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Method and apparatus for automatically lifting a cover

  • US 7,971,287 B2
  • Filed: 04/05/2007
  • Issued: 07/05/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2006
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for lifting a cover from an opening of a housing having an exterior and an interior, wherein the housing further has a housing proximate end defining a proximate portion of the opening and a housing distal end defining a distal portion of the opening, wherein the cover has a proximate portion of the cover pivotally connected to a distal portion of the cover, wherein the proximate cover portion is adapted to cover the proximate portion of the opening, and wherein the distal cover portion is adapted to cover the distal portion of the opening, the apparatus comprising:

  • a first frame member having a first frame member proximate end and a first frame member distal end, wherein the first frame member distal end is pivotally attached at a frame pivot location to the exterior of the housing, andwherein the first frame member proximate end is pivotally and slidably coupled to the proximate cover portion of the cover; and

    a motor coupled to the first frame member and adapted to rotate the first frame member about the frame pivot location from a frame first position to a frame second position, and from the frame second position to a frame third position,wherein the proximate cover portion is disposed in a generally horizontal orientation over the proximate portion of the opening and the distal cover portion is disposed in a generally horizontal orientation over the distal portion of the opening when the first frame member is in the frame first position,wherein the proximate cover portion is lifted from the proximate portion of the opening and the distal cover portion is disposed in a generally horizontal orientation over the distal portion of the opening when the first frame member is in the frame second position, andwherein the proximate cover portion is lifted from the proximate portion of the opening and the distal cover portion is lifted from the distal portion of the opening when the first frame member is in the frame third position;

    wherein the first frame member proximate end defines an elongated slot and wherein the apparatus further comprises a pin attached to the proximate cover portion of the cover and extending through the elongated slot for longitudinal movement therein.

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