WO2013061349A1

WO2013061349A1 - Articulated platform provided with a translational and rotation motion that enables its perfect plane alignment in order to correct the step to which it is applied.

Info

Publication number: WO2013061349A1
Application number: PCT/IT2012/000323
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vincenzo MINOPOLI; Enrico MINOPOLI
Original assignee: Minopoli Vincenzo; Minopoli Enrico
Priority date: 2011-10-26
Filing date: 2012-10-23
Publication date: 2013-05-02
Also published as: ITNA20110024U1

Abstract

Articulated platform made up of an inclined plane that moves close to the step to overcome thanks to the translational and rotation movement given by an actuator and two plates fixed to the inclined plane and to the base.

Description

ARTICULATED PLATFORM PROVIDED WITH A TRANSLATIONAL AND ROTATION MOTION THAT ENABLES ITS PERFECT PLANE ALIGNMENT IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE STEP TO WHICH IT IS APPLIED.

The access to shops and premises located downstairs is often provided with a step in order to prevent the rainwater from entering.

This step is uncomfortable for the way through of cars, trucks and other mechanical means, so platforms or boards are often applied to the step in order to turn it in an inclined plane.

Generally, this is a temporary solution removed after use.

This solution has another drawback, as it has to be specifically realized for the step to overcome and it cannot be used for steps of a different height.

The object of the present patent for utility model is the realization of a mobile platform that allows to level perfectly the step to which it is applied by a composite translational and rotation motion.

A further object of the model is to allow, to a certain extent, the use of the same platform for steps of a different height. Another object is to allow the handling of the platform plane in an automatic way by means of an electric motor.

This and other advantages may be realized by means of the platform the patent is asked for, whose solution idea is illustrated on the attached tables as a realization shown with indicative and not binding purpose.

Table 1/7 in figure 1 shows, schematically, a longitudinal side view of the platform completely lowered.

Figure 2 shows the platform lifted up, with the plane completely drawn close to the step top face. Table 2/7 in figure 3) shows the platform approaching the step, with a large section plane of the lifting plane, in order to point out the working mechanism.

Table 3/7 in figure 4 refers to the platform completely lowered.

Table 4/7 in figure 5 shows the platform in an exploded view in order to show the different components.

Table 5/7 in figure 6 shows the platform basic element.

Table 6/7 in figure 7 assumes the lifted platform without the covering pan.

Table 7/7 in figure 8 shows the entire lifting platform.

With reference to the figures, the platform is make up of the mobile plane (1) free to slide and to rotate on the frame (2) provided with longitudinal ending splays (3) and fixed to the ground by means of the side ears (4).

The plane (1) presents in its thickness the head slots (5) and

(6] and the tail pins (7).

The frame (2) presents at the bottom end of the slays (3] the longitudinal slots (8).

On frame (2), where the plane (1) slides, the pan (9) is inserted, with the side finnings (10) and (11).

Under the mobile plane (1) the relative operating system is placed, formed by an actuator (12) and the levers (13).

These last two elements are fixed as ends to the plane (1) and (2), in oder to allow, by means of a proper engine, a rotation and translational movement of the plane (1).

The plane (1) is controlled in its movement by pins (7) that pass in the slots (8). The platform presents as well two or more side boards (14) and (15) provided with, at the one end, holes (16) and at the other end with pins (17); these boards, while the platform is moving, ensure the concealment of the mechanism and prevent foreign matters from entering the system by accident. With reference to the enclosed tables and to the description: the articulated platform, constrained to the levers (13), by means of the straight movement of the actuator (12), moves with a translational and rotation movement towards the step (18).

By properly controlling the height and the position of the levers (13) and of the actuator (12), it is possible to move the plane (1) close to the step (18), to which it has to be approached, in order to overcome it.

As already said, the mobile side boards (14) and (15) are free to slide thanks to the end pins (17) that move in the slots (5) and (6), ensuring, while moving, the concealment of the inner mechanism.

Thus, the articulated platform is a particular mobile platform that, placed close to a drop of one or more steps, thanks to its single rotation and translational movement, and/or with compass levers, enables the mobile plane to approach the step creating an inclined plane that moves from the lowest level to the highest level, facilitating the passing through to all the machines, vehicles, or means provided with wheels such as luggage carriers, bicycles, cars. The platform, provided with safety supplies, may be also used by the handicapped, that use particular means of transport, to overcome the architectural barriers.

The platform capacity will be in proportion with the final use of the same. The plane movement takes place by means of an actuator with a screw piston powered with low-tension current with protection degree IP66, then it may be used both indoor and outdoor.

By operating the actuator, the upper trample plane moves. This plane, drived by the slipping screw studs for the fixing at the upper and lower plane, and through security flanges that slip in due sliding slots, pushes the rotating levers producing, as already said, a rotation and translational movement that will bring it to an inclined position close to the discharge plane. This same movement will operate the security side flanges that will compensate for the empty space between the two planes.

The drive may take place with an automatic button or radio control.

The installation of the articulated platform is extremely easy, in fact it is sufficient to move the plane till it reaches the obstacle to overcome, to approach the edge of the inclined plane to that of the obstacle by exerting a light pressure between the two edges and to fix them to the floor using due locking ears; then, it is sufficient to apply the perimetric covering pan and to connect the electric power supply.

In a built-in version, it is necessary to make a small excavation on the floor corresponding to the basis of the articulated platform and, if necessary, to make a water discharge for still water; then, it will be sufficient to properly set the device and to connect it to the electric power supply. In this case, the platform will completely disappear on the floor and will more easily integrate in the surrounding environment.

Formal and structural changes to the solution idea may be made, without departing from the inventive concept that is defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. Articulated platform made up of a base (2) and a plane (1) hinged to it and fit to be placed close to a step (18]; this plane is provided, on the back side, with a mechanism made up of two plates (13) and an actuator (12) that, driven by an engine, move the platform with a rotation and translational movement in order to bring it close to the drop formed by the step, creating an inclined plane that perfectly links up to it.

2. Platform, as and for the purpose of the first claim, characterized by the fact that the plates (13) and the actuator (12) are fixed, in a flexible way, through proper sleeves, to the base (2) and to the mobile inclined plane (1).

3. Platform, as and for the purpose of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the joint points of the actuator and of the plates are realized so as to enable the composite rotation and translational movement necessary to level off with an inclined plane the step height.

4. Platform, as and for the purpose of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that it is provided with the perimetric covering pans (9), (10) and (11) that ensure, while moving, the concealment of the mechanism.

5. Platform, as and for the purpose of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the side walls may be provided with two or more boards (14) and (15) that slide, fanning out, thanks to the upper end pins (17), that move in due slots (5) and (6) placed at the platform side, ensuring the concealment of the mechanism and preventing foreign matters from entering the system.

6. Platform, as and for the purpose of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the side pans are, below, provided with holes (16] in order to fix them to the pins (7) placed at the lower side wall.

7. Platform, as and for the purpose of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that a built-in version provided with a small excavation on the floor , corresponding to the basis may be realized.

8. Platform, as and for the purpose of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that a version for the overcoming of the architectural barriers may be realized.