Patent ID: 6585079
Filing Date: 2003-07-01
Classification: B66F

Abstract:
A fluid-powered laterally rotatable work platform assembly useable with a vehicle having an arm for positioning the work platform assembly, the work platform assembly comprising:a work platform having a support surface for supporting a load; a body having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends and a cavity extending along the longitudinal axis at least part way between the first and second ends, the body having a body connection portion configured to be coupled to one of the work platform and the arm of the vehicle; an output shaft rotatably disposed within the body and having a shaft axis generally coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the body, the shaft having a shaft connection portion configured to be coupled to the other of the work platform and the arm of the vehicle; a linear-to-rotary force transmitting member positioned within the cavity of the body and mounted for longitudinal movement within the body generally aligned with the longitudinal axis in response to selective application of pressurized fluid thereto, the force transmitting member engaging the body and the output shaft to translate longitudinal motion of the force transmitting member to rotational movement of one of the output shaft and the body relative to the other of the output shaft and the body; at least one link member coupled between the work platform and the one of the body and output shaft connection portions to which the work platform is coupled, the at least one link member being coupled to transmit rotational force to the work platform to selectively laterally rotate in a lateral plane the work platform about the longitudinal axis to the left and to the right relative to the arm of the vehicle as one of the output shaft and the body rotates relative to the other, the at least one link member having sufficient strength to support the work platform above the ground while the work platform supports the load when the load is below a selected load capacity in a downward direction while permitting at least limited downward movement of the work platform under the load supported by the work platform in the downward direction at least when the load in the downward direction approaches the selected load capacity, the at least one link member being configured to transmit at least a portion of the load supported by the work platform in the downward direction to the one of the body and output shaft connection portions to which the work platform is coupled by the at least one link member, the at least one link member being sufficiently flexible to flex downward under the portion of the load supported by the work platform in the downward direction which is transmitted by the at least one link member when the load supported by the work platform in the downward direction approaches the selected load capacity; and at least one load sensor positioned to detect the portion of the load supported by the work platform in the downward direction which is transmitted by the at least one link member by measuring the flexure of the at least one link member in the downward direction.