Abstract: A substrate transport apparatus including a frame, at least one arm link rotatably connected to the frame and a shaftless drive section. The shaftless drive section including stacked drive motors for rotating the at least one arm link relative to the frame through a shaftless interface, each of the stacked drive motors including a stator having stator coils disposed on a fixed post fixed relative to the frame and a rotor substantially peripherally surrounding the stator such that the rotor is connected to a respective one of the at least one arm link for rotating the one of the at least one arm link relative to the frame causing an extension or retraction of the one of the at least one arm link, where the stacked drive motors are disposed in the at least one arm link so that part of each stator is within a common arm link.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to semiconductor process equipment used to transfer semiconductor substrates between process chambers. More specifically, embodiments described herein are related to systems and methods used to transfer, or swap, semiconductor substrates between process chambers using a transport device that employs at least two blades for the concurrent transfer of substrates between processing chambers.

Abstract: A pickup truck tailgate lift apparatus attachable with no body modification, to create a powered lift function utilizing the tailgate as a load platform. Two side assemblies, which extend a lift mechanism beyond the rear bumper, are mounted over the existing tailgate pivot and upper cable anchor pin so that the tailgate may be opened and closed with respect to the side assemblies in the same manner that it is opened and closed with respect to the cargo box. The vehicle tailgate is attached to an electric drive plate assembly so that the tailgate, and a load place on the tailgate, is raised or lowered as the drive plate assembly is raised and lowered. In one embodiment, an electric motor is placed on each side to drive a treaded rod to move a drive plate up or down.

Abstract: An illustrative example method of making a magnetic drive component includes inserting a plurality of metal teeth into a metal tube. The teeth respectively have a first portion received against an inner surface of the tube. The teeth respectively have a second portion and a third portion spaced apart and projecting toward a center of the tube. The method includes securing the plurality of teeth to the tube.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool having a motor, a cutting member and a transmission linking the cutting member to the motor, the motor and the transmission being housed in a main housing, the transmission having a ball screw/nut mechanism with a screw and a nut, one of the screw and the nut being rotatably engaged with the motor, and the other of the screw and the nut being linked to the cutting member. The tool has a protective housing for protecting the ball screw/nut mechanism, separate from the main housing, and a sliding seal cooperating with an inner face of the protective housing, the sliding seal being driven by one of the nut and the screw linked to the cutting member, the sliding seal being rigidly connected respectively to one of a sleeve covering the nut and a cap protecting the screw.

Abstract: The present jack apparatus is particularly adapted for heavy duty lifting. The jack apparatus includes a base; a pair of screw jacks; a yoke supported by the screw jacks; a lifting tube supported on the yoke; a shaft coupler coupling the screw jacks; a power unit driving one of the screw jacks and through the shaft coupler also driving the other screw jack; and a housing covering the screw jacks and other components. The pair of screw jacks each have threaded lifting shafts designed to eliminate risk of unexpected lowering of the jack's lifting tube even if power is lost. A jack system is described including two or more of the jack apparatus controlled by a single control for simultaneous operation.

Abstract: A pickup truck tailgate lift apparatus attachable with no body modification, to create a powered lift function utilizing the tailgate as a load platform. Two side assemblies, which extend a lift mechanism beyond the rear bumper, are mounted over the existing tailgate pivot and upper cable anchor pin so that the tailgate may be opened and closed with respect to the side assemblies in the same manner that it is opened and closed with respect to the cargo box. The vehicle tailgate is attached to an electric drive plate assembly so that the tailgate, and a load place on the tailgate, is raised or lowered as the drive plate assembly is raised and lowered. In one embodiment, an electric motor is placed on each side to drive a treaded rod to move a drive plate up or down.

Abstract: A rack system is provided that includes a plurality of trays configured to hold a respective plurality of battery-powered UAVs, and a frame configured to support the plurality of trays in a vertical arrangement. Each tray of the plurality of trays includes a platform, bumper and first plurality of electrical contacts. The platform may be configured to carry a UAV of the plurality of battery-powered UAVs. The bumper may be sized and positioned on the platform to guide the UAV to a resting position on the platform. And the first plurality of electrical contacts may be connected to a battery-charging apparatus, and configured to physically and electrically contact a respective second plurality of electrical contacts connected to a respective plurality of batteries on the UAV at the resting position on the platform. A related battery-charging apparatus including a charge switching system for charging battery-powered UAVs is also provided.

Abstract: This mobile, aircraft engine stand provides mobility and ease of operation by one person. The stand includes a frame, a pair of vertical jack screws vertically mounted on the frame and a precision rail system configured to allow for stable and efficient linear motion. A pair of quick change, engine lifting arms are attached to the pair of vertical jack screws; and an electrical control and control panel make unloading, transporting, assembling and moving an engine a one person operation. A plurality of casters allows for easy swiveling of the stand.

Abstract: A cooking appliance including: a cavity having a cooking space; a separating plate which forms a plurality of compartments from the cooking space of the cavity, and is provided so as to move inside the cavity in such a way as to be able to vary the sizes of the compartmentalized cooking spaces; a first heating source positioned so as to cook an item to be cooked provided in one of the cooking spaces; a second heating source positioned so as to cook an item to be cooked provided in another of the cooking spaces; and a separating-plate moving mechanism for moving the separating plate vertically.

Abstract: A double screw elevator consists of two screws whose helical threads extend in opposite helical directions, and each of the screws is provided with a nut, so that a suspension unit and a carrying unit on the nuts can be driven to move close to or away from each other, thus achieving the function of lifting or lowering the elevator car. The double screw elevator is simply structured, easy to assemble, and the length of a single screw of the elevator is shortened, making it easier to manufacture the screw. Furthermore, the screw driving elevator reduces the occurrence of accident whiling improving the rate of utilization.

Abstract: A vertical lift platform assembly 100 has a lift platform 140, which is translatable in a vertical direction between at least a raised position and a lowered position by at least one actuator 200. The lift platform 140 may be surrounded on all sides by vertically extending walls 112 and one or more doors 110 to provide access to the lift platform 140. A control panel 113 enables an operator to control the vertical travel of the lift platform 140.

Abstract: With an aging population, stair safety is a growing concern. Many inventions have been suggested to aid older people in handling stairs. Most of them offer sitting arrangements that are moved by rather complex motor-driven devices attached to one side of the stairs. These devices are complicated and expensive. A new device is suggested that consists of a vertical pole turned by a reversible motor, thereby moving the platform up or down. The platform carries standing person(s) one by one, or two or three in a group, or one sitting in wheelchair from one floor to the next above or down below. This device is inexpensive, can be used with stairs interrupted by landings or with spiral staircase, and does not require the changing or redistribution of the designed building spaces.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus includes a vertical guide device, a turntable device which is movable along the vertical guide device upwards or downwards, and a first driving device which drives the turntable device moving in an upward and downward direction guided by the vertical guide device. The turntable device includes a bracket which is slidably engaged with the vertical guide device and projects perpendicularly toward a side of the vertical guide device, a turntable which is rotatably provided on the bracket, and a second driving device which rotates the turntable on the bracket.

Abstract: A double screw elevator consists of two screws whose helical threads extend in opposite helical directions, and each of the screws is provided with a nut, so that a suspension unit and a carrying unit on the nuts can be driven to move close to or away from each other, thus achieving the function of lifting or lowering the elevator car. The double screw elevator is simply structured, easy to assemble, and the length of a single screw of the elevator is shortened, making it easier to manufacture the screw. Furthermore, the screw driving elevator reduces the occurrence of accident whiling improving the rate of utilization.

Abstract: The battery counterweighted elevator is adapted for rack and pinion or cable traction elevators. The elevator uses electrical power from a solar cell array to charge or recharge storage batteries, which, in turn, provide the electrical power to drive the elevator. The storage batteries serve as counterweights for at least a substantial portion of the weight of the elevator car, and travel up and down opposite the car. A traveling cable connects the elevator car with the batteries in the counterweight in the case of the rack and pinion elevator, with the cable providing power to the drive motor situated with the car and also providing control of the system from the car. The cable traction elevator has a traveling control cable extending to a fixed junction box, with power supplied from the batteries to the junction box and thence to the fixed motor at the top of the hoistway.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift assembly is provided. The wheelchair lift assembly includes a frame, a platform, and a lift mechanism associated with the frame. The lift mechanism includes a stabilizing arm and at least one lift arm member having a first end connected to the platform. The first end of the lift arm member pivots and translates relative to the platform as the platform is reciprocated between raised and lowered positions. The wheelchair lift assembly also includes a drive assembly. The drive assembly selectively provides a driving force to the lift mechanism without directly providing the driving force to the stabilizing arm.

Abstract: An anesthesia equipment lift which couples to a table to provide an anesthesia equipment mount surface coupled to a lift element which travels from a first location to a second location to position mounted inhalation anesthesia equipment proximate to a patient located on the table surface to perform inhalation anesthesia.

Abstract: An aerial work platform, in one embodiment, includes a platform, including a hydraulic lift, and a base unit. The base unit includes a combustion engine and a hydraulic pump driven by the combustion engine. The hydraulic pump may be configured to drive the hydraulic lift. The base unit may also include a rotary screw type compressor, belt-driven by the combustion engine.

Abstract: The rolling friction force of ball screw is much small than the sliding friction force of it. Using ball screw as the transmission mechanism for elevator, so as to find the differences of friction forces between rolling motion and sliding motion. Besides, the current of motor has the obvious relationship to the driving force of motor, we use current of motor for ball screw type elevator to monitor the system. And, before the serious damage occurring, the monitor system can find the different form the current of motor, and make the operation for elevator safer.

Abstract: An improved lead screw actuator for use in applications including power vehicle windows is provided that significantly reduces the amount of machining that must be performed on the lead screw to enable secure attachment of a gear or pulley. The lead screw has a plurality of threads on its outer annular surface and a first and second axially spaced circumferential groove. A gear or pulley disposed about the lead screw has a female thread formed into an inner annular surface that is configured to engage at least one of the plurality of threads of the lead screw between the first and second grooves. A pair of rings are disposed within the first and second grooves in order to restrict axial movement of the gear or pulley on the lead screw.

Abstract: An elevator includes an elevator car guided to move up and down relative to a supporting member, a screw shaft having an upper end attached to the supporting member, a driving nut rotatably supported in a coupling device and threaded with the screw shaft, one driving device coupled to rotate the screw shaft and to move the driving nut up and down along the screw shaft, and a coupling device rotatably attached onto the driving nut and coupled to the elevator car. Another spare driving device may further be coupled to drive the screw shaft for moving the elevator car to a lower level or a safe location when the driving device either fails or is damaged.

Abstract: A load stopping system for mechanically stopping a load in a relatively slow and controlled manner using rotational and frictional forces. The system includes a glide rod, a guide collar that moves longitudinally over the glide rod, two vertically mounted friction rods mounted on opposite sides of the glide rod, a friction collar that moves longitudinally along each friction rod, and a support platform coupled to each friction collar and to the guide collar. The glide rod includes a spiral fluted vane along its entire length upon which the guide collar rides when a force is placed on the support platform. The friction rod and collars use friction to control the movement of the support platform along the direction of travel.

Abstract: An improved RV lift mechanism according to the present invention. In one embodiment, the lift functions by way of an elongated, rotatably mounted acme screw. A bracket slides parallel to the acme screw, securing to an acme screw and an object to be lifted. The acme nut is threaded onto the acme screw and further held from rotation by the bracket. Thus, as the acme screw turns, it presses against the bracket, lifting or lowering both it and its payload.

Abstract: A device supported by a ground surface and a structure for at least one of elevating and descending a user. The device includes a first guide rail having a first channel extending along a length thereof and a second guide rail having a second channel extending along the length thereof. At least one connector connects the first guide rail with the second guide rail at a predetermined location along a length thereof so that said first channel and said second channel face inwards towards each other. A platform for supporting the user having a predetermined amount of weight is connected within each of the first and second channels and between the first guide rail and second guide rail. The device further includes means for moving the platform along the length of each of the first channel and the second channel.

Abstract: There is provided a double-deck elevator which does not cause any impacts or vibrations on each cage when adjusting the spacing in the vertical direction between upper and lower cages. Loads on an upper support beam from right and left support arms for hoisting and supporting the upper cage are measured by right and left upper measuring units. Similarly, loads on a lower support beam from right and left support arms for hoisting and supporting the lower cage are measured by right and left lower measuring units. Because the magnitude of the loads on the right and left screw shafts can be obtained correctly, any impacts or vibrations caused on each cage can be prevented when adjusting the spacing in the vertical direction by correctly controlling the drive torque output from right and left drive motors.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed that provides motion and force while maintaining parallelism between a base structure and a movable structure. This is accomplished by opposed pairs of pivoting arm assemblies, which are synchronized by a timing device that links opposed pairs of pivoting arm assemblies to ensure that the arm assemblies move the same distance. The mechanism operates in any spatial orientation. Applications of the mechanism include lift tables, adjustable work stations, vertically adjustable conveyors, and others.

Abstract: A lifting mechanism for a sealing device comprises a lift including an upper pulley assembly and a lower pulley assembly, the lift being coupled to the sealing device by a thread rod for either lifting or lowering the sealing device; a rope assembly the rope assembly passing the upper pulley assembly; a rope terminal adjacent the sealing device, the rope terminal being coupled to one end of the rope assembly; a power terminal coupled to the other end of the rope assembly; and a connection cable coupled between the power terminal and the rope terminal through the lower pulley assembly. There is no arc formed by the rope assembly during the lifting or lowering of the sealing device, thereby causing no interference to an operation of the sealing device.

Abstract: A vibration-dampening base for a ball-type lead screw of a load port transfer system is disclosed. A load port transfer system includes a vertical arm drive motor assembly, a ball-type lead screw, and a vibration-dampening base connecting the vertical arm drive motor assembly to the ball-type lead screw. The vibration-dampening case can include a cross member into which the ball-type lead screw is disposed, one or more pillar members supporting the cross member, and one or more support stands. Each support stand supports a corresponding one of the one or more pillar members.

Abstract: Apparatus for facilitating the installation of a modular cabinet assembly on a wall includes two adjustable height lifting and leveling assemblies each having a base portion positionable on the floor. An upper portion of each assembly has spaced structures useable for receiving sections of two elongated, horizontally spaced apart support members which extend parallel to one another and to the wall. With the assemblies in a horizontally spaced relationship with one another and secured to the wall, and a plurality of cabinet modules resting on top side portions of the support members, the modules are secured to one another, and the resulting assembly is leveled about axes perpendicular and parallel to the wall by using leveling portions of the assemblies to vary the heights of the support member sections disposed in the receiving sections. The leveled cabinet assembly is then anchored to the wall.

Abstract: An integrated circuit tester includes a fail-safe mechanism for moving an integrated circuit chip between an initial position where the integrated circuit chip is inserted into the tester, and a test position where the integrated circuit chips is actually tested. This fail-safe mechanism includes a motor and a shaft which the motor rotates to move the integrated circuit chip. An electronic control circuit can be included to automatically stop the motor when the integrated circuit reaches its initial position, or its test position; but if the control circuit fails to operate properly, then damage to the integrated circuit tester is prevented by the fail-safe mechanism.

Abstract: A scissors lift with a drive apparatus that raises and lowers a load platform by extending and collapsing a scissors linkage. A drive motor moves a cam follower through generally horizontal reciprocal motion. The cam follower engages and follows a cam mounted on the scissor linkage to extend the scissor linkage. The cam is positioned and shaped to gradually accelerate and decelerate scissor linkage extension. The cam is also shaped to allow the drive motor to accelerate to an optimum desired operating speed before causing the drive motor to bear the load of extending the first scissor linkage and raising the load platform.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hand truck with an electrically operated lifting platform. The hand truck includes a frame on both sides of which two guide rails are formed. The frame is provided with a screw shaft vertically supported on the frame to be vertically moved, one or more stabilizing bars forwardly extended from the frame, and two wheels rotatably attached to the rear portion of the frame. A lifting platform is guided by the guide rails and engaged with the screw shaft. A platform moving unit is comprised of a first drive motor for providing rotating force. The platform is situated in the lifting platform to allow the lifting platform to be moved selectively upward and downward along the screw shaft by the operation of the first drive motor. A control unit is electrically and controllably connected to the first drive motor and a power source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ergonomic platform lift of the type that can be vertically adjusted while supporting a person thereon. More specifically, this lift combines rack and pinion units with at least one screw jack so that a person can be solidly supported without any tilting in the lift and so that the height of the lift can be adjusted with great precision.

Abstract: A spiral propeller provides a better secure and a more reliable spiral comprising spiral-lifting wheels, interlocking wheel interlocked with the spiral-lifting wheel, and fixed track supporting the interlocking wheel; the spiral lifting wheel is a rotating wheel with spiral external teeth, which is fixed at the top of the compartment, so as to drive the compartment for upward and downward movements, and interlock with the interlocking wheel; a interlocking rotating wheel of truncated cone shape, which can rotate along the axial direction of the wheel itself; a fixing track is set up between the guide brackets of the elevator, i.e., between the vertical supporting brackets of the guide bracket, in the appropriate locations are set with interlocking wheels.

Abstract: A store display maximizes shelf space through use of an automated lift assembly that selectively positions product, for example milk containers, at an opening in a wall. The wall defines a customer side and a store side, and the lift assembly monitors product available through the opening and selectively raises additional product from a stacked array into position at the opening. Helical threaded members are preferably disposed on opposite sides of a pallet, or support platform, and are driven in unison in response to a signal from a sensor that product is depleted from an upper level of the stacked array.

Abstract: A galley cart storage system is provided for use with rectangular galley carts (22), (22′) each being supported by a number of wheels. The storage system includes a rectangular upright enclosure (12) and a lift assembly (14) located within the enclosure (12) to move one or more galley carts vertically, in a stacked configuration. The enclosure (12) includes upright corner posts (16) that aid vertical movement of a galley cart. The lift assembly (14) includes a motor (30), a drive screw (32), and a lifting bracket (34). The drive screw (32) is located along one side of the enclosure and is oriented vertically. The drive screw (32) connects to the motor (30) such that rotary motion of the motor (30) causes like rotation of the drive screw (32). The lifting bracket (34) is also located adjacent to the drive screw (32) and is threaded thereon. The lifting bracket (34) includes a cart interface member adapted to engage the lower end of a galley cart.

Abstract: A robot assembly including multiple independently operable robot assemblies are provided for use in semiconductor wafer processing. The robot assembly includes independent co-axial upper and lower robot assemblies adapted to handle multiple objects. The upper robot is stacked above the lower robot and the two robots are mounted concentrically to allow fast wafer transfer. Concentric drive mechanisms may also be provided for imparting rotary motion to either rotate the robot assembly or extend an extendable arm assembly into an adjacent chamber. Each robot can be either a single blade robot or a dual blade robot. Also provided is an apparatus for processing semiconductor wafers comprising a pre/post process transfer chamber housing multiple independent robot assemblies and surrounded by a plurality of pre-process chambers and post process chambers. Within each process, pre-process and post-process chamber is an apparatus for holding a plurality of stacked wafers.

Abstract: A material delivery system is disclosed which is particularly useful for filtered environments, such as clean rooms, minienvironments, or the like. In one embodiment, the material delivery system is disposed below a work area in a clean room-like environment to store parts to be used at the work area. In another embodiment, the material delivery system includes a material delivery elevator for transporting parts to a desired elevational level. In yet another embodiment, the material delivery system includes a cover which is detachably interconnected with a body to define an enclosed material storage area. An assembly is provided to lock the cover down onto the body with a gasket therebetween to appropriately seal this interconnection. This same assembly lifts the cover up and away from the body so as to not damage this gasket.

Abstract: A driving apparatus comprising a roller screw member that includes a main shaft, a plurality of roller shafts projecting radially outwardly and upwardly at an angle from the radial direction of the main shaft and arranged at equally spaced intervals along a helical line around the main shaft, and a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted on the roller shafts. The rollers tapered to the angle are mounted on the roller shafts and oriented with the tapering inwardly to the main shaft thereby providing each roller with a bottom region of its tapered surface being perpendicularly oriented with the axis of the main shaft. The driving apparatus also includes a rail member adjacent and axially oriented with the main shaft of the roller screw member.

Abstract: A linear actuator including a mechanism for preventing accidental drop of an inner cylinder caused when a driven nut engaged with a drive screw shaft is broken. The drop prevention mechanism includes a drop prevention nut threaded with the drive screw shaft in close proximity to the driven nut, a shear pin secured at one end to one of the drop prevention nut and the inner cylinder or the driven nut, and a shear pin guide groove formed in the other of the drop prevention nut and the inner cylinder or the driven nut for slidably receiving a projecting free end portion of the shear. When the inner cylinder and the driven nut is displaced in a direction of a load acting on the inner cylinder, the shear pin is broken or sheared by engagement with an end wall of the shear pin guide groove. Upon shearing of the shear pin, the drop prevention nut supports thereon the inner cylinder or the driven nut to thereby keep the inner cylinder in position against drop.

Abstract: A robot assembly including multiple independently operable robot assemblies are provided for use in semiconductor wafer processing. The robot assembly includes independent co-axial upper and lower robot assemblies adapted to handle multiple objects. The upper robot is stacked above the lower robot and the two robots are mounted concentrically to allow fast wafer transfer. Concentric drive mechanisms may also be provided for imparting rotary motion to either rotate the robot assembly or extend an extendable arm assembly into an adjacent chamber. Each robot can be either a single blade robot or a dual blade robot. Also provided is an apparatus for processing semiconductor wafers comprising a pre/post process transfer chamber housing multiple independent robot assemblies and surrounded by a plurality of pre-process chambers and post process chambers. Within each process, pre-process and post-process chamber is an apparatus for holding a plurality of stacked wafers.

Abstract: A vehicle having accommodations for a wheelchair includes an upper floor panel disposed within the vehicle and having a lowerable portion thereof adapted to support a wheelchair, and a lift mechanism mounted below the upper floor panel for lowering and raising the lowerable portion with respect to the upper floor panel. The lift mechanism comprises threaded holes on a protruding part of the lowerable panel. The threaded holes are engaged by a plurality of jack screws. The jack screws can be driven by a motor, sprocket and chain drive system. These accommodations allow a person in the wheelchair to be lowered to a level where they can comfortably see out the windows of the vehicle.

Abstract: A paver installer (10) is described for receiving and carrying a paver from one location to another location. The paver installer has frame (12) comprising a pair of spaced apart frame members (18) and a longitudinal axis disposed between. To add strength, at least one brace member (24) is disposed between the frame members. Proximate the lower portion of the frame is a wheel assembly(26). So that pavers (62) can be place on pedestals (72) having varying heights above grade, the paver installer has a U-shaped platform (46) slidably mounted to the facing away from the wheel assembly. Substantially cylindrically shaped sleeves (54) are mounted to the platform which respectively slidably engage the frame members. To move the platform along the longitudinal axis, a self locking screw lift (34) is mounted to the at least one brace member and the platform. A shim (60) is provided on the platform to prevent damage to the paver and provide an adjustable fit.

Abstract: A particular configuration of a compact self-aligning lift mechanism is provided for lifting the stem of a pedestal in a processing chamber while minimizing process anomalies due to geometric misalignment and binding of moving pieces. The force associated with supporting a stem in a processing chamber is routed through a first arm through a base portion of a carrier bracket where it engages a linear bearing such that the truck and track of the linear bearing absorb all forces riot aligned with the bearing. A second arm extending from the base portion, for example through a set of slots adjacent to the bearing track support member, is attached to a lift mechanism which can oppose the force from the pedestal stem such that the displacements of the first and second arms are predictable based on the force on that arm.

Abstract: The maneuvering device comprises two hydraulic motors (14, 15), each attached to the base of each screw (4, 5) integrated into each post (2, 3) of a pair of posts. The hydraulic motors (14, 15) are supplied in series by a single course of pressurized fluid and each shunted through a bypass comprising a hydraulic shunt which opens either automatically or is regulated to open completely, partially or progressively. This invention is of particular interest to auto body manufacturers for use on road trailers for carrying vehicles.

Abstract: A combination boat lift apparatus and piling securable to the bottom of a body of water. The boat lift apparatus includes an elongated upright outer tubular member preferably of p.v.c. tubing which has its lower end portion secured into the bottom and filled with concrete or like curable strengthening material. A drive motor is operably mounted within an upper portion near an upper end of the outer tubular member operably connected to a moveable plate mounted for slidable translation within the upper portion. An elongated longitudinally extending slot is formed through a wall of the outer tubular member for receiving a connecting portion of a boat support which is dependently connected to the moveable plate. An inner tubular member may also be provided and is preferred for added strength. The entire arrangement provides a long-lived piling structure which protectively houses the drive equipment for boat lift and support.

Abstract: A cargo delivery vehicle is described having storage for multiple tiers, or levels, of cargo. The delivery vehicle includes one or more elevator assemblies, each of which includes two cargo storage platforms movable so that cargo can be loaded on both platforms from a height corresponding to the upper storage tier and unloaded from both platforms from a height corresponding to the lower storage tier. The elevator assemblies are provided with stabilizing guide rails along which the cargo platforms are raised and lowered. The guide rails of each elevator assembly are spaced so as to allow loading and unloading of cargo from the front, rear, or either side of the vehicle.

Abstract: An automated guided vehicle for carrying a load comprises a mast, a lift carriage, a ball screw drive assembly and a ball screw joint. The ball screw drive assembly has a lift nut and a vertically oriented ball screw. The ball screw joint operatively couples the drive assembly to the lift carriage so as to transmit upward vertical forces from the drive assembly to the lift carriage. The ball screw joint includes first, second, third and fourth shafts which permit the lift nut to move in any horizontal direction and to pivot about any horizontal axis with respect to the lift carriage. As a result, the ball screw joint advantageously prevents the transmission of horizontal forces and angular moments between the ball screw and the lift nut, thereby reducing the wearing out effects of component misalignment on the ball screw assembly.

Abstract: The present invention resides in an elevator mechanism comprising a base plate defining the bottom wall of a chamber disposed above the base plate. The base plate has a top surface and a bottom surface with an opening therein communicating between the top and bottom surfaces. A first drive is disposed below the base plate for linear movement parallel to a first given direction. A carriage is connected for movement to the first drive and carries a lift tube extended upwards from the carriage along the given direction and through the opening in the base plate. The lift tube including a coaxially disposed rotary shaft therewithin. A second drive having an output is provided and is supported on the carriage parallel to the given direction and spaced from the rotary shaft in a side-by-side orientation. A coupling is also provided for drivingly connecting the output of the second drive to the rotary shaft.