Collapsible support platform

• US 4,735,392 A
• Filed: 01/30/1987
• Issued: 04/05/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lisle Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lisle Corporation
• Inventors: Farmer, Mack N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Machado, Reinaldo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHIN SHUE, ALVIN C
• Application Number:
  US07/008,942
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• Field of Search: 248/439, 248/188.6, 248/168, 248/170, 248/188, 108/131-133, 182/152, 182/155, 182/153
• US Class Current: 248/439
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 5/00 Tool, instrument or work supports or storage means used in association with vehicles; Workers' supports, e.g. mechanics' creepers collecting or removing exhaust gases in workshops B08B15/002; vehicle lifting devices, e.g. jacks, platforms or ramps B66F

Abstract

A collapsible support platform having a table, two collapsible support legs interconnected by a pivot rod, two pivot brackets secured to the table and cooperating with the pivot rod, and a latch spring and latch lever also secured to the table to guide movement of the pivot rod in the brackets.

Claims

1. A collapsible support platform comprising in combination:

(a) a support platform having a first platform end and second platform end;

(b) a leg assembly pivotally attached to the first platform end for movement between a locked platform support position, generally transverse to the platform, and a locked collapsed position, the leg assembly including a rotatable pivot rod, at least a first support leg extending from the rotatable pivot rod, and a follower guide penetrating the support leg at a predetermined distance from the pivot rod;

(c) biasing means for urging the pivot rod toward the support platform when the leg assembly is in the support position or collapsed position, a latch lever having a first latch end opposite a second latch end and an angled portion intermediate the first and second latch ends, the first latch end adjacent the support platform on one side and abutting the pivot rod on the opposite side, and the angled portion being pivotally secured to the support platform so that, by applying pressure to the second latch end of the latch lever, the first latch end urges the pivot rod away from the support platform against the biasing means to force the pivot rod to slide in the rod slot away from the support platform; and

(d) at least one pivot bracket secured to the support platform, the bracket including (i) a rod slot defining a pivot axis for the pivot rod and (ii) a guide slot defining (a) a locking notch parallel to and coincident with the platform supporting position of the support leg, (b) a locking slot having a radius of constant length but non-fixed center slidably centered in the rod slot, and (c) an arcuate travel slot intermediate the locking notch and arcuate locking slot, the travel slot having a radius of constant length and fixed center centered in the rod slot, the pivot rod rotatably penetrating the rod slot, and the follower guide slidably penetrating the guide slot.

3. The improved collapsible support platform of claim 1 or 2 wherein the biasing means includes a latch spring with one spring end secured to the support platform and the opposite spring end engaging the pivot rod to urge the rod toward the support platform.

4. The improved collapsible support platform of claim 3 wherein the platform has a free platform end opposite a supported platform end and a narrowed portion intermediate the free and supported platform ends, and wherein the leg assembly, urging means, and pivot brackets are mounted on the supported platform end.

2. An improved collapsible support platform comprising in combination:

(a) a support platform having a first and a second platform end;

(b) a leg assembly pivotally attached to the first platform end for movement between a locked platform support position, generally transverse to the support platform, and a locked collapsed position, the leg assembly including a rotatable pivot rod having a first rod end opposite a second rod and, a first and a second leg secured at the opposite rod ends of the pivot rod, and a first and a second follower guide penetrating the first and second support legs, respectively, at a predetermined distance from the pivot rod;

(c) biasing means for urging the pivot rod toward the support platform, a latch lever having a first latch end opposite a second latch end and an angled portion intermediate the first and second latch ends, the first latch end adjacent the support platform on one side and abutting the pivot rod on the opposite side, and the angled portion being pivotally secured to the support platform so that, by applying pressure to the second latch end of the latch lever, the first latch end urges the pivot rod away from the support platform against the biasing means to force the pivot rod to slide in the rod slot away from the support platform;

(d) a first and a second pivot bracket secured to the first platform end adjacent the first and second legs, respectively, each pivot bracket including (i) a rod slot defining a pivot axis and (ii) an arcuate guide slot defining (a) a locking notch parallel to and coincident with the platform supporting position of the support leg, (b) a locking slot having a radius of constant length but non-fixed center slidably centered in the rod slot, and (c) an arcuate travel slot intermediate the locking notch and arcuate locking slot, the travel slot having a radius of constant length and fixed center centered in the rod slot, the pivot rod rotatably penetrating the rod slot, and the follower guide slidably penetrating the guide slot.

5. The improved collapsible support platform of claim 2 wherein the biasing means is centered between the first and second legs and includes a latch spring with one spring end secured to the support platform and the opposite spring end engaging the pivot rod to simultaneously urge the first and second ends of the pivot rod toward the support platform.

6. The improved collapsible support platform of claim 5 wherein the platform has a free platform end opposite a supported platform end and a narrowed portion intermediate the free and supported platform ends, and wherein the leg assembly, urging means, and pivot brackets are mounted on the supported platform end.