Patent Description:
At least some known construction machines include a traveling table that includes a propulsion system configured to drive at least one wheel of the traveling table and a steerage system. The propulsion system and steerage system may be controlled from a first control console positioned on a work platform near the end of a boom coupled between the traveling bas and the work platform. Propulsion system and steerage system input devices located on the first control console permits operation of the propulsion system and steerage system from the first control console. The control console also includes input devices for controlling the boom. The boom is used to position work materials or a work platform close to a site of delivery of the work materials or a position for users to access a work site.

Typically, when operating the traveling table to get to a work site, an operator faces a first direction. The first control panel is oriented for operation with the operator facing in the first direction. However, when operating the boom, the operator faces the opposite direction to be able to observe the position of the boom or signals from a signaler during boom operations. During such times, the boom controls seem to the operator, to operate oppositely. For example, moving a joystick to the right moves the boom to the right when the operator is facing in the first direction. However, the boom operates backwards relative to the operator when faced in the second direction.

<CIT> describes that an adaptive control man-augmentation system controls the movement of a suspended work station. A support structure, usually mounted on a chassis, has with an extendable boom and a work station at the end of the boom. A directing member pivots in accordance with operator movements and the pivotal movement is resolved along two axes, normal to each other and having a fixed relationship within the boom. This document discloses the preamble of claim <NUM>.

<CIT> relates to the technical field of building decoration, and discloses a lifting auxiliary device for decoration construction, which comprises a bearing plate and a lifting platform.

<CIT> describes that the lifting system for work machines comprises: a loading platform able to support operators and/or tools; a mobile lifting arm on which the platform is mounted; an activating apparatus for moving the arm; a first command apparatus, arranged on-board the platform and adapted to enable an operator to select commands; a second command apparatus, separate from the platform and adapted to enable an operator to select commands; an enabling device provided with an interface selectable by an operator; and a processing unit configured to enable or disable the command of the activating apparatus by the first or the second command apparatus, according to the selections made on the interface of the enabling device.

This Background section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below.

Various refinements exist of the features noted in relation to the above-mentioned aspects. Further features may also be incorporated in the above-mentioned aspects as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to any of the illustrated embodiments may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects, alone or in any combination.

An aerial work vehicle according to the invention is defined in claim <NUM>.

A method of assembling an aerial work vehicle according to the invention is defined in claim <NUM>.

A machinery control system that includes an ergonomically correctly oriented boom control panel is described herein. Construction machinery, boats, and other vehicles may have more than one mode of operation including a self-propulsive mode of operation. Other modes of operation may be used when the self-propulsive mode is secured at a work site. The different modes of operation may also be associated with different directions of primary attention. In other words, during the self-propulsive mode of operation, the primary focus of the operator's attention is toward a forward end of the vehicle in the direction of travel. However, after arriving at a site of work activities, secured from the self-propulsive mode of operation and in another mode, for example, a boom operations mode, the primary focus of the operator's attention shifts to, in this example, the boom. Operating the boom with controls that are oriented for the operator facing in the direction of travel or the first direction is at best an inconvenience. The operator must remember that the controls are oriented for the operator to be facing in a direction opposite to the direction of his current primary focus, the boom. This requires the operator to make regular mental corrections for giving commands to the boom. For example, if the operator wants the boom to move to his current left when facing the boom, he must give a right direction input because the control console is oriented for forward facing operation and the boom is toward an aft end of the vehicle.

<FIG> is a side elevation view of a construction machine <NUM> of the aerial work platform type with a boom <NUM> retracted. <FIG> is a side elevation view of construction machine <NUM> with boom <NUM> extended. In the example embodiment, construction machine <NUM> includes a chassis <NUM>, a rotary table <NUM> and boom <NUM>. Boom <NUM> is formed of one or more sections <NUM> that can be telescoped out to extend a height of boom <NUM>. A high pressure fluid system <NUM> provides a motive force for operating boom <NUM>. In various embodiments, high pressure fluid system <NUM> uses hydraulic oil fluid, however, other fluids may be used. A jib <NUM> coupled to a distal end <NUM> of one or more sections <NUM> facilitates leveling a work platform <NUM>. Jib <NUM> also permits boom <NUM> to reach over, for example, obstacles, such as, walls and heating and ventilating equipment on a roof.

Work platform <NUM> includes a walking deck <NUM> for supporting a user and a kick plate <NUM>. A handrail <NUM> provides fall protection for the user, and one or more stanchions <NUM> are provided that are usable for mounting equipment, such as, a first control panel <NUM> and a second control panel <NUM>. First control panel <NUM> is oriented for observing indicia and operating control features on first control panel <NUM> by a user facing in a forward direction <NUM>, which is typically the direction of travel around a jobsite. Second control panel <NUM> is oriented for observing indicia and operating control features by a user facing in a rearward direction <NUM> or in a direction other than the direction of travel.

<FIG> is a perspective view of work platform <NUM> that may be used with construction machine <NUM>. In the example embodiment, work platform <NUM> includes walking deck <NUM> and kick plate <NUM>, and a handrail <NUM>. Work platform <NUM> includes second control panel <NUM> including a second plurality of manual input devices <NUM> responsive to an operator for receiving manual boom motion commands for causing boom <NUM> to move in a desired direction and motion commands for causing chassis <NUM> to move in a desired direction. A second control panel <NUM> on work platform <NUM> includes a second plurality of manual input devices <NUM> responsive to an operator for providing boom motion commands for causing boom <NUM> to move in a desired direction. Work platform <NUM> also include a lockout circuit <NUM> interconnecting first control panel <NUM> and second control panel <NUM> to prevent motion commands received by first control panel <NUM> and second control panel <NUM> from causing chassis <NUM> to move when second control panel <NUM> is active.

<FIG> is a plan view of first control panel <NUM>. In the example embodiment, first control panel <NUM> includes a self-propulsion section <NUM>, a boom section <NUM>, and a lockout section <NUM>.

Self-propulsion section <NUM> includes, for example, a battery condition indicator <NUM> having indicator LEDs <NUM> that light up to indicate the level of charge remaining in the batteries. For example, a lighted green LED indicates an adequate charge level. A lighted yellow LED indicates the need for charging soon. A lighted red LED warns that the battery charge level is low, boom operations should be halted until the batteries are recharged. Self-propulsion section <NUM> may also include an engine START switch or button <NUM> and, if necessary, a CHOKE control <NUM>. A cold engine may be started by pressing Engine START button <NUM> while pressing and holding CHOKE control <NUM>. To start/restart a warm engine, press START button <NUM> only. A display panel <NUM> is a lighted text window that displays the present operating status or an existing error condition. Display panel <NUM> may also include a plurality of soft keys or associated hard keys from which to accept input data. A steerage control <NUM> and propulsive speed control <NUM> are used to move construction machine <NUM> from one job site location to another. Steerage control <NUM> may be embodied in a joystick, as shown, or in a steering wheel, a trackball, or the like. Propulsive speed control <NUM> may be embodied as a joystick, as shown, or in a foot pedal or other control device.

Boom section <NUM> includes a boom extend/retract control <NUM>, which is used to extend or retract the telescopic feature of boom <NUM>. Boom motion continues until boom <NUM> extend/retract control <NUM> is released or until boom <NUM> reaches a hard stop or a safe travel limit. Operating a boom control <NUM> LOWER BOOM RAISE or the UPPER BOOM RAISE button or toggle will raise the selected boom segment. Pressing the LOWER BOOM DOWN or UPPER BOOM DOWN button will lower the selected boom segment. Boom <NUM> motion continues until boom control <NUM> is released or until each boom section <NUM> reaches a hard stop or a safe travel limit. Operating a JIB control <NUM> RAISE will raise a jib boom, if installed. Operating a JIB control <NUM> LOWER will lower the jib boom. Jib boom motion continues until the control is released or until the jib boom reaches a hard stop or a safe travel limit. Operating a BOOM ROTATION control <NUM> in a CW (clockwise) or a CCW (counterclockwise) commands table <NUM> to rotate in the direction selected until boom control <NUM> is released or a travel stop is reached. Boom <NUM> is capable of rotating through, for example, seven hundred degrees.

A plurality of SPEED buttons <NUM> may be available along the lower area of boom section <NUM>. If available, one of plurality of SPEED buttons <NUM> may be selected prior to or simultaneous with selecting a boom function to command the speed at which the boom function should be carried out. In the example embodiment, four speeds are available to control the positioning of the boom lift.

A platform level switch <NUM> is actuated to level work platform <NUM>. In one embodiment, platform level switch <NUM> levels work platform <NUM> only. In another embodiment, platform level switch <NUM> levels work platform <NUM> and, if necessary, controls for boom <NUM> and jib <NUM>.

Lockout section <NUM> includes a key switch <NUM> used to select the active control panel for operating construction machine <NUM>. Turning key switch <NUM> to a PLATFORM position <NUM> selects operation from first control panel <NUM>. Turning key switch <NUM> to a PLATFORM (BOOM) position <NUM> selects operation from second control panel <NUM>. A power off position <NUM> interrupts all electric and fluid power operations except emergency lowering. Removing the key protects against operation by unauthorized persons. The key may be removed with key switch <NUM> in any selected position.

Automatic outrigger extension/retraction may be accomplished using, for example, an outrigger control <NUM>. In an embodiment, outrigger control <NUM> and a level control <NUM> may be activated simultaneously or sequentially to automatically deploy outriggers when needed. The outriggers may also be manually extended or retracted. An outrigger indicator notifies the operator when the outriggers are properly deployed and the weight of construction machine <NUM> is on the outriggers. Each of the outer outrigger indicators indicates load is on the outrigger footpad. Each of the inner outrigger indicators, when flashing, indicates that side is low and needs to be further raised for leveling.

<FIG> is a perspective view of second control panel <NUM>. In the example embodiment, second control panel <NUM> includes a boom joystick control <NUM>, a jib/platform rotate joystick control <NUM>, a boom extension joystick control <NUM>, a platform level toggle control <NUM>, and an emergency stop (E-stop) pushbutton <NUM>.

In the example embodiment, second control panel <NUM> is oriented on work platform <NUM> facing in a direction opposite to the direction first control panel <NUM> is facing. Such an orientation permits an operator to view directly where work platform <NUM> is at all times with respect to obstacles without having to look over his shoulder as would be the case if the boom controls were only located on first control panel <NUM>. Placement of second control panel <NUM> on the platform along with first control panel <NUM> permits an immediate and seamless transition from a vehicle propulsive mode to a boom operation mode.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method <NUM> of forming a construction machine. The construction machine includes a personnel platform coupled to a distal end of a boom. In the example embodiment, the method includes orienting <NUM> a first control panel in a first direction of travel of the construction machine. In other words, orienting the first control panel such that an operator facing the operator side of the first control panel is facing in the direction of travel, which is toward a forward end of the construction machine. The first control panel and the second control panel are oriented in opposite directions with respect to each other. Optionally, step <NUM> includes positioning the first control panel in the personnel platform mounted to at least one of a handrail and a stanchion. In various embodiments, the personnel platform includes a handrail surrounding a standing personnel platform deck. In other embodiments, the personnel platform includes a stanchion coupled to the deck standing upright. The stanchion may also be tilted, or canted and may be supported by the handrail, or only partially supported by the handrail. The first control panel is configured to control propulsion and steering of the construction machine over a surface.

Method <NUM> also includes providing <NUM> a lockout circuit that prevents operation of propulsion and steering of the construction machine during operation of the boom and may prevent operation of the boom during operation of the propulsion and steering of the construction machine. In some embodiments, operation of the propulsion and steering of the construction machine is permitted while the boom is being operated, for example, when operating the boom for personnel platform leveling, lowering the boom, or putting the boom in a condition better suited for the operating envelope being used. The lockout circuit provides an interlock that prevents operation of the boom during operation of propulsion and steering of the construction machine and prevents operation of propulsion and steering of the construction machine during operation of the boom.

Method <NUM> further includes orienting <NUM> a second control panel in a second direction of work of the personnel platform. The second direction being different than the first direction. The second control panel is configured to control operation of the boom. Optionally, step <NUM> includes positioning the first control panel and the second control panel in the personnel platform mounted to the handrail or a stanchion. In various embodiments, the personnel platform includes a handrail surrounding the standing personnel platform deck. In other embodiments, the personnel platform includes a stanchion coupled to the deck standing upright. The stanchion may also be tilted, or canted and may be supported by the handrail, or only partially supported by the handrail.

In the example embodiment, the first control panel and the second control panel are oriented face-to-face across a gap where an operator would stand while driving the construction machine or while operating the boom. Face-to-face refers to the position of the first control panel and the second control panel relative to each other.

Claim 1:
An aerial work vehicle (<NUM>) comprising:
a boom (<NUM>);
a rotary table (<NUM>);
a work platform (<NUM>) coupled to a distal end of said boom (<NUM>), said work platform (<NUM>) having a first end in a direction of travel and a second end in a direction other than the direction of travel;
a first control panel (<NUM>) coupled to the first end of said work platform (<NUM>); and
a second control panel (<NUM>) coupled to the second end of said work platform (<NUM>),
characterized in that said first control panel (<NUM>) comprises a first plurality of manual input devices (<NUM>) responsive to an operator for receiving boom motion commands to cause said boom (<NUM>) to move in a desired direction and responsive to the operator to cause said rotary table (<NUM>) to move in a desired direction, and said second control panel (<NUM>) comprises a second plurality of manual input devices (<NUM>) responsive to the operator for receiving boom motion commands to cause said boom (<NUM>) to move in a desired direction.