Device for coupling parts of a self-raising platform structure

In a self-raising platform structure, a device for coupling together two bodies in any position with respect to each other, said bodies being mounted for linear displacement with respect to each other in two opposite directions, a platform forming one of said bodies and a leg of said platform structure forming the other body, said device comprising:

• at least one pair of pawl means, each pawl means having a pawl each pivotally connected at a pivot point to the same one of said bodies and provided with a part capable of contacting the other one of said bodies, said pawl means being arranged at least on both sides of said other body and the pivot points being disposed in a plane extending transversely to the direction of displacement, said contact parts being shaped in such a manner that upon a pivotal movement of the pawl means towards each other said contact parts approach each other, so that the relative movement between the bodies will be inhibited in one of said two directions while being permitted in the other direction, means for pivoting said pair of pawl means towards and apart from each other, and at least a second pair of pawl means connected to said one body and having the same construction as said first pair of pawl means, and being spaced apart from said first pair of pawl means but mounted in such a manner that upon a pivotal movement thereof towards each other the contact parts of the second pair of pawl means will approach each other so that relative movement between the bodies is inhibited in the other direction, and means for pivoting said second pair of pawl means towards and apart from each other.