Multi-leg mobile folding stage

• US 4,026,221 A
• Filed: 10/29/1975
• Issued: 05/31/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SICO Incorporated (Nouryon BV)
• Original Assignee: SICO Incorporated (Nouryon BV)
• Inventors: Bue, Richard C., Wilson, Kermit H., Carlson, Ronald R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mitchell, James C.
• Application Number:
  US05/626,979
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: 108/2, 108/37, 108/112, 108/113, 108/19, 5/164 D
• US Class Current: 108/169
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 3/087 with struts supporting the legs
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 1/34 Scaffold constructions able to be folded in prismatic or flat parts or able to be turned down
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 3/28 Shiftable or portable platforms

Abstract

An elevationally adjustable mobile folding stage includes two independent stage members pivotally connected for movement between an operational position and a folded storage position. Support legs are pivotally mounted to the two stage members and are pivotally connected to cross brace linkage means which interconnect the support legs and the stage members for automatically folding the legs when the stage members are pivoted to their folded position. The legs of the stage are elevationally adjustable and include roller wheels for mobility of the stage when in its folded position. A counter balance spring system is provided to assist in folding the stage.

Claims

1. An elevationally adjustable mobile folding stage, comprising:

(a) a first stage member being generally rectangular which is hingeably connected to a generally rectangular second stage member such that said first stage member and said second stage member are adjustable between an operational horizontal position in which the surfaces of said first and second stage members are generally coplanar and a second upright folded position in which the surfaces of said first and second stage members are generally parallel to each other;

(b) a first pair of legs pivotally secured to the underside of said first stage member which are adjustable between two positions in response to movement of said first and second stage members between said horizontal operational position and said upright folded position such that when said first and second stage members are in said horizontal position said first pair of legs are in a first operational position which is generally perpendicular to the plane of said first stage member and when said stage members are in said upright folded position said first pair of legs are in a second position which is generally parallel to the plane of said first stage member, said legs including;

(1) a generally horizontal support brace which extends between and is connected to each of said legs, and

(2) a wheel means on each of said legs mounted such that when said legs are in said first position said wheel means are elevated above the legs and when said legs are in said second position said wheels are in contact with the floor to provide for and facilitate mobility of said folding stage;

(c) a first pair of extension legs being longer than said first pair of legs on said first stage member hingeably mounted to the underside of said first stage member at one end of said legs and releasably engageable with said first stage member at the opposite end of said first pair of extension legs such that said first pair of extension legs are pivotal between a first storage position in which said extension legs are retained in a position generally parallel to the planar surface of said first stage member and a second operational position in which said extension legs are disengaged from said first stage member and extend downwardly from said first stage member generally perpendicularly;

(d) means on said first stage member for releasably engaging said first pair of extension legs in said first storage position;

(e) a second pair of legs pivotally secured to the underside of said second stage member which are adjustable between two positions in response to the adjustment of said first and second stage members between said horizontal and said folded position such that when said stage members are in said horizontal positions said legs are in a first operationl position which is generally perpendicular to the plane of said second stage member and when said stage members are in the upright folded position said legs are in a second position which is generally parallel to the plane of said second stage member, said legs including;

(1) a generally horizontal support brace which extends between and is connected to each of said legs; and

(2) a wheel means on each of said legs mounted such that when said legs are in said first position said wheel means are elevated above said legs and when said legs are in said second position said wheel means are in contact with the floor to provide for and facilitate mobility of said folding stage;

(f) a second pair of extension legs, being longer than said second pair of legs on said second stage member, hingeably mounted to the underside of said second stage member at one end of said legs and releasably engageable with said second stage member at the opposite end of said second pair of extension legs such that said extension legs are pivotal between a first storage position in which said extension legs are retained in a position generally parallel to the planar surface of said second stage member and a second operational position in which said second pair of extension legs are disengaged from said second stage member and extend downwardly from said second stage member generally perpendicularly;

(g) means on said second stage member for releasably engaging said second pair of extension legs in said first storage position;

(h) a first counterbalance spring system mounted on the underside of said first stage member, said system including;

(1) a spring means and housing therefor mounted along the underside of said first stage member;

(2) a cable attached to one end of said spring means, said cable including a stop means thereon to retain said cable on said spring;

(3) a first cam support linkage means being connected to said first stage member and said housing, said cam support linkage means extending across the underside of said first stage member and being pivotally connected to a second cam support linkage means near the juncture of said first and second stage members, said second cam support linkage means extending across said second stage member and being connected to the remote end of said second stage member, and

(4) a cam means engageable with said cable, said cam means being positioned between and connected to said first cam support linkage means and said second cam support linkage means where said first and second cam support linkage means are joined;

(i) a second counterbalance spring system mounted on the underside of said second stage member, said system including;

(1) a spring means and housing therefor mounted along the underside of said second stage member;

(2) a cable attached to one end of said spring means, said cable including a stop means thereon to retain said cable on said spring;

(3) a first cam support linkage means being connected to said second stage member and said housing, said cam support linkage means extending across the underside of said second stage member and being pivotally connected to a second cam support linkage means near the juncture of said first and second stage members, said second cam support linkage means extending across said first stage member and being connected to remote end of said first stage member, and

(4) a cam means engageable with said cable, said cam means being positioned between and connected to said first cam support linkage means and said second cam support linkage means where said first and second cam support linkage means are joined;

(j) a first pair of extension legs, being longer than said first pair of legs on said first stage member, hingeably mounted to the underside of said first stage member at one end of said legs and releasably engageable with siad first stage member at the opposite end of said first pair of extension legs such that said extension legs are pivotal between a first storage position in which said extension legs are retained in a position generally parallel to the planar surface of said first stage member and a second operational position in which said first pair of extension legs are disengaged from said first stage member and extend downwardly from said first stage member generally perpendicularly;

(k) means on said first stage member for releasably engaging said first pair of extension legs in said first storage position;

(l) a second pair of extension legs, being longer than said second pair of legs on said second stage member, hingeably mounted to the underside of said second stage member at one end of said legs and releasably engageable with said second stage member at the opposite end of said second pair of extension legs such that said extension legs are pivotal between a first storage position in which said extension legs are retained in a position generally parallel to the planar surface of said second stage member and a second operational position in which said second pair of extension legs are disengaged from said second stage member and extend downwardly from said second stage member generally perpendicularly; and

(m) means on said second stage member for releasably engaging said second pair of extension legs in said first storage position.