Patent ID: 8297410

Claim:
A pit platform within a pit located in a floor, wherein the pit platform comprises: a deck in operative communication with a lifting means for lifting of the deck between a first position in which the deck is substantially level with the floor and a second position in which the deck is beneath the level of the floor; a plurality of cables to support the deck, each of the cables having a deck supporting portion, wherein a length of each deck supporting portion is controlled by the lifting means to effect substantially vertical movement of the deck within the pit; and more than four supporting posts; wherein the lifting means comprises a ram of variable length, the ram being operatively attached to one or more cables, wherein variation in length of the ram causes variation in the length of the deck supporting portions, and wherein the ram sits substantially horizontally within a framework disposed underneath the deck, whereby the ram moves with the deck when in use, said ram comprising a cable-securing portion disposed substantially perpendicular to an end of an extendible portion of the ram wherein one or more cables are securably attached at a first end of the cable-securing portion and the second end of each cable is secured to one of the supporting posts.