U.S. patent application number 12/098922 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-08 for portable elevated platform with locking legs.
Invention is credited to David J. Laws, Richard D. Smith.
Application Number | 20090252550 12/098922 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41133420 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090252550 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith; Richard D. ; et
al. |
October 8, 2009 |
Portable Elevated Platform with Locking Legs
Abstract
A joint between a leg and an elevated platform includes a
tapered receptacle with straight widening walls coupled to one of
either the leg or the platform. A mating insert is coupled to the
other of the leg or the platform and is selectively insertable into
the tapered receptacle. The mating insert has straight narrowing
walls that are engageable with the widening walls of the tapered
receptacle. The weight of the platform pushes the insert into the
receptacle such that the narrowing walls of the insert engage the
widening walls of the tapered receptacle.
Inventors: |
Smith; Richard D.; (Spanish
Fork, UT) ; Laws; David J.; (Provo, UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THORPE NORTH & WESTERN, LLP.
P.O. Box 1219
SANDY
UT
84091-1219
US
|
Family ID: |
41133420 |
Appl. No.: |
12/098922 |
Filed: |
April 7, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
403/325 ;
108/115; 108/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 3/24 20130101; A47B
3/0815 20130101; F16B 12/48 20130101; E04H 3/28 20130101; Y10T
403/599 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
403/325 ; 108/25;
108/115 |
International
Class: |
A47B 13/00 20060101
A47B013/00; A47B 3/08 20060101 A47B003/08 |
Claims
1. A joint between a leg and an elevated platform, comprising: a) a
tapered receptacle having straight widening walls couplable to one
of either the leg or the platform; b) a mating insert couplable to
the other of the leg or the platform and selectively insertable
into the tapered receptacle, the mating insert having straight
narrowing walls engageable with the widening walls of the tapered
receptacle; and c) weight of the platform pushing the insert into
the receptacle such that the narrowing walls of the insert engage
the widening walls of the tapered receptacle.
2. A joint in accordance with claim 1, wherein the leg is pivotally
coupled to the platform and is pivotal between a stowed position
with the insert removed from the tapered receptacle configured to
position the leg adjacent the platform, and a support position with
the insert disposed in the tapered receptacle configured to orient
the leg substantially perpendicular to the platform.
3. A joint in accordance with claim 2, wherein the leg further
comprises: a) an outer shell; b) a pivot rod slidably disposed in
the outer shell with a pivot end extending away from the shell and
pivotally coupled to the tapered receptacle, the pivot rod being
slidable within the outer shell between an extended position and a
retracted position; and c) a biasing device, coupled to the pivot
rod to bias the pivot rod to retracted position.
4. A joint in accordance with claim 3, wherein the pivot rod
further includes a stop coupled to an end of the pivot rod opposite
the pivot end, the stop being sized and shaped to retain the pivot
rod in the outer shell when the pivot rod is in the extended
position.
5. A joint in accordance with claim 1, wherein the tapered
receptacle further includes a keyway formed in a sidewall of the
tapered receptacle, the keyway being sized and shaped to receive
the insert when the leg is positioned in a stowed position.
6. A joint in accordance with claim 1, wherein the widening walls
of the tapered receptacle are disposed at an acute angle with
respect to a longitudinal axis of the tapered receptacle and the
narrowing walls of the insert are disposed at a corresponding angle
to the widening walls.
7. A joint in accordance with claim 1, wherein the widening walls
of the tapered receptacle are disposed at an angle of approximately
15 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the receptacle
and the narrowing walls of the insert are disposed at a
corresponding angle of approximately 15 degrees.
8. A joint in accordance with claim 1, wherein the narrowing walls
and widening walls center the insert within the receptacle and
restrict movement of the insert with respect to the receptacle when
a load is placed on the platform.
9. A joint in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a
platform with at least one leg, and wherein the receptacle is
disposed on the leg and the insert is disposed on the platform.
10. A joint in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a
platform with at least one leg, and wherein the receptacle is
disposed on the platform and the insert is disposed on the leg.
11. A joint in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: a) a
flange coupled to a narrower end of the insert; and b) a slot
formed in a narrower end of the receptacle, the slot being sized
and shaped to receive the flange.
13. A joint in accordance with claim 1, wherein the widening walls
of the tapered receptacle and the narrowing walls of the insert are
substantially flat.
14. A joint in accordance with claim 1, wherein the widening walls
of the tapered receptacle and the narrowing walls of the insert
have a substantially trapezoidal shape.
15. A joint between a leg and an elevated platform, comprising: a)
a platform with at least one leg; b) a tapered receptacle coupled
to the platform and having straight widening walls extending from a
terminal end adjacent an underside of the platform to a relatively
wider opening; c) a mating insert disposed on the leg and
selectively insertable into the tapered receptacle, the mating
insert having straight narrowing walls extending from an end of the
leg to a relatively narrower mating terminal end, such that the
narrowing walls of the insert engage the widening walls of the
tapered receptacle.
16. A joint in accordance with claim 15, wherein the leg is
pivotally coupled to the platform and is pivotal between a stowed
position with the leg adjacent the platform and a support position
with the insert disposed in the tapered receptacle and the leg
oriented substantially perpendicular to the platform.
17. A joint in accordance with claim 16, wherein the leg further
comprises: a) an outer shell; b) a pivot rod slidably disposed in
the outer shell with a pivot end extending away from the shell and
pivotally coupled to the tapered receptacle, the pivot rod being
slidable within the outer shell between an extended position and a
retracted position; c) a biasing device, coupled to the pivot rod
to bias the pivot rod to retracted position; and d) a stop coupled
to an end of the pivot rod opposite the pivot end, the stop being
sized and shaped to retain the pivot rod in the outer shell when
the pivot rod is in the extended position.
18. A joint in accordance with claim 15, wherein the tapered
receptacle further includes a keyway formed in a sidewall of the
tapered receptacle, the keyway being sized and shaped to receive
the leg when the leg is positioned in a stowed position.
19. A joint in accordance with claim 15, wherein the widening walls
of the tapered receptacle are disposed at an acute angle with
respect to a longitudinal axis of the leg and the narrowing walls
of the insert are disposed at a corresponding angle to the widening
walls.
20. A joint in accordance with claim 15, wherein the widening walls
of the tapered receptacle are disposed at an at an angle of
approximately 15 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the
leg and the narrowing walls of the insert are disposed at a
corresponding angle of approximately 15 degrees.
21. A method for positioning a leg to support a platform,
comprising: a) moving the leg from a stowed position to a support
position with respect to the platform; and b) sliding an insert on
one of either the leg or the platform into a receptacle on the
other of the leg or the platform, the insert having narrowing walls
engageable with corresponding widening walls in the receptacle.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising: placing a load on
the platform to secure the narrowing walls of the insert against
the widening walls of the receptacle.
23. The method of claim 21, further comprising: a) sliding the
insert away from the receptacle to disengage the narrowing walls of
the insert from the widening walls of the receptacle; and b) moving
the leg from the support position to the stowed position.
24. The method of claim 21, wherein the receptacle has straight
widening walls and the insert has straight narrowing walls
selectively insertable into the receptacle.
25. A joint between a leg and an elevated platform, comprising: a)
a platform with at least one leg; b) a tapered receptacle having
straight, flat widening walls coupled to one of either the leg or
the platform; c) a mating insert coupled to the other of the leg or
the platform and selectively insertable into the tapered
receptacle, the mating insert having straight, flat narrowing walls
engageable with the widening walls of the tapered receptacle; d)
the insert being removably insertable into the receptacle such that
the narrowing walls of the insert engage the widening walls of the
tapered receptacle; and e) a pivoting rod extending between the
tapered receptacle and the mating insert, and pivotally coupling
the leg to the platform with the leg being pivotal between: i) a
stowed position with the insert removed from the tapered
receptacle; and ii) a support position with the insert disposed in
the tapered receptacle.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______,
filed on Apr. 7, 2008, entitled "Portable Elevated Platform" as TNW
Docket No. 00538-32686; and U.S. patent application Ser. No.
______, filed on Apr. 7, 2008, entitled "Telescoping Leg Lock and
Portable Elevated Platform with Same" as TNW Docket No.
00538-32687; which are herein incorporated by reference in their
entirety for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to portable elevated
platforms such as stages, risers, tables, chairs, scaffolding, and
the like.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Many portable elevated platforms such as stages, risers,
tables, chairs, scaffolding and the like have removable or
collapsible legs that can be configured to raise and support the
platform at an elevation above a support surface such as the
ground. Such legs may be attached to the platform in a variety of
ways. For example, the legs may be attached to the platform by
suitable removable fasteners such as screws, bolts and the like.
These fasteners can be removed to detach the legs in order to take
the platform down.
[0006] As another example, the legs are often pivotally connected
to an underside of the platform and pivotal between a stowed
position and an extended position. In the stowed position the legs
are usually pivoted to rest against the table, with a longitudinal
axis of the leg positioned parallel to the top of the platform,
such that the leg does not raise the platform. In the extended
position the leg is pivoted to extend away from the platform with
the longitudinal axis of the leg positioned perpendicular to the
top surface of the platform, such that the leg raises the platform.
Additionally, many of these legs employ a locking mechanism to
retain the leg in the extended position and prevent inadvertent
collapse of the elevated platform.
[0007] Many portable elevated platforms, such as stages, risers,
and scaffolding, are designed to be walked upon. Thus, the
platforms and legs are subjected to dynamic loading as a person, or
a group of people walk or stand on the platform. This dynamic
loading can load and unload the interface between the legs and the
platform which can cause the elevated platform to creak and rattle.
Such racking noise during use is often not desirable, especially
when the platform is being used for a performance, such as a play
or choir recital. Additionally, the dynamic loading can cause
slight movements in the leg-to-platform interface which can cause
an unsteady feeling to people standing on the platform.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The inventors of the present invention have recognized that
it would be advantageous to develop an elevated platform with a
leg-to-platform interface that becomes more secure under loaded
conditions. Additionally, the inventors of the present invention
have recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a method
and device for securing a leg to an elevated platform.
[0009] The invention provides a joint between a leg and an elevated
platform. The joint can have a tapered receptacle with straight
widening walls coupled to one of either the leg or the platform. A
mating insert can be coupled to the other of the leg or the
platform, and is selectively insertable into the tapered
receptacle. The mating insert can have straight narrowing walls
that are engageable with the widening walls of the tapered
receptacle. The weight of the platform can push the insert into the
receptacle such that the narrowing walls of the insert engage the
widening walls of the tapered receptacle.
[0010] The present invention also provides for a method for
positioning a leg to support a platform including moving the leg
from a stowed position to a support position with respect to the
platform. An insert on one of either the leg or the platform can be
slid into a receptacle on the other of the leg or the platform. The
insert can have narrowing walls that can engage corresponding
widening walls in the receptacle.
[0011] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together
illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a joint between a leg and a
platform in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the joint of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is perspective view of the joint of FIG. 1, shown
with the leg in an extended support position;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the joint of FIG. 1, shown
with the leg in a stowed position;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the joint of FIG. 1, shown
with the leg in a stowed position; and
[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross section view of joint between a leg and a
platform in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments
illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used
herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood
that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby
intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive
features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the
principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would
occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of
this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the
invention.
[0019] The embodiments of the present invention described herein
provide generally for a joint between a collapsible leg and support
platform of a portable elevated platform such as a portable stage,
riser, scaffold or the like. The joint can include a receptacle
disposed on or integrally formed with either the leg or the
platform. The receptacle can have straight widening walls extending
from a terminal end adjacent either the leg or the platform to a
relatively wider opening. The joint can also include an insert
disposed on or integrally formed with the other of the leg or the
platform. The insert can have straight narrowing walls extending
from the other of the leg or the platform to a relatively narrower
mating terminal end. The widening walls of the receptacle and the
narrowing walls of the insert can be inclined at corresponding
angles with respect to a longitudinal axis of the leg such that the
inclined widening walls of the receptacle can engage the
correspondingly inclined narrowing walls of the insert. The angle
of the incline of the widening walls and the narrowing walls can
assist in seating the platform on the leg. Additionally, the weight
of the platform or a load placed upon the platform can push the
widening walls of the insert onto the narrowing walls of the insert
so as to secure the platform in an elevated position supported by
the leg.
[0020] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, a joint, indicated generally at
10, between a leg 12 and a platform 14 (FIG. 2) in accordance an
embodiment of the present invention shown for use in raising and
collapsing a portable elevated platform such as a stage, riser,
scaffold, and the like. The joint 10 can include a tapered
receptacle, indicated generally at 40, and a mating insert,
indicated generally at 60. In one aspect, the tapered receptacle 40
can be associated with the platform 14, and the mating insert 60
can be associated with the leg 12.
[0021] The tapered receptacle 40 can be formed in a platform corner
support, indicated generally at 20. The corner support 20 can be
formed of a structural material, such as a metal, or structural
plastic. In one aspect, the corner support can be formed of steel
or aluminum. In another aspect, the corner support 20 can be formed
of a moldable structural plastic or polymer by a molding process
such as rotational molding, injection molding, blow molding,
casting, and the like.
[0022] The corner support 20 can have an upper surface 24 that can
carry the platform 14. A flange 26 can extend upward from a
peripheral edge 28 of the upper surface 24 to bound, protect, and
align the corner, indicated generally at 16, of the platform 14.
The corner support 20 can also have a plurality of ribs 30 and
pockets or spaces 32 that can strengthen the corner support 20.
[0023] Additionally, the corner support 20 can have protrusions 34
extending away from sides 36 of the corner support 20. The
protrusions 34 can be coupled to support structure, such as beams
38 (FIG. 2) that can extend between adjacent corner supports under
the platform 14. The beams 38 can be configured to support and
carry the platform 14. The corner supports 20, beams 38 and
platform 14 can together form the platform.
[0024] The tapered receptacle 40 can be disposed on or formed in a
bottom or lower surface 22 of the corner support 20. The tapered
receptacle 40 can have straight widening walls 42 extending from a
narrower terminal end 44 (FIG. 2) adjacent and below the upper
support surface 24 to a wider opening 46 at a lower surface 22 of
the corner support 20. The widening walls 42 can also be flat with
a trapezoidal shape and the receptacle 40 can be formed four
trapezoidal shaped flat walls connected side to side. The widening
walls 42 of the tapered receptacle 40 can be disposed at an acute
angle with respect to a longitudinal axis, indicated at dashed
lines 18 (FIG. 2), of the leg 12 or the receptacle. In one aspect,
the widening walls 42 of the tapered receptacle 40 can be disposed
at an angle of approximately 15 degrees with respect to the
longitudinal axis 18 of the leg 12 or the receptacle.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 4-5, the tapered receptacle 40 can also
include a keyway 48 formed in a sidewall 50 of the tapered
receptacle 40. The keyway 48 can extend through the sidewall 50 and
through the straight widening wall 42 corresponding to the sidewall
50 to form the keyway 48. The keyway 48 can be sized and shaped to
receive the insert 60 when the leg 12 is positioned in a stowed
position. The keyway 48 can have at least one hook 52 extending
outward from the outer sidewall 50. In one aspect, the key way 48
can have two hooks 52. The hooks 52 can hold the insert 60 so as to
restrict movement of the leg 12 with respect to the platform 14. In
this way, the hooks 52 can hold the leg 12 in the stowed
position.
[0026] Returning to FIGS. 1-5, the mating insert 60 can be disposed
or formed on an end 8 of the leg 12. The leg 12 can be an elongated
member having a longitudinal axis 18. Thus, the mating insert 60
can be coupled to an upper end 8 of the leg 12. The lower end 6 of
the leg 12 can be configured to rest on a support surface such as
the ground. In one aspect, the lower end 6 of the leg 12 can
include a foot (not shown), or a further leg extension (not
shown).
[0027] The leg 12 can be formed of a structural material with
sufficient strength to support and carry the platform. For example,
the leg 12 can be formed with a metal material, structural grade
polymer material, structural composite material, and the like. In
one aspect, the leg 12 can be formed of a metal such as steel or
aluminum. In another aspect, the leg 12 can be formed of a
structural plastic material by a molding process such as rotational
molding, injection molding, blow molding, extrusion, casting, and
the like.
[0028] The leg 12 can be pivotally coupled to the platform 14 and
can pivot between a stowed position, as shown in FIGS. 4-5, and an
extended support position, as shown in FIGS. 2-3. In the stowed
position, the leg 12 can be positioned adjacent the platform 14
with the longitudinal axis 18 of the leg 12 extending substantially
co planar with the top surface 15 of the platform 14. In the
extended support position, the insert 60 can be disposed in the
tapered receptacle 40 and the leg 12 can be oriented substantially
perpendicular to the top surface 15 of the platform 14.
[0029] The mating insert 60 can have straight narrowing walls 62
extending from a wider end 64 coupled to the upper end 8 of the leg
12 to a narrower terminal end 66 that can be selectively insertable
into the tapered receptacle 40. The narrowing walls 62 of the
insert 60 can be inclined or angled at a corresponding angle to the
angle of the widening walls 42 of the tapered receptacle 40. The
narrowing walls 62 can also be flat and have a trapezoidal shape,
and the insert 60 can be formed of four flat trapezoidal walls.
[0030] In one aspect, the narrowing walls 62 of the insert 60 can
be inclined at an angle of approximately 15 degrees. In this way,
the narrowing walls 62 of the mating insert 60 can mate with the
widening walls 42 of the tapered receptacle 40, and can
frictionally engage the widening walls 42 of the tapered receptacle
40 when the mating insert 60 is selectively inserted into the
tapered receptacle 40. The 15 degree angle has been found to
provide a sufficient locking force to secure the leg in the
platform and reduce noise and wobble or play in the leg. Narrower
angles have been found to provide too much locking force while
greater angles have been found to provide insufficient locking
force. Thus, an angle narrower than about 15 degrees make the leg
difficult to disengage from the tapered receptacle, while an angle
greater than about 15 degrees allows the leg to disengage or "cam
out" of the tapered receptacle under a horizontal load applied to
the platform.
[0031] The mating insert 60 can also have a flange 68 coupled to
and extending from the narrower end 66 of the insert 60. The flange
68 can extend from the narrower end 66 of insert 60 away from the
leg 12. The flange 68 can form a peripheral edge of an aperture 72
extending into the mating insert 60. In one aspect, the aperture 72
can extend into a hollow interior 74 (FIG. 2) of the leg 12.
[0032] When the leg 12 is in the extended support position, as
shown in FIGS. 2-3, the aperture 72 can receive and enclose outer
hinge brackets 90 coupled to the corner support 20 that extend into
the tapered receptacle 40. The hinge brackets 90 can form a slot,
indicated generally at 92, with a plurality of sidewalls 96 (FIG.
5) that extend from the corner bracket 20. The flange 68 on the
insert 60 can extend into the slot 92 in the receptacle 40, and can
help to secure the leg 12 from lateral motion with respect to the
receptacle 40.
[0033] A pivot rod 100 can be slidably disposed inside the hollow
interior 74 of the leg 12 such that the leg 12 forms an outer shell
about the pivot rod 100. Thus, the pivot rod 100 can slide within
the outer shell or leg 12 between an extended position, as best
seen in FIG. 1, and a retracted position, as best seen in FIG.
2.
[0034] The pivot rod 100 can have a pivot end 102 that extends away
from the leg 12. The pivot end 102 can be inserted between the
outer hinge brackets 90 to form a pivot or hinge, indicated
generally at 110 (FIG. 5), between the leg 12 and the corner
support 20. The pivot end 102 can have a hole 104 and the hinge
brackets 90 can have corresponding holes 98 that can be aligned
with the hole 104 in the pivot end 102 when the pivot end is
disposed between the outer hinge brackets. A pin 106 can be
disposed through the holes 104 and 98 to allow the pivot end 102 of
the pivot rod 100 to rotate or pivot around the pin 104. In this
way, the mating insert 60 can be pivotally coupled to the tapered
receptacle 40.
[0035] A biasing device, indicated generally at 130, can be coupled
to the pivot rod 100 to bias the pivot rod to the retracted
position. In one aspect, the biasing device 130 can be a spring
132, as shown in FIG. 2. The spring 132 can be coupled between the
pivot rod 100 and leg 12 such that the leg can be pulled to extend
the pivot rod 100 out of the leg to the extended position. With the
pivot rod 100 in the extended position, the leg 12 can pivot, as
shown in FIG. 1, between the stowed position, as shown in FIGS.
4-5, and the support position, as shown in FIGS. 2-3. In the stowed
position, the biasing device 130 can pull the flange 68 of the
insert 60 under the hooks 52 on the corner support 20 to secure the
leg 12 in the stowed position. In the extended position, the
biasing device 130 can bias the mating insert into the tapered
receptacle 40, and the flange 68 into the hinge bracket 90, to
secure the leg 12 against lateral movement with respect to the
platform 14. In this way, the flange 68 can advantageously reduce
the likelihood of an inadvertent collapse of the leg 12 when a load
is placed on the platform 14.
[0036] The pivot rod 100 can also include a stop 108 coupled to an
end 112 of the pivot rod 100 opposite the pivot end 102. The stop
108 can be sized and shaped to fit and slide within the hollow
interior 74 of the leg 12. The stop 108 can also be sized to retain
the pivot rod 100 in the outer shell or leg 12 when the pivot rod
100 is in the extended position.
[0037] In use, a portable elevated platform, such as a portable
stage, riser, and the like, can be disposed on a support surface,
such as the ground, such that a user has access to legs 12 stowed
on an underside of the platform. A leg 12 can be grasped by the
user and pulled to extend the pivot rod 100 out of the leg and to
release the flange 68 on the leg from the hooks 52 on the platform
14. With the flange 68 free of the hooks 52, the user can pivot the
leg 12 about the pivot or hinge 92 from the stowed position to the
extended support position. The user can then repeat the extension
and pivoting of any additional legs on the platform. When all of
the legs are positioned in the support position relative to the
platform, the platform 14 can be turned to position the legs 12
below the platform such that the legs support and carry the
platform.
[0038] Advantageously, the weight of the platform 14 can push the
mating insert 60 on the leg 12 into the tapered receptacle 40 such
that the narrowing walls 62 of the insert 60 engage the widening
walls 42 of the tapered receptacle 40 and secure the platform 14
from unwanted motion and noise due to movement of the platform
against the legs. As an additional advantage, weight or loads
placed on the platform 14 further push the narrowing walls 62 of
the mating insert 60 against the widening walls 42 of the tapered
receptacle 40 such that the angle of the widening and narrowing
walls 42 and 62, respectively, helps to retain the insert 60 in the
receptacle 40 even when the loads are dynamically changing on the
platform 14.
[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 6, a joint, indicated generally at
200, is shown in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention for use in joining a collapsible leg to a portable
elevated platform such as a stage, riser, scaffolding, or the like.
The joint 200 can be similar in many respects to the joint 10
described above and shown in FIGS. 1-5. The joint 200 can include a
tapered receptacle, indicated generally at 240, and a mating
insert, indicated generally at 260. In this embodiment, the tapered
receptacle 240 can be disposed on the leg 212, and the mating
insert 260 can be disposed on the corner support 220. Thus, it will
be appreciated that the tapered receptacle 240 can be disposed on
one of either the leg 212 or the corner support 220, and the mating
insert 260 can be disposed on the other of the leg 212 or the
corner support 220, and that regardless of which configuration is
used, the widening walls 242 of the receptacle 240 can engage the
narrowing walls 262 of the insert 260 to secure the leg 212 in the
extended position.
[0040] The present invention also provides for a method for
positioning a leg to support a platform including moving the leg
from a stowed position to a support position with respect to the
platform. An insert on one of either the leg or the platform can be
slid into a receptacle on the other of the leg or the platform. The
insert can have narrowing walls that can engage corresponding
widening walls in the receptacle.
[0041] The method can also include placing a load on the platform
to secure the narrowing walls of the insert against the widening
walls of the receptacle.
[0042] Additionally, the method can include sliding the insert away
from the receptacle to disengage the narrowing walls of the insert
from the widening walls of the receptacle. The leg can be moved
from the support position to the stowed position.
[0043] It is to be understood that the above-referenced
arrangements are only illustrative of the application for the
principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and
alternative arrangements can be devised without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention. While the present
invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above
with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently
deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment(s) of the
invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art that numerous modifications can be made without departing from
the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth
herein.
* * * * *