[0001] The invention relates to an aerial work platform comprising:
- a base;
- lifting means arranged on the base; and
- a platform arranged on the lifting means, such that the platform can be lifted in
vertical direction.
[0002] An aerial work platform is a mechanical device used to provide temporary access for
people or equipment to inaccessible areas, usually at height. There are two distinct
types of aerial work platforms which are also known as a "zoom boom" or "cherry picker";
or "scissor lift".
[0003] The cherry picker type of aerial work platform has generally a small bucket type
platform at the end of an articulated arm, which is often telescopic. With the cherry
picker type a person can easily be moved to different positions at different heights.
Due to the bucket type platform it is however not suited to lift heavy loads.
[0004] The scissor type lift has generally a wider working platform, which is lifted by
a scissor like mechanism. This lifting mechanism is only intended to move the platform
in vertical direction. In order to provide a reasonable working area, without having
to move the aerial work platform as a whole, the working platform is generally substantially
larger, than for a cherry picker type. A further advantage of this type of aerial
work platform, is that it is capable of lifting substantial larger weights.
[0005] For certain conditions a conventional aerial work platform is not very suitable,
for example when arranging plates to an inclined ceiling. In living quarters for animals
it is desired to have a smooth inner surface, such that the living quarters can easily
be cleaned. In order to achieve such a smooth inner surface plates are arranged to
the roof beams. The plates are generally long and heavy.
[0006] Lifting these ceiling plates with a conventional scissor type lift results in that
the plate cannot lifted high enough due to the inclination of the roof or that the
ends of the plate cannot be reached from the platform without having to move the whole
aerial work platform.
[0007] It is an object of the invention provide an aerial work platform, which does not
have the above mentioned disadvantages.
[0008] This object is achieved by an aerial work platform, which is characterized in that
the platform is tiltable.
[0009] As the platform of the aerial work platform according to the invention is tiltable,
the platform can be arranged such that it is parallel to the work area, such as an
inclined ceiling. As result it is possible to arrange for example a roof plate on
the platform, lift the platform and near the ceiling tilt the platform such that workers
can easily attach the roof plate to the inclined ceiling.
[0010] With the aerial platform according to the invention, it is now possible to provide
an inclined working area at height from which for example assembly tasks, renovation
tasks and demolition tasks can be performed.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the aerial work platform according to the invention
the base comprises driving means for moving the base in at least one direction. With
the driving means it is possible to move the platform along a working area without
having to lower the platform, step off displace the work platform and climb up again.
[0012] In another embodiment of the aerial work platform according to the invention the
platform is rotatable along a vertical axis parallel to the lifting direction of the
lifting means. The rotation makes it possible to have the tilted platform in the most
preferred position. The rotation also makes it possible to have the platform in a
direction during transportation, which minimizes the width of the aerial work platform,
such that it can easily go through narrow passages.
[0013] In another preferred embodiment of the aerial work platform according to the invention
the platform is extendable in length. In this embodiment, the platform could for example
be telescopic. This provides the possibility to enlarge the surface of the platform
when it is lifted. In combination with a rotatable platform and a movable base, a
large work area can be covered.
[0014] Preferably, the floor shape of the platform is rectangular. Furthermore, the tilt
axis is parallel to the transverse direction of the floor shape.
[0015] In yet another embodiment of the aerial work platform according to the invention
a railing is arranged on the platform. This provides safety for workers present on
the platform.
[0016] The invention also relates to a method for arranging plates to an inclined roof,
the method comprising the steps of:
- arranging at least one plate on a platform;
- lifting the platform to just below the ceiling of the inclined roof;
- tilting the platform such that the inclination of the platform is substantially equal
to the inclination of the ceiling;
- arranging the plate to the ceiling.
[0017] These and other features of the invention will be elucidated in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the aerial work platform of
invention.
Figure 2 shows a side view of a platform of the invention under an inclined roof in
a lower position.
Figure 3 shows a side view of the platform of figure 2 in an upper position.
[0018] In figure 1 an embodiment of an aerial work platform 1 is shown. This aerial work
platform 1 has a base 2 which is provided with tracks 3, 4. Lifting means are arranged
on top of the base. These lifting means comprise a base support 5, a scissor like
mechanism 6 and a top support 7. The scissor like mechanism 6 is operated by a hydraulic
cylinder 8. When the hydraulic cylinder 8 is operated it will push parts of the mechanism
6 away from each other, such that the scissor like mechanism 6 is extended in vertical
direction and the top support 7 is lifted.
[0019] The base support 5 of the lifting means is rotatably arranged on the base 2. On the
top support 7 a platform 9 is arranged. This platform 9 is provided on both ends with
telescopic platform part 10, 11. Furthermore a railing 12 is arranged on the platform
9, 10, 11 to provide safety for the workers on the platform 9, 10, 11.
[0020] The platform 9, 10, 11 is arranged via a hinge axle 13 to the top support 7. This
enables the platform 9, 10, 11 to tilt relative to the top support 7. A second hydraulic
cylinder 14 is arranged between the platform 9, 10, 11 and the top support 7 to control
the inclination of the platform 9, 10, 11.
[0021] Figures 2 and 3 show an embodiment of the method according to the invention and an
application of the aerial work platform 1. The aerial work platform 1 is placed under
the roof beams 15 of for example an animal living quarters. These roof beams 15 are
inclined.
[0022] The aerial work platform 1 is driven by the tracks 3, 4 under the roof beams 15.
The base 5 is then rotated over 90 degrees, such that the platform 9, 10, 11 is transverse
to the direction of movement of the aerial work platform 9, 10, 11.
[0023] The platform parts 10, 11 are extended from the main platform 9 such that a long
working area is created. Then the platform 9, 10, 11 is tilted by the second hydraulic
cylinder 14. As a result the end of the platform part 10 almost touches the ground
16, so that workers can easily walk on the platform 9, 10, 11 and place for example
ceiling plates on the platform 9, 10, 11.
[0024] Then, the lifting means 5, 6, 7 are energized by the hydraulic cylinder 8 to lift
the top support 6 and as a result lift the platform 9, 10, 11 to near the roof beams
15 (see also figure 3).
[0025] The workers on the platform 9, 10, 11 can now arrange a ceiling plate to the roof
beams 15. Then the aerial work platform 1 can be moved parallel to the ceiling 15
to a position in which a next roof plate can be arranged to the roof beams 15.
[0026] As a result of the tiltable platform according to the invention it is now possible
to provide a working area at a desired height and under a certain angle such that
workers will be at a equal distance to for example the roof along the whole working
area.
1. Aerial work platform comprising:
- a base;
- lifting means arranged on the base; and
- a platform arranged on the lifting means, such that the platform can be lifted in
vertical direction;
characterized in that the platform is tiltable.
2. Aerial work platform according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises driving means
for moving the base in at least one direction.
3. Aerial work platform according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the platform is rotatable
along a vertical axis parallel to the lifting direction of the lifting means.
4. Aerial work platform according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the platform
is extendable in length.
5. Aerial work platform according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the floor shape
of the platform is rectangular.
6. Aerial work platform according to claim 5, wherein the tilt axis is parallel to the
transverse direction of the floor shape.
7. Aerial work platform according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a railing is
arranged on the platform.
8. Method for arranging plates to an inclined roof, the method comprising the steps of:
- arranging at least one plate on a platform;
- lifting the platform to just below the ceiling of the inclined roof;
- tilting the platform such that the inclination of the platform is substantially
equal to the inclination of the ceiling;
- arranging the plate to the ceiling.