U.S. patent application number 11/779698 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-20 for overhead self-levelling lift system for transporting payloads in dynamic settings and use thereof.
Invention is credited to Morgan Evans.
Application Number | 20080066241 11/779698 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39181997 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080066241 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Evans; Morgan |
March 20, 2008 |
Overhead self-levelling lift system for transporting payloads in
dynamic settings and use thereof
Abstract
A self-levelling lift system is provided, to transport payloads
in dynamic settings. The lift comprises a superstructure, first and
second support members, a carriage and a drive. The superstructure
has rails along which the carriage moves. The support members allow
for the superstructure to change angle in response to a changing
relationship between a first surface and a second surface, such as
the shore and a boat. Also provided is a use of the system for
concurrently transporting a payload and allowing for pedestrian
traffic.
Inventors: |
Evans; Morgan; (Victoria,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mike Powell
1711 Barrie Road
Victoria
BC
V8N 2W4
US
|
Family ID: |
39181997 |
Appl. No.: |
11/779698 |
Filed: |
July 18, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
14/69.5 ;
105/29.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G 3/06 20130101; A61G
2220/16 20130101; A61G 7/1042 20130101; B61B 3/00 20130101; E01D
15/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
14/69.5 ;
105/29.1 |
International
Class: |
E01D 19/00 20060101
E01D019/00; B61C 11/02 20060101 B61C011/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 15, 2006 |
CA |
2,560,033 |
Claims
1. A self-levelling lift system, to transport payloads in dynamic
settings, said lift comprising: a superstructure having a first
end, a second end and a mount extending between said first end and
said second end; first and second support members located proximal
to said first end and said second end of said superstructure,
wherein said first support members are in moveable contact at a
distal end with a first surface, and said second members are
affixed at a distal end to a second surface and are in pivotal
engagement with a second surface at a distal end; a carriage in
moveable engagement with said mount; and a drive to move said car
between said first and said second end.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said mount comprises two
rails.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein said carriage comprises a car, a
framework, and a transporter, wherein said transporter has wheels
for engaging the rails of the mount.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein said carriage further comprises a
hydraulic ram mounted between the framework and the transporter, to
assist in maintaining the car level.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein said car is comprised of two
doors, two sides, hinges and a platform, said doors rotatably
attached to said platform by said hinges.
6. The system of claim 3 wherein said drive is a cable drive.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein said cable drive comprises a
motor, a worm gear, a winch and a cable.
8. The system of claim 7further comprising a brake.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein said motor, worm gear and winch
are mounted on said transporter.
10. The system of claim 9 further comprising controls in electronic
communication with said cable drive and located within said
car.
11. The system of claim 5, further comprising door hydraulic rams
to assist in opening and closing said doors.
12. The system of claim 11 further comprising retractor hydraulic
rams to assist in folding of the car.
13. The system of claim 12 further wherein said framework further
comprises a telescoping arm for raising and lowering the car.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein said superstructure defines an
A-frame comprising two rails that function additionally as girders
and trusses extending therebetween.
15. The system of claim 1 further comprising a gangway located
below said superstructure.
16. The system of claim 15 wherein: said mount comprises two rails;
said carriage comprises a framework, a transporter, wherein said
transporter has wheels for engaging the rails and a car, wherein
said car is comprised of two doors, two sides, hinges and a
platform, said doors rotatably attached to said platform by said
hinges; and said drive is a cable drive.
17. The system of claim 16 wherein said carriage further comprises
a hydraulic ram mounted between the framework and the transporter,
to assist in maintaining the car level.
18. The system of claim 17 wherein said cable drive comprises a
motor, a worm gear, a winch and a cable.
19. The system of claim 18 further comprising a brake.
20. The system of claim 19 wherein said motor, worm gear and winch
are mounted on said transporter.
21. The system of claim 20 further comprising controls in
electronic communication with said cable drive and located within
said car.
22. The system of claim 21, further comprising door hydraulic rams
to assist in opening and closing said doors.
23. The system of claim 22 further comprising retractor hydraulic
rams to assist in folding of the car.
24. The system of claim 23 further wherein said framework further
comprises a telescoping arm for raising and lowering the car.
25. The system of claim 24, wherein said superstructure defines an
A-frame comprising two rails that function additionally as girders
and trusses extending therebetween.
26. The system of claim 25, wherein said superstructure defines an
A-frame comprising two rails that function additionally as girders
and trusses extending therebetween.
27. The system of claim 26 further comprising an anchor block.
28. A use of a system comprising: a superstructure comprising a
first end, a second end and two rails extending between said first
end and said second end; first and second support members located
proximal to said first end and said second end of said
superstructure, wherein said first support members are in moveable
contact at a distal end with a first surface, and said second
members are affixed at a distal end to a second surface and are in
pivotal engagement with a second surface at a distal end; a
carriage in moveable engagement with said mount, said carriage
comprising a car, a framework, and a transporter, wherein said
transporter has wheels for engaging the rails; and a drive to move
said car between said first and said second end, to transport a
payload between a static surface and a non-static surface.
29. The use of claim 28 further comprising retracting and folding
said car.
30. A use of a system, said system comprising: a superstructure
comprising a first end, a second end and two rails extending
between said first end and said second end; first and second
support members located proximal to said first end and said second
end of said superstructure, wherein said first support members are
in moveable contact at a distal end with a first surface, and said
second members are affixed at a distal end to a second surface and
are in pivotal engagement with a second surface at a distal end; a
carriage in moveable engagement with said mount, said carriage
comprising a car, a framework, and a transporter, wherein said
transporter has wheels for engaging the rails; a drive to move said
car between said first and said second end; and a gangway below
said superstructure, to concurrently transport a payload in said
car and allow pedestrian traffic on said gangway.
31. The use of claim 30 wherein said drive is controlled remotely
by an operator.
32. The use of claim 31 wherein said payload is cargo.
33. The use of claim 30, further comprising retracting and folding
said car.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO OTHER APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
application 60/853,323 filed Sep. 15, 2006, the disclosure of which
is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a self-levelling lift
system for use in settings where the slope of the supporting
structures undergoes change over time. More specifically, it
relates to an overhead, mechanized gangway lift system for
wheelchairs.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In recent years there has been the development of sporting
equipment for the disabled, including modifications to existing
sports equipment. This has allowed many people to participate in
sports that they could previously not consider because of handicaps
including paraplegia and quadriplegia. At the same time,
advancements have been made in mobility aids, including, for
example, lifts for use in the home, and for buses.
[0004] For example, US patent application publication number
20060117984 discloses a stair-case lift for transporting a disabled
person between floors. It includes at least one guide rail
extending substantially parallel to a stairway, a moveable carrier
frame suspended from the guide rail means including carrier support
means, and drive means of a rack and pinion type drive for
displacement of the carrier frame along the guide rail.
[0005] Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,227 discloses a portable
system for aiding persons in ascending or descending stairways that
comprises either a motorized portable upper body support assembly
or a motorized vehicle for detachably drivingly engaging elongate
tracks associated with different stairways. The detachability of
the motorized unit from the track, combined with its portability,
enables the user to employ the same portable unit interchangeably
with any stairway in any location so long as the stairway is
equipped with a mating track, thereby enabling an unlimited number
of stairways in private or public buildings to be adapted
inexpensively for use by physically impaired persons. The portable
motorized unit is readily able to adapt to stairways of different
slopes and configurations, and to tracks on either the right-hand
or left-hand side of the stairway, so as to maximize the
versatility of the portable unit for use with virtually any
track-equipped stairway.
[0006] A monorail access system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,709,154. This monorail access system makes a boat handicapped
accessible. More specifically, a battery powered chair assembly is
suspended from an overhead monorail track system, whereby by
activating a control mechanism an individual may move anywhere in
the boat where the track is installed. Once an individual is seated
in the chair assembly, the monorail system allows the individual to
travel to the cabins, flying bridge, downstairs to the galley,
outside to the rear deck for sunbathing or fishing or over the side
to a dock.
[0007] While the foregoing allow increased mobility for physically
handicapped people, they are only useful in static settings. In
other words, a track or railing must be in place and a moveable
assembly mounted on the track. Unfortunately, such systems are not
useful for dynamic settings, such as, for example, gangways onto
boats, wharves and planes. Of these, gangways onto wharves provide
the greatest challenge as the level of the gangway is dependent
upon the water level, which in an ocean environment, is constantly
changing. Gangways have been developed to accommodate changing
water levels.
[0008] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,267 discloses a portable
gangway with levelling stairs. It includes first and second
longitudinal frame members each having an elongate housing with a
wall structure surrounding an interior thereof and a pair of
longitudinal elongate rails extending through a length of the
housing in parallel relation to each other and terminating at
opposite distal ends; the pair of rails including a fixed rail and
a moving rail. A series of step members, each including top bottom
step surfaces, are rotatably supported between the first and second
longitudinal frame members in pivotal interconnection with the pair
of rails of each frame member. Mounting platforms attach to the
distal ends of the rails and enable one end of the gangway to move
through an arc of movement relative to an opposite fixedly mounted
end, thereby causing movement of the moving rails relative to the
fixed rails, within each frame member, resulting in synchronized
rotation of the step members so that the top and bottom step
surfaces of the step members remain horizontal and level upon a
change in an upward or downward angle of the gangway. Handrails are
removably attachable to the gangway along the outboard sides of the
longitudinal frame member and include articulating joints to permit
angular movement of the handrails with the gangway.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,832 discloses a stairway for connecting
a floating dock or boat to a stationary dock or land. The stairway
moves with the moving member and includes stringers connected to
the hand rails by pickets and step supporting pivot arms connected
to adjustment arms to form a compound parallelogram linkage in
which the picket members and the pivot arms remain vertical during
movement of the stairway whereby the steps remain horizontal and
the hand rails remain parallel to the stringer members during such
movement. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,333,196 discloses a gangway
that is has steps that remain horizontal whatever the inclination
of the gangway. This is accomplished by using longitudinal
side-members and a girder that form a parallelogram articulated
about four horizontal axles, two of which are pivotally mounted on
the structure supporting the stairway. Thus,an articulated
parallelogram is produced. While the foregoing gangways allow for
changing levels, they are often far too steep for wheelchairs.
[0010] Most gangways far exceed the maximum 1:12 (40) pitch
recommended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility
Guidelines (ADAAG) of the U.S. Architectural and Transportation
Barriers Compliance Board (ATBCB), even at high tide. Because of
the changing ocean tides, some gangways can range in pitch from
1.degree. to 45.degree. making it impossible for some people to
independently access the wharf. ADAAG regulation 4.8.2 requires
that the maximum rise for any run in a ramp be no greater than
30.degree.. By default this precludes all conventional marina
gangways from use by wheelchair-bound patrons.
[0011] One system, Ramp Rider.TM. utilizes gangway technology and
rail technology to arrive at a system for wheelchairs to be
transported between land and a boat or float. The wheelchair is
carried in a car that has four tires (two in the front and two in
the back) for running on two rails that form the base of a
parallelogram. The relationship between the front and back wheels
and the rails ensures that the car remains horizontal. It is a
stand- alone system and cannot be integrated into an existing
gangway. This requires that two gangways and two access points be
available in order to move both wheelchairs and foot traffic.
[0012] One cannot simply combine existing wheelchair lift systems
that are suitable for static settings with existing gangway designs
that are suitable for dynamic settings and arrive at a system that
will allow safe access to, for example, boats, floats and planes,
while still permitting regular foot traffic. It is an object to
overcome the deficiencies in the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present embodiment provides a self-levelling lift for
transporting payloads in dynamic settings, in other words, where
the slope of the supporting structures are required to undergo
change. If a gangway is in place, the system can rely on the
existing support and anchor members, assuming that they are capable
of supporting the increased weight. By suspending the travelling
car over an existing gangway, the required space at the foreshore
and landing float is virtually zero. Further, regular foot traffic
on the gangway is not impeded by the system. Additionally, the car
can be folded out of the way of the gangway, when not in use.
[0014] More specifically, what is provided is a self-levelling lift
system, to transport payloads in dynamic settings. The lift
comprises: a superstructure having a first end, a second end and a
mount extending between the first end and the second end; first and
second support members located proximal to the first end and the
second end of the superstructure, wherein the first support members
are in moveable contact at a distal end with a first surface, and
the second members are affixed at a distal end to a second surface
and are in pivotal engagement with a second surface at a distal
end; a carriage in moveable engagement with the mount; and a drive
to move the car between the first and the second end.
[0015] In one aspect the mount comprises two rails.
[0016] In another aspect the carriage comprises a car, a framework,
and a transporter, wherein the transporter has wheels for engaging
the rails of the mount.
[0017] In another aspect the carriage further comprises a hydraulic
ram mounted between the framework and the transporter, to assist in
maintaining the car level.
[0018] In another aspect the car is comprised of two doors, two
sides, hinges and a platform, the doors rotatably attached to the
platform by the hinges.
[0019] In another aspect the drive is a cable drive.
[0020] In another aspect the cable drive comprises a motor, a worm
gear, a winch and a cable.
[0021] In another aspect the system further comprises a brake.
[0022] In another aspect the motor, worm gear and winch are mounted
on the transporter.
[0023] In another aspect the system further comprises controls in
electronic communication with the cable drive and located within
the car.
[0024] In another aspect the system further comprises door
hydraulic rams to assist in opening and closing the doors.
[0025] In another aspect the system further comprises retractor
hydraulic rams to assist in folding of the car.
[0026] In another aspect the framework further comprises a
telescoping arm for raising and lowering the car.
[0027] In another aspect, the superstructure defines an A-frame
comprising two rails that function additionally as girders and
trusses extending there between.
[0028] In another aspect the system further comprises a gangway
located below the superstructure.
[0029] In another aspect, the mount comprises two rails; the
carriage comprises a framework, a transporter, wherein the
transporter has wheels for engaging the rails and a car, wherein
the car is comprised of two doors, two sides, hinges and a
platform, the doors rotatably attached to the platform by the
hinges; and the drive is a cable drive.
[0030] In another aspect the system further comprises an anchor
block.
[0031] Also provided is a use of a system comprising: [0032] a
superstructure comprising a first end, a second end and two rails
extending between the first end and the second end; [0033] first
and second support members located proximal to the first end and
the second end of the superstructure, wherein the first support
members are in moveable contact at a distal end with a first
surface, and the second members are affixed at a distal end to a
second surface and are in pivotal engagement with a second surface
at a distal end; [0034] a carriage in moveable engagement with the
mount, the carriage comprising a car, a framework, and a
transporter, wherein the transporter has wheels for engaging the
rails; and [0035] a drive to move the car between the first and the
second end, to transport a payload between a static surface and a
non-static surface.
[0036] In one aspect of the use of the system, the car is retracted
and folded.
[0037] Also provided is a use of a system, the system comprising:
[0038] a superstructure comprising a first end, a second end and
two rails extending between the first end and the second end; first
and second support members located proximal to the first end and
the second end of the superstructure, wherein the first support
members are in moveable contact at a distal end with a first
surface, and the second members are affixed at a distal end to a
second surface and are in pivotal engagement with a second surface
at a distal end; [0039] a carriage in moveable engagement with the
mount, the carriage comprising a car, a framework, and a
transporter, wherein the transporter has wheels for engaging the
rails; [0040] a drive to move the car between the first and the
second end; and [0041] a gangway below the superstructure, to
concurrently transport a payload in the car and allow pedestrian
traffic on the gangway.
[0042] In another aspect, said use is remotely controlled by an
operator.
[0043] In another aspect the payload is cargo.
[0044] In one aspect of the use of the system the car is retracted
and folded.
FIGURES
[0045] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an overhead self-levelling
lift system in accordance with an embodiment.
[0046] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the superstructure and
supporting framework of the overhead self-levelling system of FIG.
1.
[0047] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the carriage on the
superstructure of the overhead self-levelling system of FIG. 1.
[0048] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the carriage of
FIG. 3.
[0049] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the cable drive of the
overhead self-levelling system of FIG. 1.
[0050] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an overhead self-levelling
lift system mounted overtop of a gangway in accordance with an
embodiment.
[0051] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the carriage of FIG. 3
in the partially folded position.
DESCRIPTION
[0052] An overhead self-levelling lift system, generally referred
to as 10 is shown in FIG. 1. The lift system 10 has a
superstructure, generally referred to as 12, as shown in FIG. 2.
The superstructure 12 has two girders 14 extending along the length
of the superstructure and trusses 16 therebetween to form an
A-frame-type structure. In one embodiment, the girders 14
functional so as rails 18. Alternatively, the superstructure
supports two rails 18 that are affixed to the girders 14 and extend
the length of the superstructure 12. The rails 18 function as
mounts.
[0053] The superstructure is pivotally mounted proximate to a first
end 20 and a second end 22 to a first and second supporting frame
work 24, 26, each of which has two support members 28, 30,
respectively and a header 32. Each support member 28 of the first
supporting framework 24 is terminated with a roller 34 at a distal
end 36 relative to the header 32. Each support member 30 of the
second supporting framework 26 is terminated with a pivot mount 38
at or near a proximal end 40 relative to the header 32, for pivotal
engagement with the girders 14. The distal end 42 of each support
member 30 is affixed to an anchor block 44 by a bottom flange plate
46. The anchor block 44 is suitably affixed to the shore and is
also the attachment point for a gangway 48. The gangway can be any
design of gangway, as the overhead self-levelling lift system 10
can be manufactured to the appropriate dimensions.
[0054] A carriage, generally referred to as 50 is rollably
suspended from the rails 18 as shown in FIG. 3. The carriage 50, as
shown in FIG. 4 has car 52 and a framework 54 that connects the car
52 to a transporter 56, which is located above the car 52. The car
52 has a platform 58, a proximate side 60, an opposing side 62, a
back door 64 and a front door 66. The proximate side 60 assists in
supporting the remainder of the car 52 and is telescopically
attached to the framework 54 by a telescoping arm 68, which forms
part of the framework 54. The telescoping arm 68 allows the car 52
to be raised and lowered.
[0055] The opposing side 62 consists of two safety rails that are
pivotally mounted on the proximate side 60. The doors 64, 66 are
pivotally mounted on the platform 58 by hinges 63. The doors 64, 66
function as a ramp when in the open position. Two door hydraulic
rams 70 are located between the platform 58 and the back and front
doors 64, 66, respectively, to assist in opening and closing the
doors 64, 66. Two retractor hydraulic rams 72 are located between
the platform 58 and the framework 54 to assist in folding the car
52 by raising the platform 58 into a vertical position. A fifth
hydraulic ram 74 is located between the framework 54 and the
transporter 56, and aids in maintaining the platform 54 level. The
transporter 56 has trucks 76 mounted on the undersides 78 of the
transporter 56 such that the wheels 8o of the trucks 76 rollably
suspend the carriage 50 from the rails 18. The transporter 56
additionally has Teflon sides 57.
[0056] A cable drive, generally referred to 82, as shown in FIG. 5
is connected to the carriage 50. The cable drive 82 has a cable 84,
a winch 86, a motor 88 and a worm drive go. Additionally, a brake
92 is integrated into the cable drive 82. Controls 94 are in
electronic communication with the brake 92 and the cable drive 82
and are housed within the carriage 50, more specifically in the
transporter 56, as shown in FIG. 4. A pan 59 covers the cable drive
82. The worm drive go transfers power from the motor 88 to the
winch 86 and the winch 86 advances the cable 84 to move the
carriage 50 along the rails 18. The direction that the cable 8o
moves determines the direction that the carriage 50 moves.
[0057] In use, the overhead self-levelling lift system 10 can
transport cargo, people in wheelchairs, powerchairs and scooters,
able-bodied people and essentially any payload that weighs less
than about 3000 pounds, in dynamic settings, such between a static
surface, for example a runway, or the shore and a non-static
surface for example a plane deck, a float deck or a ship. At the
first end 20 the appropriate door 64 or 66 is opened, and the
payload is loaded. As mentioned above, the door 64 or 66 becomes a
ramp in the open position, to allow wheelchairs for example, to
roll onto the platform 58. The door 64 or 66 is closed, the brake
92 is released and the cable drive 82 is actuated to move the
carriage 50 along the rails 18. Once the carriage 50 reaches the
second end 22, the brake 92 is engaged, the appropriate door 64 or
66 is opened, again becoming a ramp, and the payload is unloaded.
When used in conjunction with a gangway 48, as shown in FIG. 6, the
overhead self-levelling lift system 10 can concurrently move
pedestrian traffic along the gangway 48 and a payload in the car
52.
[0058] The car 52 can be folded away when not in use. As shown in
FIG. 7, the opposing side 62 is pivoted upward, the front and back
doors 64, 66 are opened, the platform 58 and the front and back
doors 64,66 are raised into the vertical position with the
assistance of the retractor hydraulic rams 72 and the car 52 is
raised by retracting the telescoping arm 68.
[0059] The foregoing is a description of an embodiment of the
invention. As would be known to one skilled in the art, variations
in the design that do not alter the scope of the invention are
contemplated. For example, one rail could be used rather than two,
and a cable system that is suspended by pulleys could replace the
rail system. The girders and trusses could be replaced by any
supporting superstructure, including joists and rafters, for
example. The rollers terminating the columns of the first
supporting framework could be replaced with a single roller or with
any means to permit horizontal movement between the column and the
float, for example, but not limited to, a slide mechanism.
Similarly, the columns can be affixed to an existing gangway and
utilize the system that allows the gangway to move across the
float. The anchor block could be, for example, but not limited to a
steel framework, or a concrete block. The cable drive can be
replaced with any drive as would be known to one skilled in the
art, including for example, but not limited to a chain drive or a
belt drive. Similarly the wheels of the trucks can replaced with
belts that move along cogs. The controls can be located on the
gangway as an alternative to having them in the carriage, or can be
both in the carriage and at each end of the gangway, for example.
This would permit remote operation of the system by an operator.
The car can be, for example, but not limited to, a platform, a box,
or a specialized structure for carrying cargo.
* * * * *