Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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LIFTING APPARATUS
[0001]
BACKGROUND
[0002] The disclosed subject matter is directed to lifting
apparatus, and in particular
to apparatus capable of lifting and selectively maintaining loads at a lifted
position.
SUMMARY
[0003] In one embodiment, a lifting apparatus includes a base, a
receiving portion,
and a first pair of laterally offset arms. The base has a proximal end and a
distal end, and the
laterally offset arms are rotatably coupled to the base for movement between
lowered and raised
positions. The arms are also rotatably coupled to the receiving portion, and
the receiving portion
is relatively near the base distal end when the arms are at the lowered
position. The arms of the
first pair of arms do not share a common axis of rotation with one another.
Further, a height of
the first pair of arms when at the lowered position is less than the sum of:
(a) a thickness of one
arm of the first pair of arms; (b) a thickness of the other arm of the first
pair of arms; and (c) a
height of the base at the distal end.
[0004] In another embodiment, a lifting apparatus includes a
base, a first pair of
rotatable arms, a second pair of rotatable arms, and a receiving portion. The
base has a proximal
end, a distal end, a first pair of generally parallel laterally offset
channels with open top ends, and
a second pair of generally parallel laterally offset channels with open top
ends. The first pair of
rotatable arms extends inside the first pair of channels. The second pair of
rotatable arms
extends inside the second pair of channels. One arm of the first pair of arms
and one arm of the
second pair of arms rotate about a generally common first axis, and the other
arm of the first pair
of arms and the other arm of the second pair of arms rotate about a generally
common second
axis. The first and second pairs of arms are rotatable in concert between
lowered and raised
positions. The arms of the first pair of arms are generally laterally adjacent
one another when at
the lowered position, and the arms of the second pair of arms are generally
laterally adjacent one
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another when at the lowered position. One arm of the first pair of arms and
one arm of the
second pair of arms is rotatably coupled to the receiving portion about a
generally common third
axis, and the other arm of the first pair of arms and the other arm of the
second pair of arms is
rotatably coupled to the receiving portion about a generally common fourth
axis. The first and
second axes are separated by a distance generally equal to a distance between
the third and fourth
axes.
[0005] In yet another embodiment, a lifting apparatus, includes a base,
a receiving
portion, first and second arms, and a support. The base has a proximal end, a
distal end, and first
and second opposed sides. The first side has a plurality of receiving areas
spaced apart between
the proximal and distal ends. The first and second arms are rotatably coupled
to the base for
movement between lowered and raised positions, and the first and second arms
are coupled to
the receiving portion. The receiving portion is relatively near the base
distal end when the first
and second arms are at the lowered position, and the receiving portion is
relatively distant to the
base distal end when the first and second arms are at the raised position. The
support rotatably
extends from the first arm and automatically engages at least one of the
receiving areas when the
first and second arms move from the lowered position to the raised position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lifting apparatus, at a
lowered configuration.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a side view of the lifting apparatus of FIG. 1, at the
lowered
configuration.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a front view of the lifting apparatus of FIG. 1, at
the lowered
configuration.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the lifting apparatus of FIG. 1, at the
lowered
configuration.
[0010] FIG. 5a is a top view of the lifting apparatus of FIG. 1, at the
lowered
configuration, and with tire-receiving members at a retracted configuration.
[0011] FIG. 5b is atop view of the lifting apparatus of FIG. 1, at the
lowered
configuration, and with tire-receiving members at a centrally-extended
configuration.
[0012] FIG. 5c is a top view of the lifting apparatus of FIG. 1, at the
lowered
configuration, and with tire-receiving members at an extended configuration.
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[0013] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the lifting apparatus of FIG. 1, at
the lowered
configuration.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lifting apparatus of FIG. 1,
at a raised
configuration.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a side view of the lifting apparatus of FIG. 1, at the
raised
configuration.
[0016] FIG. 9a is a front view of the lifting apparatus of FIG. 1, at
the raised
configuration.
[0017] FIG. 9b is a rear view of the lifting apparatus of FIG. 1, at
the raised
configuration.
[0018] FIG. 10a is a top view of the lifting apparatus of FIG. 1, at
the raised
configuration.
[0019] FIG. 10b is a bottom view of the lifting apparatus of FIG. 1, at
the raised
configuration.
[0020] FIG. 1 la is a perspective view of the lifting apparatus of FIG.
1, at the raised
configuration, and with tire-receiving members removed.
[0021] FIG. llb is a top view of the lifting apparatus of FIG. 1, at
the lowered
configuration, and with tire-receiving members removed.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of the lifting
apparatus of FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 13 is another perspective view of a portion of the lifting
apparatus of
FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 14 is another perspective view of a portion of the lifting
apparatus of
FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a lifting apparatus according
to another
embodiment, at a lowered configuration.
[0026] FIG. 16 is a side view of the lifting apparatus of FIG. 16, at
the lowered
configuration.
[0027] FIG. 17 is a rear view of the lifting apparatus of FIG. 16, at
the lowered
configuration.
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[0028] FIG. 18 is a front view of the lifting apparatus of FIG. 16, at
the lowered
configuration.
[0029] FIG. 19 is atop view of the lifting apparatus of FIG. 16, at the
lowered
configuration.
[0030] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the lifting apparatus of FIG.
16, at the raised
configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] FIGs. 1 through 14 show a lifting apparatus 100 according to one
embodiment. The lifting apparatus 100 has a base 110, a receiving portion 130,
and a plurality
of arms 150.
[0032] The base 110 is best shown in FIG. 7 and has proximal and distal
ends 112a,
112b. As shown, the base 110 may have a first pair 114 of generally parallel
laterally offset
channels 114a, 114b and a second pair 115 of generally parallel laterally
offset channels 115a.
115b. The channels 114a, 114b, 115a, 115b have open top ends 116 and may be
sufficiently
long and open to allow the arms 150 to be seated, as discussed further below.
Strap 119 may fix
the position of the first and second pairs of channels 114, 115 relative to
one another at the distal
end 112b and aid in transferring forces throughout the base 110, and the
position of the first and
second pairs of channels 114, 115 relative to one another at the proximal end
112a may also be
fixed. Respective plates 117 (FIG. 6) may be located below the channels 114,
115 to prevent the
base 110 from sinking in unstable (e.g., muddy) environments, and may also
stabilize the base
110. The plates 117 may be, for example, 1.5 mm thick steel plate.
[0033] To aid in mobility, the base 110 may include wheels 122 and
handle 124 (FIG.
1). But to prevent unintended movement, it may be desirable for at least two
of the wheels 122
(e.g., the wheels 122 at the proximate end 112a) to be lockable. The base 110
may be
constructed of steel, aluminum, and/or any other appropriate material, and may
be formed
through welding, riveting, and/or any other appropriate processes, as those
skilled in the art will
appreciate. The height 125 of the base 110 at the distal end 112b is
specifically shown in FIG. 8,
and is referenced further below.
[0034] Turning to the receiving portion 130, as shown for example in
FIG. I, it
includes first and second platforms 132, 133 laterally spaced from one
another. The first
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platform 132 has proximal and distal ends 132a, 132b, and the second platform
133 has proximal
and distal ends 133a, 133b. A strap 134 may fix the position of the first and
second platforms
132, 133 relative to one another, and the platforms 132, 133 may relate to the
base 110 such that
the platform distal ends 132b, 133b are closer to the base distal end 112b
than the platform
proximal ends 132a, 133a are to the base distal end 112b.
[0035] Though the platforms 132, 133 may be, for example, rectangular,
it may be
desirable for the platforms 132, 133 to instead be L-shaped (as shown) or
otherwise configured
such that a distance between the platform distal ends 132b, 133b is greater
than a distance
between the platform proximal ends 132a, 133a. In other words, it may be
desirable for the
opening between the platform distal ends 132b, 133b to be greater than the
opening between the
platform proximal ends 132a, 133a. As shown in FIG. 5a, the maximum width 135a
of the
platform 132 may generally correspond to the width of the first pair of arms
154 (discussed
below), and the maximum width 135b of the platform 133 may generally
correspond to the width
of the second pair of arms 155 (discussed below).
[0036] As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the platforms 132,
133 may be
constructed of steel, aluminum, and/or any other appropriate material, and may
be formed
through any appropriate processes. It may be desirable to have a non-slip
material 138 at upper
ends of the platforms 132, 133, as shown in FIG. 1
[0037] The receiving portion 130 may also include a tire-receiving
member 140
operatively coupled to each platform 132, 133, and attachment between the tire-
receiving
members 140 and the platforms 132, 133 may be permanent or reversible (e.g.,
through quick-
locking mechanisms, removable bolts, etc.). FIGs. 1 through 10b show the tire-
receiving
members 140 coupled to the platforms 132, 133, and FIGs. lla and 11 b show the
platforms 132,
133 with the tire-receiving member 140 removed. Though not specifically shown
in the
drawings, plates 141 may have channels that allow the tire-receiving members
140 to be adjusted
along the length of the platforms 132, 133, or the plates 141 may be received
at different
locations along the platforms 132, 133 to allow for adjustment. The tire-
receiving members 140
extend outwardly from the respective platforms 132, 133, and (as shown for
example in FIGs. 1
through 3) it may be preferable for the tire-receiving members 140 to extend
outwardly below
the respective platforms 132, 133. The tire-receiving members 140 may be U-
shaped (as shown)
CA 02778631 2012-06-01
or otherwise provide a configuration for securely receiving tires, and the
tire-receiving members
140 may be telescopic to receive tires from devices having different spacings
between the tires.
For example, FIG. 5a shows the telescopic tire-receiving members 140 at a
retracted
configuration, FIG. 5b shows the telescopic tire-receiving members 140 at a
centrally-extended
configuration, and FIG. 5c shows the telescopic tire-receiving members 140 at
an extended
configuration. It may be desirable for at least a portion of the tire-
receiving members 140 to be
rubberized to increase friction between the tire-receiving members 140 and
tires being situated
thereon.
[0038] Attention now being directed to the arms 150, the arms 150
(specifically
denoted in the drawings by reference numbers 150a, 150b) in the first pair 154
are laterally offset
from one another and respectively extend inside the first pair 114 of channels
114a, 114b, and
the arms 150 (specifically denoted in the drawings by reference numbers 150c,
150d) in the
second pair 155 are laterally offset from one another and respectively extend
inside the second
pair 115 of channels 115a, 115b. All of the arms 150 are rotatably coupled to
the base 110 for
movement (i.e., rotation) in concert between a lowered position 160a (FIGs. 1
through 6 and
11b) and a raised position 160b (FIGs. 7 through 11a). While other
configurations are clearly
possible, it may be desirable for one arm 150 of each pair 154, 155 (e.g., arm
150a and arm
150c) to rotate relative to the base 110 about a generally common axis (e.g.,
an axis extending in
line with pin 161, shown in FIG. 7), and for the other arm 150 of each pair
154, 155 (e.g., arm
150b and arm 150d) to rotate relative to the base 110 about another generally
common axis (e.g.,
an axis extending in line with pin 162, shown in FIG. 7). An imaginary plane
passing through
these two imaginary axes may be generally horizontal, such that the axes are
at approximately
the same relative height. Further, the arms 150a, 150b in the first pair 154
do not share a
generally common axis of rotation with one another, and the arms 150c, 150d in
the second pair
155 do not share a generally common axis of rotation with one another. As
shown in FIG. 1, the
arms 150a, 150b in the first pair 154 are generally laterally adjacent one
another when at the
lowered position 160a, and the arms 150c, 150d in the second pair 155 are
generally laterally
adjacent one another when at the lowered position 160a.
[0039] All of the arms 150 are also rotatably coupled to the receiving
portion 130,
causing the receiving portion 130 to move between a lowered position when the
arms 150 are at
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the lowered position 160a and a raised position when the arms 150 are at the
raised position
160b. The receiving portion 130 is relatively near the base distal end 112b
when the arms 150
are at the lowered position 160a, and it may be desirable for one arm 150 of
each pair 154, 155
(e.g., arm 150a and arm 150c) to rotate relative to the receiving portion 130
about a generally
common axis (e.g., an axis extending in line with pin 163 at the platform
distal ends 132b, 133b,
shown in FIG. 7), and for the other arm 150 of each pair 154, 155 (e.g., arm
150b and arm 150d)
to rotate relative to the receiving portion 130 about another generally common
axis (e.g., an axis
extending in line with pin 164 at the platform proximal ends 132a, 133a, shown
in FIG. 7). An
imaginary plane passing through these two imaginary axes may remain generally
horizontal,
such that the receiving portion 130 stays relatively horizontal, regardless of
whether the arms
150 are at the lowered or raised positions 160a, 160b. Those skilled in the
art will realize that
horizontal positioning is not required, so long as the arms 150, the base 110,
and the receiving
portion 130 form a parallelogram. To allow rotation of the arms 150, the
distance between the
pin 161 and the pin 162 (and thus the axes associated with those pins) may be
generally equal to
the distance between the pin 163 and the pin 164 (and thus the axes associated
with those pins).
As shown in FIG. 7, both arms 150a, 150b of the first pair of arms 154 may be
coupled to the
first platform 132, and both arms 150c, 150d of the second pair of arms 155
may be coupled to
the second platform 133.
[0040] It may be very desirable for a height of the first pair 154 of
anns 150a, 150b
when at the lowered position 160a (FIGS. 1 through 6 and 11 b) to be less than
the sum of: a
thickness 166 (FIG. 8) of the arm 150a, a thickness 167 (FIG. 8) of the arm
150b, and the height
125 (FIG. 8) of the base 110 at the distal end 112b. The second pair 155 of
arms 150c, 150d may
have similar dimensions to the first pair 154 such that the arms 150c, 150d
(and thus also the
receiving portion 130) are very low when at the lowered position 160a,
allowing the lifting
apparatus 100 to be used to raise low-clearance devices.
[0041] As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the arms 150 may be
constructed of
steel, aluminum, and/or any other appropriate material, and may be formed
through any
appropriate processes. And though not specifically shown in the drawings, the
arms 150 may be
telescopic.
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[0042] Various means for moving the pairs 154, 155 of arms 150 between
the
lowered and raised positions 160a, 160b may be included. For example, a winch
may be used to
wind and unwind a rope or chain coupled to one of the arms 150. Or, for
example, a motor and
gearing may be used to rotate one of the arms 150. Or, as shown throughout the
drawings, a
pump 170 (e.g., a hydraulic or pneumatic pump) may be in communication with at
least one of
the arms 150 to selectively move the arms 150 between the lowered and raised
positions 160a,
160b. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the pump 170 moves a piston 172
(FIG. 7),
which is operatively coupled to two of the arms 150 (and particularly to a
flange 159 on each
arm 150b, 150d) by pins 173 and structure 174. The pump 170 includes a
controlled release
valve 176 (FIG. 1), allowing the arms 150 to move from the raised position
160b to the lowered
position 160a at various controlled speeds. As shown in FIG. 4, a foot pedal
178 may be used to
actuate the pump 170, though other inputs are of course possible.
[0043] Various means may also be included for mechanically maintaining
the arms
150 at the raised position 160b to prevent the arms 150 from undesirably
moving from the raised
position 160b to the lowered position 160a. For example, as shown in FIGs. 12
and 13, a rack
180 may be engageable with at least one of the arms 150 (e.g., through
interaction between slots
182 and the pins 173 coupled to respective arms 150) to restrict the arms 150
from leaving the
raised position 160b. The rack 180 may be automatically biased toward engaging
the arm 150
by a resilient member, such as by spring 186a (FIG. 13) and/or spring 186b
(FIGs. 12 and 14). A
release 188 (FIGs. 4, 12, 13) is in communication with the rack 180 for
selectively disengaging
the rack 180 to allow the first and second pairs 154, 155 of arms 150 to move
from the raised
position 160b to the lowered position 160a, and may be operable by foot (as
shown).
[0044] In use, a device (or "load") to be lifted is placed atop the
receiving portion
130. For example, tires of a lawn tractor may be received by the tire-
receiving members 140.
Due to the proximity of the tire-receiving members 140 to the ground (made
possible, for
example, by the arms 150 being laterally offset and the tire-receiving members
140 extending
below the platforms 132, 133 as discussed above), the tires may be easily
received in the tire-
receiving members 140. If necessary, the tire-receiving members 140 may be
telescopically
extended to correspond to the spacing between the tires. The configuration and
spacing of the
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platforms 132, 133 may avoid interference with a mower deck of the lawn
tractor, and it should
be appreciated that other low-clearance devices may accordingly be received as
well.
[0045] It should also be understood that the receiving portion 130 may
be utilized
with the tire-receiving members 140 removed, as discussed above and shown in
FIGs. lla and
11 b. More particularly, in applications where lifting by wheels is desirable
(e.g., when lifting a
lawn tractor), the tire-receiving members 140 may be used as described above,
and in
applications where lifting in a more traditional manner is desirable (e.g.,
when lifting a small All
Terrain Vehicle (ATV), three-wheeler, or motor scooter), the tire-receiving
members 140 may be
disconnected and set aside, and the load may be supported by the platforms
132, 133.
[0046] To raise the load, the pump 170 may be actuated (such as through
the foot
pedal 178), causing the piston 172 to extend (FIG. 7). Extension of the piston
172 causes the
pins 173 to raise, which in turn causes the arms 150b, 150d connected to the
pins 173 to raise.
Raising the arms 150b, 150d further causes the receiving portion 130 and the
remaining arms
150a, 150c to raise, as those elements are all rotatably coupled together. As
the arms 150 raise,
the pins 173 automatically interact with subsequent rack slots 182 (e.g., due
to the spring 186a,
the spring 186b, and/or the weight of the rack 180) to restrict the arms 150
from lowering, even
if the pump 170 fails. Due to the level of safety provided by the arms 150
being mechanically
maintained at the raised position 160b, people may work underneath the lifted
load without fear
of the load being unintentionally lowered.
[0047] To lower the load, the release 188 (FIGs. 4, 12, 13) is moved
(e.g., by foot) to
disengage the rack 180 and allow the first and second pairs 154, 155 of arms
150 to move from
the raised position 160b to the lowered position 160a. While the rack 180 is
disengaged, the
controlled release valve 176 may be used to release pressure, lowering the
piston 172 and thus
also lowering the arms 150 and the receiving portion 130. The controlled
release valve 176 may
allow the load to be lowered at various speeds to suit various applications.
Once the arms 150
are at the lowered position 160a, the load may be easily removed from the
receiving portion 130.
[0048] FIGs. 15 through 20 show a lifting apparatus 200 according to an
embodiment. The lifting apparatus 200 is similar to the lifting apparatus 100,
except as
specifically noted and/or shown, or as would be inherent. Further, those
skilled in the art will
appreciate that the embodiment 100 (and thus the embodiment 200) may be
modified in various
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ways, such as through incorporating all or part of any of the various
described embodiments, for
example. For uniformity and brevity, corresponding reference numbers may be
used to indicate
corresponding parts, though with any noted deviations.
[0049] One difference between the lifting apparatus 200 and the lifting
apparatus 100
is that the lifting apparatus 200 has two arms 250 instead of four arms 150.
In addition, base 210
in the lifting apparatus 200 differs from the base 110 by not including the
channels 114a, 114b,
115a, 115b. The base 210 has proximal and distal ends 212a, 212b and includes
first and second
opposed sides 214, 215. One or both of the sides 214, 215 may include a
plurality of receiving
areas 216 spaced apart between the proximal and distal ends 212a, 212b. The
receiving areas
216 may be, for example, holes, indentations, or projections. A strap 219 may
fix the position of
the opposed sides 214, 215 relative to one another at the distal end 212b and
aid in transferring
forces throughout the base 210, and the position of the opposed sides 214, 215
relative to one
another at the proximal end 212a may also be fixed.
[0050] One of the arms 250 is rotatably coupled to the first side 214
(e.g., such that
the arm 250 is laterally adjacent the first side 214), and the other arm 250
is rotatably coupled to
the second side 215 (e.g., such that the arm 250 is laterally adjacent the
second side 215) for
movement (i.e., rotation) in concert between a lowered position 260a (FIGs. 15
through 19) and
a raised position 260b (FIG. 20). A support 280 may rotatably extend from one
or both arms 250
to interact with the receiving areas 216 and mechanically maintain the arms
250 at the raised
position 260b to prevent the arms 250 from undesirably moving from the raised
position 260b to
the lowered position 260a. The supports 280 may be coupled to top sides 250a
of the arms 250
to overlie the sides 214, 215 and may be automatically biased toward engaging
the receiving
areas 216 by a resilient member (e.g., a spring) and/or by gravity. If two
supports 280 are
included, the supports 280 may optionally be fixed together such that both
supports 280 move in
concert.
[0051] In the lifting apparatus 200, the arms 250 are fixedly coupled
to a receiving
portion 230 that includes two tire-receiving members 240.
[0052] In use, a device (or "load") to be lifted is placed atop the
tire-receiving
members 240. For example, tires of a lawn tractor may be received by the tire-
receiving
members 240. To raise the load, the pump 170 may be actuated (such as through
the foot pedal
CA 02778631 2014-06-18
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178), causing the arms 250 to raise. Raising the arms 250 causes the tire-
receiving members 240
to raise, as those elements are coupled together. As the arms 250 raise, the
supports 280
automatically rotate (e.g., due to gravity) and interact with the receiving
areas 216 to restrict the
arms 250 from lowering, even if the pump 170 fails. Due to the level of safety
provided by the
arms 250 being mechanically maintained at the raised position 260b, people may
work
underneath the lifted load without fear of the load being unintentionally
lowered.
[0053]
To lower the load, the supports 280 are released from engaging the receiving
areas 216, and a controlled release valve may be used to release pressure. The
release of
pressure in turn lowers the arms 250 and the tire-receiving members 240. The
controlled release
valve may allow the load to be lowered at various speeds to suit various
applications. Once the
arms 250 are at the lowered position 260a, the load may be easily removed from
the tire-
receiving members 240.
[0054] Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well
as
components not shown, are possible without departing from the scope of the
present invention.
Embodiments of the present invention have been described with the intent to be
illustrative
rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those
skilled in the
art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop
alternative means of
implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope
of the
present invention. Further, it will be understood that certain features and
subcombinations are
of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and
subcombinations and
are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Moreover, various steps set
forth herein may
be carried out in orders that differ from those set forth herein without
departing from the scope
of the present methods. The description should not be restrictive to the above
embodiments,
but should be measured by the following claims.
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