Patent ID: 8490746
Filing Date: 2013-07-23
Classification: B66F

Abstract:
1. A safety device for an aerial lift having a basket or cage with controls which permits an operator standing in the basket or cage to manoeuvre the basket or cage to a desired location, a foot operable safety switch which provides a switch-closed signal when actuated, that permits the flow of power so as to permit the operator to manoeuvre the basket or cage via the controls, the safety device comprising a tensioned wire or cord within an operator work space defined by the basket or cage and arranged proximate to said controls, and an auxiliary safety switch connected in series with the foot operable safety switch, the auxiliary switch having a first set of contacts held in a closed, switch-on, condition by said tensioned wire or cord, and in the event that the tensioned wire or cord is distorted, the first set of contacts are changed to an open, switch-off, condition, whereby, in the event that the tensioned wire or cord is distorted while the foot operable safety switch is actuated, the auxiliary safety switch cuts off the flow of power permitted by the switch-closed signal provided by the foot operable safety switch, thereby preventing movement of the basket or cage even if the foot operable safety switch remains actuated.