Platform with handle

Abstract

An apparatus includes a platform having a first end and a second end and a handle. The apparatus includes a first leg assembly rotatably attached to the platform in proximity to the first end. The apparatus includes a second leg assembly attentively attached to the platform in proximity to the second end. When the first and second leg assemblies are essentially perpendicular to the platform, the apparatus is in a use state and the user is able to stand on the platform and be supported by the first and second leg assemblies. When the apparatus is in the use state, the user is able to pick up the apparatus by the handle with only one of the hands without tipping the apparatus. A method for a user with hands to stand on an apparatus.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus comprising:
 a platform having a first end and a second end, a top side, a bottom side, and a longitudinal centerline;   a support bar attached to the bottom side and extending along the longitudinal centerline; and   a handle disposed at least partially in the platform adjacent the longitudinal centerline, the handle comprising:   a first slot defined in the platform; and   a first insert, the first insert comprising a ridge that extends into and covers an inner surface of the slot, the ridge having a first shape that corresponds to a second shape of at least a portion of the first slot, the first insert further comprising a first flange that extends below the ridge and covers a portion of the support bar.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the first insert includes a second flange extending along a surface of the platform. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the second flange is fixed at about a 90 degree angle with respect to the first flange. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the handle further comprises a second slot defined in the platform and a second insert, the second insert comprising a ridge that extends into and covers an inner surface of the second slot, the ridge having a third shape that corresponds to a fourth shape of at least a portion of the second slot, the second insert further comprising a flange that extends below the ridge and covers a portion of the support bar. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the apparatus has a center of gravity and the first slot is disposed above the center of gravity. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a first leg assembly rotatably attached to the platform in proximity to the first end; and a second leg assembly rotatably attached to the platform in proximity to the second end, the first and second leg assemblies movable between a folded state and a use state, and when the apparatus is in the use state, the apparatus is configured to be lifted by the handle without tipping the apparatus. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus comprising:
 a platform having a first end and a second end, a bottom side, a top side, and a longitudinal centerline;   a support bar attached to the bottom side and extending along the longitudinal centerline; and   a handle disposed at least partially in the platform adjacent the longitudinal centerline, the handle comprising:   a first slot defined in the platform; and   
       a first insert, the first insert comprising a ridge extending into the slot and covering an inner surface of the slot, a first flange, and a second flange, the first flange extending along a surface of the platform and the second flange extending away from the platform and along the support bar. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first flange is fixed at about a 90 degree angle relative to the second flange. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the second flange extends below the ridge and the first flange. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the ridge has a first shape that corresponds to a second shape of at least a portion of the first slot. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a first leg assembly rotatably attached to the platform in proximity to the first end; and a second leg assembly rotatably attached to the platform in proximity to the second end, the first and second leg assemblies movable between a folded state and a use state, and when the apparatus is in the use state, the apparatus is configured to be lifted by the handle without tipping the apparatus. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first flange extends along a surface of the bottom side of the platform. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first slot has a first elongate side and a second elongate side essentially in parallel in spaced relation with the first elongate side, with each elongate side essentially in parallel with the centerline. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the apparatus has a center of gravity and the first slot is disposed above the center of gravity. 
     
     
         23 . An apparatus comprising:
 a platform having a first end and a second end, a bottom side, a top side, and a longitudinal centerline;   a handle disposed at least partially in the platform adjacent the longitudinal centerline, the handle comprising:   a first slot defined in the platform; and
 a first insert disposed at least in part in the first slot, the first insert having:
 a generally rectangular base having a first side and a second side, 
 an elongate opening in the base, 
 a ridge protruding from the first side of the base at a periphery of the elongate opening and sized to be received in the slot and cover an inner surface of the slot, and 
 a flange extending from the second side of the base from an edge of the base. 
 
   
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the base is disposed on the bottom side of the platform. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , further comprising a support bar attached to the bottom side and extending along the centerline, the flange being secured to the support bar. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the flange extends from the edge of the base at about a 90 degree angle. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the elongate opening and the ridge are shaped to correspond to a shape of the first slot. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , further comprising a first leg assembly rotatably attached to the platform in proximity to the first end; and a second leg assembly rotatably attached to the platform in proximity to the second end, the first and second leg assemblies movable between a folded state and a use state, and when the apparatus is in the use state, the apparatus is configured to be lifted by the handle without tipping the apparatus.