Collapsible Crane Personnel Basket with Segmented Spine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personnel baskets for cranes are not designed for easy and space-efficient storage when not in use, often occupying valuable space on trucks or creating obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible personnel basket apparatus with a telescopically adjustable spine, a foldable support platform, and a secure coupling mechanism for quick deployment and compact storage, featuring a locking mechanism to prevent unintended collapse and a storage apparatus for easy side-opening and closing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the personnel basket is permanently mounted to the lifting device, then it is always ready for use, but it occupies valuable storage space on the truck
Solution Approach 1:
The personnel basket is divided into collapsible segments that can be disassembled and stored in a compact configuration on the truck, eliminating the need for permanent mounting while maintaining quick deployment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The basket transitions from a static permanent mounting to a dynamic collapsible structure that can be quickly assembled and disassembled, allowing it to be stored in a compact form when not in use
2Ease of operation
If the basket is stored on the bed of the mechanic truck, then it is easily accessible, but it takes up valuable storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsible basket segments nest within each other when stored, creating a compact package that fits into the truck without occupying excessive space, while remaining easily accessible when needed
3Volume of moving object
If the basket is mounted on a trailer hitch at the rear of the truck, then it is space-efficient, but it creates an obstacle impeding access to other equipment on the truck
Solution Approach 1:
The basket is designed to collapse in multiple dimensions, transforming from a three-dimensional structure that occupies space to a compact form that can be stored without impeding access to truck equipment
4Volume of moving object
If the spine segments are made telescopic for compact storage, then storage efficiency improves, but the locking mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage the telescopic spine segments during collapse and deployment, eliminating the need for manual operation and reducing overall system complexity despite the telescopic feature
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables quick deployment and compact storage of the personnel basket, ensuring efficient use of space and safety during setup and storage, while preventing accidental collapse.
Implementation Method 1
a spring arranged to bias the latch toward a closed position relative to the mouth regions of the pair of sidewalls
Implementation Method 2
a latch mounted between the pair of sidewalls for pivotal motion about a transverse pivot axis relative to the pair of sidewalls
Implementation Method 3
The latch may have a transverse retainer bar spaced from the pivot axis such that when the crossbar is received by the pair of mouth regions and the latch is in the closed position, the retainer bar engages the lower pair of side flanges of the adapter to prevent rotation of the connection member relative to the adapter
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible personnel basket apparatus quickly and easily deploys on the tip of a crane boom and stores in a space-efficient manner when not in use. The basket apparatus has a collapsible spine made up of a plurality of spine segments, a support platform pivotally coupled to a bottom spine segment, a connection member pivotally coupled to a top spine segment and including a coupling portion at a proximal end thereof, an adapter configured for attachment to a crane tip at a distal end of a crane boom, and a foldable rail assembly removably mountable on the spine and/or the support platform. The adapter mates with the coupling portion of the connection member to removably mount the connection member on the crane tip. A related deployment method, spine segment locking mechanism, coupling apparatus, and storage apparatus are also disclosed.