U.S. patent application number 10/993163 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-06 for tiltable work platform.
Invention is credited to Lutz, David W..
Application Number | 20050220583 10/993163 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34573046 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050220583 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lutz, David W. |
October 6, 2005 |
Tiltable work platform
Abstract
A work platform assembly 10 of the invention has a base 12 and a
work platform 36 movable with respect to the base 12. The work
platform 36 can be connected to the base 12 by at least one pivot
arm. A lift device 64 is configured to move, e.g., raise and tilt,
the work platform 36 with respect to the base 12. In one particular
embodiment, the work platform 36 is connected to the base 12 by a
plurality of pivot arms that are pivotally connected to the base 12
and the work platform 36. In one embodiment, the lift device 64 is
a pneumatic lift bag located between the base 12 and the work
platform 36.
Inventors: |
Lutz, David W.; (Carlisle,
PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE WEBB LAW FIRM, P.C.
700 KOPPERS BUILDING
436 SEVENTH AVENUE
PITTSBURGH
PA
15219
US
|
Family ID: |
34573046 |
Appl. No.: |
10/993163 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60524100 |
Nov 21, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
414/425 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G 65/23 20130101;
B66F 7/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
414/425 |
International
Class: |
B65B 021/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A work platform assembly, comprising: a base; a work platform
movable with respect to the base, wherein the platform is connected
to the base by at least one pivotable support; and at least one
lift device configured to both lift and tilt the platform with
respect to the base.
2. The work platform assembly of claim 1, wherein the work platform
is connected to the base by at least one forward support and at
least one rear support.
3. The work platform assembly of claim 2, wherein the forward
supports are connected at or near the front of the work
platform.
4. The work platform assembly of claim 3, wherein the rear supports
are connected to the work platform rearwardly of the front
supports.
5. The work platform assembly of claim 1, wherein the lift device
includes at least one pneumatic lifting bag.
6. The work platform assembly of claim 1, including a turntable
connected to the base.
7. The work platform assembly of claim 2, including a receiver
operably connected to the at least one rear support and configured
to engage the lift device.
8. A work platform assembly, comprising: a base; a work platform
movable with respect to the base; a first forward support spaced
from a second forward support, with one end of each forward support
pivotally connected to the base and the other end of each forward
support pivotally connected near the front of the work platform; a
first rear support spaced from a second rear support, with one end
of each rear support pivotally connected to the base and the other
end of each rear support pivotally connected to the work platform
rearwardly of the front supports; and a pneumatic lifting device
configured to lift and tilt the work platform with respect to the
base.
9. The work platform assembly of claim 8, including a receiver
operably connected to the rear supports and configured to engage
the lifting device.
10. The work platform assembly of claim 8, including a turntable
connected to the base.
11. The work platform assembly of claim 8, including a stop
connected to the work platform.
12. The work platform assembly of claim 8, wherein the lifting
device is a pneumatic lift bag.
13. The work platform assembly of claim 12, wherein the lift bag is
a wedge-shaped lift bag.
14. A work platform assembly, comprising: a base; a work platform
connected to the base by a pair of first supports spaced from a
pair of second supports, with one end of the first and second
supports pivotally connected to the base and the other end of the
first and second supports pivotally connected to the work platform;
and a pneumatic lift bag positioned between the base and the work
platform such that inflation of the lift bag raises and tilts the
work platform with respect to the base.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/524,100, filed Nov. 21, 2003, and is
related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/349,503, filed Jan.
22, 2003, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application
Ser. No. 60/351,492, filed Jan. 24, 2002, all of which applications
are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally to industrial work
platforms and, more particularly, to a work platform assembly
having a tiltable work platform.
[0004] 2. Description of the Currently Available Technology
[0005] In many industrial applications, manufacturing components,
such as parts for use on an assembly line, are packed in large
shipping containers and shipped from one location to another, such
as from a manufacturer to an assembly facility. Typically, the
parts are placed in layers in the shipping container with the
layers separated by packing material. The shipping container is
moved to a workstation at the assembly facility where the parts are
unpacked and used by a worker on an assembly line. This movement is
typically done using a conventional motorized vehicle, such as a
forklift truck. At the workstation, the container is typically
removed from the vehicle and placed on the floor. The container is
opened and the top packing layer is removed to expose the top layer
of parts. This top layer of parts can then be removed from the
shipping container until all of the parts in this layer are gone.
The next layer of packing material can then be removed to expose
the underlying layer of parts and these parts can also be removed.
Depending upon the size of the parts and the size of the shipping
container, several layers of parts can be packed in one
container.
[0006] One drawback of this system is that as the upper layers of
parts are removed, the remaining layers of parts become more and
more inaccessible since they are lower in the container. If the
container is simply placed on the floor near the workstation, the
worker removing the parts must bend lower and lower to access and
remove each successive layer of parts. Further, as the layers of
parts are removed, the lower layers of parts on the side of the
container opposite to where the worker is standing may be beyond
the reach of the worker. Therefore, the worker may have to walk
around the container to get the parts on the other side. This
consumes valuable time which could be more productively used in the
actual manufacturing or assembly process.
[0007] In order to reduce this problem, tiltable work platforms
have been developed. These conventional work platforms typically
have a lift table with a lifting device configured to elevate the
lift table and a tilt table with a separate tilting device
configured to tilt the tilt table with respect to the lift table.
While these conventional systems work well, there are some
drawbacks. For example, the use of separate lift and tilt tables,
as well as separate lifting and tilting devices, increases the
mechanical complexity and manufacturing costs for these
devices.
[0008] Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide an apparatus
and/or method of improving the access of a worker to the open
container at a workstation that reduces or eliminates at least some
of the problems associates with conventional systems. It would also
be desirable to provide a work platform assembly that provides a
more ergonomically advantageous positioning of a container
utilizing a less mechanically complex apparatus than is currently
utilized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A work platform assembly of the invention comprises a base
and a work platform movable with respect to the base. The platform
can be connected to the base by at least one pivot arm. A lift
device is configured to move, e.g., tilt and/or raise, the platform
with respect to the base.
[0010] In one particular embodiment, the platform is connected to
the base by a plurality, e.g., four, pivot arms that are pivotally
connected to the base and the platform. For example, a forward or
first set of pivot arms and a second or rear set of pivot arms can
be connected to the base and platform. The lift device can be any
device configured to move, elevate, and/or tilt the platform with
respect to the base. In one embodiment, the lift device comprises a
pneumatic lift bag located between the base and the platform.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The general concepts of the invention will be described with
reference to the following drawing figures wherein like reference
numbers identify like parts throughout.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view of a work platform assembly of the
invention in a lowered position;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the work platform assembly
of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the work platform assembly
of FIG. 2 in an elevated position;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of the work platform assembly of FIG.
3 showing the position of a carton on the platform;
[0016] FIGS. 5 and 6 are top and bottom views, respectively, of the
work platform assembly of FIG. 1; and
[0017] FIGS. 7 and 8 are side views of the work platform assembly
of FIG. 4 showing various dimensions of a particularly preferred
embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] As used herein, spatial or directional terms, such as "top",
"bottom", "left", "right", "up", "down", "front", "rear", and the
like, relate to the invention as it is shown in the drawing
figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention can
assume various alternative orientations and, accordingly, such
terms are not to be considered as limiting. Further, all numbers
expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, and so forth, used
in the specification and claims are to be understood as being
modified in all instances by the term "about". Accordingly, unless
indicated to the contrary, the numerical values set forth in the
following specification and claims can vary depending upon the
desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention.
At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application
of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each
numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the
number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary
rounding techniques. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to
be understood to encompass any and all subranges subsumed therein.
For example, a stated range of "1 to 10" should be considered to
include any and all subranges between (and inclusive of) the
minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all
subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending
with a maximum value of 10 or less, e.g., 5.5 to 10. The dimensions
shown on the attached drawings represent one embodiment of the
invention and should not be considered as limiting.
[0019] An exemplary work platform assembly of the invention will
first be described and then a method of utilizing the work platform
assembly to retrieve parts from a shipping carton will be
described. However, it is to be understood that the exemplary work
platform assembly described in the following discussion and
specifically shown in the drawings is presented simply to disclose
the general concepts of the invention and the invention is not
limited to the specifically disclosed embodiment.
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, an exemplary work platform assembly
10 of the invention includes a base 12. In the illustrated
exemplary embodiment, the base 12 includes a flat bottom 14 with a
left side wall 16, a right side wall 18, a front wall 20, and a
rear wall 22 each extending upwardly from the bottom 14. As shown
particularly in FIG. 3, an inner left side wall 24 can be located
inwardly from the left side wall 16 to form a slot or space 26
between the inner left side wall 24 and the outer left side wall
16. Similarly, an inner right side wall 28 can be spaced inwardly
from the outer right side wall 18 to form a slot or space 30
between the inner right side wall 28 and outer right side wall 18.
The base components can be made of any suitable material, such as
but not limited to metal, and can be of any desired dimensions.
[0021] A work platform 36 is movable relative to the base 12. In
the illustrated embodiment, the work platform 36 includes a flat
top 38 having a front 40 and a rear 42. A stop 44 is attached to
the front 40 of the work platform 36. In the disclosed embodiment,
the stop 44 can be a metal plate extending upwardly from the front
40 of the work platform 36. The work platform 36 can be of any
desired material, such as but not limited to metal, and can be of
any desired dimensions.
[0022] The work platform assembly 10 includes means for tilting
and/or elevating the work platform 36 with respect to the base 12.
In the broad practice of the invention, any conventional tilting
means can be utilized, such as scissors mechanisms, hydraulic
devices, hinge assemblies, one or more pivot arms, and the like.
For example, the work platform assembly 10 can include one or more
supports extending between and pivotally connected to the base 12
and the work platform 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the work
platform assembly 10 includes a first forward support 50 spaced
from a second forward support 52. In the illustrated embodiment,
the forward supports 50, 52 can be metal strips or arms, with one
end of each arm pivotally connected to the base 12 and the other
end of each arm pivotally connected to the work platform 36. As
shown particularly in FIG. 3, the forward supports 50, 52 can be
attached to the base 12 between the inner and outer side walls,
i.e., can pivot in the spaces 26, 30 between the inner and outer
side walls. The upper end of each support 50, 52 is attached to the
work platform 36, e.g., near the front 40 of the work platform
36.
[0023] The work platform assembly 10 can further include at least
one rear support, such as at least one pivotable metal arm. In the
illustrated embodiment, a first rear support 56 is spaced from a
second rear support (not shown in the figures). The upper ends of
the rear supports are pivotally connected to the work platform 36,
e.g., at a position spaced from the upper ends of the forward
supports 50, 52. The upper ends of the rear supports are connected
to the work platform 36 rearwardly of the upper ends of the forward
supports 50, 52. The lower ends of the rear supports are pivotally
connected to the base 12. The rear supports can form or can be
connected to a receiver 60 configured to receive one end, e.g., the
upper end, of a lift device as described in more detail below. In
the illustrated embodiment, the receiver 60 (FIG. 4) is a
substantially inverted U-shaped (in cross section) member located
between the rear supports. For example, the receiver 60 can be
located on or formed in a metal piece extending between the rear
supports.
[0024] A lift device 64 is positioned between the base 12 and the
work platform 36 and is configured to elevate, tilt, or move the
work platform 36 with respect to the base 12. The lift device 64
can be of any conventional type, such as but not limited to a
mechanical screw, a scissors-type lifting mechanism, a hydraulic
jack, an electrical lifting arm, or a pneumatic lift device, just
to name a few. In the illustrated embodiment, the lift device 64 is
a pneumatic device comprising one or more conventional lifting bags
66 which, when inflated, lift, tilt, and/or elevate the work
platform 36 with respect to the base 12. Suitable lifting bags are
commercially available from Carter Lift Bag, Inc. of Enumclaw,
Wash. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom of the lift device
64 is attached to or rests on the base 12. The top of the lift
device 64 is connected to at least one of the rear supports. For
example, the top of the lift device 64 can extend into the receiver
60, e.g., when inflated. The lift bag can be, for example, a
wedge-shaped lift bag. By "wedge-shaped lift bag" is meant a lift
bag that, when inflated, forms a wedge shape such that the top
surface of the lift bag is inclined or angled with respect to the
lift bag bottom. In another embodiment, the receiver 60 can be
connected to or formed on the bottom of the work platform 36 rather
than connected to the rear supports.
[0025] An exemplary method of utilizing the work platform assembly
10 of the invention will now be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and
2, with the work platform assembly 10 in the lowered position, the
front or upper ends of the front and rear supports are pivoted
forward with respect to the base 12, and the bottom 14 of the work
platform 36 rests on or is adjacent to the top of the base 12
(i.e., the upstanding walls of the base 12). As shown in FIGS. 4,
7, and 8, a carton 70 containing parts to be unloaded can be placed
on top of the work platform 36 with the front of the carton 70
adjacent to or abutting the inner surface of the stop 44. To
elevate the work platform 36 and provide access to the contents of
the carton 70, the lift device 64 is activated. As will be
understood particularly from FIGS. 4 and 7, as air is introduced
into the pneumatic lift device, the lift device 64 pushes or
applies a pressure upwardly against the rear supports, e.g., into
the receiver 60. As the lift device 64 pushes upwardly against the
receiver 60 (or rear supports), the work platform 36 is pivoted
upwardly on the front and rear supports, with the front of the work
platform 36 moving in the path 72 and the rear of the work platform
36 moving in the path 73 shown in dashed lines in FIG. 7. When the
work platform 36 reaches a desired elevation and/or angle, the lift
device 64 can be stopped to hold the work platform 36 at the
desired elevation and/or angle. The stop 44 prevents the carton 70
from sliding off the front of the work platform 36. The work
platform 36 can be held in place by the pressure of the lift bag,
or a conventional locking device, such as a metal rod or metal
latch, can be used to hold the work platform 36 in place.
[0026] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the work
platform assembly 10 of the invention provides both a lifting and
tilting function without the need for separate lift and tilt tables
nor the need for separate lifting and tilting devices. The present
invention combines both the lifting and tilting functions into one
simple mechanical design. The lifting and tilting functions occur
in one continuous or progressive motion rather than in two separate
stages, as with previous work platforms.
[0027] As shown by lines 72 and 73 in FIG. 7, the work platform 36
initially begins to lift when the lifting device is activated and
then smoothly lifts and tilts until a final desired position is
achieved. A majority of the tilting motion occurs near the end of
the lifting motion.
[0028] Most shipping cartons have drop doors 74 which fold down to
allow easier access to parts at the bottom of the carton. A worker
can begin to remove parts from the carton 70 and, when the level of
parts is below the level of the drop door 74, can open the drop
door 74 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 to allow the worker easier access
to the parts near the bottom of the carton 70. When the required
parts have been removed, the locking device (if present) can be
unlocked and the lift device 64 can be deactivated or reversed to
pivot the work platform 36 downwardly towards the base 12 on the
support arms. The carton 70 can then be removed and another carton
placed on the top of the work platform 36 and the work platform 36
again elevated to allow the worker access to the parts in the
container.
[0029] As shown particularly in FIG. 4, the present invention
provides a more ergonomically advantageous positioning of a
container than is possible with conventional devices. The container
is positioned at a higher elevation, requiring less bending to
access the parts, and also does not extend into the workstation as
much as previous devices, which increases the work space available
to a worker.
[0030] It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art
that modifications may be made to the invention without departing
from the concepts disclosed in the foregoing description. For
example, a turntable 80 (FIG. 4) could be attached to the bottom of
the base 12 to allow the base 12 and, hence, the work platform
assembly 10 to be pivoted or turned at the workstation.
Accordingly, the particular embodiments described in detail herein
are illustrative only and are not limiting to the scope of the
invention, which is to be given the full breadth of the appended
claims and any and all equivalents thereof.
* * * * *