Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MOUNTED RETRACTABLE CATWALK FOR TRUCKS, UTILITY,
CONSTRUCTION, AND INDUSTRIAL VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT
DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to catwalks that include an elevated walkway for one or
more
persons who need to walk or stand in the elevated position to work on
equipment such as that
provided on a utility/construction vehicle. The floor of the catwalk elevates
the person, allowing
access to the bed of the vehicle and/or vehicle-mounted components therein,
while the railing(s)
allow(s) for hands-free movement by preventing the person from falling off of
the catwalk
platform. More specifically, the invention may comprise a foldable/collapsible
catwalk for front,
side, and/or rear mounting on a vehicle/equipment. The invention may allow
particularly
effective and efficient movement of the catwalk, between a retracted position
and a deployed/in-
use position, and also effective and safe movement of a user on the catwalk
and between
multiple catwalks on a vehicle or equipment. In the retracted position, the
catwalk is collapsed
to a compact form/configuration against the side of the vehicle or equipment
for safe and
convenient travel of the vehicle or equipment on- or off-road and for secure
and convenient
storage of the vehicle or equipment.
Related Art
Patent literature discloses railings that may be moved between a compact,
stored form
and position to an in-use form and position, so that a user may walk/stand on
top of a tank trailer
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("tanker") and be protected by the railings from falling off the tank. A
railing is raised at one or
both edges of the top of the tank so that the user may walk/stand on top of
said tank. Examples
of these tanker safety railings include: Brock Patent No. 4,936,407; Lantz
Patent No. 7,174,933;
Poulin Patent No. 6,045,157; and Bossman Publication No. 2003/0020253.
Hansen Patent 6,598,704 discloses a catwalk that is hung/attached to the side
of a truck
bed. The Hansen device includes a floor and a side-railing and can be folded
up along the side of
the truck bed. The Hansen device is manually-operated by use of a handle. The
Hansen device
hangs the deployed floor from two chains, which, by their position and length,
prevent the floor
from pivoting downward farther than desired. Each chain extends, from near the
truck bed,
down and outward to the bottom edge of the floor of the catwalk, and the chain
length limits the
downward pivoting of the floor.
Commercial internet advertising by AQUANEERING TM discloses a catwalk for a
fish
transport tank, wherein the catwalk is a rigid unit comprising a floor and
railing that do not pivot
or move relative to each other. The entire catwalk (floor and railing together
as a unit) pivots up
over the tank for storage/transport, placing the floor against the side of the
tank and the railing
(still at 90 degrees to the floor) over the top of the tank.
Ono Patent No. 6,494,291 discloses a foldable gondola-like scaffold device,
which can be
hung from a support beam such as an I-beam. The gondola cage has a floor and a
railing that are
pivotal relative to each other, for being moved from a collapsed form to a
deployed form, either
manually and/or by the force of the weight of the gondola components. The Ono
device hangs
the deployed gondola cage from two link members (each made of link plates 10a,
10b), wherein
each link member, by its position and length, prevents the cage from pivoting
downward farther
than desired. Each link member extends from the top of the cage's rear frame
structure, down
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and outward to the top of the device's front frame structure. The link members
support said front
frame structure in a position spaced outwardly from said rear frame structure,
and the link
member length limits the downward pivoting of the cage and floor.
There is still a need for an improved catwalk that provides a walkway at an
elevated
position beside the bed or platform of utility, construction, and industrial
vehicles or equipment,
for safe work or monitoring of the equipment on the bed or platform. Certain
embodiments of
the invented catwalk meet this need, while also providing safety features
during use, and a small-
footprint when retracted for storage or travel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention comprises a front, side, and/or rear mounted catwalk or elevated
walkway
device and methods of using the device. The catwalk/walkway device comprises a
floor and at
least one railing that together form the walkway of the catwalk; an actuator
system for moving
the catwalk enclosure between a retracted position/configuration and a
deployed
position/configuration; and a guide arm system for guiding/controlling the
pivoting of the railing
relative to the floor during movement of the catwalk and when the catwalk is
in the deployed
and/or retracted positions. The catwalk device may comprise a mounting frame,
or other means
of connection to a vehicle or equipment.
The actuator system and guide arm system of the catwalk or elevated walkway
device
(hereafter, simply "catwalk") are specially-adapted to provide a sleek design
combined with
effective operation. The actuator system may comprise a hydraulic or pneumatic
cylinder(s) and
actuator linkage(s) that are provided substantially or entirely outside of the
walkway, typically
between the walkway and the vehicle/equipment. Furthermore, the guide arm
system is provided
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substantially or entirely below and/or outside the floor and outer surface of
the railing. Thus,
preferably no portion of the actuator system or guide arm system protrudes
into or across the
walkway or the walkway ends. For example, there are no bars or protrusions
that the user must
walk over or around when moving from one end of the walkway to another. For
example, there
are preferably no obstructions or protrusions bars, chains, link members, or
other barriers
protruding into or extending across the open ends of the catwalk walkway.
The preferred lack of barriers/obstruction at the ends of the walkway may
provide one or
more of the benefits of: easy access to the walkway at one or both ends, for
example, from a
ladder(s) and/or from a cab or other platform of the vehicle/equipment;
obstacle- and barrier-free
passage from one catwalk to another on the same vehicle/equipment. For
example, said
obstacle- and barrier-free passage may be between a left-side and/or right-
side mounted catwalk
and a front-side and/or rear-side mounted catwalk of the same or similar
construction and
operation. In other words, access points may be at one or both ends of each
catwalk, and/or the
user may walk easily between adjacent catwalks provided on multiple sides
(left, right, rear, or
even front end) of the vehicle/equipment.
Preferred embodiments enhance safety by hindering or preventing the catwalk
from
retracting when a person is on the catwalk. This is preferably accomplished by
designing and
tuning the actuator system so that it is not capable of retracting the catwalk
when a person is on
the catwalk. The catwalk is deployed when the hydraulic and/or pneumatic
cylinder(s) are in a
retracted condition, and the cylinder(s) must extend/lengthen in order to
retract the catwalk.
Thus, when no pressure is applied to the cylinder(s), the catwalk remains in a
fail-safe, deployed
position. When pressure is supplied to the cylinder(s), the pressure
determines/controls the lift
capacity of the cylinder(s), and the preferred embodiments limit the maximum
pressure so that
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the cylinder(s) do not have the capacity/capability to retract the catwalk
when occupied. The
pressure of the preferred catwalk actuator system is pre-set by tuning the
hydraulic valve that
supplies the cylinder to ensure it has enough pressure to operate the cylinder
and lift (retract) the
catwalk, but not enough to overcome the added weight of a person on the
catwalk. This safety
feature is therefore accomplished automatically by tuning the cylinder to an
account for the
minimum expected weight of a person, before or during installation of the
catwalk, so that
accidental or even purposeful actuation of the cylinder will not cause or
allow the catwalk to
retract while a person is using the catwalk. This safety feature is therefore
provided without the
implementation or required use of complex controls, safety switches, or locks
that must be
remembered and properly operated by personnel. The chance of improper use,
damage, or
tampering with this safety feature is minute to non-existent.
Additional and alternative features of the invention will be apparent from the
following
description and the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Regarding the drawings, the terms "right", "left", "front", and "rear" are
used from the
perspective of a driver of the vehicle/equipment to which the catwalk is
typically attached.
Figure 1 is a left-side, bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the
invented
catwalk, in deployed (or "extended" or "lowered") position/configuration,
wherein the
vehicle/equipment to which the catwalk would typically be connected during use
is not shown.
Figure 2 is a left-side, bottom perspective view of another embodiment of the
invented
catwalk, in deployed position/configuration, wherein this catwalk is longer
from end to end, but
of about the same height and width as the catwalk in Fig. 1.
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Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a detail circled in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a top view of the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3, which is still in
the
deployed condition.
Figure 5 is a rear end view of the embodiment of Figures 2 -4, still in the
deployed
condition.
Figure 6 is a rear end view of the embodiment of Figures 2 -4, wherein the
catwalk is
being retracted so that it is part-way between the deployed position and the
retracted (or
"collapsed", "folded", or "lifted") position.
Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the detail circled in Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a rear end view of the catwalk of Figures 2¨ 7 in a fully-
retracted position.
Figure 9 is a right-side perspective view of the catwalk of Figures 2 ¨ 8, in
the fully-
retracted position.
Figure 10 is a top view of the catwalk of Figures 2 ¨ 9, when in the fully-
retracted
position of Figures 8 and 9.
Figures 11 ¨ 18 illustrate embodiments of the invented catwalk connected to an
exemplary vehicle for use, specifically, a cable reel truck.
Figure 11 is a rear perspective view of a left-side-mounted catwalk and a rear-
side-
mounted catwalk, according to embodiments of the invention, operatively
connected to a cable
reel truck and in deployed position.
Figure 12 is a rear perspective view of the left-side-mounted catwalk and rear-
side-
mounted catwalk of Figure 11, both partially retracted, for example, in "half-
stroke" position due
to the cylinders of their respective actuator systems being approximately half-
extended.
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Figure 13 is a rear perspective view of the two catwalks of Figures 11 and 12
in fully-
retracted position.
Figure 14 is a right perspective view of the rear ends of the cable reel truck
and left-side
and rear-side catwalks of Figures 11-13, plus an embodiment of a right-side-
mounted catwalk
according to the invention, wherein all three catwalks are in deployed
position.
Figure 15 is a right perspective view of the rear ends of the truck and
catwalks of Figure
14, wherein all three catwalks are partially retracted, for example, in "half-
stroke" position.
Figure 16 is a right perspective view of the rear end of the truck and the
catwalks of
Figures 14 and 15, wherein all three catwalks are fully-retracted.
Figure 17 is a rear view of the vehicle and catwalks of Figures 11-16, wherein
all three
catwalks are fully-extended.
Figure 18 is a left perspective view of the vehicle and catwalks of Figures 11-
17, wherein
all three catwalks are fully-extended.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the Figures, there are shown some, but not the only, embodiments
of a
retractable catwalk, such as may be mounted on and used on various vehicles
and/or equipment.
For example, the catwalk may be mounted on a truck, trailer, utility vehicle
and/or a construction
vehicle. The preferred embodiments meet OSHA safety requirements while
embodying an
effective, efficient, and sleek design that provides a walkway with few to no
obstacles or trip-
hazards when deployed and that retracts to a very compact, vertical profile
with a small footprint.
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Certain embodiments of the catwalk are adapted for mounting on any side of the
vehicle/equipment, for example, to the right, left, rear, and/or front side of
a vehicle/equipment
bed/platform is that is hard or impossible to reach unless the person is
elevated above the
road/ground. Typically, the catwalk is connected to a structure at or near an
outer side of the
vehicle/equipment at least several feet above the road/ground, either by
connection of a
mounting frame of the catwalk to the vehicle/equipment, or by direct
connection of the catwalk
to the vehicle/equipment without the use of a mounting frame. Typically the
catwalk is not
mounted above and does not extend up above the top extremity horizontal plane
of the
vehicle/equipment, which is one of several ways that the catwalk is
differentiated from railings
provided on top of a tanker.
Therefore, the preferred embodiments provide safe access to much or all of the
vehicle/equipment from positions at or near the upper and side perimeters of
said
vehicle/equipment. The preferred embodiments increase the ease and safety of
work, monitoring
and maintaining of equipment, and movement between areas of the
truck/equipment. These
benefits are accomplished without affecting, or, at most only very minimally
affecting, the
outside dimensions of the vehicle/equipment on which the catwalk is installed.
A catwalk 10 according to certain embodiments of the technology is shown in
Figure 1.
The catwalk 10 may be described as comprising a mounting frame 11 for
connection to the
vehicle/equipment (hereafter "vehicle") and preferably for providing a hand-
hold and/or barrier
to prevent the user from falling off the catwalk toward/onto equipment in/on
the vehicle, that is,
in a direction opposite the catwalk outer railing. Further, the catwalk 10
comprises a floor 12
and at least one railing 14 that, together with the mounting frame 11,
form/define the walkway of
the catwalk. Further, the catwalk 10 comprises a hydraulic or pneumatic
actuator system (not
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visible in Figure 1) for moving the catwalk between a retracted configuration
and position and a
deployed configuration and position. Further, the catwalk 10 comprises a guide
arm system 16
for guiding/controlling the pivoting of the railing 14 relative to the floor
12 during said moving
and when the catwalk is in both the retracted and the deployed positions.
Figures 2 ¨ 9 portray an alternative catwalk 20 that is longer from front to
rear compared
to catwalk 10 of Figure 1, but otherwise is similar in function and operation
compared to catwalk
10. Figure 2 (with detail Figure 3) and Figure 4 illustrate a left-side
perspective view and a top
view of the deployed catwalk, respectively. Figures 5 ¨ 8, which are end
views, show to best
advantage the pivotal connections between the frame 21 and the floor 22,
between the railing 14
and the floor 22, and between the three portions 41, 42, and 43 of the guide
arm system 26.
Figures 5 ¨ 8 also show to best advantage the relationships and movement of
these structures, as
the catwalk 20 moves from the deployed position (Fig. 5) toward (Fig. 6 and 7)
and then into
(Fig. 8) the retracted position. One may see that the piston rod 35 of the
cylinder is fully-
retracted/shortened in Figure 5, partially-extended in a "half-stroke"
position in Figures 6 and 7,
and then fully-extended in a "full-stroke" position in Figure 8. Thus, as
discussed above in the
Summary, supply of pressure to the cylinder, and consequent extension of the
piston rod, is
required to retract the catwalk 20. In the deployed position of Figure 5, the
floor 22 is horizontal
or generally horizontal, and the railing 24 is vertical or generally vertical.
In the "half stroke"
position of Figures 6 and 7, the floor 22 is about 45 degrees from horizontal
and the railing 24 is
still generally vertical. In the "full-stroke" position of Figure 8, the floor
22 and the railing 24
are both vertical or generally vertical, and are preferably parallel to each
other and co-planar.
The side perspective view Figure 9 and the top view of Figure 10 illustrate
the compact,
vertical configuration and the thin/small footprint of the retracted catwalk
20.
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The mounting frame 21 of catwalk 20 is preferably rectangular and extends most
of the
length of the catwalk, and the floor 22 is pivotally connected to the mounting
frame 21 at
hinge(s) 23. The railing 24 is pivotally connected to the floor 22 at hinge(s)
25. Figures 5 and 7
illustrate to best advantage end views of one hinge 23 and one hinge 25. The
actuator system 30
comprises a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 32 having a cylinder housing
pivotally mounted at a
first end connection 33 to a rigid, fixed bar/bracket member 34 that is fixed
to, and does not pivot
or move relative to, the mounting frame 21. The piston rod 35 of the cylinder
32 is pivotally
connected at second end connection 36 to the inner edge 37 of the floor 22.
Therefore, extension
of the piston rod 35 from the 'cylinder will force the floor 22 to pivot (at
23) clockwise in Figures
5-7, moving the inner edge 37 of the floor downward and the outer edge 38 of
the floor upward.
As retraction of the catwalk continues by extension of the piston rod 35, the
floor 22
moves toward and into a vertical orientation, and the railing 24 pivots
relative to the floor 22 also
toward and into a vertical orientation. By the time of full retraction (full
piston rod extension),
the floor 22 and railing 24 are generally or entirely coplanar with each other
and parallel to the
vertical mounting frame 21.
The frame 21 is rigid and is typically installed and secured to beam(s),
brace(s), chassis
component(s), or other rigid and strong member(s) on the vehicle/equipment
that are not part of
the moving equipment of, or on, the vehicle/equipment. Said installation and
securement may be
done by bolts, welding, or other fastenings means, in order to place the frame
21 in a vertical or
generally vertical orientation on the side of the vehicle or equipment, for
example, with the
catwalk floor, railing, and actuator already fixed to the frame 21. This way,
the frame 21 and the
other catwalk components may be installed as a single unit by "hanging" the
frame on the
vehicle/equipment. This way, in the retracted position, both the catwalk floor
and railing are
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compactly placed against the side of the frame 21, which is itself compact and
narrow-in-width.
Thus, the frame and the catwalk fill minimum horizontal space, when installed
and collapsed
against the side of the vehicle, for travel on public roads and for compact
storage of the vehicle
when not in use. See Figures.8 -10.
The guide arm system 16, 26 is used to guide/control movement of the railing
14, 24
relative to the mounting frame 11, 21 and relative to the floor 12, 22.
Referring especially to the
catwalk 20 of Figures 2 and 5 ¨ 8, guide arm system comprises multiple
portions, that is, a guide
arm inner end 41, an outer end 42, and a middle arm 43. Guard arm inner end 41
is rigid and
rigidly-fixed to the mounting frame 21-so that the inner end 41 does not pivot
or move relative to
the frame 21. The guide arm outer end 42 is rigid and rigidly-fixed to the
railing 24, at the lower
outer surface 44 of the railing 24, so that the outer end 42 does not pivot,
slide, or otherwise
move relative to said lower outer surface 44 or relative to any portion of the
railing 24. Between
said inner end 41 and outer end 42, the guide arm comprises a rigid middle arm
43 pivotally
connected at pivotal connections 48 and 49, to the inner end 41 and outer end
42, respectively.
The entire guide arm 26 (41, 42, 43 collectively guide arm/system 26) may be
described
as outside of the walkway W of the catwalk, because it is located below and/or
out from the
outer surfaces of the railing and the floor, that is, below and/or toward the
left of the paper
relative the floor and railing in Figures 5 ¨ 8. None of the guide arm system
26 is fastened
directly to or contacting the floor 22, and the middle arm 43 does not fasten
directly to, or
contact any of, the mounting frame 21, floor 22, or railing 24. The floor 22
is moveable relative
to the guide arm 26.
Given the above-described features of the guide arm system, the relative
lengths of each
of inner end 41, outer end 42, and middle arm 43, and the relative location of
the pivot axis (25)
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of the railing 24 relative to the floor 22, and the pivot axis (49) of the
outer end 42 relative to the
middle arm 43, the guide arm 26, serve to control the movement of the railing
24 relative to the
floor 22. To illustrate this, see the catwalk element positions and
relationship in Figure 5, as
follows. When the cylinder 32 is fully shortened (piston rod 35 fully
retracted), the floor 22 will
be generally horizontal and will pivot no further than its position in Figure
5. The railing 24 is
generally perpendicular to the floor 22, with the floor 22 and pivot 25 are
spaced from the middle
arm 43 and pivot 49, respectively. The inner end 41 and middle arm 43 are
parallel to each other
and horizontal. The outer end 42 is perpendicular or generally perpendicular
to the middle arm
43. Thus, in the position in Figure 5, given that the floor 22 is retained in
its position by the
cylinder piston rod 35 and that the railing 24 is fixed to the outer end 42,
one may see that the
railing 24 cannot continue to pivot in either a counterclockwise or clockwise
direction.
Further illustrating the preferred structure and function of the guide arm
system, it may
be noted that, if the outer end 42 where slidable relative to the outer
surface 44 of the railing
(instead of being fixed to the railing), the railing could continue to pivot
in either direction
(counterclockwise or clockwise) independently of the outer end 42.
Furthermore, in this
scenario, the outer end 42 could also pivot independently of the railing
because the inner surface
46 of the outer end 42 and the outer surface 44 of the railing 24 could
move/slide relative to each
other during that continued independent pivoting.
The actuator system is adapted to enhance safety. The hydraulic and/or
pneumatic
cylinder(s) is/are in a retracted condition when the catwalk is deployed.
Therefore, the
cylinder(s) must extend/lengthen in order to retract the catwalk and the
preferred actuator system
is designed/tuned to ensure that the catwalk does not retract and trap a user
on the catwalk. The
lift capacity of the cylinder is controlled/tuned so that the cylinder does
not have the
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capacity/capability to retract the catwalk when occupied. For example, the
lift capacity of the
hydraulic cylinder is controlled by the pressure of the hydraulic fluid
applied to the cylinder.
The pressure of the preferred catwalk actuator system is pre-set by tuning the
hydraulic valve
that supplies the cylinder so that it has enough applied pressure to operate
the cylinder and lift
the catwalk but not enough to overcome the added weight of a person on the
catwalk. Said
tuning can be done to account for the minimum expected adult worker's weight,
for example, an
additional 90 pounds. This safety feature is therefore accomplished
automatically after the
cylinder has been tuned before or during installation of the catwalk, so that
accidental actuation
of the cylinder will not cause the catwalk to retract. This safety feature is
therefore provided
without complex controls, safety switches, or locks that must be remembered
and properly
operated by personnel. The chance of improper use, damage, or tampering with
this safety
feature is very small or non-existent.
Figures 11 - 18 illustrate catwalk embodiments 200, 300, 400 according to the
invention
mounted on the right side, left side, and rear side of a cable reel truck 100.
This way, user(s)
may safely work on any or all three catwalks and may walk easily between the
catwalks. The
catwalks 200, 300, and/or 400 of Figures 11-18 may have many or all of the
features and benefits
described above, even though an alternative means for connecting the catwalks
to the
vehicle/equipment is used. For example, in the Summary of the Invention above,
throughout the
Detailed Description, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to
particular features
(including method steps) of certain embodiments of the invention. It is to be
understood that the
disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible
combinations of such
particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in
the context of a
particular aspect, a particular embodiment, or a particular Figure, that
feature can also be used, to
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the extent appropriate, in the context of other particular aspects,
embodiments, and Figures, and
in the invention generally.
Instead of the catwalk comprising a frame that is secured to the
vehicle/equipment, the
catwalks of Figures 11 -18 are attached directly to beam(s), brace(s), chassis
component(s), or
other rigid and strong member(s) on the vehicle/equipment (hereafter called
"rigid chassis
member") that are not part of the moving equipment of the vehicle or on the
bad/platform. This
is done by pivotally connecting the portions of the catwalk that are shown and
described above
as being connected to frame 11, 21 or the fixed bar/bracket member 34 of the
frame, instead, to
the rigid chassis member(s). Specifically, the top (housing) end of the
actuator cylinder(s), the
floor, and the guide arm(s) are each pivotally connected to one or more rigid
chassis members, in
other words, to portions of the vehicle/equipment frame/chassis instead of to
a mounting frame
11, 21 that is added to the vehicle/equipment. One may understand that this
direct-connection
option may be workable in many embodiments, but that using an intermediate
frame 11, 21 with
bar/bracket member 34 may increase the ease and vehicle-to-vehicle consistency
of retrofitting
an existing vehicle with one or more catwalks.
A right-side catwalk 200 is mounted on the right side of a cable reel truck
100, and is
shown in deployed position in Figure 11, partially retracted or "half-stroke"
position in Figure
12, and retracted position in Figure 13. The cylinder 232 is installed on the
vehicle 100 by
pivotally connecting the top end of the housing to a rigid chassis member (not
visible in Figures
11-13), and pivotally connecting the second end of the piston 235, via second
end connection
236, to the inner edge 237 of the floor 222. Inner edge 237, visible in Figure
13, is an extension
bar/member of the floor 222 that fits and pivots in between multiple rigid
chassis members RM.
The main body of the floor 222 is pivotally connected to rigid chassis members
RM at hinge 223.
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As discussed above for catwalks 10 and 20, the railing 214 pivots relative to
the floor
222, and is guided/controlled by guide arm system 226, which is structured
similarly or the same
as guide arm system 26, as will be understood by one of skill in the art after
reading this
document and viewing the figures. Similarly as discussed above, the railing
224 remains
perpendicular or generally perpendicular to the floor 222 in the deployed
position (Figure 11),
due to the guide arm system 226 and the fixed connection of its outer end 242
to the railing 224.
During retraction, the railing 224 is then guided/controlled by said guide arm
and its outer end
242, into the fully retracted position shown in Figure 13, where the railing
224 is vertical or
generally vertical, and parallel or generally parallel to, and preferably co-
planar or generally co-
planar to, the main plane of the floor 222.
A rear-side catwalk 300 is mounted on the rear side of the cable reel truck
100, and, like
catwalk 200, is shown in deployed position in Figure 11, partially retracted
or "half-stroke"
position in Figure 12, and retracted position in Figure 13. Like catwalk 200,
catwalk 300 has a
floor pivotally connected to rigid chassis members RM', and a guide arm system
326 for guiding
and controlling the pivoting and position of the railing 324 relative to the
floor 322. The
cylinder, piston, and connections of the actuator system of catwalk 300 are
not visible in Figures
11 -13, but will be understood to preferably be similar or the same as those
discussed above.
Figures 14 ¨ 18 show an embodiment wherein three catwalks are provided on the
cable
reel truck 100. In addition to catwalks 200 and 300, a left-side-mounted
catwalk 400 is
provided. Catwalk 400 may be structured and may function similarly to the
other catwalks, and
preferably is a mirror image of right-side catwalk 300. This way, one or more
users can access
and work on three sides of the reels or other equipment on the truck 100, by
walking along each
catwalk and stepping from catwalk to catwalk over the relatively small spaces
S between the
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right and left catwalks and the rear catwalk. While the three-catwalk system
shown in Figures
14¨ 18, or a four-catwalk system for all four sides of vehicle/equipment, may
be particularly
beneficial for excellent access to the vehicle bed and equipment, one may
understand that one
catwalk, or multiple catwalks on any combination of sides, may significantly
improve access and
safety. By providing at least one of a left- or right-side catwalk, plus at
least one of a rear-side or
a front-side catwalk, walkways W are provided for convenient movement along
the entire or
substantially the entire length and width of the vehicle/equipment.
Therefore, the preferred catwalks and their actuator system and guide arm
systems are
specially-adapted to provide a-sleek design and effective operation that can
be applied to many
different vehicles and pieces of equipment where the user needs to be safely
elevated alongside
the vehicle/equipment. The hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder(s) and associated
connections and
apparatus of the actuator system are provided substantially or entirely
outside of the walkway
space W. Furthermore, the guide arm system is also provided substantially or
entirely outside of
the walkway. For example, the guide arm system may be provided below the floor
and out from
the outer surface of the railing. Thus, preferably no portion of the actuator
system or guide arm
system protrudes into, or obstructs, the walkway W or the walkway open ends.
For example,
there are no bars or protrusions that the user must walk over or around when
moving from one
end of the walkway to another. For example, there are preferably no
obstructions or protrusions
such as bars, chains, link members or other barriers protruding into or
extending across the open
ends of the catwalk walkway. Further, the catwalks preferably are arranged and
sized so that at
least one end of each catwalk is near (for example, within 3 feet or less of)
the end of another
catwalk, so a user can step just a few feet (the length or less than the
length of a typical worker's
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CA 2965639 2017-05-01
stride) over the spaces S between the catwalks, and thus walk along multiple
or all the catwalks
without climbing down from a catwalk to climb up onto another.
Further, these above benefits are accomplished by the preferred catwalk
without the
retracted catwalk affecting, or, at most only very minimally affecting, the
outside dimensions,
and hence the normal footprint, of the vehicle/equipment on which the catwalk
is installed.
Thus, a vehicle built to satisfy size regulations should not be adversely
affected by the
addition/retrofit of the catwalk(s) onto the vehicle.
One may understand from the drawings and this document that, depending on the
length
of the catwalk and the location/structure available for attachment of the
frame 11, 21 or for the
= 10 direct attachment to rigid chassis members RM, RM', multiple
actuation systems, cylinders,
pivotal hinges/connections, and/or guide arms, spaced along the length of the
catwalk, may be
used to strengthen, stabilize, and/or effectively operate each catwalk and/or
to effectively
connect the catwalk to the vehicle/equipment.
Allthough this disclosed technology has been described above with reference to
particular
means, materials and embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosed
technology is not
limited to these disclosed particulars and extends instead to all equivalents
within the broad
scope of this disclosure and of following claims.
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