Abstract:
An apparatus is provided for lifting a worker into an elevated work position. The apparatus includes a worker-support cage configured for engagement with a bucket of a front-end loader.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/353,103 filed on Jun. 9, 2010. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to motorized construction and agricultural machines. More particularly, the invention relates to systems for supporting personnel in an elevated work position on such machines. 
     Front end loaders may employ hydraulically operated buckets to pick up and lift materials. In some cases, these buckets have been used to lift personnel into an elevated work position. A person may stand in the bucket and an operator of the front-end loader may raise the bucket to position the person within reach of a desired work location. Such a practice may be inherently risky because front-end loader buckets are not designed for personnel occupancy. A typical bucket may have no safety harnesses or guard rails. Consequently a worker in such a bucket may be at risk of falling or otherwise being injured. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for a system in which a worker may be safely lifted to an elevated work position in a front-end loader bucket. Furthermore, there is a need to provide such a worker with a safe working platform when he or she is in an elevated position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, apparatus for lifting a worker into an elevated work position may comprise a worker support cage configured for engagement with a bucket of a front-end loader. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, accessory apparatus for a tractor may comprise: a cage assembly configured for engagement with a front-end loader bucket at a front end of the tractor and configured to meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations for an elevated worker support when so engaged with the bucket, the cage assembly also being configured for engagement with a rear end attachment device of the tractor, and the cage having a horizontally hinged gate that can be opened when the cage assembly is engaged with the rear end attachment device of the tractor. 
     In still another aspect of the invention, a method for lifting a worker into an elevated work position may comprise the steps of: providing for placement of a worker support cage into a bucket of a front-end loader; and providing for securing the worker support cage to the bucket. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a worker-support cage in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4  are elevation views of the worker-support cage of  FIG. 1  showing operational features of the cage; 
         FIG. 5  is a detail view of a receiver bar of the cage of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of various connection arrangements of agricultural equipment and the cage of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. 
     Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a worker-support cage that may be attached to a bucket of a front-end loader. 
     Referring now to the  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of a worker-support cage  10  may be seen to comprise a work platform  12 , an inboard side  14 , an outboard side  16  and connecting sides  18 . Base members  20  may be attached to the work platform  12 . The base members  20  may comprise a bottom bar  28  and a top bar  30 . The bars  28  and  30  may be positioned so that a tapered opening  32  may exist between the bars  28  and  30 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 , it may be seen that the worker support cage  10  may be expediently engaged with a front-end loader bucket  26 . The tapered opening  32  may be configured so that a blade  26 - 1  of a front-end loader bucket  26  may be inserted into the tapered opening  32 . As seen in  FIG. 4 , the bucket  26  may be tilted back and the cage  10  may be lifted a few feet above ground level. Securing straps  34  may then be attached to the inboard side  14  at a receiving pocket  38 . The straps  34  may be passed around the bucket  26  and attached to an underside of the cage  10 . The straps  34  may be conventional ratchet-tightening cargo straps. After being placed in position, the straps  34  may be tightened so that the cage  10  may be securely engaged with and held in position in the bucket  26 . 
     After the cage  10  is securely engaged with the bucket  26 , a person may enter the cage  10  through an access door  40 . The access door  40  may be hinged to swing inwardly so that the door  40  may be operable even though portions of the bucket  26  may overlie the door  40  when the cage  10  is in position in the bucket  26 . The door  40  may be provided with a latch  44 . A safety-harness attachment bar  42  may be inserted into the inboard side  14 . A top portion  42 - 1  of the bar  42  may be positioned about 60 inches above the work platform  12 . Tops of the sides  14 ,  16  and  18  may be about 42 inches above the work platform  12 . Thus the cage  10  may be configured to meet regulatory requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). 
     The cage  10  may be advantageously utilized as an accessory device for a farm tractor. In that regard, the cage  10  may be used a worker support device when engaged with a front-end bucket of the tractor as described above. Additionally, the cage  10  may be used for carrying materials and tools with the tractor. The cage  10  may be provided with a drop-down gate  50  in its inboard side  14 . The cage  10  may also be provided with a receiver bar  25  that may be attached under the work platform  12  and may extend across its entire width. The receiver bar  25  may be open at each of its ends so that a trailer hitch  52  or other vehicle connecting device may be inserted into either end (See  FIG. 5 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the cage  10  may be connected to a trailer  60  even when the cage  10  is in the bucket  26  of a tractor  70 . Alternatively, the cage  10  may be attached to a rear of the tractor  70  and used as a carrying device. Still further, a trailer  60  may be attached to the cage  10  at the rear of the tractor  70 . 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.