Mounting platform for construction stilt

Abstract

A foot support structure of the type used with a stilt includes a foot platform, a side wall, and first and second adjustable retaining members. The foot platform includes opposed first and second primary surfaces, a toe end, a heel end, and first and second sides. The side wall extends in a substantially normal direction from the first primary surface and extends along at least a portion of the first and second sides and a portion of the heel end of the base member. The front and rear adjustable retaining members are coupled to the side wall and extend between the first and second sides of the foot platform.

1 . A foot support structure of the type used with a stilt, the foot support comprising: 
 a foot platform having opposed first and second primary surfaces, a toe end, a heel end, and first and second sides;    a side wall extending in a substantially normal direction from the first primary surface and extending along at least a portion of the first and second sides and a portion of the heel end of the base member; and    front and rear adjustable retaining members coupled to the side wall and extending between the first and second sides of the foot platform.    
   
   
       2 . The foot support structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a mounting bracket coupled to the second primary surface and configured for mounting the foot support structure to the stilt.  
   
   
       3 . The foot support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the side wall includes a plurality of mounting apertures configured for mounting the front and rear retaining members on the side wall at different positions relative to the foot platform.  
   
   
       4 . The foot support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the front and rear retaining members each include first and second portions and an adjustable connector configured to adjustably couple together the first and second portions of each retaining member.  
   
   
       5 . The foot support structure of  claim 2 , wherein the foot platform, side wall, and mounting bracket comprise a polymer material.  
   
   
       6 . The foot support structure of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second portions of the front and rear retaining members comprise a polymer-based material.  
   
   
       7 . The foot support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the side wall is a continuous piece that extends from the toe end on the first side of the foot platform, around the heel end of the foot platform, and to the toe end on the second side of the foot platform.  
   
   
       8 . The foot support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the side wall includes at least three separate pieces that respectively extend from the first side, the second side and the heel end of the foot platform.  
   
   
       9 . The foot support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the foot platform and side wall are integrally formed from a single piece.  
   
   
       10 . The foot support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the foot support structure has a width defined by a spacing between the side wall portions extending along the first and second sides of the foot platform, and the width of the foot support structure is configured to be wider than a footwear supported by the foot support structure.  
   
   
       11 . The foot support structure of  claim 4 , wherein the adjustable connector is a quick release buckle.  
   
   
       12 . A stilt apparatus, comprising: 
 an elongate structure having first and second ends;    a contact member secured to the first end of the elongate member and configured to contact a ground surface;    a foot support structure secured to the second end of the elongate member and configured to support a foot of a user, the foot support structure comprising: 
 a foot platform having opposed first and second primary surfaces, a toe end, a heel end, and first and second sides;  
 a side wall extending in a substantially normal direction from the first primary surface and extending along at least a portion of the first and second sides and a portion of the heel end of the base member; and  
 front and rear adjustable retaining members coupled to the side wall and extending between the first and second sides of the foot platform.  
   
   
   
       13 . A method of mounting a user's foot to a foot support structure of a stilt, the foot support structure including a foot platform, a wall structure extending generally vertically from the foot platform along opposing sides of the foot platform, and first and second adjustable straps, the method comprising the steps of: 
 securing the first and second adjustable straps to the side wall between the opposing first and second sides of the foot platform;    positioning the user's foot on the foot platform; and    tightening the first and second straps to exert a force on top of the user's foot directed downward toward the foot platform.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the wall structure further extends along a heel portion of the foot platform, and the tightening step includes exerting a force on the user's foot directed toward the heel portion of the foot platform.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising forming a plurality of connecting structures along the wall structure, each connecting structure providing a different securing point for securing the first and second adjustable straps to the side wall.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising supporting the user's foot laterally with the side wall.  
   
   
       17 . A foot support structure suited for use with a construction stilt, the foot support structure comprising: 
 a substantially planar foot platform having a top primary surface and opposing first and second sides;    a side wall extending along at least one of the first and second sides and extending from the top primary surface of the foot platform in a substantially perpendicular direction; and    a support strap coupled to the side wall and extending to the opposing side of the foot platform.    
   
   
       18 . The foot support structure of  claim 17 , wherein the foot platform has a width defined between the first and second sides, the width being wider than a user's foot.  
   
   
       19 . The foot support structure of  claim 17 , further comprising an adjustment member configured to shorten a length of the support strap extending between the first and second sides of the foot platform.  
   
   
       20 . The foot support structure of  claim 17 , wherein the foot platform includes a toe end and a heel end, and the foot support structure further comprises a heel support member secured to the heel end of the foot platform and extending in a substantially perpendicular direction from the top primary surface of the foot platform.