Patent ID: 12252380

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the figures where like elements have been given like numerical designations to facilitate the reader's understanding of the present invention, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are set forth below. The enclosed figures are illustrative of several potential preferred embodiments and, therefore, are included to represent several different ways of configuring the present invention. Although specific components, materials, configurations and uses are illustrated, it should be understood that a number of variations to the components and to the configuration of those components described herein and shown in the accompanying figures can be made without changing the scope and function of the invention set forth herein. For instance, although the description and figures included herewith generally describe and show particular configurations for the new work platform, persons who are skilled in the related art will readily appreciate that the present invention is not so limited. In addition, the exemplary embodiments of the present device are shown and described herein with only those components which are required to disclose the present invention. Many of the necessary components for manufacturing, using, attaching to or otherwise benefitting from the present invention are not shown in the drawings or necessarily described below, but which are well known to persons who are skilled in the relevant art. As will be readily appreciated by such persons, the various elements of the present invention that are described below may take on any form consistent with forms which are readily realized by a person of ordinary skill in the art having knowledge of aerial work platforms, self-propelled chassis and scissor lift machines and the like that are utilized to beneficially position a work platform at a desired height with a person and materials thereon.

A work platform that is configured pursuant to one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention is shown generally as10inFIGS.1-2,5-6,9-12and14-18. As shown in these figures and set forth in more detail below, the work platform10of the present invention is beneficially structured and arranged to be moveably supported by a chassis12, as shown inFIGS.17-18, particularly a self-propelled chassis. The chassis12allows the user thereof to position the work platform10at a location in a manner which allows one or more persons to perform a work activity at the location while standing on and using materials on work platform10. The present invention is directed to a new work platform10that provides the beneficial capabilities and functionality of prior art work platforms while also allowing the user to move a work step14to a work position16, from a storage position18, when he or she needs to reach a position that is higher than he or she would otherwise be able to reach in order to accomplish the work activity. More specifically, as set forth in detail below, the new work platform10of the present invention is structured and arranged to allow the operator to move the work step14from its vertically orientated storage position18to its horizontally orientated work position16when he or she needs to be elevated in order to be able to safely and effectively reach higher than he or she would otherwise be able to if not utilizing the work step14of the present invention.

The work platform10has at least one deck with which the work step14associated therewith to achieve the higher reaching benefits of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the work platform10of the present invention is of generally rectangular configuration and generally comprises a main deck20and an extension deck30, one or more guardrail assemblies40and the work step12, as shown inFIGS.1-18. The work platform10is particularly useful for utilization with aerial work platforms, such as the scissors lift machine100shown inFIGS.17-18. The main deck20of work platform10has a plurality of longitudinally extending structural members22, a generally planar floor24attached to and supported by the structural members22, a plurality of side guardrails26and an access gate28closing an opening at a first end60of the main deck20. In the embodiment shown inFIGS.1-14, wherein work platform10includes the extension deck30, the second end62of the main deck20is open to allow a person to move between the main deck20and extension deck30. In the embodiments of the work platform10that do not have an extension deck30, as shown inFIGS.15-16, the second end62of the main deck20is closed with a plurality of end guardrails64. The side guardrails26and, as applicable, the end guardrails64define the guardrail assembly40aof the main deck20. In either embodiment, the guardrail assembly40extends generally upward from the respective floor24or34so as to at least partially (i.e., except for the openings necessary for ingress and egress from the main deck20or extension deck30) be peripherally disposed along or relative to the floor24or34.

As shown inFIGS.1-14, the extension deck30has a plurality of longitudinally extending structural members32, a generally planar floor34attached to and supported by the structural members32, a plurality of side guardrails36and a plurality of end guardrails38. As will be readily appreciated by persons who are skilled in the art, the structural members32of the extension deck30are slidably received between and supported by the structural members22of the main deck20such that the floor34of the extension deck30is slightly above the floor24of the main deck20. As shown inFIGS.1-14, the first or proximal end66of extension deck30is open to allow a person to move between the main deck20and the extension deck30. The end guardrails38close the second or distal end68of the extension deck30. In the embodiments shown in the figures, the floor34has a cutout area35at the first/proximal end66of the extension deck30facing towards the access gate28at the first end60of the main deck20so that an operator can stand on the floor24of the main deck20while manually extending and retracting the extension deck30when desired. The extension deck30moves between a retracted position70, shown inFIGS.9-10, and an extended position72, shown inFIGS.1-2,5-6,11-12and14. In its retracted position70, the extension deck30is positioned at least substantially within the confines of the main deck20with the second/distal end68of the extension deck30at or generally near the second end62of the main deck20. In its extended position72, the first/proximal end66of the extension deck30is at or generally near the second end62of the main deck20and the second/distal end68of the extension deck30is located in spaced apart relation to the second end62of main deck20. To facilitate movement between the retracted position70and the extended position72, the side guardrails36and end guardrails38of the extension deck30are sized and connected such that the extension deck30and its floor34moves above the floor24of the main deck20. Stops (not shown) are provided as is conventional to define the safe limits of travel of the extension deck30. The configuration and use of work platforms10having extension decks30that are slidably or otherwise movably engaged with the main deck20are generally well known to persons skilled in the related art.

The side guardrails36and the end guardrails64define the guardrail assembly40bof the extension deck20. As will be readily appreciated by persons who are skilled in the art, for work platforms10having an extension deck30, the end guardrails38at the second/distal end68thereof close the second end62of the main deck20, as shown inFIGS.1-2,5-6,9-12and14. As is common for prior art extension guardrail assemblies40b, the guardrail assembly40bis structured and arranged to move an upper section73thereof between a lowered position74, as shown inFIGS.2,4-5,7,9,12and14, and a raised position76, shown inFIGS.1,3,6,8,10-11and13. In the embodiments shown in the figures, the upper section73of the guardrail assembly40bof the extension deck30may be moved from its lowered position74, as exemplified inFIG.2, to its raised position76, as exemplified inFIG.1, by telescopically sliding the plurality of upper guardrail support legs78into or alongside the cooperatively configured plurality of lower guardrail support legs80immediately below the upper guardrail support legs78of the guardrail assembly40b. One or more leg engaging members39, as shown inFIGS.5-10and13-15, are provided to lock the upper guardrail support legs78relative to the lower guardrail support legs80to secure the upper section73of the guardrail assembly40bin its raised position76. Likewise, in the embodiments of the present invention shown inFIGS.15-16wherein the work platform10does not have an extension deck30, the guardrail assembly40aalso has an upper section73that moves between a lowered position74(FIG.15) and a raised position76(FIG.16) by utilizing the above-described telescopically configured upper guardrail support legs78and lower guardrail support legs80. In either embodiment, when the work step14is moved to its work position16for use by a person in, as applicable, the main deck20or extension deck30, the upper section73of the respective guardrail assembly40aor40bshould be moved to the raised position76so the person can safely stand on the work step14to accomplish a work activity that requires the person to be elevated above the floor24of the main deck20or the floor34of the extension deck30, as shown inFIGS.1,3,6,8,10-11,13and16. When the upper section73of the guardrail assembly40aor40bof, respectfully, the main deck20or extension deck30is in its lowered positions74, the work step14will be in its storage position18, as shown inFIGS.2,4,7,9,12and14-15. Typically, when the work step14is in its storage position18, the work step14will be vertically disposed relative to the floor34of the extension deck30or the floor24of the main deck20so as to allow the worker using work platform10to move about substantially the entire floor34or floor24without significant inference from the work step14in its storage position18, as shown inFIGS.2,5,9,12,14-15.

As set forth above, the work platform10of the present invention has a movable work step14that is structured and arranged to allow a person who is working in the main deck20or the extension deck30to reach an area higher than he or she could reach if the person was merely standing on the floor24of the main deck20or the floor34of the extension deck30. In one embodiment, the work step14is configured with a rectangular (preferred), square or other shape with lengthwise extending side edges for structural rigidity at the sides of the work step14and a width that extends substantially the full width of, as applicable, the main deck20or extension deck30to provide an elevated step up work platform with an upwardly disposed deck surface41when needed to safely reach a higher location than he or she could otherwise reach. In the embodiments where work platform10has extension deck30, one or more hinges or other pivoting members42pivotally interconnect the first or proximal end82of the work step14to a cross brace or other deck attachment member84, which (as shown in the figures) may be one of the end guardrails38, at or near the second/distal end68of the extension deck30so the work step14can move between its storage position18and work position16for use thereof (i.e., stepping up onto the upwardly disposed deck surface41), as shown inFIGS.1-16. In the extension deck configuration, the second or distal end86of the work step14will extend horizontally inward from the second/distal end68of the extension deck30toward first end60of the main deck20when the work step14is in its work position16, as shown inFIGS.1,3,6,8,10-11,13and16, and extend vertically upward away from the floor34of the extension deck30when the work step14is in its storage position18, as shown inFIGS.2,4-5,7,9,12and14-15. In the embodiments where the work platform10does not have extension deck30, one or more hinges or other pivoting members42pivotally interconnect the first/proximal end82of the work step14to a cross brace or other deck attachment member84, which (as shown in the figures) may be one of the end guardrails64, at or near the second end62of the main deck20so the work step14can move between its storage position18and work position16for use thereof (i.e., stepping onto the upwardly disposed deck surface41). In the configuration of the work platform10without extension deck30, the second/distal end86of the work step14will extend horizontally inward from the second end62of the main deck20toward the first end60of the main deck20when the work step14is in its work position16, as shown inFIG.16, and extend vertically upward away from the floor24of the main deck20when the work step14is in its storage position18, as shown inFIG.15. In some embodiments, when the work step14is in its storage position18the second/distal end86of the work step14will be directed downward instead of upward.

In the embodiments shown in the figures, the pivoting members42are a pair of hinges, as best shown inFIGS.3-4,7and14-15. In use, the person using the work platform10, will lift the unhinged second/distal end86of the work step14from its horizontally extending work position16in spaced apart relation above the floor34of the extension deck30or the floor24of the main deck20to a vertically extending storage position18at or near, respectively, either the second/distal end68of the extension deck30or the second end62of the main deck20when the work step14is not in use. In one embodiment, the pivoting members42of work platform10will be structured and arranged to be sufficiently strong enough on their own to support the work step in its horizontally disposed work position16, which will require the pivoting members42to support the weight of a person and his or her equipment while standing on the deck surface41of the work step14. As will be readily appreciated by persons skilled in the art, however, it may be difficult and/or expensive to utilize hinges or other pivoting members42that are strong enough to be able to provide the necessary support. As a result, in the preferred embodiments of the work platform10of the present invention, the work step14will be held in its horizontally disposed work position16by a step support mechanism43that are structured and arranged to hold the work step14in its work position16.

In the embodiment of the work platform10of the present invention shown inFIGS.1-10, the step support mechanism43comprises one or more support legs44that have a first or proximal end46that are pivotally connected to the work step14such that the support legs44will pivot the second or distal ends48of the support legs44downward toward the floor24of the main deck20or the floor34of the extension deck30when the work step14is in its work position16, as best shown inFIGS.1,3,6,8and10, and then pivot back up against the lower surface of the work step14when the work step14is in its storage position18, as best shown inFIGS.2,4-5,7and9. In a preferred configuration, the floor24or34of the work platform10has a leg engaging mechanism50associated therewith that engages the second/distal end48of the support legs44when the work step14is in its work position16. In one embodiment, the second/distal end48of the support legs44are specially configured to engage the floor24/34to help hold the support legs44in their downward position when the work step is in its work position16. In such a configuration, the support legs44can have short projections at the ends thereof that are sized and configured to be received in leg engaging apertures52, such as holes, retainers or other positioning pockets, in the floor24of the main deck20or the floor34of the extension deck30when the work step14is in its horizontally disposed work position16.

As seen inFIGS.7and8, the work step14is connected along a pivot axis to a cross brace or other supporting structure (i.e., the deck attachment member84) on the main deck20or extension deck30, such as, respectively, an end guardrail64of the main deck20or an end guardrail38of the extension deck30. As set forth above, the deck attachment member84can be a hinge, with a pair of such hinges shown in use, and the step support legs44are preferably pivotally connected to the work step14to be located closely alongside the step surface41when the work step14is pivotally raised to its storage position18. The work step14and support legs44may be secured to a guardrail26or36by temporary fastening means such as snap retainers or the like, with the work step14being in its storage position18between the vertically extending corner guardrail legs. Alternatively, as set forth above, it may be preferred to swing the work step14to a storage position18with the second/distal end86of the work step14below the hinges or other pivoting members42so as to be downwardly extending instead of being upwardly extending. In other embodiments, the support legs44can be configured to pivot outward from the work deck14to engage a pair of opposing side guardrails26or36of, respectively, the main deck20or the extension deck30or the support legs44can be pivotally attached to as set of opposing pair of side guardrails26/36so as to swing inward over the floor24or34to be under the work deck14to support the work deck in its horizontal work position16or the support legs44can be associated with the floor24or34so as to be raised upward and engage the lower side of the work deck14to support the work deck14in its horizontal work position16. Other configurations may be possible.

In the embodiments of the work platform10of the present invention shown inFIGS.11-16, the step support mechanism43comprises one or more flexible cables54, such as wire rope or the like, that each have a first/proximal end56affixed to a support structure and a second or distal end58attached to the work step14. In one embodiment, the support structure is one of the vertical guardrail members59of the guardrail assembly40of the main deck20or extension deck30, as best shown inFIGS.11-16, or to a cross member or other deck attachment member84, such as one of the end guardrails64or38of, respectively, the main deck20or the extension deck30. In the embodiments shown inFIGS.11-16, the first/proximal ends56of the flexible cables54are attached to vertical guardrail member59above the hinge or hinges42. The second/distal ends58of the cables54are affixed to the work step14at locations remote from the hinge or hinges42such that the cables54will safely support the work step14and weight thereon when the work step14is in its horizontally disposed work position16. As shown inFIGS.11,13and16, turnbuckles or other devices may be provided to adjust the length of each cable54to assure horizontal positioning of the work step14. In a preferred embodiment, work step14is folded upwardly to a substantially vertical storage position18when the work step14is not in use and then secured in place by push pins, ties or the like to guardrail assembly40at the second end62of the main deck20or at the second/distal end66of the extension deck30. The cables54are selected to flex for storage between the guardrail members of the guardrail assembly40on the main deck20or extension deck30and the work step14itself as the work step14is pivoted with the hinge or hinges42(or other types of pivoting devices) from the horizontal work position16to a vertically extending orientation for storage in the storage position18. As will be readily appreciated by persons who are skilled in the relevant art, cables54can be made out of a wide variety of materials, including metal, plastics, composites or the like that are sufficiently strong enough to support the anticipated weight (e.g., personnel and materials) which are likely to be on the work step14during use of the work platform10to accomplish a desired work objective.

If desired, any applicable safety and operating instructions can be displayed on the floor24or34such that the instructions are visible when the work step14is in its horizontally extended work position16and/or on the underside of the work step14to be visible when the work step14is in its vertically disposed storage position18. Alternatively, these instructions can be placed on a decal panel88, shown inFIGS.11-13and15-16.

As is conventional, the main deck20and the extension deck30each have regulation height guardrails40. An adjustable height guardrail upper section73(or multiple sections) on the main deck20or extension deck30provides worker protection via the raisable upper section or sections73of the guardrail assembly40to protect a worker when he or she is standing on the work step14. The upper section40may be manually lifted from its lowered position74in which the upper vertical legs78thereof are preferably telescopically stored inside or alongside the lower vertical legs80of the main deck20or extension deck30guardrail sections40. The upper sections73of the guardrail sections40may be retained in either the stored or lowered position74or in the work or raised position76by magnets, T-handle pull pins or other leg engaging members39(as shown inFIGS.3and4) which engage with holes in the vertically extending guardrail legs78/80. If desired, a powered mechanism may be provided to assist with raising the upper section73to its operable or raised position76. In the raised position76, as shown inFIGS.1,3,6,8,10-11,13and16, the upper section73provides an elevated safe work height position for the guardrails40to protect a worker when he or she stands on work step14during use of the work platform10. Typically, an operator control station50is provided in any suitable location on the main deck20or the extension deck30, shown inFIGS.5-6,10and14, to allow the person on the work platform10to control the upward and downward movement of the work platform10, the extending and retracting of the extension deck30, the raising and lowering of the upper section73and/or other functions of the work platform10. In some embodiments, it may be beneficial to link the movement of the work step14to the movement of the upper section73to ensure the work platform is safely utilized by a worker needing the extra elevation. Specifically, it may be beneficial to link these components such that the worker cannot move the work step14from its storage position18to its work position16unless the upper section73has been previously moved from its lowered position74to its raised position76so the worker can safely step up onto the upwardly disposed step surface41of the work step14when he or she needs to reach higher than he or she would be able to reach while standing on the floor24or floor34. The work step14and the upper section73can be linked in any of widely known and available manners, including but not limited to a mechanical linkage, with appropriate mechanical devices, or an electronic link, with appropriate sensors, processors and the like, such that a person could not lower the work step14unless he or she previously raised the upper section73. These and other mechanisms and devices for linking the work step14and upper section73in the manner described above are well known to persons who are skilled in the relevant art.

FIGS.17and18show use of the new work platform10with an aerial work platform100having a chassis12that is configured to move the work platform100on a surface, such as a floor or the like, and a lift mechanism102that is structured and arranged to move the work platform10between a lowered position104(FIG.17) and a raised position106(FIG.18). In a preferred embodiment, the chassis12is a self-propelled chassis that is controlled by an operator who utilizes the operator control station90while he or she is standing on the main deck20or extension deck30. In the embodiment shown inFIGS.17-18, the lift mechanism102is a scissor lift apparatus108. The configuration and use of aerial work platforms100having a chassis12, whether self-propelled or not, and a lift mechanism102, whether it is of the scissor lift apparatus108type or another type of lift mechanism102, with a work platform10are well known to persons who are skilled in the relevant art.

As will be readily appreciated by persons skilled in the art, the above described embodiment provides a significant improvement to more easily allow workers to minimize re-positioning of the aerial work platform and step up to better reach into and above small access openings such as those in drop ceilings to work on utilities suspended from structural ceilings.

While there are shown and described herein specific forms of the invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not so limited, but is susceptible to various modifications and rearrangements in design and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, it should be noted that the present invention is subject to modification with regard to any dimensional relationships set forth herein and modifications in assembly, materials, size, shape and use. For instance, there may be numerous components of the embodiments described herein that can be readily replaced with equivalent functioning components to accomplish the objectives and obtain the desired aspects of the present invention. The various embodiments set forth herein are intended to explain the best mode of making and using the present invention as currently known to and appreciated by the present inventor(s) and to enable other persons who are skilled in the relevant art to make and utilize the present invention. Although, the described embodiments may comprise different features, not all of these features are required in all embodiments of the present invention. More specifically, as will be readily appreciated by persons who are skilled in the art, certain embodiments of the present invention only utilize some of the features and/or combinations of features disclosed herein.