Fiber Optic Intercom for Bucket Truck Application

• US 20130209109A1
• Filed: 02/10/2012
• Published: 08/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Irwin Math, Joseph Georgiano
• Original Assignee: Irwin Math, Joseph Georgiano
• Inventors: Georgiano, Joseph, Math, Irwin
• Application Number:
  US13/371,115
• Publication Number:
  US 20130209109A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 398/140
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 11/046 of the telescoping type
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 17/006 for working platforms
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/25 Arrangements specific to fibre transmission

Abstract

An insulated bucket truck intercom facilitates safe/reliable bucket-to-cab and bucket-to-ground communications during truck operations, while in close proximity to high voltage power sources/lines. A truck-powered cab transceiver and battery-powered bucket transceiver are interconnected by fiber optic cable to maintain high voltage electrical isolation of at least 10 KV/foot. A hands-free bucket transceiver liberates bucket workers from depressing a PTT button to communicate during repair operations. A PTT cab transceiver prevents stray sounds from distracting bucket workers. Bucket elevation through extension of the telescoping boom, with fiber optic cable secured thereto, is accommodated by a self-storing fiber optic reel assembly on each section. Play in the cable and a spring-loaded pulley member accommodates boom articulation. A cab transceiver radio interface permits interference-free communication between the bucket transceiver and/or the cab transceiver, with a remote walkie-talkie up to 10 miles distant.

Claims

1. A bucket truck intercom system, for use on an insulated bucket truck to facilitate bucket-to-cab communication during bucket truck operations, said bucket truck intercom system comprising:

a truck cab communication device;

a bucket communication device;

a fiber optic cable selectively interconnecting said truck cab communication device with said bucket communication device;

said fiber optic interconnection maintaining high voltage electrical isolation between said bucket and truck cab while permitting bucket-to-cab communication being free from electrical interference.

2. A bucket truck intercom system according to claim 1 wherein said truck communication device comprises a transceiver, said truck cab transceiver comprising an integrated speaker and microphone;

and wherein said bucket communication device comprises a transceiver, said bucket transceiver comprising an integrated speaker and microphone.

3. A bucket truck intercom system according to claim 2 wherein said fiber optic cable selectively interconnecting said truck cab communication device with said bucket communication device comprises at least one self-storing fiber optic reel assembly positioned in proximity to a telescoping boom of said bucket truck to accommodate extension of said boom.

4. A bucket truck intercom system according to claim 3 wherein said bucket transceiver comprises a hands-free voice transmission microphone.

5. A bucket truck intercom system according to claim 4 wherein said hands-free voice transmission for said bucket transceiver comprises a voice-activated microphone transmission.

6. A bucket truck intercom system according to claim 4 wherein said truck cab transceiver comprises a push-to-talk voice transmission.

7. A bucket truck intercom system according to claim 6 wherein said cab transceiver is powered by said truck.

8. A bucket truck intercom system according to claim 7 wherein said high voltage electrical isolation between said bucket and truck cab provided by said intercom system comprises at least 10 KV/foot of isolation.

9. A bucket truck intercom system according to claim 8 wherein said bucket transceiver is powered by an externally accessible rechargeable battery unit,

10. A bucket truck intercom system according to claim 9 wherein said cab transceiver further comprises a remote-battery charging unit and a spare bucket-transceiver battery being rechargeable therein.

11. A bucket truck intercom system according to claim 10 wherein said cab transceiver further comprises a radio interface to permit communication with a handheld radio during bucket truck operations.

12. A bucket truck intercom system according to claim 11 wherein said radio interface permits communication between either of said hands-free bucket transceiver or said cab transceiver with a remote walkie-talkie during bucket truck operations.

13. A bucket truck intercom system according to claim 12 wherein said radio interface permits said communication with, said remote walkie-talkie for distances of up to 10 miles.

14. A bucket truck intercom system according to claim 13 wherein said bucket transceiver comprises a water-proof metal housing;

and wherein said externally accessible rechargeable battery is waterproof

15. A bucket truck intercom system according to claim 14 further comprising a spring-loaded pulley member to accommodate rotational movement of said boom.

16. A bucket truck intercom system according to claim 15 wherein said cab transceiver comprises one or more indicators, said one or more indicators indicating:

a caber transceiver to bucket transceiver link status;

battery charge conditions; and

power.

17. A bucket truck intercom system according to claim 16 further comprising a bucket tip sensor and an audible alarm in said bucket and/or in said cab, said audible alarm indicating imminent tipping of said truck due to overreaching of said boom.

18. A bucket truck intercom system according to claim 17 wherein said bucket tip sensor comprises a load sensor positioned on each outrigger arm;

and wherein a microprocessor compares a reading from each of said outrigger arm load sensors to determine excessive imbalance due to said telescoping of said boom of said bucket truck.