US3696762A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foldable platform device
Assignee: POLYDESIGNS Ltd
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Filing: 1969-06-24
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Granted: 1972-10-10
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Expires: 1989-06-24
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a foldable platform device comprising a platform having an end for linear guidance by a guideway between an out-of-use position of the platform and an in-use position of the platform, a guideway for so guiding said platform end, a support member for the platform which support member will extend between the platform and a platform support and will move with the platform between the platform out-of-use and in-use positions, and biasing means operatively connected to the support member for having a controlling influence over movement of the platform between its out-of-use and in-use positions.
Inventors
- 👤 Bertram Roy Holdham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:47
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B5/00; A47B5/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
Foldable platform means, comprising a platform normally having a horizontal operative position; fixed vertical slide means; means connecting one end of said platform for vertical sliding movement relative to said slide means; a fixed platform support arranged immediately beneath said slide means; a rigid strut member pivotally connected at one end with said fixed platform sUpport, the other end of said strut member being pivotally connected with said platform adjacent its other end, said one platform end being downwardly slidable in said vertical slide means and said rigid strut member being upwardly pivotable about its lower end to permit said platform to be collapsed from said horizontal operative position to a vertical storage position adjacent and parallel with said slide means; and spring and lever means biasing said platform toward one of said operative and storage positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
Foldable platform means, comprising a platform normally having a horizontal operative position; fixed vertical slide means; means connecting one end of said platform for vertical sliding movement relative to said slide means; a fixed platform support arranged immediately beneath said slide means; a rigid strut member pivotally connected at one end with said fixed platform sUpport, the other end of said strut member being pivotally connected with said platform adjacent its other end, said one platform end being downwardly slidable in said vertical slide means and said rigid strut member being upwardly pivotable about its lower end to permit said platform to be collapsed from said horizontal operative position to a vertical storage position adjacent and parallel with said slide means; and spring and lever means biasing said platform toward one of said operative and storage positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
93 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said biasing means includes a lower lever pivotally connected at one end with said rigid platform support above the pivotal connection of the lower end of said strut member, an upper lever pivotally connected at one end with said platform between said one end thereof and the pivotal connection of the upper end of said strut member, means connecting the other ends of said levers for sliding movement relative to said strut member, and spring means biasing said other ends of said levers toward each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein said other ends of the two levers each carry roller means, and further wherein the strut member carries slide means slidably receiving said roller means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said biasing means biases said platform toward its vertical storage position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said biasing means provides a counterbalance to the weight of the platform during platform movement between its storage and operative positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said biasing means biases said platform towards its horizontal operative position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 1, including means for positively locating the platform in its horizontal operative position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 1, including releasable catch means for releasably holding the platform in its horizontal operative position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the center of gravity of the platform is so disposed relative to said pivotal connection between said strut member and said platform support that when the platform is in its vertical storage position the weight of the platform biases the platform towards its vertical storage position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said one platform end carries roller means for reception by said slide means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
A device according to claim 1, and further including an additional lever pivotally connected at its lower end with said platform support, said additional lever being adapted at its upper end to bear against the under surface of said platform, said bearing means comprising a torsion spring urging said additional lever in the direction of said platform.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 11, wherein said additional lever includes at its upper end roller means for bearing against the underside of the platform.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
79 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said spring and lever biasing means includes a lever one end of which is pivotally connected with said platform support and the other end of which engages said strut member adjacent the platform support end thereof, and spring means interconnecting said other end of said lever and said strut member, said spring means being connected to said strut member at a location between said other end of said lever and said platform.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said biasing means further includes torsion spring means arranged at the platform end of said strut member for urging said platform toward its horizontal operative position, said other end of said lever being guided for movement along said strut member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the spring and lever biasing means comprises a lever one end of which is pivotally connected with the platform and the other end of which engages said strut member adjacent the platform end thereof, and spring means interconnecting said other end of said lever and the strut member, said spring means being connected with said strut member at a location between said other end of said lever and said platform support.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said biasing means further includes torsion spring means arranged at the platform support end of said strut member for urging said platform toward its storage position, said other end of the lever being guided for movement along the strut member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said other end of the lever carries roller means, and further wherein said strut member carries slide means for slidably receiving said roller means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-10 | 1976-04-10 | 1976-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-10 | 1980-04-10 | 1980-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-10 | 1984-04-10 | 1984-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |