AU749701B2 - Access device - Google Patents

Description

Our Ref: 715148 P/00/011 Regulation 3:2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT r Applicant(s): Justoy Pty Ltd 4 Russell Road Mt Thorley Via Singleton New South Wales 2330

AUSTRALIA

DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Level 10, 10 Barrack Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Address for Service: Invention Title: Access device The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 5020 P:\WPDOCS\AMD\SPECI\675462.JUS 2/2/99 -1- ACCESS DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an access device, having a ladder or steps, which provides access between a lower and upper surface, such as a substrate surface and the elevated surface of a vehicle, for instance, earthmoving, mining, or like vehicles. The present invention in particular relates to an access device which is movable between an access position and a storage position, in which storage position the device is fully retracted, such that it would not interfere with the normal operation of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE RELATED ART A variety of different access device configurations for removably or retractably providing an access member between operable and storage positions, are currently known.

Some such devices are disclosed in the Applicant's Australian Patent No. 672706 and 15 Australian Application No. 48282/97. Each of these devices described provides for access between a lower level and an upper level, whereby the device is pivotally moveable from a stable lower position to a stable upper position.

S. Some of these devices also provide handrails, for predetermined angles of inclination *g 20 of the ladder in both the storage and access positions, such as may be required by various safety regulations, for ease of use, etc., while still providing a totally retractable device which is not likely to interfere with the normal operation of the vehicle.

P:\WPDOCS\AMD\SPECI\675462.JUS 2/2/99 -2- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to provide an access device which may be used in alternative to the aforementioned devices, and which overcome certain disadvantages of prior art access devices.

The present invention seeks to provide an access device which is conveniently raised and lowered, taking up minimal space in a storage position, and which is provided to an operable position at a convenient angle, which would comply with relevant local safety standards.

In one broad form, the present invention provides an access device for providing access between a substrate surface and the cabin of a vehicle, said device attached to a *rotating actuator extending substantially outwardly from below the side of said cabin for movement of said device between an access position and a storage position, characterised in that said device includes a substantially triangular shaped platform, a first side of which is attached to said rotating actuator, a second side of which has a ladder extending therefrom, and a third side of which, in the access position is located proximal to said cabin to provide access via said ladder between said cabin and said substrate surface, said device being rotatably moveable by said rotating actuator to said storage position in which said device is 20 substantially upturned relative to that of said access position such that a substantial part of said device is positioned above said rotating actuator.

Preferably, said platform is substantially the shape of a right angled triangle, with the ladder extending from the hypotenuse side of said triangle.

Also preferably, in said access position, said platform is disposed substantially horizontally, and, in said storage position,-said platform is disposed approximately 1800 from said access position, upturned from said access position.

Preferably, in said access device, said ladder is disposed at between 600 and 75 and P:\WPDOCS\AMD\SPEC\675462.JUS 2/2/99 -3most preferably at 620, relative to said substrate surface and at approximately 450 relative to the side of said vehicle.

Preferably, said rotating actuator extends slightly upwards and outwards from below the side of said cabin.

Also preferably, in the storage position, said ladder extends slightly outwardly from vertical adjacent to said vehicle cabin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed i description of the preferred but non-limiting embodiment thereof, described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 illustrates the access device of the present invention, installed on a vehicle, in its access position; Fig. 2 shows the access device, installed on a vehicle, half way between its access S position and its stowed position; Fig. 3 shows the access device, installed on a vehicle, in its stowed position; Fig. 4 shows, in Figs. 4(b) and the access device alone without the vehicle), in the access position, half way between the access position and the stowed position, and in the stowed position, respectively; and, S "Fig. 5 illustrates an alternative view of the access device on the vehicle, as per Fig.

3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Throughout the drawings like numerals will be used to identify similar features, except where expressly otherwise indicated.

As illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the access device, in accordance with the present invention, may be adapted to a vehicle such as an earthmoving or mining vehicle. The P:\WPDOCS\AMD\SPECI\675462.IUS 22/99 -4present invention provides an access device, generally designated by the numeral 1, which includes a platform 2, a ladder 3, and a rotary actuator 4. As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the access device may be moved between an access position as shown in Fig. 1, and a storage position shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 2 illustrates an intermediate position.

Referring initially to Fig. 1, it can be seen that the access device, in the access position, provides a ladder substantially downwardly disposed from a triangular shaped platform 2. The triangular shaped platform 2 is of right-angular triangle shape, with the ladder downwardly depending from the hypotenuse side. The ladder member is preferably inclined at an angle of between 600 and 750, and perhaps most optimally at 620, from the platform 2. This' facilitates the easy ascending/descending of the ladder by a person to/from the platform 2, for entry into the cabin of a vehicle 5. In this position, it will be seen that one side of the triangular shaped platform is disposed proximal to the cabin of a vehicle whilst the other side of the triangular shaped platform is connected to the rotary actuator 4.

Referring now to Fig. 3, which illustrates the storage position of the access device, it can be seen that the ladder 3 is substantially upwardly inclined, having been rotated approximately 1800 relative to its access position of Fig. 1. That is, the platform 2 is positioned substantially coplanar to the platform position of Fig. 1, except that it is upsidedown. In the storage position, it will be clearly seen that the access device does not protrude from the vehicle perimeter, such that there can be no chance of interference during normal operation of the vehicle 5 during its earthmoving, mining, or other operations. In the storage position of Fig. 3, the platform neatly sits behind, but adjacent to, the entry point from the cabin of the vehicle Movement of the ladder 3, and platform member 2, is effected by operation of a rotary actuator 4 from any convenient location, such as from within the cabin of the vehicle by a remote control device, or otherwise.

During operation of the rotary actuator, the platform 2 and the ladder are moved P:\WPDOCS\AMD\SPECI\615462.JUS 2/2/99 throughout an arc of approximately 1800. An intermediate position, during this process, is shown in Fig. 2.

Further details of the component features of the invention are shown in Fig. 4, without the actual vehicle to which the access device may be attached. Therefore, the representations shown in Figs, 4(b) and 4(c) substantially correspond to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, respectively.

Fig. 5 illustrates a further view of the access device in the storage position as per Fig.

3. In Fig. 5, it can be seen that the rotary actuator extends substantially outwardly from below the side of the cabin, at a slightly upwardly inclined angle, such that, in a storage position, the ladder extends slightly outwardly from vertical, adjacent the vehicle cabin.

It will therefore be appreciated that the present invention provides an access device which is particularly useful for installation of the side of a vehicle such as an earthmoving or mining vehicle, where large clearance under a vehicle is required. Provision of such a ladder will allow for easy access of an operator to the vehicle, but also for complete retraction of the ladder out of the way of any earthmoving or mining operations.

It will be understood that there are other applications for the device other than on a vehicle.

**Whilst a particular embodiment of this access device has been hereinbefore described, it will be appreciated that numerous variations, alterations and additions to such an access device will be envisaged to persons skilled in the art. All such modifications should therefore be considered to fall within the scope of the invention as broadly hereinbefore described and as claimed hereinafter.

Claims (8)

1. An access device for providing access between a substrate surface and the cabin of a vehicle, said device attached to a rotating actuator extending substantially outwardly from below the side of said cabin for movement of said device between an access position and a storage position, characterised in that said device includes a substantially triangular shaped platform, a first side of which is attached to said rotating actuator, a second side of which has a ladder extending therefrom, and a third side of which, in the access position is located proximal to said cabin to provide access via said ladder between said cabin and said substrate surface, said device being rotatably moveable by said rotating actuator to said storage position in which said device is substantially upturned relative to that of said access position such that a substantial part of said device is positioned above said rotating actuator.

2. An access device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said platform is substantially the 15 shape of a right angled triangle, with the ladder extending from the hypotenuse side of said triangle.

3. An access device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein in said access position, said platform is disposed substantially horizontally and in said storage position, said platform is Ie 20 disposed approximately 1800 from said access position, upturned from said access position.

4. An access device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein in said access device, said ladder is disposed at between 600 and 75°, and most preferably at 620 relative to said substrate surface and at approximately 450 relative to the side of said vehicle. An access device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said rotating actuator extends slightly upwards and outwards from below the side of said cabin.

P:\WPDOCS\AMD\SPECI\675462JUS 2/2/99 -7-

6. An access device as claimed in claim 5, wherein in the storage position, said ladder extends slightly outwardly from vertical adjacent to said vehicle cabin.

7. An access device, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A method of operating an access device, substantially as herein described. DATED this 2nd day of February 1999 a a. a JUSTOY PTY LIMITED By Their Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE