The present disclosure generally relates to mobile platforms, scaffolds, ladders, and similar structures used to support users at elevated positions.
Workers in the fields of construction, maintenance, repair, lighting, outdoor events, and other industries often need to access areas only reachable by a scaffold, ladder, or similar structure. These areas are not always near each other or are too large to be easily reached from a single platform in a single position, so the user either needs to use a very large platform, needs to use multiple platforms, or needs to move one or more platforms from place to place to access every area of interest. Generally, these platforms are movable from one place to another when disassembled or when a person is not positioned on the platform, but the reconfiguration of the platform and climbing up and down from the platform is potentially time consuming, dangerous, tiring, and/or requires multiple workers.
In many cases, the platforms are motorized (e.g., using electric motors to drive wheels at the base or to raise and lower a scissor-mechanism-supported platform), so the platform cannot function without external power sources, batteries, or fuel. They may also carry components having sizes or weights that make it impossible for a single person to move the platform up stairs or past other obstacles. In any case, these platforms are typically too unwieldy, heavy, complex, expensive, and/or niche for all but large institutional consumers. Accordingly, there is a constant need for improvements to mobile platforms.
One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a drivable platform, comprising: a first rail having a bottom end; a first wheel positioned at the bottom end of the first rail, the first wheel being coupled with a first driver; a second rail having a bottom end; a second wheel positioned at the bottom end of the second rail, the second wheel being coupled with a second driver; a first control assembly coupled with the first rail above the bottom end and including a first handle and a third driver; a second control assembly coupled with the second rail above the bottom end and including a second handle and a fourth driver; a first transmission member configured to couple rotation of the first driver and the third driver; a second transmission member configured to couple rotation of the second driver and the fourth driver; and a platform coupled to the first rail and the second rail. The first handle can be rotatable to drive rotation of the first wheel and the second handle is rotatable to drive rotation of the second wheel; and the first wheel can be rotatable independent of the second wheel.
In some embodiments, the first control assembly includes a crank coupled with the third driver and with the first handle. The first wheel can be rotatable in an opposite direction from the second wheel by operation of the first and second control assemblies. At least the first transmission member can comprise a chain engaging with a set of teeth on the first driver and with a set of teeth on the third driver. At least the first transmission member can comprise a belt engaging the first driver and the third driver. The platform can further comprise a brake coupled with at least one of the first and second rails, with the brake being rotatable to a position braking movement of at least one of the first and second transmission members. At least one of the first and second handles can automatically brake rotation of at least one of the third and fourth drivers.
Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a driving apparatus for a mobile platform, comprising: a rail; a drive system extending from a bottom end of the rail to a position above the bottom end of the rail; a wheel connected to the drive system at the bottom end of the rail; a crank arm rotatably coupled to a portion of the drive system at the position above the bottom end of the rail; and a handle coupled to the crank arm and movable between a first position and a second position relative to the drive system. With the handle in the first position, a brake can limit rotation of the crank arm, and with the handle in the second position, the brake can be released, and the crank arm can be rotatable to drive the drive system.
The handle can be biased to the first position. The handle can be rotatable between the first position and the second position within a plane intersecting an elongated dimension of the crank arm, with the first position being angularly offset from the second position. The handle can be translatable perpendicular to an elongated dimension of the crank arm to move between the first position and the second position. The handle can be translatable parallel to an elongated dimension of the crank arm to move between the first position and the second position. The brake can comprise a pin movable between a braking position engaging a plate of the drive system while the handle is in the first position and a released position spaced away from the plate while the handle is in the second position. The plate can radially extend relative to an axis of rotation of the crank arm. The brake can be released by rotating the handle from the first position to the second position.
In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a wheeled platform can comprise a first assembly including: a first pair of spaced apart rails; at least one rung extending between and coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails; a first pair of wheels coupled to respective bottom ends of the first pair of spaced apart rails; and a first pair of hinge portions coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails. The platform can also include a second assembly including: a second pair of spaced apart rails; a second pair of wheels coupled to respective bottom ends of the second pair of spaced apart rails; and a second pair of hinge portions coupled to the second pair of spaced apart rails. The first pair of hinge portions and the second pair of hinge portions can be coupled to each other to form a pair of pivotable hinges movable between a first position in which the first pair of rails extends at a non-parallel angle relative to the second pair of rails and a second position in which the first pair of rails extends parallel to the second pair of rails. The wheeled platform can also include at least one platform coupled with and extending between the first assembly and the second assembly below the pair of pivotable hinges.
In some embodiments, the at least one platform can include a first platform coupled with the first assembly and with a second platform, with the second platform being coupled with the second assembly. The first platform can be coupled with the second assembly.
A drive system can be included which includes: a rotatable handle at an upper end of at least one of the first and second assemblies, and a drive link configured for transferring a torque applied to the rotatable handle to at least one wheel of the first pair of wheels or at least one wheel of the second pair of wheels. The at least one platform can be pivotable relative to the first and second assemblies. Additionally, at least the pair of spaced apart rails may be adjustable between a first length configuration and a second length configuration, with the first length configuration being shorter than the second length configuration. A spacer bar system may be included which extends between a bottom end of the a rail of the first pair of spaced apart rails and a bottom end of a rails of the second pair of spaced apart rails, with the spacer bar system having an adjustable length.
The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify one or more preferred embodiments.
The accompanying drawings and figures illustrate a number of exemplary embodiments and are part of the specification. Together with the present description, these drawings demonstrate and explain various principles of this disclosure. A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be realized by reference to the following drawings. In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label.
While the embodiments described herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, the exemplary embodiments described herein are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the instant disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Various embodiments of devices usable in place of or as platforms, scaffolds, ladders, and related components and alternatives are described herein. The described embodiments are not mutually exclusive of each other. Rather, various features, components or elements of one described embodiment may be used in conjunction with features, components or elements of other described embodiments.
As mentioned above, conventional mobile lifts and platforms are too large, heavy, expensive, and potentially dangerous to use for certain tasks. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a mobile wheeled platform systems that are light and, in some embodiments, capable of being moved and deployed by a single person through narrow passages, up and down stairs, over debris and barriers, and to many places that a ladder would be used. The systems can be collapsible and thereby selectively capable of being used in a standing configuration or a flattened, collapsed configuration that saves storage space, makes the platform easier to carry and move from place to place, and is rugged, easy to use, fast to set up and take down, and otherwise immediately operable by everyday users.
The systems can be configured with platforms that collapse and deploy with the rail assemblies (or independently) to provide an elevated standing surface that permits a user to reach a wide area above the base of the system while also being surrounded by a set of bars, gates, or railings that help the user keep their balance and avoid or prevent falls. In some embodiments, multiple different platform levels are selectable by the user, whether by the user choosing to stand on one of multiple different deployed platform levels or by the user deploying one or more platforms from the rail assemblies at a desired platform level.
Various embodiments include wheels that allow the system to be easily and quickly moved through a flat work area surface such as across indoor flooring or pavement. A user positioned on one of the elevated platforms can operate a drive system configured to drive at least one of the rear wheels and to thereby move the platform without having to climb down the rungs, reposition the assembly, and re-climb up the rungs in a tiresome manner. In some embodiments, the drive system includes cranks or rotatable handles that the user can rotate to drive the wheels via a drive mechanism such as a transmission member or transmission linkage, such as, for example, a loop (e.g., a chain, belt, or other flexible transmission member), a drive shaft or other rigid transmission member, or a drive linkage or other assembly of flexible and/or rigid parts configured for transferring rotation of the handles to rotation of the wheels. See, e.g., transmission gears 3756 and 3770 of platform system 3700.
Furthermore, the drive system can have independently operable wheel drives, wherein each wheel can be independently rotated, thereby giving the platform system superior mobility, maneuverability, and ease of use. While on a work platform, the user can perform zero-point turns with the drive system(s), thereby allowing the system to move through tight spaces (e.g., near walls, in hallways, or around debris).
Various mechanisms can be implemented as part of embodiments of the drive systems that can be used to brake or otherwise prevent movement of the handles, loops, or wheels. In some cases, the brakes are automatic, wherein when a user stops operating a handle, the handle is biased into a configuration that prevents further rotation without user intent. In some cases, the brakes are configured to prevent movement of the loop(s) irrespective of inputs provided to the handles or wheels.
The platform systems can also include deployable/collapsible “skirt” bars or supports that extend between front and rear rail assemblies and that help to stabilize the platform system by engaging the ground surface in the event that one or more wheels drops below the surface level of the other wheels. Furthermore, one or more of the wheels can include shrouds or other protective barriers configured to limit the size of objects that can engage the curved sides/tread portions of the wheels, thereby limiting the platform system's ability to potentially engage large enough objects to cause it to tilt or tip over while the user operates the drive system.
The present description provides examples, and is not limiting of the scope, applicability, or configuration set forth in the claims. Thus, it will be understood that changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements discussed without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, and various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add other procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, the methods described may be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Also, features described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in other embodiments.
The system 100 can also include a second assembly 112 pivotally coupled with the first assembly 102 and including a second pair of spaced apart rails 114, a second pair of wheels 116 coupled to respective bottom ends of the second pair of rails 114, and a second pair of hinge portions 118 coupled to the second pair of spaced apart rails 114. The first pair of hinge portions 110 and the second pair of hinge portions 118 are coupled to each other to form a pair of pivotable hinges 120 movable between a first position in which the first pair of rails 104 extends at a non-parallel angle relative to the second pair of rails 114 and a second position in which the first pair of rails 104 extends parallel to the second pair of rails 114. An example first position of the hinges 120 is shown in
The position shown in the perspective view of
In some embodiments, at least one platform assembly 130 (i.e., a platform structure or full-foot user support surface) is coupled with and extends between the first assembly 102 and the second assembly 112 below the pair of pivotable hinges 120. The platform assembly 130 can include a first platform 131 coupled with the first assembly 102 and a second platform 132 coupled with the second assembly 112. The platforms 131, 132 can be coupled to each other as well. In platform system 100, the first platform 131 is pivotally coupled with the front rails 104 across a front platform pivot axis F1, and the second platform 132 is pivotally coupled with the front rails 104 across a second front platform pivot axis F2. The second platform 132 is not directly pivotally coupled with the rear rails 114, and is instead connected to the rear rails 114 via a pair of linkage arms 136 at a rear platform pivot axis R. See
The first platform 131 can have a top support surface on at least roughly the same vertical level as the top-most rung 106 of the first assembly 102 when the system 100 is in the standing configuration, thereby causing the top support surfaces of the rung 106 and platform 131 to collectively support the same objects in the same support plane P (see
A pair of intermediate linkage arms 134 also pivotally couple the platforms 131, 132 with each other in a manner that causes the platforms 131, 132 to rotate from a horizontal support position in which the platforms 131, 132 are oriented at angles A1 and B1, respectively (shown in the central side cross-section of
In some embodiments, the platform system 100 includes a deployable cage system 140 coupled to at least one of the assemblies (e.g., only to the first assembly 102 in system 100). The cage system 140 can comprise a pair of vertical strut assemblies 142 and a pair of horizontal strut assemblies 144 that enable collapsing of the cage system 140 to a configuration where the vertical strut assemblies have their bars parallel to, or substantially parallel to, the front rails 104 in a manner that minimizes the overall collapsed depth of the system 100 along its front-to-back dimension (i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the rails 104 or perpendicular to a plane in which the rails 104 lie). To enable this collapsing movement, the cage system 140 can have movable or position-reconfigurable couplings (e.g., sliding couplings 148) that join the vertical strut assemblies 142 to the horizontal strut assemblies 144 and that can slide along the bars of the vertical strut assemblies 142 between a first position with the bars of the horizontal strut assemblies 144 being substantially horizontal (as shown in
Additionally, a set of gate members 146 can be rotatably joined to the pair of vertical strut assemblies 142 in a manner allows the gate members 146 to rotate to an open position in which a user can pass between the gate members 146 and onto the platforms 131, 132 and a closed position in which passage between the vertical strut assemblies 142 is limited by physical interference of the gate members 146. The gate members 146 can be configured with biasing features that bias them into the closed configuration so that a user positioned on the platforms 131, 132 can use the gate members 146 as a hand or body support, but the user can also apply a torque to the gate members 146 to move them out of the way when he or she is climbing or descending the first assembly 102.
The intermediate linkage arm 134 can be connected to an end of the first platform 131 that is spaced away from the front rails 104 and can, by its connection to the second platform 132 and second linkage 136, suspend the first platform 131 horizontally and at a level substantially equal to the height of the front platform axis of rotation F1. As the rails 104, 114 move to the collapsed position, the intermediate linkage arm 134 can help pivot and move the first and second platforms to their stowed/collapsed positions as a moment is applied to the intermediate linkage arm 134 by the second linkage 136 due to rotation of the rear rails 114 at the hinges 120.
In some embodiments, an upper rear railing or brace can extend across and connect the top ends of the rails 104, 114 at or near the hinges 120. In system 100, this brace is formed as a cargo container 150 that forms a trough or cup in which objects such as tools and fasteners can be supported and kept in a convenient position for easy and repeated access by a user. The brace can also serve as a barrier that limits the user's movement while on the platform(s) 131, 132 and acts as a cross-beam that helps prevent the user from moving too far between the rear rails 114. When in a standing configuration, the rear rails 114 can be arranged more vertically oriented than the front rails 104, thereby allowing the user to have easier access to areas immediately rearward from the platforms 131, 132. In other words, the work area in which the user can safely operate can have a horizontal range 151 (defined by the bounds of the platforms 131, 132 and topmost rung 106, i.e., the total standing surface enclosed by the cage system 140, hinges 120, and cargo container 150) that has a centerline 152 positioned rearward of the overall centerline 153 of the system 100 which is located centrally between the pairs of wheels 108, 116. This can help ensure that the center of gravity of the loaded system 100 (i.e., including user and tools on a platform 131, 132) can remain within the four corners of the system 100 to improve stability.
Additionally, using rear rails 114 that are more vertically oriented than the front rails 104 reduces the overall longitudinal length necessary for the rear rails 114 and therefore also reduces the overall length needed for the drive system(s) in the rear rails 114, such as the loops or longitudinal driveshaft components in the rear rails 114. A more vertically oriented set of rear rails 114 can also make the frame stiffer and can allow the front rails 104 to be at a more comfortable climbing angle (e.g., a more stair-like angle) for the rungs 106.
The platform system 100 can also include components that, when operated together, are usable as at least one drive system for the platform system and that enable movement of the platform system 100 while a user is standing on a platform 131, 132. The user can operate the drive system(s) to move the platform system 100 without need for another user's or operator's assistance, and the user can operate the drive system without having to descend from the platforms 131, 132. In other words, the user can move the platform system 100 while it is in the standing configuration using hand controls located at or near the top ends of the rails 104, 114, while standing in an elevated position within the horizontal range 151, and while being surrounded by the cage system 140 and brace/container 150.
A pair of drive systems can include a respective pair of rotatable hand controls 160 rotationally linked to a pair of wheels, pulleys, or gears 162 pivotally coupled to an upper end of the rear rails 114. See
Each of the hand controls 160 can optionally include a lateral handle 164 or grip member that is pivotally (or non-pivotally) coupled with a cranking wheel 166. Thus, the axis of rotation of the gears 162 can be offset from an axis defined through the lateral handles 164. The handles 164 can rotate about the axis of rotation through the gears 162, but the cranking wheels 166 can offset the rotation of the handles 164, thereby creating a moment arm that improves the user's comfort and establishes a moment applied when cranking the handles 164. In some embodiments, the cranking wheels 166 can be a single crank arm or bar member joining a lateral driveshaft (located at the center of the wheel 166 and through the center of the corresponding gear 162) to a handle portion at the end of the arm or bar member. See also, e.g.,
The gears 162 can comprise sprockets, toothed-circumference gears, high-friction wheels (e.g., rubber-lined wheels), angle gears, pulleys, other force-transferring elements or links, and related devices that transfer a moment/torque applied to a corresponding one of the pair of hand controls 160 to a respective loop of a pair of loops 170, longitudinal driveshafts, or other longitudinal force transferring devices engaged with the gears 162 and extending primarily longitudinally along (and, in some cases, at least partially within) the rear rails 114 to a corresponding one of a pair of lower gears 172 at the base of the rear rails 114.
The lower wheels or gears 172 can be referred to as drivers, rotational links, or torque transferring devices. The drive systems include two sides or drive assemblies that are mirror-images of each other, and any reference to a single upper gear 162, loop 170/longitudinal driveshaft, or lower gear 172 can apply to both sides of the platform system 100. Similarly, the hand controls 160 can be mirror images of each other, and descriptions herein about one hand control can be applied to both of them.
In some embodiments, each side of the drive system can be identical, such as by using the same type of gears 162, 172, loop 170, hand controls 160, and wheels 116 on each side, and in some embodiments, one or more components on each side can be different, such as by using different hand controls 160 on each side or using a loop 170 on one side and a longitudinal driveshaft instead of a loop 170 on the opposite side. Accordingly, the various parts of the various embodiments of the drive systems of the present disclosure can be fit together in a variety of combinations that will be apparent to those having skill in the art and the benefit of the present disclosure.
A loop 170 can include at least one chain, belt, band, rope, cable, or similar flexible member that transfers rotation of an upper gear 162 to rotation of a lower gear 172. The loop 170 can be configured to be bendable while having minimal elastic longitudinal stretching characteristics in order to diminish slop in the loop 170 and to more closely synchronize the rotations of the gears 162, 172. Using a chain, belt, or band with holes which receive teeth of the gears 162, 172 can beneficially reduce slippage of the loop 170 and also help transfer forces between the gears 162, 172 and the loop 170. In some embodiments, the loop 170 comprises a roller chain (i.e., a bicycle chain) configured to receive and engage rounded sprocket teeth of the gears 162, 172. In some embodiments, the loop 170 can comprise teeth (i.e., a tooth chain or inverted tooth conveyor chain) configured to engage openings in the gears 162, 172.
A longitudinal driveshaft can be used in place of the loop 170, such as a bar or tube having toothed/geared ends that respectively engage the upper and lower gears 162, 172. For example, a longitudinal driveshaft can include angled gear surfaces (or can be affixed to angled gears) that engage angled teeth of the upper and lower gears 162, 172. A longitudinal driveshaft can more efficiently transfer torque between the gears 162, 172 and can have less slop/wobble at the lower gear 172 as compared to a chain. In some embodiments, a longitudinal driveshaft can be included with telescoping capability, wherein the length of the driveshaft is adjustable or tunable when installed in different rails (e.g., front rails versus rear rails that have substantially different lengths by design or in different rear rails that each have different lengths due to dimensional or assembly tolerances/variance). Thus, the longitudinal driveshaft can in some cases include at least two portions with one portion capable of being coupled to the second portion in at least two different longitudinal positions, thereby granting the overall driveshaft at least two different possible longitudinal lengths. This can be especially useful to tune the length of the longitudinal driveshaft so that its end portions with teeth or other engagement features properly mesh or otherwise engage drivers (e.g., gears 162, 172) at its extreme ends.
Rotation of the lower gears 172 can cause rotation of the rear wheels 116. Thus, the rear wheels 116 can be referred to as drive wheels or primary driven wheels of the platform system 100. By cranking the handles 164, the rear wheels 116 can be rotated due to rotation of a lateral driveshaft connecting each lower gear 172 its respective rear wheel 116 on the lateral outside of the rail 114, thereby giving the platform system 100 mobility and giving the user the ability to reposition the platform system 100 while standing on the platform of the system 100.
Rotation of each handle 164 can drive the speed and direction of rotation of each respective wheel 116. For example, as viewed from a single side of the platform system 100, clockwise rotation of the left hand control 160 can cause corresponding clockwise rotation of the left rear wheel 116, and vice versa for counterclockwise rotation of the left hand control 160. Turning the right hand control 160 in the same direction and at the same speed as the left hand control 160 can drive the platform system 100 rearward (i.e., with the “front” wheels 108 trailing behind the “rear” wheels 116). Turning the hand controls 160 in the same direction at different speeds can cause the platform system 100 to veer to the left or right as it moves rearward (or forward). Operating one hand control 160 while leaving the other stationary can cause the platform system 100 to pivot about the stationary rear wheel 116. Operating one hand control 160 in a first direction while operating the other hand control 160 in the opposite direction can cause the platform system 100 to pivot about a point positioned on an axis extending between the rear wheels 116 on the support surface. If the hand controls 160 are driven at the same rotational speeds in the opposite directions, the platform system 100 is capable of performing a zero-point turn (i.e., a “tank turn” or “zero turn”) that rotates the platform system 100 about a pivot point positioned equidistant (i.e., at a midpoint) between the rear wheels 116 on the axis extending between them.
This degree of fine movement control can give the user freedom to move the platform system 100 carefully and directly to where it is needed. Accordingly, this can minimize the number of times the user feels inclined to lean sideways from the platforms 131, 132 to reach a desired work location rather than moving the platforms 131, 132 to a closer, less strenuous, or less dangerous position.
The brake 600 can be positioned in or on a rear rail 114. In some embodiments, the brake 600 can be positioned near a longitudinal midpoint of the rear rail 114 to which it is connected. In some embodiments, the brake 600 can be positioned above the support plane P defined by the first platform 131 (e.g., at position 180 in
The brake 600 can be used as a “parking” brake similar to one used in an automobile, wherein the brake 600 can be engaged or disengaged by the user to control whether (or at least how much) the loop 170 can move at the gears 162, 172 and can thereby control whether (or at least how much) the wheels 116 or hand controls 160 can rotate. The brake 600 can be attached to a laterally inner side of the rear rail 114 to avoid inadvertent bumps or collisions that could cause the brake 600 to accidentally disengage. A handle, arm, or grip of the brake 600 (e.g., 612) can extend through the rail 114 to a laterally outer position where it can be easily accessed and manipulated.
The brake 600 of
As shown in
While in the unlocked position, the channels 602, 604 each define a space or gap through which the portion(s) of the loop 170 can pass substantially freely and unrestricted by the brake 600. Thus, the loop 170 can be driven and transfer forces between the upper and lower gears 162, 172 without the brake 600 pinching or constraining the loop 170 while the brake is unlocked.
While in the locked position shown in
The brake 600 shown in
Nevertheless, in some embodiments, the brake 600 can have smooth walls 608, 610 that face the loop 170 and form the channels 602, 604. Additionally, in some embodiments, the walls 608, 610 can be integrally formed with or part of the rail (e.g., 114) on which the brake 600 is formed. For example, the rear rail 114 can form a longitudinal channel 620 (e.g., a C- or U-shaped channel, as shown in
As discussed in connection with
The lateral handle assembly 1006 can be pinned, locked, or otherwise reversibly rotationally retained to the plate 1002, and can thereby lock rotation of the lateral driveshaft 1003 relative to the rails, by a biased pin 1007 (see cross-section of
The lateral handle assembly 1006 (and the crank arm 1004 and lateral driveshaft 1003) can be unlocked or otherwise made rotatable relative to the plate 1002 by moving the pin 1007 from the locked position shown in
For continuous drive rotation of the crank arm 1004, a user can compress the lateral handle assembly 1006 by laterally pulling the grip member 1010 and can hold pressure on the grip member 1010 (e.g., by placing his or her fingers around the grip member 1010 and placing his or her palm on the end handle housing 1008, then squeezing the grip member 1010 laterally outward). The user's fingers applying the unlocking force to the grip member 1010 may be at least partially oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pin 1007/opening 1009. The pressure on the lateral handle assembly 1006 can be maintained while cranking the arm 1004 until a desired position of the platform system 100 has been reached (so that the pin 1007 does not re-engage the openings 1009 while moving). At that point, the user can release the grip member 1010, thereby allowing the spring 1012 to urge the pin 1007 back toward the face 1011 of the plate 1002. Rotation of the arm 1004 from that point can continue only until the pin 1007 is re-seated into one of the openings 1009, at which position the hand control 1000 returns to a locked configuration. The spacing and positioning of the openings 1009 can therefore correspond to a plurality of different locked positions for the pin 1007, such as the sixteen positions shown in
The grip member 1506 can have an end portion 1508 slidably coupled with a pin member 1507. The pin member 1507 can be coupled with the crank arm 1504 but enabled to slide parallel to the longitudinal axis of the crank arm 1504 within a range of motion (as shown by slot-and-pin features 1516 in
The pin member 1507 is configured to slide parallel to the longitudinal axis of the crank arm 1504 when the grip member 1506 is pulled radially away from the axis of rotation of the lateral driveshaft 1503 (i.e., in the direction of arrow 1511 in
The handle 2106 can include an end portion 2108 that is movable between a first position rotated out of contact with the pin member 2107 and a second position rotated into contact with the pin member 2107 and applying a longitudinally-directed/radially outward force to the pin member 2107 (relative to the axis of rotation of the lateral driveshaft 1503). To do so, the end portion 2108 can be rotatable into an end slot 2110 or opening in the pin member 2107, wherein a side surface of the end portion 2108 pulls the pin member 2107 out of the opening 1509 by overcoming the biasing force of the spring 2112 (which can have the same configuration and features as spring 1512). Thus, rotation of the handle 2106 can unlock the hand control 2100. When the handle 2106 is released, the spring 2112 can bias and push the pin member 2107 back toward the plate 1502 and can cause the handle 2106 to rotate back to its first position that is substantially longitudinally aligned with the crank arm 2104 from its second position that is substantially perpendicular to the crank arm 2104 and parallel to the axis of rotation of the lateral driveshaft 1503. This hand control 2100 can therefore beneficially provide a user with visual confirmation that the handle 2106 is in a locked or unlocked position. Also, while the handle 2106 is in the locked position, it is more difficult to attempt to crank around the driveshaft 1503, so it intuitively communicates its locked or unlocked status to new users.
As with handle 2106, the handle 2406 can pivot between a locked position shown in
An automatic locking gear 2711 (i.e., a crown gear, crown pin, radial-longitudinal gear, or dual-pin-type gear) is positioned in the cavity 2710 and is biased away from the cap 2709 (i.e., toward the plate 2702/along the axis of rotation of the lateral driveshaft 2703) by a spring 2712 contacting an outer face of the gear 2711 and an inner face of the cap 2709. In various embodiments, the gear 2711 can be mounted to the lateral driveshaft 2703 (in which case the lateral driveshaft 2703 is movable along its longitudinal axis relative to the crank arm 2704) or can be slidable along and relative to the lateral driveshaft 2703. In either case, the gear 2711 can be movable between a locked position (
The cavity 2710 can have an inner cylindrical wall 2718 laterally/radially surrounding the locking gear 2711. The surface of the wall 2718 can include a set of angled guide features 2720 (e.g., protrusions or recesses) configured to engage with a set of radially-extending teeth 2722 of the locking gear 2711. Thus, rotation of the crank arm 2704 can cause rotation of the guide features 2720. The guide features 2720 shown in the
At rest, the gear 2711 is biased toward the plate 2702, and the protrusions 2714 engage the openings 2715, as described above and as shown in
While the protrusions 2714 are in the openings 2715, the interaction between the teeth 2722 and guide features 2720 prevents rotation of the crank arm 2704 relative to the plate 2702 unless a minimum torque is applied to the crank arm 2704 that overcomes the friction (generated in part by the spring 2712) between the teeth 2722 and guide features 2720 to make the teeth 2722 slide away from the centers of the V-shaped features 2730 (i.e., as shown, for example, by arrow 2740 or 2742 in
As a user continues to apply a torque exceeding the minimum torque, the teeth 2722 will remain in the unlocked position (i.e., in one of the conditions shown in
When torque applied to the crank arm 2704 falls below the minimum threshold level, the gear 2711 can be biased back to the locked position by the spring 2712 (e.g., along the directions of arrows 2744 or 2746). Accordingly, the user can simply stop moving the crank arm 2704 (e.g., via the handle 2706) to lock the hand control 2700 and can simply rotate the crank arm 2704 to unlock the hand control 2700. Like other hand controls described herein (e.g., 1000, 1300, 1500, 2100, and 2400), the hand control 2700 can be operated in both forward and reverse directions (i.e., clockwise and counterclockwise) and can be automatically braked after moving in either direction. This configuration can therefore provide ease of use and automatic lock and unlock ability with few, if any, external moving parts. Encasing the locking mechanism within the crank arm 2704 can therefore limit or prevent damage to the locking mechanism from outside elements (e.g., dirt, spills, falling tools, collisions, etc.).
Various hand controls described herein (e.g., 1000, 1300, 1500, 2100, 2400, 2700) can be used interchangeably with various lateral driveshafts described herein. Thus, different hand controls can be used on each side of various different platform systems (e.g., 100, 3300), with different drive mechanisms (e.g., a loop 170/belt/chain/cable or longitudinal driveshaft), etc. Disclosure of a feature in connection with one embodiment should be understood as being applicable or implementable with other embodiments.
The pair of upper skirt bars 3306 can be latched to the front rails 3302 by a pair of latches 3310 that, when engaged, rigidly keep the pair of upper skirt bars 3306 coupled to the front rails 3302. Thus, due to the coupling between the bars 3306 and the rails 3302, 3304, if one of the front wheels 3312 or rear wheels 3314 rolls into a recess or off a ledge, thereby potentially allowing the system 3300 to tilt or tip, at least one of the lower skirt bars 3308 or upper skirt bars 3306 can hold the system 3300 against a support surface between the wheels 3312/3314 (i.e., the system can high-center on the bars) to limit the amount of tilting or tipping until the system 3300 can be moved back to a proper substantially horizontal support surface where it is supported again by the wheels. As used herein, a “horizontal” support surface is within about 3 degrees of level and substantially smooth.
In some embodiments, the skirt system can also rotate the rear wheels 3314 out of engagement with the ground support surface when in the collapsed or storage position, thereby allowing the rear rails 3304 to be supported by their own bottom ends/feet or by storage position support wheels 3317 extending below their bottom ends. The user can therefore roll the collapsed platform system 3300 from place to place with the storage position support wheels 3317 engaging the ground support surface instead of with the drive system-linked rear wheels 3314 (which may be prevented from rolling due to locking features of a brake (e.g., 600) or hand control (e.g., 2700)).
The first platform 3502 is pivotally coupled to and extends between the rear rails 3304. The first platform 3502 is also pivotally coupled to a pair of linkage arms 3503 on each side (only one of which is visible in
The second platform 3504 is pivotally coupled to and extends between the rear rails 3304, wherein the second platform 3504 is pivotally rotatable relative to the rear rails 3304 about an upper rear axis of rotation S4. The second platform 3504 is selectively coupled with the front pair of rails 3302 by a pair of user controlled locks, pins, or releasable latches 3506 through a front attachment axis S5. The latches 3506 can be retained in apertures or recesses in the front rails 3302. Alternatively, the rails 3302 can bear the latches 3506, and the second platform 3504 can include openings or recesses for receiving the latches 3506. Thus, in the deployed position/support position shown in
While the second platform 3504 is in the rear/collapsed position, a user is capable of standing on and moving across the entire top surface of the lower first platform 3502 without interference from the second platform 3504. Thus, the user can be supported at a lower vertical height and across a lower vertical plane in the platform assembly 3500 as compared to the second-platform-deployed configuration of
In each of the first and second assemblies 3702, 3704, the inner and outer rails may be slidably coupled to each other, such as by brackets 3720, such as, for example, a set of C-shaped brackets. The rails may be slidably coupled with the inner rails being at least partially surrounded by or nested within the outer rails and within the brackets 3720. Thus, the combined overall length of a set of inner and outer rails in the first assembly 3702 (or the second assembly 3704) may be adjustable by sliding the inner rails within the outer rails and thereby extending the height of the assembly, as shown, for example, in
The shape of the brackets 3720 (e.g., the C-shaped cross-section) may partially wrap around the inner rail (e.g., 3709) and thereby prevent the inner rail from being laterally inwardly pulled away from the outer rail (e.g., 3708). In some embodiments, the brackets 3720 do not form a complete loop around the inner rail and instead have a gap or space on the laterally inward side of the bracket 3720, as shown in
Additionally, a gap or space between the outer rails 3708 may be formed between the brackets 3720 (e.g., in the gap spanned by an inner rung 3714). In other words, no additional braces or spanning links may extend between the outer rails 3708 aside from the outer rungs 3718. This may be the case across the entire length of the outer rails 3708 or at least adjacent to the platform 3706 and the space into which the platform is movable as the system 3700 folds into a collapsed configuration at the pivot brackets 3712 and at platform pivot connections 3724. Thus, the platform 3706 may fold unhindered by braces or other cross-members extending between the first assembly as the platform 3706 pivots (e.g., at pivot connections 3724) between the inner rails 3709 and the outer rails 3708.
A set of locking mechanisms 3722 may be implemented, with one locking mechanism 3722 per inner-outer rail pair (e.g., one for each inner rail 3711 and outer rail 3710 or for each inner rail 3709 and outer rail 3708, as shown in at least
The locking mechanism 3722 may transition from the released state to the locked state automatically, e.g., in response to a biasing spring or similar feature in the locking mechanism 3722, or manually, e.g., in response to a user transitioning the locking mechanism 3722 by hand. The mechanism 3722 may be configured to manually be transitioned from the locked state to the released state, such as by a user twisting or pulling on a handle portion of the locking mechanism 3722 and withdrawing a locking member of the locking mechanism 3722 from the inner rail and/or outer rail. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism 3722 may be implemented using the locking mechanism 3778 described in connection with
A first set of inner rungs 3714 may be directly coupled to and extend between the first pair of inner rails 3709, and a second set of inner rungs 3716 may be directly coupled to and extend between the second pair of inner rails 3711. A set of outer rungs 3718 may be directly coupled to and extend between the first pair of outer rails 3708. As shown in
In some embodiments, an upper most inner rung 3714 of the first assembly 3701 or an upper most rung 3716 of the second assembly 3704 may be positioned at substantially the same elevation as a top surface of the platform 3706 or at an elevation slightly below the top surface of the platform 3706 when the system 3700 is in an upright, standing configuration. In this manner, the rung 3718 and/or 3716 may at least partially support the platform 3706 and/or may extend the usable top surface of the platform 3706 for supporting a user while he or she stands on the platform 3706 and/or upper most rungs 3718, 3716. Furthermore, in some embodiments, an upper most outer rung (e.g., 3718) may also be positioned at the elevation of the platform 3706, thereby even further extending the working and standing surface for the user.
The first assembly 3702 and second assembly 3704 may be pivotable relative to each other at pivot brackets 3712, thereby allowing the system 3700 to transition from the open, “A-frame,” or freestanding configuration of
A spreader or spacer bar system 3726 may be implemented extending between rails on one or both lateral sides of the first assembly 3702 and the second assembly 3704. The spacer bar system 3726 may be used to lock the system 3700 in an open/freestanding configuration at various height configurations of the first and second assemblies 3702, 3704. For instance, the spacer bar system 3726 may include a first tubular bar 3728 and a second tubular bar 3730 that are configured to telescopically slide relative to each other to adjust their overall combined length between the assemblies 3702, 3704.
A locking mechanism 3732, similar to locking mechanisms 3722, may be implemented on the spacer bar system 3726 to selectively lock or unlock the telescoping movement of the bars 3728, 3730 relative to each other. Thus, with the locking mechanism 3732 in an unlocked or released state, the second tubular bar 3730 may slide within the first tubular bar 3728 to extend the length of the spacer bar system 3726 as the outer rails of the first and second assemblies 3702, 3704 are adjusted relative to the inner rails of the first and second assemblies 3702, 3704 to increase the height of the system 3700 and to thereby increase the distance between the bottom ends of the outer rails of each of the assemblies 3702, 3704. An end of the first tubular bar 3728 may be pivotally coupled to a bottom end of the first assembly 3702 (e.g., to an outer rail 3708 or gear box 3764), and an end of the second tubular bar 3730 may be releasably coupled to a bottom end of the second assembly 3704 (e.g., to outer rail 3710 or a wheel support bar 3737). In this manner, the second tubular bar 3730 may be lifted away and separated from the second assembly 3704 while the length of the spacer bar system 3726 is adjusted or while the spacer bar system 3726 is not being used. A coupling apparatus for securing the second tubular bar 3730 to the second assembly 3704 is described in connection with
The spacer bar system 3726, when coupled to the first and second assemblies 3702, 3704, may reinforce and rigidize the platform system 3700 to minimize wobble or relative movement of the bottom of the first assembly 3702 relative to the bottom of the second assembly 3704. In some embodiments, the spacer bar system 3726 may have strength sufficient to support the platform system 3700 if it should move to an unstable position or an uneven location. For example, the spacer bar system 3726 may support the system 3700 if a first pair of wheels 3734 of the first assembly 3702 moves to a different elevation than a second pair of wheels 3736 of the second assembly 3704. The spacer bar system 3726 may catch the platform system 3700 or reduce its maximum tilt angle if a wheel or a pair of wheels 3734, 3736 moves off a ledge (e.g., off of a stair step or curb, into a pothole, or over a similar drop-off).
The platform system 3700 may be operated as a mobile platform system, similar to other mobile platform systems described herein, wherein a user may ascend to the platform 3706, enter the platform 3706 through a pair of gates 3738, and, while standing on the platform 3706 within a cage system 3740, drive the platform system 3700 across a support surface. The gates 3738 may have a one-way pivoting construction, wherein the innermost tips of the gates 3738 may rotate forward as a user enters the cage system 3740 and then may be biased back to the position shown in
The cage system 3740 may be at least partially mounted, on its lateral sides, to inner rails 3709 of the first assembly 3702 and/or to one or more rail extension members 3744 that extend the longitudinal lengths of the inner rails 3709 upward relative to the platform 3706. The pair of rail extension members 3744 (or, in some embodiments, the inner rails 3709) may have a pair of upper gear boxes 3746 attached to upper ends thereof. A pair of hand cranks 3748 (or turnable wheels or other graspable hand controls) may extend laterally inward (or outward) from the upper gear boxes 3746 and may be accessible to the user while he or she stands on the platform 3706. The hand cranks 3748 may include handles 3750 for rotation of the hand cranks 3748 about their axes of rotation (e.g., 3752 in
As shown in
In some embodiments, the crank gear 3754 and the transmission gear 3756 are configured as screw gears or helical gears. The teeth of the screw gears or helical gears may beneficially minimize slop or wobble in the rotation of the hand cranks 3748, thereby providing improved stability and predictability to the operation of the platform system 3700 as a user manually drives the system 3700 across a support surface via the hand cranks 3748. In some embodiments, other types of gears may be implemented for the crank gear 3754 and transmission gear 3756, such as a worm gear system, a bevel gear system, a miter gear system, a hypoid gear system, similar gear systems, and combinations thereof.
Each upper transmission member 3760 may be rotationally coupled with a respective lower transmission member 3762 that extends into a respective lower gear box 3764 positioned near a bottom end of a respective outer rail 3708 of the first assembly 3702. See
The upper transmission member 3760 may have a non-circular (e.g., rectangular or square) outer surface that engages a non-circular (e.g., correspondingly rectangular or square) inner surface of the lower transmission member 3762. Alternatively, a coupling fastener (e.g., a pin or set screw) may extend through both transmission members 3760, 3762 to synchronize their axial rotations. In some embodiments, the upper transmission member 3760 may have a greater width/diameter than, and may therefore receive, the lower transmission member 3762. In some embodiments, the outer perimeter surfaces of the upper and lower transmission members 3760, 3762 may have rounded edges or may be cylindrical to accommodate gripping by a user (e.g., having a circular outer surface when viewed in cross-section), and a spline or other interface may be formed to transfer torque between the members 3760, 3762, such as, for example, at least one ridge, key, or protrusion formed on the upper transmission member 3760 and at least one corresponding groove, keyway, or recess formed on the lower transmission member 3762 that receives the ridge, key, or protrusion. In some embodiments, a segment of one of the transmission members that is received by the other transmission member has a non-circular shape, and the other transmission member has a corresponding portion with a non-circular shape to transfer torque between the members.
The upper transmission member 3760 and lower transmission member 3762 may be longitudinally movable relative to each other, whereby the overall, combined length of the upper and lower transmission members 3760, 3762 (e.g., as measured between the upper gear box 3746 and the lower gear box 3764) may be adjustable or variable. For example, the combined length of the transmission members may extend or retract to accommodate respective longitudinal extension or retraction of the inner rails 3709 relative to the outer rails 3708. Thus, as the height or longitudinal length of the first assembly 3702 changes, the combined length of the transmission members may correspondingly adjust to ensure that the transmission consistently transfers torque between the upper and lower gear boxes 3746, 3764. See also
The transmission members 3760, 3762 may also beneficially be formed as rigid poles, shafts, or tubular members in a manner that allows them to transfer torque with low losses due to friction, slop, slack, or blowback. In some embodiments, the transmission members 3760, 3762 are positioned on the front side of the first assembly 3702, i.e., on the opposite side of the first assembly 3702 as compared to the second pair of wheels 3736 or as compared to the second assembly 3704. Thus, the transmission members 3760, 3762 may be graspable as handle bars or handrails while a user moves to and from the platform 3706.
The transmission members 3760, 3762 may be held spaced away from the rails 3708, 3709 by one or more outward- or front-extending portions 3766 of one or more of the C-shaped brackets 3720, as shown in
Each lower gear box 3764 may be mounted to an outer rail 3708 of the first assembly 3702 or to a member coupled to the bottom end of the outer rail 3708. See
The lower gear box 3764 may contain a second transmission gear 3770 enmeshed with and capable of driving rotation of a wheel gear or drive gear 3772 within the lower gear box 3764. The second transmission gear 3770 may be axially rotatable by a connection to (e.g., a shaft or linkage connecting it to) the lower transmission member 3762. The drive gear 3772 may be coupled with a drive shaft 3774 or axle extending substantially horizontally out of the lower gear box 3764 and rotatable to drive rotation of at least one of the first pair of wheels 3734. Thus, rotation of the lower transmission member 3762 may drive rotation of the drive shaft 3774 via interaction between the second transmission gear 3770 and the drive gear 3772. The second transmission gear 3770 and drive gear 3772 may comprise a worm gear system, a bevel gear system, a miter gear system, a hypoid gear system, similar gear systems, and combinations thereof. The axis of rotation of the second transmission gear 3770 may be substantially perpendicular to, and laterally offset (e.g., frontally or rearwardly offset) from, the axis of rotation of the drive gear 3772 extending axially and longitudinally through the drive shaft 3774.
The second transmission gear 3770 may be substantially prevented from being driven by the drive gear 3772 due to the second transmission gear 3770 being a helical or worm gear and the drive gear 3772 being a standard, straight-toothed gear or worm wheel. Rotation of the drive gear 3772 may move the straight teeth substantially perpendicular to the teeth of the second transmission gear 3770, and the transmission gear 3770 may therefore resist rotation due to friction braking. However, rotation of the transmission gear 3770 may rotate the drive gear 3772 due to the rotation of the helical gear teeth driving rotation of the straight teeth with significantly less friction. In this manner, when the second transmission gear 3770 is a helical gear and when the drive gear 3772 has straight teeth engaging the helical tooth/teeth of the second transmission gear 3770, the wheels 3734 may have a type of automatic braking that limits rotation of the wheel 3734 via the drive shaft 3774 and drive gear 3772 unless the user operates the handles 3750 to rotate the second transmission gear 3770. In some embodiments, a locking mechanism (e.g., 3778) associated with the wheel 3734 may need to be in a locked configuration to enable this automatic braking, or else the wheel 3734 may still rotate about the drive shaft 3774 without having to move the drive gear 3772 as well due to bearings 3782, 3784, as described below. An example locking mechanism 3778 is described in further detail in connection with
In some embodiments, the transmission gears 3756 and 3770 may be referred to as drivers, rotational links, or torque-transferring devices. The crank gear 3754 may be part of a handle assembly or crank assembly which also may include a hand crank 3748 and handle 3750. The drive gear 3772 may be part of a wheel assembly or roller assembly which also may include a drive shaft 3774 and one of the first pair of wheels 3734. The handle assembly and wheel assembly, with the drivers, may be collectively referred to as a drive system for the platform system 3700. Each of the handles 3750 may be rotatable to respectively drive rotation of each of the first pair of wheels 3734. Each of the driven wheels 3734 may be independently driven or rotated independent of the other wheel, including one wheel being driven in one direction (e.g., forward or clockwise) and the other wheel being driven in the opposite direction (e.g., backward or counter-clockwise).
The wheel 3734 may comprise a central wheel hub 3776 or rim surrounded by a tread or tire portion 3775. The wheel 3734 may be mounted to the drive shaft 3774 via one or more bearings 3782, 3784. The bearings 3782, 3784 may allow the wheel 3734 to axially rotate about the drive shaft 3774 with low friction. The wheel 3734 may be rotatable about the axis of the drive shaft 3774 irrespective of rotation of the drive shaft 3774 while a locking mechanism 3778 of the wheel 3734 is in an unlocked state, and the wheel 3734 may be driven by the drive shaft 3774 while the locking mechanism 3778 is in a locked state, as shown in
As shown in at least
In some embodiments, the first assembly 3702 may have the first pair of wheels 3734 which are the driven wheels of the platform system 3700. In some embodiments, the second assembly 3704 may comprise the first pair of wheels 3734, and those wheels may be driven, similar to how the wheels 116 and 3314 are driven in other embodiments disclosed herein. When the driven wheels (e.g., 3734) are positioned on the first assembly 3702 (e.g., the assembly that the user uses to climb onto the platform 3706 via the rungs 3714, 3718), the system 3700 may beneficially have less wobble as the user ascends to the platform 3706 as compared to if the driven wheels 3734 are on the second assembly 3704 since the driven wheels 3734 may be automatically braked by the interaction between the transmission gear 3770 and drive gear 3772, as described in connection with gears 3770 and 3772 herein. Additionally, in embodiments where the second pair of wheels 3736 are caster wheels, they may roll and move laterally as a user steps onto a rung extending between them, but the first pair of wheels 3734, due to their fixed axis of rotation, may be prevented from laterally rolling, thereby granting stability to the user as he or she steps onto the rungs.
The locking mechanism 3778 may also include a locking pin 3786 axially movable between a wheel-engaging position (which is shown in
A handle 3792 may be coupled to the locking pin 3786, as shown in
Furthermore, the wheel 3734 may rotate to an angle where none of the openings 3777 align with the locking pin 3786. Then, even if the handle 3792 is released and the locking pin 3786 moves back toward the wheel hub 3776, the wheel 3734 may be in a free-wheel rotatable state relative to the drive shaft 3774 until the locking pin 3786 is biased back into one of the openings 3777 due to rotation of the wheel 3734 (e.g., due to the wheel 3734 moving to an angle aligning one of the openings 3777 with the locking pin 3786).
In some embodiments, the handle 3792 may be movable to a suspended state that keeps the locking pin 3786 suspended away from the wheel hub 3776 and openings 3777 without application of an outside pulling force on the handle, as shown, for example, in
As shown in
As shown in
In some embodiments, the spacer bar system 3726 on each side may be adjusted in length without transitioning the hooked end portion 3804 to the unlocked or released configuration. For example, the locking mechanisms 3732 for each spacer bar system 3726 may be transitioned to a perpetually unlocked state (e.g., with a spring loaded pin similar to pin 3786 removed from one or more openings (which are shown, for example, in
The outer rails 4906 may include a set of wheels 4910 (e.g., rotatable caster wheels) at their bottom ends. The outer rails 4906 may also be attached to each other by a support member or cross-bar 4912. The outer rails 4906 may lack any rungs between the cross-bar 4912 and the top rung 4920. Accordingly, the user may be obligated (or at least clearly intended and most directly facilitated) to step on the rungs 4914 of the inner rails 4908 in order to climb to the platform 4922 through the gates of the cage assembly on top of the system 4900.
The outer rails 4906 may each include an inward-facing three-sided channel (e.g., a C- or U-shaped channel) within which one or more (e.g., at least two) bearings or rail guides 4913 are positioned. The inner rails 4908 may be positioned within the bearings or rail guides 4913 to guide and facilitate sliding movement of the inner rails 4908 relative to the outer rails. For example, the rail guides 4913 may comprise a low-friction material (e.g., nylon) or a low-friction assembly (e.g., ball bearings contacting the rails 4908) to allow the inner rails 4908 to longitudinally and axially slide relative to the outer rails 4906. The rail guides 4913 may have a three-sided shape configuration to guide the position of the inner rails 4908 horizontally (e.g., to the left and right side of the system 4900) and longitudinally/axially along the outer rails 4906. In some embodiments, the rail guides 4913 may be mounted to the inner rails 4908 and may move with the inner rails 4908 instead of with the outer rails 4906.
The inner rails 4908 may include a set of rungs 4914 which extend between the inner rails 4908 and which are parallel to each other. The rungs 4914 may be directly coupled to the inner rails 4908 and may not be coupled to the outer rails 4906, as shown in the partially exploded view of
The spring step assembly 4916 may be coupled and constrained to the rest of the system 4900 via at least one biasing member (e.g., springs 4918) in addition to the guides 4913. For example, springs 4918 may be directly coupled to brackets, fasteners, or other attachment features (e.g., welds or rivets) on surfaces of (e.g., the inner surfaces of) the inner rails 4908 and to surfaces of the outer rails 4906 or an outer rail rung 4920 or platform 4922. The outer rail rung 4920 and platform 4922 may be coupled to (or pivotally coupled to) the outer rails 4906 similar to the rung and platform of system 3300.
In a first configuration, which may be referred to as a free movement configuration, wheel movement configuration, or caster movement configuration, the bottom end of the first assembly 4902 of the system 4900 may be supported only by the wheels 4910. The spring step assembly 4916 is biased upward and away from the ground support surface underneath the wheels 4910, as indicated by gap 4924 in
In a second configuration, which may be referred to as a braking configuration or feet contact configuration, the bottom end of the first assembly 4902 of the system 4900 may be supported by the wheels 4910 and by the feet 4915 of the spring step assembly 4916. To reach the second configuration, the user may apply a downward force (e.g., force 4926) to the spring step assembly 4916, such as by stepping on one of the rungs 4914, thereby sliding the inner rails 4908 substantially downward and in a direction longitudinally parallel to/axially relative to the outer rails 4906 within the guides 4913, as shown in
The feet 4915 may comprise a relatively high-friction material at their bottom surfaces, such as a rubber or other elastomeric material, to grip the ground surface and to resist rolling or sliding of the system 4900 on the ground surface. Similarly, the feet 4915 may be configured with spikes, tread features, or similar structures that, when engaging the ground surface, will limit horizontal movement of the system 4900 relative to the ground surface. In this second configuration, the system 4900 may have reduced horizontal movement and greater horizontal stability as the user steps onto the rungs 4914 and climbs up to the platform 4922. In some embodiments, this may be beneficial when the user first steps onto the lowermost rung 4914 with their first foot since the user's other foot is still planted on the ground surface, and the system 4900 may otherwise be more susceptible to wobbling or sliding as the user places their weight on the rungs 4914 and first attempts to climb.
As shown in
The second assembly 4930 may include a pair of caster wheels 4932 (e.g., caster wheels) positioned between the drive wheels 4930. The pair of caster wheels 4932 may be mounted to at least one bracket 4934 (e.g., a pair of brackets) coupled with the pair of spaced apart rails 4936 of the second assembly 4904. Each bracket 4934 may include a substantially vertical opening aligned with a shaft extending from a caster wheel 4932. A spring 4938 or similar biasing member (shown in
The rear caster wheels 4932 may be biased toward a first configuration shown in
Once the user applies a downward force to the spring step assembly (e.g., 4926), the biasing force of the springs 4938 may be overcome, thereby driving the caster wheels 4932 upward toward the brackets 4934 and driving the drive wheels 4930 downward into contact with the ground surface, as shown in
Once the user reaches the top rung 4920 and platform 4922, as shown in
The configurations of the wheels 4910, 4930, 4932 and spring step assembly 4916 shown in
In some embodiments, the storage position support wheels 3317 may operate in the manner described in connection with rear caster wheels 4932. The support wheels 3317 may be biased downward and capable of suspending the drive wheels 3314 away from the ground surface when the platform system 3300 is unloaded and not supporting a user. Additionally, in some embodiments, the system 3300 may be implemented with a spring step assembly 4916 and wheels 4910 positioned in or attached to the front rails.
Various inventions have been described herein with reference to certain specific embodiments and examples. However, they will be recognized by those skilled in the art that many variations are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventions disclosed herein, in that those inventions set forth in the claims below are intended to cover all variations and modifications of the inventions disclosed without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The terms “including:” and “having” come as used in the specification and claims shall have the same meaning as the term “comprising.” As used in the specification, “and” and “or” shall have the same meaning as “and/or,” wherein, unless context mandates otherwise, these conjunctions can be read inclusively or exclusively.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/325,995, filed 31 Mar. 2022, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63325995 | Mar 2022 | US |