CONTROL STATION FOR A WORK PLATFORM OF AN AERIAL LIFT

Abstract

The control station 20 of the work platform 10 of an aerial work platform comprises: a control console; a cover 40 for protecting the console, which can be moved between a closed position and an open position; a longitudinal elementsuch as a bar 42coupled to the cover to simultaneously move between the closed and open positions, with the longitudinal element protruding from the front side of the console when the cover is open; and means for detecting an external action pushing the longitudinal element toward the console when the cover is open.

This makes it possible to keep the operator safe from being crushed against the console when moving the platform. Besides, the longitudinal element is not an obstacle to the opening or closing of the cover and is put aside when the cover is closed, thus preventing same to be exposed to shocks.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A control station for a work platform of an aerial work platform, comprising: a control console whereon control members are arranged; a cover for protecting the control console moveably mounted between: a first position in which the cover is closed to cover the control console, and a second position in which the cover is open to make it possible to manipulate the control members from the front side of the console; a longitudinal member linked to or making part of the cover to simultaneously move between the first position and the second position, which longitudinal member extends at a distance along the front side of the console and protrudes with respect to the front side of the console when the cover is in the second position; and means for detecting an external action pushing the longitudinal member toward the console when the cover is in the second position.

15. The control station of claim 14, wherein when the cover is in the second position, the longitudinal member is arranged to move toward the rear side of the console when subjected to an external action pushing same toward the console and the detecting means operate by detecting the movement of the longitudinal member toward the rear side of the console.

16. The control station of claim 15, wherein the detecting means operate by detecting the movement of the longitudinal member beyond a predetermined position toward the rear side of the console, the longitudinal member being adapted to move toward the rear side of the console beyond said predetermined position.

17. The control station of claim 14, wherein the detecting means operate by detecting that a threshold of the force of the external pushing action pushing the longitudinal element toward the console has been exceeded.

18. The control station of claim 14, wherein, when the cover is in the second position, the longitudinal element is held in position against an external action pushing the longitudinal element toward the console up to a given level of pushing force beyond which the longitudinal element moves toward the rear side of the console.

19. The control station of claim 18, wherein the longitudinal element is thus held in position by return means developing a returning force onto the longitudinal element throughout the movement of the longitudinal element toward the rear side of the console.

20. The control station of claim 14, wherein the cover moves by tilting or pivoting (44) between the first position and the second position.

21. The control station of claim 14, wherein the longitudinal element is fixedly arranged on the cover.

22. The control station of claim 14, wherein the longitudinal element is: either the front edge of the cover, or a bar arranged fixedly on the cover at a distance from the front edge of the cover to define at least one free space between the bar and the front edge of the cover, with the front edge of the cover being the edge of the cover toward the front side of the console when the cover is in the second position.

23. The control station of claim 14, wherein the cover is mounted relative to the console through a pivoting and sliding connection for moving the cover: by merely pivoting between the first position and the second position; and by sliding toward the rear side of the console from the second position on of the cover when the longitudinal element is subjected to an external action pushing the longitudinal element toward the console.

24. An aerial work platform, comprising: a work platform; a mechanism for lifting the work platform; and a control station arranged on the work platform and making it possible for an operator to cause the work platform to move, the control station comprising: a control console whereon control members are arranged; a cover for protecting the control console moveably mounted between: a first position in which the cover is closed to cover the control console, and a second position in which the cover is open to make it possible to manipulate the control members from the front side of the console; a longitudinal member linked to or making part of the cover to simultaneously move between the first position and the second position, wherein when the cover of the control station is in the second position, the longitudinal member extends at a distance along the front side of the console and protrudes with respect to the front side of the console and at least one sensor is arranged to detect an external action pushing the longitudinal member toward the console.

25. The aerial work platform of claim 24, wherein the at least one sensor of the control station causes the current movement of the work platform to stop upon detecting an external action pushing the longitudinal element toward the control console when the cover is in the second position.

26. The aerial work platform of claim 24, wherein when the cover of the control station is in the second position, the longitudinal member is arranged to move toward the rear side of the console when subjected to an external action pushing same toward the console and the at least one sensor operate by detecting the movement of the longitudinal member toward the rear side of the console.

27. The aerial work platform of claim 26, wherein the at least one sensor of the control station operates by detecting the movement of the longitudinal member beyond a predetermined position toward the rear side of the console, the longitudinal member being adapted to move toward the rear side of the console beyond said predetermined position.

28. The aerial work platform of claim 24, wherein the detecting means of the control station operate by detecting that a threshold of the force of the external pushing action pushing the longitudinal element toward the console has been exceeded.

29. The aerial work platform of claim 24, wherein, when the cover is in the second position, the longitudinal element of the control station is held in position against an external action pushing the longitudinal element toward the console up to a given level of pushing force beyond which the longitudinal element moves toward the rear side of the console.

30. The aerial work platform of claim 24, wherein the longitudinal element is: either the front edge of the cover, or a bar arranged fixedly on the cover at a distance from the front edge of the cover to define at least one free space between the bar and the front edge of the cover, with the front edge of the cover being the edge of the cover toward the front side of the console when the cover is in the second position.

31. The aerial work platform according to claim 24, wherein the cover of the control station is mounted relative to the console through a pivoting and sliding connection for moving the cover: by merely pivoting between the first position and the second position; and by sliding toward the rear side of the console from the second position on of the cover when the longitudinal element is subjected to an external action pushing the longitudinal element toward the console.

32. An aerial work platform, comprising: a work platform; a mechanism for lifting the work platform; and a control station arranged on the work platform and making it possible for an operator to cause the work platform to move, the control station comprising: a control console whereon control members are arranged; a cover for protecting the control console moveably mounted between: a first position in which the cover is closed to cover the control console, and a second position in which the cover is open to make it possible to manipulate the control members from the front side of the console; a longitudinal member linked to or making part of the cover to simultaneously move between the first position and the second position, which longitudinal member extends at a distance along the front side of the console and protrudes with respect to the front side of the console when the cover is in the second position; and means for detecting an external action pushing the longitudinal member toward the console when the cover is in the second position, wherein the detection means causes the current movement of the work platform to stop upon detecting an external action pushing the longitudinal element toward the control console when the cover of the control station is in the second position.

33. The aerial work platform of claim 32, wherein: when the cover of the control station is in the second position, the longitudinal element is held in position against an external action pushing the longitudinal element toward the console up to a given level of pushing force beyond which the longitudinal element moves toward the rear side of the console, and the detecting means operate: by detecting the movement of the longitudinal member toward the rear side of the console beyond a predetermined position toward the rear side of the console, the longitudinal member being adapted to move toward the rear side of the console beyond said predetermined position, or by detecting that a threshold of the force of the external pushing action pushing the longitudinal element toward the console has been exceeded.

Description

[0043] Other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear upon reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given as an example and referring to the appended drawing.

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an aerial work platform, the work platform of which is equipped with a control station according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0045] FIGS. 2 and 4 each show a perspective view of the work platform of the aerial work platform of FIG. 1, with the protective cover of the control station being respectively in closed position and in open position.

[0046] FIGS. 3 and 5 show a local enlargement of FIG. 2, respectively of FIG. 4, at the control station.

[0047] FIGS. 6 and 7 respectively show a front view and a side view of the work platform of FIG. 1 with an operator standing in front of the control station.

[0048] FIG. 8 shows a side view of the work platform of FIG. 1 with the operator standing in front of the control station and pushed against the latter by an external obstacle.

[0049] FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 are each a side view of the control station of FIG. 1 showing how to mount the protective cover to mounting brackets, with the protective cover being respectively in the closed position, in open position at rest, and in the open position, pushed by the operator to the rear side of the control console.

[0050] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the control station of FIG. 1 viewed from the back thereof, with the protective cover being in the open position at rest.

[0051] FIG. 13 is a local enlargement of FIG. 12 at the lateral side of the control station.

[0052] FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of a control station according to an alternative to that of FIGS. 1 to 13, with the protective cover being in the open position at rest.

[0053] FIGS. 15 and 17 each show a perspective view of a work platform similar to that of FIG. 1 but equipped with a control station according to another embodiment, with the protective cover being respectively in closed position and in open position.

[0054] FIGS. 16 and 18 each show a side view of the control station of FIGS. 15 and 17, with the protective cover being respectively in the closed position and in the open position at rest.

[0055] A first embodiment of the invention is described now with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. FIG. 1 illustrates an aerial work platform the work platform 10 of which is equipped with a control station 20 according to the invention.

[0056] The aerial work platform comprises a frame 2 provided with wheels 6 to move it on the ground. Alternatively or in combination, the frame 2 is equipped with tracks for the same purpose. The frame 2 is preferably motorized to ensure the independent drive of the aerial work platform on the ground.

[0057] The platform 10 is so designed as to receive one or more person(s) aboard, as well as the tools and materials to be used to work at heights. It is supported by a lifting mechanism 8 to raise it from a lowered position on the frame 2 of the aerial work platform to the desired working position at height. In this case, it comprises an articulated and/or telescopic mast, at the end of which the platform 10 is mounted and hydraulic cylinders to extend same relative to the frame 2. The lifting mechanism 8 is arranged on a motorized turret 4 which makes it possible to rotate same about a vertical axis relative to the frame 2. The turret 4 thus makes it possible to change the orientation of the lifting mechanism 8and thus of the platform 10relative to the frame 2.

[0058] The control station 20 enables an operator O aboard the platform 10 to cause the movement of the platform 10 so as to reach the desired working position. He/she can thus actuate the lifting mechanism 8 and the pivoting of the turret 4. It can be provided that he/she may also cause the movement of the aerial work platform on the ground.

[0059] It should be understood that a control station according to the invention can be mounted on the work platform of aerial work platforms having a different constitution, for example, which have another type of lifting mechanism 8 or which have no turret 4 in which case the lifting mechanism is mounted directly on the frame.

[0060] FIG. 2 shows the work platform 10. It comprises a floor 12 surrounded by a railing 14. An opening 17 between two uprights 17a, 17b of the railing 14 enable people to access the platform 10.

[0061] The control station 20 comprises a protective cover 40. The cover 40 is shown in closed position whereas it is shown in open position in FIG. 4.

[0062] The control station 20 comprises a control console 22 visible in FIGS. 4 and 5. It is equipped with control members 24 intended to be manipulated by the operator O so that he/she can move the platform 10 up to the desired working position in height. The control console 22 is preferably mounted fixedly relative to the railing 14. In this case, it is mounted on support plates 74 welded to a bar 70 which is fixed to two vertical uprights 18a, 18b of the railing 14 via a respective spacer 70a, 70b.

[0063] As discussed in greater detail below, the switching of the cover 40 between the open and the closed positions is obtained by pivoting about an imaginary axis parallel to the front edge of the control console 22. The front edge of the console 22, and the front side thereof are conventionally defined as being those corresponding to the side of the console in front of which the operator O aboard the platform 10 stands for handling the control members 24. On the contrary, the rear side of the console 22 is the opposite side which is generally towards the outside of the platform 10.

[0064] When closed, the cover 40 covers the control console 22 and protects it against dirt and shocks during the work carried out by persons aboard the platform 10. In this position, the control members 24 are not accessible to the operator O. Accordingly, he/she cannot move the platform 10.

[0065] A bar 42 is fixedly arranged on the cover 40. It may for example be made integral with the cover 42 by molding of plastic or composite material or be added to the cover 40 by any suitable means such as screwing or welding depending on the cover material 40. The bar 42 in this case is straight and extends horizontally and at a distance from the front edge of the cover 40 while being parallel thereto. The bar 42 is extended, at the ends thereof, by two uprights giving a U-shaped overall form and used for arranging the bar 42 to the cover 40. However, various alternative solutions are possible. For example, an upright may be arranged centrally to the bar 42 to provide an overall T shape, with the bar 42 being arranged on the cover 40 through this upright. According to another alternative solution, the bar 42 may have a generally arcuate shape and be arranged directly on the cover 40 by its two opposite ends.

[0066] When the cover 40 is open, the bar 42 acts as a safety bar preventing the operator from being crushed on the console 22. It is then parallel to the front edge of the console 22 and extends along the front edge of the console 22 at a distance thereof. It projects relative to the front side of the console 22 in this case above the console 22. It is thus positioned between the torso of the operator O and the console 22 as seen in FIG. 7. The space between the front edge of the cover 40 and the bar 42 is free of material, which makes it possible for the operator O to see the control members 24 when the cover 40 is open. The operator O accesses the control members 24 by passing the hands underneath the bar 42.

[0067] FIG. 8 illustrates the actuation of the bar 42 by the torso of the operator O who is pushedsee arrow F.sub.2toward the console 22 by an obstacle C hitting him/her from behind during the movement of the platform 10 as shown by the arrow F.sub.1. The force exerted on the bar 42, if it exceeds a given level, results in the cover 40 moving toward the rear side of the console 22 and this movement is detected to automatically stop the current movement of the platform 10 to protect the operator O against crushing against the console 22.

[0068] FIGS. 9 to 13 illustrate the mounting of the cover 40 relative to the railing 14. More particularly, the cover 40 is mounted on each side to a vertical support 30 arranged fixedly relative to the railing 14. FIGS. 9 to 13 show the mounting thereof for one side, it being specified that it is identical for the other side of the cover 40. A cover guard 38 covering the support 30 has been omitted in these figures in order to show details of the assembly. Such cover guard is preferably screwed onto the support 30 for example to the points 36 and to the stud 32 visible in FIG. 13.

[0069] The side support 30 is welded, in this case, to the bar 70. The side supports 30 are arranged perpendicularly to the front edge of the console 22 and are mutually parallel. The cover 40 has a pin 44 on each side. The two pins 44 are coaxial about an imaginary axis which is parallel to the bar 42. Each pin 44 is inserted into a slot 34 provided in the corresponding vertical support 30. The two slots 34 are mutually parallel and extend toward the rear side of the console 22. The size thereof is suitable for enabling both pivoting and sliding of the pins 44 in the slots 34. The pins 44 are resiliently biased toward the front end of the slots 34. In this case, the resilient bias is provided by means of a respective tension spring 60 having one end connected to the pin 44 and the other end fixed to the stud 32 of the support 30.

[0070] In the closed position which is illustrated by FIG. 9, the cover 40 rests by gravity in abutment against a horizontal bar 16 of the handrail 14, in this case by grooves 46 formed in the side parts of the cover 40. The grooves 46 in cooperation with the bar 16 also prevent any accidental pushing of the cover 40 toward the rear side of the console 22. Besides, the bar 42 is positioned downwards at a level below the console 22 and rearwards relative to the front edge of the cover 40. The bar 42 is thus protected against dirt and shocks during work performed by the persons aboard the platform 10.

[0071] To switch the cover 40 from the closed position of FIG. 9 to the open position of FIG. 10, the operator O rotates it in the direction indicated by the arrow F.sub.3, i.e. by tilting the cover 40 above the console 20 in the rearward direction. Such operation can be executed using the bar 42 as gripping means. The switching from the closed position to the open position is performed by mere pivoting because the springs 60 hold the pins against the front end of the slots 34. The springs 60 do not oppose the pivoting since they only exert a sliding action on the pins 44. When the cover 40 has reached the open position, the pivoting thereof is stopped by the rear edge 48 which abuts against the bar 70. In addition, two elastic leaves 72 fixedly arranged on the bar 70 cooperate with the rear edge 48 of the cover 4 to prevent the accidental pivoting thereof toward the closed position. Alternatively, such elastic leaves 72 are omitted and the cover 40 is held in the open position under the effect of its own weight.

[0072] The switching of the cover 40 from the open position to the closed position is similar by mere pivoting in the opposite direction after having overcome the elastic holding force of the leaves 72. Again, the bar 42 can be used as gripping means to close the cover.

[0073] FIGS. 4, 5 and 10 show the cover 40 in the open position at rest, i.e. in the absence of an external force pushing the bar 42 toward the console 22. On the contrary, when the operator O is standing in front of the control console 22 as shown in FIG. 7 and an obstacle C hits him/her from behind as shown in FIG. 8, he/she will be pushed toward the console 22see arrow F.sub.2and will then rest against the bar 42 with his/her torso in this case. This force tends to rotate the cover 40 about the pins 44 in the direction of the arrow F.sub.3 shown in FIG. 9, but such pivoting is blocked by the rear edge 48 of the cover 40 which abuts against the vertical wall of the bar 70. Therefore, when the force exerted on the bar 42illustrated by the arrow F.sub.4 on FIG. 11overcomes the elastic return force developed by the springs 60, the pins 44 slide into the slots 34see arrow F.sub.5and thus the cover 40 and the bar 42 move toward the rear side of the console 22.

[0074] A sensor detects the movement of the cover 40and thus of the bar 42toward the rear side of the console 22. In this case, the sensor 35 is an inductive one fixedly mounted on the support 30 which cooperates with a disk 45 mounted coaxially with the pin 44. When the pin 44 is at the front end of the slot 34, the sensor 35 faces the disk 45. This is the case in the closed position of the cover 40 illustrated in FIG. 9 and in its open position illustrated in FIG. 10 and in any intermediate pivoted position between these two positions upon opening or closing the cover 40. On the other hand, when the pin 44 slides in the slot 34 toward the rear beyond a given position, the sensor 35 no longer faces the disk 45 as seen in FIG. 11.

[0075] The sensor 35 is connected to the electronic circuit of the control station 20 which stops the current movement of the platform 10 when the sliding beyond this position is detected by the sensor 35. Stopping the current movement of the platform 10 means stopping any current movement, instructed by the operator O from the console 22, of the lifting mechanism 8 and the turret 4, and if any the movement of the aerial work platform on the ground. Detecting the sliding beyond this position is equivalent to detecting that the crushing force applied to the bar 42 toward the console 22 has exceeded a given threshold which corresponds to the return force developed by the springs 60 when the pins 44 are in this position.

[0076] It should be understood that other sensors may be used instead of inductive sensors 35 such as roller sensors or optical sensors. This system detecting the movement of the cover 40 can be implemented for one of the two pins 44 only, but it is preferable to do so for both pins for reliability and redundancy security reasons.

[0077] As can be seen in FIG. 11, the pin 44 can slide in the slot 34 toward the rear side of console 22 beyond the given position of detection of the movement of the pin 44. This makes it possible to go on limiting the crushing force which the operator O is exposed to if the platform 10 moves on by inertia effect.

[0078] When the action on the bar 42 ceases, the return springs 60 pull the pins 44 up to the front end of the slots 34 and thus bring the cover 40and the bar 42back to the rest position in the open position of FIG. 10.

[0079] The springs 60 are so selected as to develop a suitable return force to both effectively protect the operator O and avoid the inadvertent activation of the system detecting that the force has been exceeded. Preferably they are chosen so that the external force pushing the bar 42 which is necessary to move the bar 42 to the position in which the movement is detected by the sensor(s) 35 is less than or equal to 10 daN and greater than or equal 2 daN, whereas the detection of the movement of the bar 42 by the sensor(s) 35 preferably operates for a movement thereof of at least 2 cm as measured in a straight line from its rest position when the cover is open.

[0080] FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of a control station 120 according to an alternative embodiment of the control station 20 of FIGS. 1 to 13, with the protective cover 140 being shown in the open position at rest. Identical elements have the same reference numbers. The bar 142 corresponds to the bar 42 of the control station 20. The only difference with the control station 20 resides in that the window which was defined between the bar 42 and the front edge of the cover 40 is no longer free of material, but provided with a transparent or translucent screen 141. The screen 141 makes it possible for the operator to see through the control members 24 when the cover 140 is open while they remain accessible for handling by passing the hands underneath the bar 142 as in the case for the control station 20. In this embodiment, the bar 142 then defines the front edge of the cover 140.

[0081] FIGS. 15 to 18 schematically illustrate one embodiment of the control station 220 which is an alternative embodiment of the control station 20 of FIGS. 1 to 13. Identical elements have the same reference numbers, whereas the modified elements have the same reference numbers plus 200. The difference from the control station 20 resides in the fact that the switching between the open and closed positions of the cover 240 occurs in an opposite direction relative to the cover 40 of the control station 20. In other words, the switching from the closed positionshown in FIGS. 15 and 16to the open positionshown in FIGS. 17 and 18is obtained by pivoting in the direction shown by arrow F.sub.6, i.e. by tilting under the console 22, from the front to the rear of the console. When the cover 240 is closed, the safety bar 242, which is fixedly arranged to the cover 240, is thus positioned on the rear side of the console 22 and oriented towards the lower part thereof. The safety bar is then protected against dirt and shocks during the work executed by people aboard the platform. To facilitate the opening of the cover 240, the latter may have a relief or an opening forming a grip handle, in a cover area which is located toward the front side of the console 22 when in closed position. In this case, the cover 240 has a longitudinal rib 280 for this purpose.

[0082] When the cover 240 is open, the bar 242 protrudes from the front side of the console 22. It is then positioned between the console 22 and the operator standing in front of the console 22. The bar 242 then plays the role of safety bar against the operator's being crushed on the console 22 similarly to the case of the bar 42 of the control station 20. In this case, the waist, rather than the torso of the operatorhaving a stature as already mentionedcomes into contact with the bar 42 because the bar 242 is at a lower level than the bar 42 of the control station 20. If the operator presses hard enough on the bar 242see the arrow F.sub.7, he/she will cause the sliding of the cover 240 toward the rear side of the console 22: see the arrow F.sub.8.

[0083] The cover 240 can be mounted to the railings similarly to the case of the cover 40, i.e. using pins cooperating with slots provided in vertical supports attached to the railingsimilar to the supports 30 but not shown in this case as covered by guards 238 and biased by return springs to enable pivoting and sliding of the cover 240. Therefore, the assembly is not explained in details again. Pin sliding can be detected in the same manner. Some changes are made to enable the tilting of the cover 240 under the console 22. In particular, the bars 16 and 70 are removed and the console supports 22not shownare adapted and fixed laterally to the uprights 18a, 18b. The stop function for the cover 240 in the closed position of the bar 16 can be exerted by a stop fixed on the supports of the console 22 or on the above-mentioned vertical supports. Similarly, the stop function stopping the pivoting of the cover 240 in the open position and stopping the pivoting thereof if the bar 242 is pushed toward the console 22 in accordance with the arrow F.sub.7 is adapted and may be carried out in cooperation with the sides of the cover 240. The elastic leaves 72 may be removed or replaced by elastic leaves provided on the aforementioned vertical supports attached to the railings and cooperating with the sides of the cover 240.

[0084] The present invention is of course not limited to the examples and the embodiments described and illustrated above but can be the object of numerous alternative solutions accessible to the person skilled in the art. Thus, the bar 42 may not be fixedly arranged on the cover 40, but still be linked to the cover so as to move together, between the open and closed positions of the cover. For example, the cover and the bar may be mounted on each side by mere pivoting about a common imaginary axis relative to the railing of the platform and be linked together at the pivotal connections by torsion springs. More specifically, one end of the torsion spring is supported by a first stop provided on the side of the cover whereas the other end of the spring is supported on the lateral upright of the U-shaped bar so as to elastically bias this upright against another stop provided on the side of the cover and which is angularly offset relative to the first stop. The cover and the bar thus pivot together upon switching of the cover between the open and closed positions. The spring stiffness is so selected as to be sufficient to avoid or limit the pivoting of the bar relative to the cover during the cover opening operation. In the open position, the cover bears against a fixed stop connected to the railing of the platform and preventing same from pivoting beyond this position. On the other hand, the bar can continue to rotate in the same directioni.e. in the direction towards the opening of the coverby overcoming the resilient force of the torsion spring. Such additional pivoting of the bar after the cover is stopped in the open position can be detected by a suitable sensor for determining a situation of crushing of the operator against the bar.