PNEUMATIC LIFTING DEVICE

• US 20170275144A1
• Filed: 03/24/2016
• Published: 09/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Wells, Keith J., McClain, Robert D.
• Granted Patent: US 10,160,628 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 11/04 for movable platforms or cabins, e.g. on vehicles, permitting workmen to place themselves in any desired position for carrying out required operations Working platforms on fork-lift trucks B66F9/127; vehicle aspects of service vehicles B60P3/14; platforms for cleaning windows A47L3/02; devices for rescuing persons from buildings A62B1/02; liftable or lowerable platforms for use on ladders E06C7/16; maintenance travellers for bridges E01D19/10; scaffolds on an extensible sub-structure E04G1/22
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 3/35 Inflatable flexible elements, e.g. bellows inflatable load-engaging elements B66F3/40; connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 7/04 hydraulically or pneumatically operated
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 7/16 by one or more hydraulic or pneumatic jacks
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/08 Masts; Guides; Chains

Abstract

A pneumatic lifting device includes a base, a first mast attached to the base, and a second mast attached to the base opposite the first mast. The first mast has a first rail extending therealong, and the second mast has a second rail extending therealong. A lift platform is operatively coupled to the base. The platform includes a first pair and a second pair of bearings coupled thereto so as to move in conjunction with the lift platform. The first pair of bearings is operatively coupled to the first rail so as to enable the first pair of bearings to move with respect to the first rail. The second pair of bearings is operatively coupled to the second rail so as to enable the second pair of bearings to move with respect to the second rail.

Claims

1. A pneumatic lifting device comprising:

a base;

a first mast attached to the base, the first mast having a first rail extending therealong;

a second mast attached to the base opposite the first mast, the second mast having a second rail extending therealong; and

a lift platform operatively coupled to the base, the lift platform including a first pair and a second pair of bearings coupled thereto so as to move in conjunction with the lift platform,

the first pair of bearings being operatively coupled to the first rail so as to enable the first pair of bearings to move with respect to the first rail,

the second pair of bearings being operatively coupled to the second rail so as to enable the second pair of bearings to move with respect to the second rail.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising at least one inflatable bladder structured and positioned so as to force the platform in a direction away from the base during inflation, the at least one bladder including a contact member positioned between the platform and the at least one bladder and in contact with the platform.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the base wherein the plurality of wheels is structured to support a weight of the lifting device above a surface on which the lifting device resides when the platform is unloaded, and wherein each wheel of the plurality of wheels is structured such that a portion of the wheel in contact with the surface may deform responsive to a load applied to the platform, thereby producing a flattened contact region.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the lift platform includes an upwardly-angled portion extending from at least one edge of the platform.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the platform includes a first angled portion extending from a first side of the platform.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the platform includes a second angled portion extending from a second side of the platform opposite the first side.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein a bearing of the first pair of bearings that is located farthest from the base is coupled to the platform so that, when the bearing is operatively coupled to an associated rail, at least a portion of a load bearing part of the bearing resides above a plane defined by a portion of the platform and extending through the bearing.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the other bearing of the first pair of bearings resides below the plane.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein the bearing of the first pair of bearings is attached to the platform such that the entire bearing resides above the plane.

10. The device of claim 3 wherein the wheels of the plurality of wheels are structured and mounted to the base such that, when the portion of the wheels in contact with the floor may deform platform is loaded, the wheels deform so as to permit the base to make contact with the surface on which the lifting device resides.

11. The device of claim 1 further comprising a third pair of bearings operatively coupled to the first rail so as to enable the third pair of bearings to move with respect to the first rail, and a third rail coupled to the third pair of bearings so as to move in conjunction with the third pair of bearings, the first pair of bearings being operatively coupled to the third rail so as to enable the first pair of bearings to move with respect to the third rail.

12. The device of claim 1 further comprising a fourth pair of bearings operatively coupled to the second rail so as to enable the fourth pair of bearings to move with respect to the second rail, and a fourth rail coupled to the fourth pair of bearings so as to move in conjunction with the fourth pair of bearings, the second pair of bearings being operatively coupled to the fourth rail so as to enable the second pair of bearings to move with respect to the fourth rail.

13. A pneumatic lifting device comprising:

a base;

a first mast attached to the base, the first mast having a first rail extending therealong;

a second mast attached to the base opposite the first mast, the second mast having a second rail extending therealong;

a first pair of bearings operatively coupled to the first rail so to as be freely movable along the first rail;

a third rail operatively coupled to the first pair of bearings so as to move in conjunction with the first pair of bearings;

a second pair of bearings operatively coupled to the second rail so to as be freely movable along the second rail;

a fourth rail operatively coupled to the second pair of bearings so as to move in conjunction with the second pair of bearings;

a third pair of bearings operatively coupled to the third rail so to as be freely movable along the third rail;

a fourth pair of bearings operatively coupled to the fourth rail so to as be freely movable along the fourth rail; and

a lift platform coupled to the third and fourth pairs of bearings so as to move in conjunction with the third and fourth pairs of bearings.

14. The device of claim 13 further comprising a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the base, wherein the plurality of wheels is structured to support a weight of the lifting device above a surface on which the lifting device resides when the platform is unloaded, and wherein each wheel of the plurality of wheels is structured such that a portion of the wheel in contact with the surface may deform responsive to a load applied to the platform, thereby producing a flattened contact region.

15. The device of claim 13 wherein the wheels of the plurality of wheels are structured and mounted to the base such that, when the platform is loaded, the wheels deform so as to permit the base to make contact with the surface on which the lifting device resides.