Aerial-lift-platform accessory

Abstract

An aerial-lift-platform accessory ( 10 ) comprising a container ( 30 ) for holding items, a hanger ( 40 ) for hanging the container ( 30 ) on an upper safety rail ( 25 ), and a brace ( 50 ). The brace ( 50 ) is convertible between a bracing condition whereat its arm ( 51 ) braces the container ( 30 ) against a lower safety rail ( 26 ) and a carrying condition whereat its arm ( 51 ) is stowed close to the contour of the container ( 30 ).

1 . An aerial-lift-platform accessory for use on an aerial lift platform having a deck, an elevator for moving the deck to significant heights, and a safety railing surrounding the deck; said accessory comprising:
 a container for holding items;   a hanger for hanging the container on a horizontal bar of the safety railing; and   a brace for bracing the container against a lower horizontal bracing portion of the aerial lift platform;   wherein the brace includes an arm selectively movable from a bracing position whereat it extends downward from the container to a level b below the lower horizontal bracing portion and a carrying position whereat it resides close the contour of the container.   
     
     
         2 . An aerial-lift-platform accessory as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal bar is an upper horizontal bar and wherein the lower horizontal bracing portion is a lower horizontal bar of the safety railing. 
     
     
         3 . An aerial-lift-platform accessory as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the hanger forms a channel for the horizontal bar. 
     
     
         4 . An aerial-lift-platform accessory as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the hanger comprises panels forming the channel; and wherein a first panel is secured to a rear wall of the container, a second panel extends outwardly from the top edge of the first panel, and a third panel extends downwardly from the distal edge of the second panel. 
     
     
         5 . An aerial-lift-platform accessory as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the brace comprises a pivotal attachment attaching the arm to the container and wherein the arm moves between the bracing position and the carrying position by pivotal movement. 
     
     
         6 . An aerial-lift-platform accessory as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the arm comprises telescoping pieces and wherein the arm moves between the bracing position and the carrying position by telescopic movement between the pieces. 
     
     
         7 . An aerial-lift-platform accessory as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the arm remains fixed to the container as it is moved between the bracing position and the carrying position. 
     
     
         8 . An aerial-lift-platform accessory as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the arm when in the carrying position, is positioned above a bottom wall of the container and does not extend beyond side walls of the container. 
     
     
         9 . An aerial lift platform with the accessory set forth in  claim 1  hung on a horizontal bar of a safety railing, wherein the post is in its bracing position and braces the container against a lower bracing portion, wherein the safety railing is constructed to resist a 300-pound outward force when it is leaned or otherwise pushed against. 
     
     
         10 . An aerial-lift-platform accessory for use on an aerial lift platform having a deck, an elevator for moving the deck to significant heights, and a safety railing surrounding the deck; said accessory comprising:
 a pole;   a hanger for hanging the pole from a horizontal rail of the safety railing; and   a bracket, connected to the pole for cradling building supplies;   wherein the bracket either vertically adjustable to accommodate short-to-tall cargo or horizontally adjustable to accommodate thin-to-wide cargo.   
     
     
         11 . An aerial-lift-platform accessory as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the pole comprises a vertical strut and a horizontal foot; and wherein the pole is adjustable relative to the hanger. 
     
     
         12 . An aerial-lift platform accessory as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the hanger includes a clamp comprising panels forming a channel for the railing bar; wherein first and second panels are vertically oriented and situated on opposite sides of the horizontal bar and wherein a third panel extends horizontally therebetween. 
     
     
         13 . An aerial-lift-platform accessory as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the hanger comprises a sleeve with a conduit for receipt of the pole and wherein the sleeve is connected to a panel of the clamp. 
     
     
         14 . An aerial-lift-platform accessory as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the bracket comprises legs forming a cradle for building supplies, wherein a first leg is vertically oriented and connected to the pole, wherein a second leg extends horizontally outward from a bottom end of the first leg, and wherein the third leg extends vertically upward from distal end of the second leg. 
     
     
         15 . An aerial-lift-platform accessory as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the bracket is vertically adjustable relative to the pole. 
     
     
         16 . An aerial-lift-platform accessory as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the bracket is connected to a foot of the pole. 
     
     
         17 . An aerial-lift-platform accessory as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the bracket has legs forming, with a bottom region of the pole, a cradle; wherein a first leg is horizontally oriented and connected to the pole and wherein a second leg extends upward from the distal end of the first leg. 
     
     
         18 . An aerial-lift-platform accessory as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the bracket is horizontally adjustable so as to accommodate thin-to-wide cargo. 
     
     
         19 . An aerial-lift-platform accessory as set forth in  claim 10 , comprising two brackets connected to the pole for cradling building supplies, wherein one of the brackets is vertically adjustable to accommodate short-to-tall cargo and/or wherein one of the brackets is horizontally adjustable to accommodate thin-to-wide cargo. 
     
     
         20 . An aerial lift platform with the accessory set forth in  claim 10  hung on a horizontal bar of its safety railing, wherein the safety railing is constructed to resist a 300-pound outward force when it is leaned or otherwise pushed against.