Access platform

Abstract

An access platform that is suitable for use with a hydraulic arm of a standard digger or excavator is described. The access platform comprises a connection means, a telescopic ram and a platform, all of which are mounted on a base plate suitable for anchoring the platform on the ground. The design of the apparatus permits the platform to be moved in a vertical plane without any corresponding movement in a horizontal plane. Therefore, the access platform takes advantage of the manoeuvrability of standard diggers or excavators while allowing for accurate positioning of the platform.

1 . An access platform, suitable for use with a hydraulic arm of a standard excavator or digger comprising a connection means, a telescopic ram and a platform wherein the connections means connects the access platform to the hydraulic arm so orientating the telescopic ram substantially perpendicular to an area of ground such that the operation of the telescopic ram acts to move the platform in a substantially vertical plane.  
   
   
       2 . An access platform as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a base plate wherein when the access platform is connected to the hydraulic arm and the base plate acts to anchor the platform on the ground.  
   
   
       3 . An access platform as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the connection means is suitable for connecting to a standard attachment system associated with the hydraulic arm of an excavator or digger.  
   
   
       4 . An access platform as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the standard attachment system comprises a quick hitch attachment.  
   
   
       5 . An access platform as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the telescopic ram comprises one or more connectors suitable for attachment to one or more hydraulic fluid supply pipes associated with the excavator or digger.  
   
   
       6 . An access platform as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the telescopic ram moves between a contracted position and an extended position under the control of a hydraulic pressure provided by the hydraulic fluid supply pipes.  
   
   
       7 . An access platform as claimed in  claim 2  further comprising a pivot means and a hydraulic arm wherein the base plate is attached to the telescopic ram via the pivot means such that the operation of the hydraulic arm allows the telescopic ram to be rotated away from the substantially perpendicular orientation.  
   
   
       8 . An access platform as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the platform comprises a slewing basket such that the slewing basket pivots in response to the rotation of the telescopic ram so as to maintain the slewing basket in a substantially horizontal orientation.