NO20160389A1

NO20160389A1 - A foldable platform lift

Info

Publication number: NO20160389A1
Application number: NO20160389A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Helge Johnsen; Liv Rebnord-Johnsen
Original assignee: Helijo As
Priority date: 2016-03-07
Filing date: 2016-03-07
Publication date: 2017-09-08
Also published as: EP3423390A1; EP3423390B1; WO2017155413A1; NO341549B1; DK3423390T3

Abstract

A foldable platform lift (1) arranged to operate in a working position wherein; first and second legs (Bl, B2) are inclined downwardly and outwardly from a top hinge (K) with opposite angles about a vertical axis running through the hinge (K), a first wall bar (A, Al) is in contact with a wall in a first end, and the foldable scaffolding (2) in a second end, a working platform (G) is arranged between the foldable scaffolding (2) and the wall (W), and an actuator (A) is arranged for moving the working platform (G) vertical ly up and down along the wall (W), below the hinge (K). In a transport position the first and second legs (Bl, B2) are folded towards each other about the pivot (P).

Description

A FOLDABLE PLATFORM LIFT

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of platform lifts, more specifically to portable and collapsible platform lift that can easily be transported and erected along a wall to support workers under construction, maintenance and repair work of the wall.

Background art

[0002] International patent publication WO 2010/043975 Al and US patent publication 6182791 Bl shows a portable scaffold frame comprising two parallel, vertical support members, each with two support members extending outward from the vertical support members. A working platform is slidingly attached to the vertical support members, and movable along the support members.

[0003] US patent 2966957 A and US patent application US 2002/0178683 Al discloses a collapsible scaffold supporting structure in the form of a bipod arranged parallel to a wall and a horizontal bar extending perpendicularly from the top of said bipod, leaning against said wall. Two or more scaffolds provides a plurality of horizontal bars that can be used as a support for planks.

[0004] International patent application WO 2009/033287 Al shows a power lift with a platform slidingly attached to one or two vertical support members, and movable along the support member. A horizontal bar extends from the upper part of the support member to a wall. Further, guy wires are shown for stabilizing the support member.

[0005] European patent EP 1032746 Bl, US patent application US 2007/0068733 Al and US patent US 4640385 A, all show different types of working platforms.

[0006] However, a common problem with the aforementioned solutions is that the working platform is not free to move up and down along the wall without any obstructions between the wall and the working platform. Further, many of the lifts are complex to raise and transport.

Short summary of the invention

[0007] A main object of the present invention is to disclose a platform lift that solves the remaining problems mentioned under prior art.

[0008] Thus, the invention is a foldable platform lift comprising; - a foldable scaffolding comprising;

- first and second legs, and

- a hinge with a pivot interconnecting the first and second legs,

- a first wall bar arranged to be in contact with a wall and protruding from the wall,

- a working platform, and

- an actuator, wherein

the foldable platform lift is arranged to operate in

a working position wherein; - the first and second legs are inclined downwardly and outwardly from the hinge with opposite angles about a vertical axis running through the hinge, - the first wall bar (A, Al) is in contact with the wall in a first end, and the foldable scaffolding in a second end,

- the working platform is arranged between the foldable scaffolding and the wall, and

- the actuator arranged for moving the working platform vertically up and down along the wall, below the hinge, and

a transport position wherein;

- the first and second legs are folded towards each other about the pivot.

[0009] Further the invention is a method of raising a foldable platform lift to a working position, comprising the following steps; - fixing first and second hinge elements of a hinge to upper ends of first and second legs, respectively,

- interconnecting the hinge elements with a pivot,

- fixing a first wall bar to the foldable scaffolding and raising the first and second legs until they are inclined downwardly and outwardly from the hinge with opposite angles about a vertical axis running through the hinge,

- arranging the first wall bar in contact with the wall,

- arranging the working platform between the foldable scaffolding and the wall

- arranging the actuator to move the working platform vertically up and down along the wall, below the hinge.

[0010] A main advantage of the current invention is that he operator or worker in the platform is free to operate on any part of the wall, since there are no obstacles between the platform and the wall in the working area of the platform.

[0011] An advantage of the invention is that the scaffolding is easier to transport and rig than scaffoldings according to prior art. By just leaning the wall bar to the wall and mounting the legs and the pulley to the bar, a stable scaffolding with a movable working platform can be established in a short time. When the work on the wall is finished the scaffolding can be disassembled in the reverse way. The legs can then e.g. be lifted onto the roof of a car, truck body etc, and be transported to the next working location.

[0012] Further, the working platform can move freely up and down between the wall and the foldable scaffolding, allowing the operator to perform the required work without any obstacles of the scaffolding. This also improves the stability of the foldable platform lift.

Figure captions

[0013] The attached figures illustrate some embodiments of the claimed invention.

[0014] Fig. 1, 2, 3 and 4 illustrate different embodiments of a foldable platform lift according to the invention.

[0015] Fig.5 and 6 illustrate details of an upper part of the foldable platform lift according to embodiments of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention

[0016] The invention will in the following be described and embodiments of the invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] In Fig. 1, 2, 3 and 4, alternative embodiments of the foldable platform lift (1) in a working position are illustrated. In the following description, working position is meant if not specifically stated differently. In some of the drawings the house wall (W) has been indicated to make the embodiments easier to understand. However, the wall is not part of the invention.

[0018] Common to all these embodiments, is that the foldable scaffolding (2) with the first and second legs (Bl, B2), and the hinge (K) interconnecting the legs (Bl, B2) has been raised up along the wall (W). The legs (Bl, B2) are inclined downwardly and outwardly from the hinge (K) with opposite angles about a vertical axis running through the hinge (K). Thus, the legs (Bl, B2) form part of an upright triangle.

[0019] Further, at least one wall bar (A, Al, A2) is in contact with the wall (W) and the foldable scaffolding (2) in first and second ends, respectively. The at least one wall bar (A, Al, A2) is preferably arranged in the upper part of the foldable scaffolding (2), and ensures that there is an open space between the wall (W) and the foldable scaffolding (2).

[0020] In this open space a working platform (G) is movably arranged. The working platform (G) can be moved up and down alongside the wall (W), and gives the person in the working platform (G) freedom to perform the necessary work on the wall (W), within the upper and lower limits of the lift.

[0021] The actuator (A) is arranged for moving the working platform (G) vertically up and down along the wall (W). Since the working platform (G) is attached to the foldable scaffolding (2) via the actuator (A), the weight of the platform (G) inside the foldable scaffolding (2) will result in a force acting towards the wall (W). Thus, the wall bar (A, Al, A2) between the wall (W) and the foldable scaffolding (2) will push against the wall

(W).

[0022] A further common feature of the embodiments is that the foldable platform lift (1) is also arranged to operate in transport position where the first and second legs (Bl, B2) are folded towards each other about the pivot (P) of the hinge (K) and that the first wall bar (A, Al) is removed or displaced from the wall (W).

[0023] Further, the working platform is detached from the foldable scaffolding (2), and can be handled separately.

[0024] In the transport position the foldable platform lift (1) can easily be transported to the next working location and raised to the working position described above.

[0025] The wall bar (A, Al, A2) can be arranged in different places of relative the foldable scaffolding (2) in the working position. In an embodiment the first wall bar (A) is separating the hinge (K) from the wall (W), and arranged above the working platform

(G). This has been illustrated in Fig. 2.

[0026] In a different embodiment of the working position, wall bars are used in pairs

(Al, A2) as illustrated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3. The foldable platform lift (1) then comprises a middle interconnection bar (C) fixed horizontally in first and second ends to respective the first and second legs (Bl, B2) and two wall bars (Al, A2) extending from respective ends of the middle interconnection bar (C) towards, and in contact with the wall (W).

[0027] To still accommodate the working platform (G), a distance (Ad) between the wall bars (A, Al, A2) is larger than a length (Gd) of the working platform (G) in a longitudinal direction of the middle interconnection bar (C). These distances are illustrated with dotted lines in Fig. 3.

[0028] The two embodiments above may also be combined to have both a wall bar (A) in the top of the scaffolding (2) and pairs of one more middle interconnection bars (C) with corresponding wall bars (Al, A2) below the hinge (K).

[0029] According to an embodiment of the working position that can be combined with any of the embodiments above, the foldable platform lift (1) comprises a lower interconnection means (F) fixed horizontally in first and second ends to respective lower ends of the first and second legs (Bl, B2) as illustrated in the Figures 1 to 4.

[0030] This lower interconnection means (F) is preferably arranged close to the ground and is used to join the two legs (Bl, B2) and secure them relative each other to prevent the foldable scaffolding from expanding when the working position has been established.

[0031] In a further and related embodiment, the lower interconnection means (F) can be arranged for one or more leg separation distances, to allow different angles of the legs (Bl, B2) relative each other, and thus different heights of the hinge (K).

[0032] In an embodiment that can be combined with any of the embodiments above, the actuator (A) comprises a winch (5) as illustrated in Fig.l.

[0033] In a related embodiment a first end of the winch (5) is connected to the hinge

(K) and a second end is connected to the working platform (G). Thus, the winch can lift the working platform up and down relative the hinge (K) when operated.

[0034] In a further related embodiment a first end of the winch (5) is connected to the lower interconnection means (F) and a second end is connected to the working platform (G). Further, the foldable platform lift (1) comprises a pulley (E) fixed to the hinge (K) and wherein a line of the winch (5) runs over the pulley (E).

[0035] When the winch is operated in one direction the working platform (G) will then be lifted up to a maximum height determined partly by the position of the pulley (E), and when operated in the other direction the working platform (G) will be lowered down to the ground as long as the length of the wire allows this.

[0036] Since the platform (G) is pending from the pulley (E) at the top of the foldable scaffolding (2), the foldable platform lift (1) obtains an increased stability due to its unique construction.

[0037] By taking advantage of the gravity of the working platform (G) the following advantages are obtained:

[0038] First, the weight of the platform results in a downward force component acting on the hinge (K), increasing stability in the horizontal direction parallel to the wall (W), i.e. the platform will push the middle of the scaffolding down.

[0039] Second, the weight of the platform results in an inward force component acting on the hinge (K), perpendicular to the first force component, increasing stability in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the wall, i.e. the platform will push the scaffolding towards the wall (W).

[0040] To further increase stability of the foldable platform lift (1), and especially to secure it when it is being raised and lowered or dismounted, some additional measures may be used.

[0041] In an embodiment that can be combined with any of the embodiments above, one or more of the wall bars (Al, Al, A2) are fixed to the wall (W) to prevent the scaffolding from leaving the wall (W) when forces act on the foldable platform lift (1) away from the wall (W). Preferably the wall bars are then equipped with a suitable wall mount that can be fixed to the wall with screws or similar fixing means.

[0042] A further stabilization element that can also be used with any of the embodiments above, is one or more rods or guy ropes between the foldable scaffolding and the ground. The use of stiff rods are illustrated in Fig. 1, ensuring that the foldable scaffolding (2) is kept in place relative the ground. In an embodiment that can be combined with any of the embodiments above, the first and second legs (Bl, B2) are inclined downwardly and outwardly from the hinge (K) with similar but opposite angles (01, 02) about a vertical axis running through the hinge (K) as illustrated in Fig. 3. The legs Bl, B2) then form part of an isosceles triangle, where the top is a fictive point above the hinge (K). This provides a well-balanced structure with equal load on the two legs (Bl, B2).

[0043] To accommodate for variable height of the ground, the foldable platform lift (1) comprises in an embodiment that can be combined with any of the embodiments above, an adjustable longitudinal extension element (X) arranged in the lower end of the first or second legs (Bl, B2) as shown in Fig. 1. The extension element will adapt the respective leg to the height of the ground to ensure that the main part of the foldable scaffolding will be stable in the working position. Preferably, the extension allows the legs to form part of an isosceles triangle, as described above.

[0044] In an embodiment that can be combined with any of the embodiments above, at least one of the first and second legs (Bl, B2) are comprises two or more leg sections arranged to be longitudinally interconnected.

[0045] In a related embodiment, the sections are telescopic.

[0046] Sectional and/or telescopic legs allows the foldable scaffolding to be compacted in the transport position.

[0047] In the following some advantageous embodiments of the hinge (K) and first wall bar (A) will be described. These embodiments can be combined with the embodiments above where the wall bar (A) is arranged above the working platform (G).

[0048] In an embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5, and 6, the first wall bar (A) coincides with the pivot (P) of the hinge (K). This means that the hinge (K) rotates about the wall bar

(A).

[0049] Fig. 5 and 6 illustrate two different hinges in combination with a pulley, the wall

bar (A) and the first and second legs (Bl, B2). The hinges are illustrated from different sides and in different positions, such as working and transporting, as will be understood by a person skilled in the art.

[0050] In an embodiment the hinge elements (Kl, K2) of the hinge (K) are fixed to leg mounts (LI, L2) arranged to separate the first and second legs (Bl, B2) away from the pivot (P) and provide a mounting base for the hinge (K).

[0051] The hinge elements (Kl, K2) may be integrated with the leg mounts (LI, L2).

[0052] Figure 5 illustrate leg mounts (LI, L2) that separate the legs (Bl, B2) more from the pivot (P) than the leg mounts (LI, L2) in Fig. 6.

[0053] In a further embodiment related to the embodiment above, the supporting structure of the pulley (E) is fixed to the wall bar (A) which is also the pivot (P) of the hinge (K). This has the advantage that the foldable platform lift (1) can be easily assembled and disassembled with a limited number of parts. Further, the required stiffness for the pulley support can be obtained by utilizing available parts, instead of

adding additional reinforcing parts to the scaffolding.

[0054] In an embodiment, alternative to the embodiment above, the foldable platform lift (1) comprises a pulley (E) with a supporting structure fixed to arms of the hinge (K).

[0055] In an embodiment the working platform (G) comprises an operator panel (O) allowing the operator to control the height of the working platform (G).

[0056] The operator panel controls the operation of the actuator (A).

[0057] In an embodiment the foldable platform lift (1) comprises holding means arranged for keeping the working platform (W) adjacent to the legs (Bl, B2) when the working platform (W) moves up and down. The holding means are in an embodiment arranged to slide in the longitudinal direction of the working platform (W) to adapt varying distance between the legs (Bl, B2) at different heights.

[0058] The foldable platform lift (1) comprises in an embodiment locking means to lock the platform to the legs (Bl, B2) when the working platform (G) is in the desired position. These locking means could be manually operated, such as e.g. the use of bolts or ropes, or controlled from the operator panel (O). The locking means can be automatically activated as long as the actuator is not activated, and de-activated when the actuator (A) is operated.

[0059] The working platform (G) may have fences with doors as illustrated in Fig. 2.

Claims

1. A foldable platform lift (1) comprising; - a foldable scaffolding (2) comprising; - first and second legs (Bl, B2), and - a hinge (K) with a pivot (P) interconnecting said first and second legs (3), - a first wall bar (A, Al) arranged to be in contact with a wall (W) and protruding from said wall (W), - a working platform (G), and - an actuator (A), wherein said foldable platform lift (1) is arranged to operate in a working position wherein; - said first and second legs (Bl, B2) are inclined downwardly and outwardly from said hinge (K) with opposite angles about a vertical axis running through said hinge (K), - said first wall bar (A, Al) is in contact with said wall in a first end, and said foldable scaffolding (2) in a second end, - said working platform (G) is arranged between said foldable scaffolding (2) and said wall (W), and - said actuator (A) is arranged for moving said working platform (G) vertically up and down along said wall (W), below said hinge (K), and a transport position wherein; - said first and second legs (Bl, B2) are folded towards each other about said pivot (P).

2. The foldable platform lift (1) according to claim 1, comprising; - a lower interconnection means (F) fixed horizontally in first and second ends to respective lower ends of said first and second legs (Bl, B2) in said working position.

3. The foldable platform lift (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising; - a middle interconnection bar (C) fixed horizontally in first and second ends to respective said first and second legs (Bl, B2) in said working position, and - a second wall bar (A2), wherein - said first and second wall bars (A, Al, A2) are both in contact with said wall (W) in a first end, and with first and second ends of said middle interconnection bar (C) in a second end, respectively, in said working position, wherein a distance between said wall bars (A, Al, A2) is larger than a length of said working platform (G) in a longitudinal direction of said middle interconnection bar (C).

4. The foldable platform lift (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first wall bar (A) coincides with said pivot (P) of said hinge (K).

5. The foldable platform lift (1) according to claim 4, comprising a pulley (E) with a supporting structure fixed to said hinge (K).

6. The foldable platform lift (1) according to claim 5, wherein said actuator (A) comprises a winch (5).

7. The foldable platform lift (1) according to claim 5, wherein said actuator (A) comprises a hydraulic cylinder (5).

8. The foldable platform lift (1) according to claim 6, wherein a first end of said winch (5) is fixed to said lower interconnection means (F) and a second end is fixed to said working platform (C), and wherein a line of said winch (5) runs over said pulley ().

9. The scaffolding according to any of the claims above, wherein at least one of said first and second legs (Bl, B2) are telescopic.

10. A method of raising a foldable platform lift (1) to a working position, comprising the following steps; - fixing first and second hinge elements (Kl, K2) of a hinge (K) to upper ends of first and second legs (Bl, B2), respectively, - interconnecting said hinge elements (Kl, K2) with a pivot (P) - fixing a first wall bar (A, Al) to said foldable scaffolding (2) and raising said first and second legs (Bl, B2) until they are inclined downwardly and outwardly from said hinge (K) with opposite angles about a vertical axis running through said hinge (K), - arranging said first wall bar (A, Al) in contact with said wall () - arranging said working platform (G) between said foldable scaffolding (2) and said wall (W), - arranging said actuator () to move said working platform (G) vertically up and down along said wall (W), below said hinge (K).