Self-erecting suspension platform system

Abstract

A self-erecting suspension platform system having a work platform suspended between a sinistral modular mast and a dextral modular mast by a hoisting system. The modular masts are composed of at least two mast units stacked vertically and attached to one another. Each mast unit has a multifunction rail including a plurality of safety engagement devices and a stabilizer guide device, a unit interconnection device, and a unit assembly guide. The work platform has at least two mast stabilizers that cooperate with the stabilizer guide devices to prevent undesired swaying of the suspended work platform. The work platform has a plurality of platform mast engagers cooperating with at least one of the mast safety engagement devices to releasably lock the platform to the modular mast. The hoisting system includes multiple carriages, hoists, and mast cables. Each carriage receives the associated mast so that the carriage may be conveniently slid up and down the mast.

1 . A self-erecting suspension platform system ( 10 ), comprising: 
 a sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) having at least a first sinistral mast unit ( 110   a ) and a second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ), wherein the first sinistral mast unit ( 110   a ) and the second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) are substantially identical with each having a distal end ( 112 ), a proximal end ( 114 ), a multifunction rail ( 116 ) extending from the distal end ( 112 ) to the proximal end ( 114 ) including a plurality of safety engagement devices ( 117 ) and a stabilizer guide device ( 122 ), a unit interconnection device ( 135 ) located substantially near the distal end ( 112 ), and a unit assembly guide ( 140 ) located substantially near the distal end ( 112 ) and configured such that when a portion of the distal end ( 112 ) of a second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) is placed in contact with the proximal end ( 114 ) of the adjacent first sinistral mast unit ( 110   a ) in the vertical position that the unit assembly guide ( 140 ) pivotably secures the second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) to the first sinistral mast unit ( 110   a ) such that the second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) may be securely rotated into a vertical position such that the unit interconnection device ( 135 ) attaches the second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) to the first sinistral mast unit ( 110   a );    a dextral modular mast ( 200 ), separated from the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) by a mast separation distance ( 50 ), having at least a first dextral mast unit ( 210   a ) and a second dextral mast unit ( 210   b ), wherein the first dextral mast unit ( 210   a ) and the second dextral mast unit ( 210   b ) are substantially identical with each having a distal end ( 212 ), a proximal end ( 214 ), a multifunction rail ( 216 ) extending from the distal end ( 212 ) to the proximal end ( 214 ) including a plurality of safety engagement devices ( 217 ) and a stabilizer guide device ( 222 ), a unit interconnection device ( 235 ) located substantially near the distal end ( 212 ), and a unit assembly guide ( 240 ) located substantially near the distal end ( 212 ) and configured such that when a portion of the distal end ( 212 ) of a second dextral mast unit ( 210   b ) is placed in contact with the proximal end ( 214 ) of the adjacent first dextral mast unit ( 210   a ) in the vertical position that the unit assembly guide ( 240 ) pivotably secures the second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) to the first sinistral mast unit ( 110   a ) such that the second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) may be securely rotated into a vertical position such that the unit interconnection device ( 235 ) attaches the second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) to the first sinistral mast unit ( 110   a );    a work platform ( 300 ) having a sinistral end ( 302 ) and a dextral end ( 304 ), a railing ( 310 ), a sinistral mast stabilizer ( 320 ) attached to the platform ( 300 ) and configured to cooperate with the sinistral mast stabilizer guide device ( 122 ) of the sinistral mast multifunction rail ( 116 ) to prevent undesired swaying of the suspended work platform ( 300 ), a dextral mast stabilizer ( 330 ) attached to the platform ( 300 ) and configured to cooperate with the dextral mast stabilizer guide device ( 222 ) of the dextral mast multifunction rail ( 216 ) to prevent undesired swaying of the suspended work platform ( 300 ), a sinistral platform mast engager ( 340 ) attached to the platform ( 300 ) and configured to cooperate with at least one of the plurality of sinistral mast safety engagement devices ( 117 ) of the sinistral mast multifunction rail ( 116 ) to releasably lock the platform ( 300 ) to the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) thereby preventing unintentional descent of the platform ( 300 ), a dextral platform mast engager ( 350 ) attached to the platform ( 300 ) and configured to cooperate with at least one of the plurality of dextral mast safety engagement devices ( 217 ) of the dextral mast multifunction rail ( 216 ) to releasably lock the platform ( 300 ) to the dextral modular mast ( 200 ) thereby preventing unintentional descent of the platform ( 300 ), wherein the work platform ( 300 ) is located between the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) and the dextral modular mast ( 200 ) such that the work platform sinistral end ( 302 ) is adjacent to the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) and the work platform dextral end ( 304 ) is adjacent to the dextral modular mast ( 200 );    a hoisting system ( 400 ) configured to suspend the working platform ( 300 ) from the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) and the dextral modular mast ( 200 ), including, 
 A) a sinistral carriage ( 450 ) adapted to cooperatively receive the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) so that the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) may be conveniently slid up and down the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) by a user, having a proximal end ( 466 ), a distal end ( 467 ), a body ( 452 ), a cable connector ( 454 ), an operator handle ( 456 ), and a carriage mast engager ( 460 ) to releasably lock the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) to the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) thereby preventing unintentional descent of the sinistral carriage ( 450 ),  
 B) a dextral carriage ( 470 ) adapted to cooperatively receive the dextral modular mast ( 200 ) so that the dextral carriage ( 470 ) may be conveniently slid up and down the dextral modular mast ( 200 ) by a user, having a proximal end ( 486 ), a distal end ( 487 ), a body ( 472 ), a cable connector ( 474 ), an operator handle ( 476 ), and a carriage mast engager ( 480 ) to releasably lock the dextral carriage ( 470 ) to the dextral modular mast ( 200 ) thereby preventing unintentional descent of the dextral carriage ( 470 ),  
 C) a sinistral mast hoist ( 430 ) attached to the working platform ( 300 ) near the sinistral end ( 302 ),  
 D) a dextral mast hoist ( 440 ) attached to the working platform ( 300 ) near the dextral end ( 304 ),  
 E) a sinistral mast cable ( 410 ) attached to the cable connector ( 454 ) of the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) and the sinistral mast hoist ( 430 ) thereby suspending the working platform ( 300 ) from the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) and adjusting the elevation of the working platform ( 300 ) as the sinistral mast cable ( 410 ) is extended and retracted by the sinistral mast hoist ( 430 ),  
 F) a dextral mast cable ( 420 ) attached to the cable connector ( 474 ) of the dextral carriage ( 470 ) and the dextral mast hoist ( 440 ) thereby suspending the working platform ( 300 ) from the dextral carriage ( 470 ) and adjusting the elevation of the working platform ( 300 ) as the dextral mast cable ( 420 ) is extended and retracted by the dextral mast hoist ( 440 ), and  
   a control system ( 500 ) having a central control station ( 510 ) in communication with the sinistral mast hoist ( 430 ) and the dextral mast hoist ( 440 ) thereby controlling the elevation of the work platform ( 300 ) by extending and retracting the sinistral mast cable ( 410 ) and the dextral mast cable ( 420 ) from the sinistral mast hoist ( 430 ) and the dextral mast hoist ( 440 ).    
   
   
       2 . The platform system ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sinistral safety engagement devices ( 117 ) are sinistral locking recesses ( 118 ) formed in the sinistral multifunction rail ( 116 ), and the plurality of dextral safety engagement devices ( 217 ) are dextral locking recesses ( 218 ) formed in the dextral multifunction rail ( 216 ).  
   
   
       3 . The platform system ( 10 ) of  claim 2 , wherein the sinistral carriage mast engager ( 460 ) includes a sinistral carriage locking tongue ( 462 ) formed to cooperate with the sinistral locking recesses ( 118 ) so that the sinistral carriage locking tongue ( 462 ) can extend into, and retract from, any one of the sinistral locking recesses ( 118 ) to releasably secure the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) to the sinistral multifunction rail ( 116 ), and the dextral carriage mast engager ( 480 ) includes a dextral carriage locking tongue ( 482 ) formed to cooperate with the dextral locking recesses ( 218 ) so that the dextral carriage locking tongue ( 482 ) can extend into, and retract from, any one of the dextral locking recesses ( 218 ) to releasably secure the dextral carriage ( 470 ) to the dextral multifunction rail ( 216 ).  
   
   
       4 . The platform system ( 10 ) of  claim 2 , wherein the sinistral platform mast engager ( 340 ) includes a sinistral platform locking tongue ( 342 ) formed to cooperate with the sinistral locking recesses ( 118 ) so that the sinistral platform locking tongue ( 342 ) can extend into, and retract from, any one of the sinistral locking recesses ( 118 ) to releasably secure the work platform sinistral end ( 302 ) to the sinistral multifunction rail ( 116 ), and the dextral platform mast engager ( 350 ) includes a dextral platform locking tongue ( 352 ) formed to cooperate with the dextral locking recesses ( 218 ) so that the dextral platform locking tongue ( 352 ) can extend into, and retract from, any one of the dextral locking recesses ( 218 ) to releasably secure the work platform dextral end ( 304 ) to the dextral multifunction rail ( 216 ).  
   
   
       5 . The platform system ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sinistral safety engagement devices ( 117 ) are sinistral locking projections ( 119 ) extending from the sinistral multifunction rail ( 116 ), and the plurality of dextral safety engagement devices ( 217 ) are dextral locking projections ( 219 ) extending from the dextral multifunction rail ( 216 ).  
   
   
       6 . The platform system ( 10 ) of  claim 5 , wherein the sinistral carriage mast engager ( 460 ) includes a sinistral carriage locking tongue ( 462 ) formed to cooperate with the sinistral locking projections ( 119 ) so that the sinistral carriage locking tongue ( 462 ) can engage with, and disengage from, any one of the sinistral locking projections ( 119 ) to releasably secure the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) to the sinistral multifunction rail ( 116 ), and the dextral carriage mast engager ( 480 ) includes a dextral carriage locking tongue ( 482 ) formed to cooperate with the dextral locking projections ( 219 ) so that the dextral carriage locking tongue ( 482 ) can engage with, and disengage from, any one of the dextral locking projections ( 219 ) to releasably secure the dextral carriage ( 470 ) to the dextral multifunction rail ( 216 ).  
   
   
       7 . The platform system ( 10 ) of  claim 5 , wherein the sinistral platform mast engager ( 340 ) includes a sinistral platform locking tongue ( 342 ) formed to cooperate with the sinistral locking projections ( 119 ) so that the sinistral platform locking tongue ( 342 ) can engage with, and disengage from, any one of the sinistral locking projections ( 119 ) to releasably secure the work platform sinistral end ( 302 ) to the sinistral multifunction rail ( 116 ), and the dextral platform mast engager ( 350 ) includes a dextral platform locking tongue ( 352 ) formed to cooperate with the dextral locking projections ( 219 ) so that the dextral platform locking tongue ( 352 ) can engage with, and disengage from, any one of the dextral locking projections ( 219 ) to releasably secure the work platform dextral end ( 304 ) to the dextral multifunction rail ( 216 ).  
   
   
       8 . The platform system ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the sinistral stabilizer guide device ( 122 ) is integral to the sinistral multifunction rail ( 116 ) and the dextral stabilizer guide device ( 222 ) is integral to the dextral multifunction rail ( 216 ).  
   
   
       9 . The platform system ( 10 ) of  claim 8 , wherein the work platform sinistral mast stabilizer ( 320 ) includes at least one sinistral platform roller ( 322 ) in rolling contact with the sinistral stabilizer guide device ( 122 ) to prevent swaying of the suspended work platform ( 300 ) and the work platform dextral mast stabilizer ( 330 ) includes at least one dextral platform roller ( 332 ) in rolling contact with the dextral stabilizer guide device ( 222 ) to prevent swaying of the suspended work platform ( 300 ).  
   
   
       10 . The platform system ( 10 ) of  claim 8 , wherein the sinistral multifunction rail ( 116 ) is a U-shaped sinistral multifunction rail ( 125 ) having a bearing surface ( 126 ), a first sidewall ( 127 ), and a second sidewall ( 128 ) wherein sinistral mast stabilizer ( 320 ) is retained between the first sidewall ( 127 ) and the second sidewall ( 128 ), and the dextral multifunction rail ( 216 ) is a U-shaped dextral multifunction rail ( 225 ) having a bearing surface ( 226 ), a first sidewall ( 227 ), and a second sidewall ( 228 ) wherein dextral mast stabilizer ( 330 ) is retained between the first sidewall ( 227 ) and the second sidewall ( 228 ).  
   
   
       11 . The platform system ( 10 ) of  claim 8 , wherein the sinistral multifunction rail ( 116 ) is a V-shaped sinistral multifunction rail ( 130 ) having a first bearing surface ( 131 ) substantially orthogonal to a second bearing surface ( 132 ) wherein sinistral mast stabilizer ( 320 ) is retained between the first bearing surface ( 131 ) and the second bearing surface ( 132 ), and the dextral multifunction rail ( 216 ) is a V-shaped dextral multifunction rail ( 230 ) having a first bearing surface ( 231 ) substantially orthogonal to a second bearing surface ( 232 ) wherein dextral mast stabilizer ( 330 ) is retained between the first bearing surface ( 231 ) and the second bearing surface ( 232 ).  
   
   
       12 . The platform system ( 10 ) of  claim 6 , wherein the sinistral carriage cable connector ( 454 ) is located substantially at the sinistral carriage distal end ( 467 ) and the sinistral carriage locking tongue ( 462 ) is a locking wedge ( 463 ) rigidly attached to the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) below the sinistral cable connector ( 454 ) and at, or above, the sinistral carriage proximal end ( 466 ), and the dextral carriage cable connector ( 474 ) is located substantially at the dextral carriage distal end ( 477 ) and the dextral carriage locking tongue ( 472 ) is a locking wedge ( 483 ) rigidly attached to the dextral carriage ( 470 ) below the dextral cable connector ( 474 ) and at, or above, the dextral carriage proximal end ( 476 ), wherein to move the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) relative to the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) the sinistral carriage locking wedge ( 463 ) and the sinistral carriage proximal end ( 466 ) must be moved away from the sinistral locking projections ( 119 ) so that the sinistral carriage locking wedge ( 463 ) may pass the sinistral locking projections ( 119 ) as the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) traverses the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ), and to move the dextral carriage ( 470 ) relative to the dextral modular mast ( 200 ) the dextral carriage locking wedge ( 483 ) and the dextral carriage proximal end ( 486 ) must be moved away from the dextral locking projections ( 219 ) so that the dextral carriage locking wedge ( 483 ) may pass the dextral locking projections ( 219 ) as the dextral carriage ( 470 ) traverses the dextral modular mast ( 200 ), and upon application of a suspension force on the sinistral carriage cable connector ( 454 ) the sinistral carriage locking wedge ( 463 ) engages at least one sinistral locking projection ( 119 ) thereby preventing movement of the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) and upon application of a suspension force on the dextral carriage cable connector ( 474 ) the dextral carriage locking wedge ( 483 ) engages at least one dextral locking projection ( 219 ) thereby preventing movement of the dextral carriage ( 470 ).  
   
   
       13 . The platform system ( 10 ) of  claim 6 , wherein the sinistral carriage cable connector ( 454 ) is located substantially at the sinistral carriage distal end ( 467 ) and the sinistral carriage locking tongue ( 462 ) is a biased locking pawl ( 464 ) attached to the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) below the sinistral cable connector ( 454 ) and at, or above, the sinistral carriage proximal end ( 466 ), and the dextral carriage cable connector ( 474 ) is located substantially at the dextral carriage distal end ( 477 ) and the dextral carriage locking tongue ( 472 ) is a biased locking pawl ( 484 ) attached to the dextral carriage ( 470 ) below the dextral cable connector ( 474 ) and at, or above, the dextral carriage proximal end ( 476 ), wherein to increase the elevation of the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) relative to the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) is forced upward and the sinistral carriage biased locking pawl ( 464 ) pivots as it contacts the sinistral locking projections ( 119 ) so that the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) may pass the sinistral locking projections ( 119 ) as the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) traverses the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ), and to increase the elevation of the dextral carriage ( 470 ) relative to the dextral modular mast ( 200 ) the dextral carriage ( 470 ) is forced upward and the dextral carriage biased locking pawl ( 474 ) pivots as it contacts the dextral locking projections ( 219 ) so that the dextral carriage ( 470 ) may pass the dextral locking projections ( 219 ) as the dextral carriage ( 470 ) traverses the dextral modular mast ( 200 ), and upon application of a suspension force on the sinistral carriage cable connector ( 454 ) the sinistral carriage biased locking pawl ( 464 ) engages at least one sinistral locking projection ( 119 ) thereby preventing movement of the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) and upon application of a suspension force on the dextral carriage cable connector ( 474 ) the dextral carriage biased locking pawl ( 484 ) engages at least one dextral locking projection ( 219 ) thereby preventing movement of the dextral carriage ( 470 ).  
   
   
       14 . The platform system ( 10 ) of  claim 7 , wherein the sinistral platform locking tongue ( 342 ) is a biased locking pawl ( 344 ) and the dextral platform locking tongue ( 352 ) is a biased locking pawl ( 354 ), wherein to increase the elevation of the work platform ( 300 ) relative to the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) and the dextral modular mast ( 200 ) the sinistral hoist ( 430 ) and the dextral hoist ( 440 ) pull the work platform upward and the sinistral platform biased locking pawl ( 344 ) pivots as it contacts the sinistral locking projections ( 119 ) so that the sinistral platform biased locking pawl ( 344 ) may pass the sinistral locking projections ( 119 ) as the work platform ( 300 ) traverses the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) and the dextral platform biased locking pawl ( 354 ) pivots as it contacts the dextral locking projections ( 119 ) so that the dextral platform biased locking pawl ( 354 ) may pass the dextral locking projections ( 119 ) as the work platform ( 300 ) traverses the dextral modular mast ( 200 ), and upon deactivation of a sinistral hoist suspension force the sinistral platform biased locking pawl ( 344 ) engages at least one sinistral locking projection ( 119 ) thereby preventing movement of the work platform sinistral end ( 302 ) and upon deactivation of a dextral hoist suspension force the dextral platform biased locking pawl ( 354 ) engages at least one dextral locking projection ( 219 ) thereby preventing movement of the work platform dextral end ( 304 ).  
   
   
       15 . The platform system ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the sinistral carriage operator handle ( 456 ) includes a sinistral engager activation device ( 457 ) that activates and deactivates the sinistral carriage mast engager ( 460 ) to releasably lock the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) to the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) thereby preventing unintentional descent of the sinistral carriage ( 450 ), and the dextral carriage operator handle ( 476 ) includes a dextral engager activation device ( 477 ) that activates and deactivates the dextral carriage mast engager ( 480 ) to releasably lock the dextral carriage ( 470 ) to the dextral modular mast ( 200 ) thereby preventing unintentional descent of the dextral carriage ( 470 ).  
   
   
       16 . The platform system ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the sinistral carriage body ( 452 ) completely encircles the sinistral modular mast perimeter ( 145 ) and the dextral carriage body ( 472 ) completely encircles the dextral modular mast perimeter ( 245 ).  
   
   
       17 . The platform system ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) includes a guide ( 458 ) configured to cooperate with the sinistral multifunction rail ( 116 ) and constrain the movement of the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) on the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) and the dextral carriage ( 470 ) includes a guide ( 478 ) configured to cooperate with the dextral multifunction rail ( 216 ) and constrain the movement of the dextral carriage ( 470 ) on the dextral modular mast ( 200 ).  
   
   
       18 . The platform system ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the sinistral unit assembly guide ( 140 ) includes a hook device ( 142 ) located substantially near the distal end ( 112 ) and configured such that when a portion of the distal end ( 112 ) of a second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) is placed in contact with the proximal end ( 114 ) of the adjacent first sinistral mast unit ( 110   a ) in the vertical position that the hook device ( 142 ) pivotably secures the second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) to the first sinistral mast unit ( 110   a ) such that the second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) may be securely rotated into a vertical position such that the sinistral unit interconnection device ( 135 ) attaches the second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) to the first sinistral mast unit ( 110   a ), and the dextral unit assembly guide ( 240 ) includes a hook device ( 242 ) located substantially near the distal end ( 212 ) and configured such that when a portion of the distal end ( 212 ) of a second dextral mast unit ( 210   b ) is placed in contact with the proximal end ( 214 ) of the adjacent first dextral mast unit ( 210   a ) in the vertical position that the hook device ( 242 ) pivotably secures the second dextral mast unit ( 210   b ) to the first dextral mast unit ( 210   a ) such that the second dextral mast unit ( 210   b ) may be securely rotated into a vertical position such that the dextral unit interconnection device ( 235 ) attaches the second dextral mast unit ( 210   b ) to the first dextral mast unit ( 210   a ).  
   
   
       19 . A self-erecting suspension platform system ( 10 ), comprising: 
 a sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) having at least a first sinistral mast unit ( 110   a ) and a second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ), wherein the first sinistral mast unit ( 110   a ) and the second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) are substantially identical with each having a distal end ( 112 ), a proximal end ( 114 ), a multifunction rail ( 116 ) extending from the distal end ( 112 ) to the proximal end ( 114 ) including a plurality of safety engagement devices ( 117 ) and a stabilizer guide device ( 122 ) integral to the multifunction rail ( 116 ), a unit interconnection device ( 135 ) located substantially near the distal end ( 112 ), and a unit assembly guide ( 140 ) located substantially near the distal end ( 112 ) and configured such that when a portion of the distal end ( 112 ) of a second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) is placed in contact with the proximal end ( 114 ) of the adjacent first sinistral mast unit ( 110   a ) in the vertical position that the unit assembly guide ( 140 ) pivotably secures the second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) to the first sinistral mast unit ( 110   a ) such that the second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) may be securely rotated into a vertical position such that the unit interconnection device ( 135 ) attaches the second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) to the first sinistral mast unit ( 110   a ), wherein the plurality of sinistral safety engagement devices ( 117 ) are sinistral locking recesses ( 118 ) formed in the sinistral multifunction rail ( 116 );    a dextral modular mast ( 200 ), separated from the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) by a mast separation distance ( 50 ), having at least a first dextral mast unit ( 210   a ) and a second dextral mast unit ( 210   b ), wherein the first dextral mast unit ( 210   a ) and the second dextral mast unit ( 210   b ) are substantially identical with each having a distal end ( 212 ), a proximal end ( 214 ), a multifunction rail ( 216 ) extending from the distal end ( 212 ) to the proximal end ( 214 ) including a plurality of safety engagement devices ( 217 ) and a stabilizer guide device ( 222 ) integral to the multifunction rail ( 216 ), a unit interconnection device ( 235 ) located substantially near the distal end ( 212 ), and a unit assembly guide ( 240 ) located substantially near the distal end ( 212 ) and configured such that when a portion of the distal end ( 212 ) of a second dextral mast unit ( 210   b ) is placed in contact with the proximal end ( 214 ) of the adjacent first dextral mast unit ( 210   a ) in the vertical position that the unit assembly guide ( 240 ) pivotably secures the second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) to the first sinistral mast unit ( 110   a ) such that the second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) may be securely rotated into a vertical position such that the unit interconnection device ( 235 ) attaches the second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) to the first sinistral mast unit ( 110   a ), wherein the plurality of dextral safety engagement devices ( 217 ) are dextral locking recesses ( 218 ) formed in the dextral multifunction rail ( 216 );    a work platform ( 300 ) having a sinistral end ( 302 ) and a dextral end ( 304 ), a railing ( 310 ), a sinistral mast stabilizer ( 320 ), including at least one sinistral platform roller ( 322 ) in rolling contact with the sinistral stabilizer guide device ( 122 ), attached to the platform ( 300 ) and configured to cooperate with the sinistral mast stabilizer guide device ( 122 ) of the sinistral mast multifunction rail ( 116 ) to prevent undesired swaying of the suspended work platform ( 300 ), a dextral mast stabilizer ( 330 ), including at least one dextral platform roller ( 332 ) in rolling contact with the dextral stabilizer guide device ( 222 ), attached to the platform ( 300 ) and configured to cooperate with the dextral mast stabilizer guide device ( 222 ) of the dextral mast multifunction rail ( 216 ) to prevent undesired swaying of the suspended work platform ( 300 ), a sinistral platform mast engager ( 340 ) attached to the platform ( 300 ) and configured to cooperate with at least one of the plurality of sinistral mast safety engagement devices ( 117 ) of the sinistral mast multifunction rail ( 116 ) to releasably lock the platform ( 300 ) to the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) thereby preventing unintentional descent of the platform ( 300 ), a dextral platform mast engager ( 350 ) attached to the platform ( 300 ) and configured to cooperate with at least one of the plurality of dextral mast safety engagement devices ( 217 ) of the dextral mast multifunction rail ( 216 ) to releasably lock the platform ( 300 ) to the dextral modular mast ( 200 ) thereby preventing unintentional descent of the platform ( 300 ), wherein the work platform ( 300 ) is located between the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) and the dextral modular mast ( 200 ) such that the work platform sinistral end ( 302 ) is adjacent to the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) and the work platform dextral end ( 304 ) is adjacent to the dextral modular mast ( 200 ), wherein the sinistral platform mast engager ( 340 ) includes a sinistral platform locking tongue ( 342 ) formed to cooperate with the sinistral locking recesses ( 118 ) so that the sinistral platform locking tongue ( 342 ) can extend into, and retract from, any one of the sinistral locking recesses ( 118 ) to releasably secure the work platform sinistral end ( 302 ) to the sinistral multifunction rail ( 116 ), and the dextral platform mast engager ( 350 ) includes a dextral platform locking tongue ( 352 ) formed to cooperate with the dextral locking recesses ( 218 ) so that the dextral platform locking tongue ( 352 ) can extend into, and retract from, any one of the dextral locking recesses ( 218 ) to releasably secure the work platform dextral end ( 304 ) to the dextral multifunction rail ( 216 );    a hoisting system ( 400 ) configured to suspend the working platform ( 300 ) from the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) and the dextral modular mast ( 200 ), including, 
 A) a sinistral carriage ( 450 ) adapted to cooperatively receive the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) so that the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) may be conveniently slid up and down the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) by a user, having a proximal end ( 466 ), a distal end ( 467 ), a body ( 452 ) that completely encircles the sinistral modular mast perimeter ( 145 ), a cable connector ( 454 ), an operator handle ( 456 ), a carriage mast engager ( 460 ) including a sinistral carriage locking tongue ( 462 ) formed to cooperate with the sinistral locking recesses ( 118 ) so that the sinistral carriage locking tongue ( 462 ) can extend into, and retract from, any one of the sinistral locking recesses ( 118 ) to releasably secure the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) to the sinistral multifunction rail ( 116 ) thereby preventing unintentional descent of the sinistral carriage ( 450 ), and a guide ( 458 ) configured to cooperate with the sinistral multifunction rail ( 116 ) and constrain the movement of the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) on the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ),  
 B) a dextral carriage ( 470 ) adapted to cooperatively receive the dextral modular mast ( 200 ) so that the dextral carriage ( 470 ) may be conveniently slid up and down the dextral modular mast ( 200 ) by a user, having a proximal end ( 486 ), a distal end ( 487 ), a body ( 472 ) that completely encircles the dextral modular mast perimeter ( 245 ), a cable connector ( 474 ), an operator handle ( 476 ), a carriage mast engager ( 480 ) including a dextral carriage locking tongue ( 482 ) formed to cooperate with the dextral locking recesses ( 218 ) so that the dextral carriage locking tongue ( 482 ) can extend into, and retract from, any one of the dextral locking recesses ( 218 ) to releasably secure the dextral carriage ( 470 ) to the dextral multifunction rail ( 216 ) thereby preventing unintentional descent of the dextral carriage ( 470 ), and a guide ( 478 ) configured to cooperate with the dextral multifunction rail ( 216 ) and constrain the movement of the dextral carriage ( 470 ) on the dextral modular mast ( 200 ),  
 C) a sinistral mast hoist ( 430 ) attached to the working platform ( 300 ) near the sinistral end ( 302 ),  
 D) a dextral mast hoist ( 440 ) attached to the working platform ( 300 ) near the dextral end ( 304 ),  
 E) a sinistral mast cable ( 410 ) attached to the cable connector ( 454 ) of the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) and the sinistral mast hoist ( 430 ) thereby suspending the working platform ( 300 ) from the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) and adjusting the elevation of the working platform ( 300 ) as the sinistral mast cable ( 410 ) is extended and retracted by the sinistral mast hoist ( 430 ),  
 F) a dextral mast cable ( 420 ) attached to the cable connector ( 474 ) of the dextral carriage ( 470 ) and the dextral mast hoist ( 440 ) thereby suspending the working platform ( 300 ) from the dextral carriage ( 470 ) and adjusting the elevation of the working platform ( 300 ) as the dextral mast cable ( 420 ) is extended and retracted by the dextral mast hoist ( 440 ), and  
   a control system ( 500 ) having a central control station ( 510 ) in communication with the sinistral mast hoist ( 430 ) and the dextral mast hoist ( 440 ) thereby controlling the elevation of the work platform ( 300 ) by extending and retracting the sinistral mast cable ( 410 ) and the dextral mast cable ( 420 ) from the sinistral mast hoist ( 430 ) and the dextral mast hoist ( 440 ).    
   
   
       20 . A self-erecting suspension platform system ( 10 ), comprising: 
 a sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) having at least a first sinistral mast unit ( 110   a ) and a second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ), wherein the first sinistral mast unit ( 110   a ) and the second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) are substantially identical with each having a distal end ( 112 ), a proximal end ( 114 ), a multifunction rail ( 116 ) extending from the distal end ( 112 ) to the proximal end ( 114 ) including a plurality of safety engagement devices ( 117 ) and a stabilizer guide device ( 122 ) integral to the multifunction rail ( 116 ), a unit interconnection device ( 135 ) located substantially near the distal end ( 112 ), and a unit assembly guide ( 140 ) located substantially near the distal end ( 112 ) and configured such that when a portion of the distal end ( 112 ) of a second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) is placed in contact with the proximal end ( 114 ) of the adjacent first sinistral mast unit ( 110   a ) in the vertical position that the unit assembly guide ( 140 ) pivotably secures the second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) to the first sinistral mast unit ( 110   a ) such that the second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) may be securely rotated into a vertical position such that the unit interconnection device ( 135 ) attaches the second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) to the first sinistral mast unit ( 110   a ), wherein the plurality of sinistral safety engagement devices ( 117 ) are sinistral locking projections ( 119 ) extending from the sinistral multifunction rail ( 116 );    a dextral modular mast ( 200 ), separated from the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) by a mast separation distance ( 50 ), having at least a first dextral mast unit ( 210   a ) and a second dextral mast unit ( 210   b ), wherein the first dextral mast unit ( 210   a ) and the second dextral mast unit ( 210   b ) are substantially identical with each having a distal end ( 212 ), a proximal end ( 214 ), a multifunction rail ( 216 ) extending from the distal end ( 212 ) to the proximal end ( 214 ) including a plurality of safety engagement devices ( 217 ) and a stabilizer guide device ( 222 ) integral to the multifunction rail ( 216 ), a unit interconnection device ( 235 ) located substantially near the distal end ( 212 ), and a unit assembly guide ( 240 ) located substantially near the distal end ( 212 ) and configured such that when a portion of the distal end ( 212 ) of a second dextral mast unit ( 210   b ) is placed in contact with the proximal end ( 214 ) of the adjacent first dextral mast unit ( 210   a ) in the vertical position that the unit assembly guide ( 240 ) pivotably secures the second sinistral mast unit ( 210   b ) to the first sinistral mast unit ( 110   a ) such that the second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) may be securely rotated into a vertical position such that the unit interconnection device ( 235 ) attaches the second sinistral mast unit ( 110   b ) to the first sinistral mast unit ( 110   a ), wherein the plurality of dextral safety engagement devices ( 217 ) are dextral locking projections ( 219 ) extending from the dextral multifunction rail ( 216 );    a work platform ( 300 ) having a sinistral end ( 302 ) and a dextral end ( 304 ), a railing ( 310 ), a sinistral mast stabilizer ( 320 ), including at least one sinistral platform roller ( 322 ) in rolling contact with the sinistral stabilizer guide device ( 122 ), attached to the platform ( 300 ) and configured to cooperate with the sinistral mast stabilizer guide device ( 122 ) of the sinistral mast multifunction rail ( 116 ) to prevent undesired swaying of the suspended work platform ( 300 ), a dextral mast stabilizer ( 330 ), including at least one dextral platform roller ( 332 ) in rolling contact with the dextral stabilizer guide device ( 222 ), attached to the platform ( 300 ) and configured to cooperate with the dextral mast stabilizer guide device ( 222 ) of the dextral mast multifunction rail ( 216 ) to prevent undesired swaying of the suspended work platform ( 300 ), a sinistral platform mast engager ( 340 ) attached to the platform ( 300 ) and configured to cooperate with at least one of the plurality of sinistral mast safety engagement devices ( 117 ) of the sinistral mast multifunction rail ( 116 ) to releasably lock the platform ( 300 ) to the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) thereby preventing unintentional descent of the platform ( 300 ), a dextral platform mast engager ( 350 ) attached to the platform ( 300 ) and configured to cooperate with at least one of the plurality of dextral mast safety engagement devices ( 217 ) of the dextral mast multifunction rail ( 216 ) to releasably lock the platform ( 300 ) to the dextral modular mast ( 200 ) thereby preventing unintentional descent of the platform ( 300 ), wherein the work platform ( 300 ) is located between the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) and the dextral modular mast ( 200 ) such that the work platform sinistral end ( 302 ) is adjacent to the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) and the work platform dextral end ( 304 ) is adjacent to the dextral modular mast ( 200 ), wherein the sinistral platform mast engager ( 340 ) includes a sinistral platform locking tongue ( 342 ) formed to cooperate with the sinistral locking projections ( 119 ) so that the sinistral platform locking tongue ( 342 ) can engage with, and disengage from, any one of the sinistral locking projections ( 119 ) to releasably secure the work platform sinistral end ( 302 ) to the sinistral multifunction rail ( 116 ), and the dextral platform mast engager ( 350 ) includes a dextral platform locking tongue ( 352 ) formed to cooperate with the dextral locking projections ( 219 ) so that the dextral platform locking tongue ( 352 ) can engage with, and disengage from, any one of the dextral locking projections ( 219 ) to releasably secure the work platform dextral end ( 304 ) to the dextral multifunction rail ( 216 );    a hoisting system ( 400 ) configured to suspend the working platform ( 300 ) from the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) and the dextral modular mast ( 200 ), including, 
 A) a sinistral carriage ( 450 ) adapted to cooperatively receive the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) so that the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) may be conveniently slid up and down the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ) by a user, having a proximal end ( 466 ), a distal end ( 467 ), a body ( 452 ) that completely encircles the sinistral modular mast perimeter ( 145 ), a cable connector ( 454 ), an operator handle ( 456 ), a carriage mast engager ( 460 ) including a sinistral carriage locking tongue ( 462 ) formed to cooperate with the sinistral locking projections ( 119 ) so that the sinistral carriage locking tongue ( 462 ) can engage with, and disengage from, any one of the sinistral locking projections ( 119 ) to releasably secure the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) to the sinistral multifunction rail ( 116 ) thereby preventing unintentional descent of the sinistral carriage ( 450 ), and a guide ( 458 ) configured to cooperate with the sinistral multifunction rail ( 116 ) and constrain the movement of the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) on the sinistral modular mast ( 100 ),  
 B) a dextral carriage ( 470 ) adapted to cooperatively receive the dextral modular mast ( 200 ) so that the dextral carriage ( 470 ) may be conveniently slid up and down the dextral modular mast ( 200 ) by a user, having a proximal end ( 486 ), a distal end ( 487 ), a body ( 472 ) that completely encircles the dextral modular mast perimeter ( 245 ), a cable connector ( 474 ), an operator handle ( 476 ), a carriage mast engager ( 480 ) including a dextral carriage locking tongue ( 482 ) formed to cooperate with the dextral locking projections ( 219 ) so that the dextral carriage locking tongue ( 482 ) can engage with, and disengage from, any one of the dextral locking projections ( 219 ) to releasably secure the dextral carriage ( 470 ) to the dextral multifunction rail ( 216 ) thereby preventing unintentional descent of the dextral carriage ( 470 ), and a guide ( 478 ) configured to cooperate with the dextral multifunction rail ( 216 ) and constrain the movement of the dextral carriage ( 470 ) on the dextral modular mast ( 200 ),  
 C) a sinistral mast hoist ( 430 ) attached to the working platform ( 300 ) near the sinistral end ( 302 ),  
 D) a dextral mast hoist ( 440 ) attached to the working platform ( 300 ) near the dextral end ( 304 ),  
 E) a sinistral mast cable ( 410 ) attached to the cable connector ( 454 ) of the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) and the sinistral mast hoist ( 430 ) thereby suspending the working platform ( 300 ) from the sinistral carriage ( 450 ) and adjusting the elevation of the working platform ( 300 ) as the sinistral mast cable ( 410 ) is extended and retracted by the sinistral mast hoist ( 430 ),  
 F) a dextral mast cable ( 420 ) attached to the cable connector ( 474 ) of the dextral carriage ( 470 ) and the dextral mast hoist ( 440 ) thereby suspending the working platform ( 300 ) from the dextral carriage ( 470 ) and adjusting the elevation of the working platform ( 300 ) as the dextral mast cable ( 420 ) is extended and retracted by the dextral mast hoist ( 440 ), and  
   a control system ( 500 ) having a central control station ( 510 ) in communication with the sinistral mast hoist ( 430 ) and the dextral mast hoist ( 440 ) thereby controlling the elevation of the work platform ( 300 ) by extending and retracting the sinistral mast cable ( 410 ) and the dextral mast cable ( 420 ) from the sinistral mast hoist ( 430 ) and the dextral mast hoist ( 440 ).