Control console for a personnel lifting machine, and personnel lifting machine including such control console.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a control panel (40) having a main body (41) whose front and rear surfaces are connected by a through channel (41C) and closed by a lower crossbar (42) and an upper crossbar (43), as well as a left column (44) and a right column (45). A control lever (70) disposed within the through channel extends upward from the lower crossbar and tilts backward from the bottom when at rest. The front surface of the main body includes a flat surface (47) on which the through channel appears, tilting backward from the bottom and extending continuously over the upper crossbar, the left column, and the lower crossbar. At the upper crossbar, a display (80) is disposed on the flat surface; at the left column, a push button (100) is disposed on the flat surface; and at the lower crossbar, the flat surface extends from the through channel to the lower edge (42A) of the lower crossbar, which is disposed rearward from the flat surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a control panel for a personnel lifting machine. It also relates to a personnel lifting machine including such a control panel. Background Technology

[0002] Personnel hoisting machines (such as aerial hoists) are designed to enable one or more people to work at heights. For this purpose, such machines include a work platform designed so that one or more people can stand on it. The platform includes a floor surrounded by guardrails. The platform is supported by a lifting structure that allows the platform to be raised / lowered between a lower position on the machine frame and a desired working position at a higher elevation. Personnel hoisting machines can be self-propelled (i.e., motorized) for easy autonomous movement on the ground. In all cases, the platform is associated with a control console equipped with manually operated control elements that allow the operator to actuate the deployment of the lifting structure and, where appropriate, the movement of the machine on the ground.

[0003] The control panel is permanently mounted on the platform, that is, permanently installed in the same given location on the platform, usually on the guardrail. The control panel is configured such that the operator stands in front of the guardrail when they wish to operate the control elements, or the control panel is removable, for example, so that it can be suspended in different locations on the guardrail, such as at the front or rear of the platform, for operator movement. When the control panel is removable, it is generally more compact and lightweight than a fixed control panel. Furthermore, the control panel can be configured such that the operator can hold the control panel with one hand and grasp the control elements with the other, which particularly enables machine control from the ground rather than from the platform. In this case, the control panel is even more compact and lighter.

[0004] In all cases, operators do not always easily manage the control console according to the "logic" by which the control elements are positioned. This problem is even more pronounced when the same operator uses different machines (more specifically, machines of different sizes and / or types) consecutively to lift personnel, each machine's control console following different "logic." Furthermore, when the console is positioned too high relative to the platform floor, its position on the platform is often ergonomically unsatisfactory: the operator must therefore keep his / her elbow bent at 90°, and the console restricts the operator's field of vision. Moreover, during operation, especially when the machine is used outdoors, the control console often suffers from challenging working environments. Therefore, rainwater and / or dust from the work site may tend to accumulate on the control elements located on the console, potentially leading to deterioration or even malfunction. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a new control console that harmonizes requirements in terms of ergonomics, reliability, and long service life.

[0006] Therefore, the subject of this invention is a control console for a personnel lifting machine, the control console comprising a body having a front surface and a rear surface connected to each other by a through-channel, the through-channel being closed by a lower and upper crossbar and a left and right column of the body, the lower and upper crossbars each extending across the entire width of the body, and the left and right columns each extending across the entire height of the body. The control console includes a lever disposed within the through-channel and extending upward from the lower crossbar, the lever occupying a rest position when stationary, and in this rest position, when the control console is in use, the lever tilts backward when considered from bottom to top. The front surface of the body comprises a flat surface.

[0007] - The through-channel appears on a flat surface.

[0008] - When the control panel is in use, considering a flat surface from bottom to top, the flat surface tilts backward, and

[0009] - A flat surface extends continuously over the upper crossbar, the left column, and the lower crossbar. At the upper crossbar, a display is provided on the flat surface. At the left column, a press button is provided on the flat surface. At the lower crossbar, the flat surface extends from the through-passage to the lower edge of the lower crossbar. The lower edge extends rearward from the flat surface over at least a portion of the area between the left and right columns.

[0010] In the control console according to the invention, the joystick is specifically designed for controlling the height shift of the lifting machine and, where appropriate, ground shift. The joystick is surrounded by the columns and crossbars of the console body, which protects it and reduces the risk of improper movement. In the rest position, the joystick extends rearward from the lower crossbar, which is particularly ergonomic and enhances safety by advantageously arranging the joystick forward from its rest position to raise the platform and backward to lower it. To actuate functions other than those controlled by the joystick, the control console according to the invention is equipped with a push button located on the left side of the front surface of the body. In use, the push button is thus easily and effectively actuated by the operator's left hand, especially when the operator holds the joystick with his / her right hand, as the operator's right arm does not obstruct the actuation of the push button or conceal the left side of the front surface of the body. In the upper part of the front surface of the body, the control console is equipped with a display that is clearly visible to the operator during use and provides information for the operator to manage and use the console. Furthermore, the push-buttons, displays, and other control elements present on the control panel where appropriate are arranged on a flat surface on the front surface. A through-channel for the lever is positioned on this flat surface, which extends to the lower edge of the lower crossbar of the body, the lower edge extending rearward from the flat surface. In use, the flat surface slopes backward from the bottom up, which is ergonomic and prevents water retention or dirt buildup on the flat surface, and thus prevents water retention or dirt buildup on the push-buttons, displays, and any other control elements. Therefore, the control panel according to the invention has proven to be particularly ergonomic, reliable, and durable, and advantageously usable in various sizes while maintaining the same structure and usage "logic." These advantages may be further enhanced by other aspects of the control panel, which will be detailed below.

[0011] According to the advantageous additional features of the control panel according to the invention:

[0012] - The flat surface includes a first region and a second region on the lower crossbar. The first region is positioned vertically aligned with the control lever, and the second region connects the first region to the right column. The first and second regions of the flat surface do not contain any control elements.

[0013] - An emergency stop button is located on the top horizontal bar of the flat surface, specifically on the right side of the display.

[0014] - The front surface of the main body has an edge that protrudes from the flat surface and extends on a portion of the outer periphery of the flat surface, such that the forward-facing edge of the edge defines the front support plane, and the joystick and push button in the rest position are arranged to retract from the front support plane.

[0015] - The rear surface of the main body defines the rear support plane, and the control lever is arranged to retract from the rear support plane in the rest position.

[0016] - The left column is shaped into a handle, which is used by the operator's left hand when using the control panel.

[0017] - When the control panel is in use, the joystick in the stationary position is tilted at 45° relative to the vertical direction, with a deviation of ±5°.

[0018] - The lower crossbar is provided with a connection port, such as a USB port, which is accessible from the front surface of the body and is located on the lower edge of the lower crossbar outside the portion of the lower edge.

[0019] - The control panel includes a wrist rest for the operator to hold the joystick with their right hand, and the wrist rest is located at the lower right corner of the through passage.

[0020] - The control panel also includes hooks for removably attaching to the guardrails of the platform of the personnel lifting machine. The hooks are set on the rear surface of the body by being rigidly attached to the upper crossbar.

[0021] - The control panel includes a protective cover that is flexible and adapted to removably cover a flat surface, and when the protective cover covers the flat surface, the protective cover is transparent at least at the portion of the protective cover that covers the display.

[0022] - The protective cover is permanently attached to one of the upper and lower crossbars and can extend to the other of the lower and upper crossbars. The protective cover engages with the other of the lower and upper crossbars to be reversibly retained.

[0023] Another subject of the present invention is a personnel lifting machine, which includes:

[0024] -Ground support frame,

[0025] - Platform, the platform is suitable for at least one operator to stand on.

[0026] - A lifting structure, which supports the platform and is movably mounted on the base frame, so that the platform is raised more or less relative to the base frame, and

[0027] - As defined above, the control console is permanently or removably attached to the platform.

[0028] According to the advantageous additional features of the personnel lifting machine according to the invention:

[0029] - When the control panel is attached to the platform, the center of the joystick is positioned between 91cm and 95cm from the floor of the platform.

[0030] - The joystick is designed for:

[0031] - When the joystick is tilted forward from its rest position, the platform is raised, and

[0032] - The platform descends when the joystick is tilted backward from its rest position. Attached Figure Description

[0033] The invention will be better understood by reading the following description, which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0034] - Figure 1 This is an elevation view of the personnel lifting machine according to the present invention.

[0035] - Figure 2 Is with Figure 1 A similar view, but showing the contents at a larger scale. Figure 1 The control panel of the machine shown;

[0036] - Figure 3 and Figure 4 These are perspective views of the control panel shown separately along the corresponding different viewing directions;

[0037] - Figure 5 It is along Figure 3 Elevation view of arrow V shown;

[0038] - Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A schematic cross-section of line VI-VI shown;

[0039] - Figure 7 This is an exploded perspective view of some components of the control panel in the aforementioned figure. Detailed Implementation

[0040] Figure 1 and Figure 2 An aerial hoist 1 is shown, which enables operators to reach areas located at high altitudes to work thereon.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the aerial hoist includes a base frame 10 resting on the ground. The base frame 10 is provided with wheels for translation on the ground, namely, a pair of rear wheels 11 and a pair of front wheels 12. To enable the base frame 10 to rotate relative to the ground, advantageously, at least one pair of the two pairs of wheels 11 and 12 are steering wheels, which can tilt to the left and right relative to the front and rear geometric axes of the base frame 10, which extend parallel to the ground.

[0042] In a variant (not shown), all or some of the rear wheels 11 and front wheels 12 may be replaced by rails to allow the chassis 10 to translate on the ground. More generally, the rear wheels 11 and front wheels 12 are merely examples of ground translation elements mounted on the chassis 10.

[0043] Regardless of the characteristics of the ground translation elements (e.g., rear wheels 11 and front wheels 12), advantageously, the underframe 10 is configured as a self-propelled vehicle to facilitate autonomous movement on the ground. For this purpose, the aerial hoist 1 has a motor, which is typically mounted directly on the underframe 10 and is either an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, or a hybrid motor.

[0044] The aerial hoist 1 also includes a platform 20, which is designed so that the operator using the aerial hoist can stand on the platform. Therefore, the platform 20 is designed to accommodate and carry the operator, and, where appropriate, to accommodate and carry one or more other persons and / or equipment used for working at height. For this purpose, the platform 20 includes a floor 21 on which the operator stands, and the floor extends horizontally when the aerial hoist is positioned on a level ground. The platform 20 also includes a guardrail 22 that rises around the platform from the floor 21 and is designed to prevent personnel from falling from the platform.

[0045] The aerial hoist 1 also includes a lifting structure 30 that supports the platform 20. The lifting structure 30 is mounted on the base frame 10 to raise the platform 20 more or less relative to the base frame 10. Figure 1 In an example of the embodiment considered herein, the lifting structure 30 includes a turntable 31 and an arm 32. The turntable rests against the base frame 10 and is rotatable relative to the base frame about a rotation axis extending perpendicular to the ground. The arm connects the turntable 31 to the platform 20, and the arm is deployable to move the platform 20 more or less away from the turntable 31. Embodiments of the turntable 31 are not limiting. Similarly, embodiments of the arm 32 are not limiting. Furthermore, it should be noted that the term "arm" as used herein should be understood in a broad sense, and thus an arm corresponds to an elongated mechanical structure, including, in particular, a plurality of arm elements movable relative to each other in a hinged and / or telescopic manner to deploy the mechanical structure.

[0046] More generally, embodiments of the lifting structure 30 are non-limiting. Since the positioning of the platform 20 relative to the base frame 10 changes accordingly by moving the components of the lifting structure relative to each other and / or relative to the base frame 10, the displacement of the platform 20 is controlled by the operator using the lifting platform 1 via the lifting structure 30. Therefore, as a variation (not shown), the lifting structure 30 may omit the turntable 31 and / or may include a scissor lifting mechanism (or even consist of a scissor lifting mechanism).

[0047] Regardless of the characteristics of the lifting structure 30, the drive of the lifting structure relative to the base frame 10 is ensured by a drive element integrated into the aerial hoist 1. Such a drive element is known in the art, for example, as mechanical and / or hydraulic, and has a thermodynamic and / or electric power source.

[0048] The aerial lift 1 also includes a control console 40, which is located in... Figures 2 to 7 As detailed below, the control panel 40 is equipped with various manual actuation control elements that enable the operator to control the drive of the lifting structure 30, thereby specifically causing the vertical displacement of the platform 20 relative to the base frame 10, and, where appropriate, controlling the movement of the frame 10 on the ground.

[0049] As in Figures 2 to 6 As can be clearly seen, the control panel 40 includes a main body 41, which has two surfaces facing each other: a front surface 41A and a rear surface 41B. Thus, the front surface 41A and the rear surface 41B face each other along the front-rear direction of the main body 41. The front surface 41A of the main body 41 is configured to face the operator when the control panel 40 is in use (i.e., when the operator uses the control panel to control the aerial hoist 1), such that... Figure 2 As shown. In Figure 3 and Figure 5 In the middle, the front surface 41A steering reader, while... Figure 4 In the middle, the rear surface 41B steering reader.

[0050] The main body 41 includes two crossbars and two uprights, namely a lower crossbar 42 and an upper crossbar 43, and a left upright 44 and a right upright 45. The lower crossbar 42 and upper crossbar 43 each extend across the entire width of the main body 41, with the lower crossbar 42 positioned below the upper crossbar 43 when the control panel 40 is in use. The left upright 44 and right upright 45 each extend across the entire height of the main body 41, and when the control panel 40 is in use, when viewed from the front surface 41A of the main body 41, the left and right uprights are located on the left and right sides of the control panel, respectively. Figure 5 As shown. The lower horizontal bar 42 connects the corresponding lower ends of the left vertical bar 44 and the right vertical bar 45 to each other. The left vertical bar 44 connects the corresponding left ends of the lower horizontal bar 42 and the upper horizontal bar 43 to each other. The upper horizontal bar 43 connects the corresponding upper ends of the left vertical bar 44 and the right vertical bar 45 to each other. The right vertical bar 45 connects the corresponding right ends of the lower horizontal bar 42 and the upper horizontal bar 43 to each other.

[0051] Thus, the lower crossbar 42 and the left upright 44 share the same lower left portion of the main body 41, with the lower left portion corresponding to the left end portion of the lower crossbar 42 and the lower end portion of the left upright 44. Similarly, the left upright 44 and the upper crossbar 43 share the same upper left portion of the main body 41, with the upper left portion corresponding to the upper end portion of the left upright 44 and the left end portion of the upper crossbar 43; the upper crossbar 43 and the right upright 45 share the same upper right portion of the main body 41, with the upper right portion corresponding to the right end portion of the upper crossbar 43 and the upper end portion of the right upright 45; and the right upright 45 and the lower crossbar 42 share the same lower right portion of the main body 41, with the lower right portion corresponding to the lower end portion of the right upright 45 and the right end portion of the lower crossbar 42.

[0052] Crossbars 42 and 43 and posts 44 and 45 define a through-passage 41C between them, which connects the front surface 41A and the rear surface 41B of the body 41 to each other. The through-passage 41C opens at two opposite ends of the body 41 along its circumferential direction and leads to the front surface 41A and the rear surface 41B. Along its circumferential direction with respect to the body 41, the through-passage 41C closes via crossbars 42 and 43 and posts 44 and 45. The corresponding closed profile of the through-passage 41C extends in a 360° direction, as shown in... Figure 5 This can be clearly seen in the image. In the example considered here, the closed profile is generally rectangular with rounded corners.

[0053] The control panel 40 is designed for attachment to the platform 20, and particularly to the guardrail 22 of the platform. In the embodiment considered in the figures, the control panel 40 is designed for detachable attachment to the platform 20. For this purpose, the control panel 40 includes hooks 46 for detachably attaching the control panel 40 to the guardrail 22 of the platform 20. Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 As can be clearly seen, hook 46 is arranged on the rear surface 41B of the main body 41, preferably at the upper crossbar 43 of the main body 41. Hook 46 is shaped to mate with the upper bar 22.1 of the guardrail 22 by means of a matching shape, the upper bar extending parallel to the floor 21 of the platform 20. In fact, hook 46 can advantageously have different sizes to accommodate various possible sizes of the components of the guardrail 22.

[0054] When the control panel 40 is detached from the platform 20, it can be deactivated for storage purposes. The control panel 40 can also remain active and be used to control the aerial hoist 1: in this case, the operator holds the control panel 40 in his / her hand, for which the left-hand column 44 is advantageously shaped as a handle for the operator's left hand.

[0055] Furthermore, the control panel 40 is designed for connection to the control unit 13 of the aerial hoist 1, such as... Figure 1 Schematably, the control unit is preferably integrated into the chassis 10. The control unit 13 includes, for example, a microprocessor and is designed to actuate drive elements according to commands issued by a control element belonging to the console 40. The drive elements ensure the actuation of the lifting structure 30 relative to the chassis 10 and, where appropriate, actuate a power unit that provides movement of the chassis 10 on the ground. In the embodiment considered in the figures, the corresponding connection between the control console 40 and the control unit 13 is made via a cable 50, with only the end of the cable connected to the console 40 visible in the figures. The cable 50 is used to send commands issued by the control element belonging to the console 40 to the control unit 13. The cable 50 can also supply power to the console 40. The electrical energy supplied by the cable 50 can be consumed directly or stored in a battery integrated into the console 40.

[0056] Advantageously, and particularly for ergonomic reasons, the cable 50 is configured to exit from the rear surface 41 of the body 41. That is, in a variant (not shown), the cable 50 exits downward from the lower end of the lower crossbar 42.

[0057] According to a practical embodiment, the cable 50 can be removably connected to the control panel 40: thus, the control panel 40 more specifically integrates the connector 51 into the lower crossbar 42 of the control panel, which is accessible from the rear surface 41B of the body 41 for connecting the cable 50. In the example embodiment considered in the drawings, particularly for safety purposes, the connector 51 is advantageously protected by a plate 52 directly mounted to the rear surface 41B of the body 41 to lock the connector 51, thereby preventing disassembly or repair of the connector.

[0058] According to an advantageous alternative arrangement used in the embodiment considered in the accompanying drawings, a connection port 60, such as a USB port, is provided on the lower edge 42A of the lower crossbar 42 of the body 41, accessible from the front surface 41A of the body 41. The purpose of the connection port 60 is non-limiting, but rather intended in all cases to improve the usability of the console 40. For example, the connection port 60 allows a mobile electronic device (e.g., a telephone) to be connected for charging. The connection port 60 can also be used to connect a mobile terminal to exchange data between the mobile terminal and the console 40, for purposes such as monitoring, updating, fault detection, etc.

[0059] The control panel 40 also includes a joystick 70, which forms one of the manual operation control elements belonging to the control panel. Figures 2 to 6As can be clearly seen, the joystick 70 is arranged within the through-channel 41C of the main body 41 and extends upward from the lower crossbar 42. The joystick 70 is mounted on the lower crossbar 42 to be movable from a stationary position (in particular, tilted), and when the joystick is stationary (i.e., in the absence of any force specifically applied to the joystick by the operator), the joystick 70 occupies the stationary position.

[0060] When the control panel 40 is in operation, the joystick 70 is designed to be gripped by the operator's right hand, such as... Figure 2 Schematic illustration shows that the wrist region of the right hand is thus located between the joystick 70 and the right side post 45 of the body 41, while the fingers of the right hand are closed around the joystick 70, and the operator's right arm emerges from the through-channel 41C through the front surface 41A of the body 41. According to an advantageous alternative arrangement implemented in the embodiment considered in the figures, the console 40 also includes a wrist rest 71 for the operator's right hand holding the joystick 70, the wrist rest 71 being positioned at the lower right corner of the through-channel 41C, as shown in... Figures 3 to 5 As can be clearly seen in the figures. In fact, the embodiment of the wrist brace 71 is non-limiting: in the example envisioned in the figures, the wrist brace 71 is a directly mounted component, such as... Figure 7 As shown, the wrist support is rigidly attached to the body 41 by any suitable means.

[0061] When the control panel 40 is in use, especially when the control panel is attached to the platform 20, the control lever in the stationary position tilts backward from the bottom up, as in... Figure 2 and Figure 6 As can be clearly seen, the backward tilt facilitates efficient and comfortable use of the control panel 40. Preferably, the tilt is such that when the control panel 40 is in use, more specifically, attached to the platform 20, and the floor 21 of the platform is horizontal, the joystick 70, in its resting position, tilts 45° from vertical, with a deviation of ±5°. This tilt range increases the ease of use of the control panel 40 for the operator. Also for the purpose of improving the efficiency and safe use of the control panel 40, the center 70A of the joystick 70 (i.e., the area of ​​the joystick gripped in the operator's right palm) is located at a distance D from the floor 21 of the platform 20, which is advantageously between 91 cm and 95 cm. Figure 2 As illustrated schematically, in this way, during use, the right arm of the operator standing on the floor 21 and holding the joystick 70 with his / her right hand forms an obtuse angle at his / her elbow, which corresponds to a satisfactory position in terms of the operator's efficiency and safe use compared to the situation where the operator must bend his / her arm at a right angle.

[0062] In practice, embodiments of the joystick 70 are not limiting, as long as the joystick 70 can be gripped by the operator's right hand as described above, and the operator's movement of the joystick 70 from its rest position generates a command for controlling the aerial hoist 1 (more specifically, for actuating the aerial hoist 30). Therefore, multiple embodiments of the joystick 70 are conceivable, wherein the joystick may integrate one or more buttons, the manual actuation of which alters the command generated by the movement of the joystick 70. More specifically, for safety reasons, one of the buttons preferably forms a verification element 72 called an "enable button," such that the movement commanded by the movement of the joystick 70 is executed only when the verification element 72 is simultaneously actuated.

[0063] By designing the joystick 70 such that tilting it forward from its rest position raises the platform 20 and tilting it backward from its rest position lowers the platform 20, the backward tilting of the joystick 70 in its rest position is advantageously used to increase the safety of using the aerial hoist 1. Therefore, in the event that an external obstacle (such as part of a building or a tree branch) strikes the operator from behind or above, causing the operator to be pressed against the control panel 40, the operator is pushed towards the joystick 70, which tends to tilt the joystick backward, thereby lowering the platform 20.

[0064] As in Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 As can be clearly seen, the front surface 41A of the main body 41 includes a flat surface 47, through which the through channel 41C extends to the flat surface and continuously extends on the lower crossbar 42, the left column 44, and the upper crossbar 43. Therefore, the lower crossbar 42, the upper crossbar 43, and the left column 44 have corresponding surfaces on the front surface 41A of the main body 41, these surfaces together forming the flat surface 47, and these surfaces are all continuously inscribed in the same plane by direct connection to each other, as shown in... Figure 6 As can be clearly seen in the figures, when the control panel 40 is in use, and more specifically when the control panel is attached to the platform 20, the flat surface 47 is tilted backward from the bottom upward. In the example of the embodiment considered in the figures, the flat surface 47 is therefore tilted parallel to the joystick 70 in the rest position. In all cases, the backward tilt of the flat surface 47 allows the flat surface to be oriented toward the operator holding the joystick 70, while allowing the control panel 40 to be positioned in the lower part of the operator's field of vision, which is particularly comfortable, efficient, and practical. In fact, the relatively low positioning of the control panel 40 relative to the operator only slightly restricts the operator's field of vision, while keeping the flat surface 47 oriented directly toward the operator, particularly as described below, for observing the flat surface 47 and actuating the control elements supported by the flat surface 47.

[0065] A display 80 is mounted on a flat surface 47 on the upper crossbar 43 of the main body 41. The display 80 is specifically configured to transmit visual information to the operator. Therefore, the display 80 improves the operator's control over the control panel by facilitating understanding during operation and also enables control during use. In practice, embodiments of the display 80 are not limiting. As an example, the display 80 includes an electronic screen protected by a transparent cover.

[0066] Furthermore, an emergency stop button 90 is advantageously provided on the flat surface 47 of the upper crossbar 43. The emergency stop button itself is known, and its actuation cuts off the power to the aerial hoist 1. The emergency stop button 90 is advantageously located on the right side of the display 80 for comfortable and effective use when actuated by the operator's right hand.

[0067] On the left column 44 of the main body 41, a flat surface 47 is provided with push buttons 100, which correspond to some of the manually actuated control elements belonging to the control panel 40. Actuation of each of the push buttons 100 results in the activation / deactivation of a predetermined function associated with the control of the aerial hoist 1. This technical aspect is known in the art and therefore will not be described in more detail here. In particular, the arrangement of the push buttons 100 on the flat surface 47 at the left column 44 is particularly practical, comfortable, and effective because the user can therefore use his / her left thumb to actuate at least some of the push buttons 100, making it possible to actuate the push buttons 100 with the operator's left hand. In this case, all or some of the push buttons 100 are advantageously distributed along the left column 44, as in the example shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0068] In fact, embodiments of the press button 100 are not limiting. Furthermore, as an example used in the illustrated embodiment, the press button 100 is a flat press button. Optionally, the press button 100 includes an illuminated return function that illuminates the press button when it is activated.

[0069] On the lower crossbar 42 of the main body 41, a flat surface 47 extends from the through channel 41C to the lower edge 42A of the lower crossbar 42, with the lower edge 42A positioned rearward relative to the flat surface 47, as in... Figure 3 and Figure 6This can be clearly seen in the figure. Therefore, the lower edge 42A does not protrude relative to the flat surface 47. Because of the inclination of the flat surface, water falling on the flat surface 47 (e.g., rainwater) tends to flow from the flat surface to the lower edge 42A due to gravity (at the lower edge, due to the rearward arrangement of the lower edge from the flat surface 47, water is freely discharged outside the control panel 40 and is not retained by the lower edge 42A), so water or dirt does not accumulate on the flat surface 47. In the example of the embodiment considered in the figure, the lower edge 42A is not arranged rearward relative to the plane 47 over the entire range of the lower edge between the left column 44 and the right column 45 of the body 41, but is therefore arranged rearward on the left and right sides of the partial protrusion of the lower edge 42A, where the connection port 60 is provided. Water flowing on the flat surface 47 is discharged from the flat surface 47 at the lower edge 42A by flowing on both sides of the protrusion.

[0070] On the lower crossbar 42, the flat surface 47 is divided into... Figure 5 The three marked areas are: a first area 47.1 positioned vertically aligned with the joystick 70; a second area 47.2 connecting the first area 47.1 to the right column 45 of the body 41; and a third area 47.3 connecting the first area 47.1 to the left column 44. Advantageously, the first area 47.1 and the second area 47.2 do not contain any control elements: thus, the right arm of the operator holding the joystick 70 will not obstruct or conceal the control elements located in one or the other area of ​​the flat surface 47. On the other hand, the third area 47.3 of the flat surface 47 is not aligned with the operator's right arm, thus allowing support for control elements (in the present case, some of the push buttons in the button 100 in the embodiment considered herein).

[0071] According to the advantageous alternative arrangement used in the example considered in the accompanying drawings, the front surface 41A of the body 41 has an edge 48 that projects from the flat surface 47 and extends over a portion of the outer periphery of the flat surface, such that the forward-facing edge of the edge 48 defines the front support plane PA, and the joystick 70 and the push button 100, in their rest positions, are arranged to retract from the front support plane, as... Figure 6As can be clearly seen in the figures. In the example of the embodiment considered herein, the edge 48 extends over the entire outer periphery of the flat surface 47, except on the lower edge 42A of the lower crossbar 42. In all cases, the edge 48 protects the flat surface 47 and the elements supported by the flat surface in the sense that the front support plane PA (which is geometrically defined by the front edge of the edge 48) is kept abutting against the front support plane PA by an external obstacle to prevent external obstacles extending through the surface 41A from interfering with the flat surface 47. This situation may occur, for example, when the control panel 40 falls to the ground with the front surface 41A of the control panel. Where appropriate, only the top of the emergency stop button 90 may be arranged to protrude from the front support plane PA, as in the example envisioned in the figures: in this case, the emergency stop button 90 can be activated only when the control panel 40 falls with the front surface 41A of the control panel, or more generally, when there is interference between the front surface 41A and an obstacle extending through the front surface.

[0072] Based on considerations similar to those regarding the development of the front support plane PA, the rear surface 41B of the main body 41 advantageously defines the rear support plane PB, and the operating lever 70 retracts from the rear support plane in the rest position, as in Figure 6 As can be clearly seen, in the embodiment considered here, the rear support plane PB is defined by the rear portions of the lower crossbar 42 and the upper crossbar 43.

[0073] According to only Figure 6 Another advantageous alternative arrangement, schematically shown, is that the control panel 40 includes a flexible protective cover 110, for example, made of a stretchable plastic material. This protective cover 110 is adapted to removably cover at least the flat surface 47 of the body 41, or even the entire front surface 41A, as shown in [the diagram / illustration]. Figure 6 As shown by the dashed line. Therefore, the protective cover 110 protects the flat surface 47, or even the entire front surface 41A, from rain, and more generally from harsh weather and external conditions. When the protective cover 110 covers the flat surface 47, the protective cover 110 is transparent at least in the portion of the protective cover covering the display 80.

[0074] According to a practical embodiment, the protective cover 110 is permanently attached to one of the lower crossbar 42 and the upper crossbar 43, and can extend to the other of the lower crossbar 42 and the upper crossbar 43, the protective cover engaging with the other of the lower crossbar and the upper crossbar to be reversibly retained by any suitable means. Alternatively (not shown), a winder is provided on the crossbar to which the protective cover 110 is permanently attached, such that the protective cover is wound around the winder when it does not cover the flat surface 47. As an alternative variation, the protective cover 110 forms a housing that can be completely removed from the body 41.

[0075] In a variation of the protective cover 110 (not shown), the control panel 40 includes a protective cover that is at least partially rigid, and the protective cover removably covers at least the flat surface 47 of the body 41, or even the entire front surface 41A. In particular, the cover may be formed as a separable or installable part relative to the body 41, or formed from a plurality of parts that are retractable relative to each other.

[0076] Finally, various arrangements and variations of the control panel 40 and the aerial hoist 1 described so far can be envisioned. As examples, we list various corresponding aspects below, which can be considered individually or in combination with the above descriptions:

[0077] In addition to the press button 110, the flat surface 47 may more specifically have one or more rocker buttons provided on the left column 44. Thus, in the example of the embodiment considered in the figures, the control panel 40 is thus provided with a rocker button 120, which is located in region 47.3 of the flat surface 47, and in operation, the operator holds the rocker button with his left hand to control the drive of the lifting structure 30 via the joystick 70 at a higher speed than when the press button 120 is released.

[0078] - The control panel 40 is compatible with the protective device disclosed in WO 2020 / 144601. Therefore, in the example embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the control panel 40 is provided with a connecting element 130 on its right wing for connection to the protective device. Figure 5 As can be seen in the image. Of course, the specific features (especially shape and size) of the connecting element 130 are not limited to those described in the image. Figure 3 Visible features.

[0079] - The main body 41 of the control panel 40 can be manufactured by assembling two integral housings 41.1 and 41.2, which are specifically made of plastic material and are stacked one on top of the other along the front-rear direction of the main body 41, as shown. Figure 7 As shown schematically. Therefore, the body 41 is easy to install / remove, while providing a simple and reliable seal inside the body.

[0080] - In the example embodiment currently under consideration, the wired connection between the control console 40 and the control unit 13 provided by the cable 50 can be replaced by a non-wired connection.

[0081] -The console 40 can be permanently attached to the platform 20, rather than being attached to the platform 20 in a removable manner.

[0082] - The aerial lift 1 may not have a motor for moving on the ground and is not self-propelled. In this case, the aerial lift is pulled or pushed in order to move on the ground.

[0083] - The aerial hoist 1 currently under consideration is merely one example of a personnel lifting machine to which the present invention is applicable. Therefore, in variations of the aerial hoist 1, the personnel lifting machine may be a machine fixed relative to the ground, or a machine mounted on a motor vehicle (e.g., a truck), and the movement of the vehicle on the ground cannot be controlled from the machine's platform 20.

[0084] - Depending on the type and size of the machine being lifted by the operator, the control panel 40 can be of various sizes. More specifically, in addition to the joystick 70 and the push button 100, the control panel can also integrate other control elements, such as one or more additional joysticks, additional push buttons, one or more rocker buttons, etc.

Claims

1. A control panel (40) for a personnel lifting machine (1), the control panel comprising a body (41) having a front surface (41A) and a rear surface (41B) connected to each other by a through channel (41C), the through channel being closed by a lower crossbar (42) and an upper crossbar (43) of the body, and a left column (44) and a right column (45), the lower crossbar and the upper crossbar each extending over the entire width of the body, and the left column and the right column each extending over the entire height of the body. wherein The control panel includes a joystick (70) disposed within the through-passage and extending upward from the lower crossbar. The joystick occupies a stationary position when at rest. In this stationary position, when the control panel is in use, the joystick tilts backward when considered from bottom to top. The front surface of the main body includes a flat surface (47): - The through-channel appears on the flat surface. - When the control panel is in use, the flat surface tilts backward when considered from bottom to top, and - The flat surface extends continuously over the upper crossbar, the left column and the lower crossbar. At the upper crossbar, the flat surface is provided with a display (80). At the left column, the flat surface is provided with a press button (100). At the lower crossbar, the flat surface extends from the through channel to the lower edge (42A) of the lower crossbar. The lower edge extends rearward from the flat surface at least in a portion of the range between the left column and the right column.

2. The control panel according to claim 1, wherein The flat surface (47) on the lower crossbar (42) includes a first region (47.1) and a second region (47.2), the first region being positioned vertically aligned with the control lever (70), and the second region connecting the first region to the right-side column (45). In this case, the first and second regions of the flat surface do not contain any control elements.

3. The control console according to claim 1, wherein, An emergency stop button (90) is provided on the flat surface (47) on the upper crossbar (43).

4. The control console according to claim 1, wherein, The front surface (41A) of the body (41) has an edge (48) that protrudes from the flat surface (47) and extends over a portion of the outer periphery of the flat surface, such that the forward-facing edge of the edge defines a front support plane (PA), and the lever (70) and the push button (100) in the rest position are arranged to retract from the front support plane.

5. The control console according to claim 1, wherein, The rear surface (41B) of the body (41) defines a rear support plane (PB), and the lever (70) is arranged to retract from the rear support plane in the rest position.

6. The control console according to claim 1, wherein, The left column (44) is shaped as a handle for the left hand of the operator using the control panel (40).

7. The control console according to claim 1, wherein, When the control panel (40) is in use, the joystick (70) in the stationary position is tilted at 45° relative to the vertical direction, with a deviation of ±5°.

8. The control console according to claim 1, wherein, The lower crossbar (42) is provided with a connection port (60) that can be accessed from the front surface (41A) of the body (41) and is located on the lower edge (42A) of the lower crossbar, outside the portion of the lower edge.

9. The control console according to claim 1, wherein, The control console (40) includes a wrist rest (71) for the operator to hold the joystick (70) with their right hand, and the wrist rest is located at the lower right corner of the through passage (41C).

10. The control console according to claim 1, wherein, The control console (40) also includes a hook (46) for removably attaching to the guardrail (22) of the platform (20) of the personnel lifting machine (1), the hook being provided on the rear surface (41B) of the main body (41) by being rigidly attached to the upper crossbar (43).

11. The control console according to claim 1, wherein, The control panel (40) includes a protective cover (110) that is flexible and adapted to removably cover the flat surface (47), and when the protective cover covers the flat surface (47), the protective cover is transparent at least at the portion of the protective cover that covers the display (80).

12. The control console according to claim 11, wherein, The protective cover (110) is permanently attached to one of the upper crossbar (43) and the lower crossbar (42) and can extend to the other of the lower crossbar and the upper crossbar, the protective cover engaging with the other of the lower crossbar and the upper crossbar to be reversibly retained.

13. A personnel lifting machine (1), the personnel lifting machine comprising: -Ground support frame (10), - Platform (20), the platform being adapted for at least one operator to stand on, - A lifting structure (30) that supports the platform and is movably arranged on the ground support frame to raise the platform more or less relative to the ground support frame, and - The control console (40) according to any one of the preceding claims is permanently or removably attached to the platform (20).

14. The machine according to claim 13, wherein, When the control console (40) is attached to the platform, the center (70A) of the joystick (70) is positioned between 91 cm and 95 cm from the floor (21) of the platform (20).

15. The machine according to claim 13, wherein, The joystick (70) is designed for: - When the joystick is tilted forward from its rest position, the platform (20) is raised, and - When the joystick is tilted backward from its rest position, the platform is lowered.

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