Mobile platform on a mast

Abstract

A mobile platform installation comprises a vertically mounted mast (1), a platform (2) sliding on the mast (1), and means (4) for raising and lowering the platform (2) along the mast (1) between a lowered and an uppered position. The mast (1) is surmounted by a mast canopy (3) protecting the mast (1) and at least partially the platform (2). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Mobile platform on a mast technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a mobile platform installation on a mast fixed to the ground. Previous technique

[0002] There has recently been a surge in popularity for forest tourism, particularly with the offering of stays on platforms built in trees. Access to the platform is generally via a ladder.

[0003] Such installations are only possible in a few locations that combine the presence of a tree of sufficient height and sturdiness, a suitable branch arrangement, and an accessible site. The platform's construction can damage the tree and must be adapted to each configuration, which does not allow for a sufficiently reliable guarantee of the installation's safety and reliability. Furthermore, access may be difficult and thus reserved for the most able-bodied and athletic individuals. Description of the invention

[0004] It is therefore an objective of the invention to offer an installation enabling forest stays to be accessible to the greatest number of people and in safety.

[0005] With these objectives in view, the invention relates to a mobile platform installation, characterized in that it comprises at least one vertically mounted mast, a platform mounted sliding on the mast, means of maneuvering to raise and lower the platform along the mast between a low position and a high position, the mast being surmounted by a mast canopy protecting the mast and at least partially the platform.

[0006] The platform can thus be installed anywhere, without depending on the presence of a tree of specific dimensions and configuration. The fact that the platform is mobile makes the installation accessible to a wide range of people, without requiring access restricted to individuals with physical disabilities. The mast canopy protects occupants from inclement weather and the sun. The installation can consist of a single mast or several masts, with the platform guided along each mast.

[0007] According to an improvement, a platform canopy is further fixed to the platform, the mast canopy overlapping the platform canopy in the raised position. Thus, the platform canopy moves with the platform and remains as close as possible to provide optimal protection for the occupants, even when the platform is in the lowered position.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the maneuvering means are motorized. The platform is thus even more accessible.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the operating means are manual. This allows for an installation that does not depend on the availability of energy.

[0010] According to an improvement, at least one of the canopies includes at least one photovoltaic panel. The installation thus has an independent source of electrical energy for powering various functions such as lighting, water supply, or communication devices. The panel contributes to the canopy's function and can be mounted at an angle, which optimizes its efficiency.

[0011] According to an improvement, the photovoltaic panel powers a battery to supply power to the motorized maneuvering means. Thus, the maneuvering means are available at all times, including at night, regardless of the amount of sunlight at the time.

[0012] According to one design feature, the platform includes a sliding section surrounding the mast to guide the platform. Stable guidance of the platform on the mast is ensured. The mast may, for example, have a circular or polygonal cross-section, and the sliding section a complementary hollow cross-section. Guidance may be achieved by direct contact, via pads, or by rollers. In the case of a platform canopy, this may be attached to the top of the sliding section.

[0013] According to one design feature, the operating means comprise a winch fixed to the slide and winding a cable that is supported at the top of the mast. Winding the cable onto the winch thus allows the platform to be raised from the lowered position to the raised position.

[0014] According to an improvement, the cable forms a loop at the top of the mast and has one end attached to the slide. The cable is, for example, guided over one or two pulleys at the top of the mast. This provides a mechanical advantage, allowing the use of a winch with a lower mechanical advantage than with a cable directly attached to the top of the mast.

[0015] According to an improvement, the mast canopy is mounted to pivot about a substantially vertical axis. The pivoting can be angularly limited or complete without limitation over more than one revolution. The drive can be manual or motorized, automatically or not. Thus, the position of the canopy can be adapted to follow the sun's path, to provide shade if the canopy is not of revolution, or to optimize the operation of solar panels when the canopy is equipped with them. Brief description of the figures

[0016] The invention will be better understood and other features and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following description, the description referring to the drawings attached, including: • Fig. 1 is a side view of an installation according to a first embodiment of the invention, with a platform shown in high position and in low position; • [Fig.2] is a cross-sectional view along line AA of [Fig.1]; • [Fig. 3] is a top view of the mast canopy of the installation [Fig.l] ; • [Fig.4] is a side view of an installation according to a second embodiment of the invention, with a platform shown in a low position; • [Fig.5] is a view similar to [Fig.4] with the platform shown in the high position. Detailed description

[0017] A mobile platform installation according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 1 to 3. The installation comprises a mast 1 mounted vertically, for example, fixed to a concrete base S cast in the ground. The installation further comprises a platform 2 mounted to slide around the mast 1. The platform 2 is shown in both the lowered position I and the upper position II in [Fig. 1], but it should be understood that only one platform 2 is used in practice.

[0018] The installation includes a mast canopy 3 protecting the platform 2 and fixed to the top of the mast 1. The mast canopy 3 has a truncated conical shape with the lowest outer edges 31. The mast canopy 3 includes photovoltaic panels 30 powering a battery, not shown, housed for example inside the mast 1 and accessible via a hatch, not shown.

[0019] The platform 2 comprises a floor 20 extending in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the mast 1 and delimited by a guardrail 21. The guardrail 21 is equipped with a gate 210 to allow access to the floor 20 and to ensure the continuity of the guardrail 21 when the gate 210 is closed. The platform 2 further comprises a slide 22 surrounding the mast 1 to guide the platform 2. The slide 22 is rigidly fixed to the floor 20 and projects from it to approximately mid-height.

[0020] The installation further includes operating means 4 for raising and lowering the platform 2 along the mast 1 between the lower position I and the upper position IL. The operating means 4 include a winch 40 fixed to the top of the slide 22. A cable 41 is fixed to the slide 22 opposite the winch 40, runs up the mast 1, passes over two pulleys 42 at the top of the mast 1, and descends to be wound onto the winch 40. The operating means 4 are manual, with a crank 401 for rotating a drum of the winch 40.

[0021] According to an embodiment not shown, the maneuvering means 4 are motorized, being powered by the battery.

[0022] According to a second embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, the installation differs from that of the first embodiment in that the platform 102 includes a platform canopy 23 which is fixed to it, more precisely to the slide 122, which extends over a greater height than in the first embodiment. The platform canopy 23 is largely open around the mast 101 by a top opening 230. The mast canopy 103 is smaller than in the first embodiment, but it covers the top opening 230 and extends over the platform canopy 23.

[0023] When the platform 102 is in the raised position, the two canopies 23, 103 join together to form complete protection thanks to the overlap between the canopies, as shown in [Fig.5].

Claims

Demands

1. Mobile platform installation, characterized in that it comprises a mast (1, 101) mounted vertically and fixed to the ground, a platform (2, 102) mounted to slide on the mast (1, 101), means of maneuvering (4) to raise and lower the platform (2, 102) along the mast (1, 101) between a low position and a high position, the mast (1, 101) being surmounted by a mast canopy (3, 103) protecting the mast (1) and at least partially the platform (2, 102).

2. Installation according to claim 1, wherein furthermore a platform canopy (23) is fixed on the platform (102), the mast canopy (103) being overlaid on the platform canopy (23) in the raised position.

3. Installation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the means of operation (4) are manual.

4. Installation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operating means (4) are motorized.

5. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the canopies (3, 103, 23) includes at least one photovoltaic panel (30).

6. Installation according to claims 4 and 5 sockets in combination, wherein the photovoltaic panel (30) supplies a battery to power the motorized maneuvering means (4).

7. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the platform (2, 102) has a slide (22, 122) surrounding the mast (1, 101) to guide the platform (2, 102).

8. Installation according to claim 7, wherein the operating means (4) comprise a winch (40) fixed on the slide (22) and winding a cable (41) supported at the top of the mast (1).

9. Installation according to claim 8, wherein the cable (41) forms a loop at the top of the mast (1) and has a strand attached to the slider (22).

10. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mast canopy (3) is mounted pivoting about a substantially vertical axis.

Images