Adjustable Coupling System

Abstract

An adjustable coupling system is provided for efficiently and removably coupling objects such as platforms together in a linear or diagonal orientation. The adjustable coupling system generally includes a second receiver on a first platform and a first connector on a second platform. The first connector is adapted to be removably inserted within the second receiver such that the first connector is prevented from vertical movement with respect to the first platform. A first locking member is positioned near the first receiver on the second platform. The first locking member is adapted to selectively engage with the second connector when the second connector is positioned within the first receiver to pivotally connect the first platform and the second platform. A work platform or catwalk can be formed with linear sections, diagonal sections, and/or a mix thereof for a wide range of uses.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adjustable coupling system, comprising:
 a first receiver on a first object;   a first connector on a second object, wherein the first connector is removably inserted within the first receiver; and   a first locking member positioned near the first receiver on the first object, wherein the first locking member is adapted to selectively engage with the first connector to pivotally connect the first object to the second object.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable coupling system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second receiver on the second object and a second connector on the first object, wherein the second connector is removably inserted within the second receiver. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable coupling system of  claim 2 , further comprising a second locking member positioned near the second receiver on the second object, wherein the second locking member is adapted to selectively engage with the second connector. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable coupling system of  claim 1 , further comprising a first guide member positioned near the first receiver, wherein the first locking member extends through the first guide member. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable coupling system of  claim 4 , wherein the first locking member includes a first anchor, wherein the first anchor is selectively engaged with the first guide member to lock the first locking member with the first connector. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable coupling system of  claim 5 , wherein the first guide member includes a first flange, wherein the first anchor is selectively engaged with the first flange. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable coupling system of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector comprises a first tubular member. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable coupling system of  claim 7 , wherein the first connector includes a first channel, wherein the first locking member is removably inserted within the first channel. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable coupling system of  claim 8 , wherein the first locking member extends no more than a quarter-length into the first channel. 
     
     
         10 . An adjustable work platform system, comprising:
 a first stand having a plurality of vertical support members;   a first platform having an upper surface, a first end and a second end, wherein the first platform is adjustably connected to the first stand, and wherein the first stand is adapted to support the first platform above a ground surface at a plurality of different angles;   a second stand having a plurality of vertical support members; and   a second platform having an upper surface, a first end and a second end, wherein the second platform is adjustably connected to the second stand, and wherein the second stand is adapted to support the second platform above the ground surface at a plurality of different angles;   wherein the first end of the first platform is pivotally connected to the second end of the second platform.   
     
     
         11 . The adjustable work platform system of  claim 10 , wherein the first platform includes a first receiver and a first locking member near the first receiver, wherein the second platform includes a first connector, wherein the first locking member is adapted to selectively engage with the first connector. 
     
     
         12 . The adjustable work platform system of  claim 11 , wherein the first platform includes a second connector, wherein the second platform includes a second receiver and a second locking member near the second receiver, wherein the second locking member is adapted to selectively engage with the second connector. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable work platform system of  claim 12 , wherein the first locking member comprises a first base and a first locking bolt extending from the first base, wherein the second locking member comprises a second base and a second locking bolt extending from the second base. 
     
     
         14 . The adjustable work platform system of  claim 13 , wherein the first platform includes a first guide member, wherein the first locking bolt slidably extends through the first guide member, wherein the second platform includes a second guide member, wherein the second locking bolt slidably extends through the second guide member. 
     
     
         15 . The adjustable work platform system of  claim 14 , wherein the first locking member includes a first anchor, wherein the first guide member includes a first flange, wherein the second locking member includes a second anchor, wherein the second guide member includes a second flange. 
     
     
         16 . The adjustable work platform system of  claim 15 , wherein the first anchor is adapted to selectively engage with the first flange to lock the first locking bolt within the second connector and wherein the second anchor is adapted to selectively engage with the second flange to lock the second locking bolt within the first connector. 
     
     
         17 . The adjustable work platform system of  claim 15 , further comprising a first retention bolt connected between the first flange and the first base and a second retention bolt connected between the second flange and the second base. 
     
     
         18 . The adjustable work platform system of  claim 10 , wherein the angle of the first platform is different from the angle of the second platform. 
     
     
         19 . The adjustable work platform system of  claim 10 , wherein the first end of the first platform is removably connected to the second end of the second platform. 
     
     
         20 . A platform coupling system, comprising:
 a platform comprising a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side;   a first receiver on the first end near the first side of the platform;   a second receiver on the second end near the second side of the platform;   a first connector on the first end near the second side of the platform;   a second connector on the second end near the first side of the platform;   a first locking member extending outwardly from the first side of the first end of the platform, wherein the first locking member is adapted to slide into or out of the first receiver; and   a second locking member extending outwardly from the second side of the second end of the platform, wherein the second locking member is adapted to slide into or out of the second receiver.