Work Platform For Vehicle
One embodiment of a work platform for a vehicle may include a support structure. The support structure may include an elongated hollow member configured by a plurality of hollow sections spaced apart from each other, and a plurality of connecting members extending from the plurality of hollow sections. The work platform may also include a plurality of pins, each having an annular head and a tail extending from the annular head. The plurality of pins may be received between the plurality of hollow sections for allowing the annular head of the plurality of pins to conform with the plurality of hollow sections of the elongated hollow member. The work platform may further include a shaft adapted to be received through the conformed annular heads and the plurality of hollow sections. Further, the work platform may include a plate member carried by the plurality of connecting members of the support structure.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application. No. 61/153,737 filed on Feb. 19, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSUREThe present disclosure generally relates to work platforms, and, more particularly to a work platform for a vehicle, such as a cargo vehicle or a pickup truck.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSUREThe use of vehicles, such as cargo vehicles or pickup trucks, by professionals, such as carpenters, plumbers, and drafters, is well known. Generally, these professionals need a stable and a flat work surface, such as a table, when working in an outdoor work site.
The need for a stable and the flat work surface may compel the professionals to use a tailgate or a bed of the vehicle. However, the tailgates and the beds of the vehicles are not designed and constructed for such usages. Specifically, tailgates and truck beds are generally small in size and may include hinges and straps used for mounting of the tailgates to the rear portion of the vehicle. These factors may limit and/or obstruct use of the tailgates as work surface. Further, tailgates and beds of the vehicles do not necessarily provide a flat surface and may be difficult to maneuver or move into a desired orientation. Moreover, the tailgates and the beds of the vehicles may not permit attachment thereto or placement thereon of tools and clamps which may be employed at a work site. Accordingly, the professionals may have to carry tables, stands, platforms, or other devices with them for use as work surfaces. However, carrying such devices in a vehicle may occupy a substantial proportion of the bed area of the vehicle, which may cause difficulty in carrying something else in the vehicle. Further, the use of the tables or similar devices at work site may not be convenient because the tables need to be unloaded from the vehicle and set on the ground for use, and after the use the tables need to be folded and loaded back into the vehicle. The loading and unloading of the tables may be a time consuming and cumbersome task.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREIn accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a work platform for a vehicle may include a support structure. The support structure may include an elongated hollow member configured as a plurality of aligned hollow sections spaced apart from each other. The support structure may also include a plurality of connecting members extending from the plurality of hollow sections. The work platform may also include a plurality of pins. Each pin of the plurality of pins may include an annular head and a tail extending from the annular head. Each pin hollow head may be received between and aligned with a pair of hollow sections of the plurality of hollow sections for allowing the annular head of the each pin of the plurality of pins to conform with the plurality of hollow sections of the elongated hollow member. The work platform may further include a shaft adapted to be received through the conformed annular head of the each pin of the plurality of pins and also through the plurality of hollow sections of the elongated hollow member. Further, the work platform may include a plate member carried by the plurality of connecting members. The tail of the each pin of the plurality of pins may be adapted to be carried by a side wall of a bed of the vehicle for mounting the support structure with the shaft on the side wall of the vehicle. The support structure may be capable of being pivotally moved about the shaft to attain an open configuration of the work platform and a closed configuration of the work platform. The plate member in the open configuration of the work platform may provide a work surface.
The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSUREThe exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in structure and design. It should be emphasized, however, that the present disclosure is not limited to a particular work platform for a vehicle as shown and described. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
The terms, “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, elevation or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element with another. Further, the terms, “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
The present disclosure describes various embodiments of a work platform for a vehicle, such as a cargo vehicle or a pickup truck. The work platform may be capable of being conveniently mounted on a side wall of a bed of the vehicle for providing a stable and a flat work surface. The work surface may be used by an individual for doing a plurality of tasks.
Referring to
The support structure 100 may also include a plurality of connecting members, such as connecting members 120 and 130. In the embodiment shown in
The connecting member 120 may also include a pair of second branches 126 and 128 formed integral with or otherwise attached to the pair of first branches 122 and 124 for configuring a K-shaped structure. Similarly, the connecting member 130 may also include a pair of second branches 136 and 138 formed integral with or otherwise attached to the pair of first branches 132 and 134 for configuring a K-shaped structure. Alternatively, the connecting members 120 and 130 may be configured to have a Y-shaped structure. For example, a connecting member may include the pair of first branches 122 and 124, adapted to extend from the hollow sections 112 and 114, respectively, and one second branch, such as the second branch 126, extending from each one of first branches 122 and 124 for configuring the Y-shaped structure. The connecting member 130 may also have a similar Y-shaped structure. Alternatively, the support structure 100 may include a plurality of connecting members based on the number of the plurality of hollow sections 112, 114, 116, and 118, as previously described, and each connecting member may be configured to have I-shaped structure, with a single branch extending from each of hollow sections 112, 114, 116, and 118.
Referring again to
The work platform 10 may also include a plurality of pins, such as pins 210, 220, and 230. In the present embodiment, the work platform 10 may include three pins 210, 220, and 230. However, based on a number of the plurality of hollow sections 112, 114, 116, and 118, the work platform 10 may include a greater or lesser number of pins. Each pin of the plurality of pins 210, 220, and 230 may include an annular head. Further, each pin of the plurality of pins 210, 220, and 230 may include an associated tail extending from a respective annular head. Specifically, the plurality of pins 210, 220, and 230 may include tails 214, 224 and 234 extending from the annular heads 212, 222, and 232, respectively. In the present embodiment, each of the tails 214, 224 and 234 may have an elongated structure with pointed end portions.
The annular heads 212, 222, and 232 and their associated plurality of pins 210, 220, and 230, respectively, may be received between the plurality of hollow sections 112, 114, 116 and 118, and spaced apart from each other. Specifically, the annular heads 212, 222, and 232 of the plurality of pins 210, 220, and 230 may be aligned with and positioned between adjacent ones of hollow sections 112, 114, 116, and 118, as shown in
The work platform 10 may further include a shaft 300. The shaft 300 may include end portions 302 and 304. The shaft 300 may also include an outer surface 306 and lateral surfaces 308 and 310. In the embodiment shown in
Thus, the embodiments of the work platform described herein enable the support structure 100 to be rotated about shaft 300 and with respect to stationary pins 210, 220, and 230, to position the plate member and its support structure in a desired configuration.
The work platform 10 may further include a plate member 400 attached to the connecting members 120 and 130. In a particular embodiment, the plate member 400 is attached to the pair of second branches 126 and 128 of connecting member 120, and to the pair of second branches 136 and 138 of the connecting member 130, as shown in
The work platform 10 may also include a locking mechanism 500, best shown in
The locking mechanism 500 may also include at least one spring received within the elongated hollow member 110 and positioned adjacent to a lateral surface of the shaft 300. In the present embodiment, the locking mechanism 500 may include a spring 520 (shown in
The locking mechanism 500 may further include a protrusion 530 extending from the outer surface 306 of the shaft 300, as shown in
As shown in
Further, when the push button 510 is pressed the shaft 300 may slidably move within the elongated hollow member 110 for unlocking the hollow section 112 from the annular head 212. Specifically, as shown in
First channel 542 corresponds to a second locking position for the plate member and its supporting structure. After the support structure is unlocked, the support structure and plate member may be rotated to an angular position in which second channel 550 is aligned with first channel 542. Further, when the support structure 100 may be pivotally moved, the protrusion 530 may be received partially by the first channel 542, when the second channel 550 may be inline with the first channel 542. Therefore, when second channel 550 is in line with the first channel 542, and when the tab 514 is released by a user, the compressed spring 520 may expand and tend to move the shaft 300 for allowing the protrusion 530 to be received partially in the first channel 542. Accordingly, the hollow section 112 may be locked with the annular head 212 by the protrusion 530, thereby locking the support structure in the new configuration and preventing further pivotal movement of the support structure 100 about the shaft 300. However, the support structure 100 may be again pivotally moved by pressing the push button 510, and thereby unlocking the hollow section 112 from the annular head 212. In alternative embodiments, additional first channels may be provided to enable locking of the support structure in more than two different angular positions.
Referring back to
Referring now to
Further, as shown in
Thus, the embodiments of the locking mechanism described herein enable the support structure 100 to be locked in any of multiple predetermined angular positions. In at least one locked position, the plate member and its supporting structure reside in a configuration suitable for transport by a vehicle on which the work platform is mounted. In at least one other locked position, the plate member and its supporting structure reside in a configuration suitable for use by a user of the work platform.
Referring now to
As shown in
Therefore, the plate member 400 of the work platform 10 may be used for performing plurality of tasks. Specifically, the individual may use the plate member 400 for writing and drawing on a paper, for supporting tools and clamps which may be utilized at a work site, and for preparing food at a campsite. For example, the plate member 400 may be used for supporting a saw clamp, for doing carpentry work. Further, the plate member 400 may include measurement indicia (such as measuring tape) which may enable in taking measurements while working on the plate member 400.
Further, when the individual may be done with the tasks, the work platform 10 may be stored in the vehicle 1000. Specifically, the individual may press the push button 510 for unlocking the support structure 100. Thereafter, the individual may pivotally move (in a direction shown with an arrow D) the support structure 100 for allowing the support structure 100 to attain the closed position, (as shown in
Based on the foregoing description of the present disclosure, a work platform, such as the work platform 10, may provide a stable and a flat work surface which may be used for doing plurality of tasks. The work platform may be conveniently mounted on a vehicle and may be easily maneuvered for use. Further, the work platform may be stored on a vehicle bed in a substantially small space after the use thereof.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure.
Claims
1. A work platform for a vehicle, the work platform comprising:
- a support structure comprising an elongated hollow member configured as a plurality of aligned hollow sections spaced apart from each other, and a plurality of connecting members extending from the plurality of hollow sections;
- a plurality of pins, each pin of the plurality of pins comprising a hollow head and a tail extending from the head, wherein each pin hollow head is received between and aligned with a pair of adjacent hollow sections of the plurality of hollow sections;
- a shaft received through the aligned hollow sections of the plurality of hollow sections and through the pin hollow heads aligned with the hollow sections; and
- a plate member carried by the plurality of connecting members,
- wherein the support structure is rotatable about the shaft.
2. The work platform of claim 1, wherein the support structure is configured so as to be rotatable to and securable in at least a first angular position associated with to an open configuration of the work platform, and a second angular position different from the first angular position associated with a closed configuration of the work platform.
3. The work platform of claim 1, wherein the tail of the each pin of the plurality of pins is adapted to be carried by a side wall of a bed of the vehicle for mounting the support structure with the shaft on the side wall of the vehicle, and further comprising a plurality of pin receptacles adapted to be associated with the side wall of the vehicle, wherein each pin receptacle of the plurality of pin receptacles is adapted to receive a respective tail of the plurality of pins for mounting the support structure with the shaft on the side wall of the vehicle.
4. The work platform of claim 1 wherein the shaft is slidable within a cavity defined by the aligned hollow sections of the plurality of hollow sections and the pin hollow heads aligned with the aligned hollow sections, and wherein the work platform further comprises a locking mechanism configured for selectively locking the support structure to prevent rotatable movement thereof about the shaft the locking mechanism comprising:
- at least one spring member positioned within the cavity and operatively coupled to the shaft
- a protrusion extending from an outer surface of the shaft,
- a push button operatively coupled to the shaft
- a pair of first channels formed along an inner surface of a rotatable hollow section of the plurality of hollow sections; and
- a second channel formed along an inner surface of a pin hollow head adjacent the hollow section of the plurality of hollow sections, the second channel being aligned in line with one of the pair of first channels,
- wherein the protrusion is adapted to be received partially by a first channel of the pair of first channels and partially by the second channel inline with the first channel, for locking the rotatable hollow section of the plurality of hollow sections with respect to the adjacent pin hollow head and thereby locking the pivotal movement of the support structure, and
- wherein the push button is adapted to be pressed for slidably moving the shaft within the cavity for moving the protrusion from the first channel and allowing the protrusion to be received completely in the second channel, for unlocking the rotatable hollow section of the plurality of hollow sections from the adjacent pin hollow head and thereby unlocking the pivotal movement of the support structure.
5. The work platform of claim 2, wherein the plate member comprises:
- a rod connected to the plurality of connecting members,
- a pair of plate portions, one of the pair of plate portions connected to the rod, and
- a hinge mechanism hingedly securing the pair of plate portions to each other, the hinge mechanism being configured to permit the pair of plate portions to attain a folded state in the closed configuration of the work platform and an unfolded state in the open configuration of the work platform, wherein the open configuration of the work platform provides the work surface.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 17, 2010
Publication Date: Aug 19, 2010
Inventor: William Jeeves (Marquette, MI)
Application Number: 12/707,342
International Classification: E04G 1/24 (20060101); E04G 1/28 (20060101); E04G 1/15 (20060101);