Aerial Lift Material Support Assembly Kick Plate Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing material storage solutions for aerial lifts require drilling or tapping holes into the platform, compromising safety and stability, especially when securing heavy materials like 8-inch diameter steel pipes during construction.
Innovation Solution
A material support assembly with adjustable coupling means that engages the kick plate on both sides of the aerial lift platform, using catches or hooks to secure the assembly without damaging the platform, allowing for stable storage of materials without the need for drilling or tapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If material storage solutions are secured by drilling or tapping holes into the platform, then the storage system becomes firmly fixed and stable, but the platform structure is damaged and safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling means acts as an intermediary between the storage assembly and the kick plate, transferring securing forces to the kick plate rather than the platform. The assembly includes coupling means on legs that engage with the kick plate, and coupling means on arms that also engage with the kick plate, preventing direct attachment to the platform surface
Solution Approach 2:
The storage assembly is divided into separate functional components: legs with coupling means for kick plate engagement, arms with coupling means for additional kick plate engagement, and a storage platform. This segmentation allows the securing function to be isolated to the kick plate interface while the storage function remains independent
2Strength
If the storage assembly uses fixed attachment methods, then the connection to the lift is strong, but the assembly cannot be easily removed or repositioned
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling means are designed to be detachable rather than permanent, allowing the assembly to transition between secured and unsecured states. The coupling means on legs and arms can be engaged with or disengaged from the kick plate, providing dynamic reconfigurability while maintaining strength when engaged
3Reliability
If the coupling means are made complex to ensure secure engagement, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling means are designed with universal engagement capability, using simple geometric features like hooks or latches that can engage with the kick plate's lip structure. The same coupling design is used on both legs and arms, reducing the number of different component types while maintaining secure engagement across multiple attachment points
Data Source
AI summary
A material support assembly (21) for use on an aerial lift work platform (12) surrounded by a safety barrier (17) with a kick plate (14) adjacent the platform (12), the assembly (21) having at least one leg (22 or 23) mounted on a foot (24) which rests on the platform (12), the leg and foot having a first coupling means (31) for securing the assembly (21) to the kick plate (14) on one side of the platform and a further coupling means (32) for engaging the kick plate (14) on the opposite side of the platform, the further coupling means (32) preferably being located at the end of an arm (25) extending away from the foot (24) and resting against the platform.