Man-portable unitary and integrated platform systems and system segments and methods for employing system segments

Abstract

A system and method are provided for employing man-portable unitary platform system segments, particularly as components of integrated castle defense systems. A lightweight modular and mobile system of integrated platform segments is provided to facilitate users integrating flexible platform configurations secured to existing wall structures to support myriad user tasks. Individual platform system segments can be autonomously employed, or can be linked together after being quickly attached to a wall, a structure, or another supporting surface by two users in minimal time. In law enforcement, security, military and/or paramilitary employment scenarios, individual platform system segments are emplaced, and linked together, to provide a unitary defensible position in a matter of minutes. An overall platform structure of a plurality of individual man-portable platform system segments provides operational and employment flexibility that was previously unattainable to bolster or boost defenses of a particular position against increasing, and increasingly agile, threats.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An integrated, lightweight platform system, comprising:
 at least one base platform segment comprising a support area configured to support users and materials in operation;   a pair of multi-element hanger components movably attached by attaching components substantially at corners of the at least one base platform segment by which the at least one base platform segment is suspended from a structure; and   a supporting and leveling element that is suspended from an underside of the at least one base platform segment to support, stabilize and level the at least one base platform segment in operation,   the pair of multi-element hanger components being rotatable about the attaching components between a first stowed position and a second operating position,   the first stowed position provided for securing the pair of multi-element hanger components with a principal longitudinal axis of the pair of multi-element hanger components substantially parallel to a plane of the at least one base platform segment, and   the second operating position orienting the principal longitudinal axis of the pair of multi-element hanger components substantially orthogonally to the plane of the at least one base platform segment.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , each of the pair of multi-element hanger components comprising:
 a lower extended element movably attached to the at least one base platform via a respective attaching component; and   an upper extended element movably attached to the lower extended element via a mechanical joint element,   the mechanical joint element allowing freedom of movement between the lower extended element and the upper extended element for folding the lower extended element and the upper extended element with respect to each other.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , the upper extended element including a hanger hook element positioned at an end of the upper extended element opposite an end of the upper extended element that is attached to the lower extended element via the mechanical joint element. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , the hanger hook element being formed integrally with the upper extended element. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , the hanger hook element being attached to the upper extended element via a mechanical tightening component,
 the mechanical tightening component allowing a user to modify a size of a gap formed between the upper extended element and a portion of the hangar hook element that extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the upper extended element.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , the at least one base platform segment further comprising a frame structure surrounding the support area, the frame structure including a plurality of openings configured to accept connecting components for securing the pair of multi-element hanger components in the first stowed position. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , the connecting components being locking pins movably secured to the at least one base platform segment. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , the supporting and leveling element comprising:
 a structure contact member;   a pair of leg members; and   at least one connecting member,   the pair of leg members and the at least one connecting member cooperating to stabilize and level the at least one base platform segment in operation by selectively positioning the structure contact member in contact with the structure.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , the pair of leg members being attached to the at least one base platform segment using the locking pins as connecting components cooperating with respective ones of the plurality of openings in the frame structure. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , the supporting and leveling element being secured to an underside of the at least one base platform segment in a profile of the frame structure in a stowed transport configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The systems of  claim 7 , the plurality of openings being configured to accept cooperating support and attachment elements on one or more additional structures supportable by the at least one base platform segment in operation. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , the one or more additional structures being locked to the frame structure using the locking pins. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , the one or more additional structures including one or more of a ladder, a supply bin, a safety rail and a supported shelter structure. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising at least a second base platform segment connected to the at least one base platform segment. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , the at least the second base platform segment being connected to the at least one base platform segment by mechanical elements configured to cooperate with the plurality of openings in the frame structure of the at least one base platform segment. 
     
     
         16 . A method for employing an integrated, lightweight platform system, comprising:
 providing the integrated, lightweight platform system at an employment site, the integrated, lightweight platform system being man-transportable to the employment site, the integrated, lightweight platform system, comprising:
 at least one base platform segment having a support area configured to support users and materials in operation; 
 a pair of multi-element hanger components movably attached by attaching components substantially at corners of the at least one base platform segment by which the at least one base platform segment is suspended from a structure; and 
 a supporting and leveling element that is suspended from an underside of the at least one base platform segment to support, stabilize and level the at least one base platform segment in operation; 
 the pair of multi-element hanger components being rotatable about the attaching components between a first stowed position and a second operating position,
 the first stowed position providing for securing the pair of multi-element hanger components with a principal longitudinal axis of the pair of multi-element hanger components substantially parallel to a plane of the at least one base platform, and 
 the second operating position orienting the principal longitudinal axis of the pair of multi-element hanger components substantially orthogonally to the plane of the at least one base platform; 
 
   rotating the pair of multi-element hanger components out of the first stowed position;   engaging a structure at the employment site with a hanger hook element positioned at an end of each of the pair of multi-element hanger components opposite the attaching components;   releasing the supporting and leveling element from a stowed position in the at least one base platform segment and suspending the supporting and leveling element from the underside of the at least one base platform segment to support, stabilize and level the at least one base platform segment in operation against the structure.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising attaching the supporting and leveling element to the at least one base platform segment using locking pins as connecting components cooperating with respective ones of a plurality of openings in a frame structure of the at least one base platform segment. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising attaching cooperating support elements of one or more additional structures supportable by the at least one base platform segment in operation via the plurality of openings configured to accept the cooperating support elements. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , the one or more additional structures being locked to the frame structure using the locking pins, and
 the one or more additional structures including one or more of a ladder, a supply bin, a safety rail and a supported shelter structure.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 providing at least a second base platform segment at the employment site; and   elevating and connecting the at least the second base platform segment the at least one base platform segment,   the connecting being accomplished by mechanical elements configured to cooperate with the plurality of openings in the frame structure of the at least one base platform segment.