Convertible support pad apparatus

Abstract

An improved support pad apparatus for distribution of weight loads and enabling the worker greater stability and balanced footing upon an underlying generally level or sloped surface includes a base platform having a top surface and a bottom surface, and one or more cleat members attached to or integrally formed within the top surface, and one or more cross members disposed in spaced relation across and formed integrally within or attached to the top surface. Also provided are riser members detachably connected to and conforming to the shape of the cross members to give additional height and surface area to the sides of the cross members to enable improved and more stable footing for the worker. A resilient pad is attached to the bottom surface for conforming to the contours of the underlying surface and distributing weight loads. A cover platform with reinforcing support rib members is provided for overlaying the base platform to convert the base platform for use on level underlying surfaces.

1 . A support pad apparatus for distribution of weight loads and enabling stable footing upon an underlying generally level or sloped surface, comprising:
 a base platform, said base platform having a first side and a second side, a front end with a front side and a back end with a back side, a top surface and a bottom surface, and one or more cleat members attached to or integrally formed within said top surface and two or more cross members disposed in spaced relation across and formed integrally within or attached to said top surface, each of said cross members having a first sidewall and a second sidewall with each said sidewall having a corresponding bottom portion extending the length of said sidewall, said cleat members and said cross members being adapted to give support to a person's footing to compensate for any angle of inclination formed by said underlying surface and enabling the oblique orientation of said person's generally upstanding body relative to said sloped surface to ensure proper balance;   a riser member detachably connected to a section of said top surface adjacent to each of said cross members, each of said riser members being generally conformable to the shape of said cross members and disposed to give additional height to each of said cross members to enable improved footing upon said sloped underlying surface, said riser member having a first side and a second side, said first side having a first bottom edge and said second side having a second bottom edge; and,   a resilient pad attached to said bottom surface for substantially conforming to the shape and contours of said underlying surface, said resilient pad being joined to said base platform to give stability to said support pad apparatus disposed upon said underlying surface and to receive and distribute a weight load over said top surface to protect against damage to said underlying surface.   
     
     
         2 . The support pad apparatus of  claim 1  wherein adjacent to at least one base portion of each of said sidewalls are disposed one or more spaced openings and attached to or formed integrally with said first bottom edge and said second bottom edge are mating projecting members adapted to fit slidably into said spaced openings in releasable engagement. 
     
     
         3 . The support pad apparatus of  claim 1  including a cover platform adapted to be placed upon said base platform in overlaying relation for converting said base platform for use on a substantially level underlying surface, said cover platform having a top surface and a bottom surface, a first side and a second side, and a front end having a front side and a back end having a back side, said bottom surface having a plurality of reinforcing support rib members with spaced ends for providing strength and rigidity to said cover platform, two or more of said support rib members being disposed laterally in spaced parallel relation and two or more of said support rib members being disposed linearly in spaced relation forming slotted openings between said spaced ends for receiving said cross members in conformal relation and enabling a secure and stable union of said base platform with said cover platform to ensure a generally rigid support structure. 
     
     
         4 . The support pad apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said base platform and said cover platform have one or more openings for receiving means for further securing said base platform to said cover platform. 
     
     
         5 . The support pad apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said means to secure said base platform to said cover platform comprises one or more strap means. 
     
     
         6 . The support pad apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said means to secure said base platform to said cover platform comprises one or more lengths of rope material. 
     
     
         7 . The support pad apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said base platform and said cover platform are integrally formed as a unit. 
     
     
         8 . The support pad apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said reinforcing support rib members are attached to said bottom surface employing means from the group comprised of spot welds, rivets, staples, screws and bolts. 
     
     
         9 . The support pad apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a leveling insert for overlaying said cleat members, said leveling insert being disposed conformably in the space between at least two said cross members and adapted generally to the same height as said cross members. 
     
     
         10 . The support pad apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said leveling insert comprises a unit having a top flat surface with a front section, a back section, a first side section, and a second side section, all joined and sized to fit conformably in said spaces between any two said cross members. 
     
     
         11 . The support pad apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said leveling insert includes a bottom surface with a plurality of transverse ribs, said transverse ribs being adapted to overlay and receive support by said cleat members. 
     
     
         12 . The support pad apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a storage container sized to fit conformably over said top surface of said base platform, said storage container having at least one compartment with an opening at the top. 
     
     
         13 . The support pad apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said storage container has one or more openings for use in attaching and securing said storage container to said base platform. 
     
     
         14 . The support pad apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said cleat members are generally triangular in shape with a blunted apex. 
     
     
         15 . The support pad apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said reinforcing support rib members are formed from said bottom surface as an embossed projection. 
     
     
         16 . The support pad apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said reinforcing support rib members are formed using a tool die to mold said reinforcing support rib members into said bottom surface.