US 12,280,991 B2
Apparatuses and methods for providing high electrical resistance for aerial work platform components
James Randall Christian, Crawford, TX (US); and Andrew Keith Palican, Woodway, TX (US)
Assigned to Time Manufacturing Company, Waco, TX (US)
Filed by Time Manufacturing Company, Waco, TX (US)
Filed on Sep. 11, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/567,812.
Application 15/682,441 is a division of application No. 14/872,939, filed on Oct. 1, 2015, granted, now 9,765,538, issued on Sep. 19, 2017.
Application 16/567,812 is a continuation of application No. 15/682,441, filed on Aug. 21, 2017, granted, now 10,458,131.
Application 14/872,939 is a continuation of application No. 13/487,012, filed on Jun. 1, 2012, granted, now 9,683,379, issued on Jun. 20, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2020/0002955 A1, Jan. 2, 2020
Int. Cl. B66F 11/04 (2006.01); H01B 17/56 (2006.01)
CPC B66F 11/04 (2013.01) [B66F 11/044 (2013.01); H01B 17/56 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for improving electrical resistance in aerial work platforms of hydraulic lifts, the apparatus comprising:
a plurality of hoses disposed through a single isolation member that is integrated into an aerial work platform of a hydraulic aerial lift, wherein the plurality of hoses carry fluid for controlling operation of the aerial work platform, and wherein the isolation member is not directly attached to a boom of the hydraulic aerial lift;
a cover coupled to the isolation member, where the cover is constructed of material that is substantially electrically non-conductive material and configured to provide high electrical resistance for the isolation member, as well as protect the isolation member from external elements and leaking fluid;
a fluid tank coupled to the aerial work platform, wherein the fluid tank is disposed on a lower portion of the hydraulic aerial lift that is electrically connected to ground;
wherein the isolation member comprises a manifold constructed of material that is substantially electrically non-conductive and that has a plurality of through-holes, wherein the plurality of hoses are disposed in the plurality of through-holes and extend throughout the isolation member;
wherein the material conducts no more than 400 microamperes at 40 KV AC and no more than 56 microamperes at 56 kV DC, and the plurality of through-holes are configured to allow and withstand fluid to flow through the isolation member at: a) a rate of 6 gpm, b) pressure between 3000 psi and 6000 psi, and c) a temperature between −40 F and 200 F;
wherein the manifold includes a first face and a second face such that the plurality of through-holes extend from the first face to the second face so as to allow the fluid to flow through the plurality of hoses;
wherein the plurality of hoses extend from the first face of the manifold;
wherein the plurality of hoses extend from the second face of the manifold;
wherein the isolation member is coupled to a control panel via the plurality of hoses extending out of the isolation member, the control panel comprising one or more metallic valves and control handles, and the control panel and the part of hoses connecting the control panel and isolation member are covered by an upper cover;
wherein the isolation member substantially isolates the aerial work platform from the fluid tank, from electrically connected sources disposed at the lower portion of the hydraulic aerial lift that are electrically connected to the ground, and from upper portions of the aerial lift that are electrically connected to the ground; and
wherein the material of the manifold and the cover is selected from the group consisting of a plastic, ceramic, and glass material.