Access deck assembly for an aerial work platform of a vehicle

Abstract

An access deck assembly, an aerial lift vehicle, and a method of provided an access deck assembly on an aerial lift vehicle are provided. The access deck assembly includes a base comprising a base member defining an upper surface sized to support an operator thereon, and a support member connected to and extending outwardly from the base member to a distal end to engage a perimeter railing of the mobile platform. The access deck assembly also includes a frame to connect to the mobile platform, the frame comprising, and at least one leg extending from a first end rotatably connected to the base to a second end rotatably connected to at least one mounting bracket to connect to the mobile platform.

Description

ACCESS DECK ASSEMBLY FOR AN AERIAL WORK PLATFORM OF A VEHICLECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS(0001 ] This application claims the benefit of Chinese patent application serial no. 202410372344.9 filed March 28, 2024, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Various embodiments relate to a raised access deck assembly and an associated handle assembly for use with an aerial work platform on a vehicle.BACKGROUND

[0003] Aerial lift platforms provide a floor or surface for an operator to stand on. In certain special access conditions, an operator may be unable to reach or otherwise access a desired object or work area, for example, when the aerial lift platform cannot be raised further based on clearance issues or when the aerial lift platform has reached an end of its available range of movement.SUMMARY

[0004] In various embodiments, an access deck assembly for a mobile platform on an aerial lift vehicle is provided. The access deck assembly includes a base comprising a base member defining an upper surface sized to support an operator thereon, and a support member connected to and extending outwardly from the base member to a distal end to engage a perimeter railing of the mobile platform. The access deck assembly also includes a frame to connect to the mobile platform, the frame comprising, and at least one leg extending from a first end rotatably connected to the base to a second end rotatably connected to at least one mounting bracket to connect to the mobile platform.(0005] In various embodiments, an aerial lift vehicle is provided with a chassis, a mobile platform connected to the chassis via a lifting assembly with the mobile platform having a floor and a perimeter railing thereabout, and an access deck assembly.

[0006] In various embodiments, a method is provided where a mounting bracket of a support frame of an access deck assembly is connected to a mobile platform of an aerial lift vehicle, with the access deck assembly having a base rotatably connected to the support frame. The access deck assembly is placed in a first position to support an operator thereon by (i) rotating a leg of the support frame relative to the mounting bracket to be upright and adjacent to a perimeter railing of the mobile platform, and engaging a first locking member to retain the leg adjacent to the perimeter railing, and (ii) rotating a base of the access deck assembly until a support member extending outwardly from the base engages the perimeter railing such that an upper surface of the base is positioned above and parallel to a floor of the mobile platform for supporting an operator thereon.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS10007] FIGURE l is a perspective view of an access deck assembly in a first position on an aerial lift platform of a vehicle according to an embodiment;

[0008] FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the access deck assembly in the first position on the aerial lift platform of Figure 1 ;

[0009] FIGURES 3 and 4 are perspective views of the access deck assembly of Figure 1 in the first position;

[0010] FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the access deck assembly in a second position on the aerial lift platform of the vehicle of Figure 1;

[0011] FIGURES 6 and 7 are perspective views of the access deck assembly of Figure 1 in the second position;(0012] FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the access deck assembly in a third position on the aerial lift platform of the vehicle of Figure 1 ; and(0013] FIGURES 9 and 10 are perspective views of the access deck assembly of Figure 1 in the third position.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

[0015] Figure 1 illustrates a land vehicle according to an embodiment, and depicted as an aerial lift vehicle 20 or aerial lift. The aerial lift vehicle 20 has a mobile platform 24 that may be raised or lowered relative to a chassis 21 via a lifting assembly 22 or lifting mechanism 22. The vehicle 20 is configured for lifting a load, such as a person, tools, cargo, and the like, with respect to an underlying support surface, such as paved or unpaved ground, a road, an apron such as a sidewalk or parking lot, an interior or exterior floor of a structure, or other surfaces. Traction devices, such as wheels, support the vehicle on the underlying surface.

[0016] In other examples, the vehicle 20 may be provided as a another utility vehicle with a mobile work platform assembly such as an aerial work platform, a rough terrain telescopic load handler, portable material lift, telehandler, scissor lift, telescopic and articulating boom, and the like.

[0017] The mobile platform 24 includes a platform floor 26 (also referred to herein as a floor 26) sized to receive one or more operators or users, e.g. as a floor of the mobile platform 24. In some examples, the platform floor 26 may have an extension platform 27 that translates relative to the platform floor 26 to increase the floor area of the mobile platform 24, and may be extended andretracted relative to the platform floor 26. A perimeter railing 28 or perimeter frame assembly is provided upon the platform floor 26. The perimeter railing 28 provides a frame of guard rails that extend around a perimeter of the platform floor 26 to contain an operator within the perimeter railing 28. The perimeter railing 28 may be retractable, e.g. via telescopic connections in the perimeter railing 28, to allow the perimeter railing to move towards the floor 26 and modify the height of the vehicle 20. A door may be provided upon the perimeter railing 28 to permit operator ingress to, and egress from, the perimeter railing 28.|0018| The perimeter railing 28 includes a series of vertical support members 32, or upright members 32, with an upper rail 34 extending about an outer perimeter of the platform floor 26. The perimeter railing 28 additionally has an intermediate rail 36, or mid-perimeter rail, positioned between the upper rail 34 and the platform floor 26 and extending about an outer perimeter of the platform floor 26. A lower guard 38 may additionally be provided on the mobile platform 24 as shown.|0019| A lift vehicle 20 is commonly used for translating and lifting an operator to an otherwise, difficult to reach work location. Such work locations are often elevated above ground and may require special access beyond that available to an operator standing on the floor 26. In order for an operator to work in a special access condition, the operator may need to be elevated above a position available when standing on the floor 26 surface. For example, the mobile platform 24 may be raised to a point where there is no additional clearance to raise the platform, or until a maximum vertical travel of the assembly 24 has been reached. An access deck assembly 40 is provided for use with the lift vehicle 20 for providing a raised surface relative to the floor 26 for the operator to stand on or otherwise use when the operator needs to be at a position above that allowed by the floor 26 surface. The access deck assembly 40 may be connected to the mobile platform 24 to provide a stable and secure work surface for the operator.

[0020] The access deck assembly 40 is provided on the interior of the perimeter railing 28. The access deck assembly 40 is movable relative to the work platform 24, e.g. for storage. The access deck assembly 40 may be movable between three positions, as described in further detail below, with a first position shown in Figures 1-2 for use by an operator, a second position shown in Figure 5 for storage where the access deck assembly 40 may be moved out of the way such that an operatorcan use the floor 26 space beneath the access deck assembly 40, and a third position shown in Figure 8 as another storage position where the access deck assembly 40 may be repositioned such that the mobile platform 24 may be placed into another storage configuration, e.g. with the railing 28 retracted and any extension decks retracted.

[0021] In various embodiments, one or more handles 44 may additionally be provided as a part of the access deck assembly 40. The handle 44 provides a balance support or grasping point for the operator when the operator is entering, leaving, or otherwise using the access deck assembly 40. As a part of the access deck assembly 40, the handle 44 may additionally be movable between a first use position, a second storage position, and a third another storage position as shown and described below.

[0022] Referring to Figures 1-2, the access deck assembly 40 extends across the platform assembly, e.g. between frame members on opposite sides of the platform. Although one length of the access deck assembly 40 is illustrated, any suitable access deck length is contemplated, and the length of the access deck assembly 40 may be selected based on the size of the platform assembly 24. Although one access deck assembly 40 is illustrated, multiple access deck assemblies 40 may be utilized, e.g. to provide multiple special access points for more than one operator, or to provide one operator with multiple special access points to move between during a job.

[0023] Figures 1-4 illustrate an access deck assembly 40 on the mobile platform 24 in a first position. The access deck assembly 40 and associated handle 44 are each mounted or connected to the mobile platform 24,

[0024] The access deck assembly 40 is detachably connected and secured to the mobile platform 24 and perimeter railing 28 of the mobile platform 24 to prevent movement of the access deck assembly 40 relative to the mobile work platform 24, and also to permit movement between the different positions.

[0025] The access deck assembly 40 includes a base 50 with a base member 52 and a support member 54. In one example, the base 50 may be formed or welded from suitable strength materials, such as aluminum alloys. In other examples, the base 50 may be formed from another material. The base 50 may be sized to extend across a width of the mobile platform 24.(0026] The base member 52 has an upper surface 56 and a lower surface 57 opposite to the upper surface. The upper surface 56 may be sized to support an operator thereon, and may have a tread pattern formed therein or may have an anti-skid coating. The base 50 additionally may have a toe guard 58 provided around a perimeter of the base member 52, e.g. around one, two, or three sides.

[0027] The support member 54 is connected to and extends outwardly from the base member 52 to first and second distal ends 60. The support member 54 is fixed relative to the base member 52. Each distal end 60 engages the mid-perimeter railing as described below when the access deck assembly 40 is in the use position. In the example shown, the support member 54 is provided as a U-shaped bar that is mounted or welded to the lower surface 57 of the base member 52, with two distal ends 60. In other examples, the support member 54 may have a single distal end, or may be otherwise provided, e.g. as a bracket or integrally formed with the base member 52. The distal ends 60 extend outwardly from a rear side of the base member.

[0028] The access deck assembly 40 also has a frame 80 to connect the base 50 to the mobile platform 24. The frame 80 has a first and second legs 82. In other examples, the frame 80 may be provided with a single leg, or with more than two legs. Each leg 82 is rotatably connected to the base 50 at a first end 84, and in one example, may be rotatably connected to the support member 54 at a location spaced apart from the distal end 60. Each leg is 82 also rotatably connected to associated mounting bracket 88 at a second end 86. The mounting brackets 88 may be a part of the frame 80, or may be integrally formed with the mobile platform 24. In the example shown, each mounting bracket 88 connects the frame 80 to the perimeter railing 28 of the mobile platform, e.g. to an upright member 32 via fasteners, or may be permanently affixed via welding or the like.(0029] The base 50 is therefore movable relative to the mobile platform 24 via the frame 80 about a first rotational axis 90 that extends through the first ends 84 of the legs 82, and a second rotational axis 92 that extends through the second ends 86 of the legs. The deck assembly 40 has first locking members 94, e.g. locking pins or other locking mechanisms, with each first locking member 94 cooperating with an associated mounting bracket 88 and associated leg 82 to retain the leg 82 relative to the mounting bracket 88. Additionally, the access deck assembly 40 has second locking members 96, e.g. locking pins or other locking mechanisms, with each locking member96 cooperating with as associated leg 82 and the support member 54 to retain the base member 52 relative to the leg 82.

[0030] The access deck assembly 40 has a step 100 rotatably connected to the base 50. In one example, the step 100 is rotatably connected to the lower surface 57 of the base and movable between first and second positions, e g. use and storage positions, about a step rotational axis 102. The step 100 may be used by an operator when moving between the floor 26 and the base member 52. Step locking members 104, such as locking pins or other locking mechanisms, cooperates with the base 50 and the step 100 to retain the step relative to the base member. The step 100 has side rails 106 connected to a cross-wise step member 108, with the side rails 106 rotatably connected to the base 50, e.g. adjacent to a front side of the base, via step brackets 109. A length of the each side rail 106 is less than a length of each leg 82.

[0031] The handle assembly 44 of the access deck assembly 40 connects to the perimeter railing 28 of the mobile platform 24. Although only one handle assembly 44 is shown, the access deck assembly 40 may be provided with more than one handle assembly 44, or without a handle assembly 44. The handle assembly 44 has a handle member 110 that is rotatably connected to first and second handle brackets 112. The handle member 110 may be provided with a grip region with a texture or coating for the operator. Handle locking members 114 , such as locking pins or other locking mechanisms, cooperate with the handle bracket 112 and the handle member 110 to retain the handle member relative to the handle bracket. The handle assembly 44 has a first position with the handle member 110 upright for grasping by the operator and the handle locking member 114 engaged with the handle bracket 112 and the handle member 110 (as shown in Figures 1-4), and a second position with the handle member 110 rotated relative to the handle bracket 112 for folded storage adjacent to the perimeter railing 28 of the mobile platform (as shown in Figures 5-7). The handle assembly 44 may additionally have a third storage position as shown in Figures 8-10. The handle member 110 may be provided as a U-shaped bar, with each end rotatably connected to an associated handle bracket 112 for rotation about a handle rotational axis 116.

[0032] Each handle bracket 112 connects to the perimeter railing 28 of the mobile platform, e.g. via fasteners, or may be permanently affixed via welding or the like. In one example, each handle bracket 112 may be connected to a section of the perimeter railing 28 that rotates or folds whenthe railing is being retracted (as shown in Figures 8-10), e.g. an upright member 32 of the perimeter railing. In further examples, the handle brackets 112 may connect to an upper rail of the perimeter railing, or another location on the mobile platform 24.|00331 Referring to Figures 1-4, the access deck assembly 40 is shown in a first position, e.g. for use by an operator, or with the operator able to stand on the base 50, e.g. with the base 50 positioned above and parallel to the floor 26 of the mobile platform for supporting an operator thereon. In the first position, the access deck assembly 40 supports the operator on the upper surface 56 of the base member 50 above the floor 26 of the mobile platform with the support member 54 oriented at a first angle Al relative to the leg, and the leg oriented at a second angle A2 relative to the mounting bracket 88. In the example shown, the first and second angles are each ninety degrees. The handle assembly 44 is provided with the handle member 110 in an upright position such that the handle member 110 extends from the handle bracket 112 away from the floor 26 and the perimeter railing 28 of the mobile platform, e.g. with the handle member 110 extending in a plane parallel to a plane defined by the legs 82, or in a plane perpendicular to the plane containing the upper surface 56 of the base member 50. The handle locking members 114 may be used to retain the handle assembly 44 in this position. The first locking members cooperate with the mounting brackets 88 and the legs 82 to retain the legs 82 relative to the mounting brackets 88 in the first position, and upright and adjacent to the perimeter railing 28. The second locking members are not engaged in the first position. The base 50 is maintained in its horizontal position as the distal ends 60 of the support member 54 engage and contact the adjacent perimeter railing 28, and limit further rotational movement of the base member 50. The step 100 is placed in the use position as shown with the crosswise step member 108 positioned between the base 50 and the floor 26 of the mobile platform. The step locking members 104 may be used to retain the step 100 in the position as shown relative to the step brackets 109.[0034) The access deck assembly may be moved from the first position to a second storage position as shown in Figures 5-7. In the second position, the access deck assembly 40 is positioned to store the base member 50 adjacent to the perimeter railing 28 of the mobile platform 24 with the support member 54 oriented at a third angle A3 relative to the leg 82 and the leg 82 oriented at the second angle A2 relative to the mounting bracket 88.(0035] The handle assembly 44 is moved such that the handle member 110 is in a downwardly extending position such that the handle member 1 10 extends from the handle bracket 112 towards the floor 26 of the mobile platform and adjacent to the perimeter railing 28, e.g. with the handle member 110 extending in a plane parallel to a plane defined by the legs 82, or in a plane perpendicular to the plane containing the upper surface 56 of the base member 50. The handle locking members 114 may be used to retain the handle assembly in this position. The base 50 is then rotated relative to the leg 82 when moving from the position to the second position, e.g. by lifting the front side of the base 50 to move the distal ends 60 away from the railing 28 until the upper surface 56 faces the adjacent perimeter railing 28 and is perpendicular to the floor 26, while the leg 82 remains in the same position relative to the associate mounting bracket 88. The handle member 110 may therefore be positioned between the upper surface 56 of the base 50 and the adjacent perimeter railing 28. In the example shown, the distal ends 60 of the support member 54 are received within channels defined by the legs 82 to further reduce the package size for the access deck assembly 40 in the second position. The second locking members 96 are engaged to retain the base 50 in an upright storage position relative to the legs 82. The first locking members 94 continue to cooperate with the mounting brackets 88 and the legs 82 to retain the legs 82 relative to the mounting brackets 88 in an upright position and adjacent to the perimeter railing 28. The step 100 is rotated and folded to be adjacent to the lower surface 57 of the base 50. As shown, the crosswise member 108 for the step 100 may have an offset from the side rails 106 such that the support bar 54 nests within the step 100.

[0036] The access deck assembly may be moved from the second position to a third storage position as shown in Figures 8-10. In the third position, the access deck assembly 40 is positioned for storage adjacent to the floor 26 of the mobile platform 24, e.g. when the extension platform is retracted, and when the perimeter railing is also retracted towards the floor 26. The access deck assembly 40 is therefore retained on the mobile platform 24 when the perimeter railing 28 is retracted, with the base 50 adjacent to and parallel with the floor 26 of the mobile platform, and with the handle rotated to be above the floor 26 of the mobile platform and the base 50.

[0037] The locking members 94 are released, and the legs 82 are rotated relative to the mounting brackets 88 and away from the adjacent perimeter railing 28 such that the legs 82 are adjacent and parallel to the floor 26 when moving from the second position to the third position, while the base50 is maintained in its position relative to the legs 82 via the locking members 96, and the upper surface 56 is parallel to the floor 26. The step 100 is also maintained in its folded position relative to the base 50 between the second and third positions. In the third position, the support member 54 may be oriented at the third angle A3 relative to the leg 82, and the leg oriented at a fourth angle A4 relative to the mounting bracket.

[0038] The handle assembly 44 is then moved such that the handle member 110 is in a downwardly angled position, e.g. with the handle member 110 extending inwardly towards a central region of the floor 26, and at an acute angle relative to the perimeter railing 28. A section of the perimeter railing 28 supporting the handle brackets 112, e.g. upright members, may be folded inwardly as well as shown. The frame 80 and base 50 may generally be positioned between the handle assembly 44 and the floor 26.

[0039] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An access deck assembly for a mobile platform on an aerial lift vehicle, the access deck assembly comprising: a base comprising a base member defining an upper surface sized to support an operator thereon, and a support member connected to and extending outwardly from the base member to a distal end to engage a perimeter railing of the mobile platform; and a frame to connect to the mobile platform, the frame comprising, and at least one leg extending from a first end rotatably connected to the base to a second end rotatably connected to at least one mounting bracket to connect to the mobile platform.

2. The access deck assembly of claim 1 further comprising a step rotatably connected to the base.

3. The access deck assembly of claim 2 further comprising a step locking member cooperating with the base and the step to retain the step relative to the base member.

4. The access deck assembly of claim 2 wherein the step comprises at least one side rail connected to a cross-wise step member, the at least one side rail rotatably connected to the base member; wherein a length of the side rail is less than a length of the leg.

5. The access deck assembly of claim 2 wherein the step is rotatably connected adjacent to a first side of the base member, and the support member extends outwardly from a second side of the base member opposite to the first side.

6. The access deck assembly of claim 1 further comprising a handle assembly to connect to the perimeter railing of the mobile platform.

7. The access deck assembly of claim 6 wherein the handle assembly further comprises a handle member rotatably connected to a handle bracket, the handle bracket to connect to the perimeter railing of the mobile platform.

8. The access deck assembly of claim 7 wherein the handle assembly further comprises a handle locking member cooperating with the handle bracket and the handle member to retain the handle member relative to the handle bracket.

9. The access deck assembly of claim 8 wherein the handle assembly has a first position with the handle member upright for grasping by the operator and the handle locking member engaged with the handle bracket and the handle member, and a second position with the handle member rotated relative to the handle bracket for folded storage adjacent to the perimeter railing of the mobile platform.

10. The access deck assembly of claim 1 wherein the support member is fixed relative to the base member.

11. The access deck assembly of claim 1 wherein the access deck assembly has a first position to support an operator on the upper surface of the base member above the mobile platform with the support member oriented at a first angle relative to the leg, and the leg oriented at a second angle relative to the mounting bracket; wherein the access deck assembly has a second position to store the base adjacent to the perimeter railing of the mobile platform with the support member oriented at a third angle relative to the leg and the leg oriented at the second angle relative to the mounting bracket; and wherein the base member and support member rotate relative to the leg when moving from the first position to the second position.

12. The access deck assembly of claim 11 wherein the access deck assembly has a third position to store the access deck assembly adjacent to a floor of the mobile platform with the support member oriented at the third angle relative to the leg, and the leg oriented at a fourth angle relative to the mounting bracket; and wherein the leg rotates relative to the mounting bracket when moving between the second position and the third position.

13. The access deck assembly of claim 11 further comprising a first locking member cooperating with the mounting bracket and the leg to retain the leg relative to the mounting bracket in the first position; and a second locking member cooperating with the leg and the support member to retain the base member relative to the leg in the second position.

14. The access deck assembly of claim 11 wherein the distal end of the support member is received within a channel defined by the at least one leg when the access deck assembly is in the second position.

15. An aerial lift vehicle comprising: a chassis; a mobile platform connected to the chassis via a lifting assembly, the mobile platform having a floor and a perimeter railing thereabout; and the access deck assembly according to any one of claims 1-14.

16. The aerial lift vehicle of claim 15 wherein the perimeter railing of the mobile platform is retractable towards the floor of the mobile platform with the access deck assembly connected to the mobile platform and positioned with the base member adjacent to and parallel with the floor of the mobile platform, and with the handle rotated to be above the floor of the mobile platform and the base member.

17. A method comprising: connecting a mounting bracket of a support frame of an access deck assembly to a mobile platform of an aerial lift vehicle, the access deck assembly having a base rotatably connected to the support frame; and placing the access deck assembly in a first position to support an operator thereon by: rotating a leg of the support frame relative to the mounting bracket to be upright and adjacent to a perimeter railing of the mobile platform, and engaging a first locking member to retain the leg adjacent to the perimeter railing, androtating a base of the access deck assembly until a support member extending outwardly from the base engages the perimeter railing such that an upper surface of the base is positioned above and parallel to a floor of the mobile platform for supporting an operator thereon.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising placing the access deck assembly in a second position for storage by: rotating the leg of the support frame relative to the mounting bracket to be upright and adjacent to the perimeter railing of the mobile platform, and engaging the first locking member to retain the leg adjacent to the perimeter railing, and rotating the base of the access deck assembly until the upper surface of the base faces the adjacent perimeter railing and is perpendicular to the floor of the mobile platform, and engaging a second locking member to retain the base adjacent to the perimeter railing.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising connecting a handle bracket of a handle to the perimeter railing of the mobile platform, the handle having a handle member rotatably connected to the handle bracket; wherein placing the access deck assembly in the first position further comprises rotating the handle member until the handle member extends from the handle bracket away from the floor and the perimeter railing of the mobile platform, and engaging a handle locking member to retain the handle member; wherein placing the access deck assembly in the second position further comprises rotating the handle member until the handle member extends from the handle bracket towards the floor of the mobile platform and adjacent to the perimeter railing.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising: placing the access deck assembly in a third position for storage by: rotating the leg of the support frame relative to the mounting bracket and away from the perimeter railing to be adjacent to the floor of the mobile platform, and rotating the base of the access deck assembly until the upper surface of the base is positioned adjacent and parallel to a floor of the mobile platform, androtating the handle member until the handle member extends from the handle bracket towards the floor of the mobile platform and is adjacent to the floor; and retracting the perimeter railing of the mobile platform towards the floor of the mobile platform.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein placing the access deck assembly in the first position further comprises rotating a step connected to the base such that a cross-wise step member is positioned between the base and the floor of the mobile platform.

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