Abstract
An aerial platform for an industrial truck has a one-piece base frame comprising a vertical mast strut configured to couple to the industrial truck and a floor plate configured as a place for at least one person to stand. The aerial platform further comprises at least two vertical posts defining an access opening and at least two horizontal side struts coupled the vertical mast strut and the at least two vertical posts.
Claims
1. An aerial platform for an industrial truck comprising: a one-piece base frame comprising, a vertical mast strut configured to couple to the industrial truck, a floor plate configured as a place for at least one person to stand, at least two vertical posts defining an access opening, and at least two horizontal side struts coupled to the vertical mast strut and the at least two vertical posts, wherein an interior space is defined by the at least two horizontal side struts, the vertical mast, and the at least two vertical posts.
2. The aerial platform according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal side struts extend laterally from the vertical mast strut and transition into a side of the aerial platform with a bend.
3. The aerial platform according to claim 1, further comprising a stabilization device configured to connect a section of the at least two horizontal side struts with the vertical mast strut.
4. The aerial platform according to claim 3, wherein the stabilization device is a horizontal plate.
5. The aerial platform according to claim 1, wherein the vertical mast strut extends from the floor plate over a height of the aerial platform.
6. The aerial platform according to claim 1, further comprising at least one barrier configured to pivotally coupled with one of the at least two vertical posts.
7. The aerial platform according to claim 6, wherein the at least one fabricated barrier is configured to pivot to define an open and a closed position.
8. The aerial platform according to claim 6, further comprising one or more handles fabricated in a single piece with the at least one barrier.
9. The aerial platform according to claim 6, further comprising recessed grips fabricated in a single piece with the at least one barrier.
10. The aerial platform according to claim 1, wherein the one-piece base frame comprises at least one structure configured to accommodate one or more control elements.
11. The aerial platform according to claim 1, further comprising at least one work surface coupled to the one-piece base frame.
12. The aerial platform according to claim 1, wherein the one-piece base frame is comprised of plastic.
13. The aerial platform according to claim 12, wherein the plastic is a rotation-sintered plastic.
14. The aerial platform according to claim 12, wherein the plastic is a fiberglass-reinforced plastic.
15. An industrial truck comprising: a chassis; at least three wheels coupled to the chassis; a telescopically extensible lift mast coupled to the chassis; and an aerial platform coupled to the telescopically extensible lift mast, the aerial platform comprising, a base frame comprising, a vertical mast strut configured to couple to the industrial truck, a floor plate configured as a place for at least one person to stand, at least two vertical posts defining an access opening, and at least two horizontal side struts coupled to the vertical mast strut and the at least two vertical posts, wherein an interior space is defined by the at least two horizontal side struts, the vertical mast, and the at least two vertical posts.
16. The industrial truck according to claim 15, wherein the vertical mast strut is configured to couple the aerial platform to the lift mast of the industrial truck.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The invention will be explained below based on two exemplary embodiments thereof. These show in
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric side view of an embodiment of an aerial platform, and
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric side view of an embodiment of the aerial platform installed onto an industrial truck.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] In the following, the same reference labels refer to the same objects if not otherwise specified.
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the inventive aerial platform 10. The base frame 12 comprises a vertical mast strut 14, a floor plate 16 as a place for one or more persons to stand, two vertical posts 18, 18′, and four horizontal side struts 20, 20′. The vertical mast strut 14 and the vertical posts 18, 18′ are connected with the floor plate 16 and extend perpendicularly from it. Two horizontal side struts 20 connect the vertical mast strut 14 with the vertical post 18 while two further horizontal side struts 20′ connect the vertical mast strut 14 with the vertical post 18′. Together with the vertical mast strut 14, the horizontal side struts 20, 20′ form a back side of the aerial platform 10 in which the side struts extend out from the vertical mast strut 14 and bend at a right angle, each to transition into a side. The sides of the aerial platform 10 are formed entirely by the horizontal side struts 20, 20′, while the back side is formed by the vertical mast strut 14 and the horizontal side struts standing out horizontally from it. Consequently, an interior space of the aerial platform 10 is created above the floor plate 16, which can serve as a place to stand for one or more persons. However, in an embodiment, only two side struts can also be provided, with one of the side struts connecting the vertical mast strut 14 with the vertical post 18 and the other connecting the vertical mast strut 14 with the vertical post 18′, forming an interior space. Between the vertical posts 18 and 18′ there is an opening which provides a person or multiple persons access to the interior space and the floor plate 16. Furthermore, FIG. 1 shows a projection or stabilization device 24 arranged on both sides of the vertical mast strut 14 for stabilizing the uppermost side strut on the vertical mast strut 14. The stabilization device 24 is flat and constructed like a slab.
[0023] The base frame 12 shown in FIG. 1 is fabricated in one piece from a plastic. As explained, such fabrication enables particularly stable design and reduced weight at the same time. With the lesser effort and expense, the inventive aerial platform 10 can have many kinds of design elements. All edges and corners of the aerial platform 10 shown in FIG. 1 are rounded in such a way that the risk of injury is minimized for a person using the aerial platform 10. Compared to an aerial platform 10 made of steel, no time-consuming subsequent machining of the corners and edges is required. The stabilization device 24 can also be fabricated from plastic as one piece with the base frame 12. The stabilization device 24 can be a projection, which serves to accommodate control elements 26, as seen in FIG. 2.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows an industrial truck 100 with a chassis 110 and four wheels 120, of which only two can be seen in FIG. 2. The front wheel seen in FIG. 2 is a caster, which is shown turned in multiple directions. FIG. 2 also shows a telescopic, extensible lift mast 130 connected with the chassis 110 and an inventive aerial platform 10, which is connected with the lift mast 130. The aerial platform 10 is connected to the lift mast 130 of the industrial truck 100 via the vertical mast strut 14. The aerial platform 10 is raised or lowered by retracting and extending the lift mast 130 of the industrial truck 100. The vertical mast strut 14 of the aerial platform 10 is designed here in such a way that it accommodates the lift mast 130 completely in a retracted condition of the lift mast 130. However, the vertical mast strut 14 of the aerial platform 10 need not completely enclose the lift mast, but instead can be open on one or more sides.
[0025] The exemplary embodiment of the aerial platform 10 shown in FIG. 2 further comprises two barriers 22, 22′ which are connected in each case with a vertical post 18, 18′ of the base frame 12 of the aerial platform 10. The two barriers 22, 22′ can be pivoted into the interior space of the aerial platform 10 or away from it by electrical or manual means. A person using the industrial truck can thus gain access to the interior space and the floor plate 16 of the aerial platform 10 and is adequately secured against falling off the aerial platform 10 while working on the aerial platform 10. Using the control elements 26 connected with the stabilization device 24, a person located on the aerial platform 10 can operate the lift mast 130 of the industrial truck 100 and thus lower and raise the aerial platform 10. Furthermore, the person can control the industrial truck 100 using the control elements 26 and, for example, also drive with the lift mast 130 extended.
[0026] FIG. 2 also shows work surfaces 30, 30′ connected with the base frame 12 of the aerial platform 10. These work surfaces can be used by a person operating the aerial platform 10 to carry goods, for example to stock a high-bay warehouse or remove goods from this high-bay warehouse. The work surfaces 30, 30′ can also be used for tools if the industrial truck 100 with the inventive aerial platform 10 is used for work in high places.
DRAWING REFERENCE LIST
[0027] 10 Aerial platform [0028] 12 Base frame [0029] 14 Vertical mast strut [0030] 16 Floor plate [0031] 18 Post [0032] 18′ Post [0033] 20 Horizontal side struts [0034] 20′ Horizontal side struts [0035] 22 Barrier [0036] 22′ Barrier [0037] 24 Stabilization device [0038] 26 Control element [0039] 30 Work surface [0040] 30′ Work surface [0041] 100 Industrial truck [0042] 110 Chassis [0043] 120 Wheels [0044] 130 Lift mast
