it is in the storage position or the deployed position. The distal end 317 can be configured to retain and store tools even while folded and latched in place on the side of the upper platform 306.
[0113] The support bar 312 can extend through a set of (e.g., a pair of) handle securement brackets 316, 318 when in an upright, unfolded, or deployed position, as shown in FIG. 22. The upper handle securement bracket 316 can be pivotally coupled with an upper platform 306 at a lateral side of the upper platform 306. The upper handle securement bracket 316 can pivot in place about a axis 327 extending through, and stationary relative to, the lateral side of the upper platform 306. See FIG. 24.
[0114] In a deployed position, a lower end portion 314 of the support bar 312 can be positioned extending through both handle securement brackets 316, 318. The upper handle securement bracket 316 can be directly pivotally coupled with the upper platform 306, and the lower handle securement bracket 318 can be directly coupled with a rail 326 of one of the leg assemblies 308, 310. The handle securement brackets 316, 318 can be directly slidably coupled with the support bar 312 and therefore can be configured to permit the support bar 312 to longitudinally slide at least partially through one or both handle securement brackets 316, 318 along its longitudinal axis 321. The longitudinal travel of the support bar 312 (e.g., along longitudinal axis 321 relative to bracket 316) can be limited by the upper handle securement bracket 316. By limiting travel, the support bar 312 can be prevented from being completely removed from at least the upper handle securement bracket 316 during normal usage of the platform assembly 300, as further explained below. This can help ensure the support bar 312 is not lost, stolen, or improperly installed. The handle securement brackets 316, 318 can include at least two sidewalls (similar to 154, 155) configured to prevent rotational movement of the support bar 312 relative to the upper platform 306 or associated leg assembly 308/310 when the support bar 312 is positioned in the brackets 316, 318.
[0115] With the support bar 312 positioned through both of the handle securement brackets 316, 318, the support bar 312 can be oriented parallel to and coinciding with a plane in which the rails 326 of the associated leg assembly (308 or 310) for the support bar 312 are located. The distal end 317 of the support bar 312 can be positioned above the upper platform 306 to provide a handle or tool support for a user standing on the upper platform 306. The support bar 312 can be angled relative to a gravitational direction to reach toward the centerline of the upper platform 306, thereby enabling its distal end 317 to be reached more easily by a user on the center or opposite end of the upper platform 306. The handle 304 can have its rotation limited by engagement with the handle securement brackets 316, 318, whereby the handle 304 is substantially restricted to one degree of freedom by the handle securement brackets 316, 318 (e.g., only free to translate along the longitudinal axis 321). For example, the lower end 314 of the support bar 312 can be prevented from rotating about an axis through the upper handle securement bracket 316 due to contact with the inward-facing (e.g., support-bar-facing) walls of the upper and lower handle securement brackets 316, 318 while the support bar 312 remains longitudinally slidable relative to both of the brackets.
[0116] In some embodiments, the support bar 312 can include a set of limiting protrusions 320, 323 configured to extend radially away from (e.g., perpendicular to) the longitudinal axis 321 of the support bar 312 and to therefore widen the support bar 312 at one or more locations along the length of the support bar 312. The limiting protrusions 320, 323 can be formed by pieces of material (e.g., plastic or metal) fastened to a single side face of the support bar 312, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25. Thus, the limiting protrusions 320, 323 increase the overall width of the support bar 312 at two localized points along the length of the support bar 312. In some examples, the limiting protrusions 320, 323 can be integrally formed with or part of a single-piece support bar 312.
[0117] The upper handle securement bracket 316 can extend around the outer perimeter of the support bar 312 between the set of limiting protrusions 320, 323. Therefore, the support bar 312 can have an upper limiting protrusion 320 positioned above one side (e.g., an upper side, when the support bar 312 is in the deployed position) of the upper handle securement bracket 316 and can have a lower limiting protrusion 323 positioned on an opposite side of the upper handle securement bracket 316 (e.g., below the upper handle securement bracket 316 when the support bar 312 is in the deployed position). A contact portion 324 of the upper handle securement bracket 316 (e.g., an internally-directed protrusion or a range limiting shelf on the upper handle securement bracket 316) can be sized, shaped, and configured come into contact with the upper limiting protrusion 320, as shown in FIG. 25, thereby limiting the range of downward longitudinal movement of the support bar 312 through and relative to the upper handle securement bracket 316. In other words, the upper handle securement bracket 316 can limit movement of the support bar 312 toward a ground surface (i.e., in a direction substantially downward underneath the upper platform 306) by engaging and directly contacting the upper limiting protrusion 320. As a result, longitudinally downward pressure at the distal end 317 of the support bar 312 does not push the support bar 312 past the position at which the upper limiting protrusion 320 contacts the upper handle securement bracket 316 at the contact portion 324. In that position, the lower end portion 314 of the support bar 312 is positioned within both handle securement brackets 316, 318.
[0118] The support bar 312 can be translated along its longitudinal axis 321 upward and through the upper handle securement bracket 316. The lower limiting protrusion 323 (shown in FIG. 24) extends from the support bar 312, and after sufficient displacement relative to the upper handle securement bracket 316, the lower limiting protrusion 323 can come into contact with the upper handle securement bracket 316 (e.g., at the bottom side of contact portion 324), thereby limiting the upward longitudinal movement through the upper handle securement bracket 316 and preventing the support bar 312 from being completely pulled out of the upper handle securement bracket 316. The lower handle securement bracket 318 can include a recess 328, cutout, aperture, or other shape configuration that permits the lower limiting protrusion 323 to travel upward (or downward) and pass through the lower handle securement bracket 318 (e.g., by passing through the recess 328 between the support bar 312 and the lower handle securement bracket 318). See FIG. 25. This can permit the leg assembly 310 to fold (e.g., to the position of FIG. 23) relative to the upper platform 306 without the support bar 312 having to move with the lower handle securement bracket 318. Additionally, once the support bar 312 moves up and out of the lower handle securement bracket 318 at its lower end portion 314, the support bar 312 can pivot relative to the upper platform 306, such as by pivoting with the upper handle securement bracket 316 about an axis 327 extending through the upper platform 306 or hinge member 319. Thus, the support bar 312 can be slidably transitioned between a first position extending through both handle securement brackets 316, 318 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 22) and a second position extending through only one handle securement bracket 316 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 23). The axis 321 along which the support bar 312 moves between the first and second positions can extend directly through both of the handle securement brackets 316, 318.
[0119] In some examples, the support bar 312 can omit an upper limiting protrusion 320, and the lower handle securement bracket 318 can have a closed bottom end. Thus, the lower handle securement bracket 318 can form a cup shape configured to receive the terminal end of the support bar 312 and to prevent longitudinal downward movement of the support bar 312 relative to the upper handle securement bracket 316 by contact with the bottom wall of the cup shape. Thus, the upper limiting protrusion 320 may not be required to prevent longitudinal downward movement in that case. The lower limiting protrusion 323 can still be employed to ensure the support bar 312 is not overly withdrawn and removed from the upper handle securement bracket 316.
[0120] Referring again to FIGS. 22-23, once the support bar 312 is clear of the lower handle securement bracket 318, the bar can rotate into and be received by a pair of handle retainer brackets 322, as shown in FIG. 23. The lower limiting protrusion 323 can be positioned on the support bar 312 at a location sufficient to allow the distal end 317 of the handle 304 to extend past the most distant handle retainer bracket 322 (e.g., the handle retainer bracket 322 placed furthest from the hinge 319). See FIGS. 23 and 27. When in this collapsed or folded position, the support bar 312 can be positioned at substantially the same level and in plane with the top standing surface of the upper platform 306. Accordingly, the handle 304 can extend and widen the overall width of the upper platform 306. When two handles 304 are included on one platform assembly 300, the handles 304 can both fold into a position increasing the overall width of the upper platform 306 (e.g., increasing the width of the platform on both sides).
[0121] In some examples, the platform assembly 300 can include two handle retainer brackets 322 per handle 304, with each bracket 322 configured to support a respective end or half of the support bar 312 when the handle 304 is in the collapsed position. In some examples, only one handle retainer bracket 322 can be included, generally the bracket 322 positioned at the opposite end of the upper platform 306 from the respective upper handle securement bracket 316. When only one handle retainer bracket 322 is used, the handle 304 can support weight applied by a user standing on the upper platform 306 and support bar 312 by being supported only by the handle retainer bracket 322 and the upper handle securement bracket 316.
[0122] In some examples, one or more of the handle retainer brackets 322 can include a spring clip or spring-loaded pin mechanism 330. In some examples, the pin mechanism 330 can be included only on the handle retainer bracket 322 most distant from the handle securement bracket 316 of the handle 304 being retained by the pin mechanism 330. The pin mechanism 330 can mechanically hold the support bar 312 in the handle retainer bracket 322 until a user applies a force to the pin mechanism 330 to release the pin mechanism 330 and thereby releases the support bar 312 from the bracket 322. For example, FIG. 26 shows a schematic view of a pin mechanism 330 including a handle 332, transfer rod 334, latch pin 336, and spring 338. The spring 338 can apply a biasing force to the handle 332, transfer rod 334, and latch pin 336 that presses the latch pin 336 into the channel 329 of the handle retainer bracket 322. As the support bar 312 rotates into the channel 329, the support bar 312 presses against the top ramped surface of the latch pin 336 and laterally moves the latch pin 336, transfer rod 334, and handle 332, which are all rigidly linked, inward (e.g., in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 340 of the latch pin 336). The spring 338 is compressed in response to the inward movement. The latch pin 336 can then either apply a friction force against the outside of the support bar 312, or the latch pin 336 enters an aperture or recess 342 (see e.g., FIG. 22) on the inside wall of the support bar 312. When the latch pin 336 enters the aperture or recess 342, the spring 338 can urge the latch pin 336 outward, seating the latch pin 336 in the aperture or recess 342 until a user presses inward on the handle 332 to release the support bar 312 from the channel 329 due to removal of the latch pin 336 from the aperture or recess 342.
[0123] In some examples, when the handles 304 are positioned in the handle retainer brackets 322, the support bar 312 can be held in place by friction or a clamping force applied by the brackets 322. For example, the handle retainer brackets 322 can have channels (e.g., 329) that flex open when the support bar 312 is inserted, and the brackets 322 can then apply friction to the sides of the support bar 312 while the support bar 312 is held by the channels 329.
[0124] As shown in FIG. 23, the leg assemblies 308, 310 can be collapsed (e.g., telescopically shortened in overall length), similar to leg assemblies 108, 110. Other features, such as the feet and rungs of the leg assemblies 308, 310 can match similar structures in leg assemblies 108, 110. The leg assemblies 310 can be folded (e.g., rotated) relative to the upper platform 306 to transition the overall platform assembly 300 into a flat-packed storage configuration. In the folded configuration, the leg assemblies 308, 310 can position the lower handle securement brackets 318 beneath and adjacent to their associated support bars 312 when the assembly 300 is resting on the folded leg assemblies 308, 310. The overall widths of the brackets 318 can be less than the overall widths of the handle retainer brackets 322. In this way, the platform assembly 300 can be compact for easier storage, shipping, and carrying.
[0125] FIG. 23 also shows that the handles 304 can be stored below the top surface of the upper platform 306 and above the bottom surfaces of the leg assemblies 308, 310. Thus, the handles 304 do not contribute (or do not substantially contribute) to increasing the overall thickness of the collapsed platform assembly 300, which can also facilitate easier storage and shipping.
[0126] Various inventions have been described herein with reference to certain specific embodiments and examples. However, they will be recognized by those skilled in the art that many variations are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventions disclosed herein, in that those inventions set forth in the claims below are intended to cover all variations and modifications of the inventions disclosed without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The terms including: and having come as used in the specification and claims shall have the same meaning as the term comprising.
