Adjustable work surface for large irregularly shaped objects
An adjustable work platform comprises a fixed platform carrying a multiplicity of adjustable members designed to slide out of the fixed platform to variable lengths as needed. A large irregularly shaped object, such as an aircraft, may be driven into the interior of the platform with the adjustable members retracted. Once in place, the adjustable members are extended to form a heavy duty work platform conforming to the irregular shape of the exterior of the object.
1. A method of providing a work platform for carrying heavy loads while accessing an irregularly shaped large object comprising the steps of:
providing the work platform having a fixed platform with a front side and a back side opposite thereto, said fixed platform comprising
a first stringer along said front side with defined openings therein,
a second stringer along said back side,
a multiplicity of I-beam guides spanning between said first stringer and said second stringer,
an adjustable platform extendable from said fixed platform having a slider received by adjacent I-beam guides and disposed to reversibly extend through one of said openings, said adjustable platform further comprising,
a toothed member that reversibly engages with said first stringer thereby restricting sliding of said slider;
a back plate attached to said slider, to limit the length of extension of said slider through said one of said openings;
moving a large object to within a predetermined separation distance of said work platform;
extending said adjustable platform from said fixed platform, thereby minimizing said separation distance; and
applying a lateral pressure to said toothed member to engage and disengage said toothed member from said first stringer.
2. A method of providing a work platform for carrying heavy loads while accessing an irregularly shaped large object comprising the steps of:
providing the work platform comprising a fixed platform with a front side and a back side opposite thereto, said fixed platform comprising,
a first stringer along said front side with defined openings therein,
a second stringer along said back side,
a multiplicity of I-beam guides spanning between said first stringer and said second stringer;
an adjustable platform extendable from said fixed platform comprising a slider received by adjacent I-beam guides and disposed to reversibly extend through one of said openings, said adjustable platform further comprising a toothed member that reversibly engages with said first stringer thereby restricting sliding of said slider;
a back plate attached to said slider, to limit the length of extension of said slider through said one of said openings;
moving a large object to within a predetermined separation distance of said work platform;
extending said adjustable platform from said fixed platform, thereby minimizing said separation distance; and
inserting a handle into said slider,
engaging said toothed member with said handle, and
reversibly disengaging said toothed member from said first stringer.