Abstract: A suspension lift apparatus includes a platform, a plurality of direction changing sheaves and lifting sheaves mounted to the platform, a plurality of cables and a lifting mechanism positioned on the platform. Ends of cables mounted above the platform extend through the sheaves and are coupled at the opposite cable ends to the lifting mechanism disposed on the platform. Actuation of the lifting mechanism causes the platform to rise or descend. The cables are anchorable to a structure such as a ceiling above the platform. The suspension lift apparatus may include legs to provide an overhead anchor point.

Abstract: A suspension lift apparatus includes a platform, a plurality of direction changing sheaves and lifting sheaves mounted to the platform, a plurality of cables and a lifting mechanism positioned on the platform. Ends of cables mounted above the platform extend through the sheaves and are coupled at the opposite cable ends to the lifting mechanism disposed on the platform. Actuation of the lifting mechanism causes the platform to rise or descend. The cables are anchorable to a structure such as a ceiling above the platform. The suspension lift apparatus may include legs to provide an overhead anchor point.

Abstract: A suspension lift apparatus includes a platform, a plurality of direction changing sheaves and lifting sheaves mounted to the platform, a plurality of cables and a lifting mechanism positioned on the platform. Ends of cables mounted above the platform extend through the sheaves and are coupled at the opposite cable ends to the lifting mechanism disposed on the platform. Actuation of the lifting mechanism causes the platform to rise or descend. The cables are anchorable to a structure such as a ceiling above the platform. The suspension lift apparatus may include legs to provide an overhead anchor point.

Abstract: Lift and slide parking systems employ a plurality of novel trolley apparatus. Each trolley includes a rectangular frame from which a platform may be raised and lowered via cables coupled to lifting bars positioned at each of four corners of the platform. On one side of the frame a slide rail and trolley sliding assembly includes hydraulic cylinders coupled with cables routed through sheaves arranged to enable movement of the trolley horizontally a necessary distance. The slide rail may include grooves in which a sliding block may be slidably retained. On the side opposite the slide rail is a lift rail and platform lift assembly which includes a hydraulic cylinder coupled with one or more belts routed through rollers to a lifting block coupled with cables routed through sheaves and coupled to lifting bars arranged to enable vertical movement of the platform. The lift rail may include grooves in which a cylinder block and lift block are slidably retained.

Abstract: A sliding platform system for moving a vehicle parked on a platform, the sliding platform system including at least one rail and at least one vehicle platform slidably movable upon the at least one rail, a chain drive assembly comprising a chain, motor and sprockets, a chain guide channel positioned adjacent the at least one rail, and at least one latching mechanism mounted to the platform and slidably engaged in the chain guide channel, wherein the chain drive assembly is operably coupled to the latching mechanism and wherein a portion of the chain is positioned in the chain guide channel, wherein the chain guide channel includes at least one detent operable to engage the latching mechanism when the latching mechanism is positioned in alignment with the detent and to disengage the chain from a chain engagement element in the latching mechanism. The chain drive assembly is operable to move one or more platforms along the rail to pre-selected positions.

Abstract: A sliding platform system for moving a vehicle parked on a platform, the sliding platform system including at least one rail and at least one vehicle platform slidably movable upon the at least one rail, a chain drive assembly comprising a chain, motor and sprockets, a chain guide channel positioned adjacent the at least one rail, and at least one latching mechanism mounted to the platform and slidably engaged in the chain guide channel, wherein the chain drive assembly is operably coupled to the latching mechanism and wherein a portion of the chain is positioned in the chain guide channel, wherein the chain guide channel includes at least one detent operable to engage the latching mechanism when the latching mechanism is positioned in alignment with the detent and to disengage the chain from a chain engagement element in the latching mechanism. The chain drive assembly is operable to move one or more platforms along the rail to pre-selected positions.

Abstract: Lift and slide parking systems employ a plurality of novel trolley apparatus. Each trolley includes a rectangular frame from which a platform may be raised and lowered via cables coupled to lifting bars positioned at each of four corners of the platform. On one side of the frame a slide rail and trolley sliding assembly includes hydraulic cylinders coupled with cables routed through sheaves arranged to enable movement of the trolley horizontally a necessary distance. The slide rail may include grooves in which a sliding block may be slidably retained. On the side opposite the slide rail is a lift rail and platform lift assembly which includes a hydraulic cylinder coupled with one or more belts routed through rollers to a lifting block coupled with cables routed through sheaves and coupled to lifting bars arranged to enable vertical movement of the platform. The lift rail may include grooves in which a cylinder block and lift block are slidably retained.

Abstract: A suspension lift apparatus includes a platform, a plurality of direction changing sheaves and lifting sheaves mounted to the platform, a plurality of cables and a lifting mechanism positioned on the platform. Ends of cables mounted above the platform extend through the sheaves and are coupled at the opposite cable ends to the lifting mechanism disposed on the platform. Actuation of the lifting mechanism causes the platform to rise or descend. The cables are anchorable to a structure such as a ceiling above the platform. The suspension lift apparatus may include legs to provide an overhead anchor point.

Abstract: A cantilever parking lift system having columns and a platform includes a lift mechanism employing a vertically movable dynamic cross chain sheave assembly positioned adjacent a column, a vertically movable static cross chain sheave assembly positioned adjacent a second column, a cross chain extending from the first base and functionally engaged with the dynamic cross chain sheave assembly and static cross chain sheave assembly and to a block assembly housed in a base, wherein the block assembly is movable along a length of the first base and operable to raise the dynamic cross chain sheave assembly, and wherein the cross chain extends beneath and transversely across the platform. An actuator is positionable in the base, rather than in or around the vertical column.

Abstract: A portable, lightweight lift system employing one or more lift assemblies that counters effects of staging is disclosed. The lift system includes multiple lift assemblies, wherein each assembly may be connected to a lifting device such as a hydraulic or motorized jack. A lifting device comprises moving parts which are nested such that the difference in diameters of each of the moving parts is minimized. In one aspect, the lifting device is provided with an arrangement of seals such that, the working area of a smaller diameter tube is greater than the working area of a larger diameter tube causing the smaller tube to move before the larger tube.

Abstract: A cantilever parking lift system having columns and a platform includes a lift mechanism employing a vertically movable dynamic cross chain sheave assembly positioned adjacent a column, a vertically movable static cross chain sheave assembly positioned adjacent a second column, a cross chain extending from the first base and functionally engaged with the dynamic cross chain sheave assembly and static cross chain sheave assembly and to a block assembly housed in a base, wherein the block assembly is movable along a length of the first base and operable to raise the dynamic cross chain sheave assembly, and wherein the cross chain extends beneath and transversely across the platform. An actuator is positionable in the base, rather than in or around the vertical column.

Abstract: An improved multilevel parking system includes platforms having an angled cross section member disposed at an end thereof, which facilitates close nesting of, and lateral support for, the platforms. A drive-on ramp may be attached to a lower-most platform, facilitating movement of vehicles onto the platforms.

Abstract: A fall prevention assembly for vertical lift systems for storage and in particular for parking motor vehicles, the lift system comprising a frame extending upward from a base and at least one platform that is raised vertically within that frame responsive to a lift mechanism upon which a vehicle is parked, the fall prevention assembly comprising a series of metal bars of sufficient size and strength to resist bending attached to the base of the unit and extending upward through a series of bushings mounted strategically on each platform usually at the corners. These bushings can be designed with ridges or teeth inside. As long as the platform or platforms remain level and in proper alignment with the lifting system and within the frame the bushings simply move up and down along the metal bars. In the case of the failure of a lifting means the platform or platforms would become unlevel or tilt and the bushings would bind upon the metal bar.

Abstract: An improved multilevel parking system includes platforms having an angled cross section member disposed at an end thereof, which facilitates close nesting of, and lateral support for, the platforms. A drive-on ramp may be attached to a lower-most platform, facilitating movement of vehicles onto the platforms.

Abstract: A portable, lightweight lift system employing one or more lift assemblies that counters effects of staging is disclosed. The lift system includes multiple lift assemblies, wherein each assembly may be connected to a lifting device such as a hydraulic or motorized jack. A lifting device comprises moving parts which are nested such that the difference in diameters of each of the moving parts is minimized. In one aspect, the lifting device is provided with an arrangement of seals such that, the working area of a smaller diameter tube is greater than the working area of a larger diameter tube causing the smaller tube to move before the larger tube.

Abstract: A fall prevention assembly for vertical lift systems for storage and in particular for parking motor vehicles, the lift system comprising a frame extending upward from a base and at least one platform that is raised vertically within that frame responsive to a lift mechanism upon which a vehicle is parked, the fall prevention assembly comprising a series of metal bars of sufficient size and strength to resist bending attached to the base of the unit and extending upward through a series of bushings mounted strategically on each platform usually at the corners. These bushings can be designed with ridges or teeth inside. As long as the platform or platforms remain level and in proper alignment with the lifting system and within the frame the bushings simply move up and down along the metal bars. In the case of the failure of a lifting means the platform or platforms would become unlevel or tilt and the bushings would bind upon the metal bar.

Abstract: A vertical lift system for storage and in particular for parking motor vehicles comprising a multi-level frame comprising a structure extending upward from a base, and a lifting mechanism centrally positioned within the frame and in communication with each level, and a plurality of platforms positioned on each level about the lift mechanism the plurality of platforms for the receipt of a vehicle. The lift mechanism has capability to retrieve a selected vacant platform and transport it to an entrance/exit level, which can be located at any level within the structure, for positioning of a vehicle thereon, and subsequent transportation to its position on the frame.

Abstract: A fall prevention assembly for vertical lift systems for storage and in particular for parking motor vehicles, the lift system comprising a frame extending upward from a base and at least one platform that is raised vertically within that frame responsive to a lift mechanism upon which a vehicle is parked, the fall prevention assembly comprising a series of metal bars of sufficient size and strength to resist bending attached to the base of the unit and extending upward through a series of bushings mounted strategically on each platform usually at the corners. These bushings can be designed with ridges or teeth inside. As long as the platform or platforms remain level and in proper alignment with the lifting system and within the frame the bushings simply move up and down along the metal bars. In the case of the failure of a lifting means the platform or platforms would become unlevel or tilt and the bushings would bind upon the metal bar.

Abstract: A vertical lift system for storage and in particular for parking motor vehicles comprising a multi-level frame comprising structural means extending upward from a base, and a lifting means centrally positioned within the frame and in communication with each level, and a plurality of platforms positioned on each level about the lifting means, the plurality of platforms for the receipt of a vehicle. The lifting means has capability to retrieve a selected vacant platform and transport it to an entrance/exit level, which can be located at any level within the structure, for positioning of a vehicle thereon, and subsequent transportation to its position on the frame.

Abstract: A frame supported by a base has at least an upper platform and a lower platform adapted to be nested together and supported at lower positions by the base. The upper and lower platforms are adapted to be moved upward for supporting vehicles above the ground. Lifting mechanism is provided for lifting the upper platform with a vehicle thereon to a first upper level sufficient to allow a vehicle to be located on the lower platform. Connecting straps extend between the two platforms such that when the upper platform is moved upward beyond the first upper level, the lower platform is pulled upward by the connecting straps. The lifting mechanism is adapted to move the upper platform with a vehicle thereon upward to a second upper level sufficient to pull the lower platform with a vehicle thereon to a level sufficient to allow a vehicle to be driven thereunder.