Patent Application
20240083015
Large amounts of products and systems are loaded and shipped on pallets through shipped containers and warehouses. Often, workers will have to perform assembly or other operations on the products or systems on the pallets. This frequently requires the workers to be positioned in difficult or awkward postures to accomplish these tasks. Having these workers positioned in difficult or awkward postures for extended periods of time can lead to accidents and injuries.
The present disclosure relates generally to a swing arm system and method, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a swing arm system and method for providing assistance to pallet workers. There is a continuing need for system and method that provide support to workers that have to perform assembly or other operations on the products or systems on the pallets. Such system and method can help prevent accidents and injuries, which should always be a goal in manufacturing, shipping, and warehousing environments.
The present disclosure is directed towards a swing arm system for providing operator support over a pallet. In at least one implementation, the swing arm system includes: a ground-engaging support platform, a main vertical support brace, a vertical long pivot shaft, a rotatable rectangular support bracket, a holder, a vertical short pivot shaft, a swing arm, a seat support shaft, and a seat. The main vertical support brace is connected to the ground-engaging support platform. The main vertical support brace includes a top bearing hub and a bottom bearing hub. The vertical long pivot shaft is rotatably connected to the main vertical support brace by the top bearing hub and a bottom bearing hub. The rotatable rectangular support bracket includes a top brace, a bottom brace, and a front vertical brace that connects the top brace and bottom brace. The top brace is connected to the vertical long pivot shaft near the top bearing hub and the bottom brace is connected to the vertical long pivot shaft near the bottom bearing hub. The front vertical brace includes an upper bearing hub and a lower bearing hub. The holder is mounted to the bottom brace of the rotatable rectangular support bracket. Additionally, the holder is an operative associated with a ground-engaging member. The vertical short pivot shaft is rotatably connected to the front vertical brace by the upper bearing hub and a lower bearing hub. The swing arm is connected to the vertical short pivot shaft. Additionally, the swing arm includes a seat support collar. The seat support shaft is mounted on the seat support collar. The seat is operatively connected to the seat support shaft.
In some embodiments of the swing arm system, one or more angled platform engaging supports secure the main vertical support brace to the ground-engaging support platform. In another aspect of some embodiments, the ground-engaging support platform includes fastener holes for removable securement to a ground. In still another aspect of some embodiments, the ground-engaging member is a wheel, and wherein the holder mounted to the bottom brace is a wheel holder. In yet another aspect of some embodiments, the swing arm includes a brace support on its upper surface. In a further aspect of some embodiments, the seat support shaft is adjustable to raise and lower the seat. In an additional aspect of some embodiments, the seat is rotatably connected to the seat support shaft.
In one or more other embodiments, a system for providing operator support over a pallet is disclosed. Some embodiments of such systems include: an upright support brace, a first pivot member, a rotatable support bracket, a second pivot member, a rotatable arm, a seat support member, and a seat. The upright support brace is connected to one or more primary bearing hubs. The first pivot member is rotatably connected to the upright support brace by the one or more bearing hubs. The rotatable support bracket is connected to first pivot member at a first end and is connected to one or more secondary bearing hubs at a second end. The second pivot member is rotatably connected to the rotatable support bracket by the one or more secondary bearing hubs. The rotatable arm is connected to the second pivot member. The seat support member is operatively connected with the rotatable arm. The seat is operatively connected to the seat support member.
In some embodiments of the swing arm system, the system further includes a ground-engaging support platform. In another aspect of some embodiments, one or more angled platform engaging supports secure the main vertical support brace to the ground-engaging support platform. In still another aspect of some embodiments, the ground-engaging support platform includes fastener holes for removable securement to the ground. In yet another aspect, some embodiments further include a holder mounted to the rotatable support bracket, the holder operative associated with a ground-engaging member. In a further aspect of some embodiments, the ground-engaging member is a wheel, and wherein the holder mounted to the rotatable support bracket is a wheel holder. In still another aspect of some embodiments, the rotatable arm includes a brace support on its upper surface. In an additional aspect of some embodiments, the seat support member is adjustable to raise and lower the seat. Moreover, in some aspects the seat is rotatably connected to the seat support shaft.
In other embodiments of the swing arm method for providing operator support over a pallet, the method includes: connecting a ground-engaging support platform to a main vertical support brace, the main vertical support brace including a top bearing hub and a bottom bearing hub, rotatably connecting a long pivot shaft connected to the main vertical support brace by one or more primary bearing hubs, connecting the long pivot shaft to a support bracket, wherein the support bracket includes one or more secondary bearing hubs, connecting a holder mounted to the support bracket, the holder being an operative associated with a ground-engaging member, rotatably connecting a short pivot shaft to the support bracket by the one or more secondary bearing hubs, connecting a swing arm to the short pivot shaft, the swing arm including a seat support collar, mounting a seat support shaft on the seat support collar, and rotatably connecting a seat to the seat support shaft.
In some embodiments of the swing arm method for providing operator support over a pallet, the method further comprises: securing one or more angled platform engaging supports to the main vertical support brace and the ground-engaging support platform. In another aspect of some embodiments, the ground-engaging member is a wheel, and wherein the holder mounted to the rotatable support bracket is a wheel holder. In still another aspect of some embodiments, the method further comprises: securing a brace support on an upper surface of the swing arm.
These features with other technological improvements, which will become subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully described hereafter and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof.
The present application will be more fully understood by reference to the following figures, which are for illustrative purposes only. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and elements of similar structures or functions are generally represented by like reference numerals for illustrative purposes throughout the figures. The figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the various embodiments described herein. The figures do not describe every aspect of the teachings disclosed herein and do not limit the scope of the claims.
Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the present disclosure is illustrative only and not in any way limiting. Other embodiments and various combinations of the presently disclosed system and method readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the assistance of this disclosure.
Each of the features and teachings disclosed herein can be utilized separately or in conjunction with other features and teachings to provide a swing arm system and method. Representative examples utilizing many of these additional features and teachings, both separately and in combination, are described in further detail with reference to attached
In the description below, for purposes of explanation only, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present system and method. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required to practice the teachings of the present system and method. Also, other methods and systems may be used.
Throughout the specification, claims, and drawings, the following terms take the meaning explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “herein” refers to the specification, claims, and drawings associated with the current application. The phrases “in one embodiment,” “in another embodiment,” “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in other embodiments,” and other variations thereof refer to one or more features, structures, functions, limitations, or characteristics of the present disclosure, and are not limited to the same or different embodiments unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, the term “or” is an inclusive “or” operator, and is equivalent to the phrases “A or B, or both” or “A or B or C, or any combination thereof,” and lists with additional elements are similarly treated. The term “based on” is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional features, functions, aspects, or limitations not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, throughout the specification, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include singular and plural references.
Moreover, the various features of the representative examples and the dependent claims may be combined in ways that are not specifically and explicitly enumerated in order to provide additional useful embodiments of the present teachings. It is also expressly noted that all value ranges or indications of groups of entities disclose every possible intermediate value or intermediate entity for the purpose of original disclosure, as well as for the purpose of restricting the claimed subject matter. It is also expressly noted that the dimensions and the shapes of the components shown in the figures are designed to help to understand how the present teachings are practiced, but not intended to limit the dimensions and the shapes shown in the examples.
Referring now to
In some embodiments of the swing arm system 100, a foundational component is the ground-engaging support platform 110. The ground-engaging support platform 110 is the component that secures the swing arm system 100 to the ground 230. The ground-engaging support platform 110 includes a flat or substantially flat plate that is secured to the ground 230 or floor of a warehouse or other structure. As shown in
As shown in
Referring now to another aspect of the swing arm system 100, in some embodiments the main vertical support brace 120 is connected perpendicularly to the ground-engaging support platform 110. While the main vertical support brace 120 is described as vertical, it will be understood that in some embodiments the support brace 120 is generally or substantially vertical, but not absolutely vertical. Such general verticalness may include an angle of 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, or 20 degrees, as well as intermediate degrees, off of true vertical. Additionally, while the main vertical support brace 120 has been described as being connected perpendicularly to the ground-engaging support platform 110, it will be understood that in some embodiments the support brace 120 is generally or substantially perpendicular, but not absolutely perpendicular. Such general perpendicularity may include an angle of 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, or 20 degrees, as well as intermediate degrees, off of being truly perpendicular.
As shown in
Referring now to another aspect of the swing arm system 100, in some embodiments the main vertical support brace 120 is connected to a top bearing hub 122 near the top of the main vertical support brace 120 and a bottom bearing hub 124 near the top of the main vertical support brace 120. The bearing hubs may be ball bearing, roller bearings, or other known bearing systems. In other embodiments, the main vertical support brace 120 may be connected to only a single bearing hub or to more than two bearing hubs, depending on the amount of load that the swing arm system 100 is being configured to bear. In still other embodiments, the main vertical support brace 120 is not connected to bearing hubs, but rather to other alternative rotational connection mounts.
As shown in
Referring now to another aspect of the swing arm system 100, in some embodiments the rotatable rectangular support bracket 140 is connected to the vertical long pivot shaft 130. In one or more embodiments, the rectangular support bracket 140 includes a top brace 142, a bottom brace 144, and a front vertical brace 146 that connects the top brace 142 and bottom brace 144. The top brace 142 is connected to the vertical long pivot shaft near the top bearing hub 122 and the bottom brace 144 is connected to the vertical long pivot shaft near the bottom bearing hub 124. While the rotatable rectangular support bracket 140 is described as rectangular, it will be understood that in some embodiments the support bracket 140 has opposing sides (e.g., the top brace 142 and the bottom brace 144) that are generally or substantially parallel, but not absolutely parallel. Such general parallelism of the opposing sides of the rectangular support bracket 140 may include an angle of 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, or 20 degrees, as well as intermediate degrees, off of true parallel.
Additionally, in some embodiments, the front vertical brace 146 is connected to an upper bearing hub 148 and a lower bearing hub 149. The bearing hubs 148 and 149 may be ball bearing, roller bearings, or other known bearing systems. In other embodiments, the front vertical brace 146 may be connected to only a single bearing hub or to more than two bearing hubs, depending on the amount of load that the swing arm system 100 is being configured to bear. In still other embodiments, the front vertical brace 146 is not connected to bearing hubs, but rather to other alternative rotational connection mounts.
Referring now to another aspect of the swing arm system 100, in some embodiments the ground-engaging member holder 150 is mounted to the bottom brace 144 of the rotatable rectangular support bracket 140. In another aspect of such embodiments, the ground-engaging member holder 150 is an operative associated with a ground-engaging member 154. In some such embodiments, the ground-engaging member holder 150 is a wheel holder, and the ground-engaging member 154 is a wheel. In one or more embodiments, the wheel 154 is connected to the wheel holder 150 by an axle 156 (shown in
One technological improvement provided by the wheel 154 of swing arm system 100 is that the swing arm 170 and the seat 190 of the swing arm system 100 can be adjustably positioned close to a pallet upon which an operator will be assembling products or systems while sitting on the seat 190. Another technological improvement provided by the wheel 154 of swing arm system 100 is that the wheel 154 carries a significant amount of load positioned on the seat 190 of the swing arm system 100, instead of having the swing arm 170 cantilevered all the way to the ground-engaging support platform 110.
As shown in
Referring now to another aspect of the swing arm system 100, in some embodiments the swing arm 170 is connected to the vertical short pivot shaft 160 between the upper bearing hub 148 and the lower bearing hub 149. The swing arm 170 is connected to the vertical short pivot shaft 160 at the rear end of the swing arm 170. In one or more embodiments, the swing arm 170 is disposed parallel to the ground 230. While the swing arm 170 is described as parallel to the ground 230, it will be understood that in some embodiments the swing arm 170 is generally or substantially parallel, but not absolutely parallel. Such general parallelism of the opposing sides of the rectangular support bracket 140 may include an angle of 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, or 20 degrees, as well as intermediate degrees, off of true parallel. In another aspect, the swing arm 170 includes a seat support collar 172 at or near the front end of the swing arm 170.
Notably, in still another aspect of the swing arm system 100, the swing arm 170 includes a brace support 174 on its upper surface. The brace support 174 provides load bearing rigidity that increases the amount of load that can be handled on the seat 190 (e.g., load of the operator's weight). The load bearing capacity of the swing arm system 100 may be increased by increasing the length of the brace support 174 along the upper surface of the swing arm 170, the height of the brace support 174 above the upper surface of the swing arm 170, or the width of the brace support 174 with respect to the width of the swing arm 170. In some embodiments of the swing arm system 100 the sides of the brace support 174 are angled inward towards the top of the brace support 174 to create a frusto-pyramidal shape (i.e., a truncated pyramid). Additionally, in one or more embodiments of the swing arm system 100, the brace support 174 is welded to the upper surface of the swing arm 170; however, in other embodiments, the brace support 174 is connected to the upper surface of the swing arm 170 using other securement techniques.
Referring now to another aspect of the swing arm system 100, in some embodiments the seat support shaft 180 is mounted to the seat support collar 172 of the swing arm 170. In one or more embodiments, the seat support shaft 180 is adjustable to raise and lower the seat 190. As shown in
Furthermore, as shown in
The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, uses specific nomenclature and formula to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It should be apparent to those of skill in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the disclosure. The embodiments have been chosen and described to best explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments and its practical application, thereby enabling others of skill in the art to utilize the disclosed embodiments, and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Thus, the foregoing disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and those of skill in the art recognize that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.
The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments.
These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the breadth and scope of a disclosed embodiment should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
