AU2006100858A4 - A support assembly for a railway carriage - Google Patents

Description

0 A SUPPORT ASSEMBLY FOR A RAILWAY CARRIAGE SThis invention relates to a support assembly.

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This invention has particular, but not exclusive application to a portable support 0 assembly for supporting a person when moving about on an elevated part of a structure, such as a roof of a railway carriage, and for illustrative purposes reference will be made to same.

00 V) However, it will be appreciated that the invention may be used in other applications such as a 00 means of providing support for a person while working on a roof of a motor vehicle or a roof of an ISO shipping container or an ISO tank.

SVarious safety apparatus for use by persons who are required to move about on elevated structures, such as the roof of a railway carriage, are known. Typically the safety apparatus includes an elongate guide that is mounted on the structure and a support structure having a base that is adapted to engage said guide and which is capable of movement along said guide. The safety apparatus may also include a harness that the person can wear, and which itself is capable of being secured to the support structure.

A problem associated with support apparatus of this type is that they are not transportable. Given the large numbers of railway carriages that are currently being used around the world, it is not considered economically viable to fit each carriage with a support apparatus.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a support assembly that ameliorates at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art.

With the foregoing in view, this invention in one aspect relates to a support assembly for supporting a person when moving about on an elevated part of a structure, said support assembly including: a transportable guide support; a guide that is mounted on said guide support; a base that is capable of movement along said guide, and a support structure that includes a first portion that is connected to said base and a second portion or handle that is spaced from said base.

The guide support, in addition to providing support for the guide, may be adapted to provide support for a person. For example, the guide support may also function as a platform or work surface on which a person may move about while working or such like.

ID-2- O The guide support may include a guide supporting member to which the guide is S attached. Alternatively the guide support may include a plurality of guide supporting o members and wherein said guide supporting members, possibly in combination with the

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guide, may be arranged to form a frame. Further, the frame, or selected portions thereof, may be open or closed.

The guide support may also include location means for locating the guide support on 00 V) the structure and wherein the location means be adapted to engage a preferred portion of the 00 structure.

The guide support may also include attachment means for attaching the guide support Sto the structure and locking means associated with said attachment means for effecting engagement of the attachment means with the structure.

In addition, the support assembly may be constructed in such a manner whereby movement of the base along the guide and/or movement of the support structure relative to the base may be possible only after the locking means has been actuated and/or remains actuated.

The guide support may also include transportation means for enabling the guide support to be moved from one article to another. For example, the transportation means may include one or more mountings to which lifting apparatus for lifting the guide support may be attached thereto. Alternatively the transportation means may include one or more recesses associated with the guide support, such as a pair of tubes, that are each capable of receiving at least one forklift tine. However, it will also be appreciated that the transportation means may include a wheeled carriage.

The support assembly may also include a ladder which a person may use to gain access to the guide support when the guide support is located either on or above a structure.

Further the ladder may be attached to the guide support and/or the transportation means.

The ladder may also be capable of being moved from a stored position to an operable position. For example the ladder may be foldable and/or retractable.

To assist persons to safely accesses the guide support using the ladder, the first portion of the support structure may be pivotally connected to the base and wherein there may be provided locking means for selectively locking said support structure in a desired attitude relative to said base.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, a preferred embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings: N -3- O Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a support assembly that is constructed in accordance CI with the present invention; o Fig. 2 is a pictorial view of a support structure, base and guide that has been

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constructed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 3 is a pictorial view of the base looking from one end; Fig. 4 is a pictorial view of the base looking from an opposite end, and 00oO V0 Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the base.

oO SFigure 1 shows a railway carriage 6 that includes a box like structure 7 that is mounted on a wheeled carriage assembly having wheels 8. The box like structure 7 includes a roof 9.

SFigure 1 also shows a support assembly 10 that is located beside the railway carriage 6 and which is adapted to provide a safe working environment for persons who are required to perform work on or in close proximity to the roof 9 of the railway carriage.

The support assembly 10 includes a guide support 11 that resembles a platform and which is capable of providing support for a person while moving about on same. The guide support 11 includes a frame that is covered with suitable cladding.

The guide support 11 is attached to transportation means 20 that may be used to transport the guide support 11 from one railway carriage to another railway carriage. The transportation means 20 includes a wheeled base 21 and a frame assembly 22 that extends upwardly from said base and which provides support for the guide support 11. In this particular embodiment the guide support 11 is pivotally attached to the supporting frame assembly and is capable of movement between a first position wherein the guide support has a vertical orientation, and a second or operative position, wherein the guide support has a horizontal orientation. However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the guide support may be designed so that it may be detached from the transportation means.

The transportation means 20 also includes a ladder 23 that may be used to gain access to the guide support 11.

The support assembly 10 also includes a guide 12, that is mounted on the guide support 11, and a support structure 13 that is pivotally connected to a base 14, which itself is capable of movement along the guide.

The guide 12 comprises an elongate piece of tubular steel section 24 having a generally square shaped transverse cross-section. At each opposing end 28 of the guide 12 there is provided a stop. The stops, in use, limit the travel of the base 14 along the guide 12.

IN -4- O The base 14 includes a body 31 in which there is formed a longitudinally extending S channel 32. The channel 32 has a square shaped transverse cross-section, and is adapted to O loosely receive the steel section 24 therein.

0 The body 31 also includes a front end portion 33 and a rear end portion 34, each of which has three recesses 35, 36 and 37 respectively that are formed therein. Each of the recesses includes two opposing side walls 38 that are separated by a web 39.

oO V0 The recesses 35, 36 and 37 are each adapted to receive a roller assembly 00 comprising a wheel 41 that is free to rotate about an axle 42 having opposing end portions 43 that are each located within a respective aperture 44 formed in a side wall 38. The wheels 41 each bear against a respective side wall 45 of the steel section 24, as shown in figure 8.

The base 14 also includes a mounting 46, including two opposing, upstanding flanges 47 located intermediate the front and rear end portions 33 and 34. The flanges 47 each include an arcuate edge portion 48 in which there is formed four semi-circular notches 49.

Each of the flanges 47 also includes a mounting aperture 50 formed therein.

The support structure 13 is constructed from a tubular member that has been bent so that it resembles a walking stick, comprising a post 51, having a lower end portion 51a and a handle 51b that extends outwardly from the post 51 in a generally orthogonal direction. The lower end portion 51 a is pivotally connected to the mounting 46 by a bolt 52 that extends through opposing mounting apertures The support structure is equipped with braking means 53, including a pair of opposed clamping arms 54, each comprising a pair of clamping members 54a, each having a fixed end and a free end 56. Each clamping arm 54 includes a jaw 57, located adjacent the free end 56, that comprises a pair of divergent flanges 58, having an inner face 59 on which is mounted a pad 60. The jaws 57 are each adapted to grip an adjacent face of the steel section 24.

The two clamping arms 54 are connected midway between their respective ends by a coiled spring 61. The action of the spring 61, in use, is to urge the clamping arms 54 together thereby maintaining the pads 60 in contact with the steel section 24 with sufficient force that the base 15 is restrained from moving relative to the guide 12.

The fixed end 55 of each clamping arm 54 includes a roller assembly 62, comprising a wheel 63 that is free to rotate about an axle 64, being the shaft of a bolt 65 that pivotally connects the clamping arm 55 to a flange 66 of an shaped mounting bracket 67.

The flange 66 includes a slotted aperture 68 through which two bolts 69 extend, said bolts being used to slideably connect a cam member 70, that resembles a wedge, thereto.

IN 0 The lower end 71 of the cam member 70 is connected to a brake handle 72, mounted N' on the handle 51b, by a wire cable 73. The brake handle 72 is capable of movement between O a first position, wherein the cam member is in it's upper most position, and a second position,

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wherein the cam member is in it's lower most position. The brake handle 72 is maintained in the first position by the action of a spring, not shown.

When the cam member 70 moves from it's first position to it's second position, the 00oO In engagement of the cam member 70 with the two wheels 63 causes the disengagement of the 00oO jaws 57 with the steel section 24, thereby permitting movement of the base 15 along the guide 12. However, when the pressure brought to bear on the brake handle 72 by the user is released, the brake handle is automatically returned to it's first position; the cam member returns to it's uppermost position, and the jaws 57 again engage the steel section 24 thereby resisting further movement of the base 14 relative to the guide 12.

The support structure 13 also includes locking means 73, including a locking pin 74 having opposed free end portions 75 that are each receivable within a respective notch 49.

Further, the locking pin 74 is retained in an engaged position with the notches 49 by the action of a coiled spring 75a, having a first end 76 that is secured to the base 12 and a second end 77 that is attached to a mid portion of said locking pin.

The mid portion of the locking pin 74 is connected to a locking handle 78, mounted on the handle 51 b, by a wire cable 79. The locking handle 78 is capable of movement between a first position, wherein the locking pin 74 is in engagement with a pair of notches 49, and a second position, wherein the locking pin 74 is no longer in engagement with said notches 49.

The locking handle 78 is maintained in the first position by the action of a spring, not shown.

When the locking pin 74 moves from an engaged position to a disengaged position, the post 51 is free to move between a first, or generally upstanding attitude, and a second, or generally horizontal attitude, said first and second positions corresponding to notches 49a and 49d respectively. The notches 49b and 49c correspond to attitudes of inclination approximately 30 degrees and 60 degrees to the horizontal.

However, when pressure brought to bear on the locking handle 79 by the user is released, the locking handle is automatically returned to it's first position and though the free ends of the locking pin 74 will continue to slide along the arcuate edges 48 with rotation of the post 51, they will automatically engage a respective notch 49 when located over same, and shall remain in engagement therewith due to the action of the spring 75a, thereby preventing further movement of the post 51 relative to the base 14.

IN -6- The handle 51 b includes two links 80 and 81 attached thereto.

C The support assembly 10 also includes a harness 90, consisting of a belt 91 that may O be secured about a user's waist, and two straps 92, each having a fixed end that is attached to

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the belt 91 and a free end 93 equipped with a clasp 94. In use, the clasps 94 may each be connected to a respective link 80 or 81, if so desired.

The support assembly 10 also includes attachment means 95 for attaching the oO V) transportation means to the railway carriage, including two retracting cables 96, each having a oO 00 free end portion 97 to which there is attached a hook 98 that is adapted to engage a portion of the railway carriage. Further, in order to prevent parts of the transportation means from rubbing against an adjacent side of the railway carriage, the transportation means includes two buffers 99, each consisting of a large block of rubber, that are attached to a respective frame member of the transportation means and which in use shall abut against the side of the railway carriage.

The attachment means 95 also includes retractable members 101 and 102 which, when extended, may be positioned underneath the railway carriage and which in use shall prevent the support assembly 10 from tipping over.

In use, the support assembly 10 may be wheeled in to position beside a railway carriage 6 and wherein the hooks 98 may be attached to selected portions of said carriage 6 so as to restrict any movement of the support assembly 6 relative thereto.

A person wishing to gain access to the roof 9 of the railway carriage 6 may choose to climb the ladder 23. When the person is near the top of the ladder 23, he or she may grasp the adjacent handle 51b for support, said handle extending outwardly from both a side of the carriage and the guide support 11.

Preferably the person is wearing the harness 90 about their waist. When the person is near the top of the ladder 23, the person may secure at least one of the clasps 94 to one of the links 80 or 81. Consequently, should the person slip or loose their balance while climbing over the upper end of the ladder 23 and on to the guide support 11, they will not fall to the ground.

Before placing his or her feet on the upper most rungs of the ladder 23, the person can, by pulling on the locking handle 79, disengage the locking pin 74 and the notches 49d, raise the handle 5 b, which itself can be locked in place by releasing the locking handle such that the locking pin engages notches 49b or 49c. By repositioning the handle 51b, which is now I-7higher and is located over and/or closer to the guide support 11, it is believed that the person CI will find it easier to climb on to the guide support.

O Once standing on the guide support 11, the person may, by pulling on the locking handle 79, disengage the locking pin 74 and the notches 49b or 49c, move the post 51 such that it now stands upright as shown in dotted outline 13a, which itself can be locked in place by releasing the locking handle such that the locking pin engages notches 49a.

00oO V) In order then to move the support structure 13 along the guide 12 while holding on to 00oO the handle 51 b for support, the person must pull on the brake handle 72 so as to disengage the jaws 57 and the guide 12. Similarly, in order to prevent further movement of the support structure 13 along the guide 12 the person need only release their grip on the brake handle 72 C there by permitting the jaws 57 to engage the guide 12.

When ascending from the guide support 11, the support structure 13 is preferably located in the preferred position adjacent the ladder 23. This will enable the person to climb down from the guide support 11 while using the support structure 13 for support, much like the person did when climbing on to the guide support. When climbing down from the guide support 11 using the ladder 23, the procedure just described may be followed in reverse.

It will be appreciated that the above example is given as an illustration only of the present invention and that all such modifications thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as herein defined in the appended claims.

Claims (4)

1. A support assembly for supporting a person when moving about on an O elevated part of a structure, said support assembly including: a transportable guide support; a guide that is mounted on said guide support; 00 V) a base that is capable of movement along said guide, and 00 Sa support structure that includes a first portion that is connected to said base and a second portion or handle that is spaced from said base.

2. A support assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support assembly includes a ladder that a person may use to climb on to the guide support.

3. A support assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first portion of the support structure is pivotally connected to the base and wherein a person may when climbing the ladder grasp hold of the handle for support.

4. A support assembly as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the support assembly includes attachment means for releasably attaching the support assembly to the structure. A support assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 9th day of October, 2006. STANDFAST ENTERPRISES LIMITED By their patent attorneys AHEARN FOX