US 11,732,487 B2
Mechanical proximity sensor for a slidable extension of a worker support apparatus
August West McKenna, Everett, WA (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Jun. 17, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/443,544.
Prior Publication US 2020/0392745 A1, Dec. 17, 2020
Int. Cl. E04G 1/15 (2006.01); E04G 1/24 (2006.01); B64F 5/00 (2017.01)
CPC E04G 1/15 (2013.01) [B64F 5/00 (2013.01); E04G 2001/157 (2013.01); E04G 2001/242 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus, comprising:
an elevated platform and a ladder or stair set configured for accessing the platform from the ground;
an extension having a leading edge slidably extendable horizontally from the elevated platform toward a side surface of an aircraft;
a probe extending horizontally from the leading edge of the extension and being slidably coupled to the extension; and
an indicator connected to the probe and configured to rotate from a first orientation to a second orientation in response to engagement between the probe and the side surface as the extension approaches the side surface;
wherein the indicator is configured to complete rotation from the first orientation to the second orientation when the leading edge of the extension is located at a predetermined distance from the side surface of the aircraft; and wherein the indicator in the second orientation is configured to form a vertical wall extending upward from the leading edge of the extension.