Air lift device

• US 6,227,357 B1
• Filed: 05/21/1999
• Issued: 05/08/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William L. Brown Sr
• Original Assignee: William L. Brown Sr
• Inventors: Brown, William L. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Valenza, Joseph E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Deuble, Mark A.
• Application Number:
  US09/316,055
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• Field of Search: 198/861.1, 198/861.5, 248/649, 248/653, 248/654, 248/440, 248/188.91
• US Class Current: 198/861.4
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 1/04 portable
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 1/16 in height
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 1/18 in inclination

Abstract

The invention is a device, such as a chute or a conveyor belt, for receiving and transferring work pieces in a factory, mounted on a set of legs with lockable wheels at the bottom of each leg. Each leg is equipped with an hydraulic extension unit that is operated by air pressure. The air pressure is provided, for instance, from a machine, such as a press, that performs work on the work piece. Each leg is individually adjustable by the pneumatic extension unit, allowing the device atop the legs to be adjusted in height from the support surface, and maintained level or tilted from side to side or front to back. The wheels on the leg bottoms allow the device supported on the legs to easily move from one location to another on the factory floor. The legs may optionally be designed to fold up against the bottom of the supported device for ease of storage of the device.

The advantages of the height and level adjustable features of the work surface device include allowing workers of various stature to safely and comfortably handle work pieces. A single device can be height and level adjusted for each worker that uses the device.

Claims

1. An elevational and tilt adjustable work surface device comprising:

(a) a generally planar work surface member with top and bottom sides;

(b) a plurality of at least three height adjusting leg members secured to said bottom side of said work surface member, said height adjusting leg member comprising;

(i) a bracket member secured to the work surface member bottom side;

(ii) a telescoping support member oriented generally perpendicular to the work surface member and pivotally fastened at a support member first end to said bracket member;

(iii) a rigid leg member comprising a rectangular tube member attached to said telescoping support member at a support member second end opposite said bracket member, said rectangular tube member adapted for directly contacting a support surface;

(c) at least three brace members, each brace member fastened between a selected telescoping support member and one adjacent telescoping support member thereby providing a rigid base supporting the work surface member;

(d) a gas supply means connected to said telescoping support member for delivery and release of compressed gas thereto; and

(e) individual control means for admitting gas to and releasing gas from said gas supply means connected to said individual telescoping support members, whereby each said height adjusting leg member is independently height adjustable by said individual control means, thereby providing an elevational and tilt adjustable work surface member.

2. The adjustable work surface device according to claim 1 wherein, said rigid leg member is pivotally secured at a first end to said telescoping support member.

4. The adjustable work surface device according to claim 2 further comprising, means for locking the pivotally secured rigid leg member in an orientation perpendicular to said planar work surface member.

5. The adjustable work surface device according to claim 4 wherein said means for locking the rigid leg member is a U-shaped bracket member sized to accept one end of said rigid leg member, said bracket member and rigid leg member having a plurality of apertures for accepting a locking pin member.

6. The adjustable work surface device according to claim 1 further comprising a lockable wheeled castor member secured to a second end of said rigid leg member opposite said telescoping support member second end, said lockable wheeled castor member adapted for directly contacting a support surface.

7. The adjustable work surface device according to claim 1 wherein, said gas supply means comprises individual flexible conduit members connecting each control means with each telescoping support member.

8. The adjustable work surface device according to claim 1, further comprising a compressed gas source reversibly connected to said individual gas control means.

9. The adjustable work surface device according to claim 1 wherein, said individual control means for deliver of compressed gas to said telescoping support member comprises;

(i) a body member having an inlet means for supplying compressed gas thereto, and a plurality of outlet means, each outlet means supplying compressed gas to a selected individual telescoping support member;

(ii) a plurality of pairs of first and second switch means positioned on said body member, said first switch means of each pair for admitting gas to a selected individual telescoping support member, and said second switch means of said pair for releasing gas from said selected individual telescoping support members;

(iii) a gas supply manifold within said body member in communication with said gas inlet means for supplying compressed gas to each of said first switch means;

(iv) a plurality of tank valve members, each valve member operable by one of said first switch means, said valve member controlling admission of compressed gas to one of each outlet means supplying a selected individual telescoping support member; and

(v) a plurality of compressed gas vent means, each connected downstream of one of said tank valve members and upstream of one of said outlet means, said compressed gas vent means controlled by one of said second switch means of said pair of switch means for releasing gas therefrom.

10. The adjustable work surface device according to claim 1, wherein said planar work surface member comprises a chute device with horizontal bottom work surface and vertical sides and ends forming an open top container, said chute device used for collecting and transporting work pieces.

11. The adjustable work surface device according to claim 1, wherein said planar work surface member comprises a conveyor system including:

(i) a planar horizontal frame member;

(ii) first and second roller members fastened at opposite ends of the frame member;

(iii) a conveyor belt member encircling said two roller members; and

(iv) means for rotating at least one of said roller members thereby causing said conveyor belt member to move about said rollers.

12. The adjustable work surface device according to claim 1 wherein, said individual control means for deliver of compressed gas to said telescoping support member comprises;

(i) a body member having an inlet means for supplying compressed gas thereto, and a plurality of outlet means, each outlet means supplying compressed gas to a selected individual telescoping support member;

(ii) a plurality of pairs of first and second switch means positioned on said body member, said first switch means of each pair for admitting gas to a selected individual telescoping support member, and said second switch means of said pair for releasing gas from said selected individual telescoping support members;

(iii) a gas supply manifold within said body member in communication with said gas inlet means for supplying compressed gas to each of said first switch means;

(iv) a plurality of tank valve members, each valve member operable by one of said first switch means, said valve member controlling admission of compressed gas to one of each outlet means supplying a selected individual telescoping support member; and

(v) a plurality of compressed gas vent means, each connected downstream of one of said tank valve members and upstream of one of said outlet means, said compressed gas vent means controlled by one of said second switch means of said pair of switch means for releasing gas therefrom.

16. The adjustable work surface device according to claim 11 further comprising, means for locking the pivotally secured rigid leg member in an orientation perpendicular to said planar work surface member.

17. The adjustable work surface device according to claim 16 wherein said means for locking the rigid leg member is a U-shaped bracket member sized to accept one end of said rigid leg member, said bracket member and rigid leg member having a plurality of apertures for accepting a locking pin member.

3. The adjustable work surface device according to claim 3 wherein, said rigid leg member pivots to an orientation parallel to said work surface member.

13. An elevational and tilt adjustable work surface device comprising:

(a) a generally planar work surface member with top and bottom sides;

(b) a plurality of four height adjusting leg members secured to said bottom side of said work surface member, said height adjusting leg member comprising;

(i) a bracket member secured to the work surface member bottom side;

(ii) a telescoping support member oriented generally perpendicular to the work surface member and pivotally fastened at a support member first end to said bracket member;

(iii) a rigid leg member comprising a rectangular tube member attached to said telescoping support member at a support member second end opposite said bracket member, said rectangular tube member adapted for directly contacting a support surface;

(c) at least four brace members, each brace member fastened between a selected telescoping support member and one adjacent telescoping support member thereby providing a rigid base supporting the work surface member;

(d) a gas supply means connected to said telescoping support member for delivery and release of compressed gas thereto; and

(e) individual control means for admitting gas to and releasing gas from said gas supply means connected to said individual telescoping support members, whereby each said height adjusting leg member is independently height adjustable by said individual control means, thereby providing an elevational and tilt adjustable work surface member.

14. The adjustable work surface device according to claim 13 wherein, said rigid leg member is pivotally secured at a first end to said telescoping support member.

15. The adjustable work surface device according to claim 14 wherein, said rigid leg member pivots to an orientation parallel to said work surface member.

18. The adjustable work surface device according to claim 13 further comprising a lockable wheeled castor member secured to a second end of said rigid leg member opposite said telescoping support member second end, said lockable wheeled castor member adapted for directly contacting a support surface.

19. The adjustable work surface device according to claim 13 wherein, said gas supply means comprises individual flexible conduit members connecting each control means with each telescoping support member.

20. The adjustable work surface device according to claim 13, further comprising a compressed gas source reversibly connected to said individual gas control means.

21. The adjustable work surface device according to claim 13, wherein said planar work surface member comprises a chute device with horizontal bottom work surface and vertical sides and ends forming an open top container, said chute device used for collecting and transporting work pieces.

22. The adjustable work surface device according to claim 13, wherein said planar work surface member comprises a conveyor system including:

(i) a planar horizontal frame member;

(ii) first and second roller members fastened at opposite ends of the frame member;

(iii) a conveyor belt member encircling said two roller members; and

(iv) means for rotating at least one of said roller members thereby causing said conveyor belt member to move about said rollers.

23. An elevational and tilt adjustable work surface device comprising:

(a) a generally planar work surface member with top and bottom sides;

(b) a plurality of four height adjusting leg members secured to said bottom side of said work surface member, said height adjusting leg member comprising;

(i) a bracket member secured to the work surface member bottom side;

(ii) a telescoping support member oriented generally perpendicular to the work surface member and pivotally fastened at a support member first end to said bracket member;

(iii) a rigid leg member comprising a rectangular tube member attached to said telescoping support member at a support member second end opposite said bracket member, said rectangular tube member adapted for directly contacting a support surface;

(c) at least four brace members, each brace member fastened between a selected telescoping support member and one adjacent telescoping support member thereby providing a rigid base supporting the work surface member;

(d) a gas supply means connected to said telescoping support member for delivery and release of compressed gas thereto; and

(e) individual control means for admitting gas to and releasing gas from said gas supply means connected to said individual telescoping support members, said control means comprising;

(i) a body member having an inlet means for supplying compressed gas thereto, and a plurality of outlet means, each outlet means supplying compressed gas to a selected individual telescoping support member;

(ii) a plurality of pairs of first and second switch means positioned on said body member, said first switch means of each pair for admitting gas to a selected individual telescoping support member, and said second switch means of said pair for releasing gas from said selected individual telescoping support members;

(iii) a gas supply manifold within said body member in communication with said gas inlet means for supplying compressed gas to each of said first switch means,

(iv) a plurality of tank valve members, each valve member operable by one of said first switch means, said valve member controlling admission of compressed gas to one of each outlet means supplying a selected individual telescoping support member; and

(v) a plurality of compressed gas vent means, each connected downstream of one of said tank valve members and upstream of one of said outlet means, said compressed gas vent means controlled by one of said second switch means of said pair ow switch means for releasing gas therefrom,

(f) whereby each said height adjusting leg member is independently height adjustable by said individual control means, thereby providing an elevational and tilt adjustable work surface member.