A LEVELLING GROUP FOR AERIAL WORK PLATFORMS

Abstract

A levelling group of an aerial work platform includes: a support base for supporting a containing cage of an aerial work platform, a support frame hinged to the support base so as to be able to oscillate with respect to an oscillation axis, at least a pair of ground rest elements hinged independently to the support frame, with respect to respective articulation axes parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the oscillation axis, such as to be able to independently vary a height thereof with respect to the support base.

Claims

1. A support and levelling group (20) of an aerial work platform (1), comprising: a support base (22) for supporting a containing cage (10) of the aerial work platform (1) a support frame (23) hinged to the support base (22) so as to be able to oscillate with respect to an oscillation axis (Y), at least a pair of ground rest elements (21) hinged independently to the support frame (23), with respect to respective articulation axes (X) parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the oscillation axis (Y), such as to be able to independently vary a height thereof with respect to the support base, where each rest element (21) is hinged to the support frame (23) by means of at least a four-bar hinge.

2. The support and levelling group (20) of claim 1, wherein each rest element (21) comprises a group of motorized tracks (210) each defining a longitudinal ground rest surface having a longitudinal axis parallel to the respective articulation axis (X).

3. The support and levelling group (20) of claim 1, wherein the oscillation axis (Y) is substantially a median axis of the support base (22).

4. The support and levelling group (20) of claim 1, further comprising, for each rest element (21), a respective first actuating group (24) able to actuate a movement of the rest element (21) with respect to the support frame (23).

5. The support and levelling group (20) of claim 4, wherein each first actuating group (24) comprises a first jack (241) provided with a stem (242) mobile internally of a cylinder (243), one from between the stem (242) and the cylinder (243) being hinged to the support frame (23) and another from between the stem (242) and the cylinder (243) being hinged to the rest element (21) on respective hinge axes parallel to the respective articulation axes (X).

6. The support and levelling group (20) of claim 1, further comprising a second actuating group (25) configured to actuate the support frame (23) in rotation with respect to the support base (22).

7. The support and levelling group (20) of claim 6, wherein the second actuating group (25) comprises a second jack (251) provided with a stem (252) mobile internally of a cylinder (253), one from between the stem (252) and the cylinder (253) being hinged to the support frame (23) and the other from between the stem (252) and the cylinder (253) being hinged to the support base (22) along respective hinge axes parallel to and offset with respect to the oscillating axis (Y).

8. An aerial lift platform (1) comprising a containing cage (10) and a support and levelling group (20), as in claim 1, wherein the cage (10) is superiorly associated to the support base (22).

9. The aerial lift platform (1) of claim 8, further comprising a raising device (11) interposed between the support base (22) and the cage (10), wherein the raising device (11) is able to actuate the cage (10) along a substantially vertical direction between a lowered position thereof in which the cage (10) is proximal to the support base (22) and a raised position thereof in which the cage (10) is distal with respect to the support base (22).

10. The aerial lift platform (1) of claim 9, wherein the raising device (11) comprises a scissors lift.

11. The aerial lift platform (1) of of claim 9, further comprising a control and command panel configured such as to determine a maximum lifting travel of the cage (10), by means of the raising device (11), as a function of the angle of inclination of the support frame (23) with respect to the support base (22) and/or of the relative height of each rest element (21) with respect to the support frame (23).

12. The support and levelling group (20) of claim 1, wherein the four-bar hinge is a parallelogram linkage.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from a reading of the following description, provided by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the figures illustrated in the appended tables of drawings.

[0039] FIG. 1 is an axonometric view of an aerial work platform, according to the invention.

[0040] FIG. 2 is a lateral view of the aerial work platform of FIG. 1, wherein the support frame is inclined with respect to the support base and a rest element is at a lower height with respect to the other rest element.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a frontal view of the aerial work platform of FIG. 2.

[0042] FIG. 4 is a lateral view of the aerial work platform of FIG. 1, wherein the support frame is parallel with respect to the support base and a rest element is at a lower height with respect to the other rest element.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a frontal view of the aerial work platform of FIG. 4.

[0044] FIG. 6 is a lateral view of the aerial work platform of FIG. 1, where the support frame is inclined with respect to the support base and the rest elements are at the same height.

[0045] FIG. 7 is a lateral view of the aerial work platform of FIG. 1, where the support frame is inclined on the opposite side with respect to FIG. 6 and with respect to the support base, and the rest elements are at the same height.

[0046] FIG. 8 is a larger scale view of VIII of FIG. 1.

[0047] FIG. 9 is a larger scale view of IX of FIG. 6.

BEST WAY OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0048] With particular reference to the figures of the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes in its entirety an aerial work platform, for example for vertical raising of an operator.

[0049] In particular, the aerial work platform 1 is suitable for carrying out interventions at height in reconstruction and/or construction zones in work sites, in industrial or civil areas and/or in green areas or in any zone raised from the ground which can be reached by means of vertical raising of an operator from the ground.

[0050] The aerial work platform 1 comprises a support and levelling group 20, which can define a stable ground rest for the aerial work platform 1.

[0051] The support and levelling group 20 comprises a substantially rigid support base 22.

[0052] The support base 22 comprises a substantially plate shaped body, in the example parallelepiped with a rectangular base, the upper surface 220 of which is substantially flat and is destined, in use, to remain always in a horizontal position.

[0053] The lower surface 221 of the support base 22 is facing towards the ground.

[0054] Two parallel and mutually-spaced forks 222 descend, for example perpendicularly, from the lower surface 221, for example made by two substantially triangular metal plates.

[0055] The forks 222 are located at a central zone of the prevalent direction of the support base 22.

[0056] Each form 222 comprises a hole 223, for example a through-hole aligned with respect to an axis (for example median) parallel to the upper surface 220 (and the lower surface 221).

[0057] The support and levelling group 20 comprises, in particular, a support base 22, which is associated inferiorly of the support base 22 so as to support it raised from the ground.

[0058] In particular, a support frame 23 is rotatably associated to the support base 22 so as to be able to oscillate with respect to an oscillation axis Y.

[0059] The support frame 23 comprises a rigid and substantially parallelepiped body, for example having smaller dimensions than the support base 22, for example so as not to increase the lateral and frontal dimensions thereof.

[0060] The support frame 23 comprises an upper base 230 facing the lower surface 221 of the support base 22 and a lower base 231 facing the ground.

[0061] Further, the support frame 23 comprises two lateral flanks 232, substantially parallel to the prevalent dimension of the support base 22, and two frontal bases 233.

[0062] At least a lug 234 rises, for example perpendicularly, from the upper base 230, for example made using a substantially triangular metal plate.

[0063] The lug 234 is for example located at a central zone of the prevalent direction of the support base 23.

[0064] Two oscillating pins 235 emerge from the lateral flanks of the lug 234, aligned with respect to an axis (median) parallel to the upper surface 230 (and perpendicular with respect to the prevalent direction of the support frame 23). The oscillating pins 235 are able to be inserted with play in the holes 223 realised in the forks 222, so as to define the oscillation axis Y of the support frame 23 with respect to the support base 22.

[0065] The support and levelling group 20 further comprises a pair of ground resting elements 21, which are hinged to the support base 23.

[0066] In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, each rest element 21 is defined by a group of motorised tracks 210 that are independent of one another.

[0067] Each track group 210, in particular, comprises a train of pinions, of which at least one is motorised, and rest wheels for drawing in rotation a flexible organ, for example made of rubber, a lower branch of which defines a longitudinal surface for resting on the ground.

[0068] The train of pinions and the rest wheels is partially contained and supported between two lateral containing walls, of which an internal wall and an external wall.

[0069] The longitudinal axis of the longitudinal rest surface defined by each group of tracks 210 is substantially parallel to the prevalent direction of the support base 22 and the advancement direction of the aerial work platform 1.

[0070] Further, the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal rest surface of each group of tracks 210 is substantially equal to (or a little larger than) the prevalent dimension of the support base 22.

[0071] The size of the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal rest surface of each group of tracks 210 is substantially comprised between 1000 and 4000 cm.sup.2, substantially 3200 cm.sup.2.

[0072] With the groups of tracks 210 the aerial work platform 1 rests on the ground on a large longitudinal surface which enables uniformly distributing the weight of the aerial work platform, guaranteeing an adequate stability even on deformable terrains such as for example earth or sand.

[0073] Each group of tracks 210 is hinged to the support frame 23, for example at a respective lateral flank 232 thereof.

[0074] For example, each group of tracks 210 is hinged to the support frame 23 so as to vary the height thereof with respect to the support base 22 and/or the support frame 23, with respect to hinge axes X perpendicular to the oscillation axis Y (and parallel to the prevalent direction of the support base 22).

[0075] For example, each group of tracks 210 is hinged to a lateral flank 232 of the support frame 23 by means of at least one (in the example two) four-bar hinge, for example a hinged parallelogram 211, so as to be able to translate (while staying parallel to itself) with respect to the support frame 22.

[0076] Each four-bar hinge 211, in particular, comprises a pair of (identical) con rods 212, opposite ends of which are hinged, by means of respective hinge pins, respectively to first connecting lugs branching projectingly from the lateral flanks 232 of the support frame 23 and second connecting lugs branching projectingly from the internal lateral containing wall of the group of tracks 210.

[0077] The hinge axes X of the four-bar hinge 211, all parallel, are perpendicular to the oscillation axis Y (and therefore to the prevalent direction of the support base 22).

[0078] The support and levelling group 20 comprises a first actuating group 24, for movement of each rest element 21 with respect to the support frame 23.

[0079] Each first support and levelling group 24 comprises a first jack 241, for example fluid-dynamic, provided with a stem 242 mobile internally of a cylinder 243, wherein the stem 242 in the example is hinged to the track group 210 and the cylinder 243 is hinged to the support frame 23 is hinged to the support frame with respect to hinge axes parallel to the respective articulation axes X.

[0080] For example, in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the cylinder 243 of each first jack 241 is hinged to a lateral flank 232 of the support frame 23 and the stem 242 is hinged to the internal containing wall of the group of tracks 210.

[0081] Each first actuating group 24 comprises a hydraulic circuit 240 for actuating the first jack 241, between an extended configuration in which the stem 242 is in an extracted position from the cylinder 243 and a retracted configuration. The variation of the first jack 241 between the extended configuration and the retracted configuration enables moving the relative group of tracks 210 with respect to the support frame 23, so as to vary the height thereof with respect thereto.

[0082] In practice, the first jack 241 is configured so as to cause the con rods 212 to oscillate by about 40°, for example by 34°.

[0083] When the first jack 241 is in the retracted position the group of tracks 210 (at least a portion thereof) is in a raised position with respect to the height of the support frame 23, while when the first jack 241 is in the extended position the support frame 23 is in a raised position with respect to the group of tracks 210 (at least a portion thereof).

[0084] The support and levelling group 20 comprises a second actuating group 25 able to actuate the support frame 23 in oscillation about the oscillation axis Y with respect to the support base 22.

[0085] The second actuating group 25 comprises a second jack 250, for example fluid-dynamic, provided with a stem 251 slidingly mobile internally of a cylinder 252, wherein the cylinder 252 is hinged to the support frame 23 and the stem 251 is hinged to the support base 22 along respective hinge axes parallel to and offset with respect to the oscillating axis Y.

[0086] For example, in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the cylinder 252 of the second jack 250 is hinged to a connecting portion branching from the lower surface 221 of the support base 22 and the stem 251 is hinged to one of the frontal bases 233 of the support frame 23.

[0087] Each second actuating group 25 comprises a hydraulic circuit 253 for actuating the second jack 250, between an extended configuration in which the stem 251 is in an extracted position from the cylinder 252 and a retracted configuration.

[0088] The variation of the second jack 250 between the extended configuration and the retracted configuration enables moving the support base 22 with respect to the support frame 23, so as to vary the height thereof with respect thereto.

[0089] In practice, the second jack 250 is configured so as to cause the support base 22 to oscillate with respect to the support frame 23 by about 60°, for example by 40°.

[0090] When the second jack 250 is in the retracted the support base 22, i.e. the upper surface 220 (and the lower surface 221) thereof, is inclined with respect to the support frame 23 (i.e. the upper base 230) thereof by an equal and opposite angle with respect to when the second jack 250 is in the extracted position.

[0091] In practice, the upper base 230 of the support frame 23 and the upper surface 220 of the support base 22 are parallel to one another when the stem 251 of the second jack 250 is in an intermediate position (about halfway through its travel) between the extracted and retracted positions.

[0092] The vertical platform 1 comprises a cage 10 or basket, which can accommodate one or more operators.

[0093] The cage 10 comprises a rest plane 100 delimited perimetrally by parapets 101 rising from the rest plane 100, for example fixed or mobile with respect thereto.

[0094] The parapets 101 and the rest plane 100 define an open volume superiorly able to accommodate one or more operators.

[0095] The cage 10 further comprises, for example located internally of the volume delimited by the rest plane and the parapets 101, a control console 102 for controlling the vertical platform 1, as will be more fully described in the following, which is positioned in the cage 10 so as to be easily accessible by the operator who is positioned internally of the volume defined by the rest plane 100 and the parapets 101.

[0096] The rest plane 100 of the cage 10 is supported by a raising device 11, able to activate the cage 10 between a lowered position and a raised position from the ground.

[0097] The raising device 11 is in turn supported by the support and levelling group 20.

[0098] In particular, the raising device 11 (and therefore the cage 10) are superiorly supported superiorly of the support base 22 (on the upper surface 220 thereof), so that the rest plane 100 of the cage 10 is parallel to the upper surface 220 of the support base 22.

[0099] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the raising device 11 is of a pantograph or scissors type, and is configured so as to vertically move the cage 10.

[0100] The raising device 11 comprises a group of rods 110 hinged in scissors fashion, lower ends of which are hinged to the support base 22 and upper ends of which are hinged to the cage 10, for example at the lower surface of the rest plane 100.

[0101] The raising device 11 comprises for example two identical groups of rods 110, parallel and flanked to one another.

[0102] The raising device 11 further comprises at least a third jack 114, for example fluid-dynamic, which is provided with a stem 115 mobile internally of a cylinder 116 and is configured for activating the rods of the group of rods 110 in movement.

[0103] For example, the cylinder 116 is hinged to the support base 22 and the stem is hinged to a rigid crossbar 113 which connects the two groups of rods 112, according to respective hinge axes parallel to the hinge axes of the rods of the group of rods 112.

[0104] The third jack 114 is associated to a respective hydraulic circuit 117 for actuating the third jack 114, between an extended configuration in which the stem 115 is in an extracted position from the cylinder 116 and a retracted configuration.

[0105] The variation of the third jack 114 between the extended configuration and the retracted configuration enables varying the group of rods 112 respectively between an extended configuration and a contracted configuration, in which respectively the cage 10 is in a raised position, distal from the support base 22, and in a lowered position, proximal to the support base 22.

[0106] In the passage from the contracted conformation to the extended conformation of the group of rods 110 the cage 10 is vertically raised, keeping the rest plane 100 horizontal.

[0107] For the aims of the present invention the raising device 11 can be of any type, and therefore different to what is described in the foregoing.

[0108] The support and levelling group 20 further comprises one or more sensors (not illustrated) for example able to measure the reciprocal angle of inclination between the support base 22 and the support frame 23 and/or the relative height between each group of tracks 210 (for example by detecting the inclination of the con rods 212) and the support frame 23.

[0109] Further, the support and levelling group 20 comprises sensors for detecting the relative height between the support base 22 and the cage 10 (the rest plane 100) thereof, for example by measuring the angle of inclination of a rod of the group of rods 112.

[0110] The aerial work platform 1 further comprises a control and command board, not shown as of a programmable electronic card type and contained internally of a casing, for example fixed to the support base 22 and/or the cage 10.

[0111] The control and command board is operatively connected at least to the first actuating group 24 and the second actuating group 25, so as to command the inclination of the support frame 23 with respect to the support base 22 and the relative height of each group of tracks 210 with respect to the support frame 23.

[0112] Further, the control and command board is operatively connected to the groups of tracks 210, for example to the motors thereof, so as to command the movement of the support and levelling group 20.

[0113] The control and command board is, again, operatively connected to the control console 102, provided with appropriate command means selectable by the operator on board the cage 10, so as to command the first actuating group 24 and the second actuating group 25 for levelling the aerial work platform 1 and/or the movement of the group of tracks 210 for displacing the aerial work platform 1, in response to respective command selected by the operator.

[0114] The control and command board is also operatively connected to the third jack 114 for commanding the raising and lowering of the cage 10 of the aerial work platform 1 by the raising device 11.

[0115] The functioning of the levelling group 20 and the aerial work platform 1 as described above is as follows.

[0116] The aerial work platform 1, in the rest position, is located with the cage 10 in the lowered position, the group of tracks 210 both resting on a horizontal ground and therefore at the same height (and so as to minimise the vertical or horizontal dimension of the aerial work platform 1) and the support base 22 (i.e. the upper surface 220), as well as the support frame 23 (i.e. the upper base 230) in the horizontal position.

[0117] The operator on board the aerial work platform 1, i.e. positioned internally of the cage 10, has access to the command console 102, for example in order to be able to position the aerial work platform 1 in a point where the operation is to take place.

[0118] If it is desired to reduce the wheel base of the aerial work platform 1 (for example in order for it to pass through tight or narrow zones), i.e. the distance between the groups of tracts 210, it is sufficient to command the first actuating group 24 so that both of the groups of tracks 210 raise the support base 24 (while keeping it horizontal).

[0119] During the displacement of the aerial work platform 1 by means of the group of tracks 210 it is possible to configure the control and command board so that it maintains the support base 22 (and therefore the cage 10 in the lowered configuration thereof) substantially horizontal, in this way automatically adapting the inclination of the group of tracks 210 to respect the slopes of the terrain, or in order for the support base 22 to remain substantially parallel to the support frame 23 and to the rest plane of the group of tracks 210, and so that the operator on board the cage 10 can intervene, when required, to bring the support base 22 to the desired inclination (for example horizontal), for example manually.

[0120] When the aerial work platform 1 is positioned in the desired point, the control and command board, for example automatically or semi-automatically, and/or the operator, for example manually, commands the levelling of the aerial work platform.

[0121] Should the ground rest position have two different slopes, the control and command board (automatically, semi-automatically or manually) commands the actuation of the first actuating group 24, so that each group of tracks 210 compensates for a first slope, for example in the normal direction to the prevalent direction of the support base 21, and of the second actuating group 25, so that the oscillation of the support frame 23 with respect to the support base 22 (which is brought into the horizontal position) compensates for the second slope, for example in the parallel direction to the prevalent direction of the support base 21.

[0122] The control and command board is configured so as to optimise the actuation of the first and second actuating group 24, 25 according to the slopes, so as always to bring the support base 22 into the horizontal position.

[0123] Once the support base 22 is stable in the horizontal position, even if the aerial work platform 1 is placed resting on an irregular surface (bi-sloping), the operator can actuate, by means of the command console 102, the raising of the cage 10 to the desired height.

[0124] The control and command panel is configured such as to determine a maximum lifting travel of the cage 10, as a function of the angle of inclination of the support frame 23 with respect to the support base 22 and/or of the relative height of each rest element 210 with respect to the support frame 23. In practice, with the aim of avoiding tilting of the aerial work platform 1 and guaranteeing the safety of the operator in the cage 10, the maximum height that can be reached by the cage in the raised position is a function of the angle of inclination of the support base 22 with respect to the rest surface defined from the ground level.

[0125] In this way, in order to level and keep the aerial work platform 1 stable, the rest organs on the ground defined by the movement organs of the aerial work platform 1 itself, i.e. the group of tracks 210, are sufficient, without the aid of auxiliary rest organs, such as telescopic feet or the like.

[0126] In practice, the aerial work platform 1 with the raising device 11 of the pantograph or scissors type and provided with a support and levelling group 20 that is bi-levelling, such as the one described in the foregoing, enables a levelling of more than +−10° with respect to the hinge axes Y and the oscillation axis X (i.e. in the two perpendicular directions) and/or enables reaching a height of the tread plane of the cage 10 of greater than 3 metres.

[0127] The invention as it is conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept.

[0128] Further, all the details can be replaced with other technically-equivalent elements.

[0129] In practice the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, can be any according to requirements, without forsaking the scope of protection of the following claims.