FR2780440A1 - Platform stepladder that is collapsable for domestic use - Google Patents

Abstract

The platform (C) is articulated on a transverse bar (4a) and is supported on a transverse bar (4b) of the. The uprights (2a,2b) extend without steps beyond the level of the platform to form a railing. They are connected in pairs by a transverse articulation between an angled hinge (12) integral with the upright (2b) and a hinge (9) at the top of the upright (2a). Each of the hinges carry an articulation (14) for the upper end of a connecting rod (15), the lower end (16) of which is on the platform.

Description

i

  The invention relates to a step platform.

  To carry out work at height, it is necessary to have recourse either to a ladder, or to a stepladder or steps, or finally to a scaffolding. If professionals are commonly equipped with scaffolding, individuals rather use ladders or stepladders,

  because these means are less expensive and more easily stowable.

  However, they provide a less stable and more tiring position.

  The object of the present invention is to provide a step platform providing great stability when in the position of

  work and a reduced size when in the folded position.

  To this end, in the step platform according to the invention, the platform is articulated, near one of its ends, on a transverse bar of the climbing plane carrying it, and, in the working position, bears on a transverse bar of the climbing plane supporting it, while, on the one hand, the uprights of these climbing plans extend without steps beyond the level of the platform to form railings and be linked two by two by a transverse articulation between a bent fitting, integral with the amount of the climbing plane supporting the platform, and a fitting articulated at the top of the corresponding amount of the climbing plane carrying this platform, and that, on the other hand, each of the articulated fittings carries, between its articulations, respectively on the upright and on the bent fitting secured to the other mounting plane, an articulation for the upper end of a connecting rod, the lower end of which is articulated on a cross-linking of the platform, said articulation being arranged in parallel and close to the articulation of this

  platform on its climb plan, but between the two climb planes.

  So when the step platform is in the working position, its platform is supported on the two climbing planes, is very stable and constitutes a surface of evolution which is protected by the railings formed by the upper parts. amounts of the climb plans. To bring the step platform to the storage position, you must pivot the platform around its articulation and in the interval between the uprights. Under the action of this pivoting, the connecting rods straighten the hinged fittings to bring them substantially in line with the uprights on which they are hinged, thereby reducing the size of the upper part of the step. At the end of folding, the platform is substantially vertical between the two climbing planes which are arranged parallel to each other, thereby considerably reducing the size of the step, which can be easily stored in a cupboard . In one embodiment of the invention, the bar serving as support for the platform constitutes a hinge axis for one of the ends of at least one lever, the other end of which is articulated on the

  platform between the two climb plans.

  This arrangement makes it possible, during the maneuvers of the platform, to force the climbing plane carrying it, to follow its movements and, for example, to approach the other climbing plane when it is straightened vertically, or , on the contrary, to move away from

  this climb plan when lowered.

  Advantageously, the platform is provided with an articulated lock

  with automatic hooking on the bar receiving it.

  This lock is opposed to any separation of the platform from

  its bar, when moving the step platform.

  The invention will be better understood using the description which

  follows with reference to the appended schematic drawing representing, by way of

  example, an embodiment of this platform.

  Figure 1 is a perspective view, when in

working position.

  Figures 2 and 3 are side views in elevation when it is

  in the working position and in the storage position respectively.

  Figure 4 is a partial sectional view showing to scale

  enlarged an embodiment of the lock associated with the platform.

  This step platform is essentially composed of two climbing planes, respectively A and B, and of a platform C. Each climbing plan is composed of two uprights, respectively 2a, 2b, each carrying several steps 3a, 3b and, substantially at mid-height, a bar 4a, 4b. Beyond the bar, the extensions of the uprights do not include steps to allow the free movement of platform C. This platform is articulated near one of its ends, on the bar 4a of the climb plane At the bearing and comes to bear by its other end on the bar 4b of the climb plane B supporting it. The bar 4b, serving as a support for the platform, also constitutes a hinge axis for one of the ends of at least one lever 5, the other end of which is articulated at 6 substantially in the middle of the platform. form. Each of the upper ends of the uprights 2a of the climb plane A carries a hinge 8 for a fitting 9, while on each of the ends of the uprights 2b of the climb plane B are fixed,

  by rivets 10 or by any other means, bent fittings 12.

  Each of the fittings 12 is connected, by a hinge 13, to the end

  of the fitting 9 articulated on the corresponding upright.

  Finally, each fitting 9 has, between its articulations 8 and 13, a third articulation 14 on which the upper end of a connecting rod 15 is articulated, the lower end of which is articulated at 16 on the corresponding side of the platform C , between the two climbing planes A and B but close to the articulation of the platform C, on the climbing plane A. Each of the two connecting rods 15 is substantially parallel to the corresponding upright 2a to form a deformable parallelogram respectively with a platform section delimited between the joints 4a and 16 and with the fitting section 9, delimited between its

joints 8 and 13.

  Finally, as shown in more detail in FIG. 4, the platform C is provided, near its free end, with a latch 17 articulated on it at 18 and comprising, at the bottom, a solid hook 17a, with

steep heel 17b.

  When the platform C is lowered, the steep heel 17b of the hook, coming into contact with the bar 4b, causes this hook 17 to pivot in the direction of arrow 19 in FIG. 4 until the platform form comes to bear on the bar 4b. At this instant the mass of the hook brings the latter back into the locking position, that is to say brings the hook under the bar 4b, thereby ensuring the automatic locking of the platform on the bar. To release the platform, it suffices to manually actuate the extension 17c of the lock in the direction of

arrow 19.

  When this step platform is in the working position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, it offers a large evolution surface, very stable and protected by the uprights 2a and 2b and the fittings 9 and 12, forming a railing. . Thanks to the latch 17, the platform C remains permanently attached to the climb plane B, so that the step platform can be moved as and when

  the progress of the work without its rigidity being affected.

  To bring the platform into the storage position, it is sufficient, after unlocking the latch 17, to pivot the platform around the articulation axis constituted by the bar 4a and in the direction of the arrow 20. This movement causes, by the levers 5, the approach of the climb plane B against the climb plane A, according to arrow 21 in FIG. 2, and, by the connecting rods 15, the pivoting of the fittings 9 around their articulation 8, in the direction of arrow 22, to reduce the width of the footboard head. At the end of folding, and as shown in FIG. 3, the platform C is substantially vertical, and is arranged between the two climbing planes, which are themselves substantially parallel. She occupies

  thus a very small footprint which allows to store it in a cupboard.

Claims (3)

  1 / Platform running boards comprising a platform (C) and two climbing planes (A and B), articulated relative to each other and each formed by two uprights (2a, 2b) connected by steps (3a, 3b) characterized in that the platform (C) is articulated, near one of its ends, on a transverse bar (4a) of the climb plane (A) carrying it, and, in the position of work, comes to bear on a transverse bar (4b) of the climb plane (B) supporting it, while, on the one hand, the uprights (2a, 2b) of these climb planes (A and B) extend without step beyond the level of the platform (C) to form a guardrail and be linked in pairs by a transverse articulation between a bent fitting (12), integral with the upright (2b) of the climbing plane (B) supporting the platform, and a fitting (9) articulated at the top of the upright (2a) corresponding to the climb plane (A) carrying this platform, and that, on the other hand, each of the articulated fittings (9) carries, between its articulations, respectively (8) on the upright (2a) and (13) on the bent fitting (12) integral with the other climb plane (B), an articulation (14) for the upper end of a connecting rod (15), the lower end of which is articulated on an articulation (16) of the platform, said articulation (16) being arranged in parallel and close to the articulation (4a) of this platform form on its climb plane (A), but between the two planes of climb (A and B).   2 / footboard platform according to claim 1, characterized in that the bar (4b) serving to support the platform (C) constitutes a hinge axis for one of the ends of at least one lever ( 5) whose other end is articulated on the platform (C) between the two climb plans.   3 / Platform according to claim 1, characterized in that the platform (C) is provided with an articulated lock (17) for hooking   automatic on the bar (4b) receiving it.