Elevator – industrial lift truck – or stationary lift for vehicle – Having specific load support drive-means or its control – Includes linking support cable in drive-means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-16
2001-06-05
Ellis, Christopher P. (Department: 3652)
Elevator, industrial lift truck, or stationary lift for vehicle
Having specific load support drive-means or its control
Includes linking support cable in drive-means
C187S213000, C187S254000, C187S256000, C414S228000, C414S233000, C254S286000, C254S311000, C312S313000, C108S106000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241048
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a storage lift apparatus for storing machinery, equipment and the alike. More particularly, the present invention relates to a new and improved storage apparatus having multiple platforms which are conveniently lowered to permit loading and unloading of machinery, equipment and the alike, and are conveniently raised to permit short- and long-term storage of the same as well as to provide for additional storage area below the raised platforms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The utilization of storage and lifting devices is well known in the art. However, most, if not all, do not have ample area to store large, heavy machinery, equipment and the alike on multiple platforms. In some cases, storage is accomplished by lifting the platform well above the floor level into the ceiling area, such as can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,070 to Contreras, which discloses an overhead storage lift assembly. However, in most cases, articles are simply stored on overhead shelves or racks, or on the floor.
Accordingly, there still remains the need for a storage platform and lift apparatus that is capable of storing heavy equipment and machinery above the ground level on multiple platforms as well as allowing continued use of the space occupied by the storage platform and lift apparatus. For instance, the front portion of an automobile can be conveniently positioned and stored within the area defined by the present invention while articles are stored thereabove on multiple platforms.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved storage platform and lift apparatus which can safely and easily raise or lower objects for both short- and long-term storage.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved storage platform and lift apparatus which is simple in construction, inexpensive and easy to install.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved storage platform and lift apparatus which permits continued use of the space occupied by the present invention.
It is also another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved storage platform and storage lift apparatus which permits the use of multiple storage platforms.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved storage platform and lift apparatus which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
An even further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved storage platform and lift apparatus which is of durable and reliable construction.
To achieve these objects, and others, the present invention essentially comprises a new and improved storage platform and lift apparatus comprising, in combination: first and second elongated vertical members formed in a generally rectangular configuration with two side faces, an outer side face and an inner side face, each vertical member further including a plurality of apertures extending therethrough and a top end including a top pulley wheel rotatably coupled thereto; a plurality of platforms each formed in a planer generally rectangular configuration and including a reinforced outer periphery with two platform sides, each side having a pair of coupling means, the reinforced outer periphery further including a plurality of apertures extending therethrough; a plurality of guide wheels rotatably coupled to the reinforced outer periphery and engaged with that of the vertical members to permit proper alignment of the platform during the raising and lowering thereof; third and fourth elongated vertical members formed in a generally rectangular configuration with two side faces, an outer side face and an inner side face, each vertical member further including a plurality of apertures extending therethrough and a top end including a top bracket assembly attached thereto, each top bracket assembly comprising a bearing housing, a bearing and a bearing collar, the bearing and bearing collar being formed in a generally circular configuration, the third vertical member further comprising a lower drive gear assembly and a locking ratchet assembly, both of which being mounted onto a box-like structure having a plurality of walls, the lower drive gear assembly comprising a lower spur gear, a keyed gear shaft and a handle, the keyed gear shaft having an outboard end and extending through the walls of the box-like structure, the handle being fixedly attached to the outboard end of the keyed gear shaft to permit rotation of the lower spur gear about the longitudinal axis of the keyed gear shaft, the locking ratchet assembly comprising a locking ratchet, a ratchet spacer and an elongated bolt, the lower drive gear assembly further comprising a locking ratchet gear, a pair of lower gear spacers, a gear shaft stop, and a friction pad, the ratchet gear being formed in a generally circular configuration and having a plurality of protruding teeth extending radially therefrom, the teeth being in engagement with the locking ratchet to prevent rotation of the lower spur gear, the ratchet spacer and bolt being configured to permit proper alignment for full engagement of the teeth of the ratchet gear with that of the locking ratchet, the friction pad having an aperture running therethrough to permit mounting onto the keyed gear shaft, the lower gear spacers being positioned on each side of the ratchet gear to permit clearance of the ratchet gear while in rotational motion, the gear shaft stop being fixedly attached to the keyed gear shaft to prevent lateral movement thereof, a plurality of horizontal brace members having ends fixedly attached to the vertical members to support the vertical members in an upright, stable position; a pair of upper and bottom diagonal braces being fixedly attached to the vertical members and horizontal brace members to increase stability of the vertical members, an elongated drive axle having a pair of ends, a keyed end and a distal end, and a plurality of disk-shaped dividers spaced about the drive axle, the keyed and distal ends being rotatably engaged with top bracket assemblies of third and fourth vertical members, the drive axle extending perpendicularly through the outer and inner side faces of the third vertical member, the drive axle further including an upper drive gear assembly fixedly attached to the keyed end, the upper drive gear assembly comprising an upper spur gear, a shaft pin, and a gear hub positioned between the outer side face of the third vertical member and upper spur gear; a drive gear chain having a plurality of links in meshing communication with the upper and lower spur gears; a plurality of elongated pins formed in a generally cylindrical configuration, the pins being situated within the apertures of the vertical members and the apertures of the reinforced outer periphery to lock the platforms in a preferred static position; and first, second, third, and fourth cables each being formed in an elongated cylindrical configuration, each cable being positioned around the drive axle between the disk-shaped dividers, the first cable extending outwardly from the drive axle over the top pulley wheel of the second vertical member and being coupled to the platform side positioned between the first and second vertical members, the second cable extending downwardly from the drive axle and being coupled to the platform side positioned between the third and fourth vertical members, the third cable extending outwardly from the drive axle over the top pulley wheel of the first vertical member and being coupled to the platform side positioned between the first and second vertical members, the fourth cable extending downwardly from the drive axle and being coupled to the platform side positioned between the third and fourth vertical members.
The present invention i
Ellis Christopher P.
Mochinski Michael A.
Tran Thuy V.
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