SE544679C2 - Installation for secure access to an upper part of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to an installation (2) for secure access to an upper part of a vehicle (B), said installation comprising:a fixed frame (3) arranged along a line (C) of passage for said vehicle (B), a vertically movable support structure (4), movable relative to the fixed frame (3), at least one longitudinal platform (5) supported by said movable support structure (4)a first actuating device (45) having one fixed part (450) fixed relative to the fixed frame (3) and a movable part (452) attached to said movable support structure (4), to arrange for vertical movement, of the movable support structure (4),a second actuating device (42) having one pail (420) attached to a first fixing means (44) fixated to said movable support structure (4) and another part (421) attached to a second fixing means (43) attached to said longitudinal platform (5), to arrange for horizontal movement of the longitudinal platform (5),wherein said vertically movable support structure (4) includes a pair of transversal support beams (40), at each end having arranged a movable anchoring device (41) guided by said uprights (30) to enable vertical movement but fixed positioning in other directions.

Description

This invention relates to an installation for secure access to an upper part of a vehicle,said installation comprising, a fixed frame arranged along a line of passage for saidvehicle, a vertically movable support structure, movable relative to the fixed frame, atleast one longitudinal platform supported by said movable support structure, a firstactuating device having one fixed part fixed relative to the fixed frame and a movablepart attached to said movable support structure, to arrange for vertical movement, of themovable support structure, a second actuating device having one part attached to a firstfixing means fixated to said movable support structure and another part attached to asecond fixing means attached to said longitudinal platform, to arrange for horizontal movement of the longitudinal platform.

BACKGROUND There is a general problem with existing installations of the above kind, e. g. as knownfrom EP-2716498. One of the main problems is that they are relatively expensive andalso relatively space requiring. Hence, in order to handle the loads that may be appliedthere is a need of a relatively large number of uprights and such uprights do take space from areas where it is inconvenient from many aspects to not have free open space.

Moreover, there is a disadvantage in that staff when using such an installation whenmoving from one side to the other need to first climb down to the floor and pass over to the other side and there again climb upwards to the platform on the other side.

From CN202866341 there is know an installation that partly solves the above problems,but that suffers from may other disadvantages, e. g. space requiring and relatively limited functionality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ' the problems mentioned above which is It is an object of the invention to min1m1ze achieved thanks to an installation in accordance with the independent claims. is provided an installation which provides significantlyto enable Thanks to the invention there installations, better adaptation much more open space than conventional efficient use and which also may be produced to lower cost than most traditional installations.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention there is also arranged at least one laterally extending platform/“bridge”, which enables staff to easily move from a longitudinal platform arranged along one side of a vehicle to the other side of thevehicle without the need to first move down to the ground floor. Furthermore, such an installation provides the possibility to merely use one stair way application instead of two as is needed with conventional installations.According to further preferred aspects of the invention1\\~ .Å Further advantages will become apparent from the detailed description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES In the following the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed figures wherein: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a bus maintenance workshop provided with two parallelly arranged installations according to a first alternative of the invention, Fig. 2 shows the same perspective view as Fig. 1 but according to a second altemative of the invention, Fig. 3 shows a view of an installation of Fig. 1 seen from a front view, Fig. 4 shows the same view as Fig. 3 but in a partly cross-sectional view to present details, Fig. 5 shows a more detailed front view of an upper part of the view presented in Fig. 3, Fig. 6 shows a view from above, partly in cross-section of an outer end of an installation according to the invention, Fig. 7 shows in more detail the anchoring mechanism of the movable support structure, Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of an end part of a longitudinal platform according to the invention, Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of a transversal platform according to the invention, Fig. 10 shows in more detail a brake mechanism of the transversal platform, Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of a preferred stairway according to the invention, Fig. 12 and 13 show side views of the stairway in an upper and lower position respectively, Fig. 14 shows a perspective view from above of an upper part of a stairway as presented in Fig. 1, Fig. 15 shows the cross-sectional view from below of a stairway according to the invention, as indicated in Fig. 12, and, Figs. 16 shows an exemplary side views of a bus service workshop arranged with installations according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In Fig. 1 there is shown a perspective view of a bus service workshop 1 proved with twoinstallations 2, 2” in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The twoinstallations 2, 2” have the same design and are arranged parallelly in order to providefor the possibility to service two vehicles B at the same time. The installations 2, 2” arearranged with movable platforms 5, 6, 5”, 6”, which are shown to be positioned ondifferent heights in the figure, to clearly show that the platforms 5, 6, 5”, 6” areadjustably positioned on any desired height within a given range provided by theinstallation 2, 2”.

In the following merely one of the installations 2 will be described more in detail. Theinstallation 2 includes a fixed frame structure 3. The fixed frame structure 3 comprisesfour uprights 30 positioned at each end of a rectangular area that is created by the framestructure of the installation 2, when seen from above. At the top of the uprights 30 thereare arranged two parallel longitudinal frame works 31 and also two parallel lateralframe works 32. Accordingly, the frame works 31, 32 are interconnected via theuprights 30 to form a rectangle at the top of the uprights 30. The height h of the uprightsare sufficiently high to provide for entry of a vehicle to easily pass undemeath theplatforms 5, 6 when the platfonns 5, 6 are positioned in their uppermost position.

Preferably the top end of the uprights 30 are positioned at a level within the range of 6-m above the ground floor GF, i.e. the ground floor for a vehicle to drive into and out of the installation along a line of passage C.

The width W of the installation 2 is defined by the outer sides of the uprights 30, whichpreferably positioned such that the width W is in the range of 5-6 m which provides forsufficient space for vehicles to enter into the installation 2. Further, thanks to the use offrame works 31, 32 the length L of the installation between two longitudinally uprights30 may be relatively large, which provides for the advantage that there will be providedan open space between each pair of the longitudinal uprights. Preferably the distance Lbetween two longitudinally uprights is at least 10 m, preferably in the range of 13-23 m.The clearance width between a pair of uprights is preferably at least 4,5 m, morepreferred 4,8-5,4 m. Maximal clearance width between the two longitudinal platforms 5is at least 3 m, preferably in the range of 3,1-3,5 m. Adjustable clearance height belowthe platforms 5, 6 is preferably within the range of 1-5 m, more preferred within 1,2-4,III.

The movable support structure 4 includes two horizontally extending support beams 40.Each support beam 40 extends transversally in relation to the line of passage C, betweena pair of uprights 30. An anchoring device 41 is arranged at each end of the supportbeams 40 that provides for the ability to move the support beams 40 vertically along theuprights 30 and that fixates the support beams 40 in any other direction, i.e. provides a stable guidance to merely provide vertical movement.

Supported by the support beams 40 there are positioned two longitudinal platforms 5,which may be moved transversally on the support beams 40. Each platform 5 isarranged with flooring 52 for staff to move on longitudinally along the installation 2.Further there are arranged support fences 51 to safeguard staff moving on the platform5, to not fall down. Also, there are cushioning members 83, 84 positioned at the inneredges of the longitudinal platforms 5 that enable the platforms to be positioned incontact with a vehicle B without damaging the vehicle and also closing the space between the platform and the vehicle B so that there exists no gap.

Each anchoring mechanism 41 interacts with guide rails 412, 413 (see Fig. 6) withineach upright 30, such that vertical movement is facilitated at the same time as theanchoring mechanism 41 is fixed in other directions. Furthermore, preferably theanchoring mechanism 41 includes a cardanic joint 46, such that bending forces from thesupport beams 40 onto the anchoring mechanism 41will not transfer any bending forces into the guiding members 411, 414, 412, 413 of the anchoring mechanismMoreover, as seen in Fig. 1 there may also be arranged upper transversal support beams33 provided at an angle, forming V-shapes along the upper top side of the fixed supportstructure 3. These additional support members 33 are preferably provided in connectionwith having a crane beam 9 arranged within the installation 2. On the crane beam 9there may be provided a hoist (not shown) that is movably arranged along the cranebeam 9 such that the hoist may be moved from one side to the other within theinstallation 2. Furthermore, the crane beam 9, may be provided with low frictionmembers 90 (e. g. rollers) at each end to be movably arranged along the longitudinalframe works 31, such that the crane beam 9 may be moved and positioned at any desired location in the longitudinal direction within the installationIn Fig. 2 there is shown altematively arranged installations 2, 2” in a service workshop 1basically providing the same function as described in connection with Fig. 1. Thedifference compared to Fig. 1 is that the two installations 2, 2” shown in Fig.2 may beprovided with a crane beam (not shown) that extends across both installations 2, 2”.This may be achieved by not using any longitudinal frame work members 31 at thecentral part of the joint installations 2, 2”, such that a hoist not shown may be moved inbetween the outer two longitudinal frame work member 31, 31 ” of the two installations2, 2”. In order to arrange for the needed strength of the fixed support structure 3 there isarranged extended uprights 36 that extend all the way up to the roof (not shown) of theworkshop 1, such that it will be the roof support structure of the building that providesthe strength that corresponds to the strength provided by the central longitudinal framework members 31, as shown in Fig. 1. Hence, the installations 2 shown in Fig. 1 areself-supported, i.e. need no connections to support structures of a building, whereas the altemative in Fig. 2 uses connection to support structures of the building.

In this regard it is evident for the skilled person that indeed all uprights may besupported by the support structures (not shown) integrated in the roof of the workshop 1and in such an installation it will be possible to eliminate any of the frame works 32, 33shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. However, longitudinal frame works are needed if cranebeam/s 9 is desired. Moreover, it is foreseen that the uprights 30 may be positioned onsupport shelves protruding from support pillars (not shown). The advantage of usingsupport shelves at a level above men”s height is that there is thereby provided walkablespace undemeath the support shelves such that more free space may be available withinand near the installation 2. Hence, in such an installation the lower ends of the upright and cylinder 45 will be positioned well above ground floor level GF.

Further Figs. 1 and 2 shown perspective views of stairways 7 that may form a part ofthe concept according to the invention. It is how that the stairway comprises a lowerstatic part 7A and an upper adjustable part 7B. At the top of the upper part 7B there is aplatform 72. The platfonn 72 may be adjustably positioned on different vertical heightsby means of a hydraulic cylinder 70 (see Fig. 11). The stairway 7 includes two stairwayuprights 71 that include guiding members for controlled guided movement of the upperpart 7B of the stairway 7. There is a fixed stairway part 75 leading to an intermediateplatform 74. At the intennediate platform 74 there is arranged support legs 76, e. g. inthe form of an up and down tumed U.

In Fig. 3 there is shown a front view of an installation according to the invention asshown in Fig. 1. There is shown a preferred structure of the frame work, which includesan upper frame work beam 320, a lower frame work beam 323 and intermediate framework members 321, 322 interconnecting the upper and lower frame work beams 321,323. According to a preferred embodiment the height h3 of each frame work 32 is in therange of 0,4-0,7 m and each frame work beam preferably has a hollow cross- sectionalshape, preferably square tube, having a maximum outer cross-sectional width within therange of 80 to 140 mm (i.e. sides of a square tube within 50-100 mm). There is shownthat each upright 30 is arranged with longitudinal holes 305, which provide for theability to securely attach guide members 412, 413 (see Fig. 6) within the uprightsAt each end of the longitudinal platforms 5 there are arranged hollow, carryingmembers 50, which provide for support and transversal movement of each platform 5along the support beam 40 of the movable support structure 4. Each carrying member50 is arranged with an attachment member 43 that provides attachment of one end of ahydraulic cylinder 42. The other end of the hydraulic cylinder 42 is attached to a fixedanchoring member 44 that is fixed onto support beam 40. Hence, the actuating device42 (here hydraulic cylinder) has one fixed part 420 and one movable part 421. (see Fig.6) The transversal platform 6 comprises two parts 6A, 6B, which are telescopicallyarranged such that when transversal movement of a longitudinal platform 5 isperformed, the size of the transversal platform 6 will adapt to the transversal distancebetween the two platfonns 5. To achieve this there is a central part 60 that istelescopically interacting with outer parts 633, 643, preferably by means ofwheel/rollers (not shown) to minimize friction. Above the level of the floor 62 of thetransversal platform 6 there are arranged upwardly protruding walls 632, 642 that alsoact telescopically, as does also the safety fence 61A, 61B.

Each longitudinal platform 5, at its outer side, is arranged with a supporting longitudinalwall 53, which fulfil more than one function. A f1rst function is that it will providesufficient strength to make the platform 5 self-supporting, resulting in the advantagethat no extemal support is needed at any intermediate position between the two supportbeams 40 for the platform 5. To achieve this, the longitudinal wall 53 is provided withsufficient height h5 (see Fig. 8), at least 0,3 m. Preferably the height is at least 0,35 m,more preferred in the range of 0,4 - 1 m and the thickness is preferably less than 3% inrelation to the height h5, e. g. in the range of 8-15 mm for steel plate. More preferred theheight h5 of the side plate 53 is larger adjacent the middle of the platform 5 than adj acent the ends, which provides the advantage that sufficient strength may beachieved at a lower total weight than if a straight upper edge 53A is used. A secondfunction of the height of the side plate 53 is that it hinders objects to fall down from the platform 5 out over the edge, which otherwise may cause injury, by having its lower end 53B at or below the level of the floor 52 of the platform 5. A similar function isachieved by the transversal side plates, i.e. short end walls 54 arranged at the end of each platform 5, which also protrude above the floor area 52 of the platformIn Fig. 4 there is shown a front view of an installation 2 according to the inventionwhere one side of each upright 30 has been removed. There is shown that the verticalmovement of the movable platform 4 is achieved by a hydraulic cylinder 45 positionedcentrally within the open space of each tube shaped upright 30. The hydraulic cylinder45 has a fixed cylinder part 450, which is fixedly attached in relation to the fixed frame3. As shown in Fig. 4 this may be achieved by positioning the lower end 451 of thecylinder 450 to form the fixed part, e. g. to be positioned onto ground floor GF. Thehydraulic cylinder 45 has a movable part, i.e. a piston 452 that in a known manner maymove up and down to position the movable platform 4 at a desired level. Preferably thecylinders are synchronized by a master and slave system (not shown) or by a sensor (e. g. laser) bases system (not shown) and a control unit (not shown) to achieve the sameexact movement of all cylinders in real time. The hydraulic pump/ s and other hard wareod such a system may preferably be placed under neath a fixed part (e. g. the fixedplatform 74 of the stairsIn the shown view the platforms 5, 6 have been positioned at a top level within theinstallation 2. It is shown that the hydraulic piston 452 at the top has an attachmentarrangement 453 that fixates the upper end of the piston 452 to an anchoring mechanism41, which also movably supports the movable support beams 40. Preferably theanchoring mechanism 41 includes an anchoring frame 410. The anchoring frame 410 ispositioned within the hollow space of each upright 30 and has a substantial verticalextension, e. g. about 0,5 -1 m. Preferably, the attachment arrangement 453 for thepiston 452 is arranged at the top of the anchoring frame 410 and at the lower end of theanchoring plate 454 there is attached the movable support beam 40. Preferably movablesupport beam 40 is attached to the anchoring plate 454 via a separate joint 46,preferably a cardan joint 46 (see Fig. 7). Hence, the support beam 40 is attached to theanchoring plate 454 via a vertically extending passage/slot 300 in each uprightAccordingly, the anchoring mechanism 41 guides the support beams 4 in a controlledmanner along the uprights 3. Control signals and power is supplied via a cable arrangementIn Fig. 5 there is shown a partial view of what is shown in Fig. 4. It is shown that theplatforms 5, 6 are positioned in the uppermost position within the fixed frame 3showing merely one of the uprights 30. The view presents in more detail that there maybe rollers 650 arranged to enable easy telescopic action of the two parts 6A, 6B of thetransversal platform 6. Moreover, it is shown a gripping member 660 which whenactivated activates a brake mechanism that locks the transversal platform 6 in a fixedlongitudinal position such that movement of the transversal platform 6 is then not possible, which otherwise would cause a safety problem.

Further, it is shown that at the end sides of the transversal platform 6 there are arrangedlow friction devices 630, preferably in the form of a pair of wheel members 630A, 630Bon each side of a gap to enable easy, low friction movement in a longitudinal directionof each transversal platform 6. The gap in between the wheels 630A, 630B is used toguide the transversal platform 6 along a guide rail 55 attached to the longitudinalplatform 5. The guide rail 55 preferably comprises a horizontal support part 550attached to an inner wall of the longitudinal platform 5 which has a upwardly protrudingrail member 551 extending parallelly with the direction of the longitudinal platform 5,fitting into the gap and providing support for the low friction devicesIn Fig. 6 there is shown a cross-sectional horizontal view from below of a comer of aninstallation according to the invention, wherein one upright 30 is shown, such that thereis also shown a part of the longitudinal frame work 31, a part of one longitudinalplatform 5 with bumper 83 and a part of one transversal platform 6. Here the hydraulicpiston 42, for movement of the longitudinal platform in a transversal direction, is shownin more detail clearly presenting the two attachment members 43, 44. It is also shown across-section of the hollow carrying member 50, which exposes the positioning of thesupport beam 40 within the hollow space of the hollow carrying member 50. At the endof the support beam 40 it is connected to an anchoring mechanism 41, as mentioned above.The anchoring frame 410 has connected thereto an upper (not shown) and a lower shaft415. At each end of each shaft 415 there are arranged rollers 414, 411 that are guidedwithin U-shaped guide rails 412, 413 attached on each inner side of the upright 30.Accordingly, there are arranged two U-shaped guide rails 412, 413 opposing each otherwithin the upright 30. The rollers 411, 414 fit into the U-shaped guide rails to more orless without friction guide each end of the support beam 40 vertically along a desiredpath. Preferably, the connection between the end of the support beam and the anchoringmechanism 41 includes a cardan joint 46 such that bending forces will not betransmitted from the support beams 40 platform to the anchoring mechanism 41, as is explained in more detail in connection with Fig.In Fig. 7 there is shown in more detail a perspective view of a exemplary arrangementof the anchoring mechanism 41. In a preferred embodiment, as shown, it includes acardan joint 46, between the end of each support beam 40 and the guide frame member410. The cardan joint 46 comprises an inner attachment body 460 that is fixated withinthe hollow support beam 40. A first pivot shaft 461 is mounted with an inner end in theinner attachment body 460 and an outer end in a first pivot member 462. Hence, thisfacilitates pivoting of the support beam 40 about the axis of the first pivot shaft 461.Further, the first pivot member 462 is pivotally arranged about a second pivot shaft 463.Hence, this facilitates pivoting of the support beam 40 about the axis of the second pivotshaft 463, i.e. providing a cardan joint 46. The second pivot shaft 463 Is attached to lugs464 that are fixated to the anchoring frame 410. Further Fig. 7 shows that preferablythere is arranged a limit stop switch 416, that may assist in controlling that the movablestructure 4 does not pass by a set end position and also that a bracket 417 for a cableguide 418 may be arranged below the support beamIn Fig. 8 there is shown a perspective view of an end part of a longitudinal platform. Itis shown that the hollow carrying member 50 is fixedly attached to an end face plate,i.e. the short end wall 54. The short end wall 54 protrudes a distance above the actualplatform floor 52. Also the rear wall 53 of the longitudinal platform 5 extends a distance h5 above the floor of the platform 5, as has been described above to both eliminate therisk of tools falling down from the platform and to provide sufficient strength to make the longitudinal platform self-supporting.

In Fig. 9 there is shown a perspective view of a transversal platform 6. It is shown thatthe transversal platform 6 is arranged with a pair of wheel members 630 at each outerend, which provides for precise guiding of the platfonn in a longitudinal direction alongthe rails 55 on the longitudinal platforms 5. Further, it is shown in more detail that thereis an intermediate part 60 that may telescopically move into the fixed parts 633, 643arranged with space for occupying the intermediate part 60 when the transversalplatform 6 is telescoping to be shorter . To provide for extra guidance and also eliminateobjects to fall down from the floor surface 62 of the platform there are arrangedupwardly protruding telescoping wall parts 642, 632. Preferably a first wall part 642presents a flat plate shape and the other part 632 presenting a bent plate 63 with a U-shaped upper portion that may ride on top of the first wall partIn Fig. 10 there is shown a view from above of a transversal platform 6 according to theinvention, wherein the brake mechanism 66, is shown in more detail. It is shown thatthere is arranged a long telescopic pivot rod 662 that extends along the whole back sideof the platform 6 that is pivotally supported by brackets 663. The brake grippingmember 660 is fixedly attached to the pivot rod 662. At each end of the pivot rod 662 itconnects with a movable brake part 664, which at its outer end is arranged with a brakemember 665. The movable brake part 664 is arranged with a radially protruding shaftdevice (e. g. screw) 665, that fits into an angled groove 666 in a fixed tube formed body667 that is attached to the outer side of the platform 6. Hence, when the brake grippingmember 660 is actuated/pivoted, from a release position to a braking position the, thepivot rod 662 will pivot/rotate and the shaft device 665 move along the groove 666,which will make the movable brake part 664 move outwards to finally get in clampingcontact with a wall part of the longitudinal platfonn 5, such that the transversal platform6 is locked in that position and cannot be moved from that position until the brake mechanism 66 is again actuated in the other direction.In Fig. 11 there is shown a perspective view of a stairway 7 that may form a part of theconcept according to the invention. It is how that the stairway comprises a lower staticpart 7A and an upper adjustable part 7B. At the top of the upper part 7B there is aplatform 72. The platfonn 72 may be adjustably positioned on different vertical heightsby means of a hydraulic cylinder 70 that can move the upper part 7B from thelowermost position to the uppermost position. The stairway 7 includes two stairwayuprights 71 that include guiding members for controlled guided movement of the upperpart 7B of the stairway 7. The upper part includes a stairway portion 73 that includestwo parallel attachment members 730, 731 for adapted positioning of each step 732 inthe stairway 73 to be positioned horizontally in every position. At the top of the fixedstairway part 7A there is an intermediate platfonn 74A. Fixed stairway part 75 lead tothe intermediate platfonn 74. There are safety fences 728, 748 arranged to provide forsafe climbing of the stairway, (in Figs 11-13 the safety fence part along the upperstairway portion 73 is not shown but merely in Fig. 14). The piston 70 is arrangedcentrally between the uprights 71 of the stairway 7. At the intermediate platfonn 74there is arranged support legs 76, preferably in the form of an up and down tumed U.There is a guiding arrangement 78 attached to the platfonn and extending along a sidesupport 79 that is attached undemeath the upper platform 7 2. There may be arranged aseparate platfonn (not shown) to have the hydraulic pump/machinery for the stairwaypositioned at a level above the ground floor GF to provide sufficient space to enablewalking undemeath it or it may also be positioned together with the other hydraulic devices, e. g. under the fixed platformIn Fig. 12 and 13 there are shown side views of a stairway shown in Fig. 11 wherein it is shown in an upper position in Fig. 12 and in a lower position in Fig.In Fig. 14 there is a perspective view from above showing a part of a workshop 1 inbetween two installations 2, 2” with focus on the upper part of a stairway 7 according tothe invention. There is shown that the upper platform 72 of the stairway is in level witha platfonn 52 of the closest installation 2 and also a platform 52” of an installation 2”further away. As can be seen in the figure there are telescopic side platforms 720,that may be extended to be in contact with each one of the longitudinal platfonns 52, 52”. Accordingly, a person may move from the platform 72 via a side platform 720, 721to enter onto any of the platforms 52, 52”. In accordance herewith the safety fence 728around the platform 72 is arranged with two doors 77A, 7 7B, each one providingopening to one of the side platforms 720, 721. It should be noted that in the shownfigure the fiamework parts 31 have been omitted, such that there is shown a gap in between the upper angled lateral support beams 33 and the rest of the structure.

In Fig. 15 there is shown a cross-sectional view from below of an upper part of astairway 7 according to the invention. Centrally there is shown a piston part 70 of thehydraulic cylinder that may move the upper platform 72 up and down. Further it isshown that the side platfonns 720, 721 have been extended sideways and that there maybe rollers 722 arranged to provide for low friction movement of the side platfonns 720,720. Moreover, it is shown that each stairway upright 71 is arranged with protrudingruler 710 that acts as a guide element for the upper platform 72, by means of havinggripping members 720 that guide along the rulers 710 on both sides. There is alsoshown that the platform may be equipped with a flexible cable support 723. Finally, it isshown that there may be arranged chains 730 on each side at the top of the upper thesafety fence 728 of the upper platform 72 which chains will extend and form safetyfences when the stairway is in its upper position, and which chains in the lower position of the upper platform 72 will merely flex and hang down along each side.

In Fig. 16 there is shown a further possible embodiment of a part of a workshop 1having two installations 2, 2”, arranged in series, i.e. along the same path of passage C,where two vehicles B, B” may be serviced simultaneously according to the invention. Itis shown that the installation 2 may advantagely be used in connection with lifters 100,that may lift the vehicle B up into a higher level, such that service may be performedfrom the underside of the vehicle B. At the same time, service may also be performedon the roof by means of positioning the platforms 5, 6 at an appropriate level forsimultaneous service at that level. As is evident, this also indicates, that the inventionmay be combined with using equipment installed below the ground floor level GF , e. g.lifters 100, service pits, etc. Moreover, the figure shows that in some workshops 1 it may be an advantage to use two installations of different length, e. g. a longer one 2”followed by a shorter one 2, such that simultaneously a first vehicle of a first size maybe serviced in the front installation and a second vehicle of a shorter kind may beserviced in the rear installation. In other regards the installation is basically similar to what has been described above.

The invention is not limited by the examples described above but may be varied withinthe scope of the appended claims. For instance, it is evident for the skilled person thatthe basic principles of the invention may be used in connection with numerous, variousstabilizing structures for the fixed structure. However, it is an advantage in mostinstallations to at least use the basic structure as suggested by means of having twoparallel longitudinal frame works 31, in order to provide for an easy installation of cranebeam 9. Moreover, it is foreseen that many different guiding arrangements may be usedboth for guiding of the vertical anchoring members 41 and for guidance of thetransversal platforms in a longitudinal direction and also for the longitudinal platformsfor guidance in a transversal direction. Moreover, it is foreseen that different materialsmay be used for instance that the stabilizing rear wall 53 of the longitudinal platform 5may be made in many different materials that can provide sufficient strength and alsosufficient hinder for larger objects not to fall outside from the floor 52 of the platform 5.Further, it is evident for the skilled person that different kind of actuating devices, otherthan hydraulic cylinders may be used, e.g. linear actuator, rack and pinion devices,which for instance may be powered by electric motors. Finally, it is foreseen thatseparate parts of the invention may be the subject for divisional applications, e. g. theconfiguration of the stairways 7, the arrangement of a self-supporting longitudinal platform, etc.

Claims (14)

1. Installation (2) for secure access to an upper part of a vehicle (B), said installation comprising: a fixed frame (3) arranged along a line (C) of passage for said vehicle (B), said fixed frame (3) including at least four, preferably merely four, uprights (30)interconnected at their top ends by longitudinally and transversally extendingsupport structures (31, 35, 32, 36), a vertically movable support structure (4), movable relative to the fixed frame (3),and by said vertically movable support structure (4) including a pair of transversalsupport beams (40) extending transversally between a pair of said uprights (30)positioned on each side of said line of passage (C), at least one longitudinal platform (5) supported by said movable support structure(4), a first actuating device (45) having one fixed part (450) fixed relative to the fixedframe (3) and a movable part (452) attached to said movable support structure (4), toarrange for vertical movement, of the movable support structure (4), Whereinadjacent each end of said transversal support beams (40) there is arranged a movableanchoring device (41) guided by said uprights (30) to enable vertical movement butfixed positioning in other directions, characterized by a second actuating device (42) having one part (420) attached to afirst fixing means (44) fixated to said movable support structure (4) and another part(421) attached to a second fixing means (43) attached to said longitudinal platform (5), to arrange for horizontal movement of the longitudinal platform (5) on the support beams (40).Installation (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that there is arranged at least one in a longitudinal direction movablez transversal platform (6), Wherein preferably at least at one end is movably supported by said longitudinal platform (5). 1 Evidently supported, e.g. see p. 6, I. 24-25, and the figures.

2. Evidently supported, e.g. see p. 11, I. 24-27, and the figures. Installation (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that there is arranged3 a pair ofparallelly arranged longitudinal platforms (5), wherein there preferably are arrangedtwo transversal platforms (6), which at each end is movably supported by o_f longitudinal platforms (5). Installation (2) according to any of claims l -3, characterized in that said supportstructures (3l, 35, 32, 36), include at least one longitudinal framework member (3l, 35), preferably two parallel longitudinal framework members (3l, 35). Installation (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that said support structures(31, 35, 32, 36) include at least one transversal framework member (32, 36), preferably two transversal framework members (32, 36). Installation (2) according to any of claim 2-3, characterized in that said transversal platform/s (6) comprise/s two parts (6A, 6B) that interact telescopically. Installation (2) according to any of claims l - 6, characterized in that saidlongitudinal platform (5) has a floor (52) limited by a support wall (53) along anouter long side, which support wall (53) is arranged to provide strength and alsohinder objects from falling down from said floor (52), by means of providing saidsupport wall (5 3) with a substantial height (h5) and fixing said support wall (53) tohave its lower edge (53B) at or below the level of said floor (52) and its upper edge(53A) well above level of said floor (52). Installation (2) according to any of claims 7, characterized in that said height (h5) isat least 250 mm, preferably within the range of 300-1000, and more preferred thatsaid height (h5) is larger at the center in between short end walls (54) of the platform (5) than adjacent the short end walls of the platforrn.

3. Evident clarificationInstallation (2) according to any of claims 1 - 8, characterized in that saidlongitudinal platform (5) has short end walls (54) 4and at each short end wall (54)has a hollow carrying member (50) attached thereto, which hollow carryingmembers (50) provide support and a transversal open space for housing of said support beams (40) to enable transversal movement of said longitudinal platform (5)- Installation (2) according to claim 9, characterized in that said hollow carryingmember (50), preferably at its outside, has attached thereto said second fixing means(43), wherein preferably said first fixing means (44) is attached to said support beam (40). Installation (2) according to any of claims 4 - 10, characterized in that a pair ofparallel longitudinal framework members (31, 31”), either in one installation (2) ortwo parallel neighboring installations (2, 2'), support a transversally arranged crane beam (9) arranged to be movable in the longitudinal direction. Installation (2) according to any of claims 1 - 11, characterized in that said movable anchoring device (41) includes a cardan joint (46), between the end of each support beam (40) and a guide frame member (410), which guide frame member (410) is included in said anchoring mechanism 41.Installation (2) according to any of claims 1 - 12, characterized by comprising atleast one stair way arrangement (7) including a lower fixed stair way part (7A) andan upper movable stair way part (7B), which includes a top platform (72) that bymeans of an actuating device (70) may position said top platform (72) at different levels.

4. Evident clarification5 Clarification supported by p. 10, I 20-14. Installation (2) according to claim 13, characterized in that said top platform (72)includes at least one, preferably two, telescopic side platform/s (720, 721) arranged to provide extended flooring at one side or both sides of said top platform (72).