GB2541446A

GB2541446A - Raised access platform

Info

Publication number: GB2541446A
Application number: GB1514832.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Williams Stephen
Original assignee: Tbd (owen Holland) Ltd
Current assignee: Tbd (owen Holland) Ltd
Priority date: 2015-08-20
Filing date: 2015-08-20
Publication date: 2017-02-22
Also published as: GB201514832D0

Abstract

A raised access platform 1 has a top platform 20 with an edge and a safety rail 30 extending around at least a portion of the platform edge. The top platform has a coverable aperture 24 cut back from the platform edge. At least a portion 35 of the safety rail 30 is movable between a first position in which the safety rail extends over the aperture 24 and a second position in which the safety rail is clear of the aperture. The raised access platform 1 may be used for accessing an aircraft landing gear 81, where a portion 80 of the aircraft landing gear structure is received in the aperture. The height of the platform may be adjustable, and the platform may comprise either or both of pivotable castor wheels and fixed wheels. The aperture may be covered over by a coverplate 25, which may be pivotally hinged or slidably mounted to the platform 20.

Description

RAISED ACCESS PLATFORM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[01] The present invention relates to raised access platforms and a method of operating a raised access platform. Such raised access platforms may be used for accessing the landing gear area of an aircraft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[02] Raised access platforms are used in various industries in environments where it is necessary for personnel to work at a height above the ground, for example for maintenance or repair purposes to structures such as vehicles and buildings.

[03] Raised access platforms are particularly useful when accessing areas around and on aircraft, such as the landing gear, wings, etc. The raised access platform includes a top platform which may or may not be at a fixed height, with a set of steps, via which personnel reach the top platform to work. Various arrangements of safety hand rails are often provided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[04] A first aspect of the invention provides a raised access platform comprising a top platform having an edge and a safety rail extending around at least a portion of the platform edge, wherein the top platform has a coverable aperture cut back from the platform edge and at least a portion of the safety rail is movable between a first position in which the safety rail extends over the aperture and a second position in which the safety rail is clear of the aperture.

[05] A further aspect of the invention provides a method of operating the raised access platform of the first aspect for accessing an aircraft landing gear, the method comprising moving the movable portion of the safety rail to the second position in which the safety rail is clear of the aperture, and manoeuvring the raised access platform adjacent an aircraft landing gear structure such that a portion of the aircraft landing gear structure is received in the aperture.

[06] The nose landing gear of an aircraft can be difficult to access, especially the rear of the landing gear as viewed from the front of the aircraft. This is due to the design of the nose landing gear on some aircraft having a forwardly projecting drag stay, brace or wishbone, which means that a part of the raised access platform, for example the top platform itself or the safety handrail may foul the aircraft structure and it may then not possible to position the raised access platform close enough to the structure for personnel on the platform to be able to access the required part of the landing gear. The invention overcomes this problem by providing the aperture in the platform and the movable portion of the safety rail, allowing the platform to be positioned as close as possible to the landing gear structure. The aperture may be closed and the movable portion of the safety rail returned for use of the raised access platform for other tasks.

[07] The aperture may be shaped so as to receive an aircraft landing gear structure.

[08] The raised access platform may further comprise a coverplate for covering the aperture. The coverplate may be pivotally or slidingly attached to the top platform. The coverplate may be pivoted or slid to reveal the aperture and move back again to close the aperture. The aperture may be fully or partially coverable but preferably is substantially fully coverable. The coverplate may be removable from the raised access platform.

[09] The movable portion of the safety rail may be pivotally mounted. For example, the safety rail may comprise two openable gates mounted on opposing hinges. The two gates may be centred on the aperture. The gates may open inwardly towards a centre of the top platform and away from the aperture. The movable portion of the safety rail may be located on one side of the platform.

[10] A height of the top platform may be adjustable. The height of the top platform may be adjustable by a telescoping arrangement, or a scissor arrangement, for example. The raised access platform may include steps for accessing the top platform. The available steps may be associated with the height adjustment, e.g. to provide more available steps when the height of the top platform is raised.

[11] The raised access platform may include pivotable castors to improve manoeuvrability. The raised access platform may include fixed wheels and a tow bar for towing the raised access platform at speed between desired locations. The tow bar may be removable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[12] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [13] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a raised access platform according to an embodiment of the invention, [14] Figure 2 is a plan view of the raised access platform of Figure 1, [15] Figure 3 is a side view of the raised access platform of Figure 1, [16] Figure 4 is a front view of the raised access platform of Figure 1, [17] Figure 5 is another side view showing the raised access platform of Figure 1 in position around the nose landing gear of an aircraft, [18] Figure 6 is another side view of the raised access platform of Figure 1 extended to its full height. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT^) [19] Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a raised access platform 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 shows the raised access platform 1 having a top platform 20, a movable and height adjustable supporting structure 40, and an extendable set of steps 60 supported by the supporting structure 40 and extending from a lower region of the supporting structure 40, substantially near ground level, to the top platform 20.

[20] The supporting structure 40 comprises a plurality of interconnecting support members 41 forming a framework and a base 43. The base 43 includes fixed wheels 42 and pivotable castors 44. A hydraulic actuator 46 provides a means of adjusting the height of the top platform 20.

[21] The top platform 20 is substantially flat and horizontal, i.e. the top platform 20 extends parallel to the ground so that a person can safely and comfortably stand, sit, kneel or otherwise be located on the top platform whilst working. The top platform in this embodiment is sized to accommodate two people working on the top platform 20 at any one time, in other embodiments the design can be scaled to accommodate fewer or more personnel as required. The top platform 20 in this embodiment is substantially square in shape, (although the top platform 20 may be rectangular, have a curved contour or take any suitable shape). The top platform 20 in this embodiment comprises a number of individual panels 21, (although the top platform 20 may be formed of a single or multiple panels).

[22] The top platform 20 is coupled at one side to both the supporting structure 40 and the steps 60, as is best shown in Figures 1 and 3. This side will hence forth be referred to as the rear R of the top platform. Figure 2 shows that the rear R is open to enable personnel access to and from the steps. Low level side panels 22 are located on the two sides S of the top platform 20. These side panels 22 extend along the length of each side S and ensure that the feet of personnel are contained within the top platform area and also prevents items on the top platform such as tools etc. from rolling off the top platform 20 and potentially causing a safety hazard in the area underneath and around the raised access platform 1.

[23] The side opposite the rear R of the top platform 20, which will be referred to as the front F, contains an aperture 24, as shown most clearly in Figure 2. In this embodiment the aperture 24 is covered by a coverplate 25 hinged to the top platform 20, such that the coverplate 25 pivots out of the way along the hinge 25a when the aperture 24 is in use, pivoting to lie on the top platform 20 surface. A finger hole 26 is provided to lift the coverplate 25. When removed from covering the aperture, the coverplate 25 is located substantially flush with the surface of the top platform 20, in order to provide a safe working surface, i.e. there is no trip hazard.

[24] The aperture 24 is located approximately midway along the front F of the top platform 20, encompassing approximately one third of the overall length and width of the top platform. In other embodiments the aperture size will vary according to the general requirements of access around particular obstructions in the landing gear or other structure. The front F of the top platform containing the aperture also has low level, protective side guards 27 similar to the side panels 22. There are two guards 27, each extending from one comer of the front F of the top platform as far as the aperture 24, and maintaining clear access to the aperture 24.

[25] Around its periphery, the top platform 20 has foam bumpers 28 which protect the outer edges of the top platform 20 to the front and sides from damage and also prevent the top platform 20 from damaging any structures in the work area.

[26] Safety rails 30 are also secured to the top platform 20 at intervals and extend substantially perpendicular to the top platform 20 away from the ground. The safety rails 30 are designed to ensure that personnel on the top platform 20 are not able to fall off the top platform 20, and hence the safety rails 30 extend to a height above the top platform 20 approximately equivalent to a person's waist height. The safety rails 30 extend on the two sides S of the top platform and comprise a tubular framework having both horizontal 31 and vertical 32 struts, as shown in Figure 3, with the top rail 33 having an additional covering suitable for comfortably holding by hand.

[27] The safety rails at the front F of the top platform are provided in the form of a pair of pivotally opening gates 35, see Figures 1 and 4. The gates 35 are hinged to the side safety rails 36, 37 located at each corner of the front F of the top platform, and each gate comprises a tubular construction of vertical and horizontal struts similar to the safety rails 30. The gates 35 extend across the front edge of the top platform 20, extending to a height above the top platform 20 corresponding to approximately the same height as the side safety rails 36, 37.

[28] In this embodiment, the gates 35 each extend approximately half the width of the front F of the platform and meet approximately in the centre of the aperture 24. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments there may only be one gate or many gates, and the dimensions of the gates may vary according to the desired arrangement. Similarly, rather than a hinged gate, a sliding rail arrangement could be used to reveal the aperture cut back in the edge on the front of the top platform. The gates 35 open inwards towards the centre of the top platform 20 and pivot so as to approximately align with the safety rails 36, 37 on the adjacent sides S of the top platform 20. The gates 35 may be releasably fastened to the safety rails 30 whilst personnel are working from the platform. The gates could also be arranged to open outwards and pivot through 270 degrees to fold back out of the way.

[29] Returning to Figure 1, the supporting structure 40 comprises a number of interconnecting support members 41 forming a framework and a base 43. The base 43 is shaped so as to be wider than the top platform 20. The base is substantially C-shaped in this embodiment. The base has two wheels 42 located towards the rear R corners of the base, and two castors 44 located towards the front F comers of the base (although various combination of wheels and castors is possible). A hydraulic actuator 46 and associated control panel 47 controls provide the height adjustment mechanism. A coupling on the base is provided for attachment of a removable tow bar (not shown).

[30] Figure 3 shows the steps 60 comprising a plurality of telescoping sections 61, 62 in order to accommodate a variable height of the top platform 20. Handrails 64 are provided on each side of the steps, with the uppermost handrail 64 attaching to the rearmost part of the safety rails 30 located on the top platform 20. An anti-fall bar 66 and a pivoting enclosure bar 68 are located on the upper part of the uppermost handrail. The anti-fall bar 66 ensures that a worker climbing the steps cannot fall backwards off the steps at height. The pivoting enclosure bar 68 is designed to be open as personnel ascend the steps and to be pivoted across the open rear R side of the top platform 20 when the top platform is in use, to provide a safety rail to this side of the top platform.

[31] In this embodiment the top platform 20, steps 60, and safety rails 30 are made of aluminium in order to provide a lightweight structure, with the supporting structure 40 fabricated mainly of steel for strength, rigidity and weight balance. It will be appreciated that a number of different material options are available to the designer, and the invention is not intended to be limited to these materials.

[32] In use, the raised access platform 1 is manoeuvred into a position to enable access at height to a particular work area. The manoeuvring may occur manually or via a vehicle using a removable tow bar (not shown). The height of the top platform 20 is adjusted via controls on a control panel 47 acting on hydraulic actuator 46.

[33] Figure 5 shows a working arrangement where the raised access platform 1 is positioned for accessing an aircraft nose landing gear 81. Figure 5 shows the aircraft fuselage belly 80, the nose landing gear main strut 85 and drag stay 86. Before manoeuvring the raised access platform into position for accessing the aircraft nose landing gear 81 the coverplate 25 will be pivoted or removed and the gates 35 opened and secured in order that the aperture 24 is revealed and free from obstruction. The raised access platform can then be manoeuvred into position, with the strut 85 received in the aperture 24 and the drag stay 86 accommodated without clashing with the raised access platform.

[34] Once the raised access platform 1 is in position, personnel are then able to use the steps 60 to access the top platform 20. Once safely on the top platform 20, the enclosure bar 68 is lowered and workers are able to carry out whatever maintenance or repairs are required safely and with access to parts of the nose landing gear 8 optimised, in that the location of the top platform 20 accommodates the aircraft structure.

[35] Figure 6 shows a working arrangement where the raised access platform 1 is positioned at a height requiring the steps to be fully extended, for example when accessing the main landing gear, engine, or other areas at increased height, of an aircraft.

[36] A tilting, or stooping, mechanism is optionally included so that the steps 60 and top platform 20 may be lowered by pivoting relative to the base 43. An hydraulic actuator 49, shown in Figure 3, also controlled by control panel 47 effects the tilting, or stooping. The stooping function enables the raised access platform 1 to be manoeuvred beneath the belly 80 of the aircraft from one side to the other avoiding the need to wheel the raised access platform around the aircraft.

[37] Hydraulically deployable stabiliser jacks may be provided on the base of the raised access platform for deployment against the ground when used in awkward areas such as under landing gear doors and between landing gear wheels. These hydraulic jacks may automatically stabilise the raised access platform even when being used on uneven ground surfaces.

[38] Although the invention has been described above with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that various changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A raised access platform comprises a top platform having an edge and a safety rail extending around at least a portion of the platform edge, wherein the top platform has a coverable aperture cut back from the platform edge and at least a portion of the safety rail is movable between a first position in which the safety rail extends over the aperture and a second position in which the safety rail is clear of the aperture.

2. A raised access platform according to claim 1, further comprising a coverplate for covering the aperture.

3. A raised access platform according to claim 2, wherein the coverplate is pivotally attached to the top platform.

4. A raised access platform according to claim 2, wherein the coverplate is slidingly attached to the top platform.

5. A raised access platform according to any preceding claim, wherein the movable portion of the safety rail is pivotally mounted.

6. A raised access platform according to claim 5, wherein the movable portion of the safety rail comprises two openable gates mounted on opposing hinges.

7. A raised access platform according to claim 6, wherein the two gates are centred on the aperture.

8. A raised access platform according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the gates open inwardly towards a centre of the platform and away from the aperture.

9. A raised access platform according to any preceding claim, wherein the movable portion of the safety rail is located on one side of the platform.

10. A raised access platform according to any preceding claim, wherein a height of the top platform is adjustable.

11. A raised access platform according to claim 10, wherein the height of the top platform is adjustable by a telescoping arrangement.

12. A raised access platform according to any preceding claim, further comprising pivotable castors.

13. A raised access platform according to any preceding claim, further comprising fixed wheels.

14. A raised access platform according to any preceding claim, further comprising a removable tow bar.

15. A raised access platform according to any preceding claim for aircraft landing gear access, wherein the aperture is shaped so as to receive an aircraft landing gear structure.

16. A method of operating the raised access platform of any preceding claim for accessing an aircraft landing gear, the method comprising moving the movable portion of the safety rail to the second position in which the safety rail is clear of the aperture, and manoeuvring the raised access platform adjacent an aircraft landing gear structure such that a portion of the aircraft landing gear structure is received in the aperture.

17. A raised access platform substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.