Mast assembly

• US 20020100644A1
• Filed: 01/31/2001
• Published: 08/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bil-Jax, Inc. (Haulotte Group SA)
• Original Assignee: Bil-Jax, Inc. (Haulotte Group SA)
• Inventors: Stringer, Matthew D.
• Application Number:
  US09/774,853
• Publication Number:
  US 20020100644A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 187/266
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 9/16 Mobile or transportable lifts specially adapted to be shifted from one part of a building or other structure to another part or to another building or structure
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 11/04 for movable platforms or cabins, e.g. on vehicles, permitting workmen to place themselves in any desired position for carrying out required operations Working platforms on fork-lift trucks B66F9/127; vehicle aspects of service vehicles B60P3/14; platforms for cleaning windows A47L3/02; devices for rescuing persons from buildings A62B1/02; liftable or lowerable platforms for use on ladders E06C7/16; maintenance travellers for bridges E01D19/10; scaffolds on an extensible sub-structure E04G1/22

Abstract

A mast section for use in a personnel lift has an interior curved section, a first opposing exterior curved section, and a second opposing exterior curved section.

Claims

1. A mast section comprising an interior curved section, a first opposing exterior curved section, and a second opposing exterior curved section.

2. The mast section of claim 1, wherein the interior curved section defines a first depth, ID, and wherein at least one exterior curved section and the interior curved section define a second depth, D, such that ID/D ranges from about 0.65 to about 0.75.

3. The mast section of claim 2, wherein a third depth, D+D′

, is defined by the mast section and an adjacently positioned mast section, such that D/D+D′

ranges from about 0.70 to about 0.80.

4. The mast section of claim 1, wherein a first line L₁ drawn through a midpoint of the interior curved section and a second line L₂ drawn through the midpoint and an end point of the interior curved section define an angle A°

that ranges from about 60°

to about 70°

.

5. The mast section of claim 4, wherein the first line L₁ and a third line L₃ drawn through the midpoint and a center point on the exterior curved surface define an angle B°

that ranges from about 55°

to about 65°

.

6. The mast section of claim 1, wherein a first angled guide section extends from a first end of the interior curved section and a second angled guide section extends from a second end of the interior curved section.

7. The mast section of claim 6, wherein the first angled guide section and a distal end of the first exterior arcuate section define a third depth, D″

, such that D″

/D ranges from about 1.25 to about 1.5.

8. The mast section of claim 1, wherein at least one support member extends between the interior curved section and the first exterior curved section and the second exterior curved section.

9. The mast section of claim 1 further including at least one upper roller operatively mounted adjacent a top end of the mast section and at least one lower roller operatively mounted at a distance of about ¼

to about ⅓

of the length of the mast section from the top end of the mast section.

10. The mast section of claim 1 wherein the first and second exterior curved sections have the same shape.

11. A mast assembly comprising a plurality of mast sections of claim 1.

12. The mast assembly of claim 11, wherein at least one sheave is positioned adjacent at least the first exterior curved section in a generally perpendicular relationship to a line L₃ which is defined by a center point of the mast section and a center point on the exterior curved section of the mast section.

13. The mast assembly of claim 11, wherein each of the mast sections has a defined height and wherein each mast section does not substantially extend beyond the height of a first mast section when the mast assembly is in a retracted position.

14. The mast assembly of claim 13, wherein a top section of one mast section is adjacent and overlaps a bottom section of the adjacent mast section when the mast assembly is in a partially extended position.

15. The mast assembly of claim 10, wherein each mast section has a height ranging from about 6 feet to about 7 feet.

17. The personnel lift of claim 16, wherein the interior curved section defines a first depth, ID, and wherein at least one exterior curved section and the interior curved section define a second depth, D, such that ID/D ranges from about 0.65 to about 0.75.

18. The personnel lift of claim 17, wherein a third depth, D+D′

, is defined by the mast section and an adjacently positioned mast section, such that D/D+D′

ranges from about 0.70 to about 0.80.

19. The personnel lift of claim 17, wherein a first line L₁ drawn through a midpoint of the interior curved section and a second line L₂ drawn through the midpoint and an end point of the interior curved section define an angle A°

that ranges from about 60°

to about 70°

.

20. The personnel lift of claim 19, wherein the first line L₁ and a third line L₂ drawn through the midpoint and a center point on the exterior curved surface define an angle B°

that ranges from about 55°

to about 65°

.

21. The personnel lift of claim 16, wherein a first angled guide section extends from a first end of the interior curved section and a second angled guide section extends from a second end of the interior curved section.

22. The personnel lift of claim 21, wherein the first angled guide section and a distal end of the first exterior arcuate section define a third depth D″

, such that D″

/D ranges from about 1.25 to about 1.5.

23. The personnel lift of claim 16, wherein at least one support member extends between the interior curved section and the first exterior curved section and the second exterior curved section.

24. The mast section of claim 16 further including at least one upper roller operatively mounted adjacent a top end of the mast section and at least one lower roller operatively mounted at a distance of about ¼

to about ⅓

of the length of the mast section from the top end of the mast section.

25. The mast section of claim 16 wherein the first and second exterior curved sections have the same shape.

26. The mast assembly of claim 25, wherein at least one sheave is positioned adjacent at least the first exterior curved section in a generally perpendicular relationship to a line L₃ which is defined by a center point of the mast section and a center point on the exterior curved section of the mast section.

27. The personnel lift of claim 16, wherein each of the mast sections has a defined height and wherein each mast section does not substantially extend beyond the height of a first mast section when the mast assembly is in a retracted position.

28. The mast assembly of claim 27, wherein a top section of one mast section is adjacent and overlaps a bottom section of the adjacent mast section when the mast assembly is in a partially extended position.

29. The personnel lift of claim 21, wherein each mast section ranging from a height of about 6 to about 7 feet.

16. A personnel lift comprising at least one mast section comprising an interior curved section, a first opposing exterior arcuate section, and a second opposing exterior arcuate section.