U.S. patent application number 10/919807 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-16 for telescoping motorized lift platform.
This patent application is currently assigned to Horizon Veterinary Services, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jan Peter Kovacic.
Application Number | 20060054395 10/919807 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35852100 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060054395 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kovacic; Jan Peter |
March 16, 2006 |
Telescoping motorized lift platform
Abstract
A telescoping motorized lift platform, having a plurality of
nested telescoping sidewall columns. The upper sidewall column
includes a platform and the remaining sidewall columns have
sidewalls extending preferably to the adjacent outer nested
sidewall columns. A base structure is included for support of the
telescoping motorized lift platform. The base structure is provided
with multiple rollers or casters for movement and positioning of
the lift platform. The lift platform also includes means for
raising and lowering. As the lift platform is raised or lowered,
the nested sidewall columns will also raise and lower, providing a
continuous shield from contact with the means for raising and
lowering.
Inventors: |
Kovacic; Jan Peter;
(Lafayette, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RYAN KROMHOLZ & MANION, S.C.
POST OFFICE BOX 26618
MILWAUKEE
WI
53226
US
|
Assignee: |
Horizon Veterinary Services,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
35852100 |
Appl. No.: |
10/919807 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
182/141 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B66F 7/08 20130101; B66F
7/0666 20130101; B66F 7/0625 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
182/141 |
International
Class: |
E04G 3/28 20060101
E04G003/28 |
Claims
1. A telescoping adjustable height structure comprising: a base
structure; a plurality of sidewall columns; a platform positioned
on one of the plurality of sidewall columns; and means for raising
and lowering the platform, the means for raising and lowering the
platform being attached to the base structure.
2. A structure according to claim 1, whereby the means for raising
and lowering is attached to the platform.
3. A structure according to claim 1, whereby the means for raising
and lowering is attached to one of the plurality of sidewall
columns.
4. A structure according to claim 1, whereby a plurality of the
sidewall columns include a lower inner side strip and an upper
outer side strip.
5. A structure according to claim 1, whereby the base structure is
supported by a plurality of rollers.
6. A structure according to claim 1, including control means for
controlling the vertical movement of the structure.
7. A structure according to claim 1, whereby the platform is
positioned on top of an upper sidewall column.
8. A structure according to claim 1, whereby the structure is in
the shape of a rectangle.
9. A structure according to claim 1, whereby the structure is in
the shape of an oval.
10. A structure according to claim 1, whereby the structure is in
the shape of a triangle.
11. A structure according to claim 1, including a plurality of stop
brackets attached to the base structure.
12. A telescoping adjustable height structure comprising: a base
structure; a plurality of sidewall columns; a platform positioned
on top of one of the plurality of sidewall columns; a plurality of
connecting members attached to a plurality of the sidewall columns;
and means for raising and lowering the platform, the means for
raising and lowering the platform being attached to the base
structure.
13. A structure according to claim 12, whereby the means for
raising and lowering is attached to the platform.
14. A structure according to claim 12, whereby the means for
raising and lowering is attached to one of the plurality of
sidewall columns.
15. A structure according to claim 12, whereby the base structure
is supported by a plurality of rollers.
16. A structure according to claim 12, including control means for
controlling the vertical movement of the structure.
17. A structure according to claim 12, whereby the platform is
positioned on top of an upper sidewall column.
18. A structure according to claim 12, whereby the structure is in
the shape of a rectangle.
19. A structure according to claim 12, whereby the structure is in
the shape of an oval.
20. A structure according to claim 12, whereby the structure is in
the shape of a triangle.
21. A structure according to claim 12, including a plurality of
stop brackets attached to the base structure.
22. A telescoping cover for an adjustable height structure
comprising: a plurality of sidewall columns; a platform positioned
on top of one of the plurality of sidewall columns; and a plurality
of connecting members attached to a plurality of the sidewall
columns.
23. A telescoping cover for an adjustable height structure
comprising: a plurality of sidewall columns; a platform positioned
on one of the plurality of sidewall columns; and a lower inner side
strip and an upper outer side strip positioned on a plurality of
the sidewall columns.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to the art of telescoping platforms,
and more particularly to telescoping motorized lift platforms
having a plurality of nested, telescoping columns.
[0002] It is desirable to have a telescoping platform that is
portable, easily adjustable, and safe for the operator or other
people, animals, or objects near the telescoping lift platform. In
many environments, such as warehouses, offices, clinics,
restaurants, factories, and machine shops, it is often necessary to
use a telescoping lift platform to raise or lower a person, animal,
or object to a desired height. For example, if the telescoping
platform were to be used in a veterinary clinic to support an
animal, it would be very important for the telescoping platform to
have all of the above mentioned features for the protection of the
animal and the platform operator. Telescoping platforms generally
include a single work platform and a means for raising and lowering
the platform, such as a scissors linkage lift, as described in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 4,171,120 and 6,044,927, or a jack screw lift, as
described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,502,667. These previous designs of
telescoping platforms typically have exposed the means for raising
and lowering the platform without any shielding from contact, which
creates a safety hazard for those operating the telescoping
platform, or other people, animals, or objects near the telescoping
platform. The exposed means for raising and lowering of the
platform also creates an unsightly view of the potentially
dangerous mechanics of the telescoping platform. When the
telescoping platform is utilized in a clinical or office type of
environment for example, it would be advantageous to provide a
telescoping lift platform where the means for raising and lowering
the platform are out of sight.
[0003] Covers for adjustable height structures have been provided
for covering the means for raising and lowering a platform. These
cover systems are commonly of a pleated design and are made from a
non-rigid material, such as cloth or soft plastic materials.
[0004] Consequently, the need exists to provide a telescoping
motorized lift platform that does not suffer the drawbacks of the
previous designs, and provides a safer environment for the operator
or other people, animals, or objects near the telescoping lift
platform, by shielding the means for raising and lowering from
contact, and furthermore is more aesthetically appealing to the eye
so as to allow its use in a greater selection of environments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention relates to a telescoping motorized
lift platform, advantageously configured to provide a lift platform
that has improved safety features by shielding and protecting the
operator or others nearby from the potentially harmful raising and
lowering means. In general, this is achieved by providing a
plurality of nested telescoping sidewall columns whereby the upper
sidewall column preferably includes a platform and the remaining
sidewall columns have sidewalls extending preferably to the
adjacent outer nested sidewall columns. Each sidewall column
preferably includes a lower inner side strip and an upper outer
side strip for the purpose of raising and lowering each sidewall
column. As the lift platform is raised or lowered, the nested
sidewall columns will also raise and lower, providing a continuous
shield from contact with the means for raising and lowering.
[0006] A base structure is preferably included for support of the
telescoping motorized lift platform. Additionally, the base
structure may be supported by multiple rollers or casters for
movement and positioning of the lift platform. A plurality of stop
brackets are preferably attached to the base structure for
supporting the sidewall columns. The lift platform may also include
means for raising and lowering attached to the base structure,
including but not limited to scissors linkage, jack screw, or other
conventional motorized, hydraulic, or manually operated lifting
apparatus.
[0007] The telescoping motorized lift platform preferably includes
four sides, although it is within the spirit of the invention to
have a telescoping motorized lift platform taking on any practical
shape to meet the needs of a particular application, such as but
not limited to, a round, oval, or triangular telescoping motorized
lift platform.
[0008] To operate the lift platform, an operator would activate the
means for raising and lowering. This may be accomplished by
preferably applying pressure to a footswitch, although other simple
control methods such as a switch or pushbuttons are within the
spirit of the invention. The means for raising and lowering would
then provide vertical movement of the platform and upper sidewall
column. By way of example, as the lift platform is being raised by
the means for raising and lowering, first the platform and upper
sidewall would move in an upward direction. At a point at which the
lower inner side strip of the upper sidewall column comes into
contact with the upper outer side strip of the first nested
sidewall column, the first nested sidewall column will also move in
an upward direction. This process will repeat with all or some of
the sidewall columns being raised by the previously raised side
wall, with the platform ending up at the operator's desired
position. At all times through this raising process, the means for
raising and lowering are shielded from being in contact with the
operator or those nearby. The process as described above is
reversed to have the platform lowered.
[0009] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a
telescoping motorized lift platform that will provide a safe
environment for the operator or other people, animals, or objects
near the telescoping platform by shielding the means for raising
and lowering from contact.
[0010] It is another object of the invention to provide a
telescoping motorized lift platform that is more aesthetically
appealing to the eye so as to allow its use in a greater selection
of environments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a telescoping motorized lift
platform according to the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2A is a cross section view taken along line 2A-2A of
the telescoping motorized lift platform of FIG. 1, showing a
preferred embodiment of the telescoping motorized lift platform in
a raised position.
[0013] FIG. 2B is a side plan view of the telescoping motorized
lift platform shown in FIG. 2A, showing a preferred embodiment of
the telescoping motorized lift platform in a lowered position.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view showing the preferred
embodiment of the telescoping columns of the telescoping motorized
lift platform shown in FIG. 2A.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view showing an alternative
embodiment of the telescoping columns of the telescoping motorized
lift platform shown in FIG. 2A.
[0016] FIG. 5A is a top view of the telescoping motorized lift
platform as shown in FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 5B is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the
telescoping motorized lift platform as shown in FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 5C is a top view of an additional alternative
embodiment of the telescoping motorized lift platform as shown in
FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to
enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the
physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the
invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While
the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be
changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by
the claims.
[0020] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals
represent like parts throughout the views, there is generally
designated at 20 a telescoping motorized lift platform according to
the present invention. As seen particularly in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B,
the lift platform 20 includes a plurality of nested telescoping
sidewall columns 30 positioned over a base structure 50 and means
for raising and lowering 60 the lift platform 20.
[0021] In the preferred embodiment, the nested telescoping sidewall
columns 30 include an upper sidewall column 32 having a platform 33
attached thereto by conventional means such as, but not limited to,
gluing, nailing, screwing, or welding, and a plurality of sidewall
columns 34, 36, 38. Platform 33 includes a first surface 46 for
supporting the object or objects to be raised or lowered on the
lift platform 20, and a second surface 47, for fastening to the
means for raising and lowering 60. The means for raising and
lowering 60 may be fastened to the second surface 47 of the
platform 33 by any of several different conventional fastening
mechanisms, such as, but not limited to, screws, nuts and bolts,
nails, adhesives, welding, or any other common methods. In an
alternative embodiment, the means for raising and lowering 60 may
be fastened to the upper sidewall column 32 by any of several
different conventional fastening mechanisms, such as, but not
limited to, screws, nuts and bolts, nails, adhesives, welding, or
any other common methods.
[0022] As best seen in FIG. 3, sidewall columns 32, 34, 36, 38
include an outer surface 48 and an inner surface 49. Sidewall
columns 34, 36, 38 preferably include an upper outer side strip 40
attached to the outer surface 48. Sidewall columns 32, 34, 36
preferably include a lower inner sidewall strip 42 attached to the
inner surface 49. As the lift platform 20 is raised, a lower inner
side strip 42 comes in contact with a respective upper outer side
strip 40 in order to raise the side columns 34, 36, 38.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment is shown
whereby each inner surface 49 of sidewall columns 32, 34, 36, are
connected to an adjacent inner surface 49 of sidewall columns 34,
36, 38, respectively by way of a preferably flexible connecting
member 44. Flexible connecting member 44 may be made of a strap
material, wire mesh, cable, or other conventional flexible
materials. As the lift platform 20 is raised, each connecting
member 44 lifts the next inner adjacent sidewall column 34, 36,
38.
[0024] As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the base structure 50 is
preferably supported by a plurality of rollers or casters 52 for
movement and positioning of the lift platform 20. The rollers 52
preferably include a locking mechanism so as to limit the movement
of the telescoping motorized lift platform 20 after the lift
platform 20 has been positioned for use. Attached to the base
structure 50 are preferably a plurality of stop brackets 54. The
stop brackets 54 provide support for the sidewall columns 30. In
the preferred embodiment, the means for raising and lowering 60 may
be fastened to the base structure 50 by any of several different
conventional fastening mechanisms, such as, but not limited to,
screws, nuts and bolts, nails, adhesives, welding, or any other
common methods.
[0025] As best seen in FIGS. 5A-5C, the telescoping motorized lift
platform 20 may take on any practical shape depending on the lift
platform's 20 intended application. FIG. 5A shows a top view of a
preferred embodiment of the telescoping motorized lift platform 20
adapted to be in a triangular shape. FIG. 5B shows a top view of an
alternative embodiment of the telescoping motorized lift platform
20 adapted to be in an oval shape. FIG. 5C shows a top view of an
additional alternative embodiment of the telescoping motorized lift
platform 20 adapted to be in a triangular shape.
[0026] The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred
embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without
departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
* * * * *