Platform control system for boom lifts

A platform control system for boom lifts preferably includes a control panel, a left joystick and a right joystick. The left joystick includes a plurality of left ON-OFF-ON rocker switches and a plurality of left ON-OFF push button switches. The right joystick includes a plurality of right ON-OFF-ON rocker switches and a plurality of right ON-OFF push button switches. The left and right joysticks can be configured to work on a telescopic boom lift machine as well as on an articulating boom lift machine. The control panel preferably includes a display screen and a screen shroud. The display screen is mounted in a middle of the control panel. The display screen includes a plurality of proceed lights, warning lights and error lights pertaining to the functions of the left and right joysticks. The screen shroud partially covers the display screen to eliminate sun glare.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to heavy equipment and more specifically to a platform control system for boom lifts, which includes left and right joysticks for movement of a boom lift.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

It appears that the prior art does not disclose a platform control system for boom lifts, which includes left and right joysticks for movement of a boom lift.

Accordingly, there is clearly felt need in the art for a platform control system for boom lifts, which includes left and right joysticks for movement of a boom lift and other functions; which includes all boom lift control buttons located on left and right joystick; and which includes an operator having better control of the machine, because the operator does not have to take their hands off the left and right joysticks or look at a control panel to activate some function of the boom lift.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a platform control system for boom lifts, which includes left and right joysticks for movement of a boom lift. The platform control system for boom lifts (boom lift control system) preferably includes a control panel, a left joystick and a right joystick. The left joystick includes a left palm grip shaped handle; a left platform ON-OFF-ON rocker switch for controlling a platform rotation; a left height ON-OFF-ON rocker switch for controlling lowering and raising of a jib; a left articulating ON-OFF-ON rocker switch for controlling folding and unfolding of an articulating upper boom; a left extension ON-OFF-ON rocker switch for controlling the extension and retraction of the articulating upper boom; a left leveling ON-OFF-ON rocker switch for controlling platform leveling; and a left disabling ON-OFF push button for enabling and disabling a function of all the switches assembled on the left joystick. The left disabling ON-OFF push button acts as an additional safety mechanism to prevent the inadvertent actuation of both the left joystick and the switches mounted to the left joystick.

The right joystick includes a right palm grip shaped handle; a right slewing ON-OFF rocker switch for controlling the slewing of a turret; a right stability ON-OFF-ON rocker switch for controlling the extension and retraction of the axles; a right jib ON-OFF-ON rocker switch for controlling the extension and retraction of the jib; a right crabbing ON-OFF push button for controlling crab steering of the wheels; a right coordination ON-OFF push button switch for controlling coordinated steering of the wheels; and a right disabling ON-OFF push button for enabling and disabling a function of all the switches on the right joystick. The left and right joysticks can be configured to work on a telescopic boom lift machine as well as on an articulating boom lift machine. When using the boom lift control system for boom lifts for a telescopic boom lift platform, the rocker switch controlling the folding and unfolding of the articulating upper boom, and the rocker switch controlling the extension and retraction of the articulating upper boom are not installed. The mounting hole of these switches may be plugged with a cap.

The control panel preferably includes a display screen, a plurality of switches, a rotary knob, a display light and a screen shroud. The display screen is mounted in a middle of the control panel. The display screen includes a plurality of proceed lights, a plurality of warning lights and a plurality of error lights pertaining to the functions of the left and right joysticks. The screen shroud partially covers the display screen to eliminate sun glare. The plurality of switches, the rotary knob and the display light are located on left and right open areas of the control panel. A horn button and an emergency stop button are located in front of the display screen.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a boom lift control system, which includes left and right joysticks for movement of a boom lift and other functions.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a boom lift control system, which includes all boom lift control buttons located on left and right joystick.

Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide a boom lift control system, which includes an operator having better control of the machine, because the operator does not have to take their hands off the left and right joysticks or look at a control panel to activate some function of the boom lift.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to the drawings, and particularly toFIG.1, there is shown a top view of a boom lift control system1. With reference toFIGS.2-7, the boom lift control system1preferably includes a control panel10, a left joystick12and a right joystick14. With reference toFIGS.2-4, the left joystick12includes a left palm grip shaped handle16; a left platform ON-OFF-ON rocker switch18for controlling a platform rotation; a left height ON-OFF-ON rocker switch20for controlling lowering and raising of a jib; a left articulating ON-OFF-ON rocker switch22for controlling folding and unfolding of an articulating upper boom; a left extension ON-OFF-ON rocker switch24for controlling the extension and retraction of the articulating upper boom; a left leveling ON-OFF-ON rocker switch26for controlling platform leveling; and a left disabling ON-OFF push button28for enabling and disabling a function of all the switches assembled on the left joystick12. With reference toFIG.8, a schematic diagram of the ON-OFF-ON rocker switch24for controlling actuation of a cylinder25for extension and retraction of the articulating upper boom. The control panel10includes a control board27for receiving input from the left and right joysticks12,14. The control board27which sends an electrical output to a solenoid valve29. Hydraulic outputs of the solenoid valve29send hydraulic fluid to a cylinder31. A position of the ON-OFF-ON switch24determines whether the articulating upper boom is raised or lower. The left disabling ON-OFF push button28acts as an additional safety mechanism to prevent the inadvertent actuation of both the left joystick12and the switches18,20,22,24and26mounted to the left joystick.

With reference toFIGS.5-7, the right joystick14includes a right palm grip shaped handle30; a right slewing ON-OFF rocker switch32for controlling the slewing of a turret; a right stability ON-OFF-ON rocker switch34for controlling the extension and retraction of the axles; a right jib ON-OFF-ON rocker switch36for controlling the extension and retraction of the jib; a right crabbing ON-OFF push button38for controlling crab steering of the wheels; a right coordination ON-OFF push button switch39for controlling coordinated steering of the wheels; and a right disabling ON-OFF push button40for enabling and disabling a function of all the switches on the right joystick.

The left and right joysticks12,14can be configured to work on a telescopic boom lift machine as well as on an articulating boom lift machine. When using the platform control system1for boom lifts for a telescopic boom lift platform, the rocker switch22controlling the folding and unfolding of the articulating upper boom, and the rocker switch24controlling the extension and retraction of the articulating upper boom are not installed. The mounting hole of these switches may be plugged with a cap.

With reference toFIG.1, the control panel10preferably includes a display screen42, a plurality of switches44, a rotary knob46, a display light48and a screen shroud50. The display screen42is mounted in a middle of the control panel10. With reference toFIG.9, the display screen42includes a boom cable failure indicator light52, an e-stop indicator light54, a 500 lbs. unrestricted capacity indicator light56, a platform overload indicator light58, a glow plug indicator light60, a drive and steer disable indicator light62, a creep mode indicator light64, an emissions temperature indicator light66, an engine error light indicator68, a 1000 lbs. restricted capacity indicator light70, a battery malfunction light72, an enable light indicator74, a low fuel indicator light76and a machine malfunction indicator light78.

The above proceed lights, warning lights and error lights pertain to the functions of the left and right joysticks12,14. The screen shroud50partially covers the display screen42to eliminate sun glare. The plurality of switches44, the rotary knob46and the display light48are located to the left and right of the display screen42in open areas of the control panel10. A horn button80and an emergency stop button82are located in front of the display screen42.