US20020027042A1

US20020027042A1 - Mobile tool wagon adapted to be used for work at high level

Info

Publication number: US20020027042A1
Application number: US09/946,587
Authority: US
Inventors: Salah Beji
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Pinguely Haulotte SA
Priority date: 2000-09-07
Filing date: 2001-09-06
Publication date: 2002-03-07
Also published as: EP1186384A1; FR2813546A1; FR2813546B1

Abstract

The tool wagon according to the invention comprises spaces for stowing tools and/or spaces for storing accessories. It further presents:

a chassis supported on the ground by a plurality of wheels, of which at least one is driving,

a platform adapted to receive a user, and

means for elevating said platform above said chassis.

A space for receiving the platform is provided between two assemblies in which the stowing and/or storage spaces are formed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mobile tool wagon adapted to be used for work at a high level. Such a tool wagon constitutes a rapid intervention station for this type of work.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tool chests or wagons comprising a certain number of housings for stowing tools and storing accessories such as systems of fixation or connection, small electric tools, etc. are known. It is usual to create tool chests or wagons which are as compact as possible in order to reduce their space requirement and to render them as light as possible.

When work is to be carried out at a high level, a user often climbs up on his work chest or wagon which, if it is not provided for that purpose, may prove unstable. There is therefore a risk of the user falling and being injured.

With known tool chests or wagons, and when work is to be carried out at a level higher than 2 metres, it is necessary to use a ladder or step-ladder which must be transported onto the worksite, such a ladder or step-ladder proving in practice to be cumbersome and sometimes difficult to transport.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to overcome these drawbacks by providing a tool wagon allowing work to be done at a high level without risk of injury to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To that end, the invention relates to a tool wagon comprising spaces for stowing tools and/or spaces for storing accessories, which further presents:

a platform adapted to receive a user, and

means for elevating this platform above this chassis.

The tool wagon according to the invention efficiently performs the function of stowage of tools and storage of accessories, thanks to its spaces intended for that purpose, and allows a user to work at a high level by elevating the platform above the chassis. The platform being provided for that purpose, the risks of the user falling or of the structure tipping are minimum while the user has to move, stow and lock only one object, namely his work wagon, instead of a known work wagon and ladder.

According to advantageous but non-compulsory aspects of the invention, the wagon incorporates one or more of the following characteristics:

The stowing and/or storage spaces are formed in two assemblies together defining between themselves a space for receiving the platform. The tool wagon is thus compact when the platform is in lowered configuration. In that case, the elevation means advantageously comprise at least one jack of which the base element abuts on the chassis in the afore-mentioned receiving space. In addition, the jack may be provided, in at least certain positions of the platform with respect to the chassis, to traverse the floor of this platform.

The platform is provided with partitions or railings extending, when the platform is in low position, to above the receiving and/or storing spaces. These partitions or railings prevent the user from accidentally falling.

The platform is equipped with at least one bin for the temporary deposit of tools and/or accessories, this bin being accessible to a user standing on the platform. The or each bin allows a user to work at a high level, the different materials which he needs being readily available. These bins are advantageously provided in the upper part of the afore-mentioned partitions or railings. In addition, at least one of these bins may be provided to pivot between a position of use, where it extends substantially along a plane parallel to the surface of the ground on which the wagon is resting, and a retracted position, where it does not project outside the platform with respect to the partition or railing to which it is adjacent. In position of use, the bin may be disposed above the stowing and/or storage spaces, while, in retracted position, it does not extend above these spaces.

The platform is provided with at least one access door adapted to pivot in one direction, about a substantially vertical axis, from its closed position. This aspect of the invention allows the user to enter the platform by pushing the door towards the interior of the platform, there being no risk of the door opening outwardly should the user inadvertently lean on it during use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more readily understood on reading the following description of an embodiment of a tool wagon in accordance with its principle, given solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0016]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool wagon according to the invention. [0017]
FIG. 2 is a side view of the wagon in the position of FIG. 1. [0018]
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, on a smaller scale, with the platform of the wagon in upper position. [0019]
FIG. 4 is a front view of the wagon in the position of FIG. 3. [0020]
FIG. 5 is a rear view of the wagon in the position of FIG. 3. [0021]
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 in another configuration of use of the wagon.[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, the [0023] tool wagon 1 shown in the Figures comprises a chassis 2 resting on the surface S of the ground via four wheels 3, via two front driving wheels 3 a and two rear steering wheels 3 b. The chassis 2 comprises a base 21 and two assemblies 22 and 23 extending from the base 21 respectively above the pair of front wheels 3 a and above the pair of rear wheels 3 b.
The [0024] assembly 22 incorporates shelves 24 shown only in FIG. 4, for receiving tools such as spanners, screwdrivers or portable electric or pneumatic tools. The interior space of assembly 22 is isolated from the outside by two doors 25 articulated about substantially vertical axes when the wagon 1 is resting on a horizontal surface S.
Beneath the [0025] assembly 22 is defined a housing 26 adapted to accommodate a motor (not shown) for driving the wheels 3 a, as well as one or more batteries for supplying this motor (likewise not shown).
The [0026] assembly 23 comprises four drawers 27 in which material and/or accessories such as plugs, collars, connections, etc . . . can be stored. The assembly 23 also comprises shelves 24′, shown only in FIG. 5, isolated from the outside by a door 25′. The shelves 24′ enable tools to be stowed and/or accessories to be stored.
Above the [0027] assembly 23 is provided a space 28 for relatively large objects which cannot be housed in assemblies 22 and 23.
Beneath the [0028] assembly 23 and inside a housing 29 is located the system for steering the wheels 3 b.
A space E is defined between the [0029] assemblies 22 and 23 and above the base 21, this space being of sufficient dimensions to receive a platform 5 on which a user can stand.
This platform is accessible via two [0030] doors 51 and 52 articulated about substantially vertical hinges when the wagon is resting on a horizontal surface S and capable of pivoting only towards the interior of the platform 5, as represented by arrows F₁in FIG. 1. In this way, for a user to be able to leave the platform 5, he must pull on the doors 51 and 52. The risks of his falling through the doors 51 and 52 are therefore rendered minimal.
The [0031] platform 5 also comprises two partitions 53 and 54 extending, from the floor 55 of the platform 5, over a height h₁preventing a user from tipping over. The height h₁is, for example, included between 90 cm and 1.20 cm, preferably of the order of 1.10 cm. A partition 56 joins partitions 53 and 54 and presents substantially the same height.
A [0032] jack 6 is disposed between the platform 5 and the base 21 of the chassis 2.
The [0033] base element 61 of the jack 6 is fixed on the chassis I inside the space E. The upper or end element 62 of the jack 6 traverses the floor 55 in the configuration of FIGS. 1 and 2 and extends above the doors and partitions. In practice, element 62 presents a height h₂of the order of 2 meters.
When it is envisaged to work at a high level, it suffices for a user to take the tools and accessories which he needs from one of the [0034] assemblies 22 and 23, and to enter the platform 5 before actuating the jack 6 in order to raise this platform to the desired height and to work under satisfactory conditions of accessibility and safety.
A module for controlling operation of the [0035] wagon 1 is provided inside the platform 5, which enables a user to control the height of the platform 5 and the displacement of the chassis 2, from his work position.
The [0036] platform 5 is equipped with two bins 57 and 58 extending in the upper part of the partitions 53 and 54 and over the whole of their width. A user can deposit in these bins those tools and accessories which he knows he will need. These bins 57 and 58 are accessible from outside the platform, in particular when the user opens the doors 25 or 25′ or the drawers 27. After having selected the materials that he needs, the user simply places them in one of the bins 57 or 58. These bins are also accessible from inside the platform 5, which renders the materials readily available to the user when he is working at a high level.
As is more particularly visible in FIG. 6, the [0037] bin 58 is articulated about a hinge 59 of substantially horizontal axis when the wagon 1 is resting on a horizontal surface S. The bin 58 is thus mobile between the position of FIG. 2 and that of FIG. 6. In the position of FIG. 2, the bin 58 may be used for receiving material. In that case it extends above the assembly 23, in the same way as bin 57 extends above assembly 22.
When cumbersome equipment M is to be placed on the [0038] space 28, the bin 58 is taken into the position of FIG. 6 where it does not hinder accessibility to the space which can accommodate equipment M of relatively large height. The tipping movement of the bin 58 between the position of FIG. 2 and that of FIG. 6 is represented by arrow F₂in this Figure.
The [0039] jack 6 used may be of any known type. In particular, it may be a hydraulic or pneumatic jack.
As the [0040] jack 6 traverses the floor in the configuration of FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6, the dimensions of the wagon 1 are limited, the height h₃with respect to the ground being essentially of the order of 1.10 m to 1.20 m, while the height h′₂of jack 6 with respect to the ground only concerns the centre of the wagon 1, this height h′₂being of the same order of magnitude as height h₂.
The fact that, when the [0041] platform 5 is in low position, the partitions 53 and 54 extend above the assemblies 22 and 23, allows a particularly suitable positioning of the bins 57 and 58.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. Tool wagon comprising spaces for stowing tools and/or spaces for storing accessories, wherein it presents:

a platform adapted to receive a user, and

means for elevating said platform above said chassis.

2. The tool wagon of claim 1, wherein said stowing and/or storage spaces are formed in two assemblies together defining between themselves a space for receiving said platform.

3. The wagon of claim 2, wherein said elevation means comprise at least one jack of which the base element abuts on said chassis in said receiving space.

4. The wagon of claim 3, wherein, in at least certain positions of said platform with respect to said chassis, said jack traverses the floor of said platform.

5. The wagon of claim 1, wherein said platform is provided with partitions or railings extending, when said platform is in low position, up to above said receiving and/or storage spaces.

6. The wagon of claim 5, wherein said platform is equipped with at least one bin for temporarily depositing tools and/or accessories, said bin being accessible to a user standing on said platform and being provided, in its upper part, with one of said partitions or railings.

7. The wagon of claim 1, wherein said platform is equipped with at least one bin for temporarily depositing tools and/or accessories, said bin being accessible to a user standing on said platform.

8. The wagon of claim 7, wherein at least one of said bins is articulated between a position of use, where it extends substantially along a plane parallel to the surface of the ground on which said wagon is resting, and a retracted position, where it does not project outside said platform with respect to the partition or railing to which it is adjacent.

9. The wagon of claim 8, wherein, in position of use, said bin is disposed above certain stowing and/or storage spaces while, in retracted position, it does not extend above these spaces.

10. The wagon of claim 1, wherein said platform is provided with at least one access door adapted to pivot in one direction only, about a substantially vertical axis, from its closed position.