Work Stand Configurable for Different Work Areas

• US 20180044986A1
• Filed: 08/15/2016
• Published: 02/15/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Cook, Rebecca L.
• Granted Patent: US 10,648,235 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 5/00 Designing, manufacturing, assembling, cleaning, maintaining or repairing aircraft, not otherwise provided for; Handling, transporting, testing or inspecting aircraft components, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 1/34 Scaffold constructions able to be folded in prismatic or flat parts or able to be turned down
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 2001/242 Scaffolds movable on wheels or tracks
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 5/10 Steps or ladders specially adapted for scaffolds E04G27/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 5/142 extensible or telescopic
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 1/10 Sections fitted end to end
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 1/39 Ladders having platforms; Ladders changeable into platforms platforms for use on ladders E06C7/16
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 1/397 characterised by having wheels, rollers, or runners
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 1/52 with non-rigid longitudinal members
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/182 situated at the top of the ladder
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/183 situated along the ladder

Abstract

A mobile work stand for working on work areas including a fence. The fence includes a plurality of adjacent first and second fence sections that are pivotally connected to each other to enable the fence to be configurable in different fence positions. Each fence position is configured to enclose a different configured work area.

Claims

1. A mobile work stand comprising:

a fence comprising a plurality of adjacent first and second fence sections, wherein said plurality of adjacent first and second fence sections are pivotally connected to each other to enable said fence to be configurable in different fence positions.

2. The mobile work stand of claim 1 comprising a plurality of locking mechanisms, each of said locking mechanisms operatively connected to a respective one of said adjacent first and second fence sections, wherein each of said locking mechanism is configured to lock said respective adjacent first and second fence sections at selected pivot angles with respect to each other.

3. The mobile work stand of claim 2 wherein each of said locking mechanisms comprises:

a locking pin;

a first lock member, wherein said first lock member is operatively connected to said second fence section, wherein said first lock member comprises a pin receiving aperture;

a second lock member, wherein said second lock member is operatively connected to said first fence section, wherein said second lock member comprises a plurality of pin receiving bores, each pin receiving bore corresponding to a selected pivot angle between said respective adjacent first and second fence sections when said pin receiving bore is aligned with said pin receiving aperture,

wherein said locking pin extends through said pin receiving aperture of said first lock member and a selected one of said pin receiving bores of said second lock member to lock said respective adjacent first and second fence sections at the selected pivot angle corresponding to said pin receiving bore.

4. The mobile work stand of claim 1 further comprising a staircase, wherein said fence is operatively connected to said staircase for enabling access to said fence.

5. The mobile work stand of claim 4 comprising a platform, wherein said staircase terminates upwardly into said platform, wherein said fence is pivotally connected to said platform.

6. The mobile work stand of claim 1 wherein said plurality of adjacent first and second fence sections are pivotally connected to each other by upper and lower hinge pins.

7. The mobile work stand of claim 1 wherein said fence is configured to be folded into a stowed position for storing said fence.

8. The mobile work stand of claim 1 wherein said fence forms a work area that is on part of an aircraft.

9. A fence for a mobile work stand, wherein said mobile work stand is configured for allowing access to work areas, wherein said fence comprises:

a plurality of adjacent first and second fence sections pivotally connected to each other to enable said fence to be configurable in different fence positions, wherein each fence position encloses a different work area; and

a plurality of locking mechanisms, wherein each of said locking mechanisms is operatively connected to a respective one of said adjacent first and second fence sections, wherein said locking mechanism is configured to lock said respective adjacent first and second fence sections at selected pivot angles with respect to each other.

10. The fence of claim 9 wherein each of said locking mechanisms comprises:

a locking pin assembly;

a first lock member, wherein said first lock member is operatively connected to said second fence section, wherein said first lock member comprises a pin receiving aperture;

a second lock member, wherein said second lock member is operatively connected to said first fence section, wherein said second lock member comprises a plurality of pin receiving bores, each pin receiving bore corresponding to a selected pivot angle between said respective adjacent first and second fence sections when said pin receiving bore is aligned with said pin receiving aperture,

wherein said locking pin assembly extends through said pin receiving aperture of said first lock member and a selected one of said pin receiving bores of said second lock member to lock said respective adjacent first and second fence sections at the selected pivot angle corresponding to said pin receiving bore.

11. The fence of claim 9 wherein said plurality of adjacent first and second fence sections are pivotally connected to each other by upper and lower hinge pins.

12. The fence of claim 9 wherein said locking pin assembly comprises a push button quick release locking pin assembly.

13. A method for using a mobile work stand for working on a work area, wherein said mobile work stand comprises a fence having a plurality of adjacent first and second fence sections pivotally connected to each other, wherein said method comprises steps of:

positioning said mobile work stand at said work area; and

configuring said fence in a first position to enclose said work area by pivoting said adjacent first and second fence sections at selected pivot angles with respect to each other.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of locking said fence in said first position.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

folding said fence in a second position for storing said fence by pivoting said adjacent first and second fence sections at selected pivot angles with respect to each other; and

removing said mobile work stand from said work area.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein said step of configuring said fence in said first position is performed by a servicer inside said fence.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

locking said fence in said first position;

working in said work area;

unlocking said fence from said first position;

folding said fence in a second position for storing said fence by pivoting said adjacent first and second fence sections at selected pivot angles with respect to each other;

locking said fence in said second position; and

removing said mobile work stand from said work area.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of locking said fence in said first position comprises inserting a locking pin through aligned apertures in said adjacent first and second fence sections.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said locking pin comprises a push button, wherein the step of locking said fence in said first position comprises pushing said push button to allow said locking pin to be inserted into said aligned apertures.

20. The method of claim 13 wherein said fence forms a work area that is on part of an aircraft.