DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a device for setting up a work platform on an uneven ground surface, which device comprises setting means as well as a work platform to be set up on said ground surface by the setting means.

It is noted that the invention can be used for all kinds of situations and applications in which a stable work platform, whether flat or not, is needed. Think in this connection of setting up a flat work platform in the outside air, for example when carrying out (maintenance) work outdoors on an uneven ground surface or when practising outdoor sports activities, such as camping and fishing.

Fishermen have a large amount of fishing-tackle and fishing materials, which must be transported to and from the fishing ground each time they go fishing. Fishermen prefer to install themselves and their equipment on a horizontal surface right beside the fishing water. So far, this has been done by interconnecting separate plates, rods and couplings they have taken with them to the fishing ground. Fishermen lose a lot of time installing their equipment, therefore, especially in those cases in which the fishing ground cannot easily be reached from the public road. The invention is aimed at providing a functional solution to the above problem, which enables the fisherman to install his fishing-tackle and fishing materials quickly in a more effective way and to practise his hobby at fishing grounds.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of the above kind which provides an additional functionality for the sport of angling, and according to the invention the setting means comprise two slightly spaced-apart sections, each section being made up of two section members which are movable with respect to each other, a first section member of each section being provided with at least one supporting element near a first end thereof and the other section member being provided with at least one outrigger element near its first end.

In one embodiment, the first section member and the other section member of each section are interconnected with their respective other ends, more in particular, said first section member and said other section member are pivotally interconnected with their respective other ends. This provides a simple but variable

adjustability of the sections with respect to an uneven ground surface.

The adjustability on an uneven ground surface is further enhanced in that according to the invention the outrigger element is adjustable for height.

In a first embodiment, the outrigger element is movably accommodated in a sleeve fixed to the first end of the other section member. The outrigger element may be provided with external screw thread in that case, which mates with internal teeth in the sleeve.

In another embodiment, the setting means comprise a fixing element for fixing the outrigger element in position with respect to the sleeve. In another functional embodiment, the supporting element is configured as a wheel that is pivotally connected to the first end of each section member. The presence of said wheel furthermore makes it possible to move the device.

More specifically, an auxiliary device can be placed on the section members, which renders the device suitable for all kinds of outdoor applications, such as angling or camping.

In a specific embodiment, both the section members and the auxiliary device are provided with mating coupling elements so as to realise a reliable placement of the auxiliary device on the device. Said coupling elements may comprise a cam, which can be received in a corresponding slot.

The auxiliary device can be prevented from undesirably becoming detached from the device in that according to the invention the cam can be locked in position in the slot by means of a fixing element. For ease of use, the fixing element can be disengaged by means of an actuating element, so that the device will be easy to unlock upon being set up.

The invention will now be explained in more detail by means of an embodiment as illustrated in the drawing, in which:

Figures 1a and 1b are a side view and a rear view, respectively, of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention;

Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of the embodiment that is shown in figures 1a and 1b;

Figures 4a and 4b are a side view and a rear view, respectively, of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment that is shown in figures 4a and 4b;

Figure 6 shows yet another embodiment of a device according to the invention; Figures 7a-7c are views of yet another embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figures 8a-8b are views of yet another embodiment of a device according to the invention;

Figure 9 shows yet another embodiment of a device according to the invention.

For a better understanding of the invention, like parts are indicated by the same numerals in the description of the figures below.

Figures 1a and 1b show two side views of a first embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention. The device according to the invention is very suitable for setting up a work platform on an uneven ground surface, said device comprising setting means as well as a work platform to be set up on the ground surface by the setting means. In figures 1 a and 1 b, the setting means are made up of two slightly spaced-apart sections 10-20, each section 10-20 being made up of two section members (11-12; 21-22) which are movable with respect to each other. A first section member 11 of each section 10-20 is provided with at least one supporting element (16-17-18; 26- 27-28) near a first end 11a, and the other section member 12-22 is provided with at least one outrigger element 14 near its first end 12a-22a.

Furthermore, the two section members (11-12; 21-22) are interconnected with their two other ends (11b-12b; 21b-22b). The connection between the two section members (11-12; 21-22) may be configured as a hinge 15- 25 in that case.

As figure 1 clearly shows, the outrigger element 14 is adjustable for height. The outrigger element 14 may be movably accommodated in a sleeve 13-23 that is attached to the first end 12a-22a of the other section member 12-22. In this embodiment, the outrigger element 14 may be provided with external screw thread (not shown), which mates with internal peace (likewise not shown) in the sleeve 13- 23.

In another embodiment, which is also shown in figure 1 , each

outrigger element 14-24 may be provided with a shoe 14a-24a for placement on an uneven, soft (boggy) ground surface (such as soft sandy water's edges). The shoe 14a-24a may or may not be vertically movable within the outrigger element 14-24 by means of screw thread. In yet another embodiment (not shown), each outrigger element 14-

24 is provided with a blunt end 14a-24a (without a shoe) for placement on a hard, uneven ground surface (such as a rocky bottom).

As is clearly shown in figures 1 a and 1 b, the supporting elements 16-26 is configured as a wheel that is mounted in a fork construction 18-28, being rotatable about an axis 17-27. The fork construction 18-28 is in turn connected to the first end 11a-21a of the first section member 11-21.

In another embodiment (not shown), the outrigger element in question may be substituted for another outrigger element of a different length.

As is clearly shown in figure 2 and figure 3, the setting means 10-20 function to support a work platform on which an auxiliary device 30 can be placed. Said auxiliary device may be a storage box for tools, for example, or, as already mentioned in the introduction to this application, a storage box for fishing tackle. Furthermore, the auxiliary device may comprise a seat on which the user can seat himself. The auxiliary device 30 is built up of a spatial construction of tubular elements 31a-31d-35, which is supported on the setting means 10-20 in four (corner) points. To that end, four cams or pins 34a-34d provided at each one of the ends of the elements 31a-31d extend into corresponding slots 32a-32d formed in the first section members 11 and 21 , respectively. Each projecting cam/pin 34a-34d extending into each first section member 11-21 can be fixed in position by means of a locking pawl 33, so that the auxiliary device 30 of the device 1 is prevented from being moved undesirably.

The tubular elements 31a-31d-35 may be circular in section, but other sectional shapes are also possible, such as a square (as shown in the figures) or a rectangular shape.

This construction provides a stable and reliable possibility of setting up a work platform on an uneven ground surface and placing and fixing an auxiliary device, such as a storage box, on said work platform. The four locking pawls 33 that fix the auxiliary device 30 (the cams/pins 34a-34d) in position with respect to the

device can be simultaneously and jointly released by means of an actuating element 40.

As a result, the two section members 10-20 of the device 1 can move in a vertical plane relative to each other for alignment with respect to the uneven ground surface, whilst at the same time the auxiliary device 30 can be pulled to a horizontal position with respect to the ground surface. The projecting cams/pins 34a-34d can move in horizontal as well as in vertical direction within the slots 32a- 32d so as to achieve a correct, horizontal alignment.

When the actuating element 40 is operated again, the four locking pawls 33 are engaged again, so that the cams 32a-32d are locked in position and the auxiliary device 30 can no longer remove with respect to the chassis of the device (the sections 11-21 ). At the same time, the two sections 11-21 are fixed in position relative to each other as well, so that a solid alignment with respect to the ground surface is realised. Preferably, the actuating element 40 can be operated against a spring force, so that the locking pawls are engaged by simply releasing the actuating element 40 (after the element 40 has been pressed down and the locking pawls 33 have been released), whilst at the same time the two sections 11-21 are fixed in position relative to each other.

Figures 4 and 5 are more detailed perspective views of the device according to the invention. The auxiliary device 30 is placed on the two sections 10- 20 in four points, as already described with reference to the preceding figures. The projecting cams of the frame members 31a-31d extend into the corresponding slots formed in each first section member 11-21. The auxiliary device 30 is provided with a seat 51 on which a fisherman can be seated. The device 1 furthermore comprises an additional work platform 54 functioning as a footrest, which extends behind the seat 51 , above the sections 10- 20. The work platform 54 is pivotally connected to the auxiliary device 30 by means of hinges 52. The work platform 54 can thus be easily tilted against the auxiliary device 30 upon disassembly of the device 1 , after which the locking pawls 32a-32d can be released by means of the actuating element 40 (see figure 3), so that the auxiliary device 30 can be removed from the section members 10-20 without difficulty for further transport.

The seat 51 is rotatably mounted on the auxiliary device 30, so that the user can seat himself on the seat 51 without difficulty and subsequently orient

himself with respect to the fishing water. In figures 4a-4b and 5, the back support of the seat 51 faces towards the water, so that the user/fisherman can easily seat himself on the seat 51 from the side that faces towards the land. Then the seat 51 can be rotated in the direction of the work platform 54 that faces towards the fishing water.

It will be understood that the device according to the invention provides a highly functional piece of fishing equipment, by means of which the fisherman can transport all kinds of fishing materials and fishing-tackle in an effective manner, but which above all provides a stable work platform that is easy to set up, thereby enabling the fisherman to practice his sport also at steep banks or banks which are difficult to reach.

Figure 3 shows another embodiment of a device according to the invention, more in particular, an embodiment of the actuating element that interconnects the elements that couple the auxiliary device 30 and the chassis 1" together.

In this embodiment, the actuating element is in the form of a lever 40' that is mounted to the auxiliary device 30 or, more in particular, accommodated within the frame 31a-31d-35-43a-43b of which the auxiliary device is built up. The lever 40' has an extended end 41', which extends through the bottom surface 44 of the auxiliary device that is built up in the form of a frame. The end of the lever end 41' extending through the bottom surface 44 is pivotally connected to a hinge construction 42", which is accommodated in the horizontal frame member 43' of the frame of which the auxiliary device 30 is built up in such a manner as to be hidden from view. The hinge construction 42" actuates the coupling elements 32a-32d, 33, 34a-34d, by means of which the auxiliary device 30 is placed on the chassis 1', via the hollow horizontal frame member 43a and the vertical frame members 31 a-31 b.

Since the lever 40' is accommodated in the interior of the auxiliary device 30, the lever is adequately screened from outsiders, so that it will not be easy to detach the auxiliary device 30 undesirably from the chassis 1 '. Furthermore, a compact construction not comprising any projecting parts that may lead to injury or damage is obtained by accommodating the lever 40' inside the auxiliary device 30 in this manner.

Figures 7a-7c show another embodiment of a device according to the invention. In this embodiment, the device is provided with a central support 50,

which is mounted in the intermediate section 61 that interconnects the sections 22 and 21 , which are each made in one piece in this embodiment. The intermediate section 61 is connected to the two sections 11-22 by means of brackets 63a-63b with both its ends 61a-61 b, using suitable fixing devices. The central support 50 is disposed in the centre of the intermediate section 61 and functions to the support the auxiliary device (not shown) that is placed on the device 1'.

To enable placement of the auxiliary device on the device 1', two slightly spaced-apart upright coupling sections 60a-60d are disposed on each section member 11-22, which sections are adjustable relative to the section members 11 -22 by means of the coupling elements 32a-33-34a.

The movement of the coupling sections 60a-60d relative to their respective section members 11-22 enables a flexible orientation of the auxiliary device, which is to that end provided with suitable coupling guides, which slip over each coupling section 60a-60d upon placement of the auxiliary device. More in particular, the coupling guide that forms part of the auxiliary device is configured as a box section having dimensions slightly larger than those of the box sections 60a- 6Od that are configured as coupling sections.

During adjustment of the auxiliary device with respect to the device 1', the construction is slightly unstable in the disengaged position of the coupling elements. To ensure that the stability of the device 1 ' is retained as well as possible during adjustment of the auxiliary device, the central support 50 is disposed in the centre of the intermediate section 61 that functions as a central support for the auxiliary device. In this way instability of the device 1' is prevented upon adjustment or alignment of the auxiliary device with respect to the ground surface.

As figure 7b shows, the central support 50 is built up of a supporting point 501 , which is mounted on a ball hinge 502 by means of an attachment 503. The ball hinge 502 is pivotable about a pivot 505 that is mounted in a bracket 504 by means of suitable fixing devices 506. The bracket 504 is mounted in the intermediate section 61 by means of suitable bolts. The supporting point 501 extends from an opening 61 c formed in the intermediate section. In this way the auxiliary device (not shown) that is supported on the central support 50 can freely orient or align itself with respect to the upright box sections 60a-60d without the device V becoming unstable.

As already noted before, the auxiliary device (not shown) is provided with four tubular guides to enable placement thereof on the device 1', which guides slip over the upright box sections 60a-60d. To obtain an adequate connection between the box sections 60a-60d and the auxiliary device, the coupling elements that couple the device V and the auxiliary device together are provided with a clamping element that is present in each of the coupling guides, which clamping element can be clamped against the box section 60a-60d in question.

This embodiment is shown in figure 7c, in which the clamping element 70 is accommodated in the coupling guide 71 of the auxiliary device, being supported against a cam follower 72 that is mounted in a housing 74 which can be moved by means of a moving element 73. The clamping element 70 is moved by suitably displacing the cam follower 72, as a result of which the clamping element is clamped down on the circumference of the coupling section 60a-60d.

To prevent deformation of the coupling sections 60a-60d, the coupling sections 60a-60d are locally stiffened or provided with a stiffening member 64d at the location where the clamping element 70 is pressed against the coupling section by the cam follower 72. As figures 7a clearly shows, the stiffening member 64d is configured as an insert piece that is locally provided in the coupling sections 60a-60c. This prevents deformation and wear on the coupling sections 60a-

6Od, among other things, thus preventing the auxiliary device from getting jammed on the device 1 , so that an auxiliary device can be placed on and removed from the device 1' without any difficulty.

Figures 8a and 8b show another embodiment of a device according to the invention. In this embodiment, the device is provided with a central support 50", which is mounted to the intermediate section 61 that interconnects the two sections 21 and 22, which are each made in one piece in this embodiment. The intermediate section 61 is connected to the two sections 11-22 by means of brackets 63a-63b with both its ends 61a-61 b, using suitable fixing devices 62. According to the invention, the intermediate section 61 is fitted between the sections 11-22 in such a manner that it is movable in at least one direction, this in order to enable adjustment of the auxiliary device 30 and also to release any locking engagement between the auxiliary device 30 and the tubular elements 31a-31d by the axial movement that is allowed in that case.

The brackets 63a-63b are to that end configured as U-shaped elements, the legs of which U-shape are provided with slots 631 , which extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the intermediate section 61. The intermediate section 61 is disposed between the legs of the U-shaped brackets 63a-63b, being connected to said brackets with both its ends 61a-61 b by means of a mounting pin 62 that is slidably accommodated in the slots 631.

According to a further embodiment, additional adjustability of the intermediate section 61 can be obtained in that the intermediate section 61 can rotate about its longitudinal axis. The two U-shaped mounting brackets 63a-63b are to that end connected to the two sections 1 1-22 by means of a mounting element 630, about which mounting element 630 said brackets can turn. This construction enables the intermediate section 61 to rotate about its longitudinal axis and align itself upon adjustment, placement or detachment of the auxiliary device 30.

Figures 8a and 8b furthermore show the central support 50' that supports the auxiliary device 30 via two supporting beams 50" upon adjustment thereof. The central support 50', too, is pivotally connected to the intermediate section 61 , and the two parts can pivot about an axis 50a that extends parallel to the two sections 1 1-22. Preferably, the pivot point 50a is located in the centre of the intermediate section 61. The elements as shown in figures 8a and 8b make it possible to realise an easy adjustment, placement or detachment of the exemplary device 30, with possible jamming of the device (for example as a result of the device being pulled out of square) being prevented by the slight degree of play with which the intermediate section 61 is mounted between the two sections 11-22. Especially the movement about its longitudinal axis or parallel to its longitudinal axis makes this possible.

Figure 9 shows yet another embodiment of the means that couple the chassis 1' and the auxiliary device 30 together. The coupling means are configured as a spindle 81 comprising a portion 81a and a narrower portion 81 b, which can be rotatably accommodated in a coupling guide 60a-60d. A cam surface 83a provided on a support or locking disc 82a-82b surrounds the narrowed portion 81 b. The varying cam surface 83a-83d preferably has a curved stop edge, which can be placed into contact with two stop elements 84a-84b that can be provided between the two locking discs 82a-82b. As figure 9 clearly shows, each stop element 84a-84b

has a curved surface that faces towards the spindle 81 , as well as a flat surface that faces towards an inner surface of the coupling guide 60a-60d. Rotation of the spindle 81 causes the cam surface 83a-83b to rotate as well (for example a quarter of a turn), as a result of which the stop element 84a-84b that is in contact with the cam surface, and in particular the curved surface thereof that faces towards the spindle 81 , can be moved to a position between a first position and the second position.

In the first position, the flat contact surface of the stop element 84a- 84b is clear of a flat inner surface of the coupling guide 60a-60d. In the second position, the stop element 84a-84b is moved to a second position by the curved cam surface 83a-83b, in which position the flat contact surface of the stop element 84a- 84b is pressed against an inner surface of the coupling guide 60a-60d, thus clamping down or fixing the spindle 81 and the auxiliary device that is connected thereto in position. To ensure that the spindle is properly retained, especially in order to ensure and adequate release when the spindle is being returned from the second operating position tot the first operating position, spring elements 85a-85b are provided between the stop element 84a-84b and an inner wall of the coupling guide 60a-60d. In a special embodiment, as shown in figure 9, the spring elements

85a-85b are configured as springs accommodated in openings 86a-86b in the flat surface that faces towards an inner surface of the coupling guide 60a-60d. The spring elements 85a-85b function to return the stop elements 84a-84b from their second position, in which they clampingly engage the inner wall of the coupling guide 60a-60d, to the first position, in which they are positioned clear of the inner wall of the coupling guide. In this way the chassis 1 and the auxiliary device 30 can be locked together or be disconnected from each other in an effective manner by rotating the spindle 81.

As already noted in the introduction, however, the invention is not limited to the application thereof in the sport of angling, but it can also be used in other situations or for other applications in which a flat work platform on an even ground surface is required.