EP1775255B1

EP1775255B1 - An extensible hoist platform

Info

Publication number: EP1775255B1
Application number: EP06076417A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Riccardo Magni
Original assignee: OMCI Attachments Srl
Current assignee: Manitou Italia SRL
Priority date: 2005-10-13
Filing date: 2006-07-14
Publication date: 2009-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 2026-07-14
Also published as: ITMO20050263A1; ATE425936T1; ES2322664T3; DE602006005756D1; EP1775255A1; PT1775255E; DK1775255T3

Abstract

Platform, in particular associable to a telescopic arm, exhibits a variable extension along a main direction (x) and comprises a bottom plane (2) to which the main direction (x) is parallel, along a perimeter of which bottom plane (2) are arranged lateral walls (3,4,5,6) which rise above the bottom plane (2). End portions (31,41,42) of the lateral walls (3, 4) and the end portion (21) of the bottom plane (2) are rotatable between at least a retracted position, in which the end portions (31,41,42) of the lateral walls (3,4) and the end portion (21) of the bottom plane (2) define a third end wall (5) in a determined position and the platform is in a shorter configuration, and at least an extended position, in which the third end wall (5) is distanced with respect to the preceding position and the platform is in a longer configuration.

Description

The invention relates in particular to an extensible hoist platform associable to a telescopic raising arm.
The most widely used hoist platforms in general comprise a bottom plane, predisposed to support personnel and/or objects and equipment, about which lateral walls are arranged which have the function of protecting the personnel and/or the objects from accidental falls. The platforms are predisposed to be connected to a telescopic lifting arm by means of attachment devices of known kind and widely used.
Prior art document JP 2001 130881 describes hoist platforms the length of which can be varied in a predetermined direction. This extensibility characteristic offers the advantage that a platform, within a certain limit, can be adapted to the volume of the load it is to support. Generally known-type platforms exhibit a rectangular plan and are extensible in the direction of the larger sides. These larger sides and the bottom platform are provided with telescopic extensions which are slidable between a retracted position, in which the platform assumes a minimum extension, and an extended position, in which the platform assumes a maximum extension.
Prior-art extensible platforms exhibit some drawbacks. The extension manoeuvre is rather difficult as the elements are generally rather heavy. To obtain an acceptable degree of manoeuvrability of the extension pieces, rather precise sliding guides are required, which among other things must be maintained and lubricated. A further drawback is that the manoeuvring of the extension pieces can be done only from the outside of the platform, which therefore has to be brought into a position affording access. Generally, the extension pieces can only be manoeuvred with the platform unloaded.
The main aim of the present invention is to provide an extensible hoist platform which obviates the drawbacks present in known platforms.
Some advantages provided by the invention are that the extension of the platform is extremely easy and can be done from on board the platform itself, i.e. when loaded, without its having to be lowered or brought into a special position. The components needed for realising the extensions of the platform are very simple and light and do not require the presence of sliding guides.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will better emerge from the detailed description that follows, made with reference to the accompanying figures of the drawings, which are included by way of nonlimiting example, in which: figure 1 is a perspective view of the platform of the present invention in a non-extended configuration;
figures 2, 3 and 4 show the various positions that some components of the platform assume during the process of extension of the platform;
figure 5 shows the platform of figure 1 in an extended configuration.
With reference to the figures of the drawings, the extensible platform of the present invention comprises a bottom plane 2 along the perimeter of which lateral walls 3, 4, 5, 6 are arranged, which are raised above the bottom plane 2. The bottom plane 2 is preferably constituted by a metal sheet which rests on and is constrained to a flat support frame (not visible in the figures) to which the lateral walls 3, 4, 5, 6 are connected so as to define a cage, superiorly open, on which bottom the bottom plane 2 is arranged.
In order to keep the overall weight of the structure as light as possible, the frame, support plane 2 and lateral walls 3,4, 5, 6 are preferably constituted by a reticular structure formed by a plurality of elements connected to one another. An access gate can be arranged in one of the lateral walls, which enables personnel to get on board the platform without any need to step over the lateral walls.
The platform is connectable to a telescopic lift arm by means of an attachment device 13, of known type, which is schematically illustrated in figures 1 and 5. The attachment device 13 is preferably positioned on a lateral wall of the platform, in a central position with respect to the longitudinal development of the lateral wall itself.
At least a first and a second lateral wall 3, 4 comprise end portions 31, 41, 42 which rotate about axes that are perpendicular to the bottom plane 2, while the bottom plane 2 comprises an end portion 21 which is rotatable about an axis lying on the bottom plane 2 itself. The end portions 31, 41, 42 of the lateral walls 3, 4 and the end portion 21 of the bottom plane 2 are rotatable between at least a retracted position, in which they define a third end wall 5 in a determined position and the platform is smaller, and at least an extended position, in which the third end wall 5 of the platform is distanced with respect to the previous position and the platform assumes a greater extension. Preferably, though not exclusively, the bottom plane 2 is rectangular and is bordered by four lateral walls 3, 4, 5, 6. The first and second lateral walls 3, 4 are arranged along the larger sides of the bottom plane 2, the third wall 5 and a fourth lateral wall 6 are arranged along the smaller sides of the bottom plane 2. As will shortly be seen, the bottom plane 2 and the first and second walls 3, 4 have a variable extension along a main direction x which, in the preferred embodiment, is parallel to the bottom plane 2 and to the first and second lateral walls 3, 4.
In particular the first lateral wall 3 comprises an end portion 31, rotating about an axis which is perpendicular to the bottom plane 2 between at least a retracted position, in which the first lateral wall 3 exhibits a smaller extension along the main direction x, and at least an extended position, in which the first lateral wall 3 exhibits a longer extension along the main direction x. This end portion 31; in the extended position, is aligned to the first lateral wall 3 and increases the development of the first wall 3 parallel to the main direction x, while in the retracted position it is arranged perpendicular to the first lateral wall 3. Common pivot joints, schematically represented in the figures, rotatably join the end portion 31 to the first lateral wall 3.
The second lateral wall 4 comprises a first end portion 41, rotating about an axis which is perpendicular to the bottom plane 2 between at least a retracted position, in which the second lateral wall 4 is smaller along the main direction x, and at least an extended position, in which the second lateral wall 4 is larger along the main direction x. The first end portion 41, in the extended position, is aligned to the second lateral wall and lengthens the development of the second lateral wall 4 parallel to the main direction x, while in the retracted position it is arranged perpendicular to the second lateral wall 4. The first end portion 41 of the second lateral wall 4 is arranged, with respect to the second lateral wall 4, on the same side as the end portion 31 of the first lateral wall 3, so that when the end portions 31, 41 are in the extended positions, they are arranged parallel and frontally to one another.
The second lateral wall 4 further comprises a second end portion 42, connected to the first end portion 41 and rotating with respect thereof about an axis which is perpendicular to the bottom plane 2 between a retracted position, in which it is near the first end portion 41, and an extended position, in which it is arranged transversally to the end portion 41 and can be constrained to the end portion 31 of the first lateral wall 3 when in the extended position. The second end portion 42, in the extended position thereof, is arranged perpendicular to the first end portion 41. Common pivot joints, schematically represented in the figures, rotatably hinge the first end portion 41 to the second lateral wall 4 and the second end portion 42 to the first end portion 41.
As figure 4 shows, the end portions 31, 41, 42 are arranged and configured in such a way that when they are in the respective extended positions, they define a prolongation of the lateral walls 3, 4, 5. The first lateral wall 3 and the second lateral wall 4 are lengthened by a tract corresponding to the extension of the respective end portions 31 and 41, while the third lateral wall 5, defined by the second end portion 42, translates along the main direction x and is arranged at the end of the end portions 31 and 41. The second end portion 42 is of such a size as to extend, in the extended position, between the first end portion 41 and the end portion 31 of the first lateral wall 3.
The bottom plane 2 comprises an end portion 21 which is rotatable about an axis lying on the bottom plane 2 between at least an extended position, in which the bottom plane 2 is larger along the main direction x, and at least a retracted position, in which the bottom plane 2 is shorter along the main direction x. The end portion 21 of the bottom plane 2, when it is in the extended position, is aligned and coplanar to the bottom plane 2 and extends the development thereof in the main direction x, while when it is in the retracted position it is arranged perpendicular to the bottom plane 2. With respect to the bottom plane 2 itself, the end portion 21 of the bottom plane is on the same side as the end portions 31, 41 of the first and second lateral walls 3, 4.
The end portion 31 of the first lateral wall 3, the first and second end portions 41, 42 of the second lateral wall 4 and the end portion 21 of the rest plane 2 are conformed and arranged so that when they are in the extended positions they define overall a first prolongation 10 of the platform 1. The prolongation 10 comprises the end portion 21 of the bottom plane 2, surrounded on three free sides by the end portions 31, 41 and 42 of the first and second lateral walls 3, 4. The second end portion 42 of the second lateral wall 4 and the end portion of the first lateral wall 3 are in reciprocal contact (or in any case in proximity to one another) at an external edge of the prolongation 10.
Means for supporting are predisposed to support the end portion 21 of the bottom plane 2 when in the extended position, in order to prevent the end portion 21 of the bottom plane 2 from rotating beyond the extended position. The means for supporting are constituted from example by a plurality of brackets 14, arranged along the lower edges of the end portions 31, 41, 42, which project internally of the platform. When the end portions 31, 41, 42 and the end portion 21 of the bottom plane 2 are in the extended position, the end portion 21 of the bottom plane 2 rests peripherally on the brackets 14.
Means for blocking are predisposed to fix the second end portion 42 of the second lateral wall 4 removably to the end portion 31 of the first lateral wall 3 when the end portions 31, 41 are in the extended position. The means for blocking can be constituted for example by a usual draw-bolt, not illustrated in the figures, arranged at the edge along which the end portions 31, 41 are in contact or in proximity.
As illustrated in figure 1, the end portion 21 of the bottom plane 2, the end portion 31 of the first lateral wall 3, the first and second end portions 41, 42 of the second lateral wall 4 are further arranged and conformed in such a way that when they are in the respective retracted positions they are drawn together and parallel and define the third lateral wall 5 of the platform. In the extended position of the end portions 21, 31, 41, 43, the third lateral wall 5 of the platform is constituted, as already described, by only the second end portion 42 of the second lateral wall 4. The end portion 31 of the first lateral wall, the first end portion 42 of the first lateral wall 3, the first end portion 42 of the second lateral wall 4 and the end portion 21 of the bottom plane 2 are arranged in such a way as to prolong respectively the first lateral wall 3, the second lateral wall 4 and the bottom plane 2 so that the third lateral wall 5 is distanced with respect to the position occupied with the end portions in retracted position. Means for blocking, of known type and not represented in the figures of the drawings, are predisposed to removably block the end portion 21 of the bottom plane 2 in the retracted position thereof and to removably block together the end portion 31 of the first lateral wall 3 and the first portion 41 of the second lateral wall 4 when they are in the respective retracted positions. As for the means for blocking between the second end portion 42 and the end portion 31, in this case too usual draw-locks can be used for blocking the various components.
The above description makes reference only to one end of the platform 1, but can obviously relate also to the opposite end of the platform. This means that a second prolongation 10', equal to the one described above, can be arranged on the opposite side of the platform 1.
As can be seen in figures 1 and 5, a first and a second end portion 41', 42', the same as the first and second end portions 41, 42 of the second lateral wall 4, can be associated to the first lateral wall 3 on the opposite side to the end portion 31. Equally, an end portion 31', the same as the end portion 31 of the first lateral wall 3, can be associated to the second lateral wall 4 on the opposite side with respect to the first and the second end portion 41, 42. The bottom plane 2 can also be provided with a second end portion 21' arranged at an opposite position with respect to the end portion 21.
These opposite end portions 31',41',42' also rotate about axes that are perpendicular to the bottom plane 2, while the second end portion 21' of the bottom plane 2 is rotatable about an axis lying on the bottom plane itself. The opposite end portions 31',41',42' of the bottom plane 2 are rotatable between at least a retracted position, in which they define a fourth end wall 6 in a determined position and the platform is shorter, and at least an extended position, in which the fourth end wall 6 of the platform is distanced with respect to the preceding position and the platform assumes and extended conformation.

Claims

An extensible hoist platform, in particular associable to a telescopic arm, which exhibits a variable extension along a main direction (x) and comprises a bottom plane (2) to which the main direction (x) is parallel, along a perimeter of which bottom plane (2) are arranged lateral walls (3, 4, 5, 6) which rise above the bottom plane (2), and at least a first and a second lateral wall (3, 4), not contiguous to one another, comprise end portions (31, 41, 42) which rotate about axes that are perpendicular to the bottom plane (2), characterised in that the bottom plane (2) comprises an end portion (21), rotatable about an axis lying on the bottom plane (2); the end portions (31, 41, 42) of the first and second lateral walls (3, 4) and the end portion (21) of the bottom plane (2) being rotatable between at least a retracted position, in which the end portions (31, 41, 42) of the first and second lateral walls (3, 4) and the end portion (21) of the bottom plane (2) define a third end wall (5) in a determined position and the platform is in a shorter configuration, and at least an extended position, in which the third end wall (5) is distanced with respect to the preceding position and the platform is in a longer configuration.
The platform of claim 1, wherein the first lateral wall (3) comprises an end portion (31) that rotates about an axis which is perpendicular to the bottom plane (2) between at least a retracted position, in which the first lateral wall (3) is shorter along the main direction (x), and at least an extended position, in which the first lateral wall (3) is longer along the main direction (x).
The platform of claim 1 or 2, wherein the second lateral wall (4) comprises a first end portion (41) that rotates about an axis which is perpendicular to the bottom plane (2) between at least a retracted position, in which the second lateral wall (4) is smaller along the main direction (x), and at least an extended position, in which the second lateral wall (4) is longer along the main direction (x), and a second end portion (42), connected to the first end position (41) and rotating with respect thereto between a retracted position, in which it is side-by-side to the first end portion (41), and an extended position, in which it is arranged transversally to the end portion (41) and can be constrained to the end portion (31) of the first lateral wall (3) when the first lateral wall is in the extended position.
The platform of at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the end portion (21) of the bottom plane (2) is rotatable between at least an extended position, in which the bottom plane (2) is longer along the main direction (x), and at least a retracted position, in which the bottom plane (2) is shorter along the main direction (x).
The platform of at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom plane (2) is rectangular and the first lateral wall (3) and the second lateral wall (3, 4) are arranged along the longer sides of the bottom plane (2), which longer sides are parallel to the main direction (x).
The platform of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the end portion (31) of the first lateral wall (3) and the first end portion (41) of the second lateral wall (4), in extended positions, are respectively aligned to the first and second lateral walls (3, 4).
The platform of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second end portion (42) of the second lateral wall (4), in the extended position thereof, is arranged perpendicular to the first end portion (41).
The platform of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the end portion (21) of the bottom plane (2), when the end portion (21) is in the extended position, is aligned and coplanar to the bottom plane (2).
The platform of any one of the preceding claims, wherein: means for blocking are predisposed to removably fix the second end portion (42) of the second lateral wall (4) to the end portion (31) of the first lateral wall (3) when the end portions (31, 42) are in the extended position; means for supporting are predisposed to support the end portion (21) of the bottom plane (2) when the bottom plane (2) is in the extended position, in order to prevent the end portion (21) of the bottom plane (2) from rotating beyond the extended position thereof.
The platform of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the end portion (31) of the first lateral wall (3), the first and second end portions (41, 42) of the second lateral wall (4) and the end portion (21) of the bottom plane (2) are arranged in such a way that, when in the respective extended positions, they define together a first prolongation (10) of the platform (1) which comprises the end portion (21) of the bottom plane (2) surrounded along three free sides thereof by the end portions (31, 41, 42) of the first lateral wall (3) and the second lateral wall (4).
The platform of at least one of claims from 1 to 5, wherein: the end portion (31) of the first lateral wall (3) and the first end portion (41) of the second lateral wall (4), when in the retracted position, are perpendicular to the respective lateral walls (3, 4) and are located side-by-side to one another; the end portion (21) of the bottom plane (2), when in the retracted position, is arranged perpendicular to the bottom plane (2).
The platform of claim 11, wherein the end portion (21) of the bottom plane (2), the end portion of the first lateral wall (3), the first and second end portion (41, 42) of the second lateral wall (4) are arranged in such a way that when in the respective retracted positions, they are side-by-side and parallel and define a third lateral wall (5) of the platform.
The platform of claim 11, wherein means for blocking are predisposed to removably block the end portion (21) of the bottom plane (2) in the retracted position thereof.
The platform of claim 11, wherein means for blocking are predisposed to removably and reciprocally block the end portion (31) of the first lateral wall (3) and the first portion (41) of the second lateral wall (4) when in the respective retracted positions.
The platform of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a second prolongation (10'), identical to the first prolongation (10), is arranged on an opposite side of the platform (1).