U.S. patent application number 11/170684 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-04 for self-erecting suspension platform system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sky Climber LLC. Invention is credited to George Anasis, Jean-Francois DeSmedt, Robert E. Eddy.
Application Number | 20070000724 11/170684 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37588153 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070000724 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Anasis; George ; et
al. |
January 4, 2007 |
Self-erecting suspension platform system
Abstract
A self-erecting suspension platform system having a work
platform suspended between a sinistral modular mast and a dextral
modular mast by a hoisting system. The modular masts are composed
of at least two mast units stacked vertically and attached to one
another. Each mast unit has a multifunction rail including a
plurality of safety engagement devices and a stabilizer guide
device, a unit interconnection device, and a unit assembly guide.
The work platform has at least two mast stabilizers that cooperate
with the stabilizer guide devices to prevent undesired swaying of
the suspended work platform. The work platform has a plurality of
platform mast engagers cooperating with at least one of the mast
safety engagement devices to releasably lock the platform to the
modular mast. The hoisting system includes multiple carriages,
hoists, and mast cables. Each carriage receives the associated mast
so that the carriage may be conveniently slid up and down the
mast.
Inventors: |
Anasis; George; (Lewis
Center, OH) ; Eddy; Robert E.; (Johnstown, OH)
; DeSmedt; Jean-Francois; (Joachign, BE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GALLAGHER & DAWSEY CO., L.P.A.
P.O. BOX 785
COLUMBUS
OH
43216
US
|
Assignee: |
Sky Climber LLC
|
Family ID: |
37588153 |
Appl. No.: |
11/170684 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
182/141 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04G 1/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
182/141 |
International
Class: |
E04G 3/28 20060101
E04G003/28 |
Claims
1. A self-erecting suspension platform system (10), comprising: a
sinistral modular mast (100) having at least a first sinistral mast
unit (110a) and a second sinistral mast unit (110b), wherein the
first sinistral mast unit (110a) and the second sinistral mast unit
(110b) are substantially identical with each having a distal end
(112), a proximal end (114), a multifunction rail (116) extending
from the distal end (112) to the proximal end (114) including a
plurality of safety engagement devices (117) and a stabilizer guide
device (122), a unit interconnection device (135) located
substantially near the distal end (112), and a unit assembly guide
(140) located substantially near the distal end (112) and
configured such that when a portion of the distal end (112) of a
second sinistral mast unit (110b) is placed in contact with the
proximal end (114) of the adjacent first sinistral mast unit (110a)
in the vertical position that the unit assembly guide (140)
pivotably secures the second sinistral mast unit (110b) to the
first sinistral mast unit (110a) such that the second sinistral
mast unit (110b) may be securely rotated into a vertical position
such that the unit interconnection device (135) attaches the second
sinistral mast unit (110b) to the first sinistral mast unit (110a);
a dextral modular mast (200), separated from the sinistral modular
mast (100) by a mast separation distance (50), having at least a
first dextral mast unit (210a) and a second dextral mast unit
(210b), wherein the first dextral mast unit (210a) and the second
dextral mast unit (210b) are substantially identical with each
having a distal end (212), a proximal end (214), a multifunction
rail (216) extending from the distal end (212) to the proximal end
(214) including a plurality of safety engagement devices (217) and
a stabilizer guide device (222), a unit interconnection device
(235) located substantially near the distal end (212), and a unit
assembly guide (240) located substantially near the distal end
(212) and configured such that when a portion of the distal end
(212) of a second dextral mast unit (210b) is placed in contact
with the proximal end (214) of the adjacent first dextral mast unit
(210a) in the vertical position that the unit assembly guide (240)
pivotably secures the second sinistral mast unit (110b) to the
first sinistral mast unit (110a) such that the second sinistral
mast unit (110b) may be securely rotated into a vertical position
such that the unit interconnection device (235) attaches the second
sinistral mast unit (110b) to the first sinistral mast unit (110a);
a work platform (300) having a sinistral end (302) and a dextral
end (304), a railing (310), a sinistral mast stabilizer (320)
attached to the platform (300) and configured to cooperate with the
sinistral mast stabilizer guide device (122) of the sinistral mast
multifunction rail (116) to prevent undesired swaying of the
suspended work platform (300), a dextral mast stabilizer (330)
attached to the platform (300) and configured to cooperate with the
dextral mast stabilizer guide device (222) of the dextral mast
multifunction rail (216) to prevent undesired swaying of the
suspended work platform (300), a sinistral platform mast engager
(340) attached to the platform (300) and configured to cooperate
with at least one of the plurality of sinistral mast safety
engagement devices (117) of the sinistral mast multifunction rail
(116) to releasably lock the platform (300) to the sinistral
modular mast (100) thereby preventing unintentional descent of the
platform (300), a dextral platform mast engager (350) attached to
the platform (300) and configured to cooperate with at least one of
the plurality of dextral mast safety engagement devices (217) of
the dextral mast multifunction rail (216) to releasably lock the
platform (300) to the dextral modular mast (200) thereby preventing
unintentional descent of the platform (300), wherein the work
platform (300) is located between the sinistral modular mast (100)
and the dextral modular mast (200) such that the work platform
sinistral end (302) is adjacent to the sinistral modular mast (100)
and the work platform dextral end (304) is adjacent to the dextral
modular mast (200); a hoisting system (400) configured to suspend
the working platform (300) from the sinistral modular mast (100)
and the dextral modular mast (200), including, A) a sinistral
carriage (450) adapted to cooperatively receive the sinistral
modular mast (100) so that the sinistral carriage (450) may be
conveniently slid up and down the sinistral modular mast (100) by a
user, having a proximal end (466), a distal end (467), a body
(452), a cable connector (454), an operator handle (456), and a
carriage mast engager (460) to releasably lock the sinistral
carriage (450) to the sinistral modular mast (100) thereby
preventing unintentional descent of the sinistral carriage (450),
B) a dextral carriage (470) adapted to cooperatively receive the
dextral modular mast (200) so that the dextral carriage (470) may
be conveniently slid up and down the dextral modular mast (200) by
a user, having a proximal end (486), a distal end (487), a body
(472), a cable connector (474), an operator handle (476), and a
carriage mast engager (480) to releasably lock the dextral carriage
(470) to the dextral modular mast (200) thereby preventing
unintentional descent of the dextral carriage (470), C) a sinistral
mast hoist (430) attached to the working platform (300) near the
sinistral end (302), D) a dextral mast hoist (440) attached to the
working platform (300) near the dextral end (304), E) a sinistral
mast cable (410) attached to the cable connector (454) of the
sinistral carriage (450) and the sinistral mast hoist (430) thereby
suspending the working platform (300) from the sinistral carriage
(450) and adjusting the elevation of the working platform (300) as
the sinistral mast cable (410) is extended and retracted by the
sinistral mast hoist (430), F) a dextral mast cable (420) attached
to the cable connector (474) of the dextral carriage (470) and the
dextral mast hoist (440) thereby suspending the working platform
(300) from the dextral carriage (470) and adjusting the elevation
of the working platform (300) as the dextral mast cable (420) is
extended and retracted by the dextral mast hoist (440), and a
control system (500) having a central control station (510) in
communication with the sinistral mast hoist (430) and the dextral
mast hoist (440) thereby controlling the elevation of the work
platform (300) by extending and retracting the sinistral mast cable
(410) and the dextral mast cable (420) from the sinistral mast
hoist (430) and the dextral mast hoist (440).
2. The platform system (10) of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
sinistral safety engagement devices (117) are sinistral locking
recesses (118) formed in the sinistral multifunction rail (116),
and the plurality of dextral safety engagement devices (217) are
dextral locking recesses (218) formed in the dextral multifunction
rail (216).
3. The platform system (10) of claim 2, wherein the sinistral
carriage mast engager (460) includes a sinistral carriage locking
tongue (462) formed to cooperate with the sinistral locking
recesses (118) so that the sinistral carriage locking tongue (462)
can extend into, and retract from, any one of the sinistral locking
recesses (118) to releasably secure the sinistral carriage (450) to
the sinistral multifunction rail (116), and the dextral carriage
mast engager (480) includes a dextral carriage locking tongue (482)
formed to cooperate with the dextral locking recesses (218) so that
the dextral carriage locking tongue (482) can extend into, and
retract from, any one of the dextral locking recesses (218) to
releasably secure the dextral carriage (470) to the dextral
multifunction rail (216).
4. The platform system (10) of claim 2, wherein the sinistral
platform mast engager (340) includes a sinistral platform locking
tongue (342) formed to cooperate with the sinistral locking
recesses (118) so that the sinistral platform locking tongue (342)
can extend into, and retract from, any one of the sinistral locking
recesses (118) to releasably secure the work platform sinistral end
(302) to the sinistral multifunction rail (116), and the dextral
platform mast engager (350) includes a dextral platform locking
tongue (352) formed to cooperate with the dextral locking recesses
(218) so that the dextral platform locking tongue (352) can extend
into, and retract from, any one of the dextral locking recesses
(218) to releasably secure the work platform dextral end (304) to
the dextral multifunction rail (216).
5. The platform system (10) of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
sinistral safety engagement devices (117) are sinistral locking
projections (119) extending from the sinistral multifunction rail
(116), and the plurality of dextral safety engagement devices (217)
are dextral locking projections (219) extending from the dextral
multifunction rail (216).
6. The platform system (10) of claim 5, wherein the sinistral
carriage mast engager (460) includes a sinistral carriage locking
tongue (462) formed to cooperate with the sinistral locking
projections (119) so that the sinistral carriage locking tongue
(462) can engage with, and disengage from, any one of the sinistral
locking projections (119) to releasably secure the sinistral
carriage (450) to the sinistral multifunction rail (116), and the
dextral carriage mast engager (480) includes a dextral carriage
locking tongue (482) formed to cooperate with the dextral locking
projections (219) so that the dextral carriage locking tongue (482)
can engage with, and disengage from, any one of the dextral locking
projections (219) to releasably secure the dextral carriage (470)
to the dextral multifunction rail (216).
7. The platform system (10) of claim 5, wherein the sinistral
platform mast engager (340) includes a sinistral platform locking
tongue (342) formed to cooperate with the sinistral locking
projections (119) so that the sinistral platform locking tongue
(342) can engage with, and disengage from, any one of the sinistral
locking projections (119) to releasably secure the work platform
sinistral end (302) to the sinistral multifunction rail (116), and
the dextral platform mast engager (350) includes a dextral platform
locking tongue (352) formed to cooperate with the dextral locking
projections (219) so that the dextral platform locking tongue (352)
can engage with, and disengage from, any one of the dextral locking
projections (219) to releasably secure the work platform dextral
end (304) to the dextral multifunction rail (216).
8. The platform system (10) of claim 1, wherein the sinistral
stabilizer guide device (122) is integral to the sinistral
multifunction rail (116) and the dextral stabilizer guide device
(222) is integral to the dextral multifunction rail (216).
9. The platform system (10) of claim 8, wherein the work platform
sinistral mast stabilizer (320) includes at least one sinistral
platform roller (322) in rolling contact with the sinistral
stabilizer guide device (122) to prevent swaying of the suspended
work platform (300) and the work platform dextral mast stabilizer
(330) includes at least one dextral platform roller (332) in
rolling contact with the dextral stabilizer guide device (222) to
prevent swaying of the suspended work platform (300).
10. The platform system (10) of claim 8, wherein the sinistral
multifunction rail (116) is a U-shaped sinistral multifunction rail
(125) having a bearing surface (126), a first sidewall (127), and a
second sidewall (128) wherein sinistral mast stabilizer (320) is
retained between the first sidewall (127) and the second sidewall
(128), and the dextral multifunction rail (216) is a U-shaped
dextral multifunction rail (225) having a bearing surface (226), a
first sidewall (227), and a second sidewall (228) wherein dextral
mast stabilizer (330) is retained between the first sidewall (227)
and the second sidewall (228).
11. The platform system (10) of claim 8, wherein the sinistral
multifunction rail (116) is a V-shaped sinistral multifunction rail
(130) having a first bearing surface (131) substantially orthogonal
to a second bearing surface (132) wherein sinistral mast stabilizer
(320) is retained between the first bearing surface (131) and the
second bearing surface (132), and the dextral multifunction rail
(216) is a V-shaped dextral multifunction rail (230) having a first
bearing surface (231) substantially orthogonal to a second bearing
surface (232) wherein dextral mast stabilizer (330) is retained
between the first bearing surface (231) and the second bearing
surface (232).
12. The platform system (10) of claim 6, wherein the sinistral
carriage cable connector (454) is located substantially at the
sinistral carriage distal end (467) and the sinistral carriage
locking tongue (462) is a locking wedge (463) rigidly attached to
the sinistral carriage (450) below the sinistral cable connector
(454) and at, or above, the sinistral carriage proximal end (466),
and the dextral carriage cable connector (474) is located
substantially at the dextral carriage distal end (477) and the
dextral carriage locking tongue (472) is a locking wedge (483)
rigidly attached to the dextral carriage (470) below the dextral
cable connector (474) and at, or above, the dextral carriage
proximal end (476), wherein to move the sinistral carriage (450)
relative to the sinistral modular mast (100) the sinistral carriage
locking wedge (463) and the sinistral carriage proximal end (466)
must be moved away from the sinistral locking projections (119) so
that the sinistral carriage locking wedge (463) may pass the
sinistral locking projections (119) as the sinistral carriage (450)
traverses the sinistral modular mast (100), and to move the dextral
carriage (470) relative to the dextral modular mast (200) the
dextral carriage locking wedge (483) and the dextral carriage
proximal end (486) must be moved away from the dextral locking
projections (219) so that the dextral carriage locking wedge (483)
may pass the dextral locking projections (219) as the dextral
carriage (470) traverses the dextral modular mast (200), and upon
application of a suspension force on the sinistral carriage cable
connector (454) the sinistral carriage locking wedge (463) engages
at least one sinistral locking projection (119) thereby preventing
movement of the sinistral carriage (450) and upon application of a
suspension force on the dextral carriage cable connector (474) the
dextral carriage locking wedge (483) engages at least one dextral
locking projection (219) thereby preventing movement of the dextral
carriage (470).
13. The platform system (10) of claim 6, wherein the sinistral
carriage cable connector (454) is located substantially at the
sinistral carriage distal end (467) and the sinistral carriage
locking tongue (462) is a biased locking pawl (464) attached to the
sinistral carriage (450) below the sinistral cable connector (454)
and at, or above, the sinistral carriage proximal end (466), and
the dextral carriage cable connector (474) is located substantially
at the dextral carriage distal end (477) and the dextral carriage
locking tongue (472) is a biased locking pawl (484) attached to the
dextral carriage (470) below the dextral cable connector (474) and
at, or above, the dextral carriage proximal end (476), wherein to
increase the elevation of the sinistral carriage (450) relative to
the sinistral modular mast (100) the sinistral carriage (450) is
forced upward and the sinistral carriage biased locking pawl (464)
pivots as it contacts the sinistral locking projections (119) so
that the sinistral carriage (450) may pass the sinistral locking
projections (119) as the sinistral carriage (450) traverses the
sinistral modular mast (100), and to increase the elevation of the
dextral carriage (470) relative to the dextral modular mast (200)
the dextral carriage (470) is forced upward and the dextral
carriage biased locking pawl (474) pivots as it contacts the
dextral locking projections (219) so that the dextral carriage
(470) may pass the dextral locking projections (219) as the dextral
carriage (470) traverses the dextral modular mast (200), and upon
application of a suspension force on the sinistral carriage cable
connector (454) the sinistral carriage biased locking pawl (464)
engages at least one sinistral locking projection (119) thereby
preventing movement of the sinistral carriage (450) and upon
application of a suspension force on the dextral carriage cable
connector (474) the dextral carriage biased locking pawl (484)
engages at least one dextral locking projection (219) thereby
preventing movement of the dextral carriage (470).
14. The platform system (10) of claim 7, wherein the sinistral
platform locking tongue (342) is a biased locking pawl (344) and
the dextral platform locking tongue (352) is a biased locking pawl
(354), wherein to increase the elevation of the work platform (300)
relative to the sinistral modular mast (100) and the dextral
modular mast (200) the sinistral hoist (430) and the dextral hoist
(440) pull the work platform upward and the sinistral platform
biased locking pawl (344) pivots as it contacts the sinistral
locking projections (119) so that the sinistral platform biased
locking pawl (344) may pass the sinistral locking projections (119)
as the work platform (300) traverses the sinistral modular mast
(100) and the dextral platform biased locking pawl (354) pivots as
it contacts the dextral locking projections (119) so that the
dextral platform biased locking pawl (354) may pass the dextral
locking projections (119) as the work platform (300) traverses the
dextral modular mast (200), and upon deactivation of a sinistral
hoist suspension force the sinistral platform biased locking pawl
(344) engages at least one sinistral locking projection (119)
thereby preventing movement of the work platform sinistral end
(302) and upon deactivation of a dextral hoist suspension force the
dextral platform biased locking pawl (354) engages at least one
dextral locking projection (219) thereby preventing movement of the
work platform dextral end (304).
15. The platform system (10) of claim 1, wherein the sinistral
carriage operator handle (456) includes a sinistral engager
activation device (457) that activates and deactivates the
sinistral carriage mast engager (460) to releasably lock the
sinistral carriage (450) to the sinistral modular mast (100)
thereby preventing unintentional descent of the sinistral carriage
(450), and the dextral carriage operator handle (476) includes a
dextral engager activation device (477) that activates and
deactivates the dextral carriage mast engager (480) to releasably
lock the dextral carriage (470) to the dextral modular mast (200)
thereby preventing unintentional descent of the dextral carriage
(470).
16. The platform system (10) of claim 1, wherein the sinistral
carriage body (452) completely encircles the sinistral modular mast
perimeter (145) and the dextral carriage body (472) completely
encircles the dextral modular mast perimeter (245).
17. The platform system (10) of claim 1, wherein the sinistral
carriage (450) includes a guide (458) configured to cooperate with
the sinistral multifunction rail (116) and constrain the movement
of the sinistral carriage (450) on the sinistral modular mast (100)
and the dextral carriage (470) includes a guide (478) configured to
cooperate with the dextral multifunction rail (216) and constrain
the movement of the dextral carriage (470) on the dextral modular
mast (200).
18. The platform system (10) of claim 1, wherein the sinistral unit
assembly guide (140) includes a hook device (142) located
substantially near the distal end (112) and configured such that
when a portion of the distal end (112) of a second sinistral mast
unit (110b) is placed in contact with the proximal end (114) of the
adjacent first sinistral mast unit (110a) in the vertical position
that the hook device (142) pivotably secures the second sinistral
mast unit (110b) to the first sinistral mast unit (110a) such that
the second sinistral mast unit (110b) may be securely rotated into
a vertical position such that the sinistral unit interconnection
device (135) attaches the second sinistral mast unit (110b) to the
first sinistral mast unit (110a), and the dextral unit assembly
guide (240) includes a hook device (242) located substantially near
the distal end (212) and configured such that when a portion of the
distal end (212) of a second dextral mast unit (210b) is placed in
contact with the proximal end (214) of the adjacent first dextral
mast unit (210a) in the vertical position that the hook device
(242) pivotably secures the second dextral mast unit (210b) to the
first dextral mast unit (210a) such that the second dextral mast
unit (210b) may be securely rotated into a vertical position such
that the dextral unit interconnection device (235) attaches the
second dextral mast unit (210b) to the first dextral mast unit
(210a).
19. A self-erecting suspension platform system (10), comprising: a
sinistral modular mast (100) having at least a first sinistral mast
unit (110a) and a second sinistral mast unit (110b), wherein the
first sinistral mast unit (110a) and the second sinistral mast unit
(110b) are substantially identical with each having a distal end
(112), a proximal end (114), a multifunction rail (116) extending
from the distal end (112) to the proximal end (114) including a
plurality of safety engagement devices (117) and a stabilizer guide
device (122) integral to the multifunction rail (116), a unit
interconnection device (135) located substantially near the distal
end (112), and a unit assembly guide (140) located substantially
near the distal end (112) and configured such that when a portion
of the distal end (112) of a second sinistral mast unit (110b) is
placed in contact with the proximal end (114) of the adjacent first
sinistral mast unit (110a) in the vertical position that the unit
assembly guide (140) pivotably secures the second sinistral mast
unit (110b) to the first sinistral mast unit (110a) such that the
second sinistral mast unit (110b) may be securely rotated into a
vertical position such that the unit interconnection device (135)
attaches the second sinistral mast unit (110b) to the first
sinistral mast unit (110a), wherein the plurality of sinistral
safety engagement devices (117) are sinistral locking recesses
(118) formed in the sinistral multifunction rail (116); a dextral
modular mast (200), separated from the sinistral modular mast (100)
by a mast separation distance (50), having at least a first dextral
mast unit (210a) and a second dextral mast unit (210b), wherein the
first dextral mast unit (210a) and the second dextral mast unit
(210b) are substantially identical with each having a distal end
(212), a proximal end (214), a multifunction rail (216) extending
from the distal end (212) to the proximal end (214) including a
plurality of safety engagement devices (217) and a stabilizer guide
device (222) integral to the multifunction rail (216), a unit
interconnection device (235) located substantially near the distal
end (212), and a unit assembly guide (240) located substantially
near the distal end (212) and configured such that when a portion
of the distal end (212) of a second dextral mast unit (210b) is
placed in contact with the proximal end (214) of the adjacent first
dextral mast unit (210a) in the vertical position that the unit
assembly guide (240) pivotably secures the second sinistral mast
unit (110b) to the first sinistral mast unit (110a) such that the
second sinistral mast unit (110b) may be securely rotated into a
vertical position such that the unit interconnection device (235)
attaches the second sinistral mast unit (110b) to the first
sinistral mast unit (110a), wherein the plurality of dextral safety
engagement devices (217) are dextral locking recesses (218) formed
in the dextral multifunction rail (216); a work platform (300)
having a sinistral end (302) and a dextral end (304), a railing
(310), a sinistral mast stabilizer (320), including at least one
sinistral platform roller (322) in rolling contact with the
sinistral stabilizer guide device (122), attached to the platform
(300) and configured to cooperate with the sinistral mast
stabilizer guide device (122) of the sinistral mast multifunction
rail (116) to prevent undesired swaying of the suspended work
platform (300), a dextral mast stabilizer (330), including at least
one dextral platform roller (332) in rolling contact with the
dextral stabilizer guide device (222), attached to the platform
(300) and configured to cooperate with the dextral mast stabilizer
guide device (222) of the dextral mast multifunction rail (216) to
prevent undesired swaying of the suspended work platform (300), a
sinistral platform mast engager (340) attached to the platform
(300) and configured to cooperate with at least one of the
plurality of sinistral mast safety engagement devices (117) of the
sinistral mast multifunction rail (116) to releasably lock the
platform (300) to the sinistral modular mast (100) thereby
preventing unintentional descent of the platform (300), a dextral
platform mast engager (350) attached to the platform (300) and
configured to cooperate with at least one of the plurality of
dextral mast safety engagement devices (217) of the dextral mast
multifunction rail (216) to releasably lock the platform (300) to
the dextral modular mast (200) thereby preventing unintentional
descent of the platform (300), wherein the work platform (300) is
located between the sinistral modular mast (100) and the dextral
modular mast (200) such that the work platform sinistral end (302)
is adjacent to the sinistral modular mast (100) and the work
platform dextral end (304) is adjacent to the dextral modular mast
(200), wherein the sinistral platform mast engager (340) includes a
sinistral platform locking tongue (342) formed to cooperate with
the sinistral locking recesses (118) so that the sinistral platform
locking tongue (342) can extend into, and retract from, any one of
the sinistral locking recesses (118) to releasably secure the work
platform sinistral end (302) to the sinistral multifunction rail
(116), and the dextral platform mast engager (350) includes a
dextral platform locking tongue (352) formed to cooperate with the
dextral locking recesses (218) so that the dextral platform locking
tongue (352) can extend into, and retract from, any one of the
dextral locking recesses (218) to releasably secure the work
platform dextral end (304) to the dextral multifunction rail (216);
a hoisting system (400) configured to suspend the working platform
(300) from the sinistral modular mast (100) and the dextral modular
mast (200), including, A) a sinistral carriage (450) adapted to
cooperatively receive the sinistral modular mast (100) so that the
sinistral carriage (450) may be conveniently slid up and down the
sinistral modular mast (100) by a user, having a proximal end
(466), a distal end (467), a body (452) that completely encircles
the sinistral modular mast perimeter (145), a cable connector
(454), an operator handle (456), a carriage mast engager (460)
including a sinistral carriage locking tongue (462) formed to
cooperate with the sinistral locking recesses (118) so that the
sinistral carriage locking tongue (462) can extend into, and
retract from, any one of the sinistral locking recesses (118) to
releasably secure the sinistral carriage (450) to the sinistral
multifunction rail (116) thereby preventing unintentional descent
of the sinistral carriage (450), and a guide (458) configured to
cooperate with the sinistral multifunction rail (116) and constrain
the movement of the sinistral carriage (450) on the sinistral
modular mast (100), B) a dextral carriage (470) adapted to
cooperatively receive the dextral modular mast (200) so that the
dextral carriage (470) may be conveniently slid up and down the
dextral modular mast (200) by a user, having a proximal end (486),
a distal end (487), a body (472) that completely encircles the
dextral modular mast perimeter (245), a cable connector (474), an
operator handle (476), a carriage mast engager (480) including a
dextral carriage locking tongue (482) formed to cooperate with the
dextral locking recesses (218) so that the dextral carriage locking
tongue (482) can extend into, and retract from, any one of the
dextral locking recesses (218) to releasably secure the dextral
carriage (470) to the dextral multifunction rail (216) thereby
preventing unintentional descent of the dextral carriage (470), and
a guide (478) configured to cooperate with the dextral
multifunction rail (216) and constrain the movement of the dextral
carriage (470) on the dextral modular mast (200), C) a sinistral
mast hoist (430) attached to the working platform (300) near the
sinistral end (302), D) a dextral mast hoist (440) attached to the
working platform (300) near the dextral end (304), E) a sinistral
mast cable (410) attached to the cable connector (454) of the
sinistral carriage (450) and the sinistral mast hoist (430) thereby
suspending the working platform (300) from the sinistral carriage
(450) and adjusting the elevation of the working platform (300) as
the sinistral mast cable (410) is extended and retracted by the
sinistral mast hoist (430), F) a dextral mast cable (420) attached
to the cable connector (474) of the dextral carriage (470) and the
dextral mast hoist (440) thereby suspending the working platform
(300) from the dextral carriage (470) and adjusting the elevation
of the working platform (300) as the dextral mast cable (420) is
extended and retracted by the dextral mast hoist (440), and a
control system (500) having a central control station (510) in
communication with the sinistral mast hoist (430) and the dextral
mast hoist (440) thereby controlling the elevation of the work
platform (300) by extending and retracting the sinistral mast cable
(410) and the dextral mast cable (420) from the sinistral mast
hoist (430) and the dextral mast hoist (440).
20. A self-erecting suspension platform system (10), comprising: a
sinistral modular mast (100) having at least a first sinistral mast
unit (110a) and a second sinistral mast unit (110b), wherein the
first sinistral mast unit (110a) and the second sinistral mast unit
(110b) are substantially identical with each having a distal end
(112), a proximal end (114), a multifunction rail (116) extending
from the distal end (112) to the proximal end (114) including a
plurality of safety engagement devices (117) and a stabilizer guide
device (122) integral to the multifunction rail (116), a unit
interconnection device (135) located substantially near the distal
end (112), and a unit assembly guide (140) located substantially
near the distal end (112) and configured such that when a portion
of the distal end (112) of a second sinistral mast unit (110b) is
placed in contact with the proximal end (114) of the adjacent first
sinistral mast unit (110a) in the vertical position that the unit
assembly guide (140) pivotably secures the second sinistral mast
unit (110b) to the first sinistral mast unit (110a) such that the
second sinistral mast unit (110b) may be securely rotated into a
vertical position such that the unit interconnection device (135)
attaches the second sinistral mast unit (110b) to the first
sinistral mast unit (110a), wherein the plurality of sinistral
safety engagement devices (117) are sinistral locking projections
(119) extending from the sinistral multifunction rail (116); a
dextral modular mast (200), separated from the sinistral modular
mast (100) by a mast separation distance (50), having at least a
first dextral mast unit (210a) and a second dextral mast unit
(210b), wherein the first dextral mast unit (210a) and the second
dextral mast unit (210b) are substantially identical with each
having a distal end (212), a proximal end (214), a multifunction
rail (216) extending from the distal end (212) to the proximal end
(214) including a plurality of safety engagement devices (217) and
a stabilizer guide device (222) integral to the multifunction rail
(216), a unit interconnection device (235) located substantially
near the distal end (212), and a unit assembly guide (240) located
substantially near the distal end (212) and configured such that
when a portion of the distal end (212) of a second dextral mast
unit (210b) is placed in contact with the proximal end (214) of the
adjacent first dextral mast unit (210a) in the vertical position
that the unit assembly guide (240) pivotably secures the second
sinistral mast unit (210b) to the first sinistral mast unit (110a)
such that the second sinistral mast unit (110b) may be securely
rotated into a vertical position such that the unit interconnection
device (235) attaches the second sinistral mast unit (110b) to the
first sinistral mast unit (110a), wherein the plurality of dextral
safety engagement devices (217) are dextral locking projections
(219) extending from the dextral multifunction rail (216); a work
platform (300) having a sinistral end (302) and a dextral end
(304), a railing (310), a sinistral mast stabilizer (320),
including at least one sinistral platform roller (322) in rolling
contact with the sinistral stabilizer guide device (122), attached
to the platform (300) and configured to cooperate with the
sinistral mast stabilizer guide device (122) of the sinistral mast
multifunction rail (116) to prevent undesired swaying of the
suspended work platform (300), a dextral mast stabilizer (330),
including at least one dextral platform roller (332) in rolling
contact with the dextral stabilizer guide device (222), attached to
the platform (300) and configured to cooperate with the dextral
mast stabilizer guide device (222) of the dextral mast
multifunction rail (216) to prevent undesired swaying of the
suspended work platform (300), a sinistral platform mast engager
(340) attached to the platform (300) and configured to cooperate
with at least one of the plurality of sinistral mast safety
engagement devices (117) of the sinistral mast multifunction rail
(116) to releasably lock the platform (300) to the sinistral
modular mast (100) thereby preventing unintentional descent of the
platform (300), a dextral platform mast engager (350) attached to
the platform (300) and configured to cooperate with at least one of
the plurality of dextral mast safety engagement devices (217) of
the dextral mast multifunction rail (216) to releasably lock the
platform (300) to the dextral modular mast (200) thereby preventing
unintentional descent of the platform (300), wherein the work
platform (300) is located between the sinistral modular mast (100)
and the dextral modular mast (200) such that the work platform
sinistral end (302) is adjacent to the sinistral modular mast (100)
and the work platform dextral end (304) is adjacent to the dextral
modular mast (200), wherein the sinistral platform mast engager
(340) includes a sinistral platform locking tongue (342) formed to
cooperate with the sinistral locking projections (119) so that the
sinistral platform locking tongue (342) can engage with, and
disengage from, any one of the sinistral locking projections (119)
to releasably secure the work platform sinistral end (302) to the
sinistral multifunction rail (116), and the dextral platform mast
engager (350) includes a dextral platform locking tongue (352)
formed to cooperate with the dextral locking projections (219) so
that the dextral platform locking tongue (352) can engage with, and
disengage from, any one of the dextral locking projections (219) to
releasably secure the work platform dextral end (304) to the
dextral multifunction rail (216); a hoisting system (400)
configured to suspend the working platform (300) from the sinistral
modular mast (100) and the dextral modular mast (200), including,
A) a sinistral carriage (450) adapted to cooperatively receive the
sinistral modular mast (100) so that the sinistral carriage (450)
may be conveniently slid up and down the sinistral modular mast
(100) by a user, having a proximal end (466), a distal end (467), a
body (452) that completely encircles the sinistral modular mast
perimeter (145), a cable connector (454), an operator handle (456),
a carriage mast engager (460) including a sinistral carriage
locking tongue (462) formed to cooperate with the sinistral locking
projections (119) so that the sinistral carriage locking tongue
(462) can engage with, and disengage from, any one of the sinistral
locking projections (119) to releasably secure the sinistral
carriage (450) to the sinistral multifunction rail (116) thereby
preventing unintentional descent of the sinistral carriage (450),
and a guide (458) configured to cooperate with the sinistral
multifunction rail (116) and constrain the movement of the
sinistral carriage (450) on the sinistral modular mast (100), B) a
dextral carriage (470) adapted to cooperatively receive the dextral
modular mast (200) so that the dextral carriage (470) may be
conveniently slid up and down the dextral modular mast (200) by a
user, having a proximal end (486), a distal end (487), a body (472)
that completely encircles the dextral modular mast perimeter (245),
a cable connector (474), an operator handle (476), a carriage mast
engager (480) including a dextral carriage locking tongue (482)
formed to cooperate with the dextral locking projections (219) so
that the dextral carriage locking tongue (482) can engage with, and
disengage from, any one of the dextral locking projections (219) to
releasably secure the dextral carriage (470) to the dextral
multifunction rail (216) thereby preventing unintentional descent
of the dextral carriage (470), and a guide (478) configured to
cooperate with the dextral multifunction rail (216) and constrain
the movement of the dextral carriage (470) on the dextral modular
mast (200), C) a sinistral mast hoist (430) attached to the working
platform (300) near the sinistral end (302), D) a dextral mast
hoist (440) attached to the working platform (300) near the dextral
end (304), E) a sinistral mast cable (410) attached to the cable
connector (454) of the sinistral carriage (450) and the sinistral
mast hoist (430) thereby suspending the working platform (300) from
the sinistral carriage (450) and adjusting the elevation of the
working platform (300) as the sinistral mast cable (410) is
extended and retracted by the sinistral mast hoist (430), F) a
dextral mast cable (420) attached to the cable connector (474) of
the dextral carriage (470) and the dextral mast hoist (440) thereby
suspending the working platform (300) from the dextral carriage
(470) and adjusting the elevation of the working platform (300) as
the dextral mast cable (420) is extended and retracted by the
dextral mast hoist (440), and a control system (500) having a
central control station (510) in communication with the sinistral
mast hoist (430) and the dextral mast hoist (440) thereby
controlling the elevation of the work platform (300) by extending
and retracting the sinistral mast cable (410) and the dextral mast
cable (420) from the sinistral mast hoist (430) and the dextral
mast hoist (440).
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The instant invention relates to self-erecting suspension
platform systems, particularly a ground based tower supported
suspension type work platform.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Suspension type work platforms are well-known in the art.
They are traditionally mounted from the roof or upper stories of a
building by means of temporary roof beams or permanent mounting
davits, and often employ a track-based roof carriage, or monorails,
to provide movable anchoring points for a work platform system.
Obviously, a roof-mounted suspension platform system requires a
usable roof, and therefore such a design is inherently unusable for
a vertical structure under construction, for structures having a
roof covered in large part with mechanical equipment for the HVAC
system, or for a sloping roof. Alternatively, work platforms may be
raised from the ground by means of a lift, such as seen in various
"cherry-picker" type work baskets; or with a scissors-like
arrangements as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,114,854; or by means of an
extending tower, as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,737. These ground
based systems have the advantage of easy mobility, but all share
the obvious shortcoming of being severely limited in the height to
which the platform may be raised, which is generally limited to a
very few stories of building elevation.
[0003] Alternatively, ground based systems may utilize scaffolding
supports that are built-up from sections in order to reach variable
heights. A typical example is that seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,294,332,
in which rectangular scaffolding sections may be built up alongside
a platform that climbs the scaffold sections by means of a rack and
pinion system. A suspension platform design has also been designed,
in which chains hooked to the scaffold section, or towers, serves
to raise the platform.
[0004] Safety is of paramount concern when working from an
elevated, or suspended, work platform. Prior art devices share many
severe safety shortcomings. Firstly, modular sections should be
easily raised and locked into position from inside the relative
safety of the work platform. Such modular sections should be easily
connected by secure, yet easily releasable connections that do not
require a worker to struggle or lean outside of the work platform
boundary. Secondly, the modular sections must be readily attachable
to the vertical surface alongside of which the sections, or towers,
are erected, in order to allow significant height to be achieved
safely. Thirdly, redundant safety systems are highly desirable, to
prevent the work platform from accidentally falling in case of
equipment malfunction such as a separation of the hoisting and
safety locking mechanism into separate components, and most
desirably with more than a single safety lock system.
[0005] What has been missing in the art has been a system by which
a self erecting work platform may be raised on a tower system of
easily interlocking sections, all of which may be easily raised
from within the safety of the work platform, and which utilizes a
motor and cable lift to raise and lower the platform system that is
entirely separate from the safety lock mechanisms that operate to
lock the work platform in place while tower sections are being
added or removed.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] In its most general configuration, the present invention
advances the state of the art with a variety of new capabilities
and overcomes many of the shortcomings of prior devices in new and
novel ways. In its most general sense, the present invention
overcomes the shortcomings and limitations of the prior art in any
of a number of generally effective configurations. The instant
invention demonstrates such capabilities and overcomes many of the
shortcomings of prior methods in new and novel ways.
[0007] The present invention is a self-erecting suspension platform
system intended for use in the construction, maintenance, and
cleaning of structures, or any other access solution. The platform
system comprises a work platform suspended between a sinistral
modular mast and a dextral modular mast by a hoisting system.
[0008] The sinistral modular mast and the dextral modular mast are
each composed of at least two mast units stacked vertically and
attached to one another. Each mast unit has a distal end, a
proximal end, a multifunction rail extending from the distal end to
the proximal end including a plurality of safety engagement devices
and a stabilizer guide device, a unit interconnection device
located substantially near the distal end, and a unit assembly
guide. When the mast units are stacked upon one another the
multifunction rail of each mast unit substantially aligns with the
multifunction rail of the adjacent mast unit. The modular mast
units may be virtually any shape and configuration.
[0009] The work platform serves as the stage upon which a user, or
users, works to construct walls, wash windows, or any number of
other elevated tasks. The work platform has a sinistral end and a
dextral end. The work platform is designed to be suspended between
the sinistral modular mast and the dextral modular mast. Therefore,
the distance from the sinistral end to the dextral end of the work
platform is less than, or substantially equal to, the mast
separation distance. The work platform also has a sinistral mast
stabilizer and a dextral mast stabilizer attached to the platform
and is configured to cooperate with the sinistral and dextral mast
stabilizer guide devices of the sinistral and dextral mast
multifunction rails to prevent undesired swaying of the suspended
work platform. The work platform also has a sinistral platform mast
engager and a dextral platform mast engager attached to the
platform and configured to cooperate with at least one of the
plurality of sinistral and dextral mast safety engagement devices
of the sinistral and dextral mast multifunction rails to releasably
lock the platform to the modular mast thereby preventing
unintentional descent of the platform.
[0010] The hoisting system suspends the working platform from the
modular masts. The hoisting system includes a sinistral carriage, a
dextral carriage, a sinistral mast hoist, a dextral mast hoist, a
sinistral mast cable, and a dextral mast cable. Each carriage is
adapted to cooperatively receive the associated modular mast so
that the carriage may be conveniently slid up and down the
associated modular mast by a user. Each carriage also has a
proximal end, a distal end, a body, a cable connector, an operator
handle, and a carriage mast engager. The carriage mast engager is
configured to releasably lock the carriage to the associated
modular mast thereby preventing unintentional descent of the
carriage.
[0011] The mast hoists are attached to the working platform and the
associated mast cable, which is then attached to the cable
connector of the associated carriage thereby suspending the working
platform from the carriages. The mast hoists adjust the elevation
of the working platform by extending and retracting the mast
cables.
[0012] Lastly, the platform system includes a control system having
a central control station for user control. The central console
station is in communication with each mast hoist thereby
controlling the elevation of the work platform.
[0013] These variations, modifications, alternatives, and
alterations of the various preferred embodiments may be used alone
or in combination with one another as will become more readily
apparent to those with skill in the art with reference to the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the
accompanying figures and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Without limiting the scope of the present invention as
claimed below and referring now to the drawings and figures:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation view of the
self-erecting suspension platform, not to scale;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic top plan of the self-erecting
suspension platform, not to scale;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic side elevation view of the
self-erecting suspension platform, not to scale;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a schematic side elevation view of the
self-erecting suspension platform, not to scale;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a schematic side elevation view of the
self-erecting suspension platform, not to scale;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a schematic side elevation view of the
self-erecting suspension platform, not to scale;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a schematic side elevation view of a portion of
the sinistral modular mast, not to scale;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a schematic side elevation view of a portion of
the dextral modular mast, not to scale;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a schematic front elevation view of a portion of
the dextral modular mast, not to scale;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a schematic side elevation view of an embodiment
of the sinistral carriage, not to scale;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a schematic side elevation view of an embodiment
of the dextral carriage, not to scale;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of the
sinistral carriage, not to scale;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of the
sinistral carriage, not to scale;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of the
sinistral carriage, not to scale;
[0029] FIG. 15 is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of the
sinistral carriage, not to scale;
[0030] FIG. 16 is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of the
multifunction rail, not to scale;
[0031] FIG. 17 is a schematic front elevation view of an embodiment
of the multifunction rail, not to scale;
[0032] FIG. 18 is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of the
multifunction rail, not to scale;
[0033] FIG. 19 is a schematic front elevation view of an embodiment
of the multifunction rail, not to scale;
[0034] FIG. 20 is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of the
multifunction rail, not to scale;
[0035] FIG. 21 is a schematic front elevation view of an embodiment
of the multifunction rail, not to scale;
[0036] FIG. 22 is a schematic elevated perspective view of an
embodiment of the multifunction rail and platform mast stabilizer,
not to scale;
[0037] FIG. 23 is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of the
multifunction rail and platform mast stabilizer, not to scale;
[0038] FIG. 24 is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of the
multifunction rail and platform mast stabilizer, not to scale;
[0039] FIG. 25 is a schematic partial cross-section of several
elements of the present invention, not to scale;
[0040] FIG. 26 is a schematic partial cross-section of several
elements of the present invention, not to scale;
[0041] FIG. 27 is a schematic partial cross-section of several
elements of the present invention, not to scale;
[0042] FIG. 28 is a schematic partial cross-section of several
elements of the present invention, not to scale;
[0043] FIG. 29 is a schematic partial cross-section of several
elements of the present invention, not to scale;
[0044] FIG. 30 is a schematic partial cross-section of several
elements of the present invention, not to scale;
[0045] FIG. 31 is a schematic front elevation view of a portion of
the sinistral modular mast, not to scale;
[0046] FIG. 32 is a schematic front elevation view of a portion of
the dextral modular mast, not to scale;
[0047] FIG. 33 is a schematic side elevation view of an embodiment
of a unit assembly guide, not to scale;
[0048] FIG. 34 is a schematic side elevation view of an embodiment
of a unit assembly guide, not to scale;
[0049] FIG. 35 is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of the
sinistral modular mast and multifunction rails, not to scale;
and
[0050] FIG. 36 is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of the
dextral modular mast and multifunction rails, not to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0051] The self-erecting suspension platform system (10) of the
instant invention enables a significant advance in the state of the
art. The preferred embodiments of the device accomplish this by new
and novel arrangements of elements and methods that are configured
in unique and novel ways and which demonstrate previously
unavailable but preferred and desirable capabilities. The detailed
description set forth below in connection with the drawings is
intended merely as a description of the presently preferred
embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the
only form in which the present invention may be constructed or
utilized. The description sets forth the designs, functions, means,
and methods of implementing the invention in connection with the
illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the
same or equivalent functions and features may be accomplished by
different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed
within the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0052] The present invention is a self-erecting suspension platform
system (10) intended for use in the construction, maintenance, and
cleaning of structures, or any other access solution. With
reference to FIG. 1, the platform system (10) comprises a work
platform (300) located between a sinistral modular mast (100) and a
dextral modular mast (200), wherein a hoisting system (400)
suspends the work platform (300) from the modular masts (100,
200).
[0053] First, the modular masts (100, 200) will be disclosed in
detail. The sinistral modular mast (100), illustrated in FIG. 7,
has at least a second sinistral mast unit (110b) stacked vertically
on, and releasably attached to, a first sinistral mast unit (110a).
The first sinistral mast unit (110a) and the second sinistral mast
unit (110b) are substantially identical. Each sinistral mast unit
(110a, 110b) has a distal end (112), a proximal end (114), a
multifunction rail (116) extending from the distal end (112) to the
proximal end (114) including a plurality of safety engagement
devices (117) and a stabilizer guide device (122), illustrated in
FIG. 31 only, a unit interconnection device (135), seen in FIG. 7,
located substantially near the distal end (112), and a unit
assembly guide (140) located substantially near the distal end
(112). When the sinistral mast units (110a, 110b) are stacked upon
one another the multifunction rails (116) of each mast unit (110a,
110b) substantially align. The sinistral modular mast (100) is
constructed on a sinistral base plate (113) in contact with the
ground for stability and to distribute the load of the sinistral
modular mast (100).
[0054] Similarly, the dextral modular mast (200), seen in FIGS. 8
and 9, has at least a second dextral mast unit (210b) stacked
vertically on, and releasably attached to, a first dextral mast
unit (210a). The first dextral mast unit (210a) and the second
dextral mast unit (210b) are substantially identical, and are
substantially identical to the sinistral mast units (110a, 110b).
Each dextral mast unit (210a, 210b) has a distal end (212), a
proximal end (214), a multifunction rail (216) extending from the
distal end (212) to the proximal end (214) including a plurality of
safety engagement devices (217) and a stabilizer guide device
(222), seen only in FIG. 32, a unit interconnection device (235)
located substantially near the distal end (212), and a unit
assembly guide (240) located substantially near the distal end
(212). When the dextral mast units (210a, 210b) are stacked upon
one another the multifunction rails (216) of each mast unit (210a,
210b) substantially align. The dextral modular mast (200) is
constructed on a dextral base plate (213) in contact with the
ground for stability and to distribute the load of the dextral
modular mast (200). Further, one with skill in the art will
appreciate that the multifunction rails (116, 216) need not be
located at the middle of one of the sides of the modular masts
(100, 200). In fact, by offsetting the multifunction rails (116,
216) the working platform (300) may be placed closer to the
structure upon which work is being performed.
[0055] The sinistral mast units (110a, 110b) are configured such
that when a portion of the distal end (112) of a second sinistral
mast unit (110b) is placed in contact with the proximal end (114)
of the adjacent first sinistral mast unit (110a), during assembly
of the sinistral modular mast (100), the unit assembly guide (140)
pivotably secures the second sinistral mast unit (110b) to the
first sinistral mast unit (110a) such that the second sinistral
mast unit (110b) may be securely rotated into a vertical position
such that the sinistral unit interconnection device (135) attaches
the second sinistral mast unit (110b) to the first sinistral mast
unit (110a), as seen in FIG. 7. Similarly, the dextral mast units
(210a, 210b), illustrated best in FIGS. 3, 8, and 9, are configured
such that when a portion of the distal end (212) of a second
dextral mast unit (210b) is placed in contact with the proximal end
(214) of the adjacent first dextral mast unit (210a), during
assembly of the dextral modular mast (200), the unit assembly guide
(240) pivotably secures the second dextral mast unit (210b) to the
first dextral mast unit (210a) such that the second dextral mast
unit (210b) may be securely rotated into a vertical position such
that the dextral unit interconnection device (235) attaches the
second dextral mast unit (210b) to the first dextral mast unit
(110a). The dextral modular mast (200) is separated from the
sinistral modular mast (100) by a mast separation distance
(50).
[0056] As one with skill in the art will recognize, the modular
mast units (110a, 110b, 210a, 210b) may be virtually any shape and
configuration. The design and construction of the modular mast
units (110a, 110b, 210a, 210b) depends largely on the size and load
of the work platform (300), as well as the elevation that the work
platform (300) must reach. For example, the modular mast units
(110a, 110b, 210a, 210b) may be a predetermined size and
configuration for use with ten foot long work platforms (300) that
will reach an elevation of no more than sixty feet. Further, then
modular mast units (110a, 110b, 210a, 210b) for use with longer
more heavily loaded work platforms (300) may be a different
configuration and level of reinforcing such that for safety
concerns the modular mast units (110a, 110b, 210a, 210b) of one
particular work platform (300) and application criteria may not be
used with modular mast units (110a, 110b, 210a, 210b) of a
different work platform (300) and application criteria. As with
many structural tower systems, generally a triangular
cross-sectioned truss construction tower provides the greatest
utility, however any number of widely known structural shapes may
be used.
[0057] Further, the unit assembly guides (140, 240) may be
constructed in any number of effective arrangements. In one
embodiment, the unit assembly guides (140, 240) includes a hook
device (142, 242), seen in FIGS. 33 and 34, located substantially
near the distal end (112, 212) and configured such that when a
portion of the distal end (112, 212) of a second mast unit (110b,
210b) is placed in contact with the proximal end (114, 214) of the
adjacent first mast unit (110a, 210a) in the vertical position that
the hook device (142, 242) pivotably secures the second mast unit
(110b, 210b) to the first mast unit (110a, 210a) such that the
second mast unit (110b, 210b) may be securely rotated into a
vertical position such that the unit interconnection device (135,
235) attaches the second mast unit (110b, 210b) to the first mast
unit (110a, 210a). Similarly, the unit interconnection devices
(135, 235) may be constructed in any number of effective
arrangements. Perhaps the most simple embodiment of the unit
interconnection devices (135, 235) barb-type finger, as seen in
FIGS. 7 and 8, that deflects and snaps over a portion of the
adjacent mast unit (110a, 110b, 210a, 210b), and requires
intentional manipulation of the finger to release the adjacent mast
unit (110a, 110b, 210a, 210b).
[0058] Next, with reference again to FIG. 1, the work platform
(300) serves as the stage upon which a user, or users, works to
construct walls, wash windows, or any number of other elevated
tasks. The work platform (300) has a sinistral end (302) and a
dextral end (304), as seen in FIG. 3. Since the work platform (300)
is designed to be suspended between the sinistral modular mast
(100) and the dextral modular mast (200), the distance from the
sinistral end (302) to the dextral end (304) of the work platform
(300) is less than, or substantially equal to, the mast separation
distance (50), shown in FIG. 5. The work platform (300) is located
between the sinistral modular mast (100) and the dextral modular
mast (200) such that the work platform sinistral end (302) is
adjacent to the sinistral modular mast (100) and the work platform
dextral end (304) is adjacent to the dextral modular mast (200).
The work platform (300) has a railing (310), seen in FIG. 3. The
work platform (300) also has a sinistral mast stabilizer (320) and
a dextral mast stabilizer (330) attached to the platform (300) and
configured to cooperate with the sinistral and dextral mast
stabilizer guide device (122, 222), seen in FIGS. 31 and 32, of the
sinistral and dextral mast multifunction rails (116, 216) to
prevent undesired swaying of the suspended work platform (300).
Additionally, the work platform (300) has a sinistral platform mast
engager (340) and a dextral platform mast engager (350) attached to
the platform (300) and configured to cooperate with at least one of
the plurality of sinistral and dextral mast safety engagement
devices (117, 217) of the sinistral and dextral mast multifunction
rails (116, 216) to releasably lock the platform (300) to the
modular mast (100, 200) thereby preventing unintentional descent of
the platform (300).
[0059] With reference now to FIG. 4, the hoisting system (400)
suspends the working platform (300) from the sinistral modular mast
(100) and the dextral modular mast (200). The hoisting system (400)
includes (a) a sinistral carriage (450), (b) a dextral carriage
(470), (c) a sinistral mast hoist (430), (d) a dextral mast hoist
(440), (e) a sinistral mast cable (410), and (f) a dextral mast
cable (420).
[0060] The sinistral carriage (450) is adapted to cooperatively
receive the sinistral modular mast (100) so that the sinistral
carriage (450) may be conveniently slid up and down the sinistral
modular mast (100) by a user. As seen in FIGS. 10, 12, and 14, the
sinistral carriage (450) has a proximal end (466), a distal end
(467), a body (452), a cable connector (454), an operator handle
(456), and a carriage mast engager (460). The carriage mast engager
(460) is configured to releasably lock the sinistral carriage (450)
to the sinistral modular mast (100) thereby preventing
unintentional descent of the sinistral carriage (450).
[0061] The dextral carriage (470) is adapted to cooperatively
receive the dextral modular mast (200) so that the dextral carriage
(470) may be conveniently slid up and down the dextral modular mast
(200) by a user. As seen in FIGS. 11 and 13, the dextral carriage
(470) has a proximal end (486), a distal end (487), a body (472), a
cable connector (474), an operator handle (476), and a carriage
mast engager (480) to releasably lock the dextral carriage (470) to
the dextral modular mast (200) thereby preventing unintentional
descent of the dextral carriage (470),
[0062] Referring again to FIG. 4, the sinistral mast hoist (430) is
attached to the working platform (300) near the sinistral end (302)
and the dextral mast hoist (440) is attached to the working
platform (300) near the dextral end (304). Further, the sinistral
mast cable (410) is attached to the cable connector (454) of the
sinistral carriage (450) and the sinistral mast hoist (430) and the
dextral mast cable (420) is attached to the cable connector (474)
of the dextral carriage (470) and the dextral mast hoist (440)
thereby suspending the working platform (300) from the sinistral
carriage (450) and the dextral carriage (470). The mast hoists
(430, 440) adjust the elevation of the working platform (300) by
extending and retracting the sinistral mast cable (410) from the
sinistral mast hoist (430) and the dextral mast cable (420) from
the dextral mast hoist (440). The mast hoists (430, 440) are
generally commercially available electrically powered hoists, but
they may be manual hoist systems.
[0063] Lastly, the platform system (10) includes a control system
(500) having a central control station (510) for user control. The
central console station (510) is in communication with the
sinistral mast hoist (430) and the dextral mast hoist (440) thereby
controlling the elevation of the work platform (300) by extending
and retracting the sinistral mast cable (410) and the dextral mast
cable (420) from the sinistral mast hoist (430) and the dextral
mast hoist (440). The control system (500) may incorporate any
number of electrical interlocks for improved safety. For instance,
the control system (500) may include an accelerometer that
activates the safety engagement devices (117, 217) upon sensing a
predetermined acceleration or velocity. Additional safety features
may include top limit switch(s), bottom limit switch(s), and a
payload overload detection system.
[0064] Now the various elements discussed above will be reviewed in
more detail and as applied to various embodiments. The plurality of
safety engagement devices (117, 217) of the multifunction rails
(116, 216) may be formed as locking recesses (118, 218) formed in
the multifunction rail (116, 216) in some embodiments, as seen in
FIGS. 17 and 22, and may be formed as locking projections (119,
219) extending from the multifunction rail (116, 216) in other
embodiments, as seen in FIGS. 19, 20, and 23. The locking recesses
(118, 218) of FIGS. 17 and 22 formed in the multifunction rail
(116, 216) are generally openings that extend all the way through
the multifunction rail (116, 216), however they may simply be
recesses formed in the multifunction rail (116, 216).
[0065] The sinistral carriage mast engager (460) and the dextral
mast engager (480) cooperate with their associated modular mast
(100, 200) to prevent unintentional descent of the carriages (450,
470). The carriage mast engagers (460, 480) may be virtually any
device that can selectively lock the associated carriage (450, 470)
to the associated mast (100, 200). Most embodiments the carriage
mast engagers (460, 480) include some form of a locking tongue. For
instance, one embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 25 and 26, includes
a sinistral carriage locking tongue (462) formed to cooperate with
the sinistral locking recesses (118) so that the sinistral carriage
locking tongue (462) can extend into, and retract from, any one of
the sinistral locking recesses (118) to releasably secure the
sinistral carriage (450) to the sinistral multifunction rail (116).
Similarly, in this embodiment, the dextral carriage mast engager
(480) includes a dextral carriage locking tongue (482) formed to
cooperate with the dextral locking recesses (218) so that the
dextral carriage locking tongue (482) can extend into, and retract
from, any one of the dextral locking recesses (218) to releasably
secure the dextral carriage (470) to the dextral multifunction rail
(216), not illustrated but identical to FIGS. 25 and 26. However,
in alternative embodiments the carriage mast engagers (460, 480)
may directly attach to the mast (100, 200), not the multifunction
rail (116, 216). The actuation of the carriage locking tongues
(462, 482) may be manually initiated by the force of the user or
may be power actuated via hydraulics, pneumatics, or
electromagnetics, just to name a few power sources.
[0066] Similar to the carriage mast engagers (460, 480) just
discussed, the work platform (300) incorporates a sinistral
platform mast engager (340) and a dextral platform mast engager
(350), seen in FIG. 3, both of which are attached to the platform
(300), configured to cooperate with at least one of the plurality
of sinistral and dextral mast safety engagement devices (117, 217)
of the sinistral and dextral mast multifunction rails (116, 216).
The platform mast engagers (340, 350) serve to releasably lock the
platform (300) to the modular masts (100, 200) via the
multifunction rails (116, 216) thereby preventing unintentional
descent of the platform (300). Further, systematic locking of the
platform (300) to the modular masts (100, 200) is required during
the operation of the suspension platform system (10). The platform
mast engagers (340, 350) may be virtually any device that can
selectively lock the associated side of the work platform (302,
304) to the associated multifunction rail (116, 216). Most
embodiments the platform mast engagers (340, 350) include some form
of a locking tongue. For instance, one embodiment, illustrated in
FIGS. 25 and 26, includes a sinistral platform locking tongue (342)
formed to cooperate with the sinistral locking recesses (118) so
that the sinistral platform locking tongue (342) can extend into,
and retract from, any one of the sinistral locking recesses (118)
to releasably secure the work platform sinistral end (302) to the
sinistral multifunction rail (116). Similarly, in this embodiment,
the dextral platform mast engager (350) includes a dextral platform
locking tongue (352) formed to cooperate with the dextral locking
recesses (218) so that the dextral platform locking tongue (352)
can extend into, and retract from, any one of the dextral locking
recesses (218) to releasably secure the work platform dextral end
(304) to the dextral multifunction rail (216), not illustrated but
identical to FIGS. 25 and 26.
[0067] As previously mentioned, in some embodiments the plurality
of safety engagement devices (117, 217) of the multifunction rails
(116, 216) may be formed as locking projections (119, 219)
extending from the multifunction rail (116, 216), as seen in FIGS.
18-21. In these embodiments, the plurality of sinistral safety
engagement devices (117) are sinistral locking projections (119)
extending from the sinistral multifunction rail (116), and the
plurality of dextral safety engagement devices (217) are dextral
locking projections (219) extending from the dextral multifunction
rail (216). Similar to the embodiments previously described, most
embodiments incorporating locking projections (119, 219) also
incorporate carriage mast engagers (460, 480) in the form of a
locking tongue that cooperates with the locking projections (119,
219). For example, in one embodiment the sinistral carriage mast
engager (460) includes a sinistral carriage locking tongue (462)
formed to cooperate with the sinistral locking projections (119) so
that the sinistral carriage locking tongue (462) can engage with,
and disengage from, any one of the sinistral locking projections
(119) to releasably secure the sinistral carriage (450) to the
sinistral multifunction rail (116), as seen in FIGS. 27 and 28, and
the dextral carriage mast engager (480) includes a dextral carriage
locking tongue (482) formed to cooperate with the dextral locking
projections (219) so that the dextral carriage locking tongue (482)
can engage with, and disengage from, any one of the dextral locking
projections (219) to releasably secure the dextral carriage (470)
to the dextral multifunction rail (216), not illustrated but
similar to FIGS. 27 and 28. The actuation of the carriage locking
tongues (462, 482) may be manually initiated by the force of the
user or may be power actuated via hydraulics, pneumatics, or
electromagnetics, just to name a few power sources. In one
particular embodiment seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, the carriage
operator handle (456, 476) includes a engager activation device
(457, 477) that activates and deactivates the carriage mast engager
(460, 480) to releasably lock the carriage (450, 470) to the
modular mast (100, 200) thereby preventing unintentional descent of
the carriage (450, 470).
[0068] In the embodiments incorporating locking projections (119,
219), the work platform (300) incorporates a sinistral platform
mast engager (340) and a dextral platform mast engager (350), both
of which are attached to the platform (300), configured to
cooperate with at least one of the plurality of sinistral and
dextral mast locking projections (119, 219) of the sinistral and
dextral mast multifunction rails (116, 216). The platform mast
engagers (340, 350) serve to releasably lock the platform (300) to
the modular masts (100, 200) via the multifunction rails (116, 216)
thereby preventing unintentional descent of the platform (300), as
seen in one embodiment in FIGS. 25 and 26. Further, systematic
locking of the platform (300) to the modular masts (100, 200) is
required during the operation of the suspension platform system
(10). The platform mast engagers (340, 350) may be virtually any
device that can selectively lock the associated side of the work
platform (302, 304) to the associated multifunction rail (116,
216). Most embodiments of the platform mast engagers (340, 350)
include some form of a locking tongue. For instance, one embodiment
includes a sinistral platform locking tongue (342) formed to
cooperate with the sinistral locking projection (119) so that the
sinistral platform locking tongue (342) can engage and disengage
any one of the sinistral locking projections (119) to releasably
secure the work platform sinistral end (302) to the sinistral
multifunction rail (116). Similarly, in this embodiment, the
dextral platform mast engager (350) includes a dextral platform
locking tongue (352) formed to cooperate with the dextral locking
projections (219) so that the dextral platform locking tongue (352)
can engage and disengage any one of the dextral locking projections
(219) to releasably secure the work platform dextral end (304) to
the dextral multifunction rail (216).
[0069] In one particular embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 27 and 28
the sinistral carriage locking tongue (462) is a locking wedge
(463) rigidly attached to the sinistral carriage (450) below the
sinistral cable connector (454) and at, or above, the sinistral
carriage proximal end (466). Similarly, in this embodiment the
dextral carriage cable connector (474) is located substantially at
the dextral carriage distal end (477) and the dextral carriage
locking tongue (472) is a locking wedge (483) rigidly attached to
the dextral carriage (470) below the dextral cable connector (474)
and at, or above, the dextral carriage proximal end (476), not
illustrated by similar to FIGS. 27 and 28. Therefore, to move the
sinistral carriage (450) of this embodiment relative to the
sinistral modular mast (100) the sinistral carriage locking wedge
(463) and the sinistral carriage proximal end (466) must be moved
away from the sinistral locking projections (119) so that the
sinistral carriage locking wedge (463) may pass the sinistral
locking projections (119) as the sinistral carriage (450) traverses
the sinistral modular mast (100), as seen in FIG. 28. Such movement
is generally accomplished by the user grabbing the operator handle
(456) and rotating the carriage (450) as it is lifted, as indicated
by the rotation arrow labeled R. Similarly, to move the dextral
carriage (470) relative to the dextral modular mast (200) the
dextral carriage locking wedge (483) and the dextral carriage
proximal end (486) must be moved away from the dextral locking
projections (219) so that the dextral carriage locking wedge (483)
may pass the dextral locking projections (219) as the dextral
carriage (470) traverses the dextral modular mast (200). Therefore,
upon application of a suspension force (SF) on the sinistral
carriage cable connector (454) the sinistral carriage locking wedge
(463) engages at least one sinistral locking projection (19)
thereby preventing movement of the sinistral carriage (450), as
seen in FIG. 27. Similarly, upon application of a suspension force
on the dextral carriage cable connector (474) the dextral carriage
locking wedge (483) engages at least one dextral locking projection
(219) thereby preventing movement of the dextral carriage (470). In
this embodiment, application of a suspension load on the cable
connectors (454, 474), along with their location, creates a moment
that tends to force the fixed locking wedges (463, 483) into the
safety engagement device (117, 217) ensuring a reliable engagement
of the carriage (450, 470) and the modular mast (100, 200).
[0070] In an alternative embodiment the carriage locking tongues
(462, 482) may be biased locking pawls (464, 484) attached to the
carriages (450, 470), as seen in FIGS. 29 and 30. To increase the
elevation of the carriages (450, 470) relative to the modular mast
(100, 200) the carriage (450, 470) is forced upward and the
carriage biased locking pawl (464, 484) pivots as it contacts the
locking projections (119, 219), or the locking recesses (118, 218),
so that the carriage (450, 470) may pass the locking projections
(119, 219) as the carriage (450, 470) traverses the modular mast
(100, 200). The biased locking pawl (464, 484) snaps back into an
engaged position, due to the biased nature of the pawl, as soon as
it passes the locking projections (119, 219), or locking recesses
(118, 218). Further, upon application of a suspension force on the
carriage cable connector (454, 474) the carriage biased locking
pawl (464, 484) engages at least one locking projection (119, 219),
or locking recesses (118, 218) thereby preventing movement of the
carriage (450, 470). While FIGS. 29 and 30 only illustrate the
sinistral elements with respect locking recesses (118), one with
skill in the art will appreciate that the biased locking pawl (464)
applies equally as well to a dextral biased locking pawl (484), as
well as biased locking pawls (464, 484) for use with locking
projections (119, 219).
[0071] As previously mentioned, the work platform (300) also has a
sinistral mast stabilizer (320) and a dextral mast stabilizer (330)
attached to the platform (300), illustrated in FIG. 5, and
configured to cooperate with the sinistral and dextral mast
stabilizer guide device (122, 222), seen in FIGS. 31 and 32, of the
sinistral and dextral mast multifunction rails (116, 216) to
prevent undesired swaying of the suspended work platform (300). In
one particular embodiment seen explicitly in FIGS. 16 and 17 and
generally in most of the figures, the sinistral stabilizer guide
device (122) is integral to the sinistral multifunction rail (116)
and the dextral stabilizer guide device (222) is integral to the
dextral multifunction rail (216). In a further embodiment seen in
FIGS. 25 and 26, the work platform sinistral mast stabilizer (320)
includes at least one sinistral platform roller (322) in rolling
contact with the sinistral stabilizer guide device (122) to prevent
swaying of the suspended work platform (300) and the work platform
dextral mast stabilizer (330) includes at least one dextral
platform roller (332) in rolling contact with the dextral
stabilizer guide device (222) to prevent swaying of the suspended
work platform (300).
[0072] In a further embodiment, the sinistral and dextral
multifunction rails (116, 216) are U-shaped multifunction rails
(125, 225), illustrated in FIGS. 16-19 with respect to the
sinistral elements, having a bearing surface (126, 226), a first
sidewall (127, 227), and a second sidewall (128, 228). In this
configuration the mast stabilizers (320, 330) are retained between
the first sidewall (127, 227) and the second sidewall (128, 228),
as seen in FIG. 22. Alternatively, the sinistral and dextral
multifunction rails (116, 216) may be V-shaped multifunction rails
(130, 230) having a first bearing surface (131, 231) substantially
orthogonal to a second bearing surface (132, 232), as seen in FIG.
23. In this embodiment the mast stabilizers (320, 330) are retained
between the first bearing surface (131, 232) and the second bearing
surface (132, 232). This embodiment is particularly unique in that
the multifunction rails (116, 216) may incorporate locking
projections (119, 219) extending from the rails (116, 216) that do
not interfere with the movement and wear of the mast stabilizers
(320, 330).
[0073] The carriages (450, 470) may be constructed in a number of
arrangements. The carriage bodies (452, 472) may completely
encircle the modular mast perimeters (145, 245), as seen in FIG.
14, or the carriage bodies (452, 472) may only partially enclose
the modular masts (100, 200), as seen in FIG. 15. Further, the
carriages (450, 470) may include a guide (458, 478) configured to
cooperate with the associated multifunction rail (116, 216) and
constrain the movement of the carriage (450, 470) on the modular
mast (100, 200), as seen in FIGS. 12 and 13. As seen in FIGS. 10
and 11, the operator handle (456, 476) of the carriage (450, 470)
generally extends beyond the distal end (467, 487) of the carriage
(450, 470) so that the user can easily maneuver the carriage (450,
470) to an elevation beyond the normal reach of the user.
Additionally, the construction of the carriages (450, 470)
generally varies with the type of safety engagement devices (117,
217). For example, in the previously disclosed embodiments wherein
the carriage (450, 470) incorporates a rigidly attached locking
wedge (463, 483) the carriage (450, 470) must fit relatively
loosely around the modular masts (100, 200) so that the carriage
locking wedges (463, 483) may be moved by manipulation of the
carriage (450, 470) to pass the locking projections (119, 219), as
seen in FIGS. 27 and 28. Alternatively, embodiments having safety
engagement devices (117, 217) that simply extend and retract, as in
the embodiments of FIGS. 25 and 26, or rotate such as the biased
locking pawls (344, 444) of FIGS. 29 and 30, to lock the carriages
(450, 470) to the modular masts (100, 200) may have much tighter
fits between the carriages (450, 470) and the modular masts (100,
200).
[0074] Now, with the numerous embodiments described, the general
sequence of operation may be disclosed. Operation of the system
(10) begins with the positioning of the fist mast units (110a,
210a) and the work platform (300), as seen in FIG. 3. Next, second
mast units (110b, 210b) are lifted so that at least one portion of
the second mast unit (110b, 210b) may be positioned on top of a
portion of the first mast unit (110a, 210a). This positioning
allows the user to use the unit assembly guide (140, 240) to permit
secure rotation of the second mast unit (110b, 210b) into place. As
the second mast units (110b, 210b) are rotated to the vertical
position, the unit interconnection devices (135, 235), seen in
FIGS. 7 and 8), releasably lock the second mast units (110b, 210b)
to the first mast units (110a, 210a). The mast units (110a, 110b,
210a, 210b) may also be releasably secured together with
traditional fastening devices such as bolts. The first pair of
second mast units (110b, 210b) are generally installed with the
carriages (450, 470) already in place, as seen in FIG. 3.
[0075] Now, with the mast units (110a, 110b, 210a, 210b) in the
vertical position, the hoisting system cables (410, 420) are
attached to the cable connectors (454, 474) and the hoists (430,
440). The hoists (430, 440) are then activated at the central
control console (510) thereby drawing the cables (410, 420) taunt
and lifting the work platform (300) to the position shown in FIG.
5. Once the work platform (300) has been lifted approximately the
length of one mast unit (110a, 110b, 210a, 210b), the platform mast
engagers (330, 340) are activated to secure the work platform (300)
to the masts (100, 200). Next, the user may install a third set of
modular mast units (110c, 210c). A portion of the cables (410, 420)
may be withdrawn from the hoists (430, 440) allowing the user to
advance the carriages (450, 470) to the proximal end (114, 214) of
the third set of modular mast units (110c, 210c), at which point
the carriages (450, 470) are locked to the masts (100, 200). Then
the sequence of (a) raising the carriages (450, 470) as far as
possible and engaging the masts (100, 200), (b) engaging the hoists
(430, 440) to retract the cables (410, 420) and lift the work
platform (300) to the elevation of the carriages (450, 470), (c)
locking the work platform (300) to the masts (100, 200) via the
platform mast engagers (340, 350), (d) releasing the cables (410,
420) from the hoists (430, 440), and (e) releasing the carriages
(450, 470) from the masts (100, 200) so that they may be advanced.
An alternative embodiment includes secondary safety cables that may
be attached from the work platform (300) to the masts (100, 200) as
the carriages (450, 470) are moved so that the security of the work
platform (300) is not solely dependent on the platform mast
engagers (340, 350) as the carriages (450, 470) are moved.
[0076] In one particular embodiment, the hoists (430, 440) contain
enough cable (410, 420) such that the work platform (300) may be
lowered from the highest elevation to the ground without having to
reposition the carriages (450, 470). Such is particularly
beneficial when the user needs to return the work platform (300) to
ground level to obtain more supplies or take a break.
[0077] As one with skill in the art will appreciate, each modular
mast (100, 200) may have more than one multifunction rail (116,
216), as seen in FIGS. 35 and 36. This is particularly beneficial
when multiple work platforms (300) are used next to one another.
For instance, two work platforms (300) may be installed adjacent to
one another thereby sharing a modular mast (100, 200) such that
only three modular masts are needed for the operation of two work
platforms (300). This concept extends to job sites utilizing ten or
more work platforms (300) to facilitate work on an entire face of a
structure.
[0078] Numerous alterations, modifications, and variations of the
preferred embodiments disclosed herein will be apparent to those
skilled in the art and they are all anticipated and contemplated to
be within the spirit and scope of the instant invention. For
example, although specific embodiments have been described in
detail, those with skill in the art will understand that the
preceding embodiments and variations can be modified to incorporate
various types of substitute and or additional or alternative
materials, relative arrangement of elements, and dimensional
configurations. Accordingly, even though only few variations of the
present invention are described herein, it is to be understood that
the practice of such additional modifications and variations and
the equivalents thereof, are within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined in the following claims. The corresponding
structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step
plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include
any structure, material, or acts for performing the functions in
combination with other claimed elements as specifically
claimed.
* * * * *