ERGONOMIC WORK PLATFORM WITH SAFETY RAILINGS

Description

technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of climbing equipment with a work platform and folding guardrails, and more particularly concerns a safe and ergonomic work platform. Previous art

[0002] Document EP3415707 is known to be a folding work platform with safety guardrails whose length and folded dimensions can be reduced for transport and storage, without modifications to its structure altering the automaticity of its deployment and folding, its resistance or its stability in the deployed state.

[0003] This platform is also advantageous in that it offers a simple, secure and rapid deployment process.

[0004] This work platform includes: two parallel uprights joined by crossbars to define a ramp; two support legs, each hinged on one side above to one of the uprights to occupy a storage position against the uprights, or a stabilizing position away from the uprights; a floor hinged between the two uprights and the two support legs and foldable between a horizontal operating position when the legs are in the stabilizing position, and a folded position against the ramp when the legs are in the storage position; a guardrail located at the top of the ramp and capable of adopting, under the action of control rods, a folded position aligned with the ramp or a horizontal safety position.

[0005] The guardrail is notably articulated in relation to two parallel secondary uprights, which are mounted to pivot around an axis of articulation relative to the uprights of the climbing plane to switch from a deployed position in line with said uprights to a folded position against the climbing plane, the guardrail and the control rods being, in the folded position, folded against the secondary uprights.

[0006] In addition, the control rods are, on the one hand, mounted pivotally relative to the uprights of the climbing plane around a common articulation axis with that of the secondary uprights and, on the other hand, articulated on collars mounted sliding on the guardrail.

[0007] Thus, this work platform has a reduced footprint because the structure supporting the guardrail, namely the secondary uprights, and the control rods can be tilted and folded against the access surface along a single pivot point. This shared pivot point also reduces the work platform's footprint when folded for storage.

[0008] The resistance and stability of the guardrail is optimal since the forces are concentrated, via the pivot points, on the uprights of the climbing plane.

[0009] However, this work platform, and work platforms in general, can still be improved with regard to their maneuverability, ergonomics of use, and manufacturing cost.

[0010] Documents FR 2998329 Al and FR 3066223 A1 disclose known working platforms. Invention statement

[0011] One of the aims of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, by proposing a folding work platform with safety guardrails whose maneuverability and ergonomics of use are improved.

[0012] Another objective is to provide such a platform with minimized production costs.

[0013] Another objective is to provide such a platform which, like that of document EP3415707, has a reduced length and folded size for transport and storage, without modifications to its structure altering the automaticity of its deployment and folding, its resistance or its stability in the deployed state.

[0014] To this end, a working platform has been developed according to claim 1 and comprising: two parallel uprights joined by bars to define a climbing plane; two support legs, each hinged on one upper side to one of the uprights to occupy a storage position against the uprights, or a stabilizing position away from the uprights; a floor hinged between the two uprights and the two support legs and foldable between a horizontal operating position when the legs are in the stabilizing position, and a folded position against the climbing plane when the legs are in the storage position; a guardrail arranged at the top of the climbing plane and, preferably, capable of adopting, under the action of control rods, a folded position aligned with the climbing plane or a horizontal safety position.

[0015] According to the invention, the lower ends of the support legs and uprights are each equipped with a retractable wheel to move from a position of use in which the wheel does not support the platform and the corresponding leg or upright is in contact with the ground, to a position of movement in which the wheel supports the platform and the corresponding leg or upright is lifted from the ground.

[0016] In this way, the platform according to the invention is easy to handle and ergonomic. It can be easily moved by an operator when it is in its deployed position for use, without needing to be lifted or folded.

[0017] To further improve ergonomics, each wheel is retractable to move from the movement position when the platform is not loaded, by being pushed by a spring, to the use position when the platform is loaded, by being moved against the spring.

[0018] In this way, loading the platform—that is, placing weight on it, such as the weight of equipment, tools, or a person—will move the wheels against the spring, bringing the legs and uprights into contact with the ground so that the platform is in the working position. When empty, the springs, sized to lift and support the platform, push the wheels back into the platform's moving position.

[0019] In one particular embodiment, the retractable wheels are attached to the legs and uprights by means of a U-shaped bracket that laterally covers said legs and uprights, and a sleeve integral with the bracket that receives a rod at the end of which the wheel is mounted. The wheel is free to pivot around the rod to facilitate the maneuverability of the platform when it is moved, and the rod is mounted to slide downwards, pushed by the spring.

[0020] Preferably, the shoe is fixed to the legs and uprights at an angle so that, in the platform's use position, the stem extends substantially vertically to minimize mechanical stress on the stem.

[0021] This form of production offers optimal ergonomics with a reduced manufacturing cost.

[0022] According to the invention and still with the aim of improving ergonomics while having reduced manufacturing costs, the support legs are formed from a single tube bent in the shape of an inverted U.

[0023] Using a single bent tube to form the support legs allows for a lightweight platform that is therefore easier to handle and move, and thus more ergonomic.

[0024] Preferably, the base of the inverted U-shaped bent tube is folded forward to form a lower rail and a carrying handle, making it even more ergonomic to use. Integrating these features also reduces manufacturing costs and the platform's weight, as no additional parts are required. The reduced weight contributes to the platform's overall ergonomics.

[0025] Also according to the invention, a second curved tube of generally rectangular shape is positioned between the arms of the U-shaped tube to reinforce and stabilize the support legs, and also form a support at one front end of the floor in the position of use.

[0026] In the same way as before, the integration of these functions also makes it possible to reduce manufacturing costs and the weight of the platform since it is not necessary to provide other added parts.

[0027] Furthermore, the stability of the support legs is increased, which also allows for a reduction in the cross-section of the tubes and further savings in costs and weight, thus contributing to the improvement of the ergonomics and maneuverability of the platform.

[0028] Preferably, the central upper portion of the curved rectangular tube includes means for locking a rung of the riser when the floor is in the folded position.

[0029] Ergonomics are improved because folding the platform automatically locks the end of one of the bars to the front surface, securing the storage position. Positioning the locking mechanisms on the second curved tube, at the level of the front surface formed by the support legs, does not hinder the user when stepping onto the platform.

[0030] According to a lightweight, economical and reliable embodiment, the locking means are in the form of a spring blade having a recessed central portion to form a housing for receiving and locking the bar.

[0031] The operation is simple and ergonomic for the operator, the locking is automatic and to unlock, he simply has to lower the free end of the spring blade which forms a tab. Brief description of the figures.

[0032] [ Fig.1 ] is a ¾ front perspective view of the work platform according to the invention. Fig. 2 ] is a three-quarter rear perspective view of the work platform according to the invention. Fig.3 ] is a close-up view of a retractable wheel on the platform. Fig. 4 ] is a partial perspective view of the floor in the locked, folded position. Fig. 5 ] is a view similar to that of the [ Fig. 4], in longitudinal section. [ Fig. 6 ] is a side view of the floor locking means in the folded position. Detailed description of the invention

[0033] With reference to Figures 1 And 2 The invention relates to a secure work platform (1) with a folding work floor (2) and guardrails (3), the size of which is reduced to facilitate its transport, in particular in a compact commercial vehicle.

[0034] The platform (1) according to the invention also has increased maneuverability and ergonomics compared to those of the prior art, while maintaining low manufacturing costs.

[0035] In a known manner, the work platform (1) includes a ramp (4), consisting of two parallel uprights (4a) joined by rungs (4b) forming steps, and by an upper rung (4c) for the articulation of a work floor (2).

[0036] The work platform (1) comprises two support legs (5) formed by a single inverted U-shaped bent tube. The base (5a) of the inverted U-shaped bent tube is folded to form a lower rail and a carrying handle.

[0037] A second curved tube (6), generally rectangular in shape, is positioned between the arms of the U-shaped first curved tube (5) to reinforce and stabilize the support legs (5), and also to provide support at one front end of the platform (2) in its working position, as described below. Each leg (5) is hinged to the upper side of one of the uprights (4a) to occupy a storage position against the uprights (4a), or a stabilizing position, as illustrated, when moved away from the uprights (4a). The ends of the support legs (5) are angled away from each other to optimize the stability of the work platform (1).

[0038] The fact that the lower rail is an integral part of the support legs (5) and is located in line with them also allows the length of the work platform (1) to be reduced in the folded position. Indeed, tilting the support legs (5) against the ramp (4) allows the lower rail to be inclined downwards and the length of the work platform (1) to be reduced.

[0039] In order to allow the movement of the platform (1), the lower ends of the support legs (5) and the uprights (4a) are each equipped with a retractable wheel (7) to move from a position of use in which the wheel (7) does not support the platform (1), and the corresponding leg (5) or upright (4a) is in contact with the ground, to a position of movement in which the wheel (7) supports the platform (1) and the corresponding leg (5) or upright (4a) is lifted from the ground.

[0040] With reference to the [ Fig.3], each wheel (7) is retractable, preferably by being pushed by a spring (8) to move from the position of movement when the platform is not loaded, to the position of use when the platform is loaded, against the spring (8).

[0041] More specifically, with reference to the [ Fig.3 ], the retractable wheels (7) are fixed to the legs (5) and uprights (4a) by means of a U-shaped shoe (9) which fits laterally over said legs (5) and uprights (4a) and includes a sleeve (10) integral with the shoe (9), illustrated in transparency on the [ Fig.3[ ], receiving a rod (11) at the end of which the wheel (7) is mounted. The wheel (7) is free to pivot around the rod (11), and the rod (11) is mounted to slide downwards by being pushed by the spring (8), notably against an upper part of the sleeve (10). The wheel (7) is pushed away from the sleeve until it abuts against an end stop of the rod (7) and thus passes into the position in which the wheels lift and support the platform.

[0042] The shoe (9) is preferably fixed to the legs and uprights at an angle so that in the platform's use position, the rod (11) extends substantially vertically.

[0043] With reference to figures 4 And 5The work platform (2) is hinged between the two uprights (4a) of the platform (4) and the two support legs (5). More specifically, the work platform (2) is pivotally mounted on the upper bar (4c) of the platform (4) to pivot between a folded position against the platform (4) and a horizontal operating position, locked against the central portion of the second curved tube (6), which is generally rectangular in shape. The work platform (2) is connected to the support legs (5) by two pivoting lateral arms (2a).

[0044] The central upper portion of the second curved tube (6) in the shape of a rectangle includes locking means (12) of a front end of the floor (2), and more specifically of the upper bar (4c) of the climbing plane when the floor (2) is in the folded position.

[0045] According to one particular embodiment, the locking means (12) are in the form of a spring-loaded leaf having a recessed central portion to form a housing for receiving and locking the upper bar (4c), see figures 4 And 5 .

[0046] The locking mechanism is automatic and to unlock, simply lower the free end of the spring blade which forms a tab.

[0047] In a known manner, the guardrail (3) of the platform (1) is foldable and U-shaped, the lateral arms of which are articulated to the tops of the uprights (4a).

[0048] Two control rods (13) allow the guardrail (3) to be deployed into the safety position. The control rods (13) are, on the one hand, pivotally mounted relative to the uprights (4a) of the access platform (4) and, on the other hand, articulated on clamps that slide along the guardrail (3). Thus, in the folded storage position, the guardrail (3) and the control rods (13) are folded against the uprights (4a), which are folded against the access platform (4).

[0049] It follows from the above that the invention does indeed provide a folding work platform with safety guardrails, the handling and ergonomics of which are improved, while having minimized production costs.

[0050] Its length and folded dimensions are reduced for transport and storage, without modifications to its structure altering the automaticity of its deployment and folding, its resistance or its stability in the deployed state.

Claims

1. Work platform (1) comprising: - two parallel uprights (4a) connected by rungs (4b, 4c) to define a climbing plane (4); - two support legs (5), each hinged at an upper end to one of the uprights (4a), so as to occupy a storage position against the uprights (4a), or a stabilizing position spaced apart from the uprights (4a); - a platform (2) hinged between the two uprights (4a) and the two support legs (5), foldable between a horizontal working position when the legs (5) are in the stabilizing position, and a folded position against the climbing plane (4) when the legs (5) are in the storage position ; - a guardrail (3) arranged at the top of the climbing plane (4); the lower ends of the support legs (5) and uprights (4a) are each equipped with a retractable wheel (7) allowing a transition from a working position in which the wheel (7) does not support the platform (1) and the corresponding leg (5) or upright (4a) rests on the ground, to a transport position in which the wheel (7) supports the platform (1) and the corresponding leg (5) or upright (4a) is lifted off the ground, characterized in that the support legs (5) are formed by a single bent tube (5) in an inverted U-shape, and in that a second bent tube (6) of generally rectangular shape is positioned between the branches of the U-shaped tube (5) to form a support at a front end of the platform (2) in the working position.

2. Platform (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each wheel (7) is retractable to move from the transport position, when the platform (1) is unloaded, being pushed by a spring (8), to the working position when the platform (1) is loaded, being displaced against the spring (8).

3. Platform (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the retractable wheels (7) are attached to the legs (5) and uprights (4a) via a U-shaped shoe (9) laterally covering said legs (5) and uprights (4a) and comprising a sleeve (10) integral with the shoe (9) receiving a rod (11) at the end of which the wheel (7) is mounted, the wheel (7) being free to rotate around the rod (11), and the rod (11) being mounted slidably downward, pushed by the spring (8).

4. Platform (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the shoe (9) is fixed to the legs (5) and uprights (4a) in an inclined manner such that, in the working position of the platform (1), the rod (11) extends substantially vertically.

5. Platform (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (5a) of the inverted U-shaped bent tube is folded forward to form a lower rail and a carrying handle.

6. Platform (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the central upper portion of the second bent tube (6) comprises locking means (12) for a rung (4c) of the climbing plane (4) when the platform (2) is in the folded position.

7. Platform (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the locking means (12) take the form of a spring blade having a recessed central portion forming a receiving and locking housing for the rung (4c).