Multi-event telescopic platform

Abstract

A platform system includes swing arms for moving the platform from a lowered position to a raised position. In one embodiment, a pair of swing arms and a pair of telescoping vertical members are mounted to opposing frame members. The swing arms are capable of moving from a canted position to a vertical position, which extends the telescoping vertical members and raises the platform to the raised position. The swing arms are connected to a drive mechanism that moves the swing arms from the canted position to the vertical position. The drive mechanism may include a gear box, and a pair of lead screws connected to the gear box. The lead screws may extend from opposing sides of the same gear box, with the gear box configured to rotate the differently handed lead screws.

1 . A platform system comprising:
 a frame;   a vertical support member connected to said frame, said vertical support member being extendable from a lowered position to a raised position;   a platform connected to said vertical support member;   a swing arm connected to said frame and said vertical support member, said swing arm capable of pivoting with respect to said frame between a first position and a second position; and   a drive connected to said swing arm, said drive capable of pivoting said swing arm between said first position and said second position, said pivoting of said swing arm between said first position and said second position causing said vertical support member to move between said lowered position and a raised position.   
     
     
         2 . The platform system of  claim 1  wherein said swing arm includes a nut, said nut receiving a rod connected to said drive and extending through said nut, wherein said drive is capable of driving said rod to rotate within said nut, said rotation of said rod within said nut causing said swing arm to move between said first position and said second position. 
     
     
         3 . The platform system of  claim 2  including a pair of said swing arms and a pair of said rods. 
     
     
         4 . The platform system of  claim 3  wherein each said swing arm includes a yoke, said yoke pivotally supporting said nut. 
     
     
         5 . The platform system of  claim 4  wherein said drive includes a gear box, said rods connected to said gear box such that said gear box is capable of driving said rods to rotate. 
     
     
         6 . The platform system of  claim 5  wherein a first one of said rods is threaded in the opposite direction as the other of said rods, such that rotation of said rods in a first direction by said gear box causes both of said nuts to move away from said gear box. 
     
     
         7 . The platform system of  claim 6  wherein said swing arms each define a length, said length of said swing arms being greater than the length of said telescoping vertical support in said lowered position, such that a load on said platform is supported by said swing arms and not said vertical support when said swing arms are in said second position. 
     
     
         8 . The platform system of  claim 7  wherein an angle between said swing arm in said first position and said vertical support member is less than 60 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The platform system of  claim 8  wherein said vertical support includes a stop member extending therefrom, said stop member engaging one of said swing arms in said second position to prevent said one of said swing arms from pivoting past vertical. 
     
     
         10 . The platform system of  claim 9  wherein said platform is cantilever mounted to said vertical support. 
     
     
         11 . A variable rise platform system comprising:
 a telescoping support member, said telescoping support member capable of extending from a lowered position to a raised position;   a load supporting platform connected to said telescoping support member such that it is movable with said telescoping support member;   a swing arm connected to said platform, said swing arm having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to said platform, said swing arm capable of pivoting about said second end between a canted position and a vertical position, wherein movement of said swing arm from said canted position to said vertical position moves said telescoping support member from said lowered position to said raised position; and   a gear box connected to said swing arm, said gear box capable of being driven to move said swing arm between said first position and said second position.   
     
     
         12 . The variable rise platform of  claim 11  including a frame member supporting said telescoping support member and said swing arm, said second end of said swing arm pivotally connected to said frame member. 
     
     
         13 . The variable rise platform of  claim 11  including a first lead screw connected to said gear box, said gear box operable to rotate said lead screw. 
     
     
         14 . The variable rise platform of  claim 13  wherein said swing arm a lead screw nut pivotally connected to first end of said swing arm, said lead screw nut receiving said first lead screw, such that rotation of said lead screw causes said lead screw nut to travel along said first lead screw, whereby said swing arm moves from said first position to said second position. 
     
     
         15 . The variable rise platform of  claim 14  including two said swing arms and two said vertical members, a first one of said swing arms mounted to said frame proximate a first one of said vertical members, a second one of said swing arms mounted to said frame proximate a second one of said vertical members. 
     
     
         16 . The variable rise platform of  claim 15  wherein a first one of said swing arms includes a lead screw nut receiving said first lead screw and a second one of said swing arms includes a lead screw nut receiving a second lead screw. 
     
     
         17 . The variable rise platform of  claim 16  wherein said platform system defines a width between said first one of said vertical members and said second one of said vertical members, said swing arms extending past a midpoint of said width when said swing members are in said canted position. 
     
     
         18 . The variable rise platform of  claim 17  wherein said first one of said swing arms is offset from said second one of said swing arms to provide clearance for said swing arms to overlap each other when in said canted position. 
     
     
         19 . The variable rise platform of  claim 18  wherein said second lead screw is connected to said first lead screw such that rotation of said first lead screw rotates said second lead screw. 
     
     
         20 . A variable rise platform comprising:
 a platform;   first and second spaced apart frame members;   first and second vertical support members supporting said platform, said first vertical support member extending upwardly from said first frame member, said second vertical support member extending upwardly from said second frame member, said first and second vertical support members capable of extending from a lowered position to an elongated, raised position;   first and second swing arms, said first swing arm extending between said first frame member and said platform, said second swing arm extending between said second frame member and said platform, said swing arms being longer than said vertical support members in their lowered position;   a gear box;   first and second lead screws connected to said gear box, said gear box capable of driving said first and second lead screws to rotate;   first and second lead screw nuts, said first lead screw nut pivotally mounted to said first swing arm, said second lead screw nut pivotally mounted to said second swing arm, said first lead screw extending through said first lead screw nut, said second lead screw extending through said second lead screw nut, wherein rotation of said lead screws within said lead screw nuts causes said lead screw nuts to travel along said lead screws, whereby said swing arms move from a canted position to an upright position, moving said vertical support members from said lowered position to said raised position.