Patent ID: 8443936
Filing Date: 2013-05-21
Classification: B66F

Abstract:
1. A universal work platform attachment for mobile and boom truck cranes, and telescopic boom assemblies, said work platform attachment comprising: a platform mounting member in fixed connection to the distal end of a crane boom; a top platform rotation base in fixed connection to, and substantially positioned below, said platform mounting member, said top platform rotation base having a bottom surface; a rotation bearing drive assembly in fixed connection to said top platform rotation base and positioned below it, said rotation bearing drive assembly having a lower portion; a bottom platform support structure in fixed connection to said lower portion of said rotation bearing drive assembly; a work platform member having a bottom surface in fixed connection to said bottom platform support structure that causes said bottom surface of said work platform member and said rotation bearing drive assembly to become fastened to one another in the same geometric plane; hinging means pivotally connected between said platform mounting member and said top platform rotation base, said hinging means further adapted for rotation of said work platform member through approximately 180-degrees starting from a position where said work platform member is on one side of the crane boom in its stowed position and positioned parallel to the crane boom, with said top platform rotation base and said platform mounting member staying in fixed orientation to the connected crane boom distal end during all rotation of said rotation bearing drive assembly from 0-degrees to approximately 180-degrees and while transferring all bending and torsion loads from said work platform member to the connected crane boom; a linear leveling actuator connected between said platform mounting member and said top platform rotation base, and in fixed connection to said platform mounting member, said linear leveling actuator automatically extending and contracting different amounts in response to each instance of out-of-level positioning experienced by said work platform member, with said extension and contraction being proportional to an amount of out-of-level positioning said work platform member attains and also being commenced as often as needed to maintain said work platform member in a level orientation relative to the ground below it, said linear leveling actuator extending and contracting while the associated crane boom is raised and lowered, and also during rotation of said work platform member regardless of the positioning and movement of payload and personnel onboard said work platform member, and further irrespective of any cantilevered or off-set positioning, resulting in said rotation bearing drive assembly, said platform support structure, and said work platform member all being level when said bottom surface of said top platform rotation base is level, said linear leveling actuator also having a safety locking mechanism that maintains its current linear positioning in the event of other failure during leveling of said work platform member; an electronic leveling sensor in fixed association with said top platform rotation base and also in electrical communication with said linear leveling actuator; power supply means adapted for providing power to operate said electronic leveling sensor and said linear leveling actuator, said power supply means associated with said top platform rotation base and in electrical communication with said electronic leveling sensor and said linear leveling actuator; and at least one control processor associated with said work platform member and in electrical communication with said linear leveling actuator and said a rotation bearing drive assembly, wherein safety for personnel and payloads onboard said work platform member is enhanced when automated leveling of said work platform member takes place during its rotation and also during articulation of the connected crane boom, and safety is also enhanced by electrical communication of said at least one control processor with said linear leveling actuator when situations are encountered requiring override of said electronic leveling sensor.