GB2334941A

GB2334941A - Raisable work platform with two floor portions

Info

Publication number: GB2334941A
Application number: GB9804422A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bryce Ernest Randle
Original assignee: PERMAQUIP
Current assignee: PERMAQUIP
Priority date: 1998-03-02
Filing date: 1998-03-02
Publication date: 1999-09-08
Anticipated expiration: 2018-03-02
Also published as: GB2334941B; GB9804422D0; GB2334941A8

Abstract

A raisable access platform 1, for workmen to repair overhead cables and the like, comprises two floor portions 6 separated by a channel 7, thus allowing work to be carried out simultaneously from both sides of a cable 5 and its support 4. The platform may also include additional floor portions 10 attached by hinges 11 to the inside edge of the floor portions 6, allowing a greater work area when the platform is in position.

Description

ACCESS EQUIPMENT The invention relates to access equipment and in particular to a raisable access platform, e.g. for providing access to overhead power cables and the like.

Raisable access platforms are used in the repair of overhead power lines, e.g. of the type in electrified railway systems. Such overhead power lines can have a catenary arrangement to support the power cable. It is necessary to reposition the platform to provide access to each side of the catenary for repair of lines or installation of new systems.

It is one object of this invention to provide a raisable access platform that offers simultaneous access to both sides of an overhead elongate element such as a catenary type power line.

According to the invention there is provided a workstation including a platform comprising opposite floor portions separated by an intermediate channel which is dimensioned such that when in use the workstation straddles an overhead elongate element, e.g. a cable with the element extending along the channel, operatives on both floor portions can work on the element from opposite sides thereof.

Preferably the floor portions include an intermediate member that can be moved to cover the channel between the floor portions so as to provide a single floor working area.

Preferably there are two intermediate members, each hinged along the inner sides of the floor portions and can be raised to the vertical when an access between the floor portions is required. When this is not required the intermediate members can be lowered to restore the single floor working area.

In a preferred embodiment the raising mechanism uses a boom with a tumtable at each end so that the boom can be rotated about a vertical axis at its base and the workstation can be rotated about the top of the boom. Preferably, the raising mechanism is mounted on a wheeled trailer suitable for road or rail use.

In another aspect the invention includes use of the workstation disclosed herein to instal or repair an overhead elongate element.

In order that the invention may be well understood it will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is an end elevation of one plafform of the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the platform of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a side elevation of the plafform of Figures 1 and 2 straddling a catenary type overhead cable.

The workstation of the invention comprises a plafform 1 mounted on a tumtable 2 at the top end of a boom 3. The apparatus is used for access to an overhead railway line comprising a power cable 5 held in position by a catenary wire support 4. As shown in Figures 1 and 2 the platform has two elongate fixed floor portions 6 separated by an intermediate channel 7. A cage 8 defined by side and hand rails is present at the outer edges of each portion 6. The floor 9 of the channel 7 is lower than the floor portions 6 by a distance such that operatives stand on the floor can reach the support 4 and the cable 5. A flap 10 extends along the inner edge of the floor portions and is hinged at 11 so that the flaps 10 can be lowered to cover the channel 7 and extend the available floor area.

The lower end of the boom is connected to a second tumtable (not shown) mounted on a wheeled trailer suitable for road or rail use. The boom and tumtables allow the floors 6 of the plafform 1 to be positioned either side of the overhead power cable catenary, the top of the first turntable being below the catenary.

In use, operatives stand on the floor portions 6 of the platform 1 and the boom is raised.

At this stage the flaps 10 are raised. When the platform is in place with the cable extending axially along the channel operatives can stand on both floor portions 6 and work on both sides of the cable and the wire support.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown. The flap may be hinged at one side only; the platform may be extendable, e.g. telescopically.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A workstation including a platform comprising opposite floor portions separated by an intermediate channel which is dimensioned such that when in use the workstation straddles an overhead elongate element, e.g. a cable, with the element extending along the channel, operatives on both floor portions can work on the element from opposite sides thereof.
2. A workstation according to Claim 1, wherein the floor portions include an intermediate member arranged to cover the channel.
3. A workstation according to Claim 2 including two members one on each floor portion on a side of the channel, which members together can be lowered to cover the channel.
4. A workstation according to any preceding Claim, wherein the floor of the channel is located below the level of the floor portions by a vertical distance such that operatives standing on the floor portions can reach both the top of an overhead cable and a catenary wire support.
5. A method of installing or repairing an overhead elongate element, comprising advancing a workstation according to a preceding Claim to the element with operatives standing on both floor portions and allowing the operatives to reach the element.