Modular rib for elevating platform
Ribs for an elevating platform, the ribs designed and configured to insert through a slot in the sidewall of the elevating platform. The ribs are composed of T-shaped and/or L-shaped portions. Configurations include a T-shaped rib that inserts through the slot; a combination T-shaped and L-shaped rib wherein the T-shaped component inserts through the slot and the L-shaped component is attached on the exterior of the platform, and a double-L-shaped rib, wherein one of the L-shaped components inserts through the slot and the other L-shaped component is attached to it on the exterior of the platform.
1 . A mounting rib for an elevating platform comprising:
a rib component that includes a stem connected to a first arm and a second arm, the stem extending through at least one vertically elongated opening in a platform sidewall of the elevating platform,
wherein each arm is oriented perpendicular to the stem and to the at least one vertically elongated opening and includes a sidewall contact portion;
wherein the first arm is positioned inside of the elevating platform and contacts an inner surface of the platform sidewall;
wherein the second arm is positioned outside of the elevating platform and contacts an outer surface of the platform sidewall;
wherein the second arm of the rib component and the stem of the rib component form an L-shaped component;
wherein each arm comprises a horizontal dimension along a major longitudinal length of each respective arm that is greater than a horizontal dimension of the at least one vertically elongated opening;
wherein the rib component extends away from the platform sidewall; and
wherein the rib component is configured to support the elevating platform by bearing a load from the elevating platform.
2 . The mounting rib of claim 1 , wherein the sidewall contact portion of the first arm and the sidewall contact portion of the second arm create a mechanical interlock holding the rib component in place.
3 . The mounting rib of claim 1 , wherein the first arm and the second arm are different integral parts of the rib component, wherein the rib component is a single component.
4 . The mounting rib of claim 1 , wherein the first arm and the second arm are separate components that are installed in the platform sidewall and are joined to each other to form a single rib.
5 . The mounting rib of claim 1 , wherein the rib component is formed of one of reinforced thermosets, unreinforced thermosets, reinforced thermoplastics, or unreinforced thermoplastics.
6 . The mounting rib of claim 1 , wherein the stem and/or the first arm extends above and/or below the at least one vertically elongated opening in the platform sidewall.
7 . The mounting rib of claim 1 , wherein the first arm of the rib component and the stem of the rib component are joined at a center of the first arm.
8 . The mounting rib of claim 1 , wherein the first arm of the rib component and the stem of the rib component at least partially form a T-shaped component.
9 . A mounting rib for an elevating platform comprising:
a rib component that includes a stem connected to a first arm and a second arm, the stem extending through at least one vertically elongated opening in a platform sidewall of the elevating platform,
wherein each arm is oriented perpendicular to the stem and to the at least one vertically elongated opening and includes a sidewall contact portion;
wherein the first arm contacts an inner surface of the platform sidewall of the elevating platform;
wherein the second arm contacts an outer surface of the platform sidewall;
wherein the second arm of the rib component and the stem form an L-shaped component;
wherein each arm comprises a horizontal dimension along a major longitudinal length of each respective arm that is greater than a horizontal dimension of the at least one vertically elongated opening;
and
wherein the rib component is configured to support the elevating platform by bearing a load from the elevating platform.
10 . The mounting rib of claim 9 , wherein the sidewall contact portion of the first arm and the sidewall contact portion of the second arm create a mechanical interlock holding the rib component in place.
11 . The mounting rib of claim 9 , wherein the second arm is adjacent to a part of the stem that extends through the at least one vertically elongated opening in the platform sidewall, and wherein the second arm extends vertically beyond the at least one vertically elongated opening in the platform sidewall.
12 . The mounting rib of claim 9 , wherein the first arm and the second arm are different integral parts of the rib component, wherein the rib component is a single component.
13 . The mounting rib of claim 9 , wherein the first arm and the second arm are separate components that are installed in the platform sidewall and are joined to each other to form a single rib.
14 . The mounting rib of claim 9 , wherein the rib component is formed of one of reinforced thermosets, unreinforced thermosets, reinforced thermoplastics, or unreinforced thermoplastics.
15 . The mounting rib of claim 9 , wherein the first arm of the rib component and the stem of the rib component are joined at a center of the first arm.
16 . A mounting rib for an elevating platform, the mounting rib comprising:
a rib component including:
a stem positioned through a vertical slot in a platform sidewall of the elevating platform, the stem comprising:
an end portion;
a first arm joined to the stem inside of the elevating platform and oriented perpendicular to the stem and perpendicular to the vertical slot, the first arm comprising:
a horizontal dimension along a major longitudinal length of the first arm that is greater than a horizontal dimension of the vertical slot;
a segment of the first arm positioned inside of the elevating platform that contacts an inner surface of the platform sidewall;
a second arm joined to the stem outside of the elevating platform and oriented perpendicular to the stem and perpendicular to the vertical slot, the second arm comprising:
a horizontal dimension along a major longitudinal length of the second arm that is greater than the horizontal dimension of the vertical slot;
a segment of the second arm positioned outside of the elevating platform that contacts and presses against an outer surface of the platform sidewall; and
a gap between the first arm and the second arm at least as wide as a thickness of the platform sidewall;
wherein the rib component is configured to support the elevating platform by bearing a load from the elevating platform.
17 . The mounting rib of claim 16 , wherein the first arm and the second arm extend from the stem in opposite directions.
18 . The mounting rib of claim 16 , wherein the second arm is bonded on the outer surface of the platform sidewall.
19 . The mounting rib of claim 16 , wherein the first arm and the second arm are different integral parts of the rib component, wherein the rib component is a single component.
20 . The mounting rib of claim 16 , wherein the first arm and the second arm are separate components that are installed in the platform sidewall and are joined to each other to form a single rib.