Telescoping motorized lift platform

Abstract

A telescoping motorized lift platform, having a plurality of nested telescoping sidewall columns. The upper sidewall column includes a platform and the remaining sidewall columns have sidewalls extending preferably to the adjacent outer nested sidewall columns. A base structure is included for support of the telescoping motorized lift platform. The base structure is provided with multiple rollers or casters for movement and positioning of the lift platform. The lift platform also includes means for raising and lowering. As the lift platform is raised or lowered, the nested sidewall columns will also raise and lower, providing a continuous shield from contact with the means for raising and lowering.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the art of telescoping platforms, and more particularly to telescoping motorized lift platforms having a plurality of nested, telescoping columns.

It is desirable to have a telescoping platform that is portable, easily adjustable, and safe for the operator or other people, animals, or objects near the telescoping lift platform. In many environments, such as warehouses, offices, clinics, restaurants, factories, and machine shops, it is often necessary to use a telescoping lift platform to raise or lower a person, animal, or object to a desired height. For example, if the telescoping platform were to be used in a veterinary clinic to support an animal, it would be very important for the telescoping platform to have all of the above mentioned features for the protection of the animal and the platform operator. Telescoping platforms generally include a single work platform and a means for raising and lowering the platform, such as a scissors linkage lift, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,171,120 and 6,044,927, or a jack screw lift, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,502,667. These previous designs of telescoping platforms typically have exposed the means for raising and lowering the platform without any shielding from contact, which creates a safety hazard for those operating the telescoping platform, or other people, animals, or objects near the telescoping platform. The exposed means for raising and lowering of the platform also creates an unsightly view of the potentially dangerous mechanics of the telescoping platform. When the telescoping platform is utilized in a clinical or office type of environment for example, it would be advantageous to provide a telescoping lift platform where the means for raising and lowering the platform are out of sight.

Covers for adjustable height structures have been provided for covering the means for raising and lowering a platform. These cover systems are commonly of a pleated design and are made from a non-rigid material, such as cloth or soft plastic materials.

Consequently, the need exists to provide a telescoping motorized lift platform that does not suffer the drawbacks of the previous designs, and provides a safer environment for the operator or other people, animals, or objects near the telescoping lift platform, by shielding the means for raising and lowering from contact, and furthermore is more aesthetically appealing to the eye so as to allow its use in a greater selection of environments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a telescoping motorized lift platform, advantageously configured to provide a lift platform that has improved safety features by shielding and protecting the operator or others nearby from the potentially harmful raising and lowering means. In general, this is achieved by providing a plurality of nested telescoping sidewall columns whereby the upper sidewall column preferably includes a platform and the remaining sidewall columns have sidewalls extending preferably to the adjacent outer nested sidewall columns. Each sidewall column preferably includes a lower inner side strip and an upper outer side strip for the purpose of raising and lowering each sidewall column. As the lift platform is raised or lowered, the nested sidewall columns will also raise and lower, providing a continuous shield from contact with the means for raising and lowering.

A base structure is preferably included for support of the telescoping motorized lift platform. Additionally, the base structure may be supported by multiple rollers or casters for movement and positioning of the lift platform. A plurality of stop brackets are preferably attached to the base structure for supporting the sidewall columns. The lift platform may also include means for raising and lowering attached to the base structure, including but not limited to scissors linkage, jack screw, or other conventional motorized, hydraulic, or manually operated lifting apparatus.

The telescoping motorized lift platform preferably includes four sides, although it is within the spirit of the invention to have a telescoping motorized lift platform taking on any practical shape to meet the needs of a particular application, such as but not limited to, a round, oval, or triangular telescoping motorized lift platform.

To operate the lift platform, an operator would activate the means for raising and lowering. This may be accomplished by preferably applying pressure to a footswitch, although other simple control methods such as a switch or pushbuttons are within the spirit of the invention. The means for raising and lowering would then provide vertical movement of the platform and upper sidewall column. By way of example, as the lift platform is being raised by the means for raising and lowering, first the platform and upper sidewall would move in an upward direction. At a point at which the lower inner side strip of the upper sidewall column comes into contact with the upper outer side strip of the first nested sidewall column, the first nested sidewall column will also move in an upward direction. This process will repeat with all or some of the sidewall columns being raised by the previously raised side wall, with the platform ending up at the operator's desired position. At all times through this raising process, the means for raising and lowering are shielded from being in contact with the operator or those nearby. The process as described above is reversed to have the platform lowered.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a telescoping motorized lift platform that will provide a safe environment for the operator or other people, animals, or objects near the telescoping platform by shielding the means for raising and lowering from contact.

It is another object of the invention to provide a telescoping motorized lift platform that is more aesthetically appealing to the eye so as to allow its use in a greater selection of environments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a telescoping motorized lift platform according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a cross section view taken along line 2A-2A of the telescoping motorized lift platform of FIG. 1, showing a preferred embodiment of the telescoping motorized lift platform in a raised position.

FIG. 2B is a side plan view of the telescoping motorized lift platform shown in FIG. 2A, showing a preferred embodiment of the telescoping motorized lift platform in a lowered position.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view showing the preferred embodiment of the telescoping columns of the telescoping motorized lift platform shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view showing an alternative embodiment of the telescoping columns of the telescoping motorized lift platform shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 5A is a top view of the telescoping motorized lift platform as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5B is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the telescoping motorized lift platform as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5C is a top view of an additional alternative embodiment of the telescoping motorized lift platform as shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the views, there is generally designated at 20 a telescoping motorized lift platform according to the present invention. As seen particularly in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B, the lift platform 20 includes a plurality of nested telescoping sidewall columns 30 positioned over a base structure 50 and means for raising and lowering 60 the lift platform 20.

In the preferred embodiment, the nested telescoping sidewall columns 30 include an upper sidewall column 32 having a platform 33 attached thereto by conventional means such as, but not limited to, gluing, nailing, screwing, or welding, and a plurality of sidewall columns 34, 36, 38. Platform 33 includes a first surface 46 for supporting the object or objects to be raised or lowered on the lift platform 20, and a second surface 47, for fastening to the means for raising and lowering 60. The means for raising and lowering 60 may be fastened to the second surface 47 of the platform 33 by any of several different conventional fastening mechanisms, such as, but not limited to, screws, nuts and bolts, nails, adhesives, welding, or any other common methods. In an alternative embodiment, the means for raising and lowering 60 may be fastened to the upper sidewall column 32 by any of several different conventional fastening mechanisms, such as, but not limited to, screws, nuts and bolts, nails, adhesives, welding, or any other common methods.

As best seen in FIG. 3, sidewall columns 32, 34, 36, 38 include an outer surface 48 and an inner surface 49. Sidewall columns 34, 36, 38 preferably include an upper outer side strip 40 attached to the outer surface 48. Sidewall columns 32, 34, 36 preferably include a lower inner sidewall strip 42 attached to the inner surface 49. As the lift platform 20 is raised, a lower inner side strip 42 comes in contact with a respective upper outer side strip 40 in order to raise the side columns 34, 36, 38.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment is shown whereby each inner surface 49 of sidewall columns 32, 34, 36, are connected to an adjacent inner surface 49 of sidewall columns 34, 36, 38, respectively by way of a preferably flexible connecting member 44. Flexible connecting member 44 may be made of a strap material, wire mesh, cable, or other conventional flexible materials. As the lift platform 20 is raised, each connecting member 44 lifts the next inner adjacent sidewall column 34, 36, 38.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the base structure 50 is preferably supported by a plurality of rollers or casters 52 for movement and positioning of the lift platform 20. The rollers 52 preferably include a locking mechanism so as to limit the movement of the telescoping motorized lift platform 20 after the lift platform 20 has been positioned for use. Attached to the base structure 50 are preferably a plurality of stop brackets 54. The stop brackets 54 provide support for the sidewall columns 30. In the preferred embodiment, the means for raising and lowering 60 may be fastened to the base structure 50 by any of several different conventional fastening mechanisms, such as, but not limited to, screws, nuts and bolts, nails, adhesives, welding, or any other common methods.

As best seen in FIGS. 5A-5C, the telescoping motorized lift platform 20 may take on any practical shape depending on the lift platform's 20 intended application. FIG. 5A shows a top view of a preferred embodiment of the telescoping motorized lift platform 20 adapted to be in a triangular shape. FIG. 5B shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of the telescoping motorized lift platform 20 adapted to be in an oval shape. FIG. 5C shows a top view of an additional alternative embodiment of the telescoping motorized lift platform 20 adapted to be in a triangular shape.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A telescoping adjustable height structure comprising:

a base structure;

a plurality of sidewall columns;

a platform positioned on one of the plurality of sidewall columns; and

means for raising and lowering the platform, the means for raising and lowering the platform being attached to the base structure.

2. A structure according to claim 1, whereby the means for raising and lowering is attached to the platform.

3. A structure according to claim 1, whereby the means for raising and lowering is attached to one of the plurality of sidewall columns.

4. A structure according to claim 1, whereby a plurality of the sidewall columns include a lower inner side strip and an upper outer side strip.

5. A structure according to claim 1, whereby the base structure is supported by a plurality of rollers.

6. A structure according to claim 1, including control means for controlling the vertical movement of the structure.

7. A structure according to claim 1, whereby the platform is positioned on top of an upper sidewall column.

8. A structure according to claim 1, whereby the structure is in the shape of a rectangle.

9. A structure according to claim 1, whereby the structure is in the shape of an oval.

10. A structure according to claim 1, whereby the structure is in the shape of a triangle.

11. A structure according to claim 1, including a plurality of stop brackets attached to the base structure.

12. A telescoping adjustable height structure comprising:

a base structure;

a plurality of sidewall columns;

a platform positioned on top of one of the plurality of sidewall columns;

a plurality of connecting members attached to a plurality of the sidewall columns; and

means for raising and lowering the platform, the means for raising and lowering the platform being attached to the base structure.

13. A structure according to claim 12, whereby the means for raising and lowering is attached to the platform.

14. A structure according to claim 12, whereby the means for raising and lowering is attached to one of the plurality of sidewall columns.

15. A structure according to claim 12, whereby the base structure is supported by a plurality of rollers.

16. A structure according to claim 12, including control means for controlling the vertical movement of the structure.

17. A structure according to claim 12, whereby the platform is positioned on top of an upper sidewall column.

18. A structure according to claim 12, whereby the structure is in the shape of a rectangle.

19. A structure according to claim 12, whereby the structure is in the shape of an oval.

20. A structure according to claim 12, whereby the structure is in the shape of a triangle.

21. A structure according to claim 12, including a plurality of stop brackets attached to the base structure.

22. A telescoping cover for an adjustable height structure comprising:

a plurality of sidewall columns;

a platform positioned on top of one of the plurality of sidewall columns; and

a plurality of connecting members attached to a plurality of the sidewall columns.

23. A telescoping cover for an adjustable height structure comprising:

a plurality of sidewall columns;

a platform positioned on one of the plurality of sidewall columns; and

a lower inner side strip and an upper outer side strip positioned on a plurality of the sidewall columns.