SUPPORT ARRANGEMENT FOR A MAN CAGE ON A CHERRY PICKER

Abstract

 A support arrangement including a rotator for a man cage (3) of a cherry picker (1). The cherry picker includes a lift (2) adapted for mounting on a vehicle (4). The lift includes a lowermost boom (7) and an outermost boom (8). The support arrangement (14) includes a cage support (17) upon which the cage (3) is mounted. The support arrangement also concerns a support profile (21) upon which the cage support (17) is mounted, and a support holder (13) upon which the support profile (21) is mounted. The support holder (13) is mounted on the outermost boom (8) of the lift.
The cage support (17) is mounted displaceable along the support profile (21). The support profile (21) is mounted pivotable on the support holder (13). The support arrangement includes an actuator (22) providing displacement and pivoting.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention concerns a support arrangement for a man cage of a cherry picker which includes a lift adapted for mounting on a vehicle, the support arrangement including a cage support upon which the man cage is mounted, a support profile upon which the cage support is mounted, a rotator and a support holder on which the support profile is mounted, at which the support holder is mounted on the outermost boom of the lift.

Background of the Invention

[0002] A cherry picker is frequently used in minor maintenance works where it does not pay to erect scaffolding and where it is not defensible to use a ladder.

[0003] Lifts are constructed in many ways.

[0004] Cherry pickers or servicing lifts can be of different kinds, such as scissor lifts, tower lifts, telescoping lifts and mobile lifts. Cherry pickers are typically mounted on compact, light vehicles that are capable of reaching the places where other lift vehicles are too large and heavy to access the site.

[0005] The present invention is developed in connection with mobile lifts.

[0006] Mobile lifts are lifts with a man cage for 1-3 persons that are to do work at height. The lift is mounted on a lorry, a truck, a van or a trailer. The larger models often extend 10-50 m up. The man cage is typically a structure with a rectangular bottom and upright support walls or support railing extending therefrom.

[0007] A lift which is the basic element in the mobile lift can move in three dimensions, providing that the vehicle is rarely to be moved during the work.

[0008] The lift includes a number of mutually pivotably interconnected booms. A lowermost boom in the lift is connected with a yaw gear that enables rotation of the lift about a vertical axis. Yaw gear/bearing is provided between the pedestal and the lift.

[0009] The cage for persons to perform work at height is connected with an outermost boom in the lift.

[0010] The lift will thus include at least two mutually pivoting booms. The booms are mutually pivotable about horizontally oriented axes such that the mutual pivoting of the booms establish lifting and lowering of the man cage.

[0011] The outermost boom, technically called a flyboom, is designed as a parallelogram in order to displace the support holder and thereby the man cage by parallel displacement, ensuring that the bottom of the man cage remains largely horizontal during its movement. The lift can be provided with sensors or guides that ensure the parallel displacement.

[0012] The booms can be adapted with fixed length or include telescoping booms that contribute to increasing the reach.

[0013] The booms are made of high-strength steel. The electro-hydraulic control of the lift may have several automated functions.

[0014] The man cage is supported on the boom by a support arrangement. This includes a cage support in the form of cross-struts, a frame, an H-profile or the like for providing fastening to areas close to the corners of the man cage. In the description below the term "cage support" will mean a supporting structure supporting the man cage irrespectively of its shape. The support arrangement furthermore includes a support profile upon which the cage support is mounted and which is connected to the outermost boom via a support holder unit.

[0015] The man cage is therefore connected with the outermost boom such that it is pivoting together with the boom, and it is spaced apart from the outermost boom at a distance determined by the size and shape of the support holder and the support profile.

[0016] It is desirable to pivot or rotate the man cage about a vertical rotary axis such that it is possible to orient the man cage independently of the rotation of the booms. This is desirable in certain work situations, for example if a vehicle is parked close to and drives along a wall or the like where work is to be performed at height. Here it may be desirable that a certain side of the cage faces a working area.

[0017] The support arrangement may include a so-called rotator enabling the cage to turn sideways relative to the outermost boom.

[0018] AU-B-72988/94 discloses a support arrangement of the type mentioned in the introduction. By operating this support arrangement there is a risk that a user operates the arrangement in error.

[0019] There will be a risk that the man cage will interfere with the outermost boom by the rotation. This risk is particularly pronounced when the outermost boom is made as a parallelogram as in this construction since guide rods are provided at each side of a main profile in order to establish the parallel displacement. This wide construction limits the possibility of rotating the man cage.

[0020] The man cage may alternatively be mounted on a rotator that includes a long support profile. The man cage can hereby be pivoted by a large radius so that it clears the outermost boom. However, this will result in a space-consuming construction as the man cage is placed far from the outermost boom.

Object of the Invention

[0021] It is the purpose of the present invention to remedy this drawback and enable great freedom in rotating the man cage in relation to the outermost boom.

[0022] According to a further aspect it is desirable that operation of the man cage is effected in a simple way without any risk of faulty operation.

Description of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, this is achieved by a support arrangement of the kind mentioned in the introduction, which is peculiar in that the cage support is mounted displaceable along the support profile, and that the support profile is mounted on the support holder for pivoting by rotation about a vertical rotary axis, and that the support arrangement includes moving means adapted to establish displacement of the cage support along the support profile and pivoting of the support profile in relation to the support holder.

[0024] The man cage can be provided close to the outermost boom when at its initial position and where the work to be performed does not require rotation of the man cage. When the man cage needs to be rotated relative to the outermost boom, this may be effected to a position at an angle of 90° at either side relative to the initial position of the man cage.

[0025] The wall of the cage in a rectangular man cage, farthest from the outermost boom, can hereby be positioned in parallel with the plane in which the lift booms are pivoting. This can be effected without the risk of the man cage interfering with the outermost boom.

[0026] Displacement of the cage support provides spacing between the cage sidewall close to the outermost boom and the outermost boom such that the cage sidewall closest to the outermost boom can be pivoted and positioned outside the outermost boom, even in a situation where this outermost boom has a significant width.

[0027] It is possible to vary the displacement of the cage support and thereby of the man cage along the support profile in dependence of the width of the outermost boom. The man cage can thereby be disposed at a desired distance from the outermost boom.

[0028] According to an embodiment, the support arrangement according to the invention is peculiar in that the moving means are adapted for establishing a simultaneous displacement of the cage support along the support profile and pivoting of the support profile relative to the support holder.

[0029] Hereby is provided a technically simple and efficient solution where it is possible for an operator to activate the moving means and thereby achieve a safe pivoting of the man cage without the need for an operator coordinating individual movements in the form of displacement and pivoting. Hereby, the risk of faulty operation is reduced.

[0030] According to further embodiment, the support arrangement according to the invention is peculiar in that the moving means include a first toothed rim secured to the support profile, an interacting second toothed rim which is mounted rotatably by a bearing at the support holder and which spaced apart from its rotary axis via a rotary connection is connected with an articulated arm connected with the cage support.

[0031] As the articulated arm is connected with the second toothed rim at a distance from its axis of rotation, a rotation will cause a displacement of the cage support and thereby of the man cage, while at the same time the engagement between the two toothed rims causes a pivoting of the support profile and thereby also of the man cage.

[0032] The rotary connection between the second toothed rim and the articulated arm will mean that the support can be displaced along the support profile. The rotary connection can be established by means of a pivot and a bushing.

[0033] According to further embodiment, the support arrangement according to the invention is peculiar in that the second toothed rim includes an extension extending beyond the diameter of the toothed rim, and that the articulated arm is connected with a distal end of the extension.

[0034] By the extension it is possible to increase the radius of rotation of the rotary connection, and thereby the size of the displacement provided relative to a radius of rotation for the rotary connection situated within the toothed rim is increased. In a simple way it is thus possible to adapt a displacement in relation to an angle of rotation for the man cage. The extension can be replaceable, alternatively provided with several bushings interacting with a pivot on the articulated arm.

[0035] According to further embodiment, the support arrangement according to the invention is peculiar in that the cage support is provided with slide shoes interacting with the support profile.

[0036] The support profile is made of a four-edged tubular section. This may preferably be provided with slide rails that interact with the slide shoes of the cage support.

[0037] Hereby is provided a secure guiding of the displacement and a suitable low friction between the cage support and the support profile.

[0038] According to further embodiment, the support arrangement according to the invention is peculiar in that an actuator is arranged within the support profile, preferably a hydraulic cylinder, constituting a part of the moving means as by activation it establishes the displacement of the cage support along the support profile and the pivoting of the support profile in relation to the support holder.

[0039] A compact design is achieved by arranging the actuator in the support profile. In a technically simple way there is established protection of the actuator against blows and impacts. The support profile, which is a strong structure, constitutes a covering of the actuator.

[0040] According to further embodiment, the support arrangement according to the invention is peculiar in that that at one end the actuator is mounted rotatable relative to the support profile, and at the other end it is connected with a pivot arm arrangement mounted on the first toothed rim and on the support holder, such that an extending or a shortening, respectively, of the actuator produces a pivoting of the support profile in one or the other direction.

[0041] The pivot arm arrangement is arranged such that it pivots about a rotary axis that is offset relative to the rotary axis of the first toothed rim. There is arranged a first pivot arm connected with the actuator, and a second pivot arm connected with the first toothed rim. The connection between the second pivot arm and the first toothed rim is established by a rotary connection which is also offset relative to the rotary axis of the first toothed rim.

[0042] The rotary connection is preferably provided on an extension at a radius outside the diameter of the toothed rim. Hereby is established a moment arm so that the force requirement for pivoting the man cage can be kept low. The extension enables increasing the radius of rotation for the rotary connection and the size of the required force for providing the pivoting is thereby reduced.

Description of the Drawing

[0043] In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawing wherein:

Fig. 1

shows a vehicle on which is mounted a man cage for a cherry picker;

Figs. 2-7

show partial views of a cherry picker with a man cage supported on an outermost boom via a support arrangement according to the invention, with the man cage in various positions, respectively;

Figs. 8-12

show views from above of a support arrangement (for the man cage which is omitted for the sake of clarity) according to the invention and shown in various positions;

Figs. 13-17

show the support arrangement according to the invention with partially transparent parts for illustrating the various parts of the support arrangement at various positions of the support arrangement, respectively; and

Fig. 18

shows an exploded perspective view of a support arrangement according to the invention.

Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention

[0044] Identical features will be provided with the same designations in the following throughout the Figures. No specific explanation will be given in connection with each single Figure.

[0045] Fig. 1 shows a cherry picker 1 including a lift 2 supporting a man cage 3. The lift 2 is intended for mounting on a vehicle 4 and includes a yaw device 5 connected with the vehicle 4, enabling rotation of the cherry picker 1 about a vertical axis 6.

[0046] The lift includes a lowermost boom 7 and an outermost boom 8 that are pivotably interconnected by a connecting joint 9. The lowermost boom 7 includes an outer profile 10 and an inner profile 11 telescoping in the outer profile 10. The lowermost boom 7 is mounted on the yaw device 5 via a support holder 12 which enables the pivoting of the lowermost boom in a vertical plane corresponding to the paper plane in Fig. 1. The outermost boom 8 can also pivot in relation to the lowermost boom 7 in this plane.

[0047] The outermost boom is provided with a support holder 13 constituting part of a support arrangement 14 (see Fig. 18) by which the man cage 3 is connected with the lift 2. This will be explained in more detail in the following.

[0048] Fig. 18 shows an embodiment of the support arrangement 14 according to the invention. The support arrangement includes the support holder 13 which is connected with the outermost boom 8. A slave cylinder 15 is provided in order to ensure that the man cage is kept with its bottom 16 (see Fig. 1) in a horizontal orientation when lifting and lowering the man cage.

[0049] The support arrangement includes a cage support 17. In the shown embodiment the cage support is provided as a cross where connecting points 18 intended for fastening the man cage in position and close to the corners of the man cage. The cage support 17 has a central part 19 in which is mounted slide shoes 20.

[0050] The support arrangement further includes a support profile 21 which is provided as a four-edged tubular section in which an actuator 22 in the form of a double-acting hydraulic cylinder is mounted pivotable about a pivot 23 extending through a bushing 24 on the actuator.

[0051] At its other end, the actuator 22 is connected with a pivot arm arrangement 25. The connection is established via pivot 26 extending through a bushing 27 for mutual rotation.

[0052] The pivot arm arrangement 25 is mounted in a mounting fitting 28 provided in the support holder 13.

[0053] The support profile 21 includes slide rails 29 interacting with slide shoes 20 for easy displacement of the cage support and thereby the man cage along the support profile 21.

[0054] The support arrangement furthermore includes a first toothed rim 30 secured to the support profile 21 by means of mounting pins 31, 32. The first toothed rim 30 is arranged for engagement with a second toothed rim 33 which is mounted rotatable relative to the support holder 13. The second toothed rim 33 is thus mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation 34.

[0055] The second toothed rim is provided with an extension 35 which at its distal end 36 is provided with a rotary connection 37 connected with a bushing 38 on an articulated arm 39.

[0056] The articulated arm 39 is provided at its other end with a fastening fitting 40 mounted on the cage support 17.

[0057] When the actuator 22 therefore rotates the second toothed rim 33, a displacement of the cage support along the support profile will be effected via the articulated arm 39, and at the same time the engagement with the first toothed rim 30 will cause rotation of the support profile 31 with the man cage 3 fitted thereon. This rotation occurs about a rotary axis of the first toothed rim 30.

[0058] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the man cage 3 mounted on the outermost boom 8. The outermost boom is made as a parallelogram with a main profile 41 connected by guide rods 42. The guide rods 42 are provided at either side of the main profile 41 such that a parallelogram for the displacement of the man cage is provided with a largely horizontal orientation of the bottom 16 of the man cage. The support profile 21 is seen under the man cage 3.

[0059] Fig. 3 shows a view corresponding to Fig. 2, seen from above. In this configuration the man cage will be disposed in an initial position where the cage sidewall 43 farthest from the outermost boom 8 is situated at right angles to the plane 44 where the two booms 7 and 8 perform mutual pivoting.

[0060] Fig. 4 shows the man cage 3 starting a counterclockwise pivoting movement. Here it is seen how the two toothed rims 30, 33 interact.

[0061] Fig. 5 shows a position where the man cage 3 is displaced to a maximum along the support profile 21. It appears here that the inner wall 45 of the man cage located closest to the outermost boom 8 is clear of the outermost boom 8.

[0062] At this position it will be possible for an operator to perform work on an adjacent wall out from the cage sidewall 43 which in an initial position will be farthest from the outermost boom 8.

[0063] As the man cage 3 frequently is rectangular with different side lengths, it is often preferred that an operator works from the sidewall 43 whereby a longer operational radius can be established than by working from one of the perpendicular sidewalls 46 that have a shorter extension that the cage sidewalls 43, 45.

[0064] Fig. 6 shows the man cage 3 when starting a clockwise pivoting movement from the initial position shown in Fig. 3.

[0065] Fig. 7 shows a view of the man cage 3 rotated 90° clockwise relative to its initial position.

[0066] Fig. 8 shows a position corresponding to Fig. 3 with the man cage removed such that the mutual positions of the elements of the support arrangement can be seen more clearly.

[0067] Fig. 9 corresponds to Fig. 4, but also without the man cage. Fig. 10 corresponds to Fig. 5, but without the man cage. Fig. 11 corresponds to Fig. 6, but without the man cage. Fig. 12 corresponds to Fig. 7, but without the man cage.

[0068] Fig. 13 is an enlarged view corresponding to Figs. 3 and 8. The support profile 21 is transparent herein such that the movement of the actuator 22 is seen more clearly. Fig. 14 is also an enlarged view corresponding to Figs. 4 and 9. Here the support profile 21 is transparent as well.

[0069] Fig. 15 corresponds to Figs. 5 and 10. Here the support profile 21 is transparent as well. Therefore it appears how the actuator 22 interacts with the pivot arm arrangement 25.

[0070] Fig. 16 is a perspective view wherein the support profile 21 is transparent as well. Fig. 16 shows a position of the cage support 17 corresponding to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 8.

[0071] Fig. 17 is a perspective view wherein the support profile 21 is transparent. The position shown in Fig. 17 corresponds to the position shown in Figs. 5 and 10.

Claims

1. A support arrangement for a man cage (3) of a cherry picker (1) which includes a lift (2) adapted for mounting on a vehicle (4), the support arrangement (14) including a cage support (17) upon which the man cage is mounted (3), a support profile (21) upon which the cage support (17) is mounted, a rotator and a support holder (13) on which the support profile (21) is mounted, at which the support holder (13) is mounted on the outermost boom (8) of the lift, characterised in that the cage support (17) is mounted displaceable along the support profile (21), and that the support profile (21) is mounted on the support holder (13) for pivoting by rotation about a vertical rotary axis (34), and that the support arrangement (14) includes moving means (22,30,33,35) adapted to establish displacement of the cage support (17) along the support profile (21) and pivoting of the support profile (21) in relation to the support holder (13).

2. Support arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the moving means (22,30,33,35) are adapted for establishing a simultaneous displacement of the cage support (17) along the support profile (21) and pivoting of the support profile (21) relative to the support holder (13).

3. Support arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the moving means (22,30,33,35) include a first toothed rim (30) that is secured to the support profile (21), an interacting second toothed rim (33) which is rotatably mounted by a bearing at the support holder (13) and which spaced apart from its rotary axis (34) via a rotary connection (37, 38) is connected with an articulated arm (39) connected with the cage support (17).

4. Support arrangement according to claim 3, characterised in that the second toothed rim (33) includes an extension (35) extending beyond the diameter of the toothed rim, and that the articulated arm (39) is connected with a distal end (36) of the extension (35).

5. Support arrangement according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the cage support (17) is provided with slide shoes (20) interacting with the support profile (21).

6. Support arrangement according to any preceding claim, characterised in that an actuator (22) is arranged within the support profile (21), preferably a hydraulic cylinder, constituting a part of the moving means (22,30,33,35) as by activation it establishes the displacement of the cage support (17) along the support profile (21) and the pivoting of the support profile (21) in relation to the support holder (13).

7. Support arrangement according to any of claims 3-5 and claim 6, characterised in that that at one end the actuator (22) is mounted rotatable relative to the support profile (21), and at the other end it is connected with a pivot arm arrangement (25) mounted on the first toothed rim (30) and on the support holder (13) such that an extending or a shortening, respectively, of the actuator (22) produces a pivoting of the support profile (21) in one or the other direction.

8. Support arrangement according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the support profile (21) is made of a four-edged tubular section.

9. Support arrangement according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the support profile (17) is provided with slide shoes (29) interacting with the cage support (21).

Drawing