Elevated working platform and related methods

An elevated platform apparatus comprising:

• a first assembly having first inner rail assembly slidably coupled with a first outer rail assembly;
• a second assembly having a second inner rail assembly slidably coupled with a second outer rail assembly the second assembly being hingedly coupled with the first assembly, the first assembly and the second assembly being selectively positionable relative to each other between a deployed state and a collapsed state;
• a platform pivotally coupled with the first assembly and configured to extend between spaced apart portions of the first assembly and the second assembly when they are in the deployed state;
• a cage including at least one frame member and at least one gate collectively forming a barrier substantially surrounding an area above the platform when the first and second assemblies are in the deployed state and when the at least one gate is in a closed position, the at least one gate being selectively positionable from a closed position to an open position wherein the at least one gate is rotated inwardly such that a portion of the at least one gate extends into the area surrounding the platform, and wherein the at least one gate is limited from rotating outwardly away from the area above the platform beyond the closed position;
• at least one locking mechanism configured to selectively lock the first inner rail assembly at a specified location relative to first outer rail assembly;
• and
• at least one adjustment mechanism associated with the first assembly and configured to assist adjustment of the first inner rail assembly from a first position relative to the first outer rail assembly to a second position relative to the first outer rail assembly.