Work platform

Abstract

A work platform including a plurality of support elements and a work platform being supported by the plurality of support elements. Each support element including a first base member, a second base member, a vertical support member, and a horizontal support element. The first and second base members are attached to a sloped surface. The vertical support member is attached to the first base member and extends in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a horizontal axis from which the sloped surface extends. The horizontal support member is attached to the second base member and configured to be removably attached to the vertical support member, where the horizontal support member is substantially parallel to the horizontal axis when attached to the vertical support member. The work platform is supported by the plurality of support elements such that the work platform is substantially parallel to the horizontal axis.

1 . A work platform system for use on a sloped surface, wherein the sloped surface extends at an angle from a horizontal axis, the work platform system comprising:
 a plurality of support elements, each of the support elements comprising:
 a first base member for attaching to the sloped surface; 
 a second base member for attaching to the sloped surface; 
 a vertical support member attached to the first base member such that the vertical support member extends in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal axis; and 
 a horizontal support member attached to the second base member and configured to be removably attached to the vertical support member, wherein the horizontal support member is substantially parallel to the horizontal axis when the horizontal support member is attached to both the vertical support member and the second base member; and 
   a work platform being supported by the horizontal support members of the plurality of support elements such that the work platform is substantially parallel to the horizontal axis.   
     
     
         2 . The work platform system according to  claim 1 , wherein a height of the vertical support member is adjustable. 
     
     
         3 . The work platform system according to  claim 2 , wherein the vertical support member comprises a first portion that is externally threaded and a second portion that is internally threaded, and an engagement member that allows a user to rotate the second portion relative to the first portion to adjust the height of the vertical support member. 
     
     
         4 . The work platform system according to  claim 2 , wherein the vertical support member comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion is configured to telescope relative to the first portion to adjust the height of the vertical support member. 
     
     
         5 . The work platform system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a first connection element that is attached to the vertical support element and configured to removably attach the horizontal support element to the vertical support element. 
     
     
         6 . The work platform system according to  claim 5 , wherein the first connection element comprises a rosette. 
     
     
         7 . The work platform system according to  claim 5 , wherein the first connection element comprises a first bracket that is configured to be engaged by a second bracket of the horizontal support element to removably attach the horizontal support element to the vertical support element. 
     
     
         8 . The work platform system according to  claim 5 , wherein the first connection element is movable relative to the vertical support member such that a user can adjust a connection location on the vertical support member for connecting the horizontal support member to the vertical support member. 
     
     
         9 . The work platform system according to  claim 5 , wherein the first connection element is permanently attached to the vertical support member. 
     
     
         10 . The work platform system according to  claim 1 , wherein the vertical support member is pivotally attached to the first base member, the horizontal support member is pivotally attached to the second base member, and the vertical support member and the horizontal support member are attached to maintain the vertical support member in the substantially perpendicular position relative to the horizontal axis and to maintain the horizontal support member in the substantially parallel position relative to the horizontal axis. 
     
     
         11 . A support element for a work platform system used on a sloped surface, wherein the sloped surface extends at an angle from a horizontal axis, the support element comprising:
 a first base member for attaching to the sloped surface;   a second base member for attaching to the sloped surface;   a vertical support member pivotally attached to the first base member such that the vertical support member is capable of extending in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal axis; and   a horizontal support member pivotally attached to the second base member such that the horizontal support member is capable of extending in a direction that is substantially parallel to the horizontal axis, wherein the horizontal support member is configured to be removably attached to the vertical support member such that the horizontal support member maintains a substantially parallel position relative to the horizontal axis.   
     
     
         12 . The support element according to  claim 11 , wherein a height of the vertical support member is adjustable. 
     
     
         13 . The support element according to  claim 12 , wherein the vertical support member comprises a first portion that is externally threaded and a second portion that is internally threaded, and an engagement member that allows a user to rotate the second portion relative to the first portion to adjust the height of the vertical support member. 
     
     
         14 . The support element according to  claim 11 , further comprising a first connection element that is attached to the vertical support element and configured to removably attach the horizontal support element to the vertical support element. 
     
     
         15 . The support element according to  claim 14 , wherein the first connection element comprises a rosette. 
     
     
         16 . The support element according to  claim 14 , wherein the first connection element comprises a first bracket that is configured to be engaged by a second bracket of the horizontal support element to removably attach the horizontal support element to the vertical support element. 
     
     
         17 . A method of assembling a work platform system on a sloped surface, wherein the sloped surface extends at an angle from a horizontal axis, the method comprising:
 attaching a plurality of support elements to the sloped surface, wherein attaching each support element of the plurality of support elements comprises:
 attaching a first base member to the sloped surface such that a vertical support member is attached to the sloped surface via a connection between the first base member and the vertical support member; 
 attaching a second base member to the sloped surface such that a horizontal support member is attached to the sloped surface via a connection between the second base member and the horizontal support member; and 
 attaching the horizontal support member to the vertical support member such that the horizontal support member is substantially parallel to the horizontal axis; and 
   supporting a work platform with the horizontal support members of the plurality of support elements such that the work platform is substantially parallel to the horizontal axis.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the vertical support member is connected to the first base member prior to the first base member being attached to the sloped surface. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the horizontal support member is connected to the second base member prior to the second base member being attached to the sloped surface. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising adjusting a height of the vertical support member to cause a connection point between the vertical support member and the horizontal support member to be positioned such that the horizontal support member is substantially parallel to the horizontal axis.