Patent ID: 9139402
Filing Date: 2015-09-22
Classification: B66C,E04H

Abstract:
1. A load guide for coupling to a boom assembly of an aerial device, the load guide comprising: a load guide base adapted to be coupled to the boom assembly, said load guide base presenting a front portion that is proximate a load and defining a forward direction, said load guide base presenting a back portion that is opposite the front portion and defining a backward direction, a pair of load-securing arms, each of the load-securing arms being rotationally connected to a pivot point, each of the load-securing arms being movable between an operative position and a retracted position, wherein when the pair of load-securing arms is in the operative position, the load-securing arms are adapted to secure and release a load, said load-securing arms being disposed in an operational plane, wherein when the pair of load-securing arms is in the retracted position, the load-securing arms are stored such that the load-securing arms neither secure nor release a load, said load securing arms being disposed in a retracted plane, wherein the operational plane is generally coplanar with the retracted plane; at least one link element disposed between the load guide base and the pivot point of each of the load-securing arms, each link element movably connected to the load guide base; and an actuator for inducing movement of at least one said link element relative to the base, thereby causing the pair of load-securing arms to move from the operative position to the retracted position, wherein the movement of each said link element relative to the load guide base corresponds to at least some translational movement of the pivot point of each load-securing arm in the forward direction or the backward direction, wherein moving the load-securing arms from the operative position to the retracted position includes rotating each of the load-securing arms toward the other load-securing arm about their respective pivot points, and further includes at least some translational movement of the pivot point of each of the load-securing arms relative to the front portion of the load guide base.