Adapters for aerial work platforms

Abstract

An aerial work platform apparatus includes a platform adapted to be attached to one end of a boom or a lifting system and a frame coupled to the platform. The frame has a plurality of vertical and horizontal rails, and a plurality of adapters, each adapter being integrally attached to one of the vertical and horizontal rails and receives and secures a tube to the rail. Each adapter includes a sleeve for receiving the tube, at least one fastener for securing the tube to the sleeve, and a connecting unit for integrally connecting the sleeve to the frame.

1 . A work platform assembly, comprising:
 a work platform;   a frame coupled to the platform; and   at least one adapter integrally attached to the frame for receiving and securing a tube to the frame.   
     
     
         2 . The aerial work platform apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one adapter is integrally attached to the frame by being welded to the frame. 
     
     
         3 . The aerial work platform apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one adapter includes a bracket which is welded to the frame. 
     
     
         4 . The aerial work platform apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one adapter includes a first bracket and a second bracket, and wherein the first bracket is welded to the tube and the second bracket is welded to the frame. 
     
     
         5 . The aerial work platform apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one adapter comprises a sleeve and at least one fastener, the sleeve being adapted to receive the tube therein and the at least one fastener being adapted to removably fasten the pole to the sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . The aerial work platform apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one fastener is a bolt. 
     
     
         7 . The aerial work platform apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one adapter further comprises a protrusion on the sleeve, having a threaded opening for receiving the bolt. 
     
     
         8 . The aerial work platform apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one adapter further comprises:
 a sleeve adapted to receive the tube;   a plurality of fasteners adapted to fasten the tube to the sleeve; and   a plurality of protrusions on the sleeve, each protrusion having an opening for receiving one of the plurality of fasteners.   
     
     
         9 . An aerial work platform apparatus, comprising:
 a platform adapted to be attached to one end of a boom;   a frame coupled to the platform, the frame comprising a plurality of vertical and horizontal rails; and   a plurality of adapters, each adapter being integrally attached to one of the vertical and horizontal rails for receiving a tube.   
     
     
         10 . The aerial work platform apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of adapters comprises:
 a sleeve for receiving the tube;   a fastener for securing the tube to the sleeve;   a first bracket integrally attached to the sleeve; and   a second bracket integrally attached to the first bracket and to the frame.   
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (Canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled)