A. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to methods of constructing and controlling moving telescoping boom sections of an aerial lift or other device and a telescoping boom constructed in accord with the method, and more particularly to a new and improved method of constructing and controlling moving telescoping boom sections of an aerial lift or other device, each of the boom sections being extended or retracted by a hydraulic cylinder and a new and improved telescoping boom apparatus constructed in accord with said method, having, for each moving section, a rigidly affixed hydraulic cylinder.
B. Description of Related Art
Many types of aerial lifts, cranes and similar telescoping boom devices have been provided. Further, many of these use a hydraulic actuator to extend or retract the boom. However, it is not believed that any of these devices use an individual hydraulic actuator for each moving section, such lifts instead conventionally using chains, cables, or the like in pulley systems to achieve the extension and retraction of the boom sections. Nor do conventional lifts have rigidly mounted hydraulic actuators or sliding supports on the hydraulic actuator piston rods.