Apparatus having a handle on which a user stands, and method
View Patent ↗An apparatus includes a platform having a first end and a second end and a handle. The apparatus includes a first leg assembly rotatably attached to the platform in proximity to the first end. The apparatus includes a second leg assembly attentively attached to the platform in proximity to the second end. When the first and second leg assemblies are essentially perpendicular to the platform, the apparatus is in a use state and the user is able to stand on the platform and be supported by the first and second leg assemblies. When the apparatus is in the use state, the user is able to pick up the apparatus by the handle with only one of the hands without tipping the apparatus. A method for a user with hands to stand on an apparatus.
1. An apparatus on which a user with hands stands comprising:
a platform having a first end and a second end and a handle, and a middle, the handle is disposed in the platform, the handle has a first slot and a second slot adjacent the first slot, the first and second slots disposed essentially in the platform's middle, the platform has a centerline and the apparatus has a center of gravity, the first slot is disposed on a first side of the centerline and above the apparatus' center of gravity and the second slot is disposed on a second side of the centerline and above the apparatus' center of gravity, a pair of handle inserts are located in respective ones of the first and second slots, the handle inserts insure that any potentially rough edges remaining after the first slot and the second slot are formed in the work platform decking are covered up, the inserts also provide a deeper gripping surface for comfort of the user, the inserts made of molded plastic, each insert has holes through which fasteners extend perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the insert to hold the insert to a support bar;
a first leg assembly rotatably attached to the platform in proximity to the first end; and
a second leg assembly rotatably attached to the platform in proximity to the second end, when the first and second leg assemblies are essentially in parallel with the platform, the apparatus is in a folded state, when the first and second leg assemblies are essentially perpendicular to the platform, the apparatus is in a use state, and the user is able to stand on the platform and be supported by the first and second leg assemblies, when the apparatus is in the use state, the user is able to pick up the apparatus by the handle with only one of the user's hands without tipping the apparatus, the apparatus able to support at least 250 lbs. of load.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each slot has a first elongate side and a second elongate side essentially in parallel in spaced relation with the first elongate side, with each elongate side essentially in parallel with the centerline.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each slot has an oval shape.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said handle inserts include a first insert and a second insert, and wherein the first insert fits in the first slot and conforms to the oval shape of the first slot and the second insert fits in the second slot and conforms to the oval shape of the second slot.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the first and second leg assembly each comprise a first leg and a second leg in spaced relation and in parallel with the first leg.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each leg assembly has a step attached between the first and second legs on which the user steps to reach and stand on the platform when the apparatus is in the use state.
7. An apparatus on which a user with hands stands comprising:
a platform having a first end and a second end, a bottom, a middle, a longitudinal centerline and a handle disposed in the platform, the handle has a first slot and a second slot adjacent the first slot, the first slot and second slot disposed essentially in the platform's middle and having an oval shape;
a support bar attached to the platform's bottom extending along the platform's centerline;
a first insert made of plastic disposed in the first slot and attached to the support bar with screws or rivets, the first insert having a first shape which conforms with a second shape of the first slot;
a second insert made of plastic disposed in the second slot and attached to the support bar with screws or rivets, the second insert having a third shape which conforms with a fourth shape of the second slot, the apparatus has a center of gravity, the first slot is disposed on a first side of the centerline and above the apparatus' center of gravity and the second slot is disposed on a second side of the centerline and above the platform's center of gravity, the first and second inserts insure that any potentially rough edges remaining after the first slot and the second slot are formed in the work platform decking are covered up, the inserts also provide a deeper gripping, surface for comfort of the user, each insert has holes through which fasteners extend perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the insert to hold the insert to a support bar;
a first leg assembly, rotatably attached to the platform in proximity to the first end; and
a second leg assembly rotatably attached to the platform in proximity to the second end, when the first and second leg assemblies are essentially in parallel with the platform, the apparatus is in a folded state, when the first and second leg assemblies are essentially perpendicular to the platform, the apparatus is in a use state and the user is able to stand on the platform and be supported by the first and second leg assemblies, when the apparatus is in the use state, the user is able to pick up the apparatus by the handle with only one of the user's hands without tipping the apparatus, the apparatus able to support at least 250 lbs. of load.
8. An apparatus on which a user with hands stands comprising:
platform having a first end and a second end and a handle and a middle, the handle is disposed in the platform, the handle has a first slot, the first slot disposed essentially in the platform's middle, the apparatus has a center of gravity, the first slot is disposed above the apparatus' center of gravity, a handle insert is located in the first slot, the handle insert insures that any potentially rough edges remaining after the first slot is formed in the work platform decking are covered up, the handle insert also provides a deeper gripping surface for comfort of the user, the insert made of molded plastic, the handle insert has holes through which fasteners extend perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the insert to hold the insert to a support bar;
a first leg assembly rotatably attached to the platform in proximity to the first end; and
a second leg assembly rotatably attached to the platform in proximity to the second end, when the first and second leg assemblies are essentially in parallel with the platform, the apparatus is in a folded state, when the first and on leg assemblies are essentially perpendicular to the platform, the apparatus is in a use state and the user is able to stand on the platform and be supported by the first and second leg assemblies, when the apparatus is in the use state, the user is able to pick up the apparatus by the handle with only one of the hands without tipping the apparatus, the apparatus able to support at least 250 lbs. of load.