IP Library Granted Patent US 12,497,789
Granted Patent B2
US 12,497,789 · App. 17/681,076 · Granted Dec 16, 2025

Interlocking work platform system

Inventors: Fang Chen (Shanghai, CH); Liang He (Shanghai, CH); Ling Zhu (Shanghai, CH)
Assignee: Werner Co.
E04G1/30E06C1/393E04G2001/305
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,497,789
App. No.
17/681,076
Granted
Dec 16, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A work platform system having a first work platform. The first work platform having a first hook assembly and a first latch assembly. The system having a second work platform. The second work platform having a second hook assembly and a second latch assembly. The first work platform locked to the second work platform through the first hook assembly engaging with the second latch assembly and the first hook assembly in the use position. A method for using a work platform system. A method for producing a work platform.

Claims (40)

1 . A work platform comprising:

a plank extending longitudinally and having a first end and a second end;

a first leg assembly rotatably attached to the first end of the plank, the first leg assembly having a first rail and a second rail and a first rung attached to the first rail and the second rail, wherein the first leg assembly is rotatable about a first hinge;

a second leg assembly rotatably attached to the second end of the plank, the second leg assembly having a third rail and a fourth rail and a second rung attached to the third rail and the fourth rail, wherein the second leg assembly is rotatable about a second hinge; and

a hook assembly and a latch assembly,

wherein the hook assembly includes a hook crossbar slidably coupled to the plank adjacent the first end, the hook assembly slides between a use position where the hook crossbar extends beyond a perimeter of the plank between the first rail and the second rail of the first leg assembly and a stowed position where the hook crossbar is retracted below and within the perimeter of the plank, and

wherein the latch assembly includes latch hooks coupled to the plank adjacent the second end.

2 . The work platform of claim 1 wherein the hook assembly further comprises a first hook and a second hook that are attached to the hook crossbar, which extends between the first hook and the second hook.

3 . The work platform of claim 2 wherein the hook assembly further comprises a first track and a second track attached to an underside of the work platform.

4 . The work platform of claim 3 wherein the hook assembly further comprises a cross plate attached adjacent to and extending between a rear end of the first hook and the second hook.

5 . The work platform of claim 4 wherein the hook assembly further comprises a first block and a second block attached to the cross plate, the first block and the second block slidably coupled to the first track and the second track, respectively.

6 . The work platform of claim 1 wherein the work platform is configured to lock onto a second work platform via the hook assembly and a second latch assembly of the second work platform.

7 . The work platform of claim 6 wherein the hook crossbar is configured to couple the second latch assembly of the second work platform via second latch assembly hooks.

8 . The work platform of claim 1 wherein the hook assembly includes a first notch and a second notch.

9 . The work platform of claim 1 wherein the work platform includes a first track and a second track, in parallel with the first track, to which the hook assembly is slidably coupled such that the hook assembly is slidable between the use position, where the hook crossbar extends beyond the work platform, and the stowed position, where the hook crossbar is retracted under the work platform.

10 . The work platform of claim 1 wherein the first leg assembly and the second leg assembly are independently rotatable between an open position and a folded position.

11 . The work platform of claim 10 wherein the first leg assembly and the second leg assembly are disposed substantially parallel to a top surface of the work platform when the first leg assembly and the second leg assembly are disposed in the folded position.

12 . The work platform of claim 1 wherein the first leg assembly and the second leg assembly are extendable between an extended state and a retracted state, wherein a length of the first rail and the second rail is greater in the extended state than in the retracted state and a length of the third rail and the fourth rail is greater in the extended state than the retracted state.

13 . The work platform of claim 12 wherein the first leg assembly and the second leg assembly are extendable at different lengths and rotatable at different angles.

14 . The work platform of claim 1 wherein the work platform is configured to lock onto a second work platform via the latch assembly and a second hook assembly of the second work platform.

15 . A work platform comprising:

a plank extending longitudinally and having a first end and a second end;

a first leg assembly rotatably attached to the first end of the plank, the first leg assembly having a first rail, a second rail, and a first rung therebetween, wherein the first leg assembly is rotatable about a first hinge;

a second leg assembly rotatably attached to the second end of the plank, the second leg assembly having a third rail, a fourth rail, and a second rung therebetween, wherein the second leg assembly is rotatable about a second hinge; and

a hook assembly disposed adjacent the first end of the plank and a latch assembly disposed adjacent the second end of the plank,

wherein the hook assembly includes a cross plate, a hook crossbar, and a first hook and a second hook extending between the cross plate and the hook crossbar, wherein the hook assembly is slidably coupled to the plank between a use position where the hook crossbar extends beyond a perimeter of the plank between the first rail and the second rail of the first leg assembly and a stowed position where the hook crossbar is retracted below and within the perimeter of the plank.

16 . The work platform of claim 15 wherein the latch assembly includes latch hooks coupled to the plank adjacent the second end, and

wherein the hook assembly includes a first notch in the first hook and a second notch in the second hook, the first notch and the second notch being configured to engage with a portion of a second latch assembly of a second work platform.

17 . The work platform of claim 16 wherein the work platform includes a first track and a second track on an underside of the plank, wherein the hook assembly has a first block and a second block that are slidably coupled with the first track and the second track, respectively.

18 . A work platform comprising:

a plank extending longitudinally and having a first end and a second end;

a first leg assembly rotatably attached to the first end of the plank about a first hinge, the first leg assembly having a first rail, a second rail, and a first rung therebetween;

a second leg assembly rotatably attached to the second end of the plank about a second hinge, the second leg assembly having a third rail, a fourth rail, and a second rung therebetween; and

a hook assembly disposed adjacent the first end of the plank and a latch assembly disposed adjacent the second end of the plank,

wherein the hook assembly includes a cross plate, a hook crossbar, a first hook and a second hook extending between the cross plate and the hook crossbar, and a first block and a second block extending from the cross plate, wherein the hook assembly is slidably coupled to the plank, and

wherein the work platform includes a first track and a second track in parallel and spaced relation with the first track and the first block of the hook assembly is slidably coupled with the first track and the second block of the hook assembly is slidably coupled with the second track such that the hook assembly is slidably coupled with the first track and the second track between a use position, where the hook crossbar extends beyond the work platform, and a stowed position, where the hook crossbar is retracted under the work platform.

19 . The work platform of claim 18 wherein the first hook includes a first notch and the second hook includes a second notch.

20 . The work platform of claim 19 wherein the first notch and the second notch are configured to engage with a portion of a second latch assembly of a second work platform,

wherein the first leg assembly and the second leg assembly are extendable between an extended state and a retracted state, and

wherein the first leg assembly and the second leg assembly are extendable at different lengths and rotatable at different angles relative to the plank.

Assignments (9)
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT REEL 063958, FRAME 0740 Recorded Jun 16, 2025
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: WERNER CO.
Reel/Frame 071649/0699 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 16, 2025
From: WERNER CO.
To: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 071636/0185 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT REEL 064126, FRAME 0396 Recorded Jun 16, 2025
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: WERNER CO.
Reel/Frame 071649/0774 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT REEL 064205, FRAME 0636 Recorded Jun 16, 2025
From: WILLA FINCO II SARL
To: WERNER CO.
Reel/Frame 071649/0887 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 27, 2023
From: WERNER CO.
To: WILLA FINCO II SARL (FORMERLY TRITON V LUXCO 95 SARL)
Reel/Frame 064205/0636 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 27, 2023
From: WERNER CO.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 064126/0396 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 12, 2023
From: WERNER CO.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 063958/0740 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2022
From: CHEN, FANG; HE, LIANG; ZHU, LING
To: WERNER CO.
Reel/Frame 059707/0546 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 30, 2022
From: CHEN, FAN; HE, LIANG; ZHU, LING
To: WERNER CO.
Reel/Frame 059566/0949 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63155722 · Mar 2, 2021
Related Publication 20220282501A1 · Sep 8, 2022
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