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US 6,543,578 B1Granted
Analog control
AssigneeSafety Dynamicon, Inc.
InventorErnest J. Merz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A control system for three mechanisms of a machine may include a pair of pivotable or rotatable structures and a telescoping or longitudinally urgeable structure that are coupled to a single handgrip and contained within a single structure. The control structures may simulate corresponding structures of an aerial platform on which they may be mounted, and provide motions in the same directions of the corresponding structures. Switches are activated upon urging of a handgrip, and springs may be provided to return the control to its neutral position. An aerial platform, a crane, or any other mobile machine may employ the control device and include corresponding structure.
Claims54
A mobile machine comprising an aerial work platform, said aerial work platform system comprising:
- a chassis, elevating mechanisms, a platform capable of carrying an operator;
- and
- a control device, mounted on the operator's platform, for effecting motion of said aerial work platform, said control device including:
- a fixed portion that is secured to the operator platform;
- a first pivotable portion, the pivotable portion being pivotable on the fixed portion and being urgeable clockwise or counterclockwise relative thereto;
- a control boom including a control inner boom that is inwardly and outwardly urgeable along a longitudinal axis of said control boom to impart corresponding movement of a portion of the elevating mechanisms, the control boom having a first end and a second end that is pivotably coupled to the first pivotable portion;
- a handle being coupled to the first end of the control boom;
- at least one first switch system, a portion of the first switch system being disposed on a moveable portion of the pivotable portion, the first switch system being activated by the motion of the pivotable portion upon urging by the operator, and at least one second switch system being disposed on a moveable portion of the control boom, a third switch system being disposed on a portion of the control boom, the second switch system and the third switch system being activated by the motion of the control boom upon urging by the operator, said first, second, and third switch systems enabling signals whereby the aerial work platform may be controlled;
- whereby a portion of the control device enhances comprehension of the operation of the aerial work platform by the operator.
6 more elements
A mobile machine having a chassis and a power system for providing power to components of the mobile machine, comprising:
- a main boom mounted on a rotatable turntable at a pivotable joint, said main boom capable of telescoping inwardly and outwardly, elevating about the pivotable joint, and rotating on the chassis;
- and
- a control device, mounted on an operator platform that is coupled to the chassis, for effecting motion of said boom, said control device including:
- a fixed portion that is secured to the operator platform;
- a first pivotable portion, the pivotable portion being pivotable on the fixed portion and being clockwise and counterclockwise urgeable relative thereto so as to provide a signal for corresponding clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the rotating turntable;
- a second pivotable portion coupled to the first pivotable portion, said second pivotable portion being upwardly and downwardly pivotable relative to the first pivotable portion so as to provide a signal for corresponding upward and downward movement of the main boom about the pivotable joint;
- a control boom including a control inner boom that is inwardly and outwardly urgeable along a longitudinal axis of said control boom so as to provide a signal for corresponding inward and outward telescoping of the main boom, the control boom having a first end and a second end that is coupled to the pivotable portion;
- and
- a handle being coupled to the first end of the control boom for imparting motion thereto by an operator,
- wherein said control device comprises a first switch system, a portion of the first switch system being disposed on a moveable portion of the first pivotable portion, the first switch system being activated by the motion of the first pivotable portion upon urging by the operator, a second switch system being disposed on a moveable portion of the control boom, the second switch system being activated by the motion of the control boom upon urging by the operator, a third switch system being disposed at least panty on the second pivotable portion, said first, second, and third switch systems enabling signals whereby the mobile machine may be controlled.
7 more elements
A control system for providing signals in response to an operator's input, said control system comprising:
- a base;
- a control member extending outwardly from the base and coupled thereto, the control member defining a control member longitudinal axis;
- a handgrip coupled to the control member, the handgrip being:
- urgeable inwardly and outwardly relative to the base along the control member longitudinal axis,
- urgeable clockwise and counterclockwise relative to the base, and
- urgeable upwardly and downwardly relative to the control member longitudinal axis;
- and
- a first switch coupled to the base and disposed to actuate in response to the inwardly and outwardly urging of the handgrip to enable a corresponding inward or outward control signal;
- a second switch coupled to the base and disposed to actuate in response to the clockwise and counterclockwise urging of the handgrip to enable a corresponding clockwise or counterclockwise signal;
- and
- a third switch coupled to the base and disposed to actuate in response to the upward and downward urging of the handgrip.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.