ES1298693U - SELF-LEVELING PLATFORM FOR WORK AT HEIGHT (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Self-leveling platform (1) for work at height; of the type comprising: a chassis (2) provided with rolling means; an elevator (3) mounted on said chassis (2); height adjustment means implemented in the rolling means for the independent adjustment of its vertical extension with respect to the chassis (2); drive means; an automatic control of the height adjustment means associated with the drive means and an inclinometer; and at least one manual control console (21); and where the rolling means comprise a first shaft (4) comprising two semi-shafts (4a, 4b) with independent movement and diverging in a downward direction and a second rigid shaft (5), characterized in that the second shaft (5) comprises two arms (5a, 5b) arranged vertically and joined by central joints (6a, 6b) to the chassis (2), and at whose ends are connected by double joints (6c) respective bushings (6d) for the wheels (55) of the second axis (5); comprising first cylinders (8) for regulating the rotation of the arms (5a, 5b) around the central joints (6a, 6b). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

SELF-LEVELING PLATFORM FOR WORK AT HEIGHT

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a self-leveling platform for work at height, typically usable for pruning trees, replacing lamps in streetlights, painting and repairing ceilings and upper parts of industrial buildings and similar works.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention falls within the technical field of various industrial techniques, specifically in the technical field of lifting devices specially adapted for special purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various platforms for work at height are currently known, which comprise a chassis with rolling means such as wheels or caterpillars, and an elevator mounted on said chassis with a tray or basket where the operators are located.

Some platforms, with improved configuration, include their own means of propulsion, so that the platform can be moved by means of this self-propulsion without having to lower the elevator.

These platforms are ideal for working on horizontal surfaces, but their use carries the risk of destabilization and lateral fall on non-horizontal or irregular surfaces, such as public roads or parks and gardens, mainly due to the overturning torque, which increases when climbing the elevator.

In order to improve these drawbacks, some improved platforms are known, which incorporate means to compensate for these overturning torques or achieve their self-levelling.

Some of these platforms include lateral extensible feet, which increase the contact surface with the ground, but have the disadvantage that they immobilize the platform and therefore require extension and retraction of said extensible feet each time the platform has to be moved, and de facto nullify the advantages of incorporating a displacement by self-propulsion.

Other of these platforms incorporate height adjustment means implemented in the rolling means, in order to enable independent regulation of the relative height or vertical extension of said rolling means with respect to the chassis and automatically compensate for irregularities in the ground or terrain to achieve self-leveling of the chassis. Normally they are associated with an inclinometer calibrated with the maximum admissible inclination in such a way that they act automatically to compensate the deviations, or they can even prevent the operation of the elevator in the event that the maximum admissible inclination cannot be compensated. They have the drawback that they require height adjustment for each of the elements of the rolling means in contact with the ground, that is, for each wheel or caterpillar in contact with the ground, increasing costs. In addition, they do not have additional means to increase the contact surface and reduce the overturning torque while simultaneously allowing their displacement during use, which limits their use.

Other platforms implement self-leveling at the junction between the chassis and the elevator, a simpler configuration than the previous one, but with similar drawbacks in terms of overturning torque compensation.

To solve these problems, self-levelling height work platforms are also known where the rolling means comprise a first axis that includes two semi-axis of independent movement and diverging in a downward direction and a second rigid axis, devoid of adjustment means, which lowers costs. , and joined to the chassis by means of a central pivoting joint in the lateral direction, so that the free pivoting movement of the second axis allows it to swing to absorb irregularities or lateral unevenness of the surface or terrain and achieve the horizontality of the chassis.

However, this configuration can subject the chassis to excessive torsional stress, since all the self-leveling efforts fall on the first axle, even though the second axle can lock up during work, forcing the chassis to be reinforced.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The self-leveling platform for work at height of the invention is of the type comprising a chassis provided with rolling means; an elevator mounted on said chassis; height adjustment means implemented in the rolling means for the independent adjustment of its vertical extension with respect to the chassis in order to achieve self-levelling thereof; drive means; an automatic control of the height adjustment means associated with the drive means and an inclinometer; and, at least, one manual control console to regulate, at least, the actuation of the drive means on the elevator. And where the rolling means comprise a first axis comprising two independent and divergent movement semi-axes in a downward direction and a second rigid axis, where according to the invention the second axis comprises two arms arranged vertically and joined by central joints to the chassis, and at whose ends are connected by double joints respective bushings for the wheels of the second axis, also comprising first cylinders for regulating the rotation of the arms around the central joints.

In this way, it is possible to better stabilize the chassis when adapting to the terrain, minimizing the efforts on it and increasing stability, also serving as a block for the platform when it is not in motion, with the additional advantage that the wheels of this second axle maintain verticality and thus improve support and contact with the ground, making the tire work in perfect condition on slopes. That is, in this way, when the steering axis oscillates, the wheel has vertical movement and parallel to the chassis of the machine for greater contact with the ground on slopes and to increase grip, the tires work vertically and are avoids dangers of wheel breakage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a general side view of the platform of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the platform of the invention similar to the one shown in Figure 1, where the relevant elements related to the invention can be seen. In this figure the elevator has been removed for simplicity.

Figure 3 shows a view similar to the one shown in figure 2, where the platform is operating on a transversally inclined ground, and where in the front view details the configuration adopted by the axes can be appreciated.

Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of the detail of Figure 3 corresponding to the second axis.

DESCRIPTION OF A PRACTICAL EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The self-leveling platform (1) for work at height of the invention is of the type comprising (see Fig. 1) a chassis (2) equipped with rolling means; an elevator (3) mounted on said chassis (2); height adjustment means implemented in the rolling means for the independent adjustment of its vertical extension with respect to the chassis (2) in order to achieve self-levelling thereof; drive means; an automatic control of the height adjustment means associated with the drive means and an inclinometer; and, at least, one manual control console (21) to regulate, at least, the action of the drive means on the elevator (3); and where the rolling means comprise a first shaft (4) comprising two semi-shafts (4a, 4b) of independent movement and divergent in a downward direction (see details of figs. 2 and 3 and fig. 4) and a second shaft (5 ) rigid; where according to the invention, the second axis (5) comprises two arms (5a, 5b) arranged vertically and joined by central joints (6a, 6b) to the chassis (2), and at whose ends they are joined by double joints ( 6c) respective bushings (6d) for the wheels (55) of the second axis (5); comprising first cylinders (8) for regulating the rotation of the arms (5a, 5b) around the central joints (6a, 6b).

Preferably, the arms (5a, 5b) are parallel and have an angular V-shape, in order to lower the center of gravity of the assembly to the maximum and stabilize the platform as a whole in any operating position.

It is preferred that the first axis (4) is located in the extreme zone of the chassis (2) closest to the anchorage of the lift (3), since its stabilization capacity is greater and at this point the overturning torque of the lift is applied. arm, while the second axis (5) is arranged in the opposite extreme area.

For its part, it is preferred that the drive means comprise a hydraulic power station (7) associated with a motor, that each semi-shaft (4a, 4b) of the first shaft (4) is driven by at least one second cylinder (11 ) actuated by the hydraulic power station (7), like the first cylinders (8). These first cylinders (8) are used to give the lifting platform better stability: its function is to block the second axis (5) when it is in the working position. The first cylinders (8) remain hydraulically blocked by means of hydraulic valves; its unlocking is done with the movement of the translation, and when the self-leveling system of the first axis (4) acts.

Propulsion means for the rolling means can also be included, preferably hydraulic motors (12) arranged in some or all of the elements of the rolling means, said hydraulic motors being driven by the hydraulic power station (7) and controlled through of the console (21).

Having sufficiently described the nature of the invention, as well as the manner of carrying it out in practice, it should be noted that the provisions indicated above and represented in the attached drawings are subject to modifications in detail as long as they do not alter the fundamental principle.

Claims (3)

1. -Self-leveling platform (1) for work at height; of the type comprising: a chassis (2) provided with rolling means; an elevator (3) mounted on said chassis (2); height adjustment means implemented in the rolling means for the independent adjustment of its vertical extension with respect to the chassis (2); drive means; an automatic control of the height adjustment means associated with the drive means and an inclinometer; and at least one manual control console (21); and where the rolling means comprise a first shaft (4) comprising two semi-shafts (4a, 4b) with independent movement and diverging in a downward direction and a second rigid shaft (5), characterized in that the second shaft (5) comprises two arms (5a, 5b) arranged vertically and joined by central joints (6a, 6b) to the chassis (2), and at whose ends are joined by double joints (6c) respective bushings (6d) for the wheels (55) of the second axis (5); comprising first cylinders (8) for regulating the rotation of the arms (5a, 5b) around the central joints (6a, 6b). 2. -Self-leveling platform (1) for work at height according to claim 1, where the arms (5a, 5b) are parallel and comprise an angular V-shape. 3. -Self-leveling platform (1) for work at height according to claim 1 or 2, where the first axis (4) is located in the extreme area of the chassis (2) closest to the anchorage of the elevator (3), while the second axis (5) is arranged in the opposite extreme area.