# US 2009/0260920 A1 · Aerial lift with safety device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0260920 A1 - Document ID: US20090260920A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/380,355 - Filed: 2009-02-26 - Published: 2009-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2008-02-28 - Assignees: Bluesky Solutions Limited - Inventors: Paul Cummings - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260920A1 ## CPC - B66F 17/006: {for working platforms} - B66F 11/04: for movable platforms or cabins, e.g. on vehicles, permitting workmen to place themselves in any desired position for carrying out required operations ({Working platforms on fork-lift trucks B66F9/127; } vehicle aspects of service vehicles B60P3/14; platforms for cleaning windows A47L3/02; devices for rescuing persons from buildings A62B1/02; liftable or lowerable platforms for use on ladders E06C7/16; maintenance travellers for bridges E01D19/10; scaffolds on an extensible sub-structure E04G1/22) - B66F 11/046: {of the telescoping type} - B66F: HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD ({invalid lifting devices A61G7/10; } mounting artificial islands on piles or like supports E02B17/00; scaffolding combined with lifting devices E04G1/22; lifting devices for sliding forms E04G11/24; lifting of buildings E04G23/06; shores or struts E04G25/00; lifts or other hoisting devices on ladders E06C7/12; props for mining E21D15/00) ## Abstract A safety device for an aerial lift (10) having a basket (20) with controls (23) which permit an operator to manoeuvre the basket (20), and a foot operable safety switch (24) which activates the controls (23), the safety device comprising an auxiliary safety switch (24) operated by a trip cord (27) arranged proximate to the controls (23) and which is connected in series with the foot safety switch (24) so that in the event that the cord is distorted the auxiliary switch (26) prevents activation of the control panel (23) and may additionally operate an alarm. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A safety device for an aerial lift having a basket or cage with controls which permits an operator standing in the basket to manoeuvre the basket to a desired location, a foot operable safety switch which provides a switch-closed signal to further control means before said controls become operable, the safety device comprising a tensioned wire or cord arranged proximate to said controls and an auxiliary safety switch connected in series with the foot safety switch, the auxiliary switch having a first set of contacts in use held in a closed condition (Switch on) by said tensioned cord or wire, and in the event that the cord is distorted the contacts are changed to a open condition (switch off) thereby cutting off the switch closed signal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A safety device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the foot safety switch has a main power feed FL and the auxiliary switch is located in the power feed FL to the foot safety switch downstream thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A safety device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the auxiliary switch includes a second set of contacts that operate an alarm. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A safety device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the alarm comprises at least one of a flashing beacon and an audible warning device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A safety device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the alarm further includes an RF transmitter which send a radio signal to at least one further alarm remote from the basket and which includes a co-operating receiver which operates said remote alarms. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A safety device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the auxiliary switch includes a signal filter which inhibits the changes in signal from the first and/or second set of contacts until a desired time period has elapse so as to prevent the switch off of power due to inadvertent loads acting on the tensioned cord. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A safety device as claimed in claim 1, and further including readily connectable and disconnectable pin and socket connectors whereby the auxiliary safety switch and the alarm are connectable to the footswitch facilitating the assembly and dis-assembly of the safety device from the basket. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An aerial lift comprising a basket or cage having controls which permits an operator standing in the basket to manoeuvre the basket to a desired location, a foot operable safety switch which needs to be closed before said controls become operable, and a safety device as claimed in claim 1. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) An aerial lift as claimed in claim 8, wherein the basket is mounted at one end of an extendable boom. ### Claim 10 (depends on 3) An aerial lift comprising a basket or cage having a controls which permits an operator standing in the basket to manoeuvre the basket to a desired location, a foot operable safety switch which needs to be closed before said controls become operable, and a safety device as claimed in claim 3. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) An aerial lift as claimed in claim 10, wherein the alarm is mounted to the underside of the basket. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) An aerial lift as claimed in claim 10, wherein the basket is mounted at one end of an extendable boom.