Work platform

Abstract

A work platform configured to be adjustable in both height and width, while enabling ease in transformation between an open, use configuration in a closed, storage configuration. The work platform having a platform and a pair of leg frames pivotably coupled to opposite ends of the platform, each of the pair of leg frames including a first leg and a second leg, each of which includes a first member pivotably coupled to the platform, and a second member shiftable relative to the first member, an intermediate rung operably coupled to respective distal ends of the first members and including a length extension lock mechanism configured to inhibit shifting of the second members relative to the first members, and a base rung member including a crossmember operably coupled to the respective distal ends of the second members.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A folding work platform for climbing and standing, comprising:
 a platform for standing having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal plane, and an outer perimeter;   a first leg frame pivotably coupled by a pair of hinge pins to the platform outer perimeter proximal to the first end and a second leg frame pivotably coupled by a pair of hinge pins to the platform outer perimeter proximal to the second end, the first and second leg frames configured to be adjustable relative to the platform between an open, use configuration and a closed, storage configuration, the first and second leg frames each comprising:   a pair of legs configured to be selectively adjustable in length, each of the legs including a first member pivotably coupled to the platform at a proximate end and having a distal end, and a second member shiftable relative to the first member;   an intermediate rung member having a stepping surface for climbing and an interior surface orthogonal to and adjacent to the stepping surface and operably coupled to respective distal ends of the first members of the pair of legs, thereby serving as a first connection between the pair of legs, the intermediate rung member including a length extension lock mechanism located on the interior surface comprising pins extending through both of the first members configured to inhibit shifting of the second members of the pair of legs relative to the first members of the pair of legs wherein both pins of the lock mechanism can be operated simultaneously by one hand of a user;   a proximal rung member with a fixed distance to the intermediate rung; and   a base rung member configured to be selectively adjustable in width, the base rung member including a crossmember operably coupled to the respective distal ends of the second members of the pair of legs, thereby serving as a second connection between the pair of legs, a pair of feet shiftable relative to the crossmember, and a width extension lock mechanism configured to inhibit shifting of the pair of feet relative to the crossmember;   wherein the pair of legs are parallel to the platform single continuous longitudinal plane in the closed, storage configuration;   wherein the intermediate rung stepping surface extends beyond the outer perimeter of the platform in the open, use configuration; and   wherein the platform rests upon the proximal ends of the first members of the pair of legs when in the open, use configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The folding work platform of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second leg frames are configured to be positioned within the outer perimeter of the platform in the closed, storage configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The folding work platform of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more leg lock release mechanisms configured to secure the first and second leg frames in the open, use configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The folding work platform of  claim 3 , further comprising a first bumper positioned in proximity to the first end of the platform and a second bumper positioned in proximity to the second end of the platform. 
     
     
         5 . The folding work platform of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second bumpers are configured to serve as a handle and to protect the one or more leg lock release mechanisms. 
     
     
         6 . The folding work platform of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second leg frames are constructed of aluminum. 
     
     
         7 . The folding work platform of  claim 2 , wherein the first member of the pair of legs is constructed of an extruded tube having a substantially rectangular cross section. 
     
     
         8 . The folding work platform of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal rung member is operably coupled to the first members of the pair of legs in proximity to proximal ends thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The work platform device of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal rung member operably coupled to the first members of the first leg and the second leg. 
     
     
         10 . The folding work platform of  claim 1 , wherein the platform is constructed of a single aluminum plank. 
     
     
         11 . The folding work platform device of  claim 1 , wherein the length extension lock mechanism is biased towards a locked position when subjected to vibration. 
     
     
         12 . The folding work platform of  claim 1 , wherein the width extension lock mechanism is biased towards a locked position when subjected to vibration, thereby inhibiting inadvertent retraction of the pair of feet relative to the crossmember during use. 
     
     
         13 . A work platform device for climbing and standing, comprising:
 a single platform having a contiguous longitudinal plane and an outer perimeter;   a pair of leg frames pivotably coupled to opposite ends of the platform by a pair of hinge pins exterior of the platform outer perimeter, the pair of leg frames adjustable relative to the platform between an open, use configuration and a closed, storage configuration, each of the pair of leg frames comprising:   a first leg and a second leg, each of the first and second legs including a first member pivotably coupled to the platform at a proximate end and having a distal end, and a second member shiftable relative to the first member;   an intermediate rung member having a stepping surface for climbing and an interior surface orthogonal to and adjacent to the stepping surface and operably coupled to respective distal ends of the first members and including a length extension lock mechanism located on the interior surface comprising pins extending through both of the first members configured to inhibit shifting of the second members relative to the first wherein both pins of the lock mechanism can be operating simultaneously by one hand of a user;   a proximal rung member with a fixed distance to the intermediate rung; and   a base rung member including a crossmember operably coupled to the respective distal ends of the second members, a pair of feet shiftable relative to the crossmember, and a width extension lock mechanism configured to inhibit shifting of the pair of feet relative to the crossmember;   wherein the pair of legs are parallel to the platform single continuous longitudinal plane in the closed, storage configuration;   wherein the intermediate rung stepping surface extends beyond the outer perimeter of the platform in the open, use configuration; and   wherein the platform rests upon the proximal ends of the first members of the pair of legs when in the open, use configuration.   
     
     
         14 . The work platform of  claim 13 , wherein the pair of leg frames are configured to be positioned within an outer perimeter of the platform in the closed, storage configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The work platform of  claim 13 , further comprising one or more leg lock release mechanisms configured to secure pair of leg frames in the open, use configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The work platform of  claim 15 , further comprising a first bumper and a second bumper positioned in proximity to the opposite ends of the platform. 
     
     
         17 . The work platform of  claim 16 , wherein the first bumper and second bumper are configured to protect the one or more leg lock release mechanisms. 
     
     
         18 . The work platform of  claim 16 , wherein the first bumper and second bumper are configured to serve as carrying handles for the work platform. 
     
     
         19 . The folding work platform device of  claim 13 , wherein the length extension lock mechanism is biased towards a locked position when subjected to vibration. 
     
     
         20 . A folding work platform device configured to be adjustable in both height and width, while enabling ease in transformation between an open, use configuration and a closed, storage configuration, the folding work platform comprising:
 a platform having a first end, a second and, a single continuous longitudinal plane, and an outer perimeter;   a first leg frame pivotably coupled the platform outer perimeter by a pair of hinge pins proximal to the first end and a second leg frame pivotably coupled to the platform outer perimeter by a pair of hinge pins proximal to the second end, the first and second leg frames configured to be adjustable relative to the platform between an open, use configuration and a closed, storage configuration, wherein the first and second leg frames are configured to be positioned within the outer perimeter of the platform in the closed, storage configuration, each comprising:
 a pair of legs configured to be selectively adjustable in length, each of the legs including a first member pivotably coupled to the platform at a proximate end and having a distal end, and a second member shiftable relative to the first member; 
 an intermediate rung member having a stepping surface for climbing and an interior surface orthogonal to and adjacent to the stepping surface and operably coupled to respective distal ends of the first members of the pair of legs, thereby serving as a first connection between the pair of legs, the intermediate rung member including a length extension lock mechanism located on the interior surface comprising pins extending through both of the first members configured to inhibit shifting of the second members of the pair of legs relative to the first members of the pair of legs, wherein the length extension lock mechanism is configured to be operated simultaneously with a single hand of a user, thereby promoting ease in adjusting a length of the pair of legs; 
 a base rung member configured to be selectively adjustable in width, the base rung member including a crossmember operably coupled to the respective distal ends of the second members of the pair of legs, thereby serving as a second connection between the pair of legs, and a pair of feet shiftable relative to the crossmember, the crossmember including a width extension lock mechanism configured to inhibit shifting of the pair of feet relative to the crossmember, wherein the width extension lock mechanism is biased towards a locked position when subjected to vibration, thereby inhibiting inadvertent retraction of the pair of feet relative to the crossmember during use; 
 a proximal end rung member operably coupled to the first members of the pair of legs in proximity to proximal ends thereof, thereby serving as a third connection between the pair of legs; and 
 a proximal rung member with a fixed distance to the intermediate rung; 
   wherein the pair of legs are parallel to the platform single continuous longitudinal plane in the closed, storage configuration;   wherein the intermediate rung stepping surface extends beyond the outer perimeter of the platform in the open, use configuration; and   wherein the platform rests upon the proximal ends of the first members of the pair of legs when in the open, use configuration.