Abstract: A solenoid operated circuit comprises a solenoid switch having a solenoid coil for moving one or more electrical contacts from a first position to a second position to switch an electrical motor ON/OFF, and a solenoid controller that includes an arc suppression circuit that mitigates a reverse self-induced voltage from the electrical motor thereby suppressing electrical arcing on switch contacts.

Abstract: A lifting system includes a vertically extending parallel pair of fixedly spaced apart guide surfaces, a linear actuator suspended vertically between said pair of guide surfaces, a vertically elongate runner member having a pivotal connection to a lower end of said linear actuator to be vertically reciprocated by said actuator, a load bearing member at a lower end of said runner member at a location spaced downwardly from said pivotal connection and a vertically spaced apart pair of sliding contact members on said runner member for relatively slidable contact with said pair of guide surfaces during vertical reciprocation of said runner member by said actuator. Each of said contact members comprises a projecting contact pad having a concave surface for slidable contact with one of said guide surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lift gate system. In one embodiment, the lift gate system comprises a lift platform, a lifting mechanism, and at least one stop member. The lifting mechanism moves the lift platform between a raised position and a lowered position. The lift platform is substantially aligned with an extension plate when the lift platform is in the raised position. The stop members are positioned between the extension plate and the lift platform. The stop members provide a gap between the extension plate and the lift platform when the lift platform is in the raised position.

Abstract: The present invention provides folding assisting arm assembly for lift gates. In one embodiment, the folding assisting arm assembly comprises a folding assisting apparatus for a lift gate having a platform with a foldable section. The apparatus comprises an elongated arm, and a pivot axle, wherein a proximal end of the elongated arm is pivotably mounted on the pivot axle. The apparatus further comprises a spring for spring loading the elongated arm. When the folding assisting apparatus is mounted on the lift gate proximate the platform, a biasing tension in the spring urges a distal end of the elongated arm on the foldable section of the lift platform during a portion of movement of the lift platform to maintain the foldable section folded.

Abstract: The present invention provides a locking assembly for a ramp of a lift gate. The locking assembly comprises an elongated locking arm and a spring for spring loading the locking arm. The locking arm is pivotably disposed on a pivot point relative to the ramp. A biasing tension in the spring urges a proximal end of the locking arm to engage with a cam portion of the ramp to maintain the ramp in a selected position. The cam portion has multiple engagement surfaces for individually engaging with the locking arm, wherein selectively engaging the locking arm with each engagement surface of the cam portion maintains the ramp in a corresponding selected position.

Abstract: A cart stop suitable for use with a lift platform is described. The cart stop has a closed position which allows a cart or other wheeled device to move over it. The cart stop also has an open position which prevents the cart or other wheeled device from rolling off of the lift platform.

Abstract: A lifting system includes a vertically extending parallel pair of fixedly spaced apart guide surfaces, a linear actuator suspended vertically between said pair of guide surfaces, a vertically elongate runner member having a pivotal connection to a lower end of said linear actuator to be vertically reciprocated by said actuator, a load bearing member at a lower end of said runner member at a location spaced downwardly from said pivotal connection and a vertically spaced apart pair of sliding contact members on said runner member for relatively slidable contact with said pair of guide surfaces during vertical reciprocation of said runner member by said actuator. Each of said contact members comprises a projecting contact pad having a concave surface for slidable contact with one of said guide surfaces.

Abstract: A roll stop system for a lift includes a roll stop member that is movable between a raised position and a lowered position, a driving mechanism for moving the roll stop member between the raised position and the lowered position, and a spring member acting as a buffer between the driving mechanism and the roll stop member, and preferably the spring member protects the driving mechanism from damage due to abnormal operations of the roll stop member.

Abstract: A cart stop suitable for use with a lift platform is described. The cart stop has a closed position which allows a cart or other wheeled device to move over it. The cart stop also has an open position which prevents the cart or other wheeled device from rolling off of the lift platform.

Abstract: The invention provides a moveable underride system that may be used with lifts such as stow lifts. The underride system includes an underride member and a linkage mechanism for coupling the underride member to a support frame, wherein the linkage mechanism moves the underride member between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position the underride member is at a first distance from the frame, and in the retracted position the underride is at a second distance from the frame, such that the first distance (for the extended position) is larger than the second distance (for the retracted position).

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for controlling power to a DC load ON and OFF. The apparatus has a first FET bank, a second FET bank, connected in series with a first FET bank, and a controller. The controller is configured for detecting a operational failure of at least one of the FET banks, and turning at least on of the FET banks OFF in response, thereby turning power to the DC load OFF. The controller may also detect a operational failure of one of the FET banks, and turn the other FET bank OFF in response, thereby turning power to the DC load OFF.

Abstract: A ramp section for a load platform has one or two elongate rectangular stop plates pivotally mounted in the ramp section adjacent a rear edge of the load surface of the platform. Each stop plate is coaxially fitted with a pawl having an angularly spaced apart pair of lobes. A detent member is pivotally mounted on the ramp section rearwardly adjacent to the pawl and biased into operative alignment therewith for selectively engaging one or the other of the lobes to hold the stop plate in either a retracted position or a stop position. The detent has a foot-operable pedal portion. The stop plate is normally biased into an erect stop position so that initial depression of the pedal effects raising of the stop plate from retracted position to a latched erect position. Upon subsequent depression of the pedal, the other foot of the user is used to force the stop plate into retracted position whereupon release of the pedal effects latching of the stop plate in retracted position.

Abstract: A lift platform has a retention ramp whose forward edge is pivotally connected to a rear edge of the platform by a hinge that permits inversion of the retention ramp to a stowed position overlying the platform. A latch member is mounted on a lateral edge of the retention ramp in operative alignment with a detent block secured to the rear edge of the platform, the detent block having a center on the axis of the hinge. The latch member is pivotally mounted and torsionally biased to press the nose portion into engagement with the periphery of the detent block, the latter having detent notches angularly spaced apart relative to its center for defining intermediate and stowed positions of the retention ramp. During movement of the retention ramp between extended and intermediate positions the nose of the latch engages a convex portion of the detent block periphery of a radius to depress the latch against the biasing force of the torsion spring.

Abstract: A mobile concrete remix and transfer device includes an elongate open-topped surge bin, a remixing and transfer agitator rotatably mounted in the bin to move concrete toward one end, and an upwardly inclined discharge screw conveyor mounted in one end of the bin to transfer concrete therefrom to an upper discharge end near the upper edge of the surge bin. The device is particularly useful for direct or shuttle transfer hauling within the close confines of tunnel construction in a manner in which concrete can be loaded into and discharged from the bin at points directly adjacent the open upper edge thereof without the need for vertical lifting or tilting adjustment of the bin. The device may also be skid-mounted and positioned directly on the ground, loaded directly from a low discharge height truck mixer, and discharged directly into a concrete pump hopper, bucket, or the like.

Abstract: In a parallelogram linkage system whose swingable outer end supports a platform turnable between horizontal and vertical positions, the parallel arm has a hub to rotatably support a crank member. The companion lift arm of the linkage carries an actuator pin engaged with a cam surface of the crank member. The cam surface is disposed generally radially with respect to the hub and oppositely to a pin carried at the other side of the crank member. One end of the drive link is pivotally connected to the crank member pin with the opposite end pivotally connected to a short link whose upper end is coaxially pivotally connected at the pivot axis of the load platform. The platform mounts a stop member that is movable between active and inactive positions. In the active position, the stop member abuts the outer end of the drive link whereby upon cammed rotation of the crank member the platform is turned between horizontal and vertical positions.

Abstract: An adjustable high discharge stub chute is mounted on a concrete hauling and discharge vehicle to allow discharge into a hopper or the like which is too high for access by the conventional discharge chute. The high discharge stub chute is hydraulically operated to provide a range of selected discharge positions and a lower inoperative storage position, the latter position being one in which the stub chute is completely out of the path of a conventional discharge chute of the swing-away type.

Abstract: A main frame pivotally supports the forward ends of a laterally spaced apart pair of parallelogram linkage systems. Each linkage system comprises an upper link and a two section lower link, rear ends of which are pivotally interconnected to a rear shackle, the lower end of which has a ground engageable roller. A load platform is pivotally connected along its forward edge to the rear ends of the upper links. The rear sections of the lower links are rigidly interconnected by a lift frame that is fitted at its opposite ends with upstanding crank members. A hydraulic piston cylinder mechanism is mounted adjacent each linkage system with its butt end pivotally connected to the main frame and the piston rod of each cylinder is pivotally connected to one of the upstanding crank members. The forward and rear sections of each lower link are pivotally interconnected by a knuckle pin and each lower link includes stops to bidirectionally limit relative angular displacement of the two sections.

Abstract: A forward platform section is hingedly connected at its forward edge to lower ends of a pair of runner assemblies that are vertically movably mounted in guides of a supporting framework. A closed rear edge of the forward platform section is hingedly interconnected to a closed forward edge of a rear platform section, the hinge connection being adapted for folding an underside of the rear platform section into superposition over an underside of the forward platform section. The curb side runner assembly incorporates a power cylinder for rotating the forward platform section between vertical and horizontal positions. A known linkage effects rotation of the rear platform section between vertical and horizontal positions as a function of corresponding rotation of the forward platform section.

Abstract: The load platform of a lift is carried by a runner mounted for vertical reciprocation along a hollow guide column. Within the column the runner and its load are suspended from a short length of a leaf chain that, in turn, is suspended from a powered vertically reciprocable wire rope. The leaf chain extends between a pair of cam pawls pivotally mounted on a brake body carried by the runner, with the pivot axis of the pawls oriented parallel to the pivot axes of the links of the chain. The pawls are biased in a direction to move out of a retracted position into an extended position wherein they engage one side of the column to jam the brake body against an opposite side of the column. The pawls have a contact pin confronting one side of the chain such that when the chain is under tension it bears on the contact pin and so maintains the pawls in retracted position.