GB2128555A

GB2128555A - A vehicle having a demountable work platform

Info

Publication number: GB2128555A
Application number: GB08327390A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Denish Henry Ashworth
Original assignee: Simon Engineering Dudley Ltd
Current assignee: Simon Engineering Dudley Ltd
Priority date: 1982-10-14
Filing date: 1983-10-13
Publication date: 1984-05-02
Also published as: GB2128555B; GB8327390D0

Abstract

A tractor (10) has a platform (11) demountably attached thereto. A framework (13) having four vertically extending jacks (19) is supported on the tractor (10) by engaging pins (21, 26). By extending jacks (19) to the ground, pins (21, 26) can be disengaged allowing platform (11) to be lowered to the ground on jacks (19), and the tractor (10) driven away. Platform (11) may support boom structure (14, 16) and working cage (18). Platform (11) is remounted on tractor (10) by reverse operational sequence. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A vehicle having a demountable work platform This invention concerns a vehicle having a demountable work platform. The vehicle may be a tractor, for example, and the work platform may be a boom system mounted on a supporting structure and elevatable to provide access to positions above the ground. Indeed, there are many kinds of vehicle-borne work platforms where the platform cannot be separated from the vehicle to enable the vehicle to be utilised for other duties elsewhere. The term "work platform" is used herein to refer to any piece of equipment or tool which is required to be transported from place to place.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved system combining a vehicle and a demountable work platform therefor, which enables delivery and collection of the work platform by the vehicle to be carried out with greater ease and speed, but also renders the vehicle free for other duties.

According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle having a demountable work platform, the platform comprising a framework with at least one jack extendible downwardly to support the framework above the ground, and releasable locating means operable to engage the vehicle with the framework such that with the jack or jacks extended, said platform may be engaged with or separated from the vehicle, the jack or jacks being retractable to elevate them into a travelling position when the platform is mounted on the vehicle, and to lower the platform into a position adjacent the ground after the vehicle and platform have been separated, whereby the vehicle may be driven away.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, which takes the form of a hydraulically elevatable boom assembly mounted on a supporting platform and carrying at four corners thereof a series of hydraulically extending jacks, the whole apparatus being mountable on or demountable from a tractor. Such an arrangement is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing a general arrangement of the apparatus mounted on the chassis of the tractor; Fig. 2 is a front view showing one locating means for engaging the platform with the vehicle; and Fig. 3 is a front view of a further locating means therefor.

Referring now to the drawings, the apparatus generally comprises a tractor 10 and an access platform 1 The latter is mounted via a turntable 12 on a supporting framework 1 3, and comprises a first boom 14 capable of elevation relative to the framework by means of hydraulic cylinder 15, and a second boom 1 6 capable of elevation relative to the boom 14 by means of a hydraulic cylinder 17.

Mounted on the free end of the second boom 1 6 is a working cage or platform 1 8 for carrying tools or personnel to an elevated position above the ground. An automatic levelling system (not shown) is provided to ensure that the cage 1 8 remains level for all configurations of the boom assembly.

At each corner of the framework 1 3 is an hydraulically operable jack 1 9 which may extend downwardly into contact with the ground. The pair of jacks 19 adjacent the front of the tractor 10 are mounted on outriggers 20 which are also extendible outwardly from a travelling position in which the front jacks are close to the sides of the vehicle, to a position in which they are disposed outside of the wheel base of the tractor. A source of hydraulic fluid for the various extending parts of the apparatus is pumped by the usual power takeoff mechanism on the tractor 1 0.

In the drawings, the apparatus is shown with the work platform 11 mounted in a travelling position upon the tractor 10. In this condition, a pair of horizontal pins 21 fixed to and extending outwardly from the sides of the tractor chassis 22 are located in corresponding tapering slots 23 in the front end of framework 13. Towards the rear of the framework 13 on each side thereof, is attached a mounting bracket 24 having a slot 25 therein opening downwardly. Aligned with the slot 25, in the two side members of tractor chassis 22, there is an aperture adapted to receive a removable pin 26 which is long enough to be engaged also in the slot 25 of bracket 24.

Therefore, in the travelling position shown in the drawings, the work platform 11 is supported and prevented from movement relative to the tractor in either the longitudinal or transverse direction.

When it is required to demount the work platform 11 from the tractor, the outriggers 20 are extended to place the front pair of jacks outside the bounds of the wheel base of the tractor. All jacks are then extended downwardly into contact with the ground in order to support the platform 11. The rear locating pins 26 are then removed and the tractor is driven forwards far enough to disengage the pins 21 from the slots 23 in the front end of framework 13. Thereafter, the jacks are retracted to lower the framework 1 3 onto the ground. Finally, after raising the boom 16, the tractor may be driven forwardly away from the platform 11 by permitting the rear wheels of the tractor to ride over the outriggers 20. To facilitate this, a pair of shallow ramps (not shown) are preferably attached to the outriggers.Using an auxiliary power source, the jacks 19 may be extended individually to level and stabilise the work platform 11 on uneven ground, and to elevate the booms 14 and 16, and rotate the turntable 12.

The reverse procedure to that described above is adopted for remounting the work platform on the tractor.

In an alternative arrangement, the slots 23 may be disposed towards the rear end of framework 13, whilst the mounting bracket 24 may be adjacent the front end. In this case, with the jacks extended downwardly onto the ground, for separation, the tractor must be driven rearwardly after removal of the pins 26,before lowering the framework 1 3 to the ground.

Additionally, in some cases it may be preferable for the platform to be mounted on the tractor the other way around, i.e. with the boom 1 6 adjacent the rear. This can easily be achieved by suitable arrangement of the pins 21 and 26, the slot 23 and the bracket 24.

Claims

1. A vehicle having a demountable work platform, the platform comprising a framework with at least one jack extendible downwardly to support the framework above the ground, and releasable locating means operable to engage the vehicle with the framework such that with the jack or jacks extended, said platform may be engaged with or separated from the vehicle, the jack or jacks being retractable to elevate them into a travelling position when the platform is mounted on the vehicle, and to lower the platform into a position adjacent the ground after the vehicle and platform have been separated, whereby the vehicle may be driven away.

2. A vehicle according to Claim 1, wherein said releasable locating means comprises at least one pin removably engaged within aligned apertures in the platform and a chassis member on said vehicle.

3. A vehicle according to Claim 2, wherein said releasable locating means further includes, between said platform and a vehicle chassis member, at least one further pin and associated tapered slot said slot opening generally horizontally to receive said pin by driving the vehicle in the forwards or rearwards direction.

4. A vehicle according to any preceding claim, including a plurality of jacks, at least two of which are mounted on outriggers disposed with respect to the vehicle wheels such that the latter roll over said outriggers as the vehicle is driven away after separation of the platform.

5. A vehicle according to Claim 4, wherein said outriggers are equipped with ramps to facilitate passage of the vehicle wheels over the outriggers.

6. A vehicle according to any preceding claim, in the form of a tractor, said platform consisting of a framework, a turntable thereon and an hydraulically operable boom assembly mounted on said turntable for rotation about a vertical axis, and comprising one or more booms capable of elevation relative to the framework to provide access to elevated positions above the platform.

7. A vehicle according to Claim 6, wherein a source of hydraulic power for operation of said jacks is taken from the usual power take-off mechanism on the tractor.

8. A vehicle according to Claim 4, wherein said outriggers are extendible transversely to the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle between positions within and outside the wheel base thereof respectively.

9. A vehicle having a demountable work platform, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.