Patent Grant
8079444
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a transportable lift assembly and, more particularly, to a transportable, battery powered lift assembly with a support platform and, most particularly, to a transportable, self-erecting, 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 transportable vertical lift assembly, as may be used to lift wheelchair-bound hunters to an elevated location. 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.
Applicants have devised a transportable, self-erecting, battery powered vertical lift assembly suitable for use by any individual, including an individual confined to a wheelchair.
The invention is directed to a transportable, self-erecting, battery powered, vertical lift assembly adapted for raising and lowering a load vertically along a substantially linear structure. The transportable, self-erecting, battery powered, vertical lift assembly includes a wheeled frame member having an axle and two wheel members, secured to one end of the frame member and a towing attachment mechanism at an opposite end of the frame member. A linear guide member is pivotally secured at a first end to the frame member adjacent to the axle and two wheel members thereof. A link chain member is secured to an exterior surface of the linear guide member and extends essentially the length of the linear guide member. A carriage member is movably attached to the linear guide member, and a platform member is attached to the carriage member. The carriage member and platform member are positioned between the frame member and a second end of the linear guide member.
The carriage member includes a drive mechanism, comprising a battery powered DC motor, driving a worm gear operatively connected to a sprocket. The drive mechanism is attached to the carriage member, with the sprocket engaging the link chain member secured to the linear guide member. The carriage member and attached platform member are movable toward the first end of the linear guide member by controlled rotation of the sprocket, engaged with the link chain member on the linear guide member, to pivot and elevate the guide member, which engages an essentially vertical support structure. The carriage member and attached platform member then are moveable toward the second end of the linear guide member by controlled rotation of the sprocket, engaged with the link chain member on the linear guide member, to elevate the carriage member and attached platform member. A safety brake assembly is actuated to immobilizing the carriage member with respect to the linear guide member upon power loss between the battery and the DC motor. The safety brake assembly locks the carriage member to the linear guide member until power is restored to the drive mechanism.
a is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the transportable, self-erecting, battery powered, vertical lift assembly of the present invention.
b is a close up perspective view of the towing attachment mechanism and linear guide member of
a is an enlarged view of the first anchoring assembly of the first embodiment of the transportable, self-erecting, battery powered, vertical lift assembly of the present invention.
b is another enlarged view of the first anchoring assembly of the first embodiment of the transportable, self-erecting, battery powered, vertical lift assembly of the present invention.
a is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the transportable, self-erecting, battery powered, vertical lift assembly of the present invention.
b is an enlarged view of the first anchoring assembly of the second embodiment of the transportable, self-erecting, battery powered, vertical lift assembly of the present invention.
Nomenclature
Construction
The invention is directed to a transportable, self-erecting, battery powered, vertical lift assembly adapted for raising and lowering a load vertically along a substantially linear structure. The transportable, self-erecting, battery powered, vertical lift assembly includes a wheeled frame member, having an axle and two wheel members secured to one end of the frame member, and a towing attachment mechanism at an opposite end of the frame member. A linear guide member is pivotally secured at a first end to the frame member, adjacent to the axle and two wheels thereof. A link chain member is secured to an exterior surface of the linear guide member and extends essentially the length of the linear guide member. A carriage member is movably attached to the linear guide member, and a platform member is attached to the carriage member. The carriage member and platform member are positioned between the frame member and a second end of the linear guide member.
The carriage member includes a drive mechanism comprising a battery powered DC motor driving a gear unit operatively connected to a sprocket. The drive mechanism is attached to the carriage member, with the sprocket engaging the link chain member secured to the linear guide member. The carriage member and attached platform member are movable toward the first end of the linear guide member by controlled rotation of the sprocket, engaged with the link chain member on the linear guide member, to pivot and elevate the guide member, which engages an essentially vertical support structure. The carriage member and attached platform member then are moveable toward the second end of the linear guide member by controlled rotation of the sprocket, engaged with the link chain member on the linear guide member, to elevate the carriage member and attached platform member. A safety brake assembly is actuated to immobilize the carriage member with respect to the linear guide member, upon power loss between the battery and the DC motor. The safety brake assembly locks the carriage member to the linear guide member until power is restored to the drive mechanism.
Referring now to
The transportable, self-erecting, battery powered vertical lift assembly 10 comprises a hollow, linear guide member 30 of selected length, most preferably with a rectangular cross section. The linear guide member 30 has a first end 32 and a second end 34 and is adapted for securing to a substantially vertical structure, such as a building, a pole, or a tree. The linear guide member 30 may be a single, unitary structure or assembled from two or more subunits to provide an extended length. A roller chain member 38 is secured to an exterior surface of the linear guide member 30 and extends essentially the full length of the linear guide member 30. Preferably, the roller chain member 38 is securely anchored at one end, adjacent the first end 32 of the guide member 30, and at the opposite end, adjacent the second end 34 of the guide member 30.
A carriage member 40 is movably attached to the linear guide member 30, with the carriage member 40 essentially encircling the linear guide member 30 and the roller chain member 38 attached thereto. Preferably, the carriage member 40 is also rectangular in cross section to conform to the rectangular linear guide member 30. The carriage member 40 has an upper end 42 and a lower end 44 and includes a mounting opening 46 centered over the roller chain member 38, which allows the drive mechanism 50 to engage the roller chain member 38. The mounting opening 46 is best seen in
A platform member 60, which supports a load, is rigidly attached to the carriage member 40 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.
The carriage member 40 is raised and lowered along the linear guide member 30 by a drive mechanism 50, supporting the carriage member 40. As indicated above, the drive mechanism 50 is positioned over the mounting opening 46 and engages the roller chain member 38. The drive mechanism 50 includes a mounting frame 70 that engages the contact surface 48 (
The drive mechanism 50 comprises a battery member 52 powering a DC motor member 54, which drives a gear unit 56, such as a worm gear member, that is operatively connected to a sprocket member 58. The DC motor member 54, gear unit 56, and sprocket member 58 are secured within the mounting frame 70, as shown in
A control switch member 76 selectively controls operation of the DC motor member 54. The control switch member 76 includes a handle portion 78 that actuates the DC motor member 54 to raise the carriage member 40 and attached platform member 60 upon raising the handle portion 76. The control switch member 76 also actuates the DC motor member 54 to lower the carriage member 40 and attached platform member 60 upon lowering the handle portion 78.
A safety brake assembly 80 is actuated to immobilize the carriage member 40, with respect to the linear guide member 30, upon relative movement between the carriage member 40 and the drive mechanism 50. The mounting frame 70 of the drive mechanism 50 supports the carriage member 40, as described above. The safety brake assembly 80 includes a biased brake clamp member 82, encircling the linear guide member 30 and pivotally contacting the carriage member 40 below the lower end 44 of the carriage member 40. As shown in
Referring now to
In order to secure the linear guide member 30 to a vertical support, such as a tree, and elevate the platform member 60, an additional stabilizing frame section 28 is secured to the frame member 20 adjacent the first end 32 of the linear guide member 30. The stabilizing frame section 28 can be transported withing the linear guide member 30 and removed for attachment to the frame member 20 prior to erecting the vertical lift assembly 10. The lifting portion 15, including the carriage member 50 and attached platform member 60, is positioned between the stabilizing frame section 28 and the linear guide member 30, as illustrated in
With the frame member 20 positioned adjacent the base of a tree, the carriage member 50 and attached platform member 60 are then moved toward the first end 32 of the linear guide member 30 by controlled rotation of the sprocket 58, engaged with the link chain member 40 on the linear guide member 30. This movement pivots and elevates the linear guide member 30 to essentially vertical, which then engages the essentially vertical support structure, the tree, by means of the attached first anchoring assembly 90. This elevating sequence is illustrated in
The carriage member 50 and attached platform member 60 are, then moveable toward the second end 34 of the linear guide member 30 by controlled rotation of the sprocket 58, engaged with the link chain member 40 on the linear guide member 30, to elevate the carriage member 50 and attached platform member 60. The full elevation of the platform member 60 is illustrated in
The safety brake assembly 80 is actuated to immobilize the carriage member 50 with respect to the linear guide member 30 upon relative movement between the carriage member 50 and the drive mechanism 40. The safety brake assembly 80 locks the carriage member 50 to the linear guide member 30 upon either mechanical or electrical failure of any component of the lift assembly 10. The safety brake assembly 80 in an unlocked condition is shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
In this embodiment, the platform member 60 includes a covered shelter 100 extending upwardly from the platform member 60, as illustrated in
The third embodiment of the lift assembly 10, with the platform member 60 and attached shelter member 100 in the lowest position, is illustrated 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, and Ser. No. 61/128,231, filed 20 May 2008. Application Ser. No. 61/063,407 and Ser. No. 61/128,231 are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 | Welch | Jan 1841 | A |
| 2531346 | Schuchert | Nov 1950 | A |
| 2757756 | Warry | Aug 1956 | A |
| 3276546 | Slais | Oct 1966 | A |
| 3517774 | Meyer | Jun 1970 | A |
| 4194591 | Fisher | Mar 1980 | A |
| 4353308 | Brown | Oct 1982 | A |
| 4397373 | Ream et al. | Aug 1983 | A |
| 4592447 | Ream et al. | Jun 1986 | A |
| 4633538 | James | Jan 1987 | A |
| 4862997 | Eberle | Sep 1989 | A |
| 4987976 | Daugherty | Jan 1991 | A |
| 5070792 | Harris | Dec 1991 | A |
| 5102179 | Royer | Apr 1992 | A |
| 5143181 | Bixby | Sep 1992 | A |
| 5322408 | Wooden | Jun 1994 | A |
| 5595265 | Lebrocquy | Jan 1997 | A |
| 5960909 | Horcher et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
| 5979602 | Grout | Nov 1999 | A |
| 6290023 | Martin | Sep 2001 | B1 |
| 6347684 | Fath et al. | Feb 2002 | B1 |
| 6523641 | Smith | Feb 2003 | B2 |
| 6640934 | Edwards | Nov 2003 | B1 |
| 6978862 | Cotten, Sr. | Dec 2005 | B1 |
| 7281607 | Kiraly | Oct 2007 | B1 |
| 20020017429 | McCowan | Feb 2002 | A1 |
| 20070089930 | Friesenhahn | Apr 2007 | A1 |
| 20070125599 | Campbell et al. | Jun 2007 | A1 |
| 20080302601 | Baker | Dec 2008 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61063407 | Feb 2008 | US | |
| 61128231 | May 2008 | US |
