Abstract: An improved vehicle jack includes a motorized lift plate that either raises or lowers a vehicle when the motor is operated in one of two directions. The jack also includes a lug-nut removal tool formed of a telescoping, pivotal shaft having an adjustable head at an upper end. A plurality of motorized, magnetized sockets are positioned on the head for tightening and loosening lug nuts. Accordingly, the lift plate is activated to raise the vehicle, and the sockets are properly positioned to automatically remove, retain, and reinstall the wheel's lug nuts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heating method for a reactor (1) for epitaxial deposition; the reactor (1) comprises a susceptor (2) and an inductor (4); the inductor (4) is adapted to heat the susceptor (2) by electromagnetic induction when it is electrically powered; the inductor (4) comprises a plurality of turns (41-47); during heating of the susceptor (2) from a first temperature to a second temperature, the position of one or more turns (43) of the inductor (4) with respect to the susceptor (2) and to the other turns of the inductor (4) is changed. The turns (43) are actuated by means of an appropriate actuation system (61, 62, 63).

Abstract: An underground hangar for storing helicopters includes an underground room (1), made by a structure of reinforced concrete (2) inside which a plurality of columns (11) are situated near the walls and anchored to the floor of reinforced concrete. The columns (11) support a platform (10) which moves between the ground level and the underground level. The helicopter can land on the platform (10) and be automatically brought to the underground level, after which the underground room is automatically closed by the doors (8) and the pilot can go out through an adjacent underground room (1a) provided with its access trap door (4).

Abstract: There is provided an energy management system for managing a current flow in a machine having a lift element being vertically movable by a motor assembly. The energy management system includes a power supplying bus for supplying the motor assembly, a battery source, an energy storage device and an associated controller, and a main controller for controlling the energy-storage-device controller and thus the powering of the motor assembly, while factoring a height and a movement of the lift element. The system generally seeks to manage the energy flow between the battery, motors and supercapacitors so as to maintain the battery current as low as possible by controlling the motor's speed, to maintain the battery power demand constant over time, and to store the regenerated energy into supercapacitors in order to avoid recharging the battery during operation, as well as to maintain the supercapacitors energy level as high as possible.

Abstract: A multi-lift for lifting and storing motorcycles and other vehicles includes a column, incorporating a vertical threaded shaft therein. The shaft is capable of rotation in opposite directions through a reversing motor. The shaft has a threaded carriage mounted thereon, so that as the shaft rotates in one direction, the vehicle laden carriage may be elevated for storing a vehicle or the reversing motor may be turned in an opposite direction, for lowering a vehicle laden carriage, to provide for unloading a vehicle. The threaded carriage that mounts on the threaded shaft may hold one or more wheeled vehicles, and is telescopically constructed so as to extend its length, to allow for storing one or more vehicles lengthwise thereon.

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 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: 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: The invention is a lifting device, particularly for lifting a motorcycle or similar vehicle. The apparatus comprises a base member adapted to support the apparatus on a level surface, a support beam extending laterally from the base member, a lifting column attached to the far end of the support beam and projecting vertically from the support beam. The lifting apparatus is in engagement with the lifting column, and is adapted to be raised and lowered along the column. The lifting apparatus is configured with detachable mountings for engaging a motorcycle or similar vehicle as well as a mechanism for supporting the motorcycle's kick stand.

Abstract: A lifting device, for use in connection with a motor-cycle or similar vehicle, comprises a generally H-shaped base (10) mounted upon a support-beam (14) associated with a lifting-column (15) and lifting-beam (16). The lifting-beam (16) supports a lifting-assembly of generally T-shape, comprising a first beam (22) and a second beam (23). The beam (22) is of hollow rectangular section and adapted to receive front and rear mountings to support a motor-cycle or similar vehicle. A first set of mountings (24, 25) is adapted to support a motor-cycle beneath its chassis, while a second set of mountings (26, 27) is adapted to support a motor-cycle beneath its tires or wheels. The device includes a bracket-and-clamp assembly (18, 19, 20) to receive and support the vehicle's own side stand.

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 positive drive boat lift apparatus includes a support structure located proximate a body of water. There is an elongate threaded shaft disposed adjacent to the support structure and extending in a substantially vertical direction. A nut threadably engages the shaft. There is a boat accommodating platform and one of the shaft and the nut are attached to the platform. The other of the shaft and the nut are rotatably mounted to the support structure. The shaft and the nut are rotated relative to one another in a first direction to raise the shaft relative to the nut and in an opposite second direction to lower the shaft relative to the nut, whereby the platform and a boat accommodated thereon are selectively lifted and lowered relative to the body of water.

Abstract: An electrically driven car lift apparatus for use in a private garage is provided which operates on standard household electrical power. The lift apparatus is driven by two screws, one being directly connected to an electrical driving device with a transmission carrying rotational force to turn the second screw. The direct mounting of the electric drive device to the lift apparatus reduces the necessary area required to operate the lift apparatus and creates a convenient design for use in a typical space-restricted private home garage.

Abstract: An aircraft maintenance elevation system comprising a plurality of elevator platforms and a plurality of electro-mechanical drive assemblies which are coupled to and operable to selectively raise and lower respective ones of the elevator platforms. The elevation system further includes a control device which is electrically connected to the drive assemblies and is operational in a first mode wherein the elevator platforms may be raised and lowered independently of each other and a second mode wherein the elevator platforms may be simultaneously raised and lowered.