EP1921249A1 - Hybrid ladder having a platform - Google Patents

Abstract

The ladder-platform combination (10), mounted on rollers (20), has at least two first beams (12) connected in pairs, with each pair being connected to a pair of second beams (14) relatively movable with respect to them. At least one pair of first beams is lockable to second pair in both directions by locking elements (e.g. 16a).

Description

The invention relates to a climbing device and more particularly to a ladder-platform hybrid comprising at least two first spars interconnected at least in pairs. The respective pairs of first bars are connected to a pair of second bars each. Each pair of second spars is longitudinally movable relative to its associated pair of first spars.

In the prior art, corresponding climbing devices or ladder-platform hybrids are known which are provided with a barrier between the first and lower pairs of beams and the second and upper pairs of beams, respectively. When a height adjustment is made, the upper pairs of spars are shifted relative to the lower pairs of spars, the pairs of spars communicating with each other via brackets. The brackets or Doppelklammem may each be formed with slip brakes. These slip brakes prevent the pairs of ladder bars from being slid freely in free fall relative to each other within the clamps or double clamps. Such devices are also used in the subject matter of the present application.

In the prior art, the pairs of bars in the vertical direction are now locked at a certain height to each other by, for example, a rungs between the pairs of spars over cross-locking bar is provided such that the locking bar is connected to the respective pairs of upper bars and from above spanned over rungs between the first pairs of spars and the second pairs of spars, so as to lock the spar pairs in a vertical direction from top to bottom. Now, in this embodiment, the climbing device in the extended or extended state be moved, the locking bar can not prevent further pulling and thus falling apart of the climbing device.

According to a further proposal in the prior art, a locking bar has been provided which penetrates the spars of cooperating first and second beams in the main direction of travel of the sprouts, i.e. functioning as a kind of bolt. However, if such a latch is removed from its latched position, the design becomes unstable in both vertical directions, even though it is only intended to extend the ladder. Here, the ladder can collapse and limbs of an operator can become trapped between the rungs.

In the known climbing device or in the known ladder-platform hybrid lateral support means is provided in the form of a boom, which is attached to an upper tie bar and pivot joint or close thereto. This boom is attached by straps laterally to the respective extendable ladder of pairs of first and second spars. It is necessary to telescopically extend the boom along with the extension or extension of the pairs of ladder beams. This design of a support device in the prior art is less stable and cumbersome to handle.

The known ladder-platform hybrid is secured against unwanted collapse by starting from the platform at the upper end near the cross-link pivoting joint a pawl engages around an upper rung, which is to help prevent lifting of the platform and collapse of the ladder legs. The disadvantage here is that horizontal forces acting on the erected folding ladder-like construction, the pawl can move out of engagement with the facing surface of the associated rung. This happens because the used surfaces of the rung and the pawl are practically parallel to an attacking horizontal force, so that the blocking effect is of limited value.

It is the object of the present invention to propose a climbing device or a ladder-platform hybrid, which helps to at least partially improve the state of the art.

According to the invention, this is achieved by a climbing device according to claim 1. Advantageous, if not inventive, embodiments will be apparent from the features defined in the subclaims.

The advantages obtainable according to the invention are based on the fact that at least one pair of first bars can be locked to the associated pair of second bars by means of an adjustable locking means on the latter pair in both directions along the longitudinal direction of the associated pair of first bars with respective blocking elements. In this way, during the transport of the device according to the invention in the extended or erected state a pushing together of the pairs of bars, as well as a pulling apart of the pairs of bars can be prevented. The security that can be achieved thereby, both during transport and when standing, helps avoid cumbersome handling and accidents, in particular when the climbing device is to be moved with the ladder swiveled out according to the invention in the extended state.

It when the locking device is formed with an axis of rotation which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the spars between the associated pair of second spars, wherein a locking element, starting from the axis of rotation is reversibly movable between the associated pair of first spars to be particularly advantageous to accomplish the locking. The axis of rotation can be provided directly on a locking bracket of the locking device, wherein the locking bar prevents pushing together of the pairs of bars by resting on the rungs of the associated pairs of bars. The blocking element, which is movable about the axis of rotation and along the axis of rotation to be able to be brought from a holding position, thereby serves to prevent the collision of the pairs of first and second spars.

Particularly advantageously, the blocking element according to the invention of the locking device can be formed when the locking element is an axially movable on the axis of rotation locking lever which is rotatable about the axis of rotation in the unlocked state. In this way, in the unlocked state, the locking lever can be moved out of its position between the pairs of rails, i.e. under respective rungs between the first and second pairs of rails, into a release position to vertically extend the climbing device. On the other hand, the locking lever can be pivoted out of its locking position in the plane between the pairs of bars so as to counteract a vertical pulling apart of the pairs of bars, wherein the locking lever engages behind respective rungs between the pairs of first and second spars.

According to a further advantageous embodiment according to the invention, which could possibly form an independent invention in conjunction with the preamble of the subject of the application, may be provided on one of the first spars an adjustable support means, which is assigned to its associated pair of spars and from this Pair clamped plane is designed to pivot out. In particular, this can be achieved by means of a hinge or by means of a pivot joint, which is oriented so that the support means at an angle to the ladder leg whose plane is spanned by the spars of a pair of first spars, in the direction of the other ladder leg, the plane thereof is spanned by the other pair of spars, is pivoted. The support device or in the form of a cantilever may be provided in the form of a rod. The rod may optionally be vertically extendable with a telescopic construction, for example, to compensate for any irregularities in the ambient level can.

The support means or the boom can be advantageously secured with a strut against unintentional displacement or folding. The strut can attack about a pivot on the boom about in the middle of the boom and can attack at its other end to a spar also via a hinge. On one side, the rotary joint may for example be accommodated in a slot to a Einklappen the boom or when folding out the boom a To allow for length difference compensation by the Verwinkelung. On the other hand, the strut may also be formed telescopically to be able to accomplish the required extension of the strut when unfolding the boom or the shortening of the strut when folding the boom. Telescope-like formations should be fixable with a clamping screw or the like in a position.

A provided at the upper end of the climbing device platform is advantageously held by a pivot joint of one of the pair of side rails. A pawl is attached to the platform, which is engageable with a locking geometry on the pivot joint. In this way it is possible to prevent collapse of the conductor legs in all conceivable situations, in particular if the locking geometry is formed with an undercut, with which the pawl can be brought via a corresponding locking geometry for engagement. In this way, it is always possible to generate a force-resultant force in the case of all forces acting horizontally, with the result that the pawl can not be disengaged from the arresting geometry.

Advantageously, the swivel joint is rotatably supported on the pair of second spars and / or on the platform so that unlocking the platform from the pair of spars is further impeded by integrating horizontal forces that could cause the ladder legs of the folding ladder-type climbing device to collapse horizontally and a vertically acting force component are decomposed, wherein the vertically acting force component acts on the engagement between the pawl and the Arretiergeometrie and thus reinforced.

A further enhancement of the locking engagement between the locking geometry and the pawl may occur when the locking geometry is provided on an extension of the pivot joint near a hinge on the associated spar.

The above-described embodiments may also be regarded as an independent invention in connection with the features in the preamble of the subject of the application.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if at least one parallelogram bar is provided on the platform, on which at least one horizontal bar is rotatably mounted, which is rotatably mounted on at least one of the spars of a pair of second spars. In this way, it is possible, the horizontal bar, which may be part of a safety cage or safety railing, automatically unfold when unfolding or setting up the climbing device according to the invention to a cage, or to put automatically in a space-saving state when folding the folding ladder-like climbing device , This is achieved by the principle known function of a parallelogram linkage.

Fig. 1

eine erfindungsgemäße Steigvorrichtung im aufgebauten Zustand in ihrer niedrigsten Höheneinstellung in einer perspektivischen Ansicht;

Fig. 2

die Steigvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 in einem ausgefahrenen Zustand in etwa in der gleichen Perspektive;

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht einer Sperreinrichtung einer Steigvorrichtung - teilweise geschnitten - gemäß der Erfindung;

Fig.4

einen teilweisen Schnitt durch eine Sperreinrichtung einer Steigvorrichtung gemäß der Erfindung;

Fig. 5

einen Plattformaufbau in einer Seitenansicht;

Fig. 6

eine weitere Ausführungsform einer Sperreinrichtung - teilweise geschnitten, in einer Seitenansicht; und

Fig. 7

die Ausführungsform nach Fig. 6 in einer Sperrstellung.

In the following, the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment according to the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein further features, advantages and objectives according to the invention are disclosed. In the illustrations show:

Fig. 1

a climbing device according to the invention in the assembled state in its lowest height setting in a perspective view;

Fig. 2

the climbing device of Figure 1 in an extended state in approximately the same perspective.

Fig. 3

a side view of a locking device of a climbing device - partially cut - according to the invention;

Figure 4

a partial section through a locking device of a climbing device according to the invention;

Fig. 5

a platform structure in a side view;

Fig. 6

a further embodiment of a locking device - partially cut, in a side view; and

Fig. 7

the embodiment of FIG. 6 in a blocking position.

In the figures, the same or at least functionally identical components are identified by the same reference numerals, so that a multiple description of the same components is unnecessary.

In Fig. 1, a climbing device or a ladder-platform hybrid 10 is shown with features according to the invention. First spars 12 together with sprouts 18 lower conductor sections, while second spars 14 form with corresponding rungs 18 upper conductor sections. The lower and upper conductor sections are pivotably connected to each other via a pivot connection pivoting joint or via respective such joints 36.

Locking devices 16 on each assembly of each of the upper and lower ladders serve to prevent displacement of the lower to upper conductors when the locking means 16 is in its locked state. In particular, a blocking element or locking bar 16a serves to prevent the upper relative to the lower conductor from being pushed together from a height which is raised in height relative to the basic setting, as is illustrated, for example, in FIG. The locking device 16 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 in more detail.

While the climbing device 10 comprises respective conductor legs, each having a lower conductor section and an upper conductor section, three or four or more conductor sections according to the invention may of course also be provided per conductor leg.

The upper and lower ladders are connected to one another in a height-adjustable manner by way of brackets 17 known per se, which in particular can be equipped with slip brakes. Such staple-type connections are known to the person skilled in the art and need not be further explained here.

At the lower end of at least one arrangement or a ladder leg of lower and upper ladder is provided at the bottom ladder at least one stand attachment 22 made of non-slip material, in particular with a profile. In addition, transport rollers 20 are arranged on one side of the climbing device according to the invention, that both in the erected as well as in the folded state of the climbing device 10 according to the invention an easy transportability can result.

A lateral support means in the form of a cantilever 24 is provided on a first spar 12 on each side of the climbing device 10 according to the invention. Of course, corresponding support devices 24 may also be provided on each of the first spars 12 or possibly also on one or more of the second spars 14. The support means or the boom 24 is fixed via a main hinge 30 of the boom at an upper end of the first spar 12. The main hinge 30 is oriented to pivot the cantilever 24 out of the plane of the lower and upper conductors of a ladder leg, respectively. This can be accomplished by either pivoting the main hinge at an angle to the lower or upper ladder level onto the opposite lower or upper ladder of the ladder leg, or the boom 24 is formed with a kink or corresponding additional hinge. In order to stabilize the boom 24, this can be formed with a transverse strut 26 which engages in the course of the arm 24 at this, for example via a hinge. Advantageously, the rotary strut 26 engage approximately centrally on the boom 24 via the rotary joint. At the other end, the cross strut 26 can also attack via a transverse joint on one of the ladder struts and in particular on the first spar 12. The boom and / or the cross member may be telescopically adjustable in length. The rotary joint 28, which connects the transverse strut with a first spar 12, may be formed as a hinge 28, for example.

A working platform 34 at the upper end of the climbing device 10 according to the invention can rest approximately on rungs 18 or rest on corresponding stop bolts or the like. The working platform 34 can be fixed in its position in the assembled state of the climbing device 10 according to the invention via a latch 32, which is explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. 5. In this way, at the same time the entire climbing device according to the invention, which can also be referred to as a ladder-platform hybrid, be prevented from folding.

A safety cage 39, which is connected to the working platform 34, has at its upper end a horizontal bar 38, which acts as an upper railing. The horizontal bar 38 is above a parallelogram bar 40 with a trailing end connected to the platform 34. In addition, the second spars 14 are connected at the trailing end of the climbing device 10 at its upper end to the horizontal bar 38. This construction ensures that in the event that the climbing device 10 according to the invention is set up, when unfolding the ladder legs of the ladder assemblies at the leading and trailing end via the pivot connecting pivot joint 36 rods or struts of the safety cage 39 are clamped or collapsed, depending on whether the basket should be placed in its functional position or in its storage position. Here, the upper portions of the associated second spars at the trailing end of the climbing device 10 in conjunction with the parallelogram rods 40 act like a parallelogram linkage that folds up or collapses the safety cage.

2, the climbing device 10 shown in FIG. 1 with a different height adjustment of the lower and upper conductor sections formed by the first and second spars 12, 14. The here in pairs at the leading end of the climbing device 10 arranged boom 24 may in principle be provided at the trailing end of the climbing device 10 or at both ends.

In Fig. 3 is an inventively designed locking device 16, shown in detail. The locking device 16 comprises a locking bar 16a, which engages around a rung 18 on a second bar 14 and at its end also rests on a rung 18 on a first bar 12. This arrangement prevents collapse of the upper relative to the lower conductor, for example, to reduce the height of the climbing device 10. On the locking bracket 16a an ironing extension 16b is provided at the end below the rung 18 on the second spar 14 a rotation axis 16c is provided which extends substantially parallel to the rung 18 on the second spar 14. A locking lever 16b is connected via a hinge with the axis 16c and the ironing process 16b. In the illustrated blocking position of the locking lever 16b this is above a stop 16f at the bottom of the rung 18 on the first spar 12 and prevents so in its blocking position that the lower and the upper conductors can be pulled apart, while the locking bracket 16a only prevents that the lower and the upper ladder can not be pushed together. The locking bracket 16a itself should also be pivotable about a pivot bracket 16d.

4, the locking device 16 is shown in a horizontal section. About the pivot bracket 16 d of the locking bracket 16 a is held and is in contact with a rung 18 on the first spar 12 of the lower conductor of the conductor arrangement.

A use of the locking device 16 is such that for adjusting the height of a climbing device 10 according to the invention, the locking lever 16b is first to be unlocked. For this purpose, the locking lever 16b are displaced in the axial direction of the axis of rotation 16c in order to cancel a latching between one of the plurality of latching projections and one or more latching shoulders of the arrangement, so that the latching lever 16b is pivotable. The locking lever can then be pivoted out of the rung 18 on the first spar 12, so that the upper ladder with the second bars 14 can be pushed vertically upward to extend the climbing device according to the invention in the vertical direction. Upon reaching a desired height of the locking bar 16a is placed on the height-connected rung 18 and the locking lever 16b is pivoted back inwards to be brought into contact with the relevant stage 18 via the stop 16f in a contact, so that the two conductors of the Conductor are again held rigidly in two vertical directions to each other.

Preferably, the locking lever 16b and / or the locking bracket 16a may be self-locking due to the action of gravity or by the return force of an approximately preloaded spring means. Thus, for example, when unlocking the locking lever 16b of the locking lever can be adjusted both radially and axially via a control link, with a spring (not shown) is tensioned. If an operator of the climbing device releases the blocking lever deflected out of the blocking position, it can be driven back into its latched or locked blocking position under a rung 18 by the spring force of the tensioned spring via the control link. Such a return device serves the safety of the operator, who does not have to actively take care of a renewed locking of the locking lever 16b.

On the other hand, it may also be preferable to realize the locking bar and / or the locking lever 16b with a power-operated element with or without a return function. An example of such an embodiment may be seen in the use of a ball thrust piece.

In Fig. 5, an upper end of a climbing device is shown with features according to the invention and in particular according to the preceding figures. The second spars 14 at the upper end of the climbing device 10 carry over rungs, support bolts or the like., The platform 34. The platform 34 is provided with a baseboard 34a, which is attached for safety reasons.

The latch 32, which is also evident in particular from FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises a connection joint 32a, which is occasionally attached on one side to the platform or work platform 34 via a second pivot pin or swivel joint 32d. On the other hand, the connecting joint 32a is also rotatably connected via a first pivot pin 32c to a second spar 14 of an upper conductor section. Above the first pivot pin, the connecting joint 32a has a locking geometry 32e which can be brought into engagement with a locking pawl 32b in order to prevent the climbing device designed according to the invention in particular against unwanted collapse of the two spar or ladder arrangements connected via the pivot connection pivot joint 36. As can be seen, the engaged surfaces of the locking geometry 32b and the pawl 32b have an inclination to the horizontal, whereby in the case of horizontally acting on the conductor assemblies forces a high resistance in the engagement region between the locking geometry and the pawl can be applied, which Unintentional folding can prevent, in particular if the climbing device according to the invention is to be transported in the assembled state, for example by means of the transport rollers 20 at the leading end of the climbing device 10.

The safety cage 39 formed from a plurality of rods can be connected via a parallelogrammgestängeartige arrangement of a parallelogram 40 and a second spar 14 at the trailing end of the climbing device when setting up a Clamping device according to the invention are clamped and folded together when folding. In the present case, the safety cage 39 comprises an upper U-shaped bent horizontal bar 38 trained railing and between the railing 38 and the foot or edge strip 34 a approximately equidistant between set railing bar, which is also bent in a U-shape, in particular the Figures 1 and 2 can be seen.

6 shows a further embodiment of a locking device 16 with a pivoted from its locking position locking bracket 16a. As can be seen, this is pivoted about the pivot bracket 16 d so that the spar 14 of an upper conductor section is height-adjustable relative to the spar 12 of a lower conductor section. The stop 16f is pivoted out of its locked position below the rungs 18 on the bars 12, 14. For this purpose, a joint sleeve 16g has been pivoted about the axis of rotation 16c of the blocking lever 16b. The pivot axis 16c and the joint sleeve 16g may be formed with mutually corresponding guides or slotted guides, wherein a return spring can also provide for automatic locking of the locking lever 16b after the locking lever 16b has been deflected from its locking position (see Fig. 7). When the deflection from the blocking position, a provided return spring can be biased, so that the restoring force caused thereby for the provision of the locking lever 16b can provide.

According to FIG. 7, it can be seen that both the locking bar 16a and the blocking lever 16b rest in their respective blocking positions above and below the rung 18 on the first bar 12. The hinge sleeve 16g is pivoted about the rotation axis 16c of the lock lever so that lock cams 16h at the rotation shaft 16c could engage with corresponding recesses of the hinge sleeve 16g to lock the lock position of the lock lever 16b. As can be seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 and 7, the locking devices are in each case with their point of application close to the respectively associated spar. As a result, high forces can be easily absorbed, which could occur by shearing a rung 18, as it should be acted upon against the locking effects of the locking device 16 with forces.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Ladder platform hybrid, climbing device

12

First spar

14

Second spar

16

locking device

16a

Locking bracket, locking element

16b

Locking element, locking lever

16c

Rotary axis (of the locking lever)

16d

Swivel bracket (the locking device)

16e

Ironing extension

16f

attack

16g

joint sleeve

16h

locking cams

17

Clamps, especially with slip brake

18

rung

20

transport roller

22

stand essay

24

Supporting device, outrigger

26

crossmember

18

Hinge (the crossbar)

30

Main hinge (of the jib)

32

latching

32a

connecting joint

32b

pawl

32c

First pintle (of connecting link, swivel joint)

32d

Second pintle (of connecting link, swivel joint)

32e

Arretiergeometrie

34

Working platform, platform

34a

Sidebar (the platform)

36

Holm connection pivot

38

Horizontal bar, railing

39

safety cage

40

parallelogram

42

Shut-off device, shut-off line or chain

Claims (11)

Climbing device, in particular ladder-platform hybrid, with at least two first bars (12) connected to each other at least in pairs, - Wherein each pair of first spars (12) is connected to a respective pair of second spars (14); - wherein each pair of second spars (14) is longitudinally movable relative to the associated pair of first spars (12); characterized in that
at least one pair of first bars can be locked to the pair of second bars associated therewith by means of an adjustable locking means, in particular on the latter in both directions along the longitudinal direction of the associated pair of first bars (12) with respective blocking elements (16a, 16b). Climbing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking means (16) comprises an axis of rotation (16c) which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the spars (12, 14) between the pair of second spars (14), wherein a blocking element (16b ) starting from the axis of rotation (16c) reversibly between the associated pair of first bars can be brought to accomplish the locking in the vertical upward direction in the built state of the climbing device. Climbing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the blocking joint (16b) along the axis of rotation is movable in order to be brought from a holding position to be able to pivot about the axis of rotation (16c) to the locking element or the locking lever (16b ) to pivot between the associated pair of first bars (12) to be placed in the holding position. Climbing device according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the locking lever (16b) about the rotational axis (16c) is rotatable and lockable in at least one position or latched. Climbing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking device is associated with a return device which displaces the unlocked locking element (16b) back into a locked state in the vertical direction. Climbing device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that an adjustable support means (24) is provided on at least one of the first spars, which is pivotable out of the pair of spars (12) associated therewith from the plane defined by this pair. Climbing device according to claim 6, characterized in that the support means (24) is supported at a further area, which engages a strut (26) which is connected at its opposite side with a portion of the one of the first spars (12) the strut is preferably pivotally mounted with respect to both areas, wherein the strut and / or the support means (24) are preferably adjustable in length or telescopic. Climbing device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at the upper end of the climbing device, a platform (34) is provided which is held by a pivot joint (32a) on one of the pairs of second spars (14), wherein a pawl ( 32b) engageable with a locking geometry (32e) on the pivot joint. Climbing device according to claim 8, characterized in that the pivot joint is rotatably supported (32b, 32c) on the pair of second spars and / or on the platform. Climbing device according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the locking geometry (32c) is provided on an extension of the pivot joint near a pivot joint (32c) on the associated spar (14). Climbing device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that on the platform (34) a paralellogrammartige rod assembly (40) is provided on the at least one horizontal rod (38) is rotatably mounted rotatably on at least one of the spars of a pair of second spars (14) is mounted.

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