Work platform with rotary actuator

A fluid-powered rotatable support member assembly usable with an assembly support platform configured to position the support member assembly, the support member assembly comprising;

• a load support member having a support surface for supporting a load;
• a body having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends and a cavity extending along the longitudinal axis at least part way between the first and second ends;
• a shaft rotatably disposed within the body and having a shaft axis generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the body, one of the body and the shaft configured to be coupled to the assembly support platform and the other one of the body and the shaft being configured to provide a rotary drive to the load support member;
• a linear-to-rotary force transmitting member positioned within the cavity of the body and mounted for longitudinal movement within the body generally aligned with the longitudinal axis in response to selective application of pressurized fluid thereto, the force transmitting member engaging the body and the shaft to translate longitudinal motion of the force transmitting member to rotational movement between the shaft and the body with a rotational force sufficient to selectively rotate the load support member relative to the assembly support platform in a lateral rotational plane;
• at least one link member coupled between the load support member and the other one of the body and the shaft, the at least one link member being coupled to transmit the rotary drive of the other one of the body and the shaft to the load support member to selectively rotate the load support member about the longitudinal axis relative to the assembly support platform in the rotational plane as one of the shaft and the body rotates relative to the other, and to permit movement of the load support member in a selected direction out of alignment with the rotational plane while restricting movement in directions out of alignment with the selected direction except rotation of the load support member in the rotational plane in response to the rotary drive transmitted thereto by the at least one link member;
• a load transfer member coupled between the load support member and the other one of the body and the shaft to transmit at least a portion of the load supported by the load support member in the selected direction to the other one of the body and the shaft and thereby support the load support member against movement in the selected direction, the load transfer member being a first flexible plate member having a planar portion arranged substantially parallel to the rotational plane, the first plate member having sufficient strength to support the load support member above the ground while the support surface supports the load when the load is below a selected load capacity in the selected direction while permitting at least limited movement of the load support member in the selected direction under the load supported by the support surface in the selected direction at least when the load in the selected direction approaches the selected load capacity, the planar portion of the first plate member being sufficiently flexible to flex in the selected direction under the portion of the load supported by the support surface in the selected direction which is transmitted by the first plate member when the load supported by the support surface in the selected direction approaches the selected load capacity;
• and
• a load sensor positioned to detect the portion of the load supported by the load support member in the selected direction which is transmitted by the load transfer member between the load support member and the other one of the body and the shaft by detecting flexure of the planar portion of the first plate member in the selected direction under the loading of the portion of the load supported by the load support member in the selected direction which is transmitted by the first plate member between the load support member and the other one of the body and shaft.

A fluid-powered rotatable support member assembly usable with an assembly support platform configured to position the support member assembly, the support member assembly comprising;

• a load support member having a support surface for supporting a load;
• a body having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends and a cavity extending along the longitudinal axis at least part way between the first and second ends;
• a shaft rotatably disposed within the body and having a shaft axis generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the body, one of the body and the shaft configured to be coupled to the assembly support platform and the other one of the body and the shaft being configured to provide a rotary drive to the load support member;
• a linear-to-rotary force transmitting member positioned within the cavity of the body and mounted for longitudinal movement within the body generally aligned with the longitudinal axis in response to selective application of pressurized fluid thereto, the force transmitting member engaging the body and the shaft to translate longitudinal motion of the force transmitting member to rotational movement between the shaft and the body with a rotational force sufficient to selectively rotate the load support member relative to the assembly support platform in a lateral rotational plane;
• a load transfer member coupled between the load support member and the other one of the body and the shaft, the load transfer member being coupled to transmit the rotary drive of the other one of the body and the shaft to the load support member to selectively rotate the load support member about the longitudinal axis relative to the assembly support platform in the rotational plane as one of the shaft and the body rotates relative to the other, and to transmit at least a portion of the load supported by the load support member to the other one of the body and shaft and thereby support the load support member against movement in a selected direction out of alignment with the rotational plane, the load transfer member having sufficient strength to support the load support member above the ground while the support surface supports the load when the load is below a selected load capacity in the selected direction, the load transfer member being sufficiently flexible in the selected direction under the portion of the load supported by the load support member in the selected direction which is transmitted by the load transfer member between the load support member and the other one of the body and the shaft to permit at least limited movement of the load support member in the selected direction under the load supported by the support surface in the selected direction at least when the load in the selected direction approaches the selected load capacity and substantially inflexible in a direction parallel to the rotational plane;
• at least one link member coupled between the load support member and the other one of the body and the shaft, the at least one link member being coupled to permit movement of the load support member in the selected direction while restricting movement in directions out of alignment with the selected direction except rotation of the load support member in the rotational plane in response to the rotary drive transmitted thereto by the load transfer member;
• and
• a load sensor positioned to detect flexure of the load transfer member in the selected direction under the loading of the portion of the load supported by the load support member in the selected direction which is transmitted by the load transfer member between the load support member and the other one of the body and the shaft.

A fluid-powered laterally rotatable work platform assembly usable with a vehicle having an arm for positioning the work platform assembly, the work platform assembly comprising;

• a load support member having a support platform surface for supporting a load;
• a body having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends and a cavity extending along the longitudinal axis at least part way between the first and second ends;
• a shaft rotatably disposed within the body and having a shaft axis generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the body, one of the body and the shaft configured to be coupled to the arm and the other one of the body and the shaft being configured to provide a rotary drive to the load support member;
• a linear-to-rotary force transmitting member positioned within the cavity of the body and mounted for longitudinal movement within the body generally aligned with the longitudinal axis in response to selective application of pressurized fluid thereto, the force transmitting member engaging the body and the shaft to translate longitudinal motion of the force transmitting member to rotational movement between the shaft and the body with a rotational force sufficient to selectively rotate the load support member relative to the arm in a lateral rotational plane;
• at least one link member coupled between the load support member and the other one of the body and the shaft, the at least one link member being coupled to transmit the rotary drive of the other of the body and the shaft to the load support member to selectively rotate the load support member about the longitudinal axis relative to the arm in the rotational plane as one of the shaft and the body rotates relative to the other, and to permit movement of the load support member in a selected direction out of alignment with the rotational plane while restricting movement in directions out of alignment with the selected direction except rotation of the load support member in the rotational plane in response to the rotary drive transmitted thereto by the at least one link member, the at least one link member being configured to transmit at least a portion of the load supported by the load support member in the selected direction to the other one of the body and shaft, the at least one link member being a plate with a lateral planar arrangement transverse to the selected direction, the plate being rigidly attached to at least one of the load support member and the other one of the body and the shaft, and having a strength sufficient to support the load support member above the ground while the load support member supports the load when the load is below a selected load capacity in the selected direction while permitting at least limited movement of the load support member in the selected direction under the load supported by the load support member in the selected direction at least when the load in the selected direction approaches the selected load capacity, the plate being sufficiently flexible and resilient to allow resilient flexure in the selected direction under the portion of the load in the selected direction supported by the load support member which is transmitted by the plate between the load support member and the other one of the body and the shaft;
• and
• a load sensor positioned to detect the portion of the load in the selected direction supported by the load support member which is transmitted by the plate between the load support member and the other one of the body and the shaft by measuring the flexure of the plate in the selected direction.

A fluid-powered laterally rotatable work platform assembly usable with a vehicle having an arm for positioning the work platform assembly, the work platform assembly comprising;

• a load support member having a support platform surface for supporting a load;
• a body having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends and a cavity extending along the longitudinal axis at least part way between the first and second ends;
• a shaft rotatably disposed within the body and having a shaft axis generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the body, one of the body and the shaft configured to be coupled to the arm and the other one of the body and the shaft being configured to provide a rotary drive to the load support member;
• a linear-to-rotary force transmitting member positioned within the cavity of the body and mounted for longitudinal movement within the body generally aligned with the longitudinal axis in response to selective application of pressurized fluid thereto, the force transmitting member engaging the body and the shaft to translate longitudinal motion of the force transmitting member to rotational movement between the shaft and the body with a rotational force sufficient to selectively rotate the load support member relative to the arm in a lateral rotational plane;
• a first plate member coupled between the load support member and the other one of the body and the shaft, the first plate member being configured to transmit the rotary drive of the other one of the body and the shaft to the load support member to selectively rotate the load support member about the longitudinal axis relative to the assembly support platform in the rotational plane as one of the shaft and the body rotates relative to the other;
• a second plate member coupled between the load support member and the other one of the body and the shaft, the first and second plate members being configured to each transmit at least a portion of the load supported by the load support member in a load direction out of alignment with the rotational plane to the other one of the body and the shaft, the first and second plate members each being arranged spaced apart from the other with a lateral planar orientation transverse to the load direction to restrict movement of the load support member in directions out of alignment with the load direction except rotation of the load support member in the rotational plane in response to the rotary drive transmitted thereto by the first plate member, the first and second plate members together having sufficient strength to independently support the load support member above the ground while the load support member supports the load when the load is below a selected load capacity in the load direction, one of the first and second plate members comprising a flexible plate member being sufficiently flexible and resilient to allow resilient flexure in the load direction under the portion of the load in the load direction supported thereby and transmitted to the other one of the body and the shaft;
• and
• a load sensor positioned to detect the portion of the load supported by the load support member in the load direction which is transmitted by the flexible plate member between the load support member and the other one of the body and the shaft by measuring the flexure of the flexible plate member.

A fluid-powered laterally rotatable work platform assembly usable with a vehicle having an arm for positioning the work platform assembly, the work platform assembly comprising;

• a load support member having a support platform surface for supporting a load;
• a body having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends and a cavity extending along the longitudinal axis at least part way between the first and second ends;
• a shaft rotatably disposed within the body and having a shaft axis generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the body, one of the body and the shaft configured to be coupled to the arm and the other one of the body and the shaft being configured to provide a rotary drive to the load support member;
• a linear-to-rotary force transmitting member positioned within the cavity of the body and mounted for longitudinal movement within the body generally aligned with the longitudinal axis in response to selective application of pressurized fluid thereto, the force transmitting member engaging the body and the shaft to translate longitudinal motion of the force transmitting member to rotational movement between the shaft and the body with a rotational force sufficient to selectively rotate the load support member to the right and the left relative to the arm in a lateral rotational plane;
• first and second link members in spaced apart relation, the first and second link members each being coupled between the load support member and the other one of the body and the shaft, the first and second link members each having a first end portion attached to the load support member and a second end portion attached the other one of the body and the shaft, at least the first link member configured to transmit the rotary drive of the other one of the body and the shaft to the load support member to selectively rotate the load support member about the longitudinal axis to the right and the left relative to the arm in the rotational plane as one of the shaft and the body rotates relative to the other, the first and second link members configured to permit movement of the load support member in a selected direction out of alignment with the rotational plane while restricting movement in directions out of alignment with the selected direction except rotation of the load support member in the rotational plane in response to the rotary drive transmitted thereto by the first link member, the first and second link members each being arranged in a plane out of alignment with the selected direction and sufficiently flexible and resilient to permit flexure thereof in the selected direction under the load in the selected direction supported by the load support member and return movement in a direction opposite the selected direction when the load is removed, at least one of the first and second link members having sufficient strength to support the load support member above the ground while the load support member supports the load when the load is below a selected load capacity in the selected direction and sufficient rigidity to transmit at least a portion of the load in the selected direction supported by the load support member to the other one of the body and the shaft when the load supported by the load support member in the selected direction approaches the selected load capacity;
• and
• a load sensor positioned to detect the portion of the load in the selected direction supported by the load support member which is transmitted by the at least one of the first and second link members between the load support member and the other one of the body and the shaft by measuring the flexure of the at least one of the first and second link members in the selected direction.

A fluid-powered rotatable support member assembly usable with an assembly support platform configured to position the support member assembly, the support member assembly comprising;

• a load support member having a support surface for supporting a load;
• a body having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends and a cavity extending along the longitudinal axis at least part way between the first and second ends;
• a shaft rotatably disposed within the body and having a shaft axis generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the body, one of the body and the shaft configured to be coupled to the assembly support platform and the other one of the body and the shaft being configured to provide a rotary drive to the load support member;
• a linear-to-rotary force transmitting member positioned within the cavity of the body and mounted for longitudinal movement within the body generally aligned with the longitudinal axis in response to selective application of pressurized fluid thereto, the force transmitting member engaging the body and the shaft to translate longitudinal motion of the force transmitting member to rotational movement between the shaft and the body with a rotational force sufficient to selectively rotate the load support member relative to the assembly support platform in a rotational plane;
• first and second link members in spaced apart relation, the first and second link members each being coupled between the load support member and the other one of the body and the shaft, the first and second link members each having a first end portion attached to the load support member and a second end portion attached the other one of the body and the shaft with at least one of the first and second link members configured to transmit the rotary drive of the other one of the bode and the shaft to the load support member to selectively rotate the load support member about the longitudinal axis relative to the assembly support platform in the rotational plane as one of the shaft and the body rotates relative to the other, and with the first and second link members configured to permit movement of the load support member in a selected direction out of alignment with the rotational plane while restricting movement in directions out of alignment with the selected direction except rotation of the load support member in the rotational plane in response to the rotary drive transmitted thereto by the at least one of the first and second link members, the first and second link members each being arranged in a plane out of alignment with the selected direction and sufficiently flexible and resilient to permit flexure thereof in the selected direction under the load supported by the load support member and return movement in a direction opposite the selected direction when the load is removed, at least one of the first and second link members having sufficient rigidity to transmit at least a portion of the load supported by the load support member to the other one of the body and the shaft;
• a load sensor positioned to detect a load on the load support member in the selected direction;
• and
• an overload member with an attachment portion rigidly attached to the load support member and extending between the first and second link members, the overload member further having an engagement portion positioned toward the second end portion of the first link member at a location adjacent to the other one of the body and the shaft so as to be engaged by the first link member when the first link member flexes in the selected direction under the load supported by the load support member exceeding a selected amount.

A fluid-powered rotatable support member assembly usable with an assembly support platform configured to position the support member assembly, the support member assembly comprising;

• a load support member having a support surface for supporting a load;
• a body having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends and a cavity extending along the longitudinal axis at least part way between the first and second ends;
• a shaft rotatably disposed within the body and having a shaft axis generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the body, one of the body and the shaft configured to be coupled to the assembly support platform and the other one of the body and the shaft being configured to provide a rotary drive to the load support member;
• a linear-to-rotary force transmitting member positioned within the cavity of the body and mounted for longitudinal movement within the body generally aligned with the longitudinal axis in response to selective application of pressurized fluid thereto, the force transmitting member engaging the body and the shaft to translate longitudinal motion of the force transmitting member to rotational movement between the shaft and the body with a rotational force sufficient to selectively rotate the load support member relative to the assembly support platform in a rotational plane;
• first and second link members in spaced apart relation, the first and second link members each being coupled between the load support member and the other one of the body and the shaft, the first and second link members each having a first end portion attached to the load support member and a second end portion attached the other one of the body and the shaft with at least one of the first and second link members configured to transmit the rotary drive of the other one of the body and the shaft to the load support member to selectively rotate the load support member about the longitudinal axis relative to the assembly support platform in the rotational plane as one of the shaft and the body rotates relative to the other, and with the first and second link members configured to permit movement of the load support member in a selected direction out of alignment with the rotational plane while restricting movement in directions out of alignment with the selected direction except rotation of the load support member in the rotational plane in response to the rotary drive transmitted thereto by the at least one of the first and second link members, the first and second link members each being arranged in a plane out of alignment with the selected direction and sufficiently flexible and resilient to permit flexure thereof in the selected direction under the load supported by the load support member and return movement in a direction opposite the selected direction when the load is removed, at least one of the first and second link members having sufficient rigidity to transmit at least a portion of the load supported by the load support member to the other one of the body and the shaft;
• a load sensor positioned to detect a load on the load support member in the selected direction;
• and
• an overload member with an attachment portion rigidly attached to the load support member and extending toward the other one of the body and the shaft, the overload member further having an engagement portion positioned toward the second end portion of the first link member at a location adjacent to the other one of the body and the shaft so as to be engaged by the first link member when the first link member flexes in the selected direction under the load supported by the load support member exceeding a selected amount.

A fluid-powered rotatable support member assembly usable with an assembly support platform configured to position the support member assembly, the support member assembly comprising;

• a load support member having a support surface for supporting a load;
• a body having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends and a cavity extending along the longitudinal axis at least part way between the first and second ends;
• a shaft rotatably disposed within the body and having a shaft axis generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the body, one of the body and the shaft configured to be coupled to the assembly support platform and the other one of the body and the shaft being configured to provide a rotary drive to the load support member;
• a linear-to-rotary force transmitting member positioned within the cavity of the body and mounted for longitudinal movement within the body generally aligned with the longitudinal axis in response to selective application of pressurized fluid thereto, the force transmitting member engaging the body and the shaft to translate longitudinal motion of the force transmitting member to rotational movement between the shaft and the body with a rotational force sufficient to selectively rotate the load support member relative to the assembly support platform in a rotational plane;
• first and second link members in spaced apart relation, the first and second link members each being coupled between the load support member and the other one of the body and the shaft, the first and second link members each having a first end portion attached to the load support member and a second end portion attached the other one of the body and the shaft with at least one of the first and second link members configured to transmit the rotary drive of the other one of the body and the shaft to the load support member to selectively rotate the load support member about the longitudinal axis relative to the assembly support platform in the rotational plane as one of the shaft and the body rotates relative to the other, and with the first and second link members configured to permit movement of the load support member in a selected direction out of alignment with the rotational plane while restricting movement in directions out of alignment with the selected direction except rotation of the load support member in the rotational plane in response to the rotary drive transmitted thereto by the at least one of the first and second link members, the first and second link members each being arranged in a plane out of alignment with the selected direction and sufficiently flexible and resilient to permit flexure thereof in the selected direction under the load supported by the load support member and return movement in a direction opposite the selected direction when the load is removed, at least one of the first and second link members having sufficient rigidity to transmit at least a portion of the load supported by the load support member to the other one of the body and the shaft;
• a load sensor positioned to detect a load on the load support member in the selected direction;
• an engagement member positioned toward the second end portion of the first link member at a location adjacent to the other one of the body and the shaft so as to be engaged by the first link member and limit movement thereof in the selected direction when the first link member flexes in the selected direction under the load supported by the load support member exceeding a selected amount;
• and
• another engagement member positioned toward the second end portion of one of the first and second link members at a location adjacent to the other one of the body and the shaft so as to be engaged by the one of the first and second link members and limit movement thereof in the direction opposite the selected direction when the one of the first and second link members flexes in the direction opposite the selected direction when a force is applied to the load support member in the direction opposite the selected direction exceeding a selected amount, the engagement member having a support rigidly attached to the load support member, and the another engagement member having a support rigidly attached to the load support member.