GB2170542A

GB2170542A - Mobile platform

Info

Publication number: GB2170542A
Application number: GB08500597A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jack Hickey
Original assignee: Martin Thomas Ltd
Current assignee: Martin Thomas Ltd
Priority date: 1985-01-10
Filing date: 1985-01-10
Publication date: 1986-08-06
Also published as: GB8500597D0; GB2170542B

Abstract

A mobile platform is provided for carrying out maintenance work, e.g, on aircraft, comprising a vertical main frame 11 having on each side thereof a pair of side frames 13, 15, 17, 19 pivotally connected to it for movement between folded positions extending generally parallel to the main frame. The side frames are of generally ladder-like construction, so that rungs thereof extend horizontally. A pair of work platforms are arranged to be removably supported by respective rungs of each pair of side frames. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Mobile platform This invention relates to a mobile platform for carrying out maintenance work for example on aircraft. It will be appreciated, however, that the mobile platform could be used for other purposes.

Mobile maintenance platforms are well known and one such platform is that the subject of our U.K. Patent No.1422237. The platform disclosed in that specification is really designed as a mobile staging suitable for builders and is comprised of a side frame and a pair of end frames arranged in use to extend normal to the side frame at each end thereof but arranged to be folded so as to lie generally parallel to the side frame for storage purposes. This mobile staging incorporates a fixed work platform at one level and a removable work platform which can be located at several different levels on rungs forming part of the end frames when they are removed to their operative position.This staging, while satisfactory for performing simple building tasks, is not however sufficiently versatile for undertaking maintenance on aircraft and there is therefore a demand for a more substantial multi-level maintenance platform which can be used for maintenance work on different types of aircraft and is also sufficiently sturdy to support engine parts and the like or for that matter to support ammunition being loaded onto the aircraft. There have in the past been various proposals put forward for such staging but the prior proposals have not met with universal acceptance due, for example, to their size or weight or inability to fold up sufficiently small for transportation from one location to another.

According to the present invention, we provide a mobile platform for carrying out maintenance work, e.g. on aircraft, comprising a vertical main frame having on each side thereof a pair of side frames pivotally connected to it for movement between folded positions extending generally parallel to the main frame and open positions extending substantially normal to the main frame, each side frame being of generally ladder-like construction so that rungs thereof extend horizontally and a pair of work platforms arranged to be removably supported by respective rungs of each pair of side frames.Preferably, one of the pair of side frames is provided with support means so that when the work platforms have been removed from their respective rungs and the side frames have been moved to their folded positions, the work platforms can be supported on said support means preferably so as to be in a generally vertical plane.

Preferably, the support means for the work platforms comprises a vertically extending stowage tube fixed in parallel spaced relationship to one of the frame members of each of the side frames of said one pair of side frames, each of the stowage tubes having a length at least equal to and preferably greater than the combined width of the two work platforms.

Preferably, a central support flange is provided on each tube to support one of the platforms, the other platform resting on a support bracket for the respective tube. It is preferred that the support platforms are formed from a generally rectangular framework covered by a support surface, the framework being provided at each of its ends with outwardly extending generally parallel hooks incorporating snap action latches so that in use the hooks can be latched in position on generally horizontally extending rungs of the side frames at the desired height.

Preferably, the side frames are maintained in their open positions by one or more horizontal braces formed of tubular scaffold material and provided with hook-shaped ends incorporating snap action latches which latchingly engage with horizontal rungs of the side frames.

Preferably, said one pair of side frames are approximately equal in height to the height of the main frame, whereas the other pair of side frames are approximately half the height of the main frame.

Preferably, the pivot axes for the other pair of side frames are located in parallel spaced relationship with respective upright end frame members of the main frame so that when the other pair of side frames are in their folded position, they will be in parallel spaced relationship with a lower portion of the main frame.

Preferably, this is achieved by providing two spaced horizontally extending brackets on each of the said end frame members between the ends of which said pivot axes extend.

Preferably, a toeboard extends between upper ones of said brackets so that when one of the work platforms is located on upper rungs of the side frames of said other pair, its bottom edge will coincide approximately with the upper face of the work platform.

Preferably, guard or hand rails are provided for use with at least one of the work platforms and for this purpose each work platform is provided with sockets to receive the lower ends of upright frame members forming part of said guard or hand rails.

Preferably, the guard or hand rails comprise a main rail assembly having a length corresponding to the main frame and two side assemblies foldably connected to brackets fixed to uprights of the main assembly and movable between an open position in which the side assemblies are co-extensive with the side frames, and folded positions in which they extend generally parallel with the main rail assembly.

Preferably, an upper horizontally extending rail forming part of the main frame has a pair of stirrup-like stowage brackets secured thereto, horizontally extending portions of these brackets extending outwardly from the main frame by a distance substantially equal to the length of the brackets secured to the uprights of the main frame, thus allowing the guard or hand rail, when not being used, to be stored with an upper rail thereof supported on the stowage brackets and the lower ends of the uprights thereof supported within said brackets and between the main frame on the one hand and the toeboard (and the inwardly folded side frames of the other pair) on the other hand.

Preferably, a pair of pivoting stowage brackets are also supported on the main frame, preferably on a lower portion of the uprights thereof, which can be moved to an extended position when the side frames of the other pair have been moved to their folded position, on which the horizontal braces may be stowed.

A mobile platform for carrying out maintenance work on aircraft in accordance with the present invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a partly exploded perspective view of the platform in its open position, and FIGURE 2 is a perspective view showing the platform folded for transportation.

Referring to the drawings, the platform has a main frame indicated generally at 11 to which are pivotally attached a first pair of side frames indicated generally at 13 and 15 located on one side of the frame 11 and a second pair of side frames indicated generally at 17 and 19 located on the other side of the frame 11. The main frame is generally rectangular and formed of a pair of generally vertically extending upright frame members 21, 23, the ends of which are connected together by a pair of vertically spaced horizontally extending frame members 25 and 27, there also being a central horizontal member 29 extending between midpoints of the members 23 and 21. The frame is braced by diagonal struts 31 and 33.

The side frames 13 and 15 are of ladderlike construction with a plurality of rungs 34 extending between uprights 35 and 37. Each of the uprights 37 is pivotally connected to the main frame 11, upper and lower brackets 39 being welded to the frame members 21 and 23 respectively for this purpose. It will be appreciated that the height of the main frame 11 and the pair of side frames 13 and 15 is substantially the same.

The pair of side frames 17 and 19 are likewise of generally ladder-like construction and as shown are provided with three rungs 34 extending between uprights 41 and 43. The uprights 41 are pivotally supported between the ends of a lower bracket 45 and an upper bracket 47, the lengthsof which are sufficient to space the uprights 41 from the upright frame members 21 and 23 to provide a storage space as will hereinafter be described. A toeboard 49 extends between the outer ends of the two brackets 47.

The pivots for supporting the side frames 13 and 15 and 17 and 19 may comprise simple pins located on the longitudinal central axis of the uprights 41 and 37 respectively or by any other known construction and form no part of the present invention.

The side frames 13, 15, 17 and 19 are normally maintained in their open position illustrated in Figure 1 by a plurality of horizontal braces 51 which are of generally known construction and formed of scaffolding tube, to the ends of which are connected hooks 53 provided with snap-action latches. Once the braces have been removed, the side frames may be folded inwardly so that one pair 13 and 15 will lie on one side of the main frame 11 adjacent thereto, whereas the other pair 17 and 19 will lie on the other side of the main frame 11 but in parallel spaced relationship thereto (see Figure 2). Once in this position, a pair of pivoting stowage brackets 55 of generally known construction can be moved from their position shown in Figure 1 to the position shown in Figure 2.When in this position, the spacing between the vertical tubular portions 57 of these brackets corresponds to the spacing between the rungs of either pair of side frames when these are in their open position, thus enabling the horizontal braces 51 to be stowed with their hooks 53 latched in position on the tubes 57.

Each of the pair of side frames 13 and 15 and 17 and 19 are adapted to support a work platform, one of which has been omitted from Figure 1 for the sake of clarity, and the other of which is illustrated at 61. The platform 61 has a generally rectangular framework 63 made up of rectangular tubing which supports a work surface 65 and projecting from each end of the framework is a pair of spaced hooks 67 substantially identical to the hooks 53 and also incorporating snapaction latches Each work platform 61 has a length such that in use the hooks 67 at one end can be engaged with one of the rungs of one of the side frames and the hooks 67 at the other end can be engaged with an equivalent rung 34 on an opposite side frame when the side frames are in their fully open position. The level of the work platform can of course be chosen as desired.

A stowage tube 69 is connected to each of the uprights 37 of the side frames 13 and 15.

These tubes 69 are connected to the uprights 37 in parallel spaced relationship thereto by suitable brackets 71 and when the side frames 13 and 15 are moved to their folded position, the spacing between the two stowage tubes 69 will correspond to the distance between the hooks 67 on one end of a work platform 61 and those on the other end of the platform 61, thus enabling the platforms to be stowed in a generally vertical orientation on the tubes 69 and held in position by means of the snapaction latches incorporated in the hooks 67. A suitable flange 73 is provided on each tube 69 to support the upper one of the two platforms 61.

When the side frames 13 and 15 are in their open position and a work platform 61 is supported on an upper pair of rungs 34, workers on the platform will be some distance from the ground and in order to meet safety regulations, a set of hand rails indicated generally at 74 is provided. The hand rails comprise a main rail assembly 75 of the same length as the main frame 11 and made up of a pair of spaced uprights 77 and two horizontal rails 79 and two side rail assemblies 81 and 83, likewise made up of two spaced uprights 82, 84 and a pair of spaced horizontal rails. The side rail assemblies 81 and 83 are foldably connected to the main rail assembly 75 through pivot brackets 85 in generally known manner and are foldable between the open position shown in Figure 1 and a folded position shown at 87 in Figure 2.In order to support the hand rail 74, each work platform 61 is provided adjacent its four corners with four sockets 89 to receive the bottom ends of the four uprights 77 and 84. Suitable locking pins 91 are provided for engagement in the sockets 89 and bottom ends of the uprights to hold the hand rails in position. A toeboard 93 extends between lower end portions of the upright 77 and further toeboards 95 extend between lower portions of the uprights 82 and 84 of the side rail assemblies 81 and 83, these toeboards in use being arranged just above the surface 65 of the work platform 61.

When the mobile platform is not being used and it is desired to put it into storage or to transport it from one location to another, it is collapsed into its folded position shown in Figure 2. Firstly, it is necessary to remove the hand rail 74 by taking out the pins 91 and folding in the side rail assemblies 81 and 83 so that they are in parallel spaced relationship with the main rail assembly 75. The folded hand rail 74 can then be located in its storage position 87 shown in Figure 2 with the lower ends of each rail assembly 75 81, 83 being located between the toeboard 49 and the main frame 11 and the upper horizontal rails of each frame assembly being supported on a pair of spaced stowage brackets 97 supported by the upper horizontal frame member 27 of the main frame 11.

In order to make the whole mobile platform portable, it is fitted with castors 99 located on the lower ends of the main frame uprights 21, 23 and side frame uprights 35 and 43.

These allow theplatform to be wheeled about either in its open or its folded position. They also assist in moving the platform from its folded to its open position and vice-versa.

Although the mobile platform could be used for many different purposes, it has been specifically designed for aircraft maintenance purposes and is sufficiently sturdy to allow several maintenance workers to work on each work platform 61 and/or to support tools, spare parts, etc. Furthermore, the platform can quickly be converted from its folded storage and transportation position to a working position and because it has two pairs of side frames of different heights it is very versatile.

Furthermore, the rungs of the side frames allow maintenance workers easy access to the work platforms and for this purpose each rung has a band of anti-slip material mounted on it for easy of climbing. Furthermore, since the mobile platform is normally used for aircraft maintenance, the vertical faces of the frames and the one side of each work platform at least are fitted with rubber buffers to prevent damage in the event of the platform engaging the aircraft body. These must of course be so located that they will not interfere with the folding action of the platform. when folded, the platform is extremely compact and all its constituent parts care carried with it thus enabling it to be transported from place to place as a complete unit while occupying the minimum of space.

It will of course be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modifications of detail can be made within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A mobile platform comprising a vertical main frame having on each side thereof a pair of side frames pivotally connected to it for movement between folded positions extending generally parallel to the main frame and open positions extending substantially normal to the main frame, each side frame being of generally ladder-like construction, so that rungs thereof extend horizontally, and a pair of work platforms arranged to be removably supported by respective rungs of each pair of side frames.

2. A platform according to claim 1 wherein one of the pair of side frames is provided with support means so that when the work platforms have been removed from their respective rungs and the side frames have been moved to their folded positions, the work platforms can be supported on said support means.

3. A platform according to claim 2 wherein each of said one pair of side frames is approximately equal in height to the height of the main frame, whereas each of the other pair of side frames is approximately half the height of the main frame.

4. A platform according to claim 3 wherein the pivot axes for the other pair of side frames are located in parallel spaced relationship with respective upright end frame members of the main frame so that when the other pair of side frames are in their folded position, they will be in parallel spaced relationship with a lower portion of the main frame.

5. A platform according to claim 4 provided with two spaced horizontally extending brackets on each of the said end frame members between the ends of which said pivot axes extend.

6. A platform according to claim 5 wherein a toeboard extends between upper ones of said brackets so that when one of the work platforms is located on upper rungs of the side frames of said other pair, its bottom edge will coincide approximately with the upper face of the work platform.

7. A platform according to any one of claims 2-6 wherein the support means for the work platforms comprises a vertically extending stowage tube fixed in parallel spaced relationship to one of the frame members of each of the side frames of said one pair of side frames, each of the stowage tubes having a length at least equal to and preferably greater than the combined width of the two work platforms.

8. A platform according to claim 7 wherein a central support flange is provided on each stowage tube to support one of the platforms, the other platform resting on a support bracket for the respective stowage tube.

9. A platform according to any one of claims 1-8 wherein the work platforms are formed from a generally rectangular framework covered by a support surface, the framework being provided at each of its ends with outwardly extending generally parallel hooks incorporating snap action latches so that in use the hooks can be latched in position on generally horizontally extending rungs of the side frames at the desired height.

10. A platform according to any one of the previous claims wherein the side frames are maintained in their open positions by one or more horizontal braces formed of tubular scaffold material and provided with hook-shaped ends incorporating snap action latches which latchingly engage with horizontal rungs of the side frames.

11. A platform according to any one of the previous claims wherein guard or hand rails are provided for use with at least one of the work platforms and for this purpose each work platform is provided with sockets to receive the lower ends of upright frame members forming part of said guard or hand rails.

12. A platform according to claim 11 wherein the guard or hand rails comprise a main rail assembly having a length corresponding to the main frame and two side assemblies foldably connected to brackets fixed to uprights of the main assembly and movable between an open positions in which the side assemblies are co-extensive with the side frames, and folded positions in which they extend generally parallel with the main rail assembly.

13. A platform according to claim 11 when dependent on claim 6 wherein an upper horizontally extending rail forming part of the main frame has a pair of stirrup-like stowage brackets secured thereto, horizontally extending portions of these brackets extending outwardly from the main frame by a distance substantially equal to the length of the brackets secured to the uprights of the main frame, thus allowing the guard or hand rail, when not being used, to be stored with an upper rail thereof supported on the stowage brackets and the lower ends of the uprights thereof supported within said brackets and between the main frame on the one hand and the toeboard (and the inwardly folded side frames of the other pair) on the other hand.

14. A platform according to claim 10 when dependent on any one of claims 2-8 wherein a pair of pivoting stowage brackets are also supported on the main frame, on a lower portion of the uprights thereof, which brackets can be moved to an extended position when the side frames of the other pair have been moved to their folded position, and on which the horizontal braces may be stowed.

15. A platform substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.