EP3415707B1 - Compact folding work platform with safety railing - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to the technical field of climbing equipment with folding worktop and railing, and more particularly relates to a secure work platform and reduced size.

PRIOR ART

• deux montants parallèles réunis par des traverses pour définir un plan de montée ;
• deux jambes d'appui, chacune articulée au sommet de l'un des montants pour occuper une position de rangement contre les montants, ou une position de stabilisation écartées des montants ;
• un plan de travail articulé entre les deux montants et les deux jambes d'appui et rabattable entre une position d'utilisation horizontale lorsque les jambes sont en position de stabilisation, et une position rabattue contre le plan de montée lorsque les jambes sont en position de rangement ;
• un garde-corps disposé au sommet du plan de montée et apte à adopter, sous l'action de bielles de commande, une position repliée alignée au plan de montée ou une position de sécurité horizontale.

It is known from the state of the art, a work platform comprising:

• two parallel uprights joined by sleepers to define a climb plan;
• two support legs, each articulated at the top of one of the uprights to occupy a storage position against the amounts, or a stabilization position spaced from the amounts;
• a worktop articulated between the two uprights and the two support legs and foldable between a horizontal use position when the legs are in the stabilizing position, and a folded position against the plan of climb when the legs are in the position of storage;
• a railing disposed at the top of the plan of climb and adapted to adopt, under the action of control rods, a folded position aligned with the plane of rise or a horizontal safety position.

Such a work platform generally designed to perform work at heights of between 2.5 and 4 meters. A recurring problem of this type of platform is that it is, in the folded position, too bulky in length, and is therefore difficult to transport in a compact commercial vehicle.

The Applicant has already attempted to solve this problem with the work platform described in the French patent FR 2,998,919 . This work platform is remarkable in that each of the amounts of the climb plan is composed of a top and a lower part connected to each other by a hinge with lockable positions to arrange and lock the lower part in the extension of the upper part, or to fold against it by imprisoning the legs of support retracted, while each of the telescopic support legs is composed of an articulated upper portion on the upright and a lower portion slidably mounted on the outside of the upper one. The end of this lower leg carries a complex articulation on which are articulated, on the one hand, the end of the corresponding fixed tie rod and, on the other hand, the end of the corresponding spacer arm, so that the legs extend when the worktop is brought into use position.

With this arrangement, the working platform has in the folded state a reduced length, between 1.4 and 1.6 meters, for easy storage in a van or a particular car.

The applicant has also perfected this type of work platform by proposing in particular the working platform described in the French patent. FR 3,027,942 . According to this invention, each control rod of the guardrail is independent of the work plane and its lower end is articulated against the inner face of the corresponding amount. In addition, each of the rods carries hinge bearings of a gate extending transversely towards the gate of the other rod.

With this arrangement, the work plan is independent of the railing and is insensitive to the efforts received by the latter and, in particular, the exceptional efforts resulting from excessive support of the user on the crossbar or the associated gates at the railing. In addition, when the force is transmitted to the gates, it is transmitted by connecting rods directly to the uprights, therefore without increasing its value, as is the case in the work platforms with gates articulated on the connecting rods. a parallelogram for example. As a result, the profiles of the uprights do not need to be thickened to withstand the effort.

Although entirely satisfactory, these work platforms can still be improved, particularly in terms of kinematics and bulk.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the aims of the invention is therefore to provide a foldable work platform with safety railings whose length and folded position can be reduced for transport and storage, without changes in its structure impair the automation of its deployment and its folding, resistance or stability in the deployed state.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a work platform whose deployment kinematics is simple, safe and fast.

• deux montants parallèles réunis par des traverses pour définir un plan de montée ;
• deux jambes d'appui, chacune articulée au sommet de l'un des montants pour occuper une position de rangement contre les montants, ou une position de stabilisation écartées des montants ;
• un plan de travail articulé entre les deux montants et les deux jambes d'appui et rabattable entre une position d'utilisation horizontale lorsque les jambes sont en position de stabilisation, et une position rabattue contre le plan de montée lorsque les jambes sont en position de rangement ;
• un garde-corps disposé au sommet du plan de montée et apte à adopter, sous l'action de bielles de commande, une position repliée alignée au plan de montée ou une position de sécurité horizontale.

To this end, a work platform has been developed in accordance with the state of the art in that it comprises:

• two parallel uprights joined by sleepers to define a climb plan;
• two support legs, each articulated at the top of one of the uprights to occupy a storage position against the amounts, or a stabilization position spaced from the amounts;
• a worktop articulated between the two uprights and the two support legs and foldable between a horizontal use position when the legs are in the stabilizing position, and a folded position against the plan of climb when the legs are in the position of storage;
• a railing disposed at the top of the plan of climb and adapted to adopt, under the action of control rods, a folded position aligned with the plane of rise or a horizontal safety position.

According to the invention, the railing is articulated with respect to two parallel secondary uprights, which are pivotally mounted about an axis of articulation relative to the uprights of the mounting plane to tilt from an extended position in the extension of said amounts to a folded position against the plane of climb, the guardrail and the control rods being, in the folded position, folded against the secondary uprights.

In addition, the control rods are, on the one hand, pivotally mounted relative to the uprights of the plane of rise around a hinge axis common with that of the secondary uprights and, on the other hand, articulated on mounted collars. sliding on the railing.

Thus, the invention provides a working platform of reduced size in that the structure carrying the railing, namely the secondary uprights, and the control rods can be tilted and folded against the plane of rise along the same axis hinge. The fact that this axis is common also reduces the size of the working platform in the folded storage position.

In addition, the strength and stability of the railing is optimal since the efforts are concentrated, via the pivot points on the uprights of the climb plan.

Advantageously, each control rod comprises two rotational bearings spaced apart and receiving the branches of a U-shaped gate.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the two support legs or the amounts of the plane of rise are joined, at the vertices, by a lower sub-smooth disposed parallel to the guardrail in the safety position.

In this configuration, the two support legs and the lower sub-smooth are made in one piece. This characteristic is advantageous in that it makes it possible to reduce the space requirement to a greater extent.

Preferably, and to increase the maximum height of work with the platform according to the invention, or to use it on a non-horizontal ground, each support leg comprises a telescopic end portion slidably mounted on the end of the support leg and having a longitudinal slot provided with positioning notches and support able to cooperate with at least one finger projecting from the support leg.

In the same way, the working platform advantageously comprises a second climbing plane also composed of parallel uprights joined by crosspieces, and slidably mounted on the first rise plane.

To ensure optimum stability of the work platform, the ends of the support legs are inclined to move away from each other. In this way, the longer the legs are extended, the longer the wheelbase and stability.

Preferably, each amount of the climbing plane comprises a wing fixed on an outer face and at the level of the summit of said upright and overflowing from the plane of rise, each wing comprises an opening opening adapted to receive in engagement a locking and return finger disposed on each outer face of the secondary uprights for locking in the deployed position in the extension of said uprights.

Finally, to facilitate the movement of the work platform, including the crossing of a step, each amount of the climb plan, or the secondary climb plan, comprises at a lower end, a set of three wheels mounted pivoting about a transverse axis.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

• la figure 1 est une vue illustrant en perspective et de trois quart face, la plateforme de travail selon l'invention en position déployée d'utilisation ;
• la figure 2 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 1, en perspective trois quart arrière ;
• la figure 3 est une vue illustrant de côté la plateforme de travail en position déployée ;
• la figure 4 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 3, les jambes d'appui et le second plan de montée étant déployés ;
• la figure 5 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 3, le garde-corps et les bielles de commande étant repliés contre les montants secondaires ;
• la figure 6 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 5, les montants secondaires étant en cours de reploiement contre le plan de montée ;
• la figure 7 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 6, les montants secondaires étant rabattus contre le plan de montée ;
• la figure 8 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 7, en perspective ;
• la figure 9 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 7, les jambes d'appui étant en cours de reploiement contre le plan de montée ;
• la figure 10 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 9, les jambes d'appui étant rabattues contre le plan de montée, et des roues sont représentées ;
• la figure 11 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 10, la plateforme de travail comprenant un ensemble pivotant de trois roues de franchissement ;
• la figure 12 est une vue de détail illustrant en perspective des moyens de verrouillage des montants secondaires en position déployée ;
• la figure 13 est une vue de détail illustrant en perspective l'axe commun de pivotement des bielles et des montants secondaires par rapport aux montants du plan de montée.

Other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, of the working platform according to the invention, from the attached drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is a view illustrating in perspective and three quarter face, the working platform according to the invention in the deployed position of use;
• the figure 2 is a view similar to that of the figure 1 , in perspective three quarter back;
• the figure 3 is a side view illustrating the working platform in deployed position;
• the figure 4 is a view similar to that of the figure 3 the supporting legs and the second climb plan being deployed;
• the figure 5 is a view similar to that of the figure 3 the guardrail and the control rods being folded against the secondary uprights;
• the figure 6 is a view similar to that of the figure 5 , the secondary uprights being being bent against the climb plan;
• the figure 7 is a view similar to that of the figure 6 , the secondary uprights being folded against the plan of climb;
• the figure 8 is a view similar to that of the figure 7 , in perspective ;
• the figure 9 is a view similar to that of the figure 7 , the supporting legs being in the process of being folded against the plane of climb;
• the figure 10 is a view similar to that of the figure 9 , the supporting legs being folded against the plane of rise, and wheels are represented;
• the figure 11 is a view similar to that of the figure 10 the work platform comprising a pivoting assembly of three crossing wheels;
• the figure 12 is a detail view illustrating in perspective means for locking the secondary uprights in the deployed position;
• the figure 13 is a detail view illustrating in perspective the common axis of pivoting rods and secondary amounts relative to the amounts of the climb plan.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to Figures 1 to 13 the invention relates to a working platform (1) secured with worktop (2) and railing (3) foldable, whose size is reduced to facilitate its transport, especially in a compact commercial vehicle.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2 , and in a known manner, the working platform (1) comprises a rise plane (4), composed of two parallel uprights (4a) joined by crosspieces (4b) forming steps, and an upper bar (4c) ) for the articulation of a worktop (2).

The working platform (1) comprises two telescopic support legs (5) joined transversely by a bar (5a) for supporting the work plane (2) in the extended position of the working platform (1) such that it will be described below. Each leg (5) is hinged to the top of one of the uprights (4a) to occupy a storage position ( Figures 10 and 11 ) against the uprights (4a), or a stabilizing position ( Figures 1 to 8 ) away from the amounts (4a). With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 8 , the ends of the legs (5) of support are inclined to move away from each other to optimize the stability of the work platform (1).

The legs (5) of support are joined at their summit by a lower sub-smooth (6) disposed parallel to the guardrail (3) in the safety position. With reference to Figures 3, 4 and 8 , it may also be envisaged, without departing from the scope of the invention, that the lower sub-smooth (6) is fixed directly to the uprights (4a) of the rise plane (4) and in the extension thereof. However, and according to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the fact that the lower sub-smooth (6) is fixed directly on the legs (5) support and in the extension thereof reduces the length of the working platform (1) in folded position. Indeed, the tilting of the legs (5) of support against the plane of rise (4) allows to incline the lower sub-smooth (6) downwards and to reduce the length of the work platform (1).

Advantageously, the two support legs (5) and the lower sub-smooth (6) are made in one piece, for example by means of a curved tubular profile. According to another embodiment, the bent tubular section is welded at its lower end to a U-shaped bow (7) whose branches form the legs of the legs (5) support.

With reference to the figure 4 and in order to increase the length of the supporting legs (5) for higher work, on non-level ground, or on a step, the legs of the supporting legs (5) comprise each a telescopic end portion (8) slidably mounted on the end of the support leg (5). In a known manner, the telescopic parts (8) each have a longitudinal slot provided with positioning and support notches adapted to cooperate with at least one finger protruding from the support leg. The telescopic portion (8) and the support leg (5) are connected by elastic means which tend to bring them back to the retracted position, as soon as the finger is released from the locking catch which previously held it. This unlocking operation requires a manual action on the telescopic part (8) combining a rotation and an elongation so that the protruding finger comes out of the notch and is found in the longitudinal lumen. This combination of movements guarantees the absence of inadvertent unlocking.

For the same purpose, the working platform (1) comprises a second plane of rise (9) composed of parallel uprights (9a) joined by sleepers (9b), and slidably mounted on the first rise plane (4) to form an enhancement. This type of second rise plan (9) is well known from the state of the art and will not be described in detail.

With reference to the figure 9 , the work surface (2) of the work platform (1) is articulated between the two uprights (4a) of the rise plane (4) and the two legs (5) of support. More specifically, the work surface (2) is pivotally mounted on the transverse bar (4c) of the plane of rise (4) to switch between a folded position folded against the plane of rise (4) and a horizontal position of use in support locked on the bar (5a) joining the legs (5) support, or two projecting fingers of each leg (5) support. The work surface (2) is connected to the legs (5) support by two lateral arms (2a) pivoting.

The working platform (1) comprises a U-shaped foldable railing (3) whose lateral branches (3a) are articulated at the transverse bar (3b) by axes and at the vertices of two secondary uprights. (10) parallel. In order to further reduce the length of the working platform (1) in the folded position, the two secondary uprights (10) are pivotally mounted about an articulation axis (11) relative to the uprights (4a) of the climbing plane (4) to switch from an extended position in the extension of said uprights (4a) to a folded position against the rise (4).

Two control rods (12) make it possible to deploy the railing (3) in a safety position, cf. figure 3 . The control rods (12) are, on the one hand, pivotally mounted relative to the uprights (4a) of the rise plane (4) around a joint axis (11) common with that of the secondary uprights (10). and, on the other hand, hinged on collars (13) slidably mounted on the guardrail (3). Thus, in the stowed storage position and with reference to the figure 5 , the guardrail (3) and the connecting rods control (12) are folded against the secondary uprights (10), which are folded against the plane of rise (4).

More specifically, and with reference to the figure 13 , each upright (4a) of the rise plane (4) comprises at the level of an upper part, two plates (14) fixed on either side of the upright (4a) and in overflow in the opposite direction to the legs (5) support. These plates (14) receive between them the lower end of one of the control rods (12) articulated along the axis of articulation (11). Two arms (15) are also articulated around the same axis of articulation (11) and are fixedly connected to either side of one of the secondary uprights (10). In this way, the secondary uprights (10) and the control rods (12) both pivot relative to the uprights (4a) of the rise plane (4) and around the same hinge axis (11).

With reference to the figure 12 , and in order to allow the locking of the secondary uprights (10) in the deployed position, each upright (4a) of the rise plane (4) comprises a wing (16) fixed on an outer face and at the top of said upright (4a) . Each wing (16) protrudes from the plane of rise (4), and comprises a through hole (16a) adapted to receive in engagement a finger (16b) locking and return disposed on each outer face of the secondary uprights (10) for their locking in the extended position in the extension of said uprights (4a).

Each control rod (12) is independent of the work plane (2) and carries two bearings (12a) spaced apart and serving for the articulation of the two arms (15) of a door (17) in the shape of a U. La width of each gate (17) is equal to half the interval between the connecting rods (12) and is smaller than the length of the branches (3a) of the guardrail (3) so as to be able to fall back below they without difficulties.

Preferably, and in a known manner, each of the branches (3a) of the guardrail (3) is provided, near its free end, with a well known means, manually unlockable, ensuring the automatic locking of the collar (13). ) slidably articulated to the rod (12) when the collar (13) reaches its working position.

With reference to figures 10 and 11 , and to facilitate the movement of the work platform (1), each upright (4a, 9a) of the rise plane (4), or the secondary rise plane (9), comprises at a lower end, at least one wheel, and preferably a set (19) of three wheels (18) pivoted about a transverse axis to allow the crossing of steps. The wheel or wheels (18) protrude in the direction opposite to the support legs (5) so that they allow the work platform (1) to stand upright when folded, and do not increase the the size of the working platform (1) in the folded storage position.

• écartement des jambes (5) télescopique jusqu'à la position de stabilisation, permettant concomitamment le rabattement du plan de travail (2) en position d'utilisation horizontale ;
• basculement des montants secondaires (10) dans la position déployée dans le prolongement des montants (4a) du plan de montée (4), cf. figure 6 ;
• si besoin, réglage en hauteur et en horizontalité du plan de travail (2), en déployant le plan de montée (9) secondaire et/ou en déployant les parties télescopiques (8) des jambes (5) d'appui ;
• lorsque le plan de travail (2) est sensiblement horizontale, basculement des bielles de commande (12) pour les écarter des montants secondaires (10), ce qui entraine le déploiement du garde-corps (3) vers le haut, jusqu'à ce que les colliers (13) coulissants se déplaçant sur les branches (36a) du garde-corps (3) se verrouillent, correspondant à une position horizontale du garde-corps (3).

In practice, the deployment from a folded storage position is done intuitively by successively performing the following phases:

• distance of the legs (5) telescopic to the stabilization position, while concomitantly folding the worktop (2) in horizontal use position;
• tilting the secondary uprights (10) in the deployed position in the extension of the uprights (4a) of the rise (4), cf. figure 6 ;
• if necessary, adjusting the height and the horizontality of the work surface (2), by deploying the secondary plane of rise (9) and / or by deploying the telescopic parts (8) of the legs (5) of support;
• when the worktop (2) is substantially horizontal, tilting of the control rods (12) to separate them from the secondary uprights (10), which causes the deployment of the railing (3) upwards, until that the collars (13) sliding on the legs (36a) of the railing (3) lock, corresponding to a horizontal position of the guardrail (3).

The user can then come on the work surface (2) by pushing the doors (17) forward. These return to the closed position as soon as it is completely installed.

Obviously, the folding is done by proceeding in a manner opposite to that just described.

Claims (9)

1. Working platform (1) incorporating:

   - two parallel uprights (4a) connected by two cross-beams (4b) to establish a climbing surface (4);

   - two bearing legs (5), with each being articulated at the top of one of the uprights (4a) in order to occupy a position of storage against the uprights (4a) or a position of separated stabilization of the uprights (4a);

   - an articulated work surface (2) between the two uprights (4a) and the two legs (5) being foldable between a position of horizontal use when the legs (5) are in the stabilization position, and a position in which they are folded against the climbing surface (4) when the legs (5) are in the storage position;

   - a railing (3) positioned at the top of the climbing surface (4) and being able to adopt - under the action of control rods (12) - a folded position aligned with the climbing surface (4) or a horizontal safety position;
   characterized by the fact that the railing (3) is articulated in relationship to two parallel secondary uprights (10) that are mounted such as to pivot around an axis of articulation (11) in relation to the uprights (4a) of the climbing surface (4), in order to tip from a deployed position in extension of the said uprights (4a) to a position folded against the climbing surface (4), with the railing (3) and the control rods (12) being - in the folded position - folded against the secondary uprights (10), and by the fact that the control rods (12) are, firstly, mounted such as to pivot in relationship to the uprights (4a) of the climbing surface (4) around an axis of articulation (11) that is common with that of the secondary uprights (10) and, secondly, articulated on collars (13) mounted such as to slide on the railing (3).
2. Working platform (1) in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that each control rod (12) incorporates two spaced rotary bearings (12a) that accommodate the branches of a U-shaped gate (17).
3. Working platform (1) in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that the two bearing legs (5) or the uprights (4a) of the climbing surface (4) are joined at the top by a lower secondary rail (6) positioned parallel with the railing (3) in the safety position.
4. Working platform (1) in accordance with claim 3, characterized by the fact that the two bearing legs (5) and the lower secondary rail (6) are manufactured in one piece.
5. Working platform (1) in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that each bearing leg (5) incorporates one telescopic end part (8) mounted such as to slide on the end of the bearing leg (5), and having a longitudinal opening endowed with positioning and bearing notches that are able to interoperate with at least one salient finger of the bearing leg (5).
6. Working platform (1) in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that the ends of the bearing legs (5) are inclined so as to be separated from each other.
7. Working platform (1) in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that each upright (4a) of the climbing platform (4) incorporates a wing (16) secured onto one exterior face and, at the top of the said upright (4a), and in extension from the climbing surface (4), each wing (16) incorporates an aperture (16a) able to accommodate one locking and return finger (16b) positioned on each external face of the secondary uprights (10), for their locking in the deployed position in extension from the said uprights (4a).
8. Working platform (1) in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that it incorporates a second climbing surface (9) that is also composed of parallel uprights (9a) joined by cross-beams (9b), and being mounted such as to slide on the first climbing surface (4).
9. Working platform (1) in accordance with one of claims 1 or 8, characterized by the fact that each upright (4a, 9a) of the climbing surface (4) or the secondary climbing surface (9) incorporates - at one lower end - a set (19) of three wheels (18) pivoting around a transversal axis.

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