FR3067742B1 - FOLDING WORK PLATFORM REDUCED WITH SAFETY GUARD RAIL - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a work platform (1) for safety comprising: - two parallel uprights (4a) joined by crosspieces (4b) to define a rise plane (4); - Two support legs (5), each hinged to the top of one of the uprights (4a) to occupy a storage position against the uprights (4a), or a stabilization position spaced from the uprights (4a); - A work surface (2) articulated between the two uprights (4a) and the two legs (5) for support and foldable between a horizontal position of use when the legs (5) are in the stabilizing position, and a position folded against the climbing plane (4) when the legs (5) are in the storage position; a railing (3) disposed at the top of the plane of rise (4) and adapted to adopt, under the action of control rods (12), a folded position aligned with the plane of rise (4) or a safety position horizontal. According to the invention, the railing (3) is articulated with respect to two parallel secondary uprights (10), pivotally mounted about an articulation axis (11) with respect to the uprights (4a) of the plane of rise ( 4) to switch from an extended position in the extension of said uprights (4a) to a folded position against the plane of rise (4), the guardrail (3) and the control rods (12) being in the folded position , folded against the secondary uprights (10), the control rods (12) are, on the one hand, pivotally mounted relative to the uprights (4a) of the plane of rise (4) about an axis of articulation (11). ) common with that of the secondary uprights (10) and, secondly, hinged on collars (13) slidably mounted on the guardrail (3).

Description

Collapsible work platform with reduced footprint and guard

SECURITY body

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.

Previous art

It is known from the state of the art, a working platform comprising: two parallel uprights joined by cross members 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 French patent FR 2 998 919. This working platform is remarkable in that each of the amounts of the climb plan is composed of a top part 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 trapping the retracted support legs while each of the telescopic support legs is composed of an upper part hinged to the upright and a lower part 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 surface 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.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a foldable work platform with a safety guard whose length and folded position can be reduced for transport and storage without that the modifications of its structure alter the automatism of its deployment and its folding, its resistance or its stability in the deployed state.

Another objective of the invention is to provide such a work platform whose deployment kinematics are simple, safe and fast. To this end, a work platform has been developed in accordance with that of the state of the art in that it comprises: two parallel uprights joined together by crosspieces 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.

In order to ensure optimum stability of the working platform, the ends of the support legs are inclined to move away from one another. 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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 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 appended drawings in which: FIG. a view illustrating in perspective and three quarter face, the working platform according to the invention in the deployed position of use; Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, in perspective three quarter back; Figure 3 is a view illustrating the side of the working platform in the deployed position; Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 3, the support legs and the second plane of rise being deployed; Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 3, the guardrail and the control rods being folded against the secondary uprights; FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5, the secondary uprights being in the process of being folded against the plane of rise; Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 6, the secondary uprights being folded against the plane of rise; Figure 8 is a view similar to that of Figure 7, in perspective; Figure 9 is a view similar to that of Figure 7, the support legs being being folded against the plane of rise; Figure 10 is a view similar to that of Figure 9, the support legs being folded against the plane of rise, and wheels are shown; Figure 11 is a view similar to that of Figure 10, the work platform comprising a pivoting assembly of three crossing wheels; Figure 12 is a detail view illustrating in perspective locking means of the secondary uprights in the deployed position; Figure 13 is a detail view illustrating in perspective the common axis of pivoting rods and secondary amounts relative to the uprights of the plane of rise.

Detailed Description of the Invention

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

Referring 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 by an upper bar (4c) for the articulation of a work plane (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) being separated from the amounts (4a). Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 8, the ends of the legs (5) 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 FIGS. 3, 4 and 8, it may also be envisaged, without departing from the scope of the invention, for the lower subrange (6) to be fixed directly to the uprights (4a) of the rise plane (4). and in the continuation of these. 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 FIG. 4, and in order to make it possible to increase the length of the supporting legs (5) to carry out work on a higher ground, on a non-horizontal floor, or on a stair step, the feet of the legs ( 5) each comprise a portion (8) of telescopic end slidably mounted on the end of the leg (5) support. 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 portion (8) combining rotation and 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.

Referring to Figure 9, the work plane (2) of the work platform (1) is articulated between the two uprights (4a) of the rise plane (4) and the two legs (5) 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 (3 a) are articulated, at the crossbar (3b), by axes and at the tops of two uprights. secondary (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. FIG. 3. The control rods (12) are, on the one hand, pivotally mounted with respect 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, articulated on collars (13) slidably mounted on the guardrail (3). Thus, in the folded storage position and with reference to FIG. 5, the railing (3) and the control rods (12) are folded against the secondary uprights (10), which are folded against the plane of rise (4). ).

More specifically, and with reference to FIG. 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 overflowing 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).

Referring to Figure 12, and 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 amount (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 FIGS. 10 and 11, and to facilitate the movement of the work platform (1), each upright (4a, 9a) of the rise plane (4), or of the secondary rise plane (9), comprises at the level a lower end, at least one wheel, and preferably a set (19) of three wheels (18) pivotally mounted 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.

In practice, the deployment from a folded storage position is carried out intuitively by performing successively the following phases: - spacing of the legs (5) telescopic to the stabilization position, concomitantly allowing the folding of the worktop (2) in horizontal position of use; - Tilt secondary uprights (10) in the extended position in the extension of the uprights (4a) of the rise (4), cf. Figure 6; - if necessary, adjustment in height and horizontality of the work plane (2), by deploying the secondary plane of rise (9) and / or by deploying the telescopic parts (8) of the legs (5) support; - When the work plane (2) is substantially horizontal, tilting of the control rods (12) to remove secondary amounts (10), resulting in the deployment of the railing (3) upwards, up to the collars (13) sliding on the limbs (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)

A safety work platform (1) comprising: two parallel uprights (4a) joined by sleepers (4b) to define a rise plane (4); two support legs (5), each hinged to the top of one of the uprights (4a) to occupy a storage position against the uprights (4a), or a stabilization position spaced apart from the uprights (4a); a work surface (2) articulated between the two uprights (4a) and the two support legs (5) and foldable between a horizontal use position when the legs (5) are in the stabilizing position, and a folded position against the climbing plane (4) when the legs (5) are in the storage position; a railing (3) disposed at the top of the rise plane (4) and adapted to adopt, under the action of control rods (12), a folded position aligned with the rise plane (4) or a safety position horizontal; characterized in that the railing (3) is articulated with respect to two parallel secondary uprights (10), which 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 plane (4), the guardrail (3) and the control rods (12) being in position folded, folded against the secondary uprights (10), and in that the control rods (12) are, on the one hand, pivotally mounted relative to the uprights (4a) of the rise plane (4) about an axis joint (11) common with that of the secondary uprights (10) and, secondly, articulated on collars (13) slidably mounted on the guardrail (3). 2. Work platform (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each control rod (12) comprises two rotatable bearings (12a) spaced apart and receiving the branches of a gate (17) U-shaped. 3. Work platform (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the two legs (5) of support or amounts (4a) of the plane of rise (4) are joined at the vertices by a sub-smooth lower (6) disposed parallel to the railing (3) in the safety position. 4. Working platform (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the two support legs (5) and the lower sub-smooth (6) are made in one piece. 5. Working platform (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each support leg (5) comprises a telescopic end portion (8) slidably mounted on the end of the support leg (5). and having a longitudinal lumen provided with positioning and bearing notches adapted to cooperate with at least one protruding finger of the support leg (5). 6. Work platform (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the ends of the legs (5) support are inclined to move away from each other. 7. Work platform (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each upright (4a) of the plane of rise (4) comprises a wing (16) fixed on an outer face and at the top of said upright (4a) and in overflow of the plane of rise (4), each wing (16) comprises a hole (16a) opening 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 deployed position in the extension of said uprights (4a). 8. Work platform (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a second plane of rise (9) also composed of parallel uprights (9a) joined by sleepers (9b), and slidably mounted on the first climbing plan (4). 9. Working platform (1) according to one of claims 1 or 8, characterized in that each amount (4a, 9a) of the rise plane (4), or the secondary rise plan (9) comprises at the level a lower end, a set (19) of three wheels (18) pivotally mounted about a transverse axis.