Reconfigurable work platform for aerial work platform system, aerial work platform system using same, and method for reconfiguring a work platform

• US 20020074186A1
• Filed: 12/15/2000
• Published: 06/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JLG Industries Incorporated (Oshkosh Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Delta Manlift SAS (Oshkosh Corporation)
• Inventors: Albert, Jean-Claude, Baldas, Jean-Luc
• Granted Patent: US 6,464,037 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 182/69.6
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 11/044 Working platforms suspended from booms

Abstract

A reconfigurable work platform for an aerial work platform system is provided with at least one outwardly tiltable portion on which an occupant of the work platform can lean so as to extend his or her lateral reach. This is useful when the work platform itself cannot be moved closer to a desired location. An aerial work platform system using such a reconfigurable work platform, and a method for reconfiguring a work platform are also contemplated.

Claims

1. A work platform for use with an aerial work platform system, the work platform having a workspace therein for one or more occupants and comprising:

a platform floor; and

a guard barrier provided about at least a portion of a periphery of the workspace, said guard barrier including at least one outwardly tiltable portion.

2. The work platform as in claim 1, wherein said at least one tiltable portion is manually tiltable.

3. The work platform as in claim 1, wherein said at least one tiltable portion is tiltable to a plurality of tilted positions.

4. The work platform as in claim 1, wherein said guard barrier includes a plurality of outwardly tiltable portions.

5. The work platform as in claim 1, wherein said at least one tiltable portion comprises a plurality of coupled elongate portions.

6. The work platform as in claim 1, wherein said at least one tiltable portion comprises a single material portion.

7. The work platform as in claim 6, wherein said single material portion is made from at least one of metal, fiberglass, plastic, carbon fiber, and wood.

8. The work platform as in claim 1, wherein said at least one tiltable portion is fixable in a given position.

9. The work platform as in claim 1, wherein said guard barrier includes at least one entranceway into the workspace.

10. An aerial work platform system comprising:

a base;

a work platform; and

a mechanism for selectively elevating said work platform,

wherein said work platform includes a platform floor and a guard barrier provided about at least a portion of a periphery of the workspace, said guard barrier including at least one outwardly tiltable portion.

11. The aerial work platform system as in claim 10, wherein said mechanism for selectively elevating said work platform is a vertical lift mechanism.

12. The aerial work platform system as in claim 11, wherein said vertical lift mechanism comprises a boom member.

13. The aerial work platform system as in claim 10, wherein said mechanism for selectively elevating said work platform is a scissors-lift mechanism.

14. The aerial work platform system as in claim 10, wherein said mechanism for selectively elevating said work platform is one of an articulated boom mechanism and a non-articulated boom mechanism.

15. The aerial work platform system as in claim 10, wherein said base is mobile.

16. The aerial work platform system as in claim 15, wherein said base is self-propelled.

17. The aerial work platform system as in claim 10, wherein said work platform includes a control for controlling said mechanism for selectively elevating said work platform.

18. The aerial work platform system as in claim 17, wherein said control for controlling said mechanism for selectively elevating said work platform is provided on said at least one tiltable portion.

19. The aerial work platform system as in claim 16, wherein said work platform includes a steering control for controlling motion of said self-propelled base.

20. The aerial work platform system as in claim 19, wherein said steering control is provided on said at least one tiltable portion.

21. The aerial work platform system as in claim 10, comprising a stop mechanism for stopping motion of said work platform when said work platform contacts or comes within a threshold distance of another structure.

22. The aerial work platform system as in claim 10, wherein said at least one tiltable portion is manually tiltable.

23. The aerial work platform system as in claim 10, wherein said at least one tiltable platform is tiltable to a plurality of tilted positions.

24. The aerial work platform system as in claim 10, wherein said guard barrier includes a plurality of outwardly tiltable portions.

25. The aerial work platform system as in claim 10, wherein said at least one tiltable portion comprises a plurality of coupled elongate portions.

26. The aerial work platform system as in claim 10, wherein said at least one tiltable portion comprises a single material portion.

27. The aerial work platform system as in claim 26, wherein said single material portion is made from at least one of metal, fiberglass, carbon fiber, wood, and plastic.

28. The aerial work platform system as in claim 10, wherein said at least one tiltable portion is fixable in a given position.

29. The aerial work platform system as in claim 10, wherein said work platform includes an entranceway into the workspace.

30. In a work platform for use with an aerial work platform system, a method of reconfiguring a workspace in the work platform comprising tilting a portion of a guard barrier provided around at least a part of a periphery of the workspace between a first position and a second position.

31. The method of claim 30, comprising changing a height of a portion of the guard barrier other than the tilted portion of the guard barrier.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein tilting a portion of a guard barrier between a first position and a second position comprises tilting a portion of a guard barrier between a first position and one of a plurality of second positions.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein the second position is an outwardly tilted position.

34. The method claim 33, wherein tilting a portion of a guard barrier between a first position and a second position includes providing a rest surface against which an occupant of the work platform can lean.