JP6524245B2 - Working platform with protection against continuous involuntary operation (negligence) - Google Patents

Description

  This application is a continuation-in-part of US patent application Ser. No. 13 / 885,720 filed May 16, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of US patent application filed on Jan. 30, 2015. Claim the priority of Application No. 14 / 610,996. No. 13 / 885,720 is the US domestic phase of PCT International Patent Application PCT / US2011 / 066122, filed Dec. 20, 2011, filed Dec. 20, 2010. No. 61 / 424,888, and US Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 435,558 filed on Jan. 24, 2011, claim priority. The entire contents of each of these applications are incorporated herein by reference.

  STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT: (Not Applicable)

  The present invention relates to a work platform, and more particularly, to a facility for enhancing the protection of the operator from sustained involuntary operation (negligence) that results in a collision with an obstacle or structure. It relates to work platform.

  There is known a lift vehicle including an aerial work platform, for example a telehandler such as a rough terrain fork truck with a work platform attachment, and an aerial lift installed on the truck, which is typically relative to the ground It includes an extendable boom that may be positioned at different angles, and includes a work platform at the end of the extendable boom. Typically, controls including various control components that can be manipulated by the operator to control operations such as, for example, boom angle, boom extension, boom around a vertical axis and / or platform rotation. A panel is provided on or in close proximity to the platform. If the lift car is self-propelled, controls for the engine, steering and brakes are also provided.

  A safety hazard can occur in a lift vehicle including a work platform, especially when the operator is located between the platform and a structure that may be located above or behind the operator's head. The platform may also be maneuvered to a position where the operator is crushed between the structure and the platform, which can result in serious injury or death.

  It is desirable for the platform to incorporate a protective structure (body) in order to enhance the operator's protection from continuous involuntary operation of the machine (negligence) when approaching an obstacle or structure I will. Also, the protective structure (body) can act as a physical barrier to enhance the protection of the operator and / or a drive to interrupt (stop) or reverse the movement of the platform / Can cooperate with the boom function control system. It is also desirable to prevent tripping of the protective structure (body) if the protective structure (body) can cooperate with the operating parts (drive parts, drive components) of the machine.

  In an exemplary embodiment, a work platform is a floor structure having a width dimension (width direction) and a depth dimension (depth direction), and is connected to the floor structure and defines a worker work area. Including safety rails. A control panel area is cooperable with the safety rail, and the control panel area is a top cross bar extending along the width dimension and two extending substantially orthogonally from the top cross bar And a sensor support bar having a side bar. The two side bars define the width of the control panel area. Each of the two side bars has an upper portion extending inward from the top cross bar to the curved portion in the depth dimension, and the safety rail extending outward from the curved portion in the depth dimension And an extending lower portion.

  In one embodiment, a platform switch configured to operate when a predetermined force is applied is attached to the sensor support bar. A switch bar is fixed to the control panel area and the platform switch is attached to the switch bar.

  These and other aspects and advantages of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary lift car.

2 and 3 show a work platform including the protective enclosure of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a protective enclosure including a control panel area and a platform switch.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the platform switch.

6 and 7 show an alternative design of a protective enclosure that includes a platform switch.

FIG. 8 shows a platform switch connected to a sheared component.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an alternative platform design, including switch bars and platform switches.

FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the switch bar and the platform switch fixed to the platform of FIG. 9;

11 is a detail view of the switch bar fixed to the sensor support bar of the platform shown in FIG.

  FIG. 1 shows an exemplary typical airlift vehicle, which includes a vehicle chassis 2 supported on a plurality of wheels 4. A turntable and counterweight 6 are fixed on the chassis 2 for rotation, and an extendable boom assembly is pivotally attached to the turntable 6 at one end. An aerial work platform 10 is attached to the opposite end of the extendable boom 8. The illustrated lift car is of the self-propelled type, and therefore includes a drive / control system (shown schematically in FIG. 1, element 12) and a control panel on the platform 10. (Control board) 14 is included. The control panel 14 may be used by the operator to control, for example, boom angle, boom extension, rotation of the boom and / or platform about a vertical axis, and control of the engine, steering, brakes, etc. Provides various control components that can be manipulated.

  Figures 2 and 3 show an exemplary work platform 10 including a protective enclosure according to a first embodiment of the invention. The platform 10 includes a floor structure 20, a safety rail 22 connected to the floor structure 20 and defining a worker work area, and a control panel area 24 in which a control panel 14 is installed. The protective enclosure surrounds control panel area 24 and serves to enhance the protection of the operator from obstacles or structures that may cause a risk of crushing.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the protective enclosure may include protective bars 26 extending above the safety rails 22 on either side of the control panel area 24. The safety rail 22 includes a plurality of sides (longer portions in FIGS. 2 and 3) and a plurality of ends (shorter portions in FIGS. 2 and 3). Control panel area 24 may be located in one of the sides. In one configuration, the protective bar 26 is located proximate to the control panel area 24 in the middle of one side. In an alternative configuration, the protective bar 26 may be installed along the end of the safety rail 22 (as indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 3). Preferably, the protective bar 26 extends above the safety rail 22 by an amount sufficient to accommodate the adult back thickness (i.e., the distance between the front and back of the human being). In this manner, if an obstacle is encountered that could result in crushing the operator between the structure and the control panel 14, sufficient to accommodate the operator's torso between the control panel 14 and the upper end of the protective bar 26. The operator will be protected from injury by the protective bar 26 having space. FIG. 3 shows the user in the “safe” position, which is prevented by the protective bar 26 from being crushed by the structure encountered by the operator.

  An alternative protective enclosure is shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the protective enclosure includes a switch bar 28 secured to the control panel area 24. A platform switch 30 is attached to the switch bar 28 and the platform switch 30 includes a sensor for detecting the force exerted by the operator being pressed against the platform switch 30 by, for example, an obstacle or structure. Platform switch 30 is configured to operate when a predetermined force is applied. The force to operate the platform switch 30 may be applied to the platform switch 30 itself, to the switch bar 28, or to both the platform switch 30 and the switch bar 28. For a sensor with a predetermined force of 6 inches (about 15.2 cm), about 40 to 50 lbs (about 18.1 to 22.7 kg) (that is, about 6.5 to 8.5 lbs / in (about 1.2 to 2) In the case of 1.5 kg / cm)), it has been found that accidental actuation can be avoided. As shown, switch bar 28 and platform switch 30 are positioned between the worker work area and the safety rail 22. With respect to the floor structure, the switch bar 28 and the platform switch 30 are positioned above and in front of the control panel area 24. Based on ergonomic research, it has been found that the switch bar 28 and the platform switch 30 should be located about 50 inches above the floor of the platform.

  Although any suitable configuration of platform switch 30 may be used, a cross-sectional view of an exemplary switch 30 is shown in FIG. The switch 30 includes a switch housing 32, which comprises an internal rib 34 connected between the switch housing 32 and the pressure switch 36. The sensitivity can be adjusted by selecting pressure switches 36 of different ratings and / or adjusting the number, shape and stiffness of the ribs 34. The switch bar 28 and the platform switch 30 also serve as handles (handle bars) that the operator can grasp in an emergency.

  An alternative platform switch assembly 301 is shown in FIGS. The switch assembly 301 includes a platform switch 302 with an injection molded end cap 303 and a die cast mounting bracket 304. Platform switch 302 operates in a manner similar to switch 30 shown in FIGS. An exemplary switch suitable for platform switches is available from Tapeswitch Corporation, Farmingdale, NY.

  Referring to FIG. 8, platform switches 30, 302 and switch bar 28 may be secured to control panel area 24 via shear piece 38. The shear piece 38 includes a diameter reduction as illustrated which breaks when a predetermined force is applied. This configuration allows the sheared part 38 to break / break when the platform moves beyond the stop position due to mechanical inertia (inertia, momentum) etc. after the platform switch has been actuated, providing more space for the operator Will avoid the operator being trapped. The predetermined force at which the sheared component 38 breaks is greater than the force required to operate the platform switch 30,302. Nylon may be used as the material of sheared part 38 in certain configurations, as nylon has a low elongation to plastic. It goes without saying that other materials may also be suitable.

  In use, the drive components (drive components, drive components) of the vehicle that can cooperate with the lift assembly (lifting assembly) to raise and lower the work platform, the operator input means of the control panel 14 as well as the drive components and controls It is controlled by a drive / control system 12 in communication with the panel 14. Control system 12 also receives signals from platform switches 30, 302 and controls actuation of the drive components based on the operator input means and signals from platform switches 30, 302. At least the control system 12 is programmed to deactivate the drive component when the platform switch 30, 302 is actuated. Alternatively, control system 12 may reverse the last (previous) action when platform switches 30, 302 are actuated.

  If deactivation is selected when the platform switch is activated, the activated functions are immediately deactivated and all not activated functions are not activated (not activated). If the reverse movement function is selected when the platform switch is activated during operation, the rotation speed target required for operation is maintained, and only the active function stops the reverse movement function when the platform switch is activated It is moved backwards. Ground and platform horns may be activated when the reverse function is activated. After the reverse motion function is complete, the engine speed is set low and all functions are disabled until the function is re-engaged (re-connected) to the footswitch and operator control. The system may include a platform switch override button that is used to disable (cancel) the outage initiated by the platform switch. If the invalidation button is pressed and held, actuation of the hydraulic system is enabled if the foot switch and the control device are subsequently reconnected. At this time, the operating speed is automatically set to the creep mode speed. The controller is programmed such that the stop function is not disabled before the platform switch is actuated, regardless of whether the disable button is pressed or released. This ensures that even if the invalidation button is fixed or operated in the normally closed position (pressed position), the stop function is still available.

  The reverse motion function is performed for various operating parameters (operating parameters) of the machine. For the drive of the vehicle, if the drive direction (drive orientation) indicates that the boom is between the two rear wheels, only when the drive to the rear is active and the platform switch is activated It can. If a request for forward driving is received when the platform switch is activated, it will be treated as a protrusion or obstruction on the road and will not trigger the reverse function. If the drive direction indicates that the boom is not along the rear wheel (s), both forward and backward drive may trigger the reverse function. Further operating parameters performed with the reverse movement function (reverse movement function) include the main lift, the tower lift, the main telescoping (e.g. stretching only) and the swing.

  The reverse movement function ends based on the signal of the platform switch, the signal of the foot switch, and the time parameter set respectively for different functions. If the platform switch changes from active to inactive before the maximum reverse time has elapsed, then the reverse function will be stopped. If not, the reverse function will operate until the maximum reverse time has elapsed.

  Also, release of the foot switch (release the foot switch) also terminates the reverse movement function at any time.

  If the operator can not move on the platform, ground control is available from the ground via the switch. In the ground control mode, if the platform switch is activated (pressed), the boom movement can operate at a low speed (creep speed). If the platform switch changes from an actuated state to a non-actuated state, operation is maintained at a low speed unless the ground switch enabling the use and controlling the function is reactivated.

  FIGS. 9 to 11 are alternatives including a floor structure 120, a safety rail 122 connected to the floor structure 120, and a control panel area 124 to which a control panel (not shown) is attached. Showing a typical working platform 110. The switch bar 28 and the platform switch 30 are fixed to the control panel area 124. The control panel area 124 includes a sensor support bar 126, which extends along a width dimension (dimension in the width direction, width) (W in FIG. 9), and a top cross bar 128 It has two (several) sidebars 130 extending in a substantially orthogonal direction from the bar 128. Two sidebars 130 define the width of the control panel area 124.

  In the arrangement (structure) shown, the sensor support bar 126 may be a combination of multiple pieces of material, but it is preferable to use a single piece of material obtained by bending. Each of the side bars 130 is an upper portion extending inward from the top cross bar (top cross bar) 128 to a curved portion in a depth dimension (depth direction, depth dimension) (symbol D in FIG. 9) May be included. The lower portion of the sidebar 130 preferably extends outward from the bend to the safety rail 122 in the depth dimension. Still referring to FIG. 9, the top of the sidebar 130 may be angled downwardly from the top crossbar 128 to the bend. The lower portion of the sidebar 130 may extend at an angle from the bend to the safety rail 122. As shown, the lower portion may extend in a generally straight line from the bend to the safety rail 122. In the arrangement (structure) shown, the safety rail 122 extends to a predetermined rail height above the floor structure 120, and the lower portion of the side bar 130 is the floor structure 120 and the rail height. At approximately the middle position between them, it is connected to the safety rail 122. As also shown in FIG. 9, the top cross bar 128 is preferably located above the rail height.

  As shown, switch bar 28 and platform switch 30 may be connected to sensor support bar 126 at the bend of side bar 130. The platform switch 30 is positioned inside the floor structure 120 at depth dimension D such that the operator in the control panel area 124 is closer to the platform switch 30 than the safety rail 122. Preferably, the switch bar 28 and the platform switch 30 are undermounted on the sensor support bar 126 (mounted at the bottom) for the operator standing on the floor structure 120. That is, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the switch bar 28 is preferably on the side of the sensor support bar 126 opposite to the position of the operator standing on the platform 110. It is connected to the outer surface. This under-mounted configuration makes the assembly simpler (e.g. without bracket 304) and is more ergonomically improved.

  FIG. 11 is a detailed view of the switch bar 30 fixed to the sensor support bar 126. In the preferred construction, block 132 is fixed (e.g., by welding) to sensor support bar 126 and block holder 134 is fixed (e.g., by welding) to block 132. The block holder 134 receives the shear block 136 of the switch bar 30 and is secured by fasteners 138 such as bolts. Similar bolts (not shown) secure switch bar 30 to shear block 136.

  The protective enclosure provided by the embodiments described above helps to further enhance the protection of workers from obstacles and persistent involuntary operation. The protective enclosure may be in the form of a protective bar or the like and / or a platform switch that is activated when a predetermined force is applied (e.g. by an operator who is being pushed towards or hit the control panel by an obstacle or structure) And physical / structural protection can be included.

  While the present invention has been described in relation to what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but rather the following claims. It is to be understood that it is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (6)

An aerial work platform mounted at the end of a lift vehicle extension boom, comprising:
Floor surface structure having width and depth dimensions;
A safety rail connected to the floor structure and defining a worker work area;
A control panel area cooperable with the safety rail,
Two support posts fixed to the floor structure and extending in a straight line from the floor structure to a position beyond the safety rail, the safety rail being connected to the two support posts With two support posts,
A top cross bar extending along the width dimension and two side bars extending from the top cross bar substantially orthogonal to the top cross bar and connected to the two support posts Control panel area including the sensor support bar,
The two sidebars define the width of the control panel area, and each of the two sidebars is a straight line from the top crossbar to the inside of the aerial work platform in the depth dimension. An upper portion directly extending to the curved portion, and a lower portion extending in the depth dimension directly from the curved portion toward the outside of the aerial work platform to each of the two support posts ,
Each of the two sidebars has a length extending along the upper portion, the curved portion and the lower portion, and along the length only a single bend between the upper portion and the lower portion Have
The lower portion extends from the curved portion directly toward each of the two support posts at a predetermined angle, and immediately beyond the curved portion in a straight line to each of the two support posts Extended ,
The aerial work platform is further configured to operate when a predetermined force is applied;
A linear switch bar fixed to the control panel area;
The platform switch is attached to the linear switch bar,
The linear switch bar is connected to the curved portion of the side bar of the sensor support bar;
The linear switch bar is positioned with respect to the sensor support bar at the position of the operator of the aerial work platform standing on the floor structure opposite the control panel area along the depth dimension, An aerial work platform mounted to the sensor support bar at the opposite side of the sensor support bar in the depth dimension .   The aerial work platform of claim 1, wherein the safety rail is interrupted between the two support posts.   The upper portion is inclined downward with respect to the top cross bar so that the height position of the upper portion becomes lower toward the curved portion from the top cross bar and is directed upward with respect to the curved portion The aerial work platform according to claim 1 or 2, which is inclined. The safety rail extends above the floor structure to a predetermined rail height,
The air according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lower portion is connected to each of the two support posts at a position substantially midway between the floor structure and the rail height. Work platform.   The aerial work platform according to claim 4, wherein the top cross bar is disposed above the rail height. The linear switch bar is secured to the control panel area via sheared parts at each end of the linear switchbar, the sheared parts being configured to break when a predetermined force is applied The aerial work platform according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a shear portion.

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