# US 11,441,321 B2 · Work platform > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,441,321 B2 - Document ID: US11441321B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/585,351 - Filed: 2019-09-27 - Published: 2021-04-01 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2019-09-27 - Assignees: The Boeing Company - Applicants: The Boeing Company - Inventors: Joshua Patrick Fleming; Brian Lam - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11441321B2 ## CPC - E04G 1/00: Scaffolds primarily resting on the ground - B64D 39/04: Adaptations of hose construction - B64F 5/10: Manufacturing or assembling aircraft, e.g. jigs therefor - B64F 5/40: Maintaining or repairing aircraft - E04G 1/24: comprising essentially special base constructions; comprising essentially special ground-engaging parts, e.g. inclined struts, wheels (component parts E04G5/00) - E04G 5/007: {Devices and methods for erecting scaffolds, e.g. automatic scaffold erectors} - E04G 5/141: {with an access door or the like therefor} - E04G 2001/242: {Scaffolds movable on wheels or tracks} - E06C 1/39: Ladders having platforms; Ladders changeable into platforms (platforms for use on ladders E06C7/16) - E04G: SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT - B64F: GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT; DESIGNING, MANUFACTURING, ASSEMBLING, CLEANING, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING AIRCRAFT, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; HANDLING, TRANSPORTING, TESTING OR INSPECTING AIRCRAFT COMPONENTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - E06C: LADDERS (E04F11/00 takes precedence; step-stools A47C12/00; adaptation of ladders to use on ships B63B, to use on aircraft B64; scaffolding E04G) ## Abstract A work platform includes a frame and a deck. The frame has a plurality of frame members that are interconnected. The frame members define a trough that extends a length of the frame and is configured to accommodate a refueling boom of an aircraft such that the refueling boom extends through the frame within the trough. The deck is mounted to the frame to provide a stand. The deck includes a first deck panel and a second deck panel spaced apart from each other to define an opening to the trough. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A work platform comprising: a frame having a plurality of frame members that are interconnected, wherein the frame members define a trough that extends a length of the frame and is configured to accommodate a refueling boom of an aircraft such that the refueling boom extends through the frame within the trough; a deck mounted to the frame to provide a stand, wherein the deck includes a first deck panel and a second deck panel spaced apart from each other to define an opening to the trough; and a support member mechanically connected to the frame in-line with the trough, wherein the support member is non-rigid and holds the refueling boom when the refueling boom is within the trough. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The work platform of claim 1, wherein the trough is disposed between a first section of the frame and a second section of the frame, and wherein a bottom of the trough is defined by multiple frame members of the frame that extend from the first section to the second section. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The work platform of claim 1, wherein the frame extends a width from a first side of the frame to a second side of the frame opposite the first side, wherein the trough is spaced apart from each of the first side and the second side. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The work platform of claim 1, wherein the support member is located between a first end and a second end of the frame and extends across the trough. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The work platform of claim 1, wherein the frame extends from a first end thereof to a second end thereof that is opposite the first end, wherein the support member is attached to and extends between two cantilevered extension arms that are mounted to the frame at the second end, wherein the second end of the frame is located between the support member and the first end of the frame. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The work platform of claim 1, wherein the support member is mechanically connected to the frame along a track that extends parallel to the length of the frame, and the support member is selectively movable along the track to reposition the support member relative to the frame. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The work platform of claim 1, wherein the deck includes one or more lid panels selectively movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the one or more lid panels in the closed position extend across the trough to cover the opening between the first and second deck panels, and the one or more lid panels in the open position do not extend across the trough. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The work platform of claim 7, wherein the one or more lid panels include a lid panel that is connected to the first deck panel via an axle, wherein the lid panel is disposed on top of the first deck panel in the open position and is configured to pivot about the axle to extend at least partially across the opening in the closed position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The work platform of claim 7, wherein the one or more lid panels are configured to slide parallel to a plane of the first and second deck panels as the one or more lid panels move between the closed position and the open position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The work platform of claim 1, wherein the frame includes casters mounted to the bottom end of the frame. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The work platform of claim 1, further comprising guard rails and a gate that extend along a perimeter of the deck, wherein the gate is located at either a first end or an opposite, second end of the frame and is pivotable to extend across the trough and lock to a corresponding one of the guard rails. ### Claim 12 A work platform comprising: a frame extending a length from a first end of the frame to a second end of the frame opposite the first end, the frame defining a trough that extends the length of the frame and is configured to accommodate a refueling boom of an aircraft such that the refueling boom extends through the frame within the trough; a deck mounted to the frame to provide a stand, wherein the deck defines an opening to the trough; and a support member mechanically connected to the frame in-line with the trough, wherein the support member is non-rigid and holds the refueling boom when the refueling boom is disposed within the trough of the frame. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The work platform of claim 12, wherein the frame has a plurality of frame members that are interconnected, and the support member is attached to two respective frame members disposed along opposite sides of the trough such that the support member extends across the trough. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The work platform of claim 12, further comprising two cantilevered extension arms that are mounted to the frame at the second end thereof and project beyond the second end away from the frame, wherein the support member is attached to and extends between the two cantilevered extension arms such that the second end of the frame is located between the support member and the first end of the frame. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The work platform of claim 12, wherein the support member is a strap that cradles the refueling boom. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The work platform of claim 12, wherein the deck includes one or more lid panels selectively movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the one or more lid panels in the closed position extend across the trough to cover the opening to the trough and the one or more lid panels in the open position do not extend across the trough. ### Claim 17 A method of assembling a work platform, the method comprising: assembling a frame that has a plurality of frame members that are interconnected, wherein the frame is assembled such that the frame members define a trough that extends a length of the frame and is configured to accommodate a refueling boom of an aircraft such that the refueling boom extends through the frame within the trough; mounting a deck to the frame to provide a stand, wherein the deck includes a first deck panel, a second deck panel, and one or more lid panels, the first deck panel being spaced apart from the second deck panel to define an opening to the trough; and mechanically securing a support member to the frame in-line with the trough, wherein the support member is non-rigid and holds the refueling boom when the refueling boom is disposed within the trough of the frame. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein mounting the deck comprises coupling the one or more lid panels such that the one or more lid panels are selectively movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the one or more lid panels in the closed position extend across the trough to cover the opening to the trough and the one or more lid panels in the open position do not extend across the trough. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising moving, via an actuator device, a lid panel of the one or more lid panels from the open position to the closed position by one or more of pivoting the lid panel about an axle or sliding the lid panel parallel to a plane of the first and second deck panels. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The work platform of claim 12, wherein the support member is mechanically connected to the frame along a track that extends parallel to the length of the frame, and the support member is selectively movable along the track to reposition the support member relative to the frame.