WO2010115577A1

WO2010115577A1 - Access device and related method

Info

Publication number: WO2010115577A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/002085
Authority: WO
Inventors: Barrie Weatherall
Original assignee: Rojak Design Ltd
Current assignee: Rojak Design Ltd
Priority date: 2009-03-31
Filing date: 2010-03-31
Publication date: 2010-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 2011-09-30
Also published as: GB2505096A; GB2469063A; GB0905516D0; GB201317829D0; GB2505096B; GB2469063B

Abstract

A method of gaining maintenance access safely to an elevated and laterally-displaced area on a commercial refrigerator or freezer, the refrigerator or freezer having an accessible under area and area for the storage and/or display of goods which projects laterally of the area to be accessed, the method comprising positioning an access device comprising steps (2), an elevated working platform (15) extending away from the foot of the steps and a support leg (1) extending generally horizontally from the steps and adapted to be locatable in the under area of the refrigerator or freezer and locating the support leg in the under area of the refrigerator or freezer whereby the leg engages with the ground in a location generally underneath or beyond the working platform and an access device for use in the method.

Description

ACCESS DEVICE AND RELATED METHOD

This invention relates to an access device and to a method of safely gaining access to an elevated area in a public environment. The invention particularly relates to a method of gaining access safely to an elevated area on a commercial refrigerator or freezer having an area for storage of the contents of the refrigerator or freezer which projects laterally of the area to be accessed and to access steps for gaining safe access.

Gaining access to locations in places used by the public presents certain difficulties including the need to be able to gain access safely, especially where the location to be accessed is elevated, ensure adequate safeguards for the public whilst access is being gained for reasons of public health and also legal liability for damage or injury and to allow tasks at the location, for example maintenance of utilities to be carried out effectively and efficiently.

Especial difficulties arise in gaining access to elevated parts of commercial refrigerators and freezers in a retail environment, for example a supermarket, where the public has access, for example in shopping aisles in retail premises, due to the design and shape of the refrigerator or freezer. Freezers and refrigerators for storing and displaying foodstuffs in retail premises are purchased from many different sources and as they are typically designed to maximize retail sales, their design as regards product display and appearance is paramount over practical requirements for example accessing operational areas for servicing, for example electrical motors and other technical aspects of the operation of the device. In general, commercial refrigerators and freezers have their utilities supply and operational equipment located at the top and towards the rear of the device and the display areas, for example refrigerated bins or shelving optionally with doors whereby access for maintenance requires an engineer to be supported in an elevated position at the front of the device and then to be able to reach to the rearward area for servicing and maintenance of the utilities and mechanics of the device. This presents difficulties in supporting effectively and safely elevated and laterally disposed weight of the engineer.

In addition, maintenance of freezers and refrigerators in a retail environment is generally the responsibility of the company that installs them rather than the manufacturers of the devices. The mechanical and electrical parts of the refrigerator or freezer are located in a poorly accessible location due to commercial freezers and refrigerators being designed with a primary focus on aesthetics and product display rather than ease of access for maintenance, particularly by third parties. Nevertheless, maintenance of the refrigerator or freezer remains essential.

In a retail environment, retaining full public access during opening hours is highly desirable if not essential for retailers. However, closure of an aisle, however temporary, for maintenance work on refrigeration or freezer equipment is extremely undesirable and costly. Retention of public access in proximity to the maintenance worker is highly desirable. Furthermore, maintenance workers are not able to work from a stable structure such as small scaffolding tower or work platform as the structure may block the aisle or present an unacceptable restriction to customer access. As a consequence, in practice, maintenance is often carried out using standard ladders for example an articulated "multi-ladder" which may serve as a ladder, step ladder or the like.

Use of conventional ladders in gaining ready and safe access for maintenance may however be problematic. For example a glass fronted freezer cabinet above a freezer having wells may be 2m to 3m above the aisle and over a metre back from the aisle making support from a conventional ladder unstable. Conventional ladders do not readily and safely enable sufficiently close access to the work location.

The freezer well may typically be 1 metre deep and 500mm wide. In practice, maintenance engineers may sometimes stand on the edge of the freezer well. Apart from the physical risk of slipping there is a health hazard standing on a freezer containing food. In addition, a retailer generally will wish to avoid turning off the power supply to avoid the risk of product loss. The maintenance engineer may be faced with working with electrically live equipment with the possibility of water in the locality. Further, the general public will typically be in close proximity with heavily laden shopping trolleys and there is a high risk of collision with the steps or ladder, presenting an unacceptable hazard.

Where maintenance engineers are engaged, the place of work falls under the European Union Work at Heights Regulations (WAHR 2005). Without appropriate access equipment and working practices, there may be breach of these or similar Regulations, and consequently a lack of willingness to accept responsibility for the choice of access equipment.

Accordingly, there is an ongoing need to provide a method for maintenance engineers to be able to safely and efficiently access the utilities and operational parts of a refrigerator or freezer, where there may be a live power supply and possibility of water, particularly in a retail environment where the retailer wishes to avoid closure of selling space to retain full public access whilst avoiding the risk of accident through collision with the equipment supporting the maintenance engineer.

At the bottom of the front face of commercial freezers and refrigerators, there is typically a gap for carrying electrical cables and drainage pipes hidden behind a kick plate and this area has not been employed to support access equipment due to the risk of interfering with utilities and ready access not being available.

We have now found that the afore-mentioned problems may be solved or ameliorated utilizing a method of access which involves use of the under-area of the refrigerator to support access equipment which bridges the obstruction of the freezer or refrigerator well or display area.

The invention provides in a first aspect a method of gaining maintenance access safely to an elevated and laterally displaced area on a commercial refrigerator or freezer, the refrigerator or freezer having an accessible under area and area for the storage and/or display of goods which projects laterally of the area to be accessed, the method comprising positioning an access device comprising steps, an elevated working platform extending away from the foot of the steps and at least one support leg extending generally horizontally from the steps and adapted to be locatable in the under area of the refrigerator or freezer and locating the at least one support leg in the under area of the refrigerator or freezer whereby the at least one leg engages with the ground in a location generally underneath or beyond the working platform.

In a preferred embodiment the at least one support leg is movable relative to the steps of the access device. More preferably the at least one support leg is movable between a first, located configuration in which the at least one support leg engages with the ground and in a second, access configuration in which the at least one support leg is not in contact with the ground whereby the access device is movable between a first position in which the at least one support leg is located in the accessible under area and a second position in which the at least one support leg is located away from the accessible under area. If desired, the at least one support leg may be pivotally mounted on the steps. The important consideration is that the at least one support leg is movable such the access device may be moved into its working location with the at least one support leg being located in the accessible under area but without snagging or otherwise fouling any cabling, ducting or other obstructions in that area and once located, then be moved into a located configuration.

Suitably, the at least one supporting leg comprises a foot engagable with the ground and the at least one support leg or a part of the at least one support leg is rotatable about its longitudinal axis between a first, located configuration in which the at least one support leg engages with the ground and in a second, access configuration in which the at least one support leg is not in contact with the ground.

In a second aspect the invention provides an access device for use in gaining access safely to an elevated work area on a commercial refrigerator or freezer which has a storage or display well and an accessible under area, the device comprising steps, an elevated working platform to which the steps lead, and a support leg extending laterally from the steps and having a foot adapted, in use, to engage the ground in the under area and in a location under or beyond the elevated working, the arrangement being such that the platform, steps and support leg define a zone underneath the platform, above the support leg capable of accommodating the storage or display well.

Suitably, the device comprises two support legs. Preferably the support legs extend in a generally horizontal direction from the steps. In a preferred embodiment, the support leg comprises a foot, a fixed portion and a rotatable portion, the foot being located on the rotatable portion and the rotatable portion is, in use, rotated to bring the foot from a generally horizontal plane into a generally vertical plane whereby it may engage with the ground. Suitably, the horizontal plane is raised from the ground to allow ready rotation of the foot into a position whereby it engages the ground in use whilst allowing clearance of the support leg and foot from any obstacles for example drainage pipes, electrical cables and the like located in the under area of the refrigerator or freezer. The support leg is suitably pivotally mounted on the steps to allow movement in a generally vertical plane so the support leg may be readily engaged with the ground and moved over any obstructions in the under area of the refrigerator or freezer.

The rotatable portion advantageously allows the maintenance engineer to position the device next to the refrigerator or freezer with the foot in the horizontal plane and preferably raised from the ground, the access device may then be rotated such that the steps face the refrigerator or freezer, the platform is located over the storage or display well and the support leg is located under the well and has cleared obstructions in the under area. The rotatable portion is then suitably rotated to bring the foot into contact with the ground so as to provide support for the access device. Obstructions may include fragile items for example plastic drainage pipes and desirably the supporting leg is pivotally mounted on the steps and the foot is vertically extendible so as to enable the supporting leg to clear obstructions when the access device is configured for use.

In a preferred embodiment, the access device is made of an electrically insulating material to reduce risks of electrocution that may otherwise arise due to the practice of retaining power during maintenance. Preferably, the access device is made of fibreglass.

The steps of the access device suitably are fixed and not rotatable in a vertical plane relative to the ground, for example by pivoting about their base. Preferably the steps are and a single fixed flight of steps and do not comprise modular or extendable sections of steps.

The access device preferably comprises a safety barrier at the sides and front of the work platform and, optionally, on the steps.

The access device preferably comprises a least one back support adapted to support the platform at a location forward of the steps. The back support is suitably engaged with the support leg in use and desirably with the rotatable portion of the support leg, where present. Suitably, the back support provides support for the work platform and in a preferred embodiment, the work platform extends from the steps, to the back support and beyond the back support and the supporting leg extends form the steps at least as far as the back support such that the user may safely stand on the work platform at a position beyond the point where the back support is connected to the platform. This arrangement suitably allows the access device to be utilized against a projecting refrigerator or freezer well such that the platform extends over the well and the user may safely stand on the platform whilst carrying out maintenance to the refrigerator or freezer.

The access device may be collapsible to a configuration where the platform, steps and support leg are in a planar arrangement. Preferably the support leg and platform are pivotally mounted on the steps and, where present, the back support is suitably pivotally mounted at its upper end on the steps and is releasably securable, preferably using a connector, to the support leg. The invention is described further with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a side elevation of an access device according to the invention in a working configuration;

Figure 2 shows a side elevation of the device shown in Figure 1 with the support leg rotated in a configuration for locating the device;

Figure 3 shows a preferred design of support leg of the device according to the invention;

Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the preferred mechanism for allowing rotation of part of the support leg;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a connector for the support leg of the device according to the invention;

Figure 6 shows a side view of a device according to the invention in use and located against a refrigerator or freezer.

Figure 1 shows an access device according to the invention which is arranged in a working configuration. Preferably the access device comprises a pair of support legs (1), connected to each side of the steps (2), preferably pivotally, for example by means of a bolt (5). The access device comprises a working platform (15) and suitably back support (3), connected to the support legs (1) via connector, of example releasably securable clips (4). The support legs (1) comprise a fixed portion (1a) and a rotatable portion (1 b), rotatable relative to fixed portion (1a) which extend beyond the back legs of the steps (3). passing through connectors (4). The support legs each have a foot (9) at the distal end which in the working configuration is in contact with the ground or other solid support. The foot (9) is suitably adjustable to whereby it may be extended in a generally vertical direction so as to raise the level of the supporting leg (1) to provide a greater clearance under the supporting leg (1) and avoid obstacles in the under area of the refrigerator or freezer and especially avoid resting on such obstacles.

Figure 2 shows the device of Figure 1 in which rotatable portion (1 b) is at approximately 90 degrees to the position of the same portion in Figure 1 , whereby the feet (9) are located generally in the plane of the support legs (1) and able to clear any obstacles found in the under area of the refrigerator or freezer.

Figure 3 shows a preferred form of the support leg (1). The support leg (1) comprises a rectangular section hollow metal tube (1a) as the fixed portion fixed to the steps (3) by pivot bolt (5) and a rectangular section hollow metal tube (1b) as the rotatable portion. A support block (7) is fixed inside tube (1a) and support block (8) is fixed in the rotatable portion (1b). Figure 4 illustrates a preferred mechanism for rotation of the rotatable portion (1b) and comprises a nut (10) that is tightened up acting against its partner nut (11) at the other end of threaded bar (14). This bar passes through support block (7), washers (12) and (13), support block (8) and into nut (11). The assembly is bolted together and washers (12) and (13) work tightly against each other forming pivot point (6) allowing controlled rotation of rotatable portion (1b).

In use, the user unclips the support legs (1) from connectors (4) on both sides of the steps and rotates sections 1 (b) through 90 degrees. The steps can now be pushed up to and flush against the freezer or refrigerator allowing the support legs (1) to extend into the under area. The rotatable portions (1 b) may now be rotated so that the adjustable feet are both touching the floor and clearing any instructions in the under area, for example waste pipes, drainage pipes, and electrical cables. The support legs (1) are then suitably re-engaged with the connectors (4) to provide additional stability. Preferred forms of connector (4) are shown in Figure 5.

Figure 6 shows the access device located for use against a refrigerator or freezer (15) having a storage or display well (16), an under area (17) and a work location (18). The access device has an area defined by the work platform (15), back support (3) and support legs (1) into which the well (16) may be accommodated in use thereby allowing the user access in close proximity to the work area (18) without needing to step on the refrigerator or freezer and whilst having a stable, supporting surface from which to work. The user may work on the platform (15) at a point which is beyond the point at which the back support (3) connects with the platform (15) as illustrated in Figure 6. Further, as the access device is stable, public access to the area around the device may be retained during maintenance work thereby allowing the retailer to maintain maximum access whilst maintenance work is safely carried out.

Claims

1. A method of gaining maintenance access safely to an elevated and laterally displaced area on a commercial refrigerator or freezer, the refrigerator or freezer having an accessible under area and area for the storage and/or display of goods which projects laterally of the area to be accessed, the method comprising positioning an access device comprising steps, an elevated working platform extending away from the foot of the steps and at least one support leg extending generally horizontally from the steps and adapted to be locatable in the under area of the refrigerator or freezer and locating the at least one support leg in the under area of the refrigerator or freezer whereby the at least one support leg engages with the ground in a location generally underneath or beyond the working platform.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the at least one support leg is movable relative to the steps of the access device.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the at least one support leg is movable between a first, located configuration in which the at least one support leg engages with the ground and in a second, access configuration in which the at least one support leg is not in contact with the ground whereby the access device is movable between a first position in which the at least one support leg is located in the accessible under area and a second position in which the at least one support leg is located away from the accessible under area.

4. A method according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the at least one supporting leg comprises a foot engagable with the ground and the at least one support leg or a part thereof is rotatable about its longitudinal axis between a first, located configuration in which the at least one support leg engages with the ground and in a second, access configuration in which the at least one support leg is not in contact with the ground.

5. An access device for use in gaining access safely to an elevated work area on a commercial refrigerator or freezer which has a storage or display well and an accessible under area, the device comprising steps, an elevated working platform to which the steps lead, and at least one support leg extending laterally from the steps and optionally having a foot adapted, in use, to engage the ground in the under area and in a location under or beyond the elevated working, the arrangement being such that the platform, steps and support leg define a zone underneath the platform, above the support leg capable of accommodating the storage or display well.

6. A device according to claim 5 comprising two support legs optionally wherein the at least one support leg or a part of the at least one support leg is rotatable about its longitudinal axis.

7. A device according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the support leg comprises a foot, a fixed portion and a rotatable portion, the foot being located on the rotatable portion the arrangement being such that the rotatable portion is, in use, rotated to bring the foot from a generally horizontal plane into a generally vertical plane whereby it may engage with the ground. The access device is made of an electrically insulating material to reduce risks of electrocution that may otherwise arise due to the practice of retaining power during maintenance.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein the electrically insulating material comprises fiberglass.

9. A device according to any one of claims 5 to 8 comprising a safety barrier at the sides and front of the work platform and, optionally, on the steps.

10. A device according to any one of claims 5 to 9 comprising a least one back support adapted to support the platform at a location forward of the steps.

11. A device according to any one of claims 5 to 10 wherein the access device is collapsible to a configuration where the platform, steps and support leg are in a planar arrangement.

12. A ladder stabiliser substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.