AU2010200212B2

AU2010200212B2 - Pole platform

Info

Publication number: AU2010200212B2
Application number: AU2010200212A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Adolf Lamprecht
Original assignee: Thew & Mccann Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Thew & Mccann Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2009-02-05
Filing date: 2010-01-19
Publication date: 2015-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 2030-01-19
Also published as: AU2010200212A1

Abstract

A pole platform (10), to support a load or person above ground on a pole (P), has a planar deck (20) of insulated material, mounted on a main frame (11) which incorporates convergent side rails (12, 13). A flexible 5 restraint, such as a metal chain (30), passes around the pole (P) and is releasably connectable to the main frame (11). The ends of the side rails (12, 13) which engage the pole (P) have pairs of upper and lower abutment blocks or pads (40, 50) located below the chain (30), where the abutment blocks or pads (40, 50) have abutment faces (41, 42, 51, 52) inclined to the 10 longitudinal axes of the side rails (12, 13); and the lower abutment blocks or pads (50) have a Shore (Durometer) A hardness measurement at least 5 higher than the measurement for the upper abutment blocks or pads (40). C)? C%4\ (N C)? (0 C?) coJ LOLC) ce() C)? CU) Ce) Ce) q

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: "POLE PLATFORM" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 1 TITLE: POLE PLATFORM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to an improved pole platform. 5 The invention particularly relates, but is not limited to, a pole platform suitable for use with wood poles, concrete poles, metal (eg. steel or aluminum) poles and/or composite (eg. fibre-glass or carbon-fibre) poles; where the poles may have a wide range of alternative cross sections; and the poles may be tapered, or of variable profile(s), along their lengths. 10 Throughout the specification, the terms "pole" / "poles" shall include: pole(s), post(s), vertically extending pipe(s) or tube(s), tubular mast(s), or the like. Throughout the specification, the terms "linesman" / "linesmen" shall include: electrical, communications (e.g. telecommunications) and other 15 linesmen, riggers, steeple-jacks, and other like workers who are required to work at heights above the surrounding surfaces. 2. Prior Art Linesmen employed to e.g. install /upgrade /repair electricity or communication networks are commonly called upon to work on equipment 20 mounted on, or supported by, poles; where the poles are typically of wood, concrete, metal and/or composite construction. While so-called "cherry pickers", or other height adjustable work platforms, may be preferred to support the linesmen, it is often found that such platforms cannot / are not used e.g. on economic grounds or due to 2 limitations of access e.g. to poles on steeply-inclined ground and/or surrounded by native flora, and / or other obstacles to free access. To overcome this problem, a number of different types of pole platforms have been developed over the years, which enable the linesmen to 5 more safely work at heights above the ground. (Usually the pole platforms are used in conjunction with safety harness(es) for the linesmen). One example of a current pole platform, which has found acceptance with the appropriate safety authorities / utilities / contractors / other users is that manufactured, and sold, by the applicants (Thew and 10 McCann Pty Ltd). This pole platform has a plywood deck mounted on a main frame, which has a pair of side rails, convergent in plan view and interconnected by cross members. The deck extends over approximately two-thirds of the length of the main frame from the divergent (outer) end thereof; and preferably has a non-slip upper (working) surface. A chain, 15 which passes around the wood pole, has one end secured to one of the side rails, and can be released and connected to the other of the side rails. The ends of the side rails, at the convergent (inner) end of the main frame, has a pair of sharpened spikes designed to engage, and / or dig into, the external adjacent face(s) of the wood pole on which the pole platform is mounted. 20 In recent years, poles manufactured from concrete, metal (e.g. steel or aluminum) and/or composites (e.g. fibre-glass) have been preferred by electricity or communications authorities / companies, as these poles are not subject to attack from e.g. terminates; and generally have a longer operational life. In addition, in certain applications, the poles can be designed 3 to "crumple", or "break-away", if struck by vehicles or subject to "above design" loads. As the spikes are not compatible with concrete, metal or composite constructions, other alternative pole platforms have been 5 proposed. For example, a multi-piece collar may be detachably clamped about the pole to support the main frame of the pole platform, below the level at which the chain engages the pole. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 10 It is an object of the present invention to provide a pole platform which may be used with poles (as herein before defined), where the poles may be manufactured from a wide range of different materials. It is a preferred object of the present invention to provide a pole platform which may be used with poles having a wide range of alternative 15 cross sections, and/or where the poles may be of fixed or varying profiles (e.g. tapered) along their length. It is a further preferred object of the present invention to provide a pole platform which has a high safety margin; but which is easy to attach to, or detach from, the poles. 20 It is still a further preferred object of the present invention which can provide relatively easy height adjustment of the poles; but will securely maintain a selected working height while supporting a linesmen (as herein before defined). Other preferred objects of the present invention will become 4 apparent from the following description: In one aspect, the present invention resides in a pole platform, operable to support a load or a linesman (as hereinbefore defined) on a pole (as hereinbefore defined), the pole platform including: 5 an elongate main frame incorporating a pair of side rails; a deck mounted on the main frame to provide a working surface for the linesman, the deck being provided at or adjacent at least a first end of the main frame, the second end of the main frame being located adjacent to the pole when in use; and 10 at least one flexible restraint member releasably connectable to the main frame and arranged to pass around the pole to releasably secure the main frame to the pole; wherein: respective upper and lower pairs of abutment blocks or pads are provided on the side rails at the second end of the main frame; 15 the upper and lower abutment blocks or pads are formed of resiliently deformable material and adapted to engage respective adjacent portions of the pole; and the lower pair of abutment blocks or pads have a higher degree of hardness than the upper pair of abutment blocks or pads; so arranged 20 that: when a load is applied to the deck while the pole platform is in use, the lower pair of abutment blocks or pads will be forced into non-slip engagement with the respective adjacent portions of the pole and co-operate with the flexible restraint member(s) to secure the pole platform to the pole.

5 Preferably the side rails of the main frame are convergent, in plan view, from the first (outer) end to the second (inner) end; and the side rails may be interconnected by transverse cross-member(s) and/or bracing. Preferably the main frame is manufactured from, but not limited 5 to, steel or aluminum components, preferably with a high strength/weigh ratio, and e.g. of rolled-hollow-section (R.H.S.) or tubular cross-sections. Preferably the deck has a substantially planar upper surface; which may be provided with a non-slip coating and/or a three dimensional (non-slip) profile. The deck may be formed from plywood, composite 10 materials and/or other (preferably electrically-insulating) materials with a high strength/weight ratio. Preferably the, or each, flexible restraint member is a locking metal chain, capable of easy release from the main frame. However, other flexible restraint members may be used, including metal-or-synthetic fibre 15 cables (which preferably have protective/ weatherproof coatings or sheaths). Preferably, one end of the flexible restraint member is secured to the main frame e.g. via a bracket on one of the side rails; and at least a portion of the other end of the flexible restraint member is releasably engagable with releasable locking means on the other side rail of the main 20 frame. (Alternately, portions of both ends of the flexible restraint member may be releasably connectable to respective releasable locking means on the two side rails). Preferably, the flexible restraint member is selected to have a length sufficient to enable it to secure the main frame of the pole platform to 6 a pole having a typical diameter e.g. in the range to 250-500mm (10"-20"). Preferably, the upper and lower pairs of abutment blocks or pads have (distal) abutment faces operable to engage respective adjacent portions of the pole, where the abutment faces are inclined to the longitudinal 5 axes of the respective side rails. Preferably, the abutment faces of the superimposed upper and lower abutment pads are substantially co-planar and are directed inwardly i.e. towards the central axis of the main frame. Preferably, the abutment faces are arranged to initially engage the adjacent portions of the pole substantially tangentially thereto, before 10 being deformed to conform to the adjacent portions of the pole. Preferably, the Shore (Durometer) A hardness of the lower pair abutment pads has a measurement not less than five (5) greater than the measurement of the Shore (Durometer) A hardness for the upper pair of abutments pads. Preferably, the difference in the measurement of the 15 respective hardness's maybe be e.g. in the range of 5 to 25. Preferably, the Shore (Durometer) A hardness of the lower (i.e. harder) abutment blocks or pads exceeds Durometer 60, more preferably Durometer 80+. Suitable resiliently deformable materials for the abutment 20 blocks or pads include: polymers (eg. polyurethane, polyethylene or polypropylene); natural or synthetic rubbers; other elastomeric materials; or combinations thereof; and the materials may incorporate reinforcing fibres (eg. of glass- or carbon-) or other suitable materials. In a second aspect, the present invention resides in a method 7 of supporting a load or person on a pole employing the pole platform. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To enable the invention to be fully understood, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to 5 the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. I is a top plan view of the pole platform; FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof; and FIG. 3 is an end elevational view thereof, looking towards the end n engageable with the pole. 10 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENTS The pole platform 10, illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 is designed to provide a safe, stable working platform, e.g. with a safe working load of 150kg, at variable heights up the pole P. (The pole P is indicated by dashed 15 lines in FIG. 1). The pole P may be manufactured from wood, metal (e.g. steel or aluminum), concrete, and / or composite materials; and may be of regular circular, elliptical, polygonal (e.g. square, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal), or other cross-section); where the cross-section may be constant or variable 20 (e.g. tapered or stepped) up the length of the pole P. It is intended that the pole platform 10 will be of "universal application", for use with poles P e.g. of the type used in electricity or communications (e.g. telecommunications) networks. The pole platform 10 has an elongate main frame 11, with its 8 components manufactured from steel and/or aluminum to preferably provide a load safety factor of at least three (3). As illustrated in FIG.1, the main frame 11 is convergent in plan view from a first (outer) end to a second (inner) end, the second end being 5 located adjacent the pole P when the pole platform 10 is in use. The main frame 11 has a pair of side rails 12, 13 of "box section", which are convergently tapered in side view (from the second end to the first end - see FIG.2.) The first end of the side rails 12, 13 are interconnected by an 10 "L-section cross-member 14; and intermediate their length, the side rails 12, 13 are interconnected by a substantially "U-"or "channel-"cross-section top cross-member 15 and a substantially "inclined L - section" bottom cross member 16, both of which are spaced from the second end of the side rails 12, 13. (A U-bolt 17 is secured centrally to the top cross-member 15 to 15 enable the pole platform 10 to be lifted, or to receive rope(s), strap(s) or other devices to secure the pole platform 10 in a vehicle during transport.) A substantially planar deck 20 is mounted on, and fixed to, the side rails 12, 13 of the main frame 11. The deck 20 extends a short distance past the first end of the side rails 12, 13; and is terminated at its other end by 20 a substantially vertical kick board 21, adjacent the top cross-member 15. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the elongate sides 22, 23 of the deck 20 lie substantially parallel to the corresponding side rails 12, 13 of the main frame 11. The deck 20 and the kick board 21 are formed of electrically- 9 insulating material(s), e.g. plywood or fibre-reinforced polyurethane; and the top (working) surface 24 is provided with a "non-slip" protective coating to improve safety. A hand hole 25 is provided through the deck 20 at the center 5 of- gravity (C.G.) of the pole platform 10, to enable easy transport of the pole platform 10 by a linesman. The flexible restraint member 30, in illustrated in FIG. 1 - 3 in the form of a metal link chain, has one end connected to a first "chain keeper" 31 (in the form of a substantially inverted L-shaped bracket, fixed to 10 side rail 12 of the main frame 11). The chain 30 is of a length to enable it to pass around the pole P, which may have a diameter typically in the range 250mm - 500mm (10 inches/ 20 inches), the other end of the chain 30 being releasably connectable in a second "chain-keeper" 33, fixed to the side rail 13 of the 15 main frame 11. A releasable latch mechanism, not illustrated, is provided on the second "chain-keeper" 33 to enable selective release, or locking, of the chain 30 in the second "chain-keeper" 33. NB: It will be readily apparent to the skilled addressee that the 20 first "chain-keeper" 32 may also be provided with a similar releasable latch mechanism. It is preferred that the releasable latch mechanism is of a type which is urged into stronger locking engagement when a load is applied to the chain 30: and which will not be accidentally released when the load on 10 the pole platform 10 is removed and/or varied e.g. due to movement of the linesman on the deck 20. Respective upper and lower pairs of abutment pads 40, 50 are provided at the second ends of the side rails 12, 13 of the main frame 11. 5 Each abutment pad 41, 42, 51, 52 has an elongate body received in the respective side rail 12, 13, and is secured therein by fasteners 60. At their distal ends, the abutment pads 41, 42, 51, 52 are terminated by abutment faces 43, 44, 53, 54, which are adapted to engage adjacent portions P1, P2, of the pole P. 10 It will be noted that the superimposed abutment faces 43, 44, 53, 54 are substantially co-planar; and are inclined to the respective longitudinal axes of the side rails 12, 13 (i.e. the abutment faces 43, 44, 53, 54 are "inwardly" convergent relative to the central longitudinal axis of the pole platform 10). 15 The abutment pads 41, 42, 51, 52 are formed from resiliently deformable material, and polyurethane is one preferred material. Other suitable materials include natural or synthetic rubbers, or other elastomeric materials (which may or may not be fibre-reinforced.) The Shore (Durometer) A hardness of the abutment pads 51, 20 52 of the lower pair 50 preferably has a measurement of at least five (5) greater then the Shore (Durometer) A hardness of the abutment pads 41, 42 of the upper pair 40. Preferably the difference in their respective Shore (Durometer) A measurements is in the range 5 to 25. In a particularly preferred example, the Shore (Durometer) A 11 hardness of the abutment pads 41, 42 of the upper pair 40 is Durometer 85; while the Shore (Durometer) A hardness of the abutment pads 51, 52 of the lower pair 50 is Durometer 90. The "softer" abutment pads 41,42 of the upper pair 40 enable 5 ease of adjustment of the pole platform 10 relative to the pole P, after the chain has been passed around the pole P and anchored to the pole platform 10, but before any significant working load has been applied to the deck 20. When a working load is applied to the deck 20 e.g. when the pole platform P is supporting a linesman (and any tools / equipment), the 10 lever- moment causes the first (outer) end of the pole platform 10 to be swung downwardly, and the abutment pads 51, 52 of the lower pair 50 provide a "pivotal axis" for the pole platform 10 relative to the pole P. The selected adjustment of the length of the chain 30 limits the inclination angle between the main frame 11 of the pole platform 10 and the pole P. 15 When the work load is removed, the pole platform 10 swings upwardly (a few degrees) relative to the pole P, and the vertical position of the pole platform 10 on the pole P can either be adjusted (e.g. to enable the linesmen to undertake another task); or the chain 30 may be released from the second "chain-keeper" 32 to enable the pole platform 10 to be released 20 and removed from the pole P. The inclined abutment faces 43, 44, 53, 54 provide a relatively large area of frictional contact between the abutment pads 41, 42, 51, 52 and the adjacent portions P1, P2 of the pole P; and thereby provide more than merely "line of contact" engagement between the main frame 11 of the pole 12 platform 10 and the pole P. In addition, the resiliently deformable material of the pairs of abutment pads 40, 50 enable the abutment faces 43, 44, 53, 54 to be deformed and / or deflected, to conform to the profiles of the adjacent 5 portions P1, P2 of the pole P, to ensure the maximum area of frictional contact there between. Such deformation and / or deflection can be compensated for any variation(s) in profile (e.g. tapering) of the pole P. As the pairs of abutment pads 40, 50 do not penetrate the 10 outer faces of the poles P, the pole platform 10 can be used with poles P constructed from a wide range of materials. Furthermore the pairs of abutment pads 40, 50 will not damage e.g. cause localized cracks or dents, in the outer faces of the poles 10. It will be readily apparent to the skilled addressee that the 15 present invention provides a pole platform 10 that: a) can be used "universally" on a wide range of poles; b) is easy to mount on, or demount from, the poles; c) is light but strong (with a high safety factor); d) is light and easily transportable e.g. can be easily carried 20 by a single linesman; and e) is relatively inexpensive and easy to manufacture to high quality standards. The pole platform 10 provides a highly effective, stable and safe working platform for linesmen.

13 Various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described and illustrated without departing from the present invention. 5 10 15

Claims

1. A pole platform, operable to support a linesman (as hereinbefore defined) on a pole (as hereinbefore defined), the pole platform including: an elongate main frame incorporating a pair of side rails; 5 a deck mounted on the main frame to provide a working surface for the linesman, the deck being provided at or adjacent at least a first end of the main frame, the second end of the main frame being located adjacent to the pole when in use; and at least one flexible restraint member releasably connectable to 10 the main frame and arranged to pass around the pole to releasably secure the main frame to the pole; wherein: respective upper and lower pairs of abutment blocks or pads are provided on the side rails at the second end of the main frame; the upper and lower abutment blocks or pads are formed of 15 resiliently deformable material and adapted to engage respective adjacent portions of the pole; and the lower pair of abutment blocks or pads have a higher degree of hardness than the upper pair of abutment blocks or pads; so arranged that: 20 when a load is applied to the deck while the pole platform is in use, the lower pair of abutment blocks or pads will be forced into non-slip engagement with the respective adjacent portions of the pole and co-operate with the flexible restraint member(s) to secure the pole platform to the pole.

2. A pole platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein: 15 the side rails of the main frame are convergent, in plan view, from the first (or outer) end to the second ( or inner) end; and the side rails are interconnected by transverse cross-members and/or bracing. 5

3. A pole platform as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: the main frame is manufactured from steel or aluminum components, with a high strength/weigh ratio, and optionally of rolled-hollow section (R.H.S.) or tubular cross-section(s).

4. A pole platform as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: 10 the deck has a substantially planar upper surface, which is optionally provided with a non-slip coating and/or a three-dimensional (or non-slip) profile; and the deck is optionally formed from plywood, composite material(s) and/or other electrically-insulating materials, optionally with a high 15 strength/weight ratio.

5., A pole platform as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: the, or each, flexible restraint member is a locking metal chain, metal-or-synthetic fibre cable or other flexible restraint member, which optionally has protective / weather proof coating(s) or sheath(s): and at least 20 one end of the, or each, flexible restraint member from the main frame.

6. A pole platform as claimed in claim 5, wherein: one end of the, or each, flexible restraint member is secured to the main frame via a bracket on one of the side rails; and at least a portion of the other end of the, or each, flexible 16 restraint member is releasably engagable with releasable locking means on the other side rail of the main frame.

7. A pole platform as claimed in claim 5, wherein: portions of both ends of the, or each, flexible restraint member 5 are releasably connectable to respective releasable locking means on the two side rails.

8. A pole platform as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein: the, or each, flexible restraint member is selected to have a length sufficient to secure the main frame of the pole platform to a pole 10 having a in the range to 250-500mm (10"-20").

9. A pole platform as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: the upper and lower pairs of abutment blocks or pads are located below the, or each, flexible restraint, so arranged that the lower pair of abutment blocks or pads provide pivot points for the main frame relative 15 the pole and any pivotal movement between the main frame and the pole, when in use, is opposed by the, or each, flexible restraint.

10. A pole platform as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: the upper and lower pairs of abutment blocks or pads have distal abutment faces operable to engage respective adjacent portions of the 20 pole, and where the abutment faces are inclined relative to longitudinal axes of the respective side rails.

11. A pole platform as claimed in claim 10, wherein: the abutment faces of the superimposed upper and lower abutment pads are substantially co-planar and are directed inwardly towards 17 a central axis of the main frame.

12. A pole platform as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein: the abutment faces are arranged to initially engage the adjacent portions of the pole substantially tangentially thereto, before being 5 deformed to conform to the adjacent portions of the pole.

13. A pole platform as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein: the Shore (Durometer) A hardness of the lower pair abutment pads has a measurement not less than 5 greater than the measurement of 10 the Shore (Durometer) A hardness for the upper pair of abutments pads.

14. A pole platform as claimed in claim 13, wherein: the difference in the measurement of the respective harnesses is in the range of 5 to 25.

15. A pole platform as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14, 15 wherein: the measurement of the Shore (Durometer) A hardness of the lower pair of abutment blocks or pads exceeds Durometer 60, and optionally exceeds Durometer 80+.

16. A pole platform as claimed in claim 15, wherein: 20 resiliently-deformable materials for manufacture of the abutment blocks or pads include: polymers (such as polyurethane, polyethylene or polypropylene); natural or synthetic rubbers; other elastomeric materials; or combinations thereof; where the materials optionally incorporate reinforcing fibres (such as glass- or carbon-) and/or 18 other suitable materials.

17. A pole platform substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. A method of supporting a load or person on a pole substantially 5 as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.