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[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/437,814 having a filing date of Jan. 3, 2003, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a flexible safety edge guard device. Particularly, this invention relates to a safety edge guard that is fastened to a moveable platform. The safety guard provides the platform with a soft bumper that compresses when it contacts an interfering object in its travel path.
[0003] Vertical lift tables, tilt tables, and other equipment having moveable platforms are widely known. This equipment is used in various industrial applications such as in the handling of materials and packages and in other assembly line operations. The vertical lift tables help provide a safe and healthy work environment. The lift tables help prevent back injuries caused by a person having to constantly bend over to pick-up packages. In general, vertical lift tables include a moveable platform that can be vertically raised and lowered by a power means such as a hydraulic telescopic mast unit or scissor lift. Typically, the moveable platform has steel edges. The lift tables can have a manual or electric motor power supply unit. Scissor lift tables, which have one or more sets of pantograph leg sections that are used to raise and lower the platform, are common. The pantograph leg sections support and stabilize the platform in its raised position. Vertical lift tables can be mounted on a base or placed directly on a supportive surface such as a floor. It is important that a person uses care and follows safety precautions while operating lift tables. Particularly, a person needs to be careful that he or she does not pinch a finger, toe, or other body part under the steel platform as it is lowered to the supporting base or floor.
[0004] Various safety guard devices for lift tables and other equipment having moveable platforms have been proposed. Safety guards for garage doors have also been developed.
[0005] For instance, Richards, U.S. Pat. 3,920,101 discloses a protective device which is fastened to the periphery of a vertically moving platform. The platform moves into and is received in a recessed area formed in a floor. The protective device comprises a rubber band that extends from the platform so that it will brush against an operator's body when he or she is too close to the descending platform. According to the '101 Patent, the rubber band presses against the individual's leg as the platform descends and this warns the individual that he or she is in a danger area and must move back.
[0006] Clarke et al., U.S. Pat. 4,091,906 discloses a collapsible electric foot-toe guard which is used with a loading platform. The collapsible foot-toe guard protects against injuries. The foot-toe guard includes a contact plate which moveably engages a base support plate by a hinge means. The contact plate folds toward the support plate upon engaging an interfering obstacle. According to the '906 Patent, an electric switch circuit can be included so that the folding movement of the contact plate deactivates the electrically-powered descending movement of the platform.
[0007] Ziegler, U.S. Pat. 4,269,253 discloses a safety guard rubber-like strip for roller-type garage doors having horizontal panels which are hinged together. The flexible safety guard strip is attached to the upper outside surface of each door panel so that it extends upwardly. The safety guard strip covers and shields the gap between the hinged panels of the door to protect the door operator from injury. In this manner, the safety guard strip helps prevent an operator from pinching his or her fingers between the hinged panels.
[0008] Although some conventional safety guard devices can protect against injuries from some mechanical devices, there is a need for an improved safety guard device. The improved safety guard should be capable of being easily mounted onto a vertically moveable platform such as the platform used for a lift or tilt table. Furthermore, the improved safety guard should compress upon contacting an interfering object in its travel path. The present invention provides such a safety guard device. These and other objects, features, and advantages of this invention are evident from the following description and attached figures.
[0009] The present invention relates to an elongated, flexible safety edge guard for use with moveable platforms. The platform has a support frame and is capable of moving in ascending and descending directions. In one embodiment, the safety guard comprises: (i) a substantially “U-shaped” upper portion, and (ii) a lower portion that extends from the U-shaped upper portion. The U-shaped upper portion has opposing side wall segments that are connected together. The side wall segments define an open space therebetween for receiving the support frame of the platform. The safety guard is tightly fastened to the platform by sliding the support frame into the U-shaped upper portion. The support frame can be constructed so that it includes an angle support bracket mounted to each side of the platform. The angle side support bracket can include a vertically extending arm that is inserted into the U-shaped upper portion of the safety guard.
[0010] In one embodiment, the lower portion of the safety guard has opposing side wall segments that are connected together to form a looped structure. The side wall segments define a linear channel therebetween. In another embodiment, the lower portion of the safety guard has a substantially “J-shaped” structure. The J-shaped lower portion includes a vertically extending segment and a hook segment. The flexible safety guard compresses upon contacting an object lying in its path as the platform moves in a descending direction.
[0011] In other instances, the safety edge guard does not include an U-shaped upper portion. For example, the safety guard can include a vertically extending segment and a hook segment to form a substantially J-shaped structure along its entire length. in another example, the safety guard can include a vertically extending segment having one end and an opposing end with a looped structure.
[0012] The safety guard of this invention can be made from any suitable flexible plastic material such as a polyvinyl chloride. The safety guard can be produced by a plastic molding operation. The mold can provide the safety guard with side wall segments having a wavy-like structure.
[0013] The novel features that are characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the preferred embodiments of the invention, together with further objects and attendant advantages, are best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0014]
[0015]
[0016]
[0017]
[0018]
[0019]
[0020]
[0021]
[0022] Referring to
[0023] The safety guard
[0024] The safety guard
[0025] Another embodiment of the safety edge guard of this invention is shown in
[0026] The flexible safety guards
[0027] More particularly, a vertical lift table
[0028] The safety edge guard
[0029] The safety guard
[0030] The safety guard
[0031] In still another embodiment, the safety edge guard does not include the “U-shaped” upper portion
[0032] The safety edge guards
[0033] It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments and description herein without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be covered by the appended claims.