Patent Grant
11746994
The present disclosure relates to lighting systems specifically designed for use on the aerial work platforms, commonly referred to as lift buckets, having sidewalls and an upper lip. Such lift buckets are typically electrically insulated and are provided on lift trucks to elevate liner workers in the power distribution, telephone line, and cable service industries so that the line workers can service and install elevated power lines, telephone lines, and cable lines. Other types of workers, such as arborists, that must work at height to perform their jobs also often utilize such work platforms.
Such lighting systems are known, but there is a continuing desire for improved lighting systems that offer benefits in the way of enhanced performance, improved ergonomics, additional features, and/or optimized flexibility in the application and use of the lighting system.
In accordance with one feature of this disclosure, a battery powered lighting device is configured to be releasably attached to an aerial work platform in the form of a lift bucket having solid sidewalls and an upper lip extending from uppermost portions of the sidewalls. The lighting device includes a main housing, a securing member, and a main light. The main housing includes a battery mount, a first securing surface, and an upper housing portion. The battery mount is configured to mount a battery to power the lighting device. The first securing surface is configured to engage a surface of a sidewall or the upper lip of the lift bucket. The upper housing portion is configured to be located above the upper lip of the lift bucket with the first securing surface engaged against a surface of a sidewall or the upper lip of the lift bucket. The securing member includes a second securing surface and extends from the upper housing portion to locate the second securing surface to engage a surface of a sidewall or the upper lip of the lift buck on an opposite side from a surface of the sidewall or the upper lip engaged by the first securing surface. The main light is mounted to the main housing to move relative to the main housing between a lower position wherein the main light is positioned below the upper housing portion and an upper position wherein the main light is positioned above the upper housing portion.
As one feature, the second securing surface is aligned opposite the first securing surface.
In one feature, the main light is an array of light emitting diodes.
According to one feature, the main light is further mounted to move relative to the main housing between at least a forward facing position and a sideward facing position with the main light located in the lower position and with the main light located in the upper position.
In one feature, the main light is mounted to pivot relative to the main housing about a first axis between the lower and upper positions. In a further feature, the main light is further mounted to pivot relative to the main housing about a second axis between a forward facing position and a sideward facing position.
As one feature, the battery mount includes a compartment that encloses a battery mounted in the battery mount.
According to one feature, the battery mount includes a releasable connection to allow a battery to be releasably connected to the lighting device.
As one feature, the lighting device further includes a battery mounted in the battery mount and operably connected to power the light device.
In one feature, the securing member is mounted to the upper housing portion to move between an open position wherein a sidewall or the upper lip of the lift bucket can be inserted between the first and second securing surfaces, and a clamping position wherein the sidewall or the upper lip is clamped between the first and second securing surfaces with the upper housing portion located above the lip of the lift bucket.
As a further feature, the securing member is mounted to the upper housing to translate relative to the first securing surface between the open and clamping positions.
According to one feature, the securing member is biased toward the open position.
In a one feature, the lighting device further includes a spring mounted between the upper housing portion and the securing member and configured to bias the securing member toward the open position, with the securing member being mounted to the upper housing to translate relative to the first securing surface.
According to one feature, the lighting device further includes a releasable ratchet mechanism mounted between the securing member and the upper housing portion and configured to releasably retain the securing member in the clamping position. The ratchet mechanism includes an elongate, multi-toothed rack mounted to one of the securing member and the upper housing portion, and a pawl mounted to the other of the securing member and the upper housing portion.
In one feature, the lighting device further includes an additional light located on the lighting device to illuminate an interior of the lift bucket with a sidewall or the upper lip of the lift bucket engaged between the first and second securing surface.
In accordance with one feature of this disclosure, a battery powered lighting device is configured to be releasably attached to an aerial work platform in the form of a lift bucket having sidewalls and an upper lip extending from uppermost portions of the sidewalls. The lighting device includes a main housing, a clamp member, and a main light. The main housing includes a battery mount configured to mount a battery to power the lighting device, a first clamp surface configured to engage a sidewall or the upper lip of the lift bucket, and an upper housing portion configured to be located above the upper lip of the lift bucket with the first clamp surface engaged against a sidewall or the upper lip of the lift bucket. The clamp member includes a second clamp surface and is mounted to the upper housing portion to move between an open position wherein a sidewall or the upper lip of the lift bucket can be inserted between the first and second clamp surfaces and a clamping position wherein the sidewall or the upper lip is clamped between the first and second clamp surfaces with the upper housing portion located above the lip of the lift bucket. The main light is mounted to the main housing to move relative to the main housing between a lower position wherein the main light is positioned below the upper housing portion and an upper position wherein the main light is positioned above the upper housing portion.
As one feature, the main light is further mounted to move relative to the main housing between at least a forward facing position and a sideward facing position with the main light located in the lower position and with the main light located in the upper position.
According to one feature, the main light is mounted to pivot relative to the main housing about a first axis between the lower and upper positions. In a further feature, the main light is further mounted to pivot relative to the main housing about a second axis between a forward facing position and a sideward facing position.
In one feature, the clamp member is mounted to the upper housing to translate relative to the first clamp surface.
As one feature, the clamp member is biased toward the open position.
According to one feature, the lighting device further includes a spring mounted between the upper housing portion and the clamp member and configured to bias the clamp member toward the open position, with the clamp member being mounted to the upper housing to translate relative to the first clamp surface.
In one feature, the lighting device of further includes a releasable ratchet mechanism mounted between the clamp member and the upper housing portion and configured to releasably retain the clamp member in the clamping position. The ratchet mechanism includes an elongate, multi-toothed rack mounted to one of the clamp member and the upper housing portion, and a pawl mounted to the other of the clamp member and the upper housing portion.
As one feature, the lighting device further includes an additional light located on the device to illuminate an interior of the lift bucket with a sidewall or the upper lip of the lift bucket clamped between the first and second clamp surface.
It should be understood that the inventive concepts disclosed herein do not require each of the features discussed above, may include any combination of the features discussed, and may include features not specifically discussed above.
As best seen in
The lighting device 10 includes a main housing 18, a securing member 20, a main light 22, and, in the illustrated embodiment, an interior light 24. The main light is mounted to the main housing 18 and located to illuminate areas outside of a lift bucket 12 with the lighting device 10 attached to one of the sidewalls 14 or the lip 16 of the lift bucket 12, as illustrated at A in
The main housing 18 includes: a battery mount portion 26 configured to mount a battery 28 (shown only in
In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the securing surface 30 includes a pair of planar portions 44 spaced from each other by a concave portion 46, as best seen in
The securing member 20 includes a second securing surface 54 that, in the illustrated embodiment, is aligned opposite from the first securing surface 30, as best seen in
In the illustrated embodiment, the securing member 20 is a clamping member 20 and the securing surfaces 30 and 54 are clamping surfaces. The securing member 30 of the illustrated embodiment is mounted to the upper housing portion 32 to move between an open position, such as shown in
In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the securing member 20 is mounted to the upper housing portion 32 to translate relative to the first securing surface 30 between the open and closed positions, as shown by the arrows C in
It is also preferred that the lighting device 10 include a mechanism 66 configured to selectively maintain the securing member 20 in the clamping position. In the illustrated embodiment, the mechanism 66 is provided in the form of a releasable ratchet mechanism 66 mounted between the securing member 20 and the upper housing portion 32. The illustrated ratchet mechanism 66 includes a linear rack 68 having a plurality of linearly spaced teeth 70 formed as a unitary part of the slide 56, and a pair of pawl teeth 72 fixed on a lever 74. The lever 74 is mounted via a pivot axis 76 to the upper housing portion 32. The lever 74 can pivot about the axis 76 between an engaged position wherein the pawl teeth 72 are engaged with teeth 70 on the rack 68 and a release position wherein the pawl teeth 72 are disengage from the teeth 70 on the rack 68. A helical torsion spring 78 is engaged between the lever 74 and the upper housing portion 32 to bias the lever 74 toward the engaged position. The teeth 70 and 72 are shaped so that movement of the securing member 20 toward the clamping position forces the lever 74 from the engaged position to the disengaged position, and movement of the securing member 20 toward the open position forces the teeth 70 and 72 into further engagement to retain the lever 74 in the engaged position. When the teeth 70 and 72 are disengaged, the spring 60 automatically moves the securing member 20 to the open position. The lighting device includes a release button 80 mounted in the upper housing portion 32 to actuate the lever 74 from the engaged position shown in
The main light 22 is mounted to the main housing 18 to move relative to the main housing 18 between a lower position wherein the main light 22 is positioned below the upper housing portion 32, such as shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, as best seen in
As best seen in
As best seen in
Preferred embodiments of the inventive concepts are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventor(s) for carrying out the inventive concepts. Variations of those preferred embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor(s) expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor(s) intend that the inventive concepts can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, the inventive concepts disclosed herein include all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements and features in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the inventive concepts unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. Further in this regard, while highly preferred forms of the lighting device 10 are shown in the figures, it should be understood that this disclosure anticipates variations in the specific details of each of the disclosed components and features of the lighting device 10 and that no limitation to a specific form, configuration, or detail is intended unless expressly and specifically recited in an appended claim.
For example, while specific and preferred forms have been shown for the LED's 82 and 110, any suitable light emitting component, many of which are known, may be used for one or both, including for example, other configurations of LED arrays, single LED's, incandescent bulbs, xenon bulbs, or halogen bulbs. As another example, while the illustrated gimbal 88 and pivot mount 92 are preferred, any suitable structure that allows the main light 22 to move between the upper and lower positions can be used. Similarly, while the gimbal 88 and pivot mount 86 are preferred, any suitable structure that allows the main light 22 to swivel some amount relative to the main housing 18 in either the upper or the lower position can be used. As an example, while it is preferred that the main light 22 be configured to swivel some amount relative to the main housing 18 in both the upper and lower positions, in some application it may be desirable of the main light not to be configured to swivel in either the upper or the lower position, or to be able to swivel in only one of the upper and lower positions. In yet another example, while it is preferred that each light 22 and 24 be controlled by a dedicated switch, in some application it may be desirable for the lights 22 and 24 to be controlled by a single switch or other type of user input device. As another example, while it is preferred that the concave portion 46 have an arcuate profile, in some applications it may be desirable a different concave shape to be used, such as a v-shaped profile. As another example, while the disclosed ratchet mechanism 66 is preferred, any suitable mechanism 66 configured to selectively maintain the securing member 20 in the clamping position can be used. Similarly, while it is preferred to bias the securing member 20 to the open position, in some applications it may be desirable to not provide any bias force on the securing member 20 or to bias the securing member 20 toward the clamping position. In further example, while it is highly preferred that the securing member 20 be configured for movement relative to the main housing 18, in some applications it may be desirable for the securing member to have a fixed relationship relative to the main housing 18 with sufficient spacing between the securing member 20 and the main housing 18 to allow the lip 16 and/or the sidewall 14 to be inserted between the securing member 20 and the main housing 18 as the lighting device is mounted onto the lift bucket 12. In another example, while it is preferred that the portions 32 and 36 of the housing 18 define the u-shaped channel 38, other shapes can be used for the channel 38 and in some applications it may be desirable not to have a channel defined between the portions 32 and 36 of the housing 18. In a further example, while it is preferred for the battery mount portion 26 to be located at the bottom of the housing 18, in some applications it may be desirable to provide a different location in the main housing 18 for the battery mount portion 26 or for the securing member 20 to include a battery mount portion. Further, while it is preferred that the battery 28 be readily removable from the main housing 18, in some applications it may be desirable for the battery to be fixed in the main housing 18. As yet another example, while it is preferred that the interior light 22 have a fixed relationship to the securing member 20, in some applications it may be desirable to allow the interior light 22 to be configured for to move relative to the securing member 20. As another example, while the exterior cross-sectional shape of the slide 56 is illustrated as being somewhat trapezoidal shaped, many other shapes are possible, including for example circular, rectangular, and square shapes. As a further example, while the illustrated embodiment provides pivoting motion of the main light 22 between the upper and lower positions, in some application it may be desired for the motion to take some other form, such as, for example, could be provided by a slide in a vertically extending channel. As yet another example, while the illustrated and preferred embodiments are intended for engagement of the surfaces 30 and 54 with the sidewalls 14 of a lift bucket 12, it may be desirable in some applications to engage the lip 15 of a lift bucket 12 with the surfaces 30 and 54 of the illustrated embodiment, or to optimize the lighting device 10 and surfaces 30 and 54 for such engagement with the lip 15 of a lift bucket. As a further example, while the illustrated ratchet mechanism 66 shows the linear rack 68 as a unitary part of the slide 56, the rack 68 could be a separate component that is assembled to the slide 56. Furthermore as another alternate configuration, the rack 68 could be attached to or formed as a unitary part of the upper housing portion 32 and the lever 74 with the pawl teeth 72 could be pivot mounted to the slide 56.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and “at least one” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term “at least one” followed by a list of one or more items (for example, “at least one of A and B”) is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the inventive concepts disclosed herein and does not pose a limitation on the scope of any invention unless expressly claimed. Directional terms such as upward, downward, upper, lower, etc. are intended to have their commonly understood meaning. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the inventive concepts disclosed herein.
All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/885,573 filed May 28, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6379023 | Passno | Apr 2002 | B1 |
| 7470036 | Deighton | Dec 2008 | B2 |
| 10323831 | Harvey | Jun 2019 | B2 |
| 20200300446 | Sergyeyenko | Sep 2020 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20220316686 A1 | Oct 2022 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16885573 | May 2020 | US |
| Child | 17845243 | US |
