US3863736A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Helicopter-mountable landing platform and work scaffold and method of placing same in operating position
Assignee: Decair Helicopters Inc
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Filing: 1973-05-31
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Granted: 1975-02-04
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Expires: 1993-05-31
Abstract
Abstract A work scaffold adapted to be mounted on a utility pole by a helicopter and having a landing platform to permit a workman to disembark from a hovering helicopter. The mounting and removal of the landing platform and work scaffold from the utility pole is aided by a latch-equipped lift hook suspended from the helicopter and a pair of maneuvering poles maniuplated by helicopter crewmen.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy J Mcwilliams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:13
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G1/00; H02G1/02; B; B64; B64D; B64D1/00; B64D1/22; E; E04; E04G; E04G3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A landing platform and work scaffold adapted to be positioned on a pole structure by a helicopter or the like comprising: a scaffold for supporting one or more persons; means mounted on said scaffold enabling said scaffold to be suspended from a helicopter; means mounted on said scaffold for engaging a pole structure to support said scaffold at the top of the pole structure when said scaffold is lowered onto the pole structure; and a landing platform mounted on top of said scaffold in a position to provide clearance between the top of the pole structure and the rotor of a hovering helicopter touching said landing platform, said landing platform being of a size to permit one or more persons to step directly from the cabin of a hovering helicopter onto said landing platform when said scaffold is supported at the top of the pole structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A landing platform and work scaffold adapted to be positioned on a pole structure by a helicopter or the like comprising: a scaffold for supporting one or more persons; means mounted on said scaffold enabling said scaffold to be suspended from a helicopter; means mounted on said scaffold for engaging a pole structure to support said scaffold at the top of the pole structure when said scaffold is lowered onto the pole structure; and a landing platform mounted on top of said scaffold in a position to provide clearance between the top of the pole structure and the rotor of a hovering helicopter touching said landing platform, said landing platform being of a size to permit one or more persons to step directly from the cabin of a hovering helicopter onto said landing platform when said scaffold is supported at the top of the pole structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The landing platform and work scaffold of claim 1 wherein said means for engaging said pole structure comprises: a pair of hooks projecting from the upper portion of a side of said scaffold for engaging the pole structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The landing platform and work scaffold of claim 2 wherein said means for engaging said pole structure further comprises: a resilient bumper mounted on the lower portion of said side of said scaffold for engaging the pole structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The landing platform and work scaffold of claim 2 wherein said hooks are mounted above the center of gravity of said landing platform and work scaffold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The landing platform and work scaffold of claim 4 wherein said bumper is mounted below the center of gravity of said landing platform and work scaffold.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
The landing platform and work scaffold of claim 5 wherein said means enabling said scaffold to be suspended from a helicopter comprises an elongated suspension member mounted on said scaffold and extending upward from said landing platform in the form of a triangle having its apex upward so that, when said suspension member is engaged by a lifting hook attached to a helicopter, the hook will move to said apex of said suspension member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
The landing platform and work scaffold of claim 6, wherein said apex of said suspension member is located so that when said landing deck and work scaffold is suspended by said suspension member, said bumper will hang to the rear of said hooks to prevent said bumper from interfering with said pole structure before said hooks engage said pole structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The landing platform and work scaffold of claim 7, wherein said landing platform and the upper portion of said scaffold are made of lighter-than-steel material and the lower portion of said scaffold is made of steel in order to provide a low center of gravity for said landing platform and work scaffold.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The landing platform and work scaffold of claim 1, further comprising a guardrail partially surrounding said landing platform, one side of said landing platform being open to permit a person to disembark onto it from a hovering helicopter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
138 words
A work scaffold for a utility pole having a vertical column and a pair of aRms extending substantially horizontally from said column, said work scaffold comprising: a scaffold structure having a substantially vertical face and at least one horizontal work platform; a pair of hooks mounted on the top portion of said face of said scaffold structure for engaging the horizontal arms of the utility pole; a bumper mounted on the lower portion of said face of said scaffold structure for engaging the vertical column of the utility pole; a landing platform mounted on top of said scaffold structure to permit a person to disembark from a hovering helicopter onto said landing platform; and a suspension member projecting upward from said landing deck to permit said scaffold structure to be lifted from the utility pole by a helicopter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
138 words
A work scaffold for a utility pole having a vertical column and a pair of aRms extending substantially horizontally from said column, said work scaffold comprising: a scaffold structure having a substantially vertical face and at least one horizontal work platform; a pair of hooks mounted on the top portion of said face of said scaffold structure for engaging the horizontal arms of the utility pole; a bumper mounted on the lower portion of said face of said scaffold structure for engaging the vertical column of the utility pole; a landing platform mounted on top of said scaffold structure to permit a person to disembark from a hovering helicopter onto said landing platform; and a suspension member projecting upward from said landing deck to permit said scaffold structure to be lifted from the utility pole by a helicopter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The work scaffold of claim 10, further comprising a guide ring mounted on said scaffold structure, said guide ring being adapted to receive the end of a maneuvering pole manipulated by a person in the helicopter whereby said work scaffold may be more readily positioned on a utility pole.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-03 | 1978-08-05 | 1979-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-03 | 1982-08-05 | 1983-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-03 | 1986-08-05 | 1987-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |