Abstract:
A portable free standing elevated observation platform incorporates a dual A-frame extension ladder with an upper elevated platform, the elevated platform serving as a framework for a wheeled axle and having a pivotal floor for below platform access, the dual A-frame extension ladder providing an extending rear frame support, a front frame support and a plurality of guy wires and anchors providing the platform with an elevated view of an area without the attachment or support of a tree.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Applicant claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/998,033, filed by the same inventor on Jun. 16, 2014. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    A portable free standing elevated observation platform incorporates a dual A-frame extension ladder with an upper elevated platform, the elevated platform serving as a framework for a wheeled axle and having a pivotal floor for below platform access, the dual A-frame extension ladder providing an extending rear frame support, a front frame support and a plurality of guy wires and anchors providing the platform with an elevated view of an area without the attachment or support of a tree. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0005]    A preliminary review of prior art patents was conducted by the applicant which reveal prior art patents in a similar field or having similar use. However, the prior art inventions do not disclose the same or similar elements as the present elevated platform device, nor do they present the material components in a manner contemplated or anticipated in the prior art. 
         [0006]    Stands forming a platform have wheels that are either made part of the stand or connect to the stand. In U.S. Pat. Nos. 535,082 to Snell, 4,428,456 to Rohde, 5,195,611 to Untz, 6,186,271 to Borries and D359,133 to Dull, each of these disclosed prior art patent indicate a wheel attached to a ladder and having a platform. Dull is shown leaned against a tree without the need of being attached to the tree, while Snell, Untz, Rohde and Borries are all free standing with the need for a supporting structure. Snell and Untz disclose an A-frame type structure within the ladder. Rohde is a tripod tower. Borries, Untz, Rohde and Dull indicate a flat platform for sitting with some having a extended foot platform below the seat. 
         [0007]    In U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,424,639 to Davis and 6,688,429 to McKay, a ladder and platform are integrated within a trailer, the trailer frame transforming into the ladder and platform, with McKay being a free standing device and Davis being erected next to a tree using the tree for support. A traveling stand attached to an ATV which has extendable ground-engaging legs is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,428 to Holmes. 
         [0008]    A simple A-frame with a platform is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 444,280 to Pepin attaching a painter&#39;s platform. Two extended leg free-standing platforms are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,435 to Benton and 5,009,283 to Prejean, with the Benton patent being the only prior art patent discovered defining an elevated platform to include an entry to the platform deck through the floor with a hinged door in the floor of the platform to close subsequent to the user climbing above the floor and opened to permit access to the ladder when exiting the platform. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    There are location where an elevated platform is desired which does not have a tree with enough strength to support the platform, where potential damage to trees is prohibited, or in a location where there are no trees. The above prior art platforms identify several elevated platforms and tree stands that generally require the support or utilization of an available tree trunk for support. 
         [0010]    The present elevated platform includes a ladder having a primary base ladder section extending a set of front legs and set of rear support legs forming a free standing base frame, and an extending upper ladder section including a fixed platform, the platform defining a platform frame, at least one hinged platform floor panel integrated within a floor frame to allow a user access through the floor frame from below the platform as the user climbs the upper ladder section, a safety rail, and a seat, and a detachable axis and set of wheels removably attached to a front edge of the platform floor frame providing the device to be transported along a ground surface and adapting the platform device for use as a hand-truck trailer for gear or game. The platform would also include additional safety elements including a plurality of attached guy lines and ground stakes, and may include a platform harness, a winch to raise and lower the extending ladder section from the stationary ladder section and other commonly used safety accessories generally used with high platform devices. It may be used without a supporting structure or with a supporting structure, the user having the option regardless of terrain and vegetation. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The following drawings are submitted with this utility patent application. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the erect and fully extended elevated free stand platform. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the elevated free stand platform in a collapsed position with the axle and wheels attached for ground transport. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the elevated free stand platform in an upright position prior to the extension of the upper ladder section from the lower ladder section. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the elevated free stand platform in an upright position subsequent to the extension of the upper ladder section from the lower ladder section. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective isolated view of the platform attached to the upper ladder section showing the attachment and removal of the axle bracket extensions of the axle in relation to the axle brackets extending from the front margin of the platform base.  FIG. 6  is a perspective isolated view of the platform attached to the upper ladder section showing the folded position of the safety rail, the seat and the floor plates. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0017]    A free standing elevated platform assembly  10  providing placement of a secure elevated platform without attachment to a tree or other structure, shown in  FIGS. 1-6  of the drawings, the platform assembly  10  comprises a base ladder section  20  slidable engaging an upper ladder section  60 , the base ladder section  20  foldably extending a pair of telescoping rear support legs  30  with an independent locking means  32  to extend and secure each rear support leg  30 , and a pair of front telescoping support legs  40  with an independent locking means  42  to extend and secure each front support leg  40 , a locking means  50  to selectively secure the upper ladder section  60  to the base ladder section  20  together at a desired elevation, and a platform  70  attached to the upper ladder section  60  forming a platform base  80 , a perimeter safety rail  90  and a seat  92 . The base ladder section  20  and the upper ladder section  60  are provided with a plurality of guy wire extensions  55  to which guy wires  57 , or “ropes” which within this application are singularly referenced as guy wires, are attached and anchored to the ground using an independent ground anchor  59 . The platform base  80  extends a pair of parallel axle brackets  84  which connect to bracket extensions  97  extending from an axle  95  having a pair of wheels  99 , each axle bracket  84  and bracket extension  97  connecting respectively by an axle locking means  98 . 
         [0018]    The assembly  10  is provided in a collapsed position, shown in  FIG. 2 , wherein the base ladder section  20  and upper ladder section  60  form a collapsed transport position, with a bottom  22  of the base ladder section  20  and the bottom  62  of the upper ladder section  60  nearest one another. In this position, each axle bracket  84  and bracket extension  97  are connected, providing the assembly  10  with a mobile capacity with the wheels  99  positioned towards the ground to roll the entire assembly  10  with the lower ladder section  20  and the platform  70  directed downward. In this collapsed transport position, the upper ladder section  60  may be used as a trailer to carry gear upon the assembly  10 , the assembly pulled by hand or towed behind a ground transport vehicle. 
         [0019]    The assembly  10  is deployed into an erect position,  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4 , using the following steps of disconnecting the axle bracket  84  and bracket extension  97  to remove the axle  95  and wheels  99  from the platform  70 , orienting the assembly  10  with the front margin  83  of the platform base  80  on the ground, extending the rear support legs  30  from the lower ladder section  20  and activating the locking brace assembly  22  for each rear support leg  20 , elevating the base ladder section  20  and upper ladder section  60  into and upright position , resting upon the bottom  22  of the base ladder section  20  and each rear support leg  30 , extending each front support leg  40  from the base ladder section  20  and activating the locking brace assembly  42  for each front support leg  40 ,  FIG. 3 , extending the upper ladder section  60  from the lower base section  20  to a selected height,  FIG. 4 , activating the ladder locking means  50  to secure the upper ladder section  60  to the lower ladder section  20  at the selected height, and applying the ground anchors  59  and guy wires  57  to secure the assembly  10  required to stabilize the erect assembly  10  in all directions. 
         [0020]    The platform  70  further defines a platform mounting frame  75  attached to the upper ladder section  60  by welding or by other mounting means, the platform mounting frame  75  extending the platform base  80 , the safety rail  90  and the seat  92 . A supplemental base support bracket  81  may further attach the platform base  80  to the platform mounting frame  75 , which would allow for the pivotal placement of the platform base  80  in one embodiment allowing the platform base  80  to be folded against the platform mounting frame  75 , not shown, locking the platform base in a perpendicular relationship to the platform mounting frame  75 . It is also preferred that the axle brackets  84  extend from this base support bracket  81 ,  FIG. 2 , for the attachment of the bracket extensions  97 , axle  95  and wheels  99  to be attached in the collapsed position for transport. The platform base  80  further defines a lower base frame  82  formed by the front margin  83 , a rear margin  85  attached to the platform mounting frame  75 , and two side margins  86 , containing at least two hinges  87  which are connected to a floor plate  88 , the two floor plates  88  directed towards on another forming a stable standing surface. Each floor plate  88  is independently hinged upward, allowing a person climbing the elevated and secured upper and lower ladder sections to enter the platform  70  from below, subsequently closing the floor plates  88  after ascending above the lower base frame  82 . The safety rail  90  is positioned above the platform base  80  and attached to the platform mounting frame  75  to provide a hand rail to a person within the platform  70  and to prevent a person from falling out of the platform  70  while standing on the platform base  80  and platform floor plates  88 . The safety rail  90  may be affixed to a set position, or it may be supplied as a collapsible component,  FIGS. 2 and 6 , by incorporating a rail hinge  91  allowing the rail  90  to be folded against the platform mounting frame  75 . The seat  92  is attached to the platform mounting frame  75  at a level above the platform base  80  and below the safety rail  90  to provide the user with seating on the seat  92  or the option to stand on the platform floor plates  88  as the user chooses. The seat  92  may be affixed to a set position or it, too, may be supplied as a collapsible component,  FIGS. 2 and 6 , by incorporating a seat hinge  93  allowing the seat  92  to be folded against the platform mounting frame  75 . 
         [0021]    At least one or more floor plate extension  89  is provided on each floor plate to prevent the floor plate from hinging downward below the front margin  83  and rear margin  85 ,  FIG. 5 . It is contemplated that the floor plate extensions  88  may also include a latching means to retain the floor plates against the lower base frame  82  during transport and also subsequent to the user gaining entry onto the platform to keep the floor plates  88  in place and prevent them from becoming accidentally dislodged. 
         [0022]    It is also contemplated that the assembly  10  could be used in conjunction with a tree or other support structure, including a pole, a building or other solid structural embodiment. It does not necessarily require a free-standing use, although it is most suited for such independent use. In this use, the assembly would be secured using a strap or band to secure the upper ladder section to the tree, pole or other structural embodiment. 
         [0023]    Locations for the guy wire extensions  55  would be best presented upon the upper ladder section  60  and platform  70 , with an abundant supply of guy wire extensions  55  for a sufficient number of guy wires  57  to be attached to ground anchors  59  for sufficient securing of the assembly  10  when extended and erected for use. The more guy wire extensions  55 , guy wires  57  and ground anchors  59  used, the more secure would be the assembly  10  in the erect position. It is also recommended that more guy wires  57  be used where the user is heavier, more prone for movement or where there is higher wind which could topple the assembly  10 . It is further recommended that the assembly  10  be used on flat and level terrain, although some grade below the assembly can be overcome with adjusting the tension of the guy wires  57  and positioning of the ground anchor  59  to which the guy wires  57  would be attached. In the event that the assembly would be placed on uneven terrain, it is contemplated that an independent leveling means  34 ,  44 , would be included on each rear support leg  30  and front support leg  40 . 
         [0024]    Taking down the assembly  10  and returning it into the collapsed position would require the reverse steps as involved in the deployment of the assembly  10  into the erect position. Once collapsed, the assembly  10  may be used again to trailer the user and his equipment from the location where the assembly  10  has bee used, including the trailering of any game, camping gear, hunting gear or inclimate weather gear. In the collapsed position, the assembly  10  may be towed behind a transportation vehicle of carried in the back of a truck, although precautions should be taken in the event the assembly  10  would constitute an oversized load. It is also contemplated that the assembly  10  may include traffic signaling equipment, not shown, consistent with the traffic laws in the event the assembly is actually towed behind a highway vehicle, the signaling equipment integrated with the traffic lights or electrical plugs supplied on the transport vehicle, similar to a boat or trailer. 
         [0025]    While the free standing elevated platform assembly  10  has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.