Adjustable platform for a stepladder

Abstract

An adjustable platform for a stepladder can be raised by simply lifting the platform manually, and the platform automatically stays there after being released. For safety, strength and stability, the platform is supported by two extendable rods. Even though there are two rods and two clamps for holding them, a single worker can still release and lower the platform at a controlled rate of descent. To do this, the clamps are of a particular design and are strategically positioned relative to the rods.

1 . A tool for a stepladder with an uppermost step, comprising: 
 a clamp assembly mountable to the stepladder and being manually selectively movable to a hold-position and a release-position;    a pair of substantially parallel rods coupled to the clamp assembly in sliding relationship therewith; and    a platform supported by the pair of substantially parallel rods and being manually selectively movable to a raised position and a lowered position such that: 
 a. when the clamp assembly is in the hold-position, the clamp assembly permits the platform to be manually raised from the lowered position to the raised position but inhibits the platform from descending from the raised position to the lowered position; and  
 b. when the clamp assembly is in the release-position, the clamp assembly permits the platform to be manually selectively raised and lowered.  
   
   
   
       2 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring coupled to the clamp assembly, wherein the spring urges the clamp assembly to the hold-position.  
   
   
       3 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a series of discrete gripping points disposed on the pair of substantially parallel rods, wherein the clamp assembly is strategically situated to engage the series of discrete gripping points to selectively hold the platform at a plurality of elevations.  
   
   
       4 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the platform comprises a plastic base with a raised outer rim and a wooden top overlaying the plastic base, wherein the raised outer rim helps align the wooden top to the plastic base.  
   
   
       5 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a stop member coupled to at least one of the clamp assembly, the platform and the pair of substantially parallel rods, wherein the stop member ensures at least a minimum hand clearance exists between the platform and the uppermost step to avoid creating a hand-pinching hazard therebetween.  
   
   
       6 . A tool for a stepladder with an uppermost step, the tool can be used by a user having a right-hand and a left-hand, the tool comprising: 
 a RH sleeve mountable to the stepladder;    a RH rod disposed in sliding relationship within the RH sleeve;    a RH gripper coupled to the RH sleeve and being movable between a RH hold-position and a RH release-position such that RH gripper in the RH hold-position engages the RH rod so that the RH rod can move more freely upward than downward, and the RH gripper in the RH release-position permits the RH rod to move freely upward and downward;    a RH lever coupled to the RH gripper and being movable relative to the RH sleeve between a RH lock-position and a RH unlock-position, wherein the RH gripper moves to the RH hold-position in response to the RH lever moving in a RH lock direction to the RH lock-position, and the RH gripper moves to the RH release-position in response to the RH lever moving in a RH unlock direction to the RH unlock-position;    a RH spring coupled to the RH sleeve and the RH lever to urge the RH lever to the RH lock-position;    a LH sleeve mountable to the stepladder;    a LH rod disposed in sliding relationship within the LH sleeve;    a LH gripper coupled to the LH sleeve and being movable between a LH hold-position and a LH release-position such that LH gripper in the LH hold-position engages the LH rod so that the LH rod can move more freely upward than downward, and the LH gripper in the LH release-position permits the LH rod to move freely upward and downward;    a LH lever coupled to the LH gripper and being movable relative to the LH sleeve between a LH lock-position and a LH unlock-position, wherein the LH gripper moves to the LH hold-position in response to the LH lever moving in a LH lock direction to the LH lock-position, and the LH gripper moves to the LH release-position in response to the LH lever moving in a LH unlock direction to the LH unlock-position;    a LH spring coupled to the LH sleeve and the LH lever to urge the LH lever to the LH lock-position; and    a platform extending between and supported by the RH rod and the LH rod such that the platform moves vertically therewith, and wherein the RH unlock direction is at least one of a) downward, and b) toward the RH rod, and the LH unlock direction is at least one of a) downward, and b) toward the LH rod, so that the user can lower the platform by using the right-hand to both grip the RH rod and move the RH lever to the RH unlock-position and use the left-hand to both grip the LH rod and move the LH lever to the LH unlock-position, and the user can raise the platform, the RH rod and the LH rod by simply lifting the platform even while the RH lever is at the RH lock position and the LH lever is at the LH lock position.    
   
   
       7 . The tool of  claim 6 , further comprising a series of discrete gripping points disposed along the RH and LH rods, wherein the RH and LH grippers engage the series of discrete gripping points to selectively hold the platform at a plurality of elevations.  
   
   
       8 . The tool of  claim 6 , wherein the platform comprises a plastic base with a raised outer rim and a wooden top overlaying the plastic base, wherein the raised outer rim helps align the wooden top to the plastic base.  
   
   
       9 . The tool of  claim 6 , wherein the RH and LH unlock directions are downward.  
   
   
       10 . The tool of  claim 6 , wherein the RH gripper and the RH lever are an integral extension of each other, whereby the RH gripper and the RH lever comprise a unitary piece.  
   
   
       11 . The tool of  claim 6 , wherein the RH and LH rods are situated between the RH and LH levers.  
   
   
       12 . The tool of  claim 6 , further comprising a stop member coupled to at least one of the clamp assembly, the platform and the pair of substantially parallel rods, wherein the stop member ensures at least a minimum hand clearance exists between the platform and the uppermost step to avoid creating a hand-pinching hazard therebetween.  
   
   
       13 . A method of using a tool that includes a platform supported by a RH rod and a LH rod, which in turn are coupled to a stepladder by way of a RH clamp assembly and a LH clamp, wherein the RH and LH clamp assemblies can be manually manipulated between a hold-position and a release-position, the method comprising: 
 manually lifting the platform from a lowered position to a raised position while the RH and LH clamp assemblies are in the hold-position;    manually releasing the platform;    upon manually releasing the platform, automatically holding the platform at the raised position by virtue of the RH and LH clamp assemblies being at the hold-position; and    manually gripping at least one of the RH rod and the LH rod while simultaneously moving the RH and LH clamp assemblies to the release-position so that the platform controllably descends back down to the lowered position.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of automatically holding the platform at the raised position involves having the RH and LH clamp assemblies engage one of a plurality of discrete gripping points that are at a substantially fixed position relative to the platform.