Abstract: An apparatus for conveying delivered items into a building envelope translocates deliveries from a designated receiving area exterior to a building envelope via secure passage onto a deposit area locatable interior to the building envelope. Deposit of an item upon the receiving area signals presence of the delivery. The apparatus is operable automatically via command instantiated in circuit and/or over network in response to the signal.

Abstract: A conductor lifter adapted to be mounted to a tower for temporarily supporting an energized conductor comprises a support arm having a base end and an opposite cantilevered end and a crank arm pivotally mounted on the cantilevered end, the crank arm having lower and upper crank arms. A first actuator is coupled to the support arm, and an elongate member is mounted to, so as to extend between, the upper crank arm and a first driver of the first actuator so as to rotate the crank arm about the pivotal coupling when the first actuator is actuated. A lower end of the lower crank arm is selectively elevatable by a second actuator relative to the upper crank arm so as to elevate a conductor when held by a conductor retainer on an insulator mounted to the lower crank arm. A method for using the conductor lifter is also provided.

Abstract: An adjustable carrier system which aids in the lifting, lower, and transport of heavy objects by a vehicle such as an ATV. The adjustable carrier system generally includes a lower support which is adapted to be connected to a vehicle. A vertical support extends upwardly in a vertical orientation from the lower support. A winch includes a cable which extends through a lower pulley, upwardly alongside the vertical support, through an upper pulley, and downwardly alongside the vertical support to connect at its distal end to a sleeve. The sleeve is movably connected to the vertical support such that the cable may raise or lower the sleeve along the vertical support through use of a winch. A carrier for such as a basket or platform for holding an object is connected to the sleeve such that the carrier is also raised or lowered along the vertical support by the cable.

Abstract: Vertebral body replacement apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided. In various examples, an implantable device is configured to be inserted between a first vertebral body and a second vertebral body. The implantable device includes a first endplate configured to contact a superior endplate of the first vertebral body. A central member is pivotably coupled to the first endplate. A second endplate is configured to contact an inferior endplate of the second vertebral body. The implantable device includes a first insertion configuration and a second load-bearing configuration. The first insertion configuration includes the central member at a first angular position with respect to the first endplate. The second load-bearing configuration includes the central member at a second angular position with respect to the first endplate and the second endplate in a load-bearing position.

Abstract: Disclosed here is a jack for the change of a position of the seat base in a wheelchair. The jack has, in the lower frame (1), the driving system of the screw jack with a vertical screw (14) is fixed; and the upper end of the screw (14) is pivotally fixed in the main arms (3) of the scissors system. The driving system of the screw (14) of the screw jack is fixed to the base (11) attached slideably to the lower frame (1) in the tracks (8) in such a way that the screw (14) is permanently in a perpendicular position to the lower frame (1) and the upper frame (2) with maximum deviation of ±10°; and the base (11) is driven by the arms (17), with their first ends fixed pivotally in the main arms (3), and the other ends fixed pivotally in the base (11).

Abstract: A car and a counterweight are suspended by a main rope that is wound onto a driving sheave, a car suspending sheave, and a counterweight suspending sheave. A first main rope portion between the driving sheave and the car suspending sheave and a second main rope portion between the car suspending sheave and the car-side rope fastener portion are passed through a common car-side penetrating aperture so as to cross each other when viewed in an axial direction of the driving sheave. A third main rope portion between the driving sheave and the counterweight suspending sheave and a fourth main rope portion the counterweight suspending sheave and the counterweight-side rope fastener portion are passed through a common counterweight-side penetrating aperture that is disposed on the machine room floor so as to cross each other when viewed in the axial direction of the driving sheave.

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: Diverting pulley arrangement of an elevator, which includes an axle, at least one diverting pulley that rotates while supported on the axle, a faceplate structure, in relation to which and supported by which the diverting pulley is arranged to rotate on the first side of the faceplate structure, which axle is locked so that it does not rotate in relation to the faceplate structure by the aid of a locking element, which locking element is on the second side of the faceplate structure and supported so that it does not move in relation to the faceplate structure. The locking element is placed against the locking surface included in the axle so that the contact point of the locking element and the locking surface of the axle is at least partly visible.

Abstract: A dumbwaiter is provided. The dumbwaiter includes an elevator mechanically coupled to a left glide and a right glide. The left glide is immediately adjacent to and located between a pair of left guides, and the right glide is immediately adjacent to and located between a pair of right guides. A strap is used for raising and lowering the elevator. As the glides are bound between respective pairs of guides, the elevator is protected from vibration. Thus, the dumbwaiter of the present invention may be suitable for being used in a mobile setting, such as a motor home in transit, for example.

Abstract: A safety stop is provided for stopping a movable member having at least one set of opposed wheels for gripping a rail. The stop has a track on each of opposite sides forming a wedge shape of a narrow end progressively widening to a wide end in a direction of travel of the movable member. With the opposed wheels of the movable member respectively at opposite sides of the wedge shape member, the tracks of the wedge shape member engage and impart a spreading strain to the opposed wheels as the movable member moves in the direction of travel. The opposed wheels of the movable member comprise a deformable material to absorb the kinetic energy of the movable member. The tracks of the stop additionally may have undulating features comprising concave and convex surfaces in the direction of motion.

Abstract: An aircraft elevator system includes a fixed frame, a floating frame coupled to the fixed frame, and a cabin coupled to the floating frame. The floating frame can move with respect to the fixed frame and the cabin can move with respect to the floating frame. The system can include an actuating system operating at least one pulley system to move the cabin between upper and lower positions, which respectively can be inside and outside the aircraft. In some embodiments, the system includes a support assembly that moderates or eliminates load transfer between the system and an aircraft upper deck floor structure. In some embodiments, the cabin includes a ramp configured to deploy when approaching the lower position and to retract to a stowed position when the cabin moves from the lower position toward the upper position. The ramp can include a sensor to control cabin movement.

Abstract: A safety stop is provided for stopping a movable member having at least one set of opposed wheels for gripping a rail. The stop has a track on each of opposite sides forming a wedge shape of a narrow end progressively widening to a wide end in a direction of travel of the movable member. With the opposed wheels of the movable member respectively at opposite sides of the wedge shape member, the tracks of the wedge shape member engage and impart a spreading strain to the opposed wheels as the movable member moves in the direction of travel. The opposed wheels of the movable member comprise a deformable material to absorb the kinetic energy of the movable member. The tracks of the stop additionally may have undulating features comprising concave and convex surfaces in the direction of motion.

Abstract: A platform lift apparatus moves objects vertically within a structure such as between floors of a residential or commercial structure. A drive train comprises a rotatable shaft having plural lift drums and a motor operatively coupled to the shaft to cause selective rotation thereof. Each of the lift drums has an associated lift tether coupled thereto and wound thereon. A platform is coupled to respective ends of the lift tethers to suspend the platform from the platform receiving portion of the main body. The platform is selectively movable by operation of the drive train to travel vertically relative to the main body and is substantially nested within the platform receiving portion when at an uppermost point of travel. At least one load sensor is operatively coupled to at least one of the lift tethers to provide a load signal corresponding to load on the associated one of the lift tethers.

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 vertically moving device includes a spool mechanism for spooling at least two wires that are fed out to form loops and a vertically movable platform suspended by looped portions of the at least two wires fed out from the spool mechanism. The vertically movable platform includes at least four wire-guiding rotating bodies over which the looped portions of the wires are run.

Abstract: A device for guiding bundles of parallel ropes, cables, or pipes according to a three-dimensional (or non-planar) path in an earth-digging machine of the type in which provided downstream of the winder assembly (9) for the ropes are at least two sets (5, 7) of guiding sheaves; at least one (7) of the two sets is made up of sheaves of different diameters.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a self-elevating platform lift for moving objects between a first level and a vertically-elevated second level is provided. The platform lift comprises: (A) a platform for supporting the objects; (B) a plurality of lift lines for connection at the second level and for moving the platform; and (C) a motor connected to move with the platform and wherein the motor operably is connected to the lift lines for moving the platform between the first and second levels while being supported by the lift lines.

Abstract: A media handling system for an image forming machine includes a stationary frame, a platform supporting a stack of media sheets thereon, a bin supporting the platform and in turn supported on the stationary frame for undergoing movement relative thereto between a first position in which the bin locates the platform below and aligned with a pick mechanism and movable relative to the bin toward and away from the pick mechanism and a second position in which the bin displaces the platform away from and out of alignment with the pick mechanism, and a motion transmitting assembly coupled between the stationary frame, platform and bin and operable to convert movement of the bin between first and second positions relative to the stationary frame into movement of the platform relative to the bin toward and away from the pick mechanism.

Abstract: A media handling system includes a platform, a bin supporting the platform below and for undergoing movement toward and away from a sheet feeding position, a first motion transmitting assembly coupled between the platform and bin and tailored to counterbalance the weight of the platform and any stack such that as the weight decreases the platform is lifted toward the sheet feeding position to maintain the stack top below a lower limit position thereof, a control mechanism to sense the position of the stack top relative to a given range between the lower limit position to an upper home position, and a second motion transmitting assembly drivingly coupled to the platform via the first motion transmitting assembly and responsive to the control mechanism sensing to cause the first motion transmitting assembly to further lift the platform to and maintain the stack top position within the given range.

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: The invention relates to a rack serving device (1) with a load-bearing means (4) displaceable in the height direction of a mast (2), the mast (2) being guided by means of bogie assemblies (7, 8) on bottom and top guide tracks and mounted so as to be displaceable along the guide tracks by means of a bottom and top friction-locking displacement drive (13, 14). The bottom and the top adjusting mechanisms are guided by means of height and lateral guide elements on the guide track and are designed to be displaceable relative to the guide tracks by means of a drive system (33).

Abstract: An elevator, preferably an elevator without machine room, in which the hoisting machine (10) engages the hoisting ropes (3) by means of a traction sheave (11), the elevator car (1) being at least partially supported by the hoisting ropes serving as a means of moving the elevator car (1). The elevator car is suspended on the hoisting ropes (3) by means of at least one diverting pulley (13,14) from whose rim the hoisting ropes go upwards from both sides and at least one diverting pulley (7,5) from whose rim the hoisting ropes go downwards from both sides of the diverting pulley. The traction sheave (11) engages the rope portion between these diverting pulleys (13,5).

Abstract: A scissor lift mechanism (1) having at least two scissor elements (4, 5) connected in pairs by a swivel axis (3). The drive (11) for raising and lowering the scissor elements (4, 5) is provided by a traction member (13). To reduce the driving power required for operation while at the same time reducing control complexity, the scissor lift mechanism (1) is equipped with two coupling bridges (14, 15) situated on opposite sides of the swivel axis (3) and pivotably supported by thrust struts (22, 23) on each of the two scissor elements (4, 5), respectively. The distance “a” between the coupling bridges (14, 15) and the resulting height of lift “h” are easily variable by applying a tractive force “F” via the traction member (13, 25) which is guided around reversing rollers (16) and back and forth along a plurality of generally parallel paths (18, 19, 20, 21) between the two coupling bridges (14, 15).

Abstract: An elevator apparatus has first and second car suspending pulley devices mounted on a car. First and second counterweight suspending pulley devices are mounted on a counterweight. In the upper portion of the interior of a hoistway, there are arranged a car side return pulley device and a counterweight side return pulley device. A main rope suspending the car and the counterweight has first and second ends. The portion of the main rope extending from the first car suspending pulley device to the first end and the portion of the main rope extending from the second car suspending pulley device to a driving sheave are respectively arranged on opposite sides of a vertical plane passing centrally through the car.

Abstract: A cargo lift for transporting goods between ground level and a raised handling position at the side of a building includes a vertical mast extending between ground level and the handling position alongside the building. A cargo container for carrying the goods is attached to a rolling sleeve carried on the mast. An electric winch raises the cargo container along the mast between ground level and raised handling position.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a hoistway having a vertically adjacent structural platform, i.e., a roof slab or pit slab, that includes a recess, and a machine that fits within the recess. The vertically adjacent structural platform defines either the ceiling or floor of the hoistway. As a result of having the machine tucked into the recess in the hoistway, the machine is removed from the hoistway and the hoistway need not be expanded, either horizontally or vertically, to accommodate the machine.

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: An elevator installed in an elevator shaft has a cage, a counterweight, hoist cables suspending the cage and the counterweight, and a driving unit disposed outside a space in which the cage moves vertically in the elevator shaft, and provided with drive sheaves around which the hoist cables are wound to move the cage and the counterweight in the elevator shaft by the driving unit. The hoist cables are wound around the drive sheaves and sheaves supported on the cage and the counterweight in two-to-one roping arrangement such that the driving unit is at a level below the ceiling of the cage as located at its uppermost position. The cage-side sheaves are disposed at four positions on the lower portion of the cage respectively and symmetrically with respect to a center of gravity of the cage in a top plan view.

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: A grocery lift for lifting and lowering grocery loads. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart elongate guide rails with a support chassis interposed between the guide rails. The support chassis is mounted to each of the guide rails to permit riding of the support chassis along the guide rails between the top and bottom ends of the guide rails. An upper pulley is provided and is adapted for mounting to the support structure between the guide rails. A winch is provided adjacent the bottom ends of the guide rails. A flexible elongate member is looped around the upper pulley with one end of the flexible elongate member coupled to the support chassis and another end of the flexible elongate member coupled to the winch to permit winding and unwinding of the flexible elongate member about the winch. A support platform is pivotally coupled to the front surface of the support chassis.

Abstract: Lifting apparatus comprising first and second generally vertical masts, an assembly including a frame moveable along the masts, and a load engaging mechanism mounted on the frame, a first brake mechanism which, upon actuation, engages the first mast to prevent downward movement of the frame relative to the first mast, a second brake mechanism which, upon actuation, engages the second mast to prevent downward movement of the frame relative to the second mast, an overspeed mechanism for sensing the downward velocity of the assembly and for actuating the first brake mechanism when the overspeed mechanism senses that the downward velocity of the assembly exceeds a predetermined value, a first electrical device for providing an electrical signal when the first brake mechanism is actuated, and a second electrical device for actuating the second brake mechanism in response to the electrical signal.