WO2022038566A1

WO2022038566A1 - Insulated trimming device

Info

Publication number: WO2022038566A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/057663
Authority: WO
Inventors: James Patrick SOKALSKI
Original assignee: Wairarapa Treescaping Limited
Priority date: 2020-08-21
Filing date: 2021-08-20
Publication date: 2022-02-24

Abstract

A telescopic assembly for trimming vegetation or other materials can comprise one or more first members operative to be coupled in use to a mobile vehicle and one or more second members configured to be coupled to the one or more first members at one end and to a cutting member at another end opposite to the first end, where the one or more second members are configured to electrically insulate the one or more first members from the cutting member.

Description

Insulated Trimming Device

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices and tools used for applications such as landscaping and construction. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention is directed to an insulated trimming device and its method of use for safely and reliably cutting/trimming vegetation or other materials around or near power/transmission lines using mechanisation or safely trimming vegetation or other materials at elevated heights.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cutting trees in the vicinity of live power/transmission lines puts people at significant risk of injury from both electrocution as well as injuries from falling debris and the tools being used (e.g., chainsaw). The current devices/methods used for clearing/cutting/trimming vegetation within the vicinity of power/transmission lines involve using an elevated work platform having a person in a “bucket” (e.g., a bucket lift) using insulated tools and equipment to manually and/or directly cut/trim vegetation away from the power/transmission lines. This is a high risk activity and requires the operator(s) to undertake a large amount of training and build up vast experience in order to safely and reliably perform the required tasks. Even then, the abovementioned risks are everpresent and can still cause harm or death due to human error or other contributing factors.

Those skilled in the art would understand that in the event where any part of the person/operator contacts a live power/transmission line (for example by indirectly dropping a branch on the conducting line), the person/operator can be subjected to a fatal electric shock and/or severe burns/injuries resulting from an arc flash (or flashover). Thus, it is clear that the currently implemented methods/tools put people at high risks. Further, currently implemented methods/tools can have limited access/reach, consume a large amount of time and resources and have a low level of accuracy, making them very ineffective and inefficient for clearing/trimming large amounts of vegetation or other materials. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a vegetation cutting trimming device for landscaping/clearing vegetation or other materials which addresses the aforesaid issues and mitigates their associated risks, inefficacy and inefficiency.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an insulated trimming device , which at least goes some way toward overcoming the above disadvantages or which at least provides the public with a useful choice.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a safe and reliable device for cutting/trimming vegetation or other materials for landscaping (and other) purposes.

It is a further object of the present invention to mechanise trimming, cutting and/or removal of vegetation or other types of material, especially in and around the power/transmission lines.

It is yet another object of the present invention to improve the efficacy and efficiency of devices used for landscaping applications.

Further objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention may be said to broadly consist in a telescopic assembly for trimming vegetation or other materials, comprising: one or more first members operative to be coupled in use to a mobile vehicle; and one or more second members configured to be coupled to the one or more first members at one end and to a cutting member at another end opposite to the first end, wherein the one or more second members are configured to electrically insulate the one or more first members from the cutting member.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more second members are made up of electrically non-conductive material.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the one or more second members comprise fiberglass. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the one or more first members comprise an attachment member at the one end operative to couple the one or more first members to the mobile vehicle.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the attachment member comprises one or more bucket ears and one or more pins.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the comprising a head member configured to be removably or permanently coupled to the other end of the one or more second members and to the cutting member.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the telescopic assembly comprises cutting member, the cutting member being configured to be removably or permanently coupled to the head member.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the telescopic assembly comprises the cutting member, the cutting member being configured to be removably or permanently coupled to the other end of the one or more second members.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the cutting member and/or the head member are configured to be moved independently of any other member of the telescopic assembly.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the telescopic assembly comprises a valve member that is configured to be electrically and/or fluidly connected to the mobile vehicle.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the valve member comprises wiring and/or one or more hoses for connection to the machine for controlling members of the assembly.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the one or more hoses are made up of electrically non-conductive material. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the valve member comprises a solenoid valve.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the telescopic assembly comprises a self-retracting hydraulic hose reel for maintaining the one or more hoses in tension, wherein the self-retracting hydraulic hose reel is in fluid communication with one or more other members of the telescopic assembly.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the telescopic assembly comprises one or more roller guides for supporting a hose of the self-retracting hydraulic hose reel.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the one or more first members and/or the one or more second members comprise elongate members.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the telescopic assembly is configured to be in a retracted position when not in use.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the telescopic assembly comprises a camera mounted on at least one of the one or more first members and the one or more second members, the camera being configured to monitor the cutting member and/or the head member.

In another aspect the present invention may be said to broadly consist of a system for trimming vegetation or other materials, comprising: the telescopic assembly of according to the first aspect of the present invention; and, the mobile vehicle.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile vehicle comprises a controller and/or a user interface configured to control operation of the mobile vehicle and/or the telescopic assembly.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the system comprises a/the head member and/or a/the cutting member, and wherein the controller and/or user interface is configured to control operation of the head member and/or cutting member. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the controller and/or user interface is configured to control operation of the different elements via the valve member.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the mobile vehicle is an excavator.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the system comprises an earthing member coupled to the mobile vehicle and configured to electrically ground the mobile vehicle and the telescopic assembly.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the system is configured to operate in a first mode when the earthing member is deployed and secured to the ground.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, in the first mode, the system is configured to prevent movement of the mobile vehicle and allow operation of the telescopic assembly.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, fluid flow and/or supply of power to: enable movement of the mobile vehicle is prevented; and operate the telescopic assembly is allowed.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the system is configured to operate in a second mode when the earthing member is not secured to the ground.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, in the second mode, the system is configured to allow movement of the mobile vehicle and prevent operation of the telescopic assembly.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, fluid flow and/or supply of power to: enable movement of the mobile vehicle is allowed; and operate the telescopic assembly is prevented.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the earthing member is hydraulically operated.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a switch is used to change modes. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the earthing member comprises a sensor and the sensor is used to signal to a central processing unit (CPU) whether the mobile vehicle and the telescopic assembly are being electrically grounded.

In another aspect the present invention may be said to broadly consist in an insulated trimming device as described herein with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements and features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A number of embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a side view of an assembly comprising the insulated trimming device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in application.

Figure 2 shows a side view of a telescopic assembly of the insulated trimming device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a side view of a telescopic assembly of the insulated trimming device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a sectioned side view of an attachment member/portion of the insulated trimming device according an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 shows a sectioned 3D view of the attachment member/portion of Fig. 4; Figure 6 is a sectioned top view drawing of a valve member of the insulated trimming device according to an embodiment of the present invention;,

Figure 7 shows a 3D side view of the valve member of Fig. 6 mounted on the insulated trimming device;

Figure 8 shows a side view of a hydraulic hose reel mounted on or attached to the insulated trimming device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9 shows an earthing member for use with a machine comprising the insulated trimming device according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 10 illustrates a diagram of the wiring and plumbing for using an earthing member with a machine comprising the insulated trimming device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various principles of the present invention. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all these details are necessarily always required for practising the present invention.

In order to overcome the abovementioned disadvantages of the currently used devices and methods, the device and system according to the present invention employs a concept of attaching or coupling an insulated trimming device 100 to a mobile machine/excavator thereby allowing a person/an operator to safely trim and remove trees or other vegetation/materials at elevated heights and/or away from power/transmission lines from a distance and within the safety of a machine/excavator cab.

The insulated trimming device 100 may comprise one or more insulated members 110 that may be rated to work on line voltages of up to 40,000 volts. The insulated member(s) 110 may be made up of electrically non-conductive material. In some embodiments, the insulated member(s) 110 is/are made up of fibreglass. The arrangement of the insulated trimming device 100 comprising the insulated member(s) 110 will be described in further detail below. The insulated trimming device 100 can perform all tasks usually carried out manually and directly by the person/operator and with the ability to perform cuts/trims with the same precise control. In the event where a portion of the insulated member(s) 110 contacts the power/transmission lines, the operator will be protected from the powerline due to the insulated member(s) 110 (as well as the protected machine/excavator cab), ensuring the safety of the operator from an electric shock or burns from a flashover event.

Fig. 1 illustrates how the insulated trimming device 100 can be used to trim/cut trees and other vegetation proximate to power/transmission lines or generally at elevated heights where additional and/or variable reach is required. As shown, the insulated trimming device 100 may be attached to an equipment/machine (e.g., an excavator) and comprise an elongate telescopic arrangement. This provides a safe distance between the operator and the cutting/trimming site proximate to the power/transmission line and so ensures the operator’s safety.

The elongate telescopic arrangement is further shown in more detail in Figs. 2 to .

Figs. 2 and 3 illustrates utilization of the telescopic insulated trimming device 100 mounted on a machine/excavator (partially shown on Fig. 2), providing the machine/excavator with the ability to extend out to reach high vegetation and reach over power/transmission lines and other obstacles. This allows the machine/excavator to be securely placed in one position and perform the required cutting/trimming from that position. This also reduces the amount of positional adjustments required for the machine/excavator, mitigating the risk of the machine/excavator losing its position or balance and tipping over as a result.

In some embodiments, the insulated trimming device 100 comprises any one or more of: an attachment member/portion 120 for permanently or removably attaching to the machine/excavator/vehicle, a valve member 130 for providing means to control the insulated trimming device (e.g., connection of a wiring harness and/or valve(s)), one or more elongate members (booms) 140 that may be telescopic and made up of electrically conductive material (e.g., metal), one or more insulated members 110 that may be connected to the one or more elongate members 140, a head member 150 and a cutting member 160 for controllably trimm ing/cutting vegetation or other types of material. In some embodiments, the head member 150 and the cutting member 160 are configured to be hydraulically operated and the head member 150 may be an intermediate element for allowing the coupling of the cutting member 160 to the one or more insulated members 110. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the insulated member(s) 110 is/are configured to insulate the cutting member 160 from at least the portion of the trimming device 100 that is to be attached to the machine/excavator (e.g., via the attachment member/portion 120), which (along with using non-conductive hosing) ensures the safety of the machine/excavator and in turn safety of the operator.

In some embodiments, the insulated member(s) 110 may be elongate. The insulated member(s) 110 may be permanently attached to the one or more elongate members 140 or may be removably attachable to the one or more elongate members 140 at one end and the head member 150 and/or the cutting member 160 at the other end.

In some embodiments, the head member 150 and/or the cutting member 160 may be operated/moved independently of any other member of the insulated trimming device 100 for example, hydraulically using the valve member 130 and hosing. This effectively improves the flexibility and reach of the trimming device 100. The cutting member 160 may be any one of known landscaping tools such as a tree shear or a chainsaw blade. Those skilled in the art would understand that other tools for cutting other types of material can also be provided.

The insulated member(s) 110 may be protected by having the telescopic arrangement of the insulated trimming device 100 in a retracted/withdrawn position when the device is in a non-operational state. This avoids any damage to the insulated member 110 from the vegetation and any other objects. When operating proximate to power/transmission lines, the use of a telescopic arrangement allows greater control and provides the ability to cut small sections with precision and consistency.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate an embodiment of the attachment member/portion 120 of the insulated trimming device 100. A quick hitch style mechanism is shown (although other similar forms of attachments providing the same functionality can be used instead) provided proximal to an end of the attachment member/portion 120. This mechanism is configured to allow an end of the equipment/machine to be quickly and easily attached, coupled or connected to the insulated trimming device 100. Using such attachment member/portion 120 allows for the machine to be used for multiple purposes and ensures that the machine/vehicle is able to be transported easily by being removably attached to the insulated trimming device 100, meaning that it is not required for the machine/vehicle to permanently carry/move the device 100.

In some embodiments, once the insulated trimming device 100 is coupled to the machine via the attachment member/portion 120, only three hose pieces and one wiring harness/loom may be required to be attached to the equipment/machine to provide an electronic/hydraulic connection to operate the device 100. Those skilled in the art would understand that other arrangements for providing an electronic/hydraulic (or any other form of) connection may be used/provided.

In some embodiments, the attachment member/portion 120 comprises one or more bucket ears and/or one or more pins. The bucket ears and/or pins can be used to attach a portion of the device 100 to an end of the equipment/machine.

This connection arrangement provides the ability for the machine to be used for multiple purposes as it is able to quickly change from one task to another. For example, when the machine is an excavator, the excavator can be used to perform and quickly switch between the tasks of cutting trees, tree felling, and cleaning with a bucket. When the insulated trimming device 100 is coupled to an end of the excavator, it can then be efficiently and effectively used as a tool for cutting/trimming vegetation.

Fig. 7 illustrate how the valve member 130 of Fig. 6 can be mounted on a portion of the insulated trimming device 100 (e.g., the one or more elongate members 140) allowing for a wiring harness/loom to be connected (e.g., an electrical/hydraulic valve) to the machine for controlling the device 100 and its functions. The machine may comprise a user interface or controller (not shown) with the ability to control all operations of the device 100. For example, the machine can be equipped with a multiple button remote controller or joystick that has the ability to at least partially control the operations of the insulated trimming device 100. In some embodiments, a camera may also be provided at any portion of the insulated trimming device in order to provide visual aid to the operator. For example, the camera can be mounted on the telescopic trimming device 100 such that an operator of the machine can monitor (via, e.g., an associated display part or not of the user interface) the cutting member 160 and/or the head member 150.

In some embodiments, the valve member 130 of Fig. 6 may comprise a solenoid valve and/or may comprise any one or more of: a high pressure valve bank, solenoid(s) for the valve bank, pressure feed from and return feed to the machine, a wiring harness connectable to the machine and an output feed to a portion of the insulated trimming device 100 (e.g., the telescopic boom and/or a head of the device 100). The output feed(s) can be used to provide hydraulic fluid (i.e. , pressurised fluid) to various elements of the insulated trimming device 100 to enable operation, control and manipulation of those elements. In some embodiments, the valve member’s function involves either opening or closing an orifice in a valve body, which either allows or prevents flow through the valve member. A plunger may be used to open or close the orifice by raising or lowering within a sleeve tube by energising the solenoid. In some embodiments, when the solenoid is energised, the resultant magnetic field raises the plunger, enabling flow. Alternatively, the solenoid can be energised to seal off the orifice and therefore prevent flow. Those skilled in the art would understand that other arrangements of the valve member 130 are also possible.,

In some embodiments, one or more (electrically) non-conductive hose 180 are provided to allow hydraulic fluid flow (e.g., oil) to enable precise control of one or more elements of the insulated trimming device 100 (e.g., the head member 150 and/or the cutting member 160). At least a portion of the one or more hoses 180 may be used as the output feeds (or connected to the output feeds) of the valve member 130.

As shown in Fig. 8, the insulated trimming device 100 may comprise a self-retracting hydraulic hose reel 170. Also, in some embodiments, not all of the required hoses 180 can be fitted within the insulated trimming device 100 (e.g., only 11 internal hoses from a total of 18) and so it is desirable to provide the ability of having external hoses 180 to make sure all hoses 180 are accounted for. To facilitate this, the insulated trimming device 100 may comprise one or more roller guides 190 or the like to allow the external hose(s) 180 to be supported while extending or retracting.

The use of the self- retracting hydraulic hose reel 170 and roller guides 190 allows for the hoses 180 to extend and retract with the telescopically arranged trimming device while remaining in tension to prevent sagging or getting tangled during operation - this is particularly useful for applications where the hoses 180 can get caught on external objects (e.g., tree branches) and get damaged and/or halt operation as a result.

As shown in Fig. 9, the machine/excavator/vehicle may be equipped with an earthing member 200 that is configured to electrically earth the machine/excavator/vehicle when it is near live transmission lines. This provides a safety net in an event where any part of the trimming device or the machine/excavator/vehicle that is electrically conductive (e.g., the one or more elongate members 140), contacts the live transmission line(s). In such an event, the contact with the live transmission line(s) would initiate the protection measures (e.g., fuse(s)) on the transmission lines and cause to power to be shut off. This demonstrates another potential advantage of the insulated trimming device 100, in that it avoids any contact with live transmission lines and power shutting off as a result. This in turn avoids disruptions to power distribution and equipment damage and provides for easier maintenance of the transmission lines.

In some embodiments, the earthing member 200 is hydraulically operated and may comprise one of various arrangements, such as a spike that is to be inserted into the ground. The earthing member 200 may be retrofitted to the machine/excavator/vehicle. The earthing member 200 may be operated prior to operation of the insulated trimming device 100. The earthing member 200 may be removed/disconnected after operation of the insulated trimming device 100.

In some embodiments, the insulated trimming device 100 may be prohibited from operating if the earthing member 200 is not fitted to the machine/excavator/vehicle and/or if the earthing member 200 has not been inserted into the ground. One method of achieving this is the prevention of fluid/oil flow to the one or more elongate members 140 when the earthing member 200 is not fitted or operating.

Fig. 10 shows a diagram of a possible embodiment of the wiring and plumbing of the earthing member 200. This illustrates the functionality and mechanism of the earthing member 200 which is operated (e.g., hydraulically) to earth the machine/excavator/vehicle prior to and/or during operation of the insulated trimming device 100. This mechanism may be configured to prevent the machine/excavator/vehicle from moving when the earthing member 200 (and therefore the insulated trimming device 100) is operating, by isolating oil/fluid from (/.e., preventing flow to) the motor(s) of the machine/excavator/vehicle.

In practice, the operator can use the switch (shown on the left hand side of the diagram) to activate an operational mode (first mode), in which the earthing member 200 is inserted into the ground and movement of the machine/excavator/vehicle is prohibited. Alternatively, the operator can use the switch to activate a non-operational mode (second mode) of the system in which the machine/excavator/vehicle can move and no power is delivered to the valve member 130 and/or other electronics for controlling the insulated trimming device 100.

The insertion of the earthing member 200 may be sensed by the sensor (illustrated on the left hand side of the diagram) which in turn signals the Central Processing Unit (CPU, controller or microcontroller) to provide power to the valve member 130 and/or other electronics in order to inhibit movement of the machine/excavator/vehicle. This may be done by powering the valve bank and activating the solenoid to stop hydraulic fluid (e.g., oil) flow to drive motors of the machine/excavator/vehicle tracks or wheels. Once the first mode has been activated, the operation of the insulated trimming device 100 can commence.

Once the operator has finished using the insulated trimming device 100, the earthing member 200 can be removed/retracted from the ground and the operation of the insulated trimming device 100 can be stopped by activating the second mode using the switch. This will once again allow hydraulic fluid to flow to the drive motors of the tracks or wheels.

The foregoing description of the invention includes preferred forms thereof. Modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention. The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features. Furthermore, where reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Claims

1. A telescopic assembly for trimming vegetation or other materials, comprising: one or more first members operative to be coupled in use to a mobile vehicle; and one or more second members configured to be coupled to the one or more first members at one end and to a cutting member at another end opposite to the first end, wherein the one or more second members are configured to electrically insulate the one or more first members from the cutting member.

2. The telescopic assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more second members are made up of electrically non-conductive material.

3. The telescopic assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the one or more second members comprise fiberglass.

4. The telescopic assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more first members comprise an attachment member at the one end operative to couple the one or more first members to the mobile vehicle.

5. The telescopic assembly of claim 4, wherein the attachment member comprises one or more bucket ears and one or more pins.

6. The telescopic assembly of any one of the preceding claims, comprising a head member configured to be removably or permanently coupled to the other end of the one or more second members and to the cutting member.

7. The telescopic assembly of claim 6, comprising the cutting member, the cutting member being configured to be removably or permanently coupled to the head member.

8. The telescopic assembly of any one of claims 1-5, comprising the cutting member, the cutting member being configured to be removably or permanently coupled to the other end of the one or more second members.

9. The telescopic assembly of any one of claims 6-8, wherein the cutting member and/or the head member are configured to be moved independently of any other member of the telescopic assembly.

10. The telescopic assembly of any one of the preceding claims, comprising a valve member that is configured to be electrically and/or fluidly connected to the mobile vehicle.

11. The telescopic assembly of claim 10, wherein the valve member comprises wiring and/or one or more hoses for connection to the machine for controlling members of the assembly.

12. The telescopic assembly of claim 11, wherein the one or more hoses are made up of electrically non-conductive material.

13. The telescopic assembly of any one of claims 10-12, wherein the valve member comprises a solenoid valve.

14. The telescopic assembly of any one of claims 10-13, comprising a self-retracting hydraulic hose reel for maintaining the one or more hoses in tension, wherein the selfretracting hydraulic hose reel is in fluid communication with one or more other members of the telescopic assembly.

15. The telescopic assembly of claim 14, comprising one or more roller guides for supporting a hose of the self- retracting hydraulic hose reel.

16. The telescopic assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more first members and/or the one or more second members comprise elongate members.

17. The telescopic assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the telescopic assembly is configured to be in a retracted position when not in use.

18. The telescopic assembly of any one of the preceding claims, comprising a camera mounted on at least one of the one or more first members and the one or more second members, the camera being configured to monitor the cutting member and/or the head member.

19. A system for trimming vegetation or other materials, comprising: the telescopic assembly of any one of the preceding claims; and, the mobile vehicle.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the mobile vehicle comprises a controller and/or a user interface configured to control operation of the mobile vehicle and/or the telescopic assembly.

21. The system of claim 20, comprising a/the head member and/or a/the cutting member, and wherein the controller and/or user interface is configured to control operation of the head member and/or cutting member.

22. The system of claim 20 or 21, wherein the controller and/or user interface is configured to control operation of the different elements via the valve member.

23. The system of any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein the mobile vehicle is an excavator.

24. The system of any one of claims 19 to 23, comprising an earthing member coupled to the mobile vehicle and configured to electrically ground the mobile vehicle and the telescopic assembly.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the system is configured to operate in a first mode when the earthing member is deployed and secured to the ground.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein, in the first mode, the system is configured to prevent movement of the mobile vehicle and allow operation of the telescopic assembly.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein fluid flow and/or supply of power to: enable movement of the mobile vehicle is prevented; and operate the telescopic assembly is allowed.

28. The system of any one of claims 24 to 27, wherein the system is configured to operate in a second mode when the earthing member is not secured to the ground.

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29. The system of claim 28, wherein, in the second mode, the system is configured to allow movement of the mobile vehicle and prevent operation of the telescopic assembly.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein fluid flow and/or supply of power to: enable movement of the mobile vehicle is allowed; and operate the telescopic assembly is prevented.

31. The system of any one of claims 24 to 30, wherein the earthing member is hydraulically operated.

32. The system of any one of claims 24 to 31 , wherein a switch is used to change modes.

33. The system of any one of claims 24 to 32, wherein the earthing member comprises a sensor and the sensor is used to signal to a central processing unit (CPU) whether the mobile vehicle and the telescopic assembly are being electrically grounded.

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