Patent Grant
8316994
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lift assembly and, more particularly, to a battery powered lift assembly with a support platform and, most particularly, to a battery powered lift assembly with a support platform that is suitable for use by an individual with limited mobility.
2. Background Information
The present invention pertains to a portable vertical lift, as may be used to lift wheelchair-bound hunters to an elevated location, as well as other uses for the portable vertical lift. As our society progresses, the number of activities which are accessible to the physically disadvantaged, or in which the physically disadvantaged desire to participate, is also increasing. Sports for the wheelchair-bound, such as racing and basketball, are no exceptions to this trend, and hunting is included among these sports. However, in many cases, the physically disadvantaged present unique needs, and special devices are required to allow for their full participation. For example, a physically disadvantaged hunter confined to a wheelchair presents a real challenge. It is common for hunters to construct a tree stand in a tree and then wait in the tree stand for game to come by. Such a feat is extremely impractical for a hunter confined to a wheelchair. A need exists for a technology to overcome this barrier to the disabled hunter.
Various devices have been employed for raising and/or lowering a load along a vertical structure. Some of these devices have been patented, including the following.
Schuchert, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,531,346, discloses a builder's hoist having a mast comprising sections capable of being connected end to end. A support for a cable-carrying pulley is attached at the upper end of the top mast section. Means are provided to hold a lift in an elevated position, independently of a hoist mechanism. An additional section for the mast, therefor, can be lifted to the top of the mast, and on locking of the lift against downward movement, the pulley support is removable from the top of the mast, and attachable to one end of the additional section, after which such section is connected at its opposite end on the mast. In this operation the lift functions as a stationary working platform. An extension of the mast, as required in the erection of a structure, is thus readily accomplished by utilizing the hoist itself for such purposes.
Slais, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,276,546, describes a knock down building material elevator system for mounting to the side of a structure. A carriage holding a platform is raised/lowered along the vertical support by a cable extending from an electric motor at the tip of the vertical support.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,517,774, Meyer discloses a hoist apparatus comprising a tubular track affixed to a vertical wall and made up of a plurality of reinforced, polygonal-shaped sections. The side walls of the tubular track intersecting in vertical corners within which the wheels of a carriage permanently installed inside of the track are rotatably supported. An elevator car is removably attached to the carriage through a slot extending the length of the tubular tack, and a safety, brake mechanism is mounted on the carriage. The brake mechanism includes spring-loaded brake shoes, which are urged outwardly into frictional engagement with the inside walls of the tubular track in response to the severing of the lift cable for the carriage. The carriage wheels are rotatably supported on pivotal brackets and are biased outwardly against the inside of the tubular track by shock absorbing springs.
Brown, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,353,308, describes a cog wheel vehicle system. A single track consists of a square beam having a pair of flanges. There is a row of holes in each flange (
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,633,538, James discloses an invalid hoist that includes a base having a column support socket, an upstanding column detachably mounted in the socket and a lifting arm extending from the column. The arm is movable along the column by a screw-and-nut lifting mechanism within the column, with the nut of the mechanism being coupled to the arm. A reversible electric motor unit and battery for energization of the motor are mounted on the base with an output shaft of a reduction gear box of the motor unit aligned with and directly coupled to the lower end of the screw of the lifting mechanism to provide a drive from the motor to the screw, through the socket. The drive between the output shaft and the screw is provided by a coupling, which can readily be broken to enable the column to be detached from the base without disturbing the motor.
Eberle, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,997, describes a wheel chair with elevating seat having a high lift capability. The device includes a frame assembly having a plurality of wheels attached to and normally supporting the frame assembly. A pair of opposed, vertical track members is attached to and projects upwardly from the frame assembly, and elements are provided for selectively moving a chair substantially along the lengths of the track members. The lengths of the track members provide high lift capabilities for the chair, while permitting passage through standard residential door openings. Thus, the operator is enabled to perform household and other tasks, which otherwise would not be possible.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,976, Daugherty discloses a manually-operated portable lift which telescopically raises its mast or post so as to raise a lifting platform above the lift's initial height. The lift folds up to a compact and easily-moved configuration for ease of transport and storage. The lift includes a base with built-in outriggers, which easily snap out to fixed extended positions and return to their storage positions. The outrigger is automatically latched in either such position but not between them. The base portion forward of the post manually unlatches and folds up parallel to the post. The platform and its arms have provision for manually mounting the arms of the platform in a low lifting position, a high lifting position, and a compact storage position wherein the arms are adjacent the platform. An extension mast is provided in either a storage position adjacent the main mast or as an extension of that mast. A manual winch is provided with dual handles—one long and one short—for greater or lesser mechanical advantage and slower or faster operation.
Harris, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,972, describes a thin flexible track of spring steel having a series of perforations there through for use in conjunction with a variable speed travel carriage, having a carriage drive sprocket which is studded about the periphery with balls or spherical members adapted to mesh with the track perforations to drive the carriage along. By this arrangement, greater loads may be driven than was hitherto possible with known flexible-track devices requiring the use of a guide and drive track following the contour of workpiece upon which work is being carried out.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,179, Royer discloses a hunter's blind having hinged walls, which may be fastened together, when in a vertical position and compactly stored when in a horizontal position. A connecting roof is present and ball rollers cooperate with openings in leg sections to raise and lower the hunter's blind. Stabilizing cables are played out and taken up simultaneously with the raising and lowering of the hunter's blind. Controls located within the hunter's blind enable the user to control the raising and lowering of the hunter's blind and the deployment of the stabilizing cables, while remaining within the blind.
Wooden, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,408, describes a device for raising and lowering an impaired person between the ground and a higher level for boarding and deplaning from an airplane. The device comprises a wheeled frame and a hydraulic lift for raising and lowering the person. The hydraulic lift extends upwardly from the wheeled frame. The device also comprises a platform oriented transversely in relation to the hydraulic lift, the platform being adapted for supporting the impaired person or a wheelchair in which the person reposes. The device also has a protective enclosure mounted upon the platform which surrounds the impaired person.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,265, Lebrocquy discloses a portable apparatus for raising and lowering a load vertically along a substantially vertical structure. The apparatus comprises a vertical guide, which is secured to the substantially vertical structure by a retainer. A carriage is movably attached to the vertical guide, and a platform, which supports the load, is attached to the carriage. The carriage is raised and lowered along the vertical guide by some means, whereby the load is raised and lowered along the vertical guide. The carriage also comprises a safety brake for immobilizing the carriage with respect to the vertical guide, when the means for raising and lowering the carriage is inoperative or malfunctions. Note the various structures for attachment to the vertical guide. The apparatus further comprises wheels rotatingly attached to the bottom of the vertical guide and a hitch attached to the top of the vertical guide, such that the entire device may be towed behind a vehicle.
Horcher et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,909 describe a person lifter, particular a pool lifter, including a rotatable column that begins at a base mount, and with a person holder, such as a seat or gurney, that can be raised or lowered by a lifting arm along the longitudinal axis of the column. In order to stop the person holder in the event of a malfunction, or if the lowering speed of the person holder is excessively high, the lifting arm begins at a first driven belt (conveyor belt) guided in the column, parallel to which a second belt (catch belt) guided in the column and joined to the lifting arm is arrested if the lowering speed of the person holder exceeds a predetermined value.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,602, Grout discloses a hoist that aids in construction and/or maintenance tasks at elevated heights. The hoist is equipped with a centrally located stabilizer, through which a steel cable connected to an electrically operated winch is routed. The hoist is raised and lowered through the use of a control station located within reach of the seat.
Edwards, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,934, describes a cargo lift for transporting goods between ground level and a raised handling position at the side of a building. The lift includes a vertical mast extending between ground level and the handling position alongside the building. A cargo container for carrying the goods is attached to a rolling sleeve carried on the mast. An electric winch raises the cargo container along the mast between ground level and raised handling position.
Applicants have devised a battery powered vertical lift assembly suitable for use by any individual, including an individual confined to a wheelchair. The battery powered vertical lift assembly is also suitable for other applications where raising and/or lowering a load vertically is required.
The invention is directed to a battery powered vertical lift assembly adapted for raising and lowering a load vertically along a substantially vertical structure. The vertical lift assembly comprises a vertical guide member of selected length adapted for securing to the substantially vertical structure. A roller chain member is secured to an exterior surface of the vertical guide member and extends essentially the selected length of the vertical guide member. A carriage member is movably attached to the vertical guide member, and a platform member, which supports a load, is rigidly attached to the carriage member. The carriage member is raised and lowered along the vertical guide member by a drive mechanism supporting the carriage member. The drive mechanism comprises a battery member powering a DC motor member that drives a gear unit. The gear unit is operatively connected to a sprocket member, which engages the roller chain member on the vertical guide member. The supported carriage member and attached platform member are raised and lowered by controlled rotation of the sprocket member engaged with the roller chain member on the vertical guide member. A control switch member selectively controls operation of the DC motor member. A safety brake assembly is actuated to immobilize the carriage member with respect to the vertical guide member upon relative movement between the carriage member and the drive mechanism.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the safety brake assembly includes a biased brake clamp member encircling the vertical guide member and pivotally contacting the carriage member. The brake clamp member is biased in an unlocked state, with the drive mechanism supporting the carriage member. The brake clamp member is actuated to a locked state upon relative movement between the carriage member and the drive mechanism, thereby locking the carriage member and attached platform member to the vertical guide member.
Construction
The invention is directed to a battery powered vertical lift assembly adapted for raising and lowering a load vertically along a substantially vertical structure. The vertical lift assembly comprises a vertical guide member of selected length adapted for securing to the substantially vertical structure. A roller chain member is secured to an exterior surface of the vertical guide member and extends essentially the selected length of the vertical guide member. A carriage member is movably attached to the vertical guide member, and a platform member, which supports a load, is rigidly attached to the carriage member. The carriage member is raised and lowered along the vertical guide member by a drive mechanism supporting the carriage member. The drive mechanism comprises a battery member powering a DC motor member that drives a gear unit. The gear unit is operatively connected to a sprocket member, which engages the roller chain member on the vertical guide member. The supported carriage member and attached platform member are raised and lowered by controlled rotation of the sprocket member engaged with the roller chain member on the vertical guide member. A control switch member selectively controls operation of the DC motor member. A safety brake assembly is actuated to immobilize the carriage member with respect to the vertical guide member upon relative movement between the carriage member and the drive mechanism.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the safety brake assembly includes a biased brake clamp member encircling the vertical guide member and pivotally contacting the carriage member. The brake clamp member is biased in an unlocked state, with the drive mechanism supporting the carriage member. The brake clamp member is actuated to a locked state upon relative movement between the carriage member and the drive mechanism, thereby locking the carriage member and attached platform member to the vertical guide member.
Referring now to
A carriage member 30 is movably attached to the vertical guide member 20, with the carriage member 30 essentially encircling the vertical guide member 20 and the roller chain member 28 attached thereto. Preferably, the carriage member 30 is also rectangular in cross section to conform to the rectangular vertical guide member 20. The carriage member 30 has an upper end 32 and a lower end 34 and includes a mounting opening 36 centered over the roller chain member 28, which allows the drive mechanism 40 to engage the roller chain member 28. The mounting opening 36 is best seen in
A platform member 60, which supports a load, is rigidly attached to the carriage member 30 in an essentially perpendicular orientation thereto. Preferably, the platform member 60 is fabricated from rectangular tubing with an expanded metal base for supporting the load thereon. The platform member 60 includes a safety railing 62, surrounding at least a portion of the platform member 60, and a vertical locking peg 64, extending upwardly from the platform member 60. The locking peg 64 functions to secure a wheel chair to the platform member 60, so the vertical lift assembly 10 can be safely used by an individual in the wheel chair. Preferably, the locking peg 64 is securely anchored to the platform member 60, but free to rotate around its vertical axis so an attached wheel chair can swivel on the platform member 60, by movement of the wheels thereof, to face a selected direction. The locking peg 64 also is vertically spring biased so it can attach to wheel chairs wheel chairs having slight variations in height.
The carriage member 30 is raised and lowered along the vertical guide member 20 by a drive mechanism 40 supporting the carriage member 30. As indicated above, the drive mechanism 40 is positioned over the mounting opening 36 and engages the roller chain member 28. The drive mechanism 40 includes a mounting frame 50 that engages the contact surface 38 (
A control switch member 70 selectively controls operation of the DC motor member 44. The control switch member 70 includes a handle portion 72 that actuates the DC motor member 44 to raise the carriage member 30 and attached platform member 60 upon raising the handle portion 72. The control switch member 70 also actuates the DC motor member 44 to lower the carriage member 30 and attached platform member 60 upon lowering the handle portion 72.
A safety brake assembly 80 is actuated to immobilizing the carriage member 30 with respect to the vertical guide member 20 upon relative movement between the carriage member 30 and the drive mechanism 40. The mounting frame 50 of the drive mechanism 40 supports the carriage member 30, as described above. The safety brake assembly 80 includes a biased brake clamp member 82, encircling the vertical guide member 20 and pivotally contacting the carriage member 30 below the lower end 34 of the carriage member 30. As shown in
In a further embodiment of the invention, illustrated in
The second anchoring assembly 95 is mounted to the lower end 24 of the vertical guide member 20. The second anchoring assembly 95 preferably includes a pair of arms with claw-like ends that engage opposite sides of the tree or pole. Again, a safety chain connects the ends of the arms and surrounds the trunk of the tree to anchor the vertical lift assembly 10.
In yet a further embodiment of the invention, the vertical support member 20 includes a horizontal base support member 100 attached at the lower end 24 thereof, for additional stability of the vertical lift assembly 10 when secured to a substantially vertical structure. Preferably, the horizontal base support member 100 is pivotally connected to the lower end 24 of the vertical guide member 20 and includes adjustment features that allow for leveling of the horizontal base support member 100 to impart additional stability to the vertical guide member 20. In the embodiment shown in
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 (e) of provisional application Ser. No. 61/063,407, filed 1 Feb. 2008. Application Ser. No. 61/063,407 is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
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| 1348138 | Hunt | Jul 1920 | A |
| 2531346 | Schuchert | Nov 1950 | A |
| 2757756 | Warry | Aug 1956 | A |
| 3276546 | Slais | Oct 1966 | A |
| 3424271 | Michelson | Jan 1969 | A |
| 3517774 | Meyer | Jun 1970 | A |
| 3752263 | Thevenot | Aug 1973 | A |
| 4294332 | Ready | Oct 1981 | A |
| 4353308 | Brown | Oct 1982 | A |
| 4546854 | Bocker | Oct 1985 | A |
| 4592447 | Ream et al. | Jun 1986 | A |
| 4633538 | James | Jan 1987 | A |
| 4862997 | Eberle | Sep 1989 | A |
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| 20080302601 | Baker | Dec 2008 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61063407 | Feb 2008 | US |
