Patent Publication Number: US-2011061313-A1

Title: Adapters for the boom arm of an aerial work platform

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to adapters for aerial equipment having extendable arms and cables, and particularly as construction equipment having an aerial work platform such as boom baskets or cherry pickers. More particularly, the present invention relates to adapters welded to the extendable arm of equipment and having a bracket which receives cables running external to the arm. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     Aerial work platform assemblies are well known devices for lifting workers or equipment to elevated work areas. In the entertainment or filming industry, boom baskets are commonly used as the aerial work platforms to carry cameramen, cameras, accessories and equipment to elevated work sites. Aerial platforms are shown, for instance, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,182,173 and 5,683,063. As shown, the platform includes a boom (or arm) and a work platform (or boom basket). One end of the boom is usually mounted to a vehicle or mobile chassis. The other end of the boom is attached to the work platform. A controller raises the end of the boom that is attached to the work platform to a desired aerial work site. 
     Often, power and other electronic cables are needed at the work platform, such as to provide power to electrical equipment being used at the work platform. The cables are sometimes tied by rope or a ratchet mechanism along the outer length of the boom. However, the use of rope and ratchet mechanisms is not very secure and can be awkward and inconvenient. In addition, attachments using ropes or the like do not always yield satisfactory results and can be damaging to the boom arm cable track (which is the square tubing that protects the cables). Ropes and ratchet mechanisms are not very secure as a means to attach the cable to the boom. They can become dislodged, which is unsafe to the users or those standing or working beneath the boom and disconnecting from the electrical equipment. In addition, the rope and latching mechanism do not allow the cable to slide freely, and as a result the cable can snag or require the operator to aggressively pull on the cable to extend it to a desired length, or, require the operator to retract the entire boom arm, so that cable can be repositioned which requires significant time. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved aerial work platform that overcomes some of the problems and shortcomings of the prior art. In particular, it is an object to provide a boom which supports cable used for accessories and equipment to be attached securely, easily, and conveniently. Another object of the invention is to provide a boom to which the accessories and equipment can be attached more securely than what the rope and ratchet mechanism can provide, hence enhancing safety for workers or bystanders underneath the boom. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved adapter for receiving and securing cable to a boom. 
     In accordance with the invention, at least one adapter and at least one support bracket are provided for use with a boom arm having at least one boom arm section. The at least one adapter is integrally attached by welding to the boom arm section and has a receiving section. The at least one support bracket is received in the sleeve of said at least one adapter. The boom arm has telescoping sections, and an adapter and support bracket is positioned secured at each section. The support bracket receives a cable, to facilitate retention of the cable to the boom arm for use at a platform located at the top of the arm. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and/or other aspects of the present invention will be more apparent by describing certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating a boom with cable in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of an adapter and bracket in  FIG. 1  in accordance with the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of an adapter in accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Preferred embodiments of the invention will be set forth in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements or steps throughout. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a boom assembly  5  in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The assembly  5  includes a boom  10 , an aerial work platform generally indicated as  7 , and an adapter and bracket assembly  100 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the boom  10  is an elongated arm which can be extended and retracted. The boom has various telescoping sections  10   a  . . .  10   n , which are slidably received in the neighboring arm sections to extend and retract the arm  10 . A boom basket  7  is located at a distal end of the boom  7 . The adapter assemblies  100   a  . . .  100   n  are integrally and permanently attached to various locations along the boom arm  10 . Preferably, an adapter and bracket assembly  100   a  . . .  100   n  is positioned at the distal end of each arm section  10   a  . . .  10   n , so that the assemblies  100  can remain fixed to the arm  10  while it is fully retracted without obstructing the arm  10  from retracting. As further shown in  FIG. 1 , additional assemblies  100   a ,  100   b  can optionally be provided closer to the platform  7 , though are not necessary. 
       FIG. 2  shows the adapter and bracket assembly  100  in further detail. The assembly  100  generally includes an adapter or receiver  150  and a generally flattened U-shaped support bracket  102 . The adapter  150  is integrally attached to the boom  10 , preferably by welding, such that the adapter  150  permanently and integrally become parts of the boom  10 .  FIG. 3  shows the detail of the adapter  150  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , which is also described in co-pending application Ser. No. 12/130,314, filed May 30, 2008, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The present invention can be utilized in conjunction with the invention disclosed in the co-pending application. The adapter  150  includes a tubular receiving section or sleeve  152 , a first threaded boss  158 , a second threaded boss  160 , a first bolt  162 , a second bolt  164 , a first bracket  154 , and a second bracket  156 . The first bracket  154  and the second bracket  156  have similar rectangular shapes. 
     The first and second brackets  154 ,  156  have a rectangular back  166  and two side walls  168 ,  170  that extend substantially perpendicular to the back  166  to form a receiving channel  172  therebetween and form a flattened C- or U-shape cross-section. The side walls  168 ,  170  of the brackets  154 ,  156  can be formed with the back  166  from a single piece of material. The second bracket  156  is attached to the sleeve  150  by positioning the outside of the sleeve  150  in the channel  172  and welding the ends of the side walls  168 ,  170  to the sleeve  150  where the side walls  168 ,  170  mate up against the sleeve  150 . The back  166  of the first bracket  154  is attached to the back of the second bracket  156 , preferably by welding. Likewise, the side walls  168 ,  170  of the first bracket  154  are welded to the outside of the boom  10 . Referring briefly back to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the adapters  150  are attached to the boom arm  10 . 
     The support bracket  102  includes various section members  104 ,  106 ,  108  and  110 . Two side members  106 ,  110  are attached to the ends of the bottom member  108 . A short top member  104  is attached at the top of one of the side members  106 ,  110  and extends inwardly. Thus, the support bracket  102  has a general U-shape, but with a short top member  104  which partially closes the support bracket  102 . 
     A center rod  112  extends across the bottom of the support bracket  102 . The rod  112  extends through openings in the side members  106 ,  110 . The ends of the rod  112  are threaded and are secured to the side members  106 ,  110  by a locking nut  113  which is placed over the threaded ends of the rod  112  on the outside of the side members  106 ,  110 . A tubular roller  120  is placed over the rod  112  between the side members  106 ,  110 . The roller  120  receives the cables  9 , and rotates over the rod  112  to allow the cables  9  to freely pass between the support brackets  102 . The roller  120  is preferably a rubber or other elastomer or plastic material to protect the cables  9  against damage, or alternatively a padding  124  can be placed over the roller  120  to protect the cables  9  against damage. The padded sides  124  can be tapered slightly toward the center of the roller  120 , to bias the cables  9  toward the center of the roller  120 . The ends  122  of the roller  120  are flared outward so the cables  9  do not get stuck on the ends of the roller  120 . A plastic washer can be provided between the roller  120  and the side arms to reduce wear of the roller  120 . In addition, the center of the roller  120  has a curved depression  126  which further receives the cables  9 . 
     Once the bracket  156  is welded to the sleeve  152  and the bracket  154  is welded to the boom arm  10 , the top member  104  of the support bracket  102  is slidably inserted into the opening in the sleeve  152  and fastened to the sleeve  152  by way of the bolts  162 ,  164 . The bolts  162 ,  164  are screwed into the threaded bosses  158 ,  160 , respectively, through the sleeve  152  and press the top tube member  104  against the sleeve  152  to fix the tube member  104  into the sleeve  152 . Thus, the adapter  150  connects the horizontally-positioned top member  104  of the support bracket  102  to the arm  10 . The adapter  150  allows the support bracket to be removed and replaced as necessary by use of the bolts  162 ,  164 . However, it should be appreciated that the support bracket can be directly connected to the boom arm  10  without the use of an adapter  150 . The lock nuts  113  are provided at the open end of the adapter to secure the roller from coming free. 
     Returning to  FIG. 1 , once the adapter assemblies  100  are attached to the arm  10 , the cables  9  can be inserted into the assemblies  100 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the top member  104  is shorter than the bottom member  108 , and the right size member  110  is shorter than the left side member  106 . Accordingly, a gap  130  is formed at the corner of the support bracket  102 . The bottom member  108  is preferably wider than the width of the boom arm  10 , so that the support bracket  100  extends out beyond the boom arm  10 . Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the gap  130  provides sufficient clearance between the end of the upright side arm  110  and the boom arm  10  to permit the cable  9  to enter the support bracket  102 . However, the gap  130  is not made too large, so that a sufficient number of cables  9  can be retained by the support bracket  102  without coming free of the bracket  102 . 
     As further shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the cable  9  can be draped between the various adapter assemblies  100   a  . . .  100   n . The cable  9  is preferably positioned within the assemblies  100  when the boom arm  10  is at least partially extended, so that excess cable  9  can be draped between the assemblies  100 . As the boom arm  10  extends and retracts, the cable  9  can freely slide on the rollers  120  without fear of becoming damaged, entangled, or snagged. When the cable  9  is no longer needed, it can be easily removed by lifting the cable  9  out through the gap  130 . 
     In the present invention, the length of the sleeve of each of the adapters is approximately 4.5 inches, the inner diameter of the sleeve&#39;s opening is approximately 1¾ inches, and the length of the first and second brackets is approximately 4 inches. The sleeve and brackets of the adapter, however, may be of any desired size. Furthermore, the adapters may be made out of metal, plastic, or any other material that would allow an elongated support member to be inserted inside the sleeve. Furthermore, it is understood that some or all of the parts of the adapters may be molded or formed integrally as one piece. The adapters may also be formed as one integral piece with the support bracket  102 . 
     The support bracket is approximately 15 inches wide (i.e., the outer length of the bottom member  108 ), 11 inches tall on the closed end (i.e., the outer length of the side member  106 ), 8⅝ inches tall on the open end (i.e., the outer length of the side member  110 ), and 6⅜ inches wide on the open end (i.e., the inner length of the top member  104 ). The gap  130 , as measured from the distal end of the side member  110  to the distal end of the top member  104 , is approximately 5½ inches. The support bracket  102  is preferably tubular, having an inner diameter of 1¼ inches. The support bracket  102  is preferably made of aluminum to be lightweight and easy to handle, yet sturdy enough to be secured within the adapter  150  and hold the weight of the cable  9 . In addition, ridges are formed on the outside of the support bracket  102 , to make it easier to handle and grab when inserting into the adapter  150  and during use. Preferably, the ridges (such as cross-hatches) are formed in at least the portion of the top member  104  which is covered by the adapter  150 , so that the bolts  162 ,  164  can better grip the adapter. 
     Though the invention is described for use with a cherry picker having a telescoping boom arm, it should be recognized that it can be used with any equipment in which cables are needed. For instance, the adapter assembly  100  can be provided with a fixed boom arm, or where there is no boom basket. In addition, though the adapter  100  is preferably created by welding the brackets  154 ,  156  to each other and the sleeve  152 , it should be understood that any well known method of integrally attaching two elements together, including but not limited to forming two plastic elements together as one piece through molding, may be used. And, the bracket  154  can be secured to the boom arm  10  by any suitable process other than welding. In addition, the assemblies  100  can be utilized to carry other equipment or objects, other than cables  9 . 
     The cross section of the support bracket  102  and adapter  150  can be any shape such as round, square, etc. The tubes can also be hollow or solid. The cross section of the sleeve  152  and the top member  104  are preferably round but can be square or another shape. Moreover, the adapters can have sleeves of different sizes so the tube sizes can be different. The brackets  154 ,  156  can receive tubes of varying dimensions, including larger sleeve  152 . 
     The permanent adapters and support bracket assemblies disclosed herein can be used for any type of elevated work platform, including cherry pickers used by construction, telephone, and cable workers, or apparatus that are built by grip and lighting technicians in the entertainment industry. 
     While certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.