EMBEDDED PLATFORM LIGHTS

• US 20170211765A1
• Filed: 01/25/2016
• Published: 07/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Altec Industries Incorporated (Avon Protection Plc)
• Original Assignee: Altec Industries Incorporated (Avon Protection Plc)
• Inventors: Walker, Elizabeth K.
• Granted Patent: US 9,976,715 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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: F21S 4/26 of rope form, e.g. LED lighting ropes, or of tubular form
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/03 rechargeable by exposure to light
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/00 Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A lighting system is configured to provide lighting on an interior of a utility platform. The lighting system comprises a rope light and a power source for installing in or near the utility platform. The rope light includes a plurality of light emitters and a casing. The casing surrounds the plurality of light emitters, which are spread along the rope light. The rope light is configured to provide light to an interior surface of the utility platform. The isolated power source provides electrical power to the rope light, and is configured to prevent a discharge of electricity.

Claims

1. A lighting system configured to provide lighting on an interior of a utility platform, the lighting system comprising:

a rope light including—

a plurality of light emitters; and

a casing,

wherein the casing surrounds the plurality of light emitters,

wherein the plurality of light emitters are spread along the rope light,

wherein the rope light is configured to provide light to an interior surface of the utility platform; and

an isolated power source for providing electrical power to the rope light,

wherein the power source is configured to prevent a discharge of electricity.

2. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the rope light is configured to be installed on an interior surface of the utility platform.

3. The lighting system of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the rope light is configured to be covered with a translucent insulative liner.

4. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the rope light is configured to be installed on an exterior surface of the utility platform.

5. The lighting system of claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the rope light is configured to emit light through a wall of the utility platform so as to illuminate the interior.

6. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the rope light comprises:

an interior rope light configured to provide light to the interior of the utility platform; and

an exterior lighting cable configured to provide light to an exterior of the utility platform.

7. The lighting system of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the exterior lighting cable is configured to provide light in an upward direction so as to illuminate a work area.

8. The lighting system of claim 7, wherein the rope light emits light in the red spectrum for preservation of a utility worker'"'"'s ability to see at night.

9. The lighting system of claim 1,

wherein the power source is a battery,

wherein the battery stores electrical power for the rope light.

10. The lighting system of claim 9,

wherein the battery is recharged by a solar panel,

wherein the solar panel is configured to be installed on an exterior side of the utility platform,

wherein the solar panel is configured to charge the battery during lighted conditions such that the battery can power the rope light during low-light conditions.

11. A utility platform assembly comprising:

a utility platform including a sidewall and a floor

wherein the utility platform presents a cavity configured to support a utility worker therein; and

a lighting system including a rope light and a power source,

wherein at least a portion of the lighting system is embedded in the utility platform.

12. The utility platform assembly of claim 11,

wherein the utility platform further comprises a step disposed on the sidewall,

wherein the lighting system emits light upward such that the light is visible from the step.

13. The utility platform assembly of claim 11,

wherein the utility platform assembly further comprises a set of upper boom controls,

wherein the lighting system provides light such that the set of upper boom controls is illuminated

14. The utility platform assembly of claim 11, wherein the utility platform assembly is configured to be installed on an aerial device.

15. The utility platform assembly of claim 11, wherein the utility platform further comprises a lip disposed at a top end of the sidewall.

16. The utility platform assembly of claim 15, wherein the lighting system emits light upward such that the light is visible from the lip.

17. The utility platform assembly of claim 15, wherein the lighting system emits light downward and laterally from a set of upper boom controls.

18. A method of providing light to an interior of a utility platform, the method comprising the following steps:

installing a rope light adjacent to the utility platform,

wherein the rope light is configured to emit a light via a plurality of light emitters disposed along the rope light; and

installing a power source with the utility platform such that the power source is configured to provide electrical power to the rope light,

wherein the power source is electrically isolated so as to prevent a potentially hazardous discharge of electricity.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the following steps:

molding a channel into a sidewall of the utility platform,

wherein the channel is disposed at least in part on the interior of the utility platform; and

placing the rope light within the channel,

wherein the channel keeps the rope light aligned in a desired orientation within the utility platform.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the following steps:

molding a channel into an insulative liner;

placing the insulative liner within the utility platform,

wherein at least a portion of the rope light is disposed within the channel and between the insulative liner and the utility platform,

wherein the insulative liner is substantially translucent such that at least a portion of the light from the rope light can be observed by a utility worker through the insulative liner.