Patent Application
20220155809
The present invention relates generally to heavy equipment and more specifically to a platform control system for boom lifts, which includes left and right joysticks for movement of a boom lift.
It appears that the prior art does not disclose a platform control system for boom lifts, which includes left and right joysticks for movement of a boom lift.
Accordingly, there is clearly felt need in the art for a platform control system for boom lifts, which includes left and right joysticks for movement of a boom lift and other functions; which includes all boom lift control buttons located on left and right joystick; and which includes an operator having better control of the machine, because the operator does not have to take their hands off the left and right joysticks or look at a control panel to activate some function of the boom lift.
The present invention provides a platform control system for boom lifts, which includes left and right joysticks for movement of a boom lift. The platform control system for boom lifts (boom lift control system) preferably includes a control panel, a left joystick and a right joystick. The left joystick includes a left palm grip shaped handle; a left platform ON-OFF-ON rocker switch for controlling a platform rotation; a left height ON-OFF-ON rocker switch for controlling lowering and raising of a jib; a left articulating ON-OFF-ON rocker switch for controlling folding and unfolding of an articulating upper boom; a left extension ON-OFF-ON rocker switch for controlling the extension and retraction of the articulating upper boom; a left leveling ON-OFF-ON rocker switch for controlling platform leveling; and a left disabling ON-OFF push button for enabling and disabling a function of all the switches assembled on the left joystick. The left disabling ON-OFF push button acts as an additional safety mechanism to prevent the inadvertent actuation of both the left joystick and the switches mounted to the left joystick.
The right joystick includes a right palm grip shaped handle; a right slewing ON-OFF rocker switch for controlling the slewing of a turret; a right stability ON-OFF-ON rocker switch for controlling the extension and retraction of the axles; a right jib ON-OFF-ON rocker switch for controlling the extension and retraction of the jib; a right crabbing ON-OFF push button for controlling crab steering of the wheels; a right coordination ON-OFF push button switch for controlling coordinated steering of the wheels; and a right disabling ON-OFF push button for enabling and disabling a function of all the switches on the right joystick. The left and right joysticks can be configured to work on a telescopic boom lift machine as well as on an articulating boom lift machine. When using the boom lift control system for boom lifts for a telescopic boom lift platform, the rocker switch controlling the folding and unfolding of the articulating upper boom, and the rocker switch controlling the extension and retraction of the articulating upper boom are not installed. The mounting hole of these switches may be plugged with a cap.
The control panel preferably includes a display screen, a plurality of switches, a rotary knob, a display light and a screen shroud. The display screen is mounted in a middle of the control panel. The display screen includes a plurality of proceed lights, a plurality of warning lights and a plurality of error lights pertaining to the functions of the left and right joysticks. The screen shroud partially covers the display screen to eliminate sun glare. The plurality of switches, the rotary knob and the display light are located on left and right open areas of the control panel. A horn button and an emergency stop button are located in front of the display screen.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a boom lift control system, which includes left and right joysticks for movement of a boom lift and other functions.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a boom lift control system, which includes all boom lift control buttons located on left and right joystick.
Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide a boom lift control system, which includes an operator having better control of the machine, because the operator does not have to take their hands off the left and right joysticks or_ look at a control panel to activate some function of the boom lift.
These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification.
With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to
With reference to
The left and right joysticks 12, 14 can be configured to work on a telescopic boom lift machine as well as on an articulating boom lift machine. When using the platform control system 1 for boom lifts for a telescopic boom lift platform, the rocker switch 22 controlling the folding and unfolding of the articulating upper boom, and the rocker switch 24 controlling the extension and retraction of the articulating upper boom are not installed. The mounting hole of these switches may be plugged with a cap.
With reference to
The above proceed lights, warning lights and error lights pertain to the functions of the left and right joysticks 12, 14. The screen shroud 50 partially covers the display screen 42 to eliminate sun glare. The plurality of switches 44, the rotary knob 46 and the display light 48 are located to the left and right of the display screen 42 in open areas of the control panel 10. A horn button 80 and an emergency stop button 82 are located in front of the display screen 42.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
