Patent ID: 7416053

Claim:
An isolation mechanism for a boomed apparatus, wherein the boomed apparatus includes a movable boom and a control assembly comprising substantially electrically conductive control valves located at a general distal end of the boom, the isolation mechanism comprising: a substantially electrically non-conductive control handle actuatable by a worker to provide a control input; and a linkage configured for positioning proximate to the distal end of the boom and substantially external to the boom, the linkage operable to couple the control handle with the control assembly so as to communicate the control input therebetween, the linkage further including an elongated rod assembly that is substantially electrically non-conductive, such that when positioned external to the boom, the linkage provides a dielectric gap between the control handle and the movable boom to substantially electrically isolate the control handle from the control assembly and the movable boom to thereby prevent bodily injury to the worker.