Abstract:
The support apparatus is principally directed to a planar structure which will support a workman when working above a ceiling with steps provided only by joists. The support apparatus is planar having handles at each side and each end. The apparatus folds about a hinge which is intermediate the ends. Notches at the bottom side are spaced to standard residential construction for joists to give the support apparatus greater stability when in use.

Description:
[0001]    This patent application is pending from the U.S. Provisional Application filed on Jul. 6, 2007. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to an apparatus which is supported by ceiling joists allowing work to be accomplished above a ceiling, for example, in an attic. The invention more specifically relates to an apparatus which rests on or is supported by joists and which in turn supports a workman while lessening the likelihood of the workman stepping between joists and falling through a ceiling. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Carpentry and other work in an attic with uncovered joists offers opportunities for the workman to step between joists and onto structurally unsound ceiling materials. Damage to ceiling materials and injury have been common in the construction industry when the unintentional step occurs allowing the workman to place weight on a surface not structurally intended to bear such forces. Prior portable platforms include U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,785 to Walker; U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,446 to Brueske; U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,670 to Cote et al; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 318,575 to Applebaum; U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,890 to Sipe; U.S. Pat. No. 4,121,690 to Rawlings et al; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,730,424 to Green et al. 
         [0004]    The patents referred to herein are provided herewith in an Information Disclosure Statement in accordance with 37 CFR 1.97. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The support apparatus is designed to safely support individuals working above ceilings in new or existing residential dwellings. It provides a stable work surface to prevent workers from falling through the ceiling of the residence causing personal injury and damage to the residence. Ceiling damage from worker missed steps, dropped tools and workers falling through the ceiling represent the largest cause of damage claims for electricians, construction contractors, and residential installers. 
         [0006]    The support apparatus is designed to fit through a standard 24″ by 24″ ceiling access and expand to provide a 62″ by 24″ work platform. It is also designed to safely support individuals that weigh in excess of 300 lbs. The support apparatus design features a hinge mechanism that allows it to be folded into a compact package for transportation, lifting and deployment in an attic environment. The design is also very light weight for convenience in lifting it into an attic space. The support apparatus features built-in slots spaced 24″ apart that cause it to lock in place over standard spaced joists in a residential ceiling. The support apparatus also includes built-in handholds on each end and on both sides of the device for easy carrying and maneuvering of the unit. A workman will normally use two of these support apparatuses in performing work above a ceiling. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a support apparatus ( 1 ) showing the top side ( 100 ), first side ( 110 ), second side ( 120 ), first end ( 130 ), second end ( 140 ), first part ( 150 ), second part ( 160 ), handle ( 200 ) extending from the first side ( 110 ) and or the second side ( 120 ), handle aperture ( 210 ), longitudinal axis ( 400 ), hinge ( 410 ) and magnet ( 500 ). 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view of the support apparatus ( 1 ) bottom side ( 600 ) and bottom side structural support ( 610 ) in addition to features seen in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a top plan of the support apparatus ( 1 ) in the form comprised of a single planar part ( 170 ) with handles ( 200 ) shown extending from the first side ( 110 ), the second side ( 120 ) and the first end ( 130 ). 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view showing support apparatus ( 1 ) where the handles ( 200 ) are integral with the first part ( 150 ) and the second part ( 160 ). 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation of a support apparatus ( 1 ) illustrating a first part ( 150 ) and a second part ( 160 ) joined by a hinge ( 410 ). 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]      FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4  illustrates the support apparatus ( 1 ). The support apparatus ( 1 ) is, in the preferred embodiment, a planar structure having a top side ( 100 ), a bottom side ( 600 ), a first side ( 110 ), a second side ( 120 ), a first end ( 130 ) and a second end ( 140 ). At least one handle ( 200 ) is formed at either or both of the first side ( 110 ) and the second side ( 120 ) and or at the first end ( 130 ) and or at the second end ( 140 ). As seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , the handle ( 200 ), in the preferred embodiment, extends outwardly from the first side ( 110 ) and or the second side ( 120 ). Seen in  FIG. 3  is an illustration of another embodiment wherein a handle ( 200 ) extends from the first end ( 130 ) with this view simply illustrative of a handle ( 200 ) extending from either or both of the first end ( 130 ) or the second end ( 140 ). 
         [0014]    Also seen in  FIGS. 1 through 4  is the at least one handle aperture ( 210 ) from the top side ( 100 ) to the bottom side ( 600 ) proximal the respective first side ( 110 ) and or the second side ( 120 ) and or the first end ( 130 ) and or the second end ( 140 ). 
         [0015]      FIGS. 1 and 3  show a longitudinal axis ( 400 ) centrally positioned from the first end ( 130 ) to the second end ( 140 ).  FIG. 3  illustrates the apparatus ( 1 ) comprised of a single planar part ( 170 ).  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4  show the apparatus ( 1 ) comprised of a first part ( 150 ) and a second part ( 160 ) where the first part ( 150 ) extends from the first end ( 130 ) toward the second end ( 140 ) and terminates intermediate the first end ( 130 ) and the second end ( 140 ); the second part ( 160 ) extends from the second end ( 140 ) toward the first end ( 130 ) and terminates intermediate the first end ( 130 ) and the second end ( 140 ). 
         [0016]    Also illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 ,  5  and  6 , when the apparatus is composed of a first part ( 150 ) and a second part ( 160 ), is a hinge ( 410 ) joining the first part ( 150 ) and the second part ( 160 ) intermediate the first end ( 130 ) and the second end ( 140 ). The hinge may be comprised of flexible, semi-flexible and rigid materials including canvas and metal and or plastic hinges. Included in hinges, but not limited thereby, will be the piano hinge. It is seen that the hinge ( 410 ) is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis ( 400 ). It is also seen that the hinge ( 410 ) is affixed to the first part ( 150 ) and the second part ( 160 ) to enable the folding of the first part ( 150 ) relative to the second part ( 160 ) to cause the bottom side ( 600 ) of the first part ( 150 ) to be rotated to face the bottom side ( 600 ) of the second part ( 160 ) and to prevent the folding of the first part ( 150 ) relative to the second part ( 160 ) to cause the top side ( 100 ) of the first part ( 150 ) to be rotated to face the top side ( 100 ) of the second part ( 160 ); the hinge ( 410 ) is formed to prevent the apparatus ( 1 ) from folding when the apparatus ( 1 ) is unfolded and in use. Of concern is the possibility that the hinge ( 410 ) may be installed to allow the apparatus ( 1 ) to fold upwardly when a workman steps in the vicinity of the hinge. Hence the hinge mechanism will limit movement that would allow the first part ( 150 ) and the second part ( 160 ) to fold so as to allow the top side ( 100 ) of the first part ( 150 ) to face the top side ( 100 ) of the second part ( 160 ). Such will be managed by having a hinge ( 410 ) limited in rotation so that rotation can only occur to cause the bottom side ( 600 ) of the first part ( 150 ) and of the second part ( 160 ) to face each other. The hinge movement can be controlled by installation such that the respective first part ( 150 ) and second part ( 160 ) will be limited in rotation upwardly by physical limitation through contract of the first part ( 150 ) with the second part ( 160 ) when rotational forces are applied that would urge the top sides ( 100 ) toward each other. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates at least one magnet ( 500 ) at the top side ( 100 ) and or at the bottom side ( 600 ). 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  shows a bottom side structural support ( 610 ) comprised of stiffeners. The apparatus may be formed of rigid materials including metals and plastics. Stiffeners will be commonly recognized by those of ordinary skills in the plastic and metal arts and may be in many different arrangements. 
         [0019]      FIG. 6  shows at least one joist notch ( 700 ) at the bottom side ( 600 ). It will be appreciated that the at least one joist notch ( 700 ) is orthogonal to the axis ( 400 ), extends from the first side ( 110 ) to the second side ( 120 ) and fulfills the purpose of receiving an upstanding structure thereby anchoring and giving greater stability to the apparatus ( 1 ) when in use. In the preferred embodiment the joist notch ( 700 ) is shaped to receive an upstanding ceiling joist. In standard ceiling construction in the United States the ceiling joists will be spaced 24″ apart with this spacing preferred. 
         [0020]    While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.