Operator platform units for use with conveyors
AssigneeFMH Conveyors LLC
InventorsBarry Wayne Freeman, Andrew Allen Young, Brian Richard Perkins, Jeffrey Lynn Fielder
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Exemplary operator platform units may include a mounting assembly configured to couple to a conveyor and a drive system assembly coupled to the mounting assembly. The drive system assembly may include a drive assembly and a drive rod configured to be driven by the drive assembly. A platform assembly is movably coupled to the drive system assembly. The platform assembly includes a platform configured to support an operator, and a controller in communication with the drive assembly. The controller is configured to actuate the drive assembly and move the platform relative to the drive system assembly and the conveyor.
Claims15
An operator platform unit couplable to a conveyor, the operator platform unit comprising:
- a mounting assembly configured to couple to the conveyor;
- a drive system assembly coupled to the mounting assembly, the drive system assembly comprising:
- a drive assembly, and
- a drive rod configured to be driven by the drive assembly, and
- a platform assembly movably coupled to the drive system assembly, the platform assembly comprising:
- a platform configured to support the operator, and
- a controller in communication with the drive assembly, the controller configured to actuate the drive assembly and move the platform relative to the drive system assembly and the conveyor,
- wherein a plurality of linkages is movably coupled between the mounting assembly and the drive system assembly to allow the mounting assembly to move relative to the drive system assembly.
An operator platform unit couplable to a telescopic conveyor, the operator platform unit comprising:
- a mounting assembly configured to couple to the telescopic conveyor;
- a drive system assembly coupled to the mounting assembly, the drive system assembly comprising:
- a drive assembly, and
- a drive rod configured to be driven by the drive assembly, and
- a platform assembly movably coupled to the drive system assembly, the platform assembly comprising:
- a platform configured to support an operator, and
- a controller in communication with the drive assembly, the controller configured to:
- operate the telescopic conveyor, and
- actuate the drive assembly and move the platform assembly relative to the drive system assembly and the telescopic conveyor,
- wherein the drive system assembly comprises a motor and a transmission driven by the motor.
A method of using an operator platform unit, the operator platform unit including a mounting assembly that is removably couplable to a conveyor, a drive system assembly that is coupled to the conveyor, and a platform assembly that is movable coupled to the drive system assembly, the drive system assembly including a drive assembly configured to be driven by a motor and a drive rod configured to be driven by the drive assembly, the platform assembly including a platform that supports an operator, the method comprising:
- actuating, via a controller of the operator platform unit, the drive assembly to move the platform relative to the drive system assembly and the conveyor between a first position in which the platform is at a first height and a second position in which the platform is at a second, different height,
- actuating, via the controller of the operator platform unit, a drive system of the conveyor to one of extend the conveyor, retract the conveyor, start a conveyor belt, and stop the conveyor belt, and
- moving the operator platform unit with the conveyor when the conveyor extends and retracts,
- wherein the operator platform unit has wheels, and wherein moving the operator platform unit with the conveyor comprises moving the operator platform unit on a support surface via the wheels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.