US-12617661-B2 - Safety devices for scissor lifts and related methods

US12617661B2US 12617661 B2US12617661 B2US 12617661B2US-12617661-B2

Abstract

Safety devices for scissor lifts comprise a block, a bracing structure, and an actuator. The block is configured to be fixed relative to a base of the scissor lift. The actuator is configured to selectively translate the bracing structure between a braced position, in which the bracing structure is operatively positioned between the block and a support leg of the scissor lift, and a retracted position, in which the bracing structure is not positioned between the block and the support leg of the scissor lift.

Inventors

Nikolas Dasbach
James E. Lynch
Carlos D. Crespo-Quinones

Assignees

THE BOEING COMPANY

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20230913

Claims (20)

1 . A safety device for a scissor lift that comprises a base and a support leg configured to translate along the base, the safety device comprising: a block configured to be fixed relative to the base of the scissor lift; a bracing structure; and an actuator configured to selectively translate the bracing structure between a braced position, in which the bracing structure is operatively positioned between the block and the support leg of the scissor lift, and a retracted position, in which the bracing structure is not positioned between the block and the support leg of the scissor lift.
2 . The safety device of claim 1 , further comprising: a roller operatively coupled to the bracing structure; and a roller surface; wherein the roller is configured to roll along the roller surface when the bracing structure is translated between the braced position and the retracted position.
3 . The safety device of claim 2 , wherein the roller surface is biased toward the bracing structure when the bracing structure is in the braced position.
4 . The safety device of claim 3 , further comprising: a roller-surface body that comprises the roller surface; and a spring operatively coupled to the roller-surface body and configured to bias the roller-surface body toward the bracing structure when the bracing structure is in the braced position.
5 . The safety device of claim 4 , wherein the roller urges the roller-surface body in a direction away from the support leg of the scissor lift and against a bias of the spring when the support leg translates toward and against the bracing structure.
6 . The safety device of claim 1 , further comprising: a sensor configured to detect when the bracing structure is in the braced position.
7 . The safety device of claim 6 , wherein, in the braced position the bracing structure is disposed between and spaced from the block and the support leg of the scissor lift.
8 . The safety device of claim 1 , wherein, in the braced position, the bracing structure is configured to restrict movement of the support leg of the scissor lift when the support leg translates toward and against the bracing structure.
9 . The safety device of claim 1 , wherein the block comprises a device engagement surface positioned to engage the bracing structure when the support leg of the scissor lift translates toward and against the bracing structure.
10 . The safety device of claim 9 , wherein the bracing structure comprises: one or more brace members, wherein each brace member of the one or more brace members comprises a first contacting surface and a second contacting surface, and wherein, in the braced position, the first contacting surface is positioned to engage the device engagement surface of the block and the second contacting surface is positioned to engage the support leg of the scissor lift when the support leg translates toward and against the bracing structure; and an attachment member operatively coupled between each brace member and the actuator.
11 . The safety device of claim 10 , wherein the actuator comprises: a guide rail; and a guide block configured to translate along the guide rail and operatively coupled to the attachment member of the bracing structure.
12 . The safety device of claim 11 , wherein the actuator further comprises an attachment structure pivotably coupled to the attachment member of the bracing structure.
13 . The safety device of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a pneumatic actuator.
14 . The safety device of claim 1 , further comprising a control unit configured to control the actuator in response to a command received from a user.
15 . The safety device of claim 1 , wherein the safety device is configured to not interfere with any movement of the scissor lift when the bracing structure is in the retracted position.
16 . The safety device of claim 1 , wherein the safety device is configured to be installed on the scissor lift without interfering with any existing structures of the scissor lift.
17 . The safety device of claim 1 in combination with the scissor lift, wherein the safety device is operatively installed relative to the scissor lift.
18 . A method for operating the safety device of claim 1 to restrict movement of the scissor lift, the method comprising: receiving a positioning command from a user; and in response to the receiving, translating the bracing structure between the braced position and the retracted position.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the safety device further comprises a sensor configured to detect when the bracing structure is in the braced position, and wherein the method further comprises: determining, with the sensor, if the bracing structure is in the braced position; and responsive to a determination that the bracing structure is in the braced position, transmitting a confirmation signal to the user.
20 . A safety device for a scissor lift that comprises a base and a support leg configured to translate along the base, the safety device comprising: a block configured to be fixed relative to the base of the scissor lift; a bracing structure; an actuator configured to selectively translate the bracing structure between a braced position, in which the bracing structure is operatively positioned between the block and the support leg of the scissor lift, and a retracted position, in which the bracing structure is not positioned between the block and the support leg of the scissor lift; a roller operatively coupled to the bracing structure; a roller-surface body that comprises a roller surface, wherein the roller is configured to roll along the roller surface when the bracing structure is translated between the braced position and the retracted position, and wherein the roller surface is biased toward the bracing structure when the bracing structure is in the braced position; a spring operatively coupled to the roller-surface body and configured to bias the roller-surface body toward the bracing structure when the bracing structure is in the braced position; and a sensor configured to detect when the bracing structure is in the braced position; wherein the roller urges the roller-surface body in a direction away from the support leg of the scissor lift and against a bias of the spring when the support leg translates toward and against the bracing structure; wherein, in the braced position, the bracing structure is disposed between and spaced from the block and the support leg of the scissor lift; wherein, in the braced position, the bracing structure is configured to restrict movement of the support leg of the scissor lift when the support leg translates toward and against the bracing structure; wherein the block comprises a device engagement surface positioned to engage the bracing structure when the support leg of the scissor lift translates toward and against the bracing structure; wherein the bracing structure comprises: one or more brace members, wherein each brace member of the one or more brace members comprises a first contacting surface and a second contacting surface, and wherein, in the braced position, the first contacting surface is positioned to engage the device engagement surface of the block and the second contacting surface is positioned to engage the support leg of the scissor lift when the support leg translates toward and against the bracing structure; and an attachment member operatively coupled between each brace member and the actuator; and wherein the actuator comprises: a guide rail; and a guide block configured to translate along the guide rail and operatively coupled to the attachment member of the bracing structure; and an attachment structure pivotably coupled to the attachment member of the bracing structure.

Description

FIELD The present disclosure relates to safety devices for scissor lifts and to related methods. BACKGROUND Scissor lifts are work platforms used to safely move workers or components vertically and/or to different locations in a variety of industries including construction, manufacturing, retail, and entertainment. The lifting mechanism of a scissor lift moves the platform straight up and down using cross beams functioning in a scissor-like fashion. To keep a scissor lift in good usable condition, regular maintenance on a plurality of components of the scissor lift arranged under the platform is required. Due to the placement of these components, the scissor lift is often required to be in a vertically extended state during maintenance to allow a mechanic or other personnel access to the components under the platform; however, having maintenance performed under an extended scissor lift is a safety concern. In some examples, such as in the manufacturing of an airplane wing, multiple scissor lifts may be arranged in close proximity to one another and/or between vertical supply racks, such that the only ways to access the components under the lift are to either crawl under the vertical racks or to walk underneath the platform(s) of the scissor lift(s) after it has been braced, blocked, and/or cribbed. However, in such an arrangement, depending on if the scissor lift has been braced, access underneath the platform is considered a permit required confined space. As such, there is a need for an automated device that braces and/or blocks a scissor lift. SUMMARY Scissor lift safety devices, systems for bracing a scissor lift, and methods for operating safety devices for scissor lifts are disclosed. Safety devices for a scissor lift comprise one or more blocks, a bracing structure, and an actuator. The one or more blocks are configured to be fixed relative to a base of the scissor lift. The actuator is configured to selectively translate the bracing structure between a braced position, in which the bracing structure is positioned between the block and a support leg of the scissor lift, and a retracted position, in which the bracing structure is not positioned between the block and the support leg of the scissor lift. In the braced position, the bracing structure is configured to restrict movement of the scissor lift support leg when the support leg translates towards and against the bracing structure. Methods for operating scissor lift safety devices to restrict movement of a scissor lift comprise receiving a positioning command from a user and, in response to receiving the positioning command, translating the bracing structure between the retracted position and the braced position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration representing scissor lift safety devices in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example safety device installed on a scissor lift in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of portion A depicted in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the safety device of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a side view of the safety device of FIG. 2 depicting a bracing structure of the safety device in an engaged position, in accordance with aspects of the current disclosure. FIG. 6 is a side view of the safety device of FIG. 2 depicting the bracing structure of the safety device in a retracted position, in accordance with aspects of the current disclosure. FIG. 7 is a side view of the safety device of FIG. 2 installed on a collapsed scissor lift, depicting the spatial relationship between the collapsed scissor lift and the safety device when the bracing structure is in the retracted position in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a right side view of the safety device of FIG. 2 installed on a lifted scissor lift, depicting the relationship between components of the lifted scissor lift and the safety device when the bracing structure is in the engaged position in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a left side view of the safety device of FIG. 2 installed on a lifted scissor lift, depicting the relationship between components of the lifted scissor lift and the safety device when the bracing structure is in the engaged position. FIG. 10 is a rear view of the safety device and scissor lift of FIG. 2 in accordance with aspects of the current disclosure. FIG. 11 is a sectional cut-away view of the safety device and scissor lift of FIG. 2 along plane 11 in FIG. 10, depicting the bracing structure spaced from a leg of the scissor lift and a block of the safety device, in accordance with aspects of the current disclosure. FIG. 12 is a left side perspective view the safety device of FIG. 2 depicting a first set of actions between the scissor lift leg and the bracing structure in response to a collapsing of the scissor lift in accordance with aspects of the present disclosur