Abstract: A container-handling vehicle for picking up storage containers from a three-dimensional grid of an underlying storage system includes a vehicle body and at least one lifting device. The lifting device includes a lifting shaft assembly including a lifting shaft and at least one motor for rotating the lifting shaft, a lifting frame for releasably connecting a storage container, and a first pair of lifting bands and a second pair of lifting bands connecting the lifting shaft to the lifting frame. The lifting shaft includes a first end section and a second end section. Each lifting band has a first end and a second end connected to the lifting shaft and a corresponding lifting band connector on the lifting frame, respectively. Each pair of lifting bands has a first lifting band connected at the first end section of the lifting shaft and a second lifting band connected at the second end section of the lifting shaft.

Abstract: A braking device may include first and second brake pads disposed opposite one another about a guide rail, for developing braking forces when the brake pads engage the guide rail. The first brake pad has a wedge shape and may taper in a wedge direction. A front side of the first brake pad facing the guide rail is aligned parallel to the guide rail, and a rear side of the first brake pad is angled corresponding to the wedge shape. The rear side of the first brake pad lies in a sliding manner against a contact surface of a first brake pad seat disposed at an angle corresponding to the first brake pad. In a first setting a locking device unblocks a sliding movement of the first brake pad, and in a second setting the locking device blocks the sliding movement of the first brake pad.

Abstract: First and second masts of a stacker crane are provided in a travelling vehicle main body to be spaced away from each other in an X-direction and extending in a Z-direction. First and second travel wheels are mounted to the travelling vehicle main body to be spaced away from each other in the X-direction, and roll on an upper surface of a lower guide rail. First and second drive wheel units are provided in the travelling vehicle main body to be spaced away from each other in the X direction. Each of the first and second drive wheel units includes a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel. The first drive wheel is in contact with a first side surface of the lower guide rail, and the second drive wheel is pivotably attached to the travelling vehicle main body and urged toward the first drive wheel so that the second drive wheel is in contact with a second surface of the lower guide rail.

Abstract: First and second masts of a stacker crane are arrayed in an X direction and extend vertically. Connecting plates are mounted at lower portions and on both side surfaces, facing a Y direction, of the first and second masts, each including an upper portion fixed to the first or second masts, and a lower portion whose width in the X direction is greater than that of the upper portion. First and second lower hollow frames include a pair of hollow members disposed on both sides of the first and second masts in the Y direction and extending in the X direction and are fixed to the lower portions of the connecting plates. Travelling wheels are supported by the connecting plates and roll on a lower guide rail.

Abstract: A stacker crane has an upper frame, which connects upper portions of front and rear support rods standing from both front and rear end portions of a lower frame, respectively, is connected to the front and rear support rods by bolts. The upper frame includes a main part comprising a first plate following along a vertical direction and having front and rear extensions being extended in the front and rear directions of the crane and mast connecting portions being extended downward from both the front and rear ends of the front and rear extensions. The upper frame has a reinforcing part comprising a second plate following along a horizontal direction projecting from the main part in a width direction and being extended in the front and rear directions. The mast connecting portions of the main part are urged against the side surfaces of the front and rear support rods, respectively.

Abstract: Apparatus for raising and lowering objects. In accordance with some embodiments, a winch motor is adapted to rotate a winch member in opposing first and second directions to wrap/unwrap a portion of a cable on/from the winch member to raise and lower a lifting platform assembly, respectively. A tension detection switch assembly includes an on/off switch connected to the winch motor and a biasing member which exerts a bias force upon the winch member to nominally deflect the winch member to a first position which sets the switch to deactivate the winch motor in an absence of tension in the cable from the lifting platform assembly. A presence of tension in the cable from the lifting platform assembly deflects the winch member to a second position which sets the switch to facilitate activation of the winch motor.

Abstract: A drive system for use with a cable and a carrier for raising and lowering a payload includes a reel, a drive mechanism, a cable slack control mechanism, and a tension adjustment system. The drive member is operatively connected to the reel to rotate the reel in a winding direction when the drive member is rotated in a raising direction, and to controllably rotate the reel and/or permit the reel to rotate in an unwinding direction when the drive member is rotated in a lowering direction. The cable slack control mechanism is operative to automatically selectively decouple the drive member from the reel while the drive motor is rotating the drive member in the lowering direction when a tension on the cable does not exceed a threshold tension and/or the cable is fully unwound from the reel. The tension adjustment system is operable to selectively adjust the threshold tension.

Abstract: The invention concerns a lift having a drive unit. The invention further concerns a wind power installation having a lift. To reduce the costs of the lift and thus make the lift economically more attractive the lift of the kind set forth in this specification is characterized by a cupboard used as the lift car. In that respect the invention is based on the realization that a cupboard in its basic structure with bottom, side walls and a door does not differ from a lift car produced specifically for a lift. Naturally there are differences, for example in suspension and operation of the door, but those differences can be removed insofar as they are an obstacle to use of a cupboard as a lift car so that the complication and expenditure overall is always still less than the complication and expenditure for a lift car constructed specifically for the lift.

Abstract: A lift system is coupled between a work platform and a mast on a mast lift. The lift system includes at least one lifting rope connected between the work platform and the mast via an idler roller and a hoist drum connected to the work platform. The idler roller is displaceable between an engaged position and a disengaged position based on an amount of tension on the lifting rope. A spring is connected to the idler roller and urges the idler roller toward the engaged position. A carriage latch assembly includes a carriage latch hook coupled with the idler roller and a pin secured to the mast. When the idler roller is disposed in the engaged position, the carriage latch hook is engageable with the pin.

Abstract: An emergency escape device for elevators is revealed. The emergency escape device is disposed in an elevator system. The emergency escape device includes a motor having an output end linked to a reduction gear set. An inner gear of the reduction gear set is engaged with a gear of a rope winder around which a steel cable is wound. Thereby the motor is released automatically from braking when the elevator system loses power and stops due to power outage or mechanical failure. Thus an elevator cabin is pulled downward by gravity and the rope winder rotates to unwind the wound steel cable. The steel cable goes down slowly so that the elevator cabin can goes down and stop at the nearest floor, allowing people trapped to come out.

Abstract: A drive system for use with a cable and a carrier for raising and lowering a payload between a lower position and an upper position, the carrier being configured to hold the payload, the cable being connected to the carrier, includes a reel, a drive mechanism, a cable slack control mechanism, and a tension adjustment system. The reel is configured to receive the cable. The reel is rotatable in each of a winding direction to wind the cable onto the reel to raise the carrier and an unwinding direction to unwind the cable from the reel to lower the carrier. The drive mechanism includes a drive member and a motor operable to forcibly rotate the drive member in each of a raising direction and a lowering direction.

Abstract: The hydraulic elevator system has several configurations, each incorporating the hydraulic motor and pump at the lower end of the hydraulic ram and cylinder assembly. A first embodiment utilizes a wet pump and motor assembly at the lower end of the cylinder, with the volume between the cylinder and casing providing a hydraulic reservoir. A second embodiment provides a dry pump and motor installed at the lower end of the cylinder below the surrounding casing and hydraulic reservoir. A third embodiment attaches the pump and motor to the lower end of the hydraulic ram, with the pump and motor traveling up and down with the ram during operation. Further systems facilitating the installation and removal of the hydraulic cylinder and attached components for maintenance are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus adjust the inter-car distance in a double-deck elevator provided with hoisting ropes, in which elevator the hoisting ropes move a car frame supporting the elevator cars along guide rails. The vertical inter-car distance between the elevator cars is adjusted by moving at least one of the elevator cars in relation to the car frame by pulling the elevator car to be moved upwards and lowering the elevator car to be moved downwards by an adjusting rope.

Abstract: A lift system and method for lifting or lowering items from one level to another within a building is accomplished by providing a lift platform. An upper level support structure having an opening is configured to allow passage of the platform through the opening. The opening is suspended above a generally open area of a lower level. An upper level frame is coupled to the support structure. A winch having a motor that rotates a drum is supported by the upper level frame. A length of cable secures at one end to the winch and at the other end to the platform through a biasing member. Operation of the winch rotates the drum to wind or unwind the cable to raise or lower the platform through the open area of the lower level without any laterally adjacent support or guidance structure within the open area.

Abstract: A portable structure from which hunters and wildlife observers can command elevated views of wildlife habitat. Commonly called a blind, it may also be constructed as a permanent or semi-permanent attachment to a motorized vehicle. The blind offers powered erection, powered access to and from the observation position, and wheelchair accessibility.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an appliance for collecting rope, in which method the rope is arranged to be collected in a collection container (21). The rope to be collected (3b) is pushed into the collection container (21) through a tubular guide element (20) in such a way that the collection container (21) is made to rotate around its axis of rotation by means of the pushing force of the rope (3b).

Abstract: An elevator is described, comprising a first series connected pulley set installed in a fixing frame, a carriage located below the first series connected pulley set, a second series connected pulley set installed on the top of the carriage, a rotary wheel installed in the carriage and a steel rope. The steel rope connects the first series connected pulley set, the second series connected pulley set and the rotary wheel, so that the gravity load of one pulley set can belowered to decrease the pulling force of the steel rope to enhance the safety of the elevator.

Abstract: A portable structure from which hunters and wildlife observers can command elevated views of wildlife habitat. Commonly called a blind, it can be constructed as a stand-alone structure and transported intact to habitat sites on, for example a flat-bed truck. It can also be constructed as a trailer, or as a permanent or semi-permanent attachment to a motorized vehicle. The blind offers powered erection, powered access to and from the observation position, and wheelchair accessibility.

Abstract: A steering angle of an elevator sheave on a shaft is adjusted at installation and subsequently during maintenance by one of several embodiments. In one embodiment, a bolt with a jam nut is adjusted to position the shaft precisely. In another embodiment, a tee bracket is anchored to a hoistway wall, and a jack bolt with shims is used to adjust the vertical placement of the long beams that support the elevator car frame and therefore the shaft.

Abstract: A termination assembly for supporting and securing an end section of a belt in an elevator system includes a first support member that is fixed in a selected position within the elevator system. A second support member of one example is at least partially received over the first support member. The first support member includes at least one stop portion extending outward from a body of the first support member. The second support member includes at least one stop portion extending inward from an interior of the second support member. A plurality of motion limiters, which are inserts in one example, are received between the stop portions to limit relative rotary movement between the first and second support members. The load bearing member is received around the exterior of the second support member where it is secured in a selected position.

Abstract: Novel residential elevators, and novel methods of installing and using residential elevators. A residential elevator of the invention typically includes guide rail structure, a car, lift apparatus, and cables connecting the lift apparatus to the car. The guide rail structure is mounted to the building. The car is mounted to the guide rail structure. The car has a range of upward and downward movement, along a path of travel between an upper limit and a lower limit. The lift apparatus lifts and lowers the car, and is mounted to the guide rail structure, at a location such that the lift apparatus is above the top of the car when the car is at the upper limit. Preferably, the cables extend directly from the car or car frame to the lift apparatus without passing over or around any sheave or around any other direction-changing structure.

Abstract: A self-propelled elevator in which a drum type winding machine is attached to a cage, and the cage is elevated along guide rails arranged in a hoistway by a first winding rope, one end of which is fixed to a top portion of the hoistway and the other end portion of which is directly wound round a winding drum sheave of the drum type winding machine. In the self-propelled elevator, the drum type winding machine is attached to a lower side of a bottom portion of the cage so that an end face of the winding drum sheave around which the first winding rope is wound is located outside an area produced by projection of the cage.

Abstract: A steering angle of an elevator sheave on a shaft is adjusted at installation and subsequently during maintenance by one of several embodiments. In one embodiment, a bolt with a jam nut is adjusted to position the shaft precisely. In another embodiment, a tee bracket is anchored to a hoistway wall, and a jack bolt with shims is used to adjust the vertical placement of the long beams that support the elevator car frame and therefore the shaft.

Abstract: A termination assembly for supporting and securing an end section of a belt in an elevator system includes a first support member that is fixed in a selected position within the elevator system. A second support member of one example is at least partially received over the first support member. The first support member includes at least one stop portion extending outward from a body of the first support member. The second support member includes at least one stop portion extending inward from an interior of the second support member. A plurality of motion limiters, which are inserts in one example, are received between the stop portions to limit relative rotary movement between the first and second support members. The load bearing member is received around the exterior of the second support member where it is secured in a selected position.

Abstract: In a drum winding unit, a cylindrical drum winding a wire is supported by paired supports fixed to a base structure so the drum freely rotates about a central axis of the drum. A drive unit for rotating the drum is disposed inside the drum. The drive unit is insertable into and extractable from the drum while keeping the drum and the supports in their operating positions.

Abstract: A lift assembly includes first and second elevator structures, each including a first scissors section, a second scissors section pivotally connected to the first scissors section and supporting a lift shaft which extends between the first and second structures, at least one intermediate scissors section pivotally connected to the second scissors section, and an upper scissors section pivotally connected to an uppermost of the intermediate scissors sections and supporting a top bar. First and second side plates upstand adjacent the first and second structures, each having therein an elongated slot, the lift shaft being disposed in the slots. A lower pulley is mounted proximate each of the base bars on a common drive shaft. An upper pulley is mounted proximate an upper end of each of the side plates. A strand extends from each of the lower pulleys to each of the upper pulleys, and thence to the lift shaft.

Abstract: An elevator system (10) includes an elevator car (18) supported for vertical movement on a belt (16) having an end fixed to the hoistway (26) and the other end wound about a drum (32) of a drum drive (12). When the belt (16) is wound or unwound about the drum (32), the elevator car (18) is raised or lowered, respectively.

Abstract: The autonomous tilting platform unit is for infrastructure work over a 0-90° slanted surface. It has a platform assembly pivotally connected to a carriage assembly provided with wheels for displacement over the surface. An autonomous motor unit is mounted on the carriage assembly through a pendulum assembly. The tilting angle of the platform assenbly with respect to the carriage assenbly is adjusted with a jack device powered by the motor unit. A pair of winches powered by the motor hoist the platform unit along the slanted surface. A control unit is mounted on the platform assembly, and operates the motor unit and controls the jack device and the winches.

Abstract: An elevatable stand construction 10 for physically challenged hunters which includes a ladder style main framework member 20 supported in an upwardly angled disposition, a chair style platform member 30 slidably disposed on the main framework member 20, and a mechanized unit 13 for moving the platform member 30 in an up and down fashion relative to the main framework member 20. The mechanized unit 13 may comprise a manual version 40 or a motorized version 50.

Abstract: A linear drive apparatus for moving a canon in a packaging machine from a first position to a second position is set forth. The apparatus includes first and second spaced apart guide rods and an engagement assembly that is disposed between and slidably engages the first and second guide rods. The engagement assembly is adapted to engage one or more cartons for movement between the first and second positions. The apparatus further includes a drive shall onto which a drive roller is disposed for co-rotation. A first drive belt is connected to the drive roller and disposed about the drive roller in a clockwise direction at a first end thereof while a second end of the first drive belt is connected to a first portion of the engagement assembly.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for raising and lowering a load vertically along a substantially vertical structure. The apparatus comprises a vertical guide, which is secured to the substantially vertical structure by a retainer. A carriage is movably attached to the vertical guide and a platform which supports the load is attached to the carriage. The carriage is raised and lowered along the vertical guide by some means whereby the load is raised and lowered along the vertical guide. The carriage also comprises a safety brake for immobilizing the carriage with respect to the vertical guide when the means for raising and lowering the carriage is inoperative or malfunctions. The apparatus further comprises wheels rotatingly attached to the bottom of the vertical guide and a hitch attached to the top of the vertical guide, such that the entire device may be towed behind a vehicle.

Abstract: A force motivating a strut to incline itself in the running direction (front-and-rear direction) of a movable main body is produced by impact stress caused by accelerating, decelerating or stopping the operation of a delivery device. Such force can securely be received by a bottom frame structure as well as by a reinforcing structure of the portions of projected corner members protruding in the running direction which are formed integrally with a cylindrical body of the strut at respective corners thereof. A force motivating the strut to incline itself in the direction orthogonal to the running direction is produced by inward/outward load delivery operation by means of a delivery instrument provided on a carriage. Such force can also securely be received by the bottom frame structure as well as by the reinforcing structure of the portions of the projected corner members protruding in the orthogonal direction.