Safe zone detection system for lift having a pluarlity of sensors

• US 9,327,953 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2012
• Issued: 05/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ballymore Company, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ballymore Company, Inc.
• Inventors: Sayles, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Salata, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US13/625,653
• Publication Number:
  US 20130075203A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,317 Days
• Field of Search: 187/223, 187/227, 187/300, 187/313, 187391-393, 340/505, 340/506, 340/518, 340/522, 340/541, 340/565
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 17/006 for working platforms

Abstract

A safe-zone sensing system for a lift having a base, a lift platform, and a driving system for raising and lowering the lift platform. The safe-zone sensing system includes a sensor system having a plurality of sensors mounted to the base of the lift. The sensors collectively defining a safe-zone around the base of the lift and detecting motion or obstructions within the safe zone, a controller fires the sensors in a preselected sequence for continuously scanning the safe zone. Scanning is started when the platform raises above a preselected height. The sensor controller generates an alert which initiates a safety sequence when motion or obstructions are sensed by at least one of the plurality of sensors.

Claims

1. A safe-zone sensing system for a lift, the lift having a base, a lift platform, and a driving system for raising and lowering the lift platform, the safe-zone sensing system comprising:

a sensor system comprising a housing containing a plurality of sensors configured to be mounted to a top surface of the base of the lift, the sensors collectively define a safe-zone disposed around the base of the lift and detecting motion or obstructions within the safe zone, a controller fires the sensors in a preselected sequence to continuously scan the safe zone, the scan operation is started when the platform raises above a preselected height, during the scan operation one of the plurality of sensors if motion or an obstruction is detected, the sensor controller generates an alert which initiates a safety sequence when motion or obstructions are sensed by at least one of the plurality of sensors.

2. The safe-zone sensing system according to claim 1 further comprising:

an alert device which alerts during the safety sequence when motion or obstructions are sensed by at least one of the plurality of sensors.

3. The safe-zone sensing system according to claim 1 wherein the sensor controller is in communication with the drive system of the lift and wherein the controller stops the drive system from further lowering of the platform of the lift during the safety sequence when motion or obstructions are sensed by at least one of the plurality of sensors.

4. The safe-zone sensing system according to claim 3 further comprising:

an alert device which alerts during the safety sequence when motion or obstructions are sensed by at least one of the plurality of sensors.

5. The safe-zone sensing system according to claim 1 wherein the sensors are ultrasonic sensors.

6. The safe-zone sensing system according to claim 1 wherein the height is about 22 inches and the sensor system powers on when the platform reaches the height.

7. The safe-zone sensing system according to claim 1 wherein the sensor system measures the distance to objects in the safe zone and stores these distances, the sensor system continuously measures the distance to the objects, the measurements are compared to those stored, if an object is determined to have moved closer to the lift or an object is detected that was not previously measured within the safe zone, an alert is triggered and a predetermined sequence of operations is initiated.

8. A lift vehicle comprising:

a base, a lift platform, and a driving system for raising and lowering the lift platform; and

a sensor system comprising a housing containing a plurality of sensors mounted to a top surface of the base of the lift, the sensors collectively define a safe-zone disposed around the base of the lift and detecting motion or obstructions within the safe zone, a controller fires the sensors in a preselected sequence to continuously scan the safe zone, the scan operation is started when the platform raises above a preselected height, during the scan operation one of the plurality of a sensors sends out a signal and the signal is received by another of the plurality of sensors if motion or an obstruction is detected, the sensor controller generates an alert which initiates a safety sequence when motion or obstructions are sensed by at least one of the plurality of sensors.

9. The lift vehicle according to claim 8 further comprising:

an alert device which alerts during the safety sequence when motion or obstructions are sensed by at least one of the plurality of sensors.

10. The lift vehicle according to claim 8 wherein the sensor controller is in communication with the drive system of the lift and wherein the controller stops the drive system from further lowering of the platform of the lift during the safety sequence when motion or obstructions are sensed by at least one of the plurality of sensors.

11. The lift vehicle according to claim 10 further comprising:

an alert device which alerts during the safety sequence when motion or obstructions are sensed by at least one of the plurality of sensors.

12. The lift vehicle according to claim 8 wherein the sensors are ultrasonic sensors.

13. The lift vehicle according to claim 8 wherein the height is about 22 inches and the sensor system powers on when the platform reaches the height.

14. The lift vehicle according to claim 8 wherein after power on the sensor system measures the distance to objects in the safe zone and stores these distances, the sensor system continuously measures the distance to the objects, the measurements are compared to those stored, if an object is determined to have moved closer to the lift or an object is detected that was not previously measured within the safe zone, an alert is triggered and a predetermined sequence of operations is initiated.

15. The lift vehicle according to claim 8 wherein the sensor system is mounted to the base of the lift.