Articulating cage
First Claim
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1. An apparatus configured to raise and lower an articulating cage with respect to a fixed structure, the apparatus comprising:
- a pair of support structures configured to be affixed to the fixed structure, wherein at least one of the pair of support structures comprises a spring;
first and second lifting arm arrangements, each of said lifting arm arrangements comprising upper and lower lifting arms having;
a first end pivotally connected to a respective one of the pair of support structures such that said upper and lower lifting arms of said first lifting arm arrangement are pivotally connected to a first support structure of said pair of support structures and said upper and lower lifting arms of said second lifting arm arrangement are pivotally connected to a second support structure of said pair of support structures; and
a second end pivotally connected to the articulating cage so as to allow the second end of the upper and lower lifting arms to pivot relative to a floor of the articulating cage;
a load device connected to the spring at one end and proximate to the second end of the first lifting arm arrangement at the other end; and
a hoist operatively connected to the load device to cause movement of the load device in order to raise and lower said articulating cage.
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Abstract
An articulating cage configured to raise and lower with respect to a fixed structure. The articulating cage comprises support structures affixed to the fixed structure and that include one or more springs. The articulating cage includes lifting arms that are pivotally connected to the support structures at one end and to a cage portion at the other end. A load chain connects to the springs at one end and to the lifting arm at the other near to the location where the lifting arm connects to the cage portion.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus configured to raise and lower an articulating cage with respect to a fixed structure, the apparatus comprising:
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a pair of support structures configured to be affixed to the fixed structure, wherein at least one of the pair of support structures comprises a spring; first and second lifting arm arrangements, each of said lifting arm arrangements comprising upper and lower lifting arms having; a first end pivotally connected to a respective one of the pair of support structures such that said upper and lower lifting arms of said first lifting arm arrangement are pivotally connected to a first support structure of said pair of support structures and said upper and lower lifting arms of said second lifting arm arrangement are pivotally connected to a second support structure of said pair of support structures; and a second end pivotally connected to the articulating cage so as to allow the second end of the upper and lower lifting arms to pivot relative to a floor of the articulating cage; a load device connected to the spring at one end and proximate to the second end of the first lifting arm arrangement at the other end; and a hoist operatively connected to the load device to cause movement of the load device in order to raise and lower said articulating cage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method to raise and lower an articulating cage with respect to a fixed structure, the method comprising:
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providing an apparatus comprising; a support structure configured to be affixed to the fixed structure; a lifting arm arrangement comprising upper and lower lifting arms having; a first end pivotally connected to the support structure; and a second end pivotally connected to the articulating cage so as to allow the second end of the upper and lower lifting arms to pivot relative to a floor of the articulating cage, wherein the floor of the articulating cage is configured to support an object resting thereon; a load device connected proximate to the second end of the lifting arm arrangement such that movement of the load device causes movement of the articulating cage; and pulling the load device so that the upper and lower lifting arms are pivoted relative to the support structure at said first end thereof and are pivoted relative to the floor of the articulating cage at said second end thereof such that the floor remains horizontal as the articulating cage is raised and lowered.
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11. A system for moving an articulating cage relative to a fixed structure, the system comprising:
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an upright support configured to be affixed to the fixed structure; a lifting arm arrangement having a first end and a second end, said first end pivotally connected to the upright support at upper and lower connection locations; and said second end of said lifting arm arrangement pivotally connected to the articulating cage at upper and lower connection locations so as to allow the second end of said lifting arm arrangement to pivot relative to a floor of the articulating cage, wherein the floor of the articulating cage is configured to support an object resting thereon, thereby allowing the articulating cage to be lifted or lowered along an arc but allowing the floor of the articulating cage to remain horizontal; a load device connected proximate to the second end of the first lifting arm arrangement, the load device configured to support the articulating cage such that movement of the load device causes movement of the articulating cage; and a hoist operatively connected to the load device to cause movement of the load device in order to raise and lower said articulating cage. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification