Work platform with collapsible support

Abstract

A platform assembly is provided with at least one foldable and deployable handle. The handle can be operated to a storage position lying between upper and lower surfaces of the upper platform of the assembly. When deployed, the handle can provide a handhold, top cap, and other features to users who are on the upper platform or who are climbing onto the upper platform. Leg assemblies of the platform can be operable between folded and deployed states, and feet of the leg assemblies can be deployed to widen the stance of the platform or folded to reduce the overall width and volumetric envelope within which the platform resides.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A platform assembly, comprising:
 a bench having a top surface and a bottom surface; and   a handle coupled with the bench and movable between a storage position and a deployed position, wherein:
 when in the storage position, the handle is substantially entirely positioned between a first plane defined on the top surface of the bench and a second plane defined on the bottom surface of the bench, and 
 when in the deployed position, the handle extends upward from the top surface of the bench. 
   
     
     
         2 . The platform assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bench comprises an upper platform, a first set of legs coupled to a first end of the upper platform, and a second set of lets coupled to a second end of the upper platform, the first end being positioned at an opposite end from the second end. 
     
     
         3 . The platform assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bench comprises an upper platform, wherein the top surface is an upward-facing surface of the upper platform and the bottom surface is a downward-facing surface of the upper platform. 
     
     
         4 . The platform assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is coupled with the bench at an outer lateral side surface of the bench between the top surface and the bottom surface. 
     
     
         5 . The platform assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is coupled with rotatably coupled with the bench, and wherein the handle is rotatable between the storage position and the deployed position. 
     
     
         6 . The platform assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bench further includes a bracket, and the handle is received by the bracket when the handle is in the deployed position. 
     
     
         7 . The platform assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a support member coupled to an outer end of the handle. 
     
     
         8 . The platform assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the support member defines a plurality of tool support openings. 
     
     
         9 . The platform assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the support member is positionable between the first plane and the second plane when the handle is in the storage position. 
     
     
         10 . The platform assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the handle includes a bar coupled with the bench. 
     
     
         11 . The platform assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is coupled with the bench in a first quadrant of the bench, wherein the platform assembly further comprises a second handle coupled with the bench in a diagonally positioned quadrant from the first quadrant, wherein the second handle is movable relative to the bench between a second bar storage position and a second handle deployed position. 
     
     
         12 . The platform assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is entirely positioned to one side of a longitudinal centerline of the bench. 
     
     
         13 . A support platform, comprising:
 a table;   a first leg assembly configured to support a first end of the table, the first leg assembly including a bracket having at least two sidewalls;   a second leg assembly configured to support a second end of the table; and   a handlebar coupleable with the bracket while extending higher than the table and while being prevented from rotation relative to the table by the at least two sidewalls of the bracket.   
     
     
         14 . The support platform of  claim 13 , wherein the handlebar is pivotably coupled with the table or with the first leg assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The support platform of  claim 13 , wherein the handlebar is slidably coupled with the table or with the first leg assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The support platform of  claim 13 , wherein the bracket is configured to limit longitudinal movement of the handlebar relative to the first leg assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The support platform of  claim 13 , wherein first leg assembly comprises a rail, and the handlebar is parallel to the rail when coupled with the bracket. 
     
     
         18 . The support platform of  claim 17 , wherein the rail and at least a portion of the handlebar coupled with the bracket are oriented at a non-vertical angle when the handlebar is prevented from rotation by the at least two sidewalls. 
     
     
         19 . The support platform of  claim 13 , wherein at least the first leg assembly is movable between a folded position and an opened position, wherein in the folded position, the first leg assembly is substantially parallel to the table, and wherein in the opened position, the first leg assembly extends from the table at an angle of at least 90 degrees. 
     
     
         20 . The support platform of  claim 13 , wherein the handlebar is positionable in a storage configuration parallel to and lateral to a side surface of the table, the side surface extending between the first leg assembly and the second leg assembly. 
     
     
         21 . A platform assembly, comprising:
 an upper platform;   a first bracket pivotally coupled with the upper platform;   a leg assembly pivotally coupled with the upper platform and including a second bracket; and   a handle including a support bar, wherein the handle is movable relative to the upper platform between a first position extending through the first bracket and the second bracket and a second position removed from the second bracket and rotated with respect to the upper platform relative to the first position.