The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 06, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 01, 1997
Walter R Wagner, Eden Prairie, MN (US);
Mark DeSimone, Hopkins, MN (US);
Sico Incorporated, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
A folding stage includes a folding linkage with cross members and a center lock. The center lock has a handle below the cross members and off to the side of the cross members to prevent pinching of operators' hands and fingers. The folding linkage folds from a use position wherein stage decks are horizontal to form a stage surface to a storage position wherein the bottom of the stage decks oppose one another. In the fully folded position, stage support legs are angled inward slightly. Casters mount at an oblique angle to the telescoping legs and are moved closer to the telescoping legs to decrease the moment of inertia about the legs while maintaining sufficient contact with the floor. Torsion bars mount at the pivoting access of the frame and the telescoping legs to control folding speed. The folding portions of the frame and decks have a center of gravity which is aligned with the pivoting access to decrease the moment of inertia about the pivoting axis.