Inspection Platform

An inspection apparatus, comprising:

• an elevated platform;
• a drop platform having a first end and a second end, the first end positioned adjacent the elevated platform and operable to be positioned in a raised position and a lowered position;
• two or more torsion springs positioned to engage the drop platform and to keep the drop platform in the raised position when an external force is not applied to the drop platform, and wherein tension of the two or more torsion springs may be individually adjusted;
• a member having a plurality of toothed notches formed therein and two or more teeth adapted to receive an end of one of the two or more torsion springs, wherein positioning of the end against a tooth of a notch affects the tension on the torsion spring;
• a securing coupling adapted to couple the end of one of the two or more torsion springs to the member;
• and
• stairs positioned adjacent the elevated platform and operable to extend from a first level to the elevated platform.

A method for using an inspection apparatus that includes an elevated platform, a drop platform having a first end positioned adjacent the elevated platform, the drop platform operable to be positioned in a raised position and a lowered position, and two or more torsion springs under tension and positioned to engage the drop platform and to keep the drop platform in the raised position when an external force is not applied to the drop platform, the method comprising:

• standing on the elevated platform;
• applying a force to the drop platform to overcome the tension of the two or more torsion springs to move the drop platform from the raised position to the lowered position;
• walking on an upper surface of the drop platform from the first end towards the second end;
• inspecting the contents of a vehicle;
• and
• walking from the drop platform to the elevated platform, thereby removing the force and permitting the torsion springs to return the drop platform to the raised position.