Load support apparatus

A load support apparatus for use on a belt, the apparatus comprising:

• a clip member configured to mount to the belt, the clip member comprising a front wall and a rear wall, the front and rear walls being coupled to each other at a junction proximate a top end of the clip member, the front and rear walls defining a slot therebetween sized to receive the belt, the slot having a pair of open ends, each open end of the pair of open ends being positioned on an associated one of a pair of lateral sides of the clip member;
• a platform coupled to the top end of the clip member, the platform having a support surface configured for supporting a load thereon;
• wherein the platform is pivotally coupled to the clip member about a pivot axis, the platform being movable between a stored position and a deployed position, the platform extending forwardly from the clip member when in the deployed position, the support surface of the platform facing upwardly with respect to the clip member when the platform is in the deployed position, the platform lying against the front wall of the clip member when in the stored position, the support surface of the platform facing forwardly from the clip member when the platform is in the stored position, further comprising a locking mechanism operable to secure the platform in the deployed position;
• wherein the locking mechanism comprises:
• a pair of shafts fixedly coupled to the platform, the pair of shafts being rotatable about the pivot axis with respect to the clip member, the shafts being spaced apart from each other along the pivot axis, each shaft of the pair of shafts defining a keyway therein which extends parallel to the pivot axis;
• a pair of engagement members, each engagement member of the pair of engagement members being biased toward an associated shaft of the pair of shafts, each engagement member comprising:
• a base;
• a locking pin coupled to the base which aligns with the keyway of the associated shaft when the platform is in the deployed position, the engagement member being biased to insert the locking pin into the keyway of the associated shaft when aligned, thereby securing the platform in the deployed position;
• a rod coupled to the base which extends through the associated shaft along the pivot axis, the associated shaft being rotatable about the rod;
• and
• a release button coupled to the rod opposite the base;
• wherein the bases of the engagement members are positioned inwardly of the shafts, the release buttons of the engagement members being positioned outwardly of the shafts;
• and
• a biasing member coupled to and extending between the pair of engagement members, the biasing member biasing the engagement members away from each other and into locking engagement with the shafts.