Stabilized, collapsible portable support platform

Abstract

A stabilized, collapsible platform having two stages, each adjustable with respect to the other along a support column except to the extent restricted by a temporary lock. In a preferred embodiment, the platform may be adjusted along the support column with each stage moving independently of the other, and, once in the desired position, the temporary lock may then be employed to restrict movement of the stages relative to one another. The temporary lock may additionally stabilize the platform against movement with respect to the support column.

1 . A portable support platform for attachment to a support column, the platform comprising:
 a first stage slidably attached to the support column;   a second stage slidably attached to the support column and configured for adjustment with respect to the first stage along the support column; and   a temporary lock attached to the first stage and the second stage.   
     
     
         2 . The platform of  claim 1 , wherein the temporary lock is configured to be releasably locked such that resistance against movement of the first stage in at least one direction is provided by the second stage via the temporary lock. 
     
     
         3 . The platform of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first stage and second stage is configured to be stabilized against the support column by application of force in a direction substantially parallel to the support column. 
     
     
         4 . The platform of  claim 2 , wherein the temporary lock is releasably locked, and wherein the second stage is configured to be stabilized against the support column via the temporary lock by movement of the first stage in a direction substantially parallel to the support column. 
     
     
         5 . The platform of  claim 1 , wherein the temporary lock includes a rigid member. 
     
     
         6 . The platform of  claim 5 , wherein the rigid member includes:
 a piston;   a sleeve; and   a fixing means configured to releasably fix the relative position of the piston and sleeve.   
     
     
         7 . The platform of  claim 6 , wherein the fixing means is a set screw. 
     
     
         8 . The platform of  claim 1 , further comprising an anchor configured to secure the first and second stages to the support column. 
     
     
         9 . The platform of  claim 1 , wherein the temporary lock includes a flexible member. 
     
     
         10 . The platform of  claim 9 , wherein the flexible member is a strap. 
     
     
         11 . The platform of  claim 10 , wherein the temporary lock further includes a first buckle configured to slide along the length of the strap and to be releasably locked to fix the relative position of the first buckle and at least one section of the strap. 
     
     
         12 . The platform of  claim 11 , wherein the temporary lock is configured such that resistance against movement of the first stage in at least one direction is provided by the second stage via releasably locking the first buckle of the temporary lock. 
     
     
         13 . The platform of  claim 12 , wherein the strap has a first stage end and a second stage end, and:
 the first stage end includes two end strands; and   the second stage end includes two end strands.   
     
     
         14 . The platform of  claim 13 , further including a second buckle configured such that it is slidable along the length of the strap and may be releasably locked to fix the relative position of the second buckle and at least one section of the strap, and wherein the first buckle and second buckle are configured to clamp the two end strands of the first stage end when releasably locked. 
     
     
         15 . A temporary lock configured to be releasably locked such that resistance against movement of a first stage of a platform in at least one direction is provided by a second stage of the platform via the temporary lock, the temporary lock comprising:
 a piston;   a sleeve; and   a fixing means configured to releasably fix the relative position of the piston and sleeve.   
     
     
         16 . The temporary lock of  claim 15 , wherein the fixing means is a set screw. 
     
     
         17 . A temporary lock configured to be releasably locked such that resistance against movement of a first stage of a platform in at least one direction is provided by a second stage of the platform via the temporary lock, the temporary lock comprising:
 a strap; and   a first buckle configured such that it is slidable along the length of the strap and may be releasably locked to fix the relative position of the first buckle and at least one section of the strap.   
     
     
         18 . The temporary lock of  claim 17 , wherein the temporary lock is configured such that resistance against movement of the first stage in at least one direction is provided by the second stage via releasably locking the first buckle of the temporary lock. 
     
     
         19 . The platform of  claim 18 , wherein the strap is adjustably anchored to the support column. 
     
     
         20 . The platform of  claim 19 , wherein the strap includes:
 a first stage end having two end strands; and   a second stage end having two end strands.   
     
     
         21 . The platform of  claim 20 , further including a second buckle configured such that it is slidable along the length of the strap and may be releasably locked to fix the relative position of the second buckle and at least one section of the strap, and wherein the first buckle and second buckle are configured to clamp the two end strands of the first stage end when releasably locked.