NZ745894B2 - Support arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

support arrangement (10) comprising: a platform (12) for supporting an object; a height adjustment mechanism (16) for height adjustment of the platform (12) relative to an upstanding support (14), the height adjustment mechanism (16) including a ratchet (18) pivotably mounted to a platform saddle (21) that is mounted to the platform (12); and at least two vertically spaced ratchet engagement surfaces (28) in the upstanding support (14), with the height of the platform (12) relative to the upstanding support (14) selected by engaging the ratchet (18) with a desired ratchet engagement surface from the at least two vertically displaced ratchet engagement surfaces (28). Raising the platform (12) relative to the upstanding support (14) causes the ratchet (18) to move in a ratcheting motion upon encountering each respective ratchet engagement surface. Lowering the platform (12) relative to the upstanding support (14) requires: initially raising the platform (12) to activate a ratchet disengagement actuator (30) that displaces the ratchet (18) away from the upstanding support (14); then lowering the platform (12) to a position where the ratchet (18) is located at least proximate to or below the height of a desired ratchet engagement surface; and then raising the platform (12) to deactivate the ratchet disengagement actuator (30), whereupon a new platform height may be selected. The design of the support arrangement (10) allows an operator to raise and lower the platform (12) from their safely seated position at the controls of a forklift and without the assistance of another person.

Claims (23)

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A support arrangement, including: a platform for supporting an object thereon; a height adjustment mechanism to facilitate height adjustment of the 5 platform relative to an upstanding support; the height adjustment mechanism including: a ratchet pivotably mounted to a platform saddle, the platform saddle mounted to the platform; and at least two vertically spaced ratchet engagement surfaces associated 10 with the upstanding support, with the height of the platform relative to the upstanding support selected by engaging the ratchet with a desired ratchet engagement surface from the at least two vertically displaced ratchet engagement surfaces; wherein 15 raising of the platform relative to the upstanding support causes the ratchet to move in a ratcheting motion upon encountering each respective ratchet engagement surface; and lowering of the platform relative to the upstanding support requires: initially raising the platform to activate a ratchet disengagement 20 actuator, which displaces the ratchet away from the upstanding support; then lowering the platform relative to the upstanding support to a position where the ratchet is located at least proximate to or below the height of a desired ratchet engagement surface; then raising the platform to deactivate the ratchet disengagement 25 actuator, whereupon a new platform height may be selected.

2. A support arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the platform saddle is mounted to the platform with a mounting arrangement providing limited movement between the platform saddle and the platform.

3. A support arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the mounting arrangement includes a fastener extending through a fastener receiving aperture provided in the platform and a fastener receiving aperture provided in the platform saddle.

4. A support arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ratchet is biased towards the upstanding support.

5. A support arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, 40 wherein deactivation of the ratchet disengagement actuator requires the ratchet disengagement actuator being raised relative to the upstanding support so as to contact a deactivation surface associated with the upstanding support.

6. A support arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the deactivation surface is associated with, located immediately above, or located below the desired ratchet engagement surface. 5

7. A support arrangement according to claim 5 or 6, including at least two vertically displaced apertures provided in the upstanding support, with each aperture including a ratchet engagement surface and a deactivation surface.

8. A support arrangement according to claim 7, including a plurality of 10 vertically displaced apertures provided in the upstanding support, with each aperture of the plurality of vertically displaced apertures including a ratchet engagement surface and a deactivation surface.

9. A support arrangement according to claim 7 or 8, wherein each aperture is at 15 least generally in the form of a slot, with a lower end of each slot including the ratchet engagement surface, and an upper end of each slot including the deactivation surface.

10. A support arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, 20 wherein the ratchet disengagement actuator is engageable with an activation surface associated with the upstanding support so as to activate the ratchet disengagement actuator.

11. A support arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the activation surface 25 is provided on the upstanding support at or towards an upper end of the upstanding support.

12. A support arrangement according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the ratchet disengagement actuator is separately engageable with any one of at least two 30 vertically displaced activation surfaces provided on the upstanding support so as to activate the ratchet disengagement actuator.

13. A support arrangement according to claim 5, or any one of claims 6 to 12 when directly or indirectly dependent on claim 5, wherein the ratchet 35 disengagement actuator is separately engageable with any deactivation surface so as to deactivate the ratchet disengagement actuator.

14. A support arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ratchet disengagement actuator is pivotably mounted to the platform 40 saddle, and biased towards an inactivate position.

15. A support arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, when in an activated position, the ratchet disengagement actuator is displaced from its inactivate position so as to engage the ratchet and retain it in a 45 retracted position, thereby preventing engagement of the ratchet with any of the ratchet engagement surfaces.

16. A support arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upstanding support includes a height indicator applied to at least one surface thereof. 5

17. A support arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the platform saddle includes a height indicator associated with the height indicator provided on the upstanding support.

18. A support arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, 10 including a ratchet engagement indicator for indicating when the ratchet is engaged with a ratchet engagement surface.

19. A support arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the platform is adjustably mounted to four upstanding supports.

20. A support arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, including a separate height adjustment mechanism associated with each upstanding support. 20

21. A support arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each upstanding support includes an upstanding post.

22. A support arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support arrangement is configured for use in a vehicle, such as a truck, 25 trailer or railcar, for use in a freight container, or for use in warehouse racking.

23. A support arrangement according to claim 22, when configured for use in a truck or trailer, with a respective upstanding support provided in a freight receiving space of the truck or trailer at or towards each corner or side of the freight receiving 30 space.