Hinged platform

Abstract

A hinged personnel support platform assembly for a rail vehicle maintenance pit 3 comprises a platform 20 having a hinge 41 for pivotally mounting the platform to the wall of a vehicle maintenance pit. A support arrangement is provided that includes support legs 51 extending from the platform that engages with the floor 7 of the pit when the platform is raised. The platform is configurable between a stowed position and a raised support position. The hinged platform assembly is configured to the stowed position by pivoting the support legs upwardly towards the platform and pivoting the platform downwardly towards the wall of the vehicle maintenance pit. The hinged platform is configured to the support position by pivoting the support legs downwardly away from the platform, and pivoting the platform upwardly to a raised position away from the wall of the vehicle maintenance pit. The platform may comprise a platform actuator, 47, which mounts to the wall of the maintenance pit and drives the platform between the stowed position and support position.

Description

Field The present disclosure relates to a support platform for vehicle inspection and maintenance pits. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a hinged platform for supporting personnel during inspection and maintenance of rail vehicles such as trains. Background When inspecting and maintaining a rail vehicle such as a train, it is common practice to use a maintenance pit to allow personnel such as rail maintenance staff to gain access to lower areas of the train. A common maintenance pit formation is a tri-pit, comprising a central pit for accessing the underside of the train and two adjacent side pits for accessing lower regions at the sides of the train. Whilst these side pits improve access to the lower regions of the train, they make it more challenging to access higher regions at the sides of the train. For example, re-fuelling a train requires personnel to insert a fuel pump in a fuel port at the side of the train. As the working surface is spaced from the train it is difficult for personnel to reach the fuel port across the side pit. It is therefore common practice for personnel to straddle the side pit and place a foot on one of the rails located between the side pit and the central pit. This practice risks injury to personnel, who can fall into the side pit from this unstable and elevated position. It also impairs the ability of personnel to properly access the side of the train for maintenance. The present disclosure seeks to address some or all of these issues or at least provide a useful alternative. Summary According to an aspect of the present disclosure there is a hinged personnel support platform assembly for installation in a vehicle maintenance pit with a wall and a floor, the hinged platform assembly comprising, a platform, and a hinge mounted to the platform for pivotally mounting the platform to the wall of a vehicle maintenance pit; and at least one support leg extending from the platform for engagement with the floor of the vehicle maintenance pit. The hinged platform assembly is configurable between a stowed position and a support position. The hinged platform assembly is configured to the stowed position by pivoting the at least one support leg upwardly towards the platform, and pivoting the platform downwardly such that in use it moves towards the wall of the vehicle maintenance pit. The hinged platform assembly is configured to the support position by pivoting the at least one support leg downwardly away from the platform, and pivoting the platform upwardly such that in use it is raised away from the wall of the vehicle maintenance pit. The hinged platform stows against the pit wall to allows the inspection pit to be used in its normal manner to access lower parts of the train without hinderance, while also pivoting to a raised support position when required to support personnel when accessing higher parts of the train. The term vehicle maintenance pit refers to any pit suitable for the purpose of vehicle maintenance or inspection. When installed in a vehicle maintenance pit, the platform will be supported substantially horizontally when in the support position, such that a user can stand on and be supported by said platform while working over the maintenance pit. Further, when in the support position the support leg will be in in a substantially vertical orientation in contact with the floor of the vehicle maintenance pit. When in the stowed position the support leg is not in contact with the floor of the vehicle maintenance pit. Preferably the platform includes at least two support legs located at either end of the platform. One or both support legs and the platform could be driven between the support and stowed positions by actuators, or they could be lifted / pushed into position by a user, or they could be moved under their own weight by gravity. A combination of one or more of these driving methods would result in a viable hinged platform assembly in accordance with this disclosure. It will be appreciated that the terms “moves away” and “moves towards” with reference to the wall refers to the platform being moved in such a way that the body of the platform moves away from the wall. It is implicit that the hinged portion of the platform is mounted to the wall and therefore does not move away from the wall. Similarly, the terms “away” and “towards” when used to describe the relative positions of the support leg and platform when pivoting implicitly may result in a portion of the support leg not moving away from and towards the platform. The terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “horizontal” and “vertical” are relative terms and refer to the platform as arranged in general use. At least one platform actuator may be mounted to the platform, the platform actuator for mounting to the wall of a vehicle maintenance pit and for driving the pivoting of the platform relative to said wall. The at least one platform actuator is operatively connected to the platform, and the platform actuator is configured for mounting to the wall of a vehicle maintenance pit and for driving the pivoting of the platform relative to said wall. The platform actuator may be a linear actuator, and more specifically may be a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder. The platform actuator may be pivotally mounted to the platform at a first end and comprise a pivotal mounting at a second end for pivotally mounting the platform actuator to the wall of the vehicle maintenance pit. By pivotally mounting the platform actuator to the platform and the wall, engagement with the platform and wall throughout the transition between supported and stowed positions is improved. The hinged platform assembly may comprise at least one support actuator mounted to the support leg and to the platform, wherein the at least one support actuator is arranged to drive the pivoting of the support leg relative to the platform. The support actuator may be a linear actuator, and more specifically may be a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder. The hinged platform assembly may comprise a guide rail, which may be a linear rail, rigidly mounted to the platform, a carrier mounted to mounted to a first end of the support actuator and to the guide rail such that the support actuator drives the carrier along linear rail, and a connecting rod pivotally mounted to the carrier and to the support leg. The platform may have proximal and distal edges, and transverse edges that extend between the proximal and distal edges, and the hinge is mounted to the proximal edge of the platform. The hinge may be mounted to the proximal end of the platform. The at least one support leg may be mounted to the distal end of the platform. By mounting the hinge and support leg to opposing ends of the platform (e.g. to the proximal and distal ends) the amount of force required by the support leg to hold the hinged platform assembly in the supported position is reduced. The platform may comprise a plurality of upstanding kicker plates. It will be appreciated that the term “kicker plate” refers to an upright structure installed on one or more of the edges of a platform to prevent a user from accidentally stepping off the platform. When a user attempts to step off the platform, their foot will connect with (i.e. they will kick) the kicker plate. Each of the transverse edges may have at least one of the plurality of kicker plates mounted to them. At least one of the plurality of kicker plates may be mounted to the distal edge. The plurality of kicker plates may be hingedly mounted to the platform. By hingedly mounting the kicker plates to the platform, the kicker plates may be lowered to a non-upright position where they do not prevent a user accidentally stepping off the platform. This improves the storability of the hinged platform assembly, as the kicker plates will not protrude into the vehicle maintenance pit when the stowed position, and improves access to lower regions of a vehicle that may be obscured by a kicker plate in an upright position. The platform may comprise GRP panels. The GRP panels may comprise a plurality of holes. By having a plurality of holes, the GRP panels may be permeable to water and as such the build up of water on the surface of the platform will be prevented. This improves the safety of the platform as the risk of slippage is reduced. For the same reason, the platform may comprise a plurality of holes. According to a second aspect of the present disclosure there is a system comprising, at least one hinged platform assembly, and a control system that controls the configuration of the hinged platform assembly between the stowed and support configurations. The control system may control the platform actuator and / or the support actuator. According to a third aspect of the present disclosure there is a method of covering and / or supporting an operative over a vehicle maintenance pit, the method comprises providing a vehicle maintenance pit comprising a wall, and a floor; providing a hinged platform assembly comprising a platform, a hinge, and at least one support leg; pivotally mounting the at least one support leg adjacent to the platform; and mounting the hinge to the platform and to the wall; wherein the hinged platform assembly is configurable between a stowed configuration and a support configuration; and where in a support configuration the distal end of the at least one support leg is engaged with the floor. When in the stowed configuration the at least one support leg may be pivoted towards the platform and the platform may be pivoted towards the wall of the vehicle maintenance pit. When in the support configuration the at least one support leg may be pivoted away from the platform and the platform may be pivoted away from the wall of the vehicle maintenance pit. The method may further comprise, providing a platform actuator, and mounting the platform actuator to the platform and to the wall of the vehicle maintenance pit such that the platform actuator drives the hinged position of the platform relative to the wall of the vehicle maintenance pit. The method may further comprise, providing a support actuator, and mounting the support actuator to the support leg and to the platform such that the support actuator drives the hinged position of the support leg relative to the platform. In another aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle maintenance pit comprising a hinged support platform as described above. The vehicle maintenance pit may be a pit for the maintenance of rail vehicles. The vehicle maintenance pit may be formed in situ or may comprise a pre-formed pit that it is installed on site. Detailed Description The present disclosure will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following illustrative figures in which: Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional schematic perspective representation of hinged platforms installed in a vehicle maintenance pit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective representation of a hinged platform in a supported configuration whilst installed in a vehicle maintenance pit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective representation of a hinged platform in a supported configuration, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective representation of the underside of a hinged platform in a supported configuration, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective representation of a hinged platform in a stowed configuration whilst installed in a vehicle maintenance pit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective representation of a hinged platform in a stowed configuration, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 7 shows a schematic perspective representation of the underside of a hinged platform in a stowed configuration, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 8 shows a schematic perspective representation of a support assembly of a hinged platform in a supported configuration, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and Figure 9 shows a schematic perspective representation of a support assembly of a hinged platform in a stowed configuration, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The following description presents exemplary embodiments and, together with the drawings, serves to explain principles of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the precise details of the embodiments or exact adherence with all method steps. Variations will be apparent to a skilled person and are deemed also to be covered by the description. Terms for features used herein should be given a broad interpretation that also encompasses equivalent functions and features. In some cases, several alternative terms (synonyms) for structural features have been provided but such terms are not intended to be exhaustive. Descriptive terms should also be given the broadest possible interpretation; e.g. the term "comprising" as used in this specification means "consisting at least in part of such that interpreting each statement in this specification that includes the term "comprising", features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprises" are to be interpreted in the same manner. Directional terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, “down”, “upper” and “lower” are relative terms that may be used for convenience of explanation usually with reference to the illustrations and are not intended to be ultimately limiting if an equivalent function can be achieved with an alternative dimension and / or direction. The description herein refers to embodiments with particular combinations of configuration steps or features. However, it is envisaged that further combinations and cross-combinations of compatible steps or features between embodiments will be possible. The description of multiple features in relation to any specific embodiment is not an indication that such features are inextricably linked, and isolated features may function independently from other features and not necessarily require implementation as a complete combination. Referring to Figure 1, a train maintenance pit 3, referred to as a tri-pit, comprises three elongate pits or channels formed in the floor 10 of a workspace such as a maintenance building. The three pits comprise a central pit 5 and two side pits 7. The central pit 5 is located between and aligned with two rails 9 having a standard train rail spacing. The central pit 5 is formed as a channel having side walls 6 and a base 8. The base 8 of the central pit 5 is spaced at a depth d1 below the floor at a depth relative to the rails that allows personnel to stand beneath the train to service the underside of the train 11. First and second side pits 7a,7b are arranged on either side of the central pits 5 on the outer side of the rails 9 and are formed of channels running parallel with the rails 9 and the central pit 5. Each of the two side pits 7a,7b comprise opposing inner 15 and outer 17 walls, and a base 19. The base 19 of each pit 7a,7b is spaced below the height of the rails 9 and below the floor 10 at a depth d2 that enables access to lower portions of the side of the train 11, without requiring personnel 13 to crouch or go prone to gain said access. The depth d2 is less than the depth d1, such that the base 19 of each side pits 7a,7b is located above the central pit 5. Each side pit 7a, 7b has a width w, and a longitudinal length I, where the depth d2 is defined by the height of the outer wall 17, and the width w is defined by the lateral distance between the inner 15 and outer 17 walls. The width w and depth d2 of the side pits 7 can vary along their lengths 24 (e.g. a different height for the outer wall 17 to enable servicing a lower region of the train 11). Each side pits 7a,7b is provided with a hinged working platform 20. The hinged platforms 20 of the side pits 7a,7b are the same. Therefore, the hinged platform 20 of the first side pit 7a will therefore be described, but it will be understood that the description also applies to the hinged platform 20 of the second side pit 7b. The hinged platform 20 comprises a platform surface in the form of a deck 25 with a width w2 and a length L2. The width w2 of the deck 25 is less than the width w1 of the side pit 7a such that the deck 25 partially spans the width w1 of the side pit 7a, although in other embodiments the deck may span the entire width w1 of the side pit 7a. The length L2 of the deck 25 is arranged along the length I of the pit 7. The deck 25 has opposing distal 31 and proximal 33 edges located along its length I2, and opposing sides 35 located across its width w2. The length L2 is selected to correspond to a discrete working section of the train 11 and does not extend the length I of the pit 7a, although such a configuration is not excluded. The geometry of the deck 25 is variable and is configurable to suit the size and configuration of the side pit 7 into which it is installed, and the length of the working position required. As a representative example the deck 25 may have a length L2 of 2.5 meters and a width W2 of 1.0 meter. A plurality of hinged platforms 20 may be mounted along the length L1 of the side pit 7a at various working positions. Two or more hinged platforms may be mounted immediately adjacent one another, and combine to extend the effective working length of the platform. The deck 25 includes a hinge 41 mounted along the proximal edge 33 and extending along the length I2 of the deck 25. The deck 25 is pivotally secured to the outer wall 17 of the side pit 7a by the hinge 41. The hinge 41 comprises an angle section 43 that is rigidly mounted to the wall of the pit 7 and pivoting hinge elements 45 arranged between the deck 25 and the angle section 43 that pivotally secure the two elements together. The deck 25 is pivotable about the hinge 41 between a raised and support position in which it is horizontally arranged and extends substantially perpendicular to the outer wall 17. The hinge 41 is secured to the outer wall 17 proximate its upper edge, such that when horizontally extended in the support position the deck 25 is coplanar with and provides a continuation of the floor 10. The deck 25 is also pivotable downwards about the hinge 41 to a stowed position in which deck 25 is vertically arranged substantially parallel with the outer wall 17. Two platform actuators 47 are provided, which may be linear actuators such as pneumatic cylinders although other actuators are contemplated. The platform actuators 47 are pivotally secured at one end to the outer wall 17 of the side pit 7a and pivotally mounted to the lower surface of the deck 25 at the opposing second end at a position spaced away from the proximal edge 33 across the width W2. The two platform actuators 47 are spaced from each other along the length I2 of the deck 25. The platform actuators 47 each include a piston rod that is moved by the actuator 47 between a linearly extended configuration and a retracted configuration. In the retracted position, the actuator 47 is arranged between the deck 25 and the outer wall 17 in a substantially vertical position. When the actuator 47 is in this fully retracted position, the deck 25 is held in the lowered position. As the piston rod of the actuator 47 is extended, the distal edge 31 pivots away from the outer wall 17 and the deck 25 is pivoted to the raised support position. In moving to the support position the distal edge 31 of the deck 25 is moved away from the mounting wall 17 of the pit 7, where when the platform actuators 47 are in a fully extended configuration the deck 25 is perpendicular to the mounting wall 17, such that the distal 31 and proximal edge 33 are substantially horizontal relative to one another. When the platform actuators 47 retract, the distal edge 31 of the deck 25 is moved towards the mounting wall 17 of the pit 7. In this configuration the platform actuators 47 are in a fully retracted configuration and the deck 25 lies vertically alongside the mounting wall 17, such that the distal 31 and proximal 33 edges are substantially vertical relative to one another. Two support assemblies 49 are provided to support the deck 25 in the support position. The moment of force on the deck 25 when a load is applied at the distal edge 31 is significant and would require hydraulic actuators 47 of significant size to independently support the platform, which would increase the size, cost and complexity of the hinged platform assembly 20. Support assemblies 49 are therefore provided to bear the weight of the deck 25 and enable smaller pneumatic cylinders 47 to be employed for the sole purpose of lifting the deck 25. The support assemblies 49 each comprising a support leg 51, a support leg actuator 53, a carrier 55, a linear guide rail 57 and a connecting rod 59. Each support leg 51 has a distal end 61 and a proximal end 63, with the proximal end 63 being pivotally mounted to the lower surface of the deck 25 at or in close proximity to the distal edge 31. The support legs 51 are pivotal about their proximal ends 63 between a stowed position adjacent the lower surface of the deck 25 and an extended support position in which, when the deck 25 is horizontal, the support leg 51 extend vertically downwards and is arranged perpendicular to the deck 25. The support leg actuator 53 of each support assembly is a linear actuator such as a pneumatic cylinder including a push rod 60. The body of the support leg actuator 53 is rigidly mounted to the lower surface of the deck 25 with its end adjacent the distal edge 31 of the deck 25. The distal end of the push rod 60 of the support actuator 53 is connected to a carrier 55. The carrier 55 is slidably mounted to a corresponding linear guide rail 57. The linear guide rail 57 is rigidly mounted to the lower surface of the deck 25 and extends partially across the width w2 the lower surface of the deck 25 from a position adjacent to the proximal edge 33 of the deck 25 to a position proximate the actuator 53. The carrier 55 is vertically retained and slidingly mounted on the guide rail 57. The arrangement of the guide rail 57 is such that sliding motion of the carrier 57 along the guide rail 57 occurs across the width W2 perpendicular to the length I2 of the deck 25. A first end of the connecting rod 59 is also pivotally connected to the carrier 55. An opposing second end of the connecting rod 59 is pivotally mounted the support leg 51 at a position away from the deck 25 approximately a third of the length along the leg 51 when the support assembly is in the extended support position. The push rods 60 of each support actuator 53 are extendable and retractable. The actuators 53 are used to automatically extend the support legs 51 to support the deck 25 of the platform when it is lifted to the raised support position and to retract the legs 51 when the deck 25 is lowered to the stowed position. As the deck 25 is lifted the push rod 60 of each support leg actuator 53 is retracted. As the push rod 60 retracts towards the distal edge 31 of the deck 25 the respective carrier 55 connected to the push rod 60 is pulled along the guide rail 57 towards the distal edge 31 of the deck 25. The connecting rod 59 pushes the respective support leg 51 and causes the support leg 51 to pivot downwardly about its connection proximate the distal edge 31 of the deck 25 until it is perpendicular to the deck 25. The push rod 60 remains retracted to maintain the support leg 51 in the support position until the deck 25 is lowered. When it is required to lower the deck 25 to the stowed position, retraction of the support leg 51 is initiated by the controller prior to commencing lowering of the deck 25. The push rod 60 is extended and the respective carrier 55 connected to the push rod 60 is pushed along the guide rail 57 towards the proximal edge 33 of the deck 25. As the first end of the connecting rod 59 is moved towards the proximal edge 33 the connecting rod 59 pulls the support leg 51 and causes the support leg 51 to pivot upwardly towards the deck 25 about its connection proximate the distal edge 31 of the deck 25. The push rod 60 continues to be extended until the support leg 51 is in a stowed position parallel with and adjacent the lower surface of the deck 25. The hinged platform 20 is therefore reconfigurable between a lowered stowed configuration and a raised support configuration. In the stowed configuration the platform actuators 47 are fully retracted, and the support actuators 53 are fully extended. Conversely, when in a raised supported configuration, the platform actuators 47 are fully extended, and the support actuators 53 are fully retracted. Each hinged platform 20 is arranged in its respective side pit 7a, 7b such that in a support configuration, where the deck 25 is horizontal and the support legs 51 are vertical and perpendicular to the platform plate, the distal ends 61 of the support legs 51 are in contact with the floor 19 of the pit 7a, 7b. The deck 25 may be formed of glass reinforced polymer (GRP) floor panels 37, provided as an extruded honeycomb structure, supported on a steel or aluminium frame. The honeycomb structure prevents collection of water on the deck 25 and provides structural strength. The deck 25 further comprises several supporting elements that connect the GRP floor panels 37 together and provide additional structural strength / mounting features to the platform formation 25. Kicker plates 39 are pivotally mounted and along the distal edge 31 and sides 35 of the deck 25 such that the kicker plates 39 combine to span all open edges / sides 31, 35. The kicker plates 39 can be manually raised or lowered and provide a barrier around said edge / sides 31, 35 of the platform formation 25, reducing the risk of any personnel 13 standing on it from slipping off when working.

Claims

1. A hinged platform assembly for installation in a vehicle maintenance pit with a wall and a floor, the hinged platform assembly comprising,a platform, and a hinge mounted to the platform for pivotally mounting the platform to the wall of a vehicle maintenance pit; andat least one support leg extending from the platform for engagement with the floor of the vehicle maintenance pit; whereinthe hinged platform assembly is configurable between a stowed position and a support position;the hinged platform assembly is configured to the stowed position by pivoting the at least one support leg upwardly towards the platform, and pivoting the platform downwardly such that in use it moves towards the wall of the vehicle maintenance pit; andthe hinged platform assembly is configured to the support position by pivoting the at least one support leg downwardly away from the platform, and pivoting the platform upwardly about the hinge to a substantially horizontal arrangement.

2. A hinged platform assembly according to claim 1, comprising at least one platform actuator operatively connected to the platform, the platform actuator being configured for mounting to the wall of a vehicle maintenance pit and for driving the pivoting of the platform about the hinged when so mounted.

3. A hinged platform assembly according to claim 2, wherein the platform actuator is a linear actuator.

4. A hinged platform assembly according to any one of claim 2 or 3, wherein the platform actuator is a pneumatic cylinder.

5. A hinged platform assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the platform actuator is pivotally mounted to the platform at a first end and comprises a pivotal mounting at a second end for pivotally mounting the platform actuator to the wall of the vehicle maintenance pit.

6. A hinged platform assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 5, comprising at least one support actuator mounted to the support leg and to the platform, wherein the at least one support actuator is arranged to drive the pivoting of the support leg relative to the platform.

7. A hinged platform assembly according to claim 6, where the support actuator is a linear actuator.

8. A hinged platform assembly according to any one of claims 6 or 7, where the support actuator is a pneumatic cylinder.

9. A hinged platform assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 8, comprising a guide rail rigidly mounted to the platform and a carrier mounted to a first end of the support actuator and to the guide rail such that the support actuator drives the carrier along the guide rail, and a connecting rod pivotally mounted to the carrier and to the support leg.

10. A hinged platform assembly according to any preceding claim, where the platform has proximal and distal edges, and transverse edges that extend between the proximal and distal edges, and the hinge is mounted to the proximal edge of the platform.

11. A hinged platform assembly according to claim 10, wherein the at least one support leg is mounted proximate the distal edge of the platform.

12. A hinged platform assembly according to claim 10 or 11 comprising upstanding kicker plates mounted at each of the transverse edges and the distal edge.

13. A hinged platform assembly according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of kicker plates are hingedly mounted to the platform.

14. A hinged platform assembly according to any preceding claim, where the platform comprises one or more GRP panels.

15. A hinged platform assembly according to claim 14, where the GRP panels comprise a plurality of holes.

16. A hinged platform assembly according to claim 6 further comprising a controller operative to control the platform actuator and the support actuator to configure the hinged platform assembly to the support position by raising the platform and pivoting the at least one support leg downwardly away from the platform as the platform is raised.

17. A system comprising, at least one hinged platform assembly according to any preceding claim, and a control system that controls the configuration of the hinged platform assembly between the stowed and support configurations.

18. A system according to claim 17, where the control system controls the platform actuator and the support actuator.

19. A vehicle maintenance pit comprising a hinged platform assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

20. A method of supporting an operative over a vehicle maintenance pit, comprising,providing a vehicle maintenance pit comprising a wall, and a floor;providing a hinged platform assembly according to any preceding claim;mounting the hinge of the platform and to the wall of the vehicle maintenance pit;configuring the hinged platform assembly to the support configuration to support an operative over the vehicle maintenance pit; andreconfiguring the platform to the stowed position following use.

21. A method of supporting an operative over a vehicle maintenance pit according to claim 20, where when in the stowed configuration the at least one support leg is pivoted towards the platform and the platform is pivoted towards the wall of the vehicle maintenance pit.

22. A method of supporting an operative over a vehicle maintenance pit according to claim 20 or 21, where when in the support configuration the at least one support leg is pivoted away from the platform and the platform is pivoted away from the wall of the vehicle maintenance pit.

523. A method of supporting an operative over a vehicle maintenance pit according to any one of claims 20 to 22, further comprising, providing a platform actuator, and mounting the platform actuator to the platform and to the wall of the vehicle maintenance pit such that the platform actuator drives 10 the hinged position of the platform relative to the wall of the vehiclemaintenance pit.

24. A method of supporting an operative over a vehicle maintenance pit according to any one of claims 20 to 23, further comprising, providing a 15 support actuator, and mounting the support actuator to the support leg and tothe platform such that the support actuator drives the hinged position of the support leg relative to the platform.

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