Abstract: A screw-type lift having a ratchet lifting nut assembly providing for the safe lowering of a load while preventing additional lifting of the load upon failure of a lifting nut is disclosed. The ratchet lifting nut assembly includes a lifting nut and an auxiliary nut threadably engaging a lifting screw and a wear gap separating the lifting nut from the auxiliary nut. A ratchet portion is supported on the auxiliary nut and is aligned for engagement with a pawl supported on the lifting nut. During a normal mode of operation, the lifting nut supports the entire weight of a load and the ratchet portion and pawl cooperate to restrain rotational movement of the auxiliary nut relative to the lifting nut. A failure mode of operation is defined when the lifting nut is excessively worn in that it can no longer safely support the load. In this mode, the wear gap is eliminated wherein the auxiliary nut is supported on the lifting nut and the load is supported solely by the auxiliary nut.

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: A lift assembly adapted to be incorporated into a structure for moving an object between adjacent floors of a structure. The lift assembly including a guide rail vertically extending between the adjacent floors, a traveler assembly slidingly disposed on the guide rail, a carrier assembly connected to the traveler assembly for holding the object to be moved, and a drive assembly cooperatively connected to the traveler assembly to cause the traveler assembly to move in an upward direction and a downward direction along the guide rail.

Abstract: A device for moving beds includes a moveable frame (2); a lifting mechanism (4) which can cooperate with the underframe of a bed (49); and a steering mechanism (5).

Abstract: A stage or support platform assembly for use in a synchrotron accurately positions equipment to be used in the beam line of the synchrotron. The support platform assembly includes an outer housing in which is disposed a lifting mechanism having a lifting platform or stage at its upper extremity on which the equipment is mounted. A worm gear assembly is located in the housing and is adapted to raise and lower a lifting shaft that is fixed to the lifting platform by an anti-binding connection. The lifting platform is moved vertically as the lifting shaft is moved vertically. The anti-binding connection prevents the shaft from rotating with respect to the platform, but does permit slight canting of the shaft with respect to the lifting platform so as to eliminate binding and wear due to possible tolerance mismatches.

Abstract: An automotive lift system includes an environment-defining enclosure having an upwardly directed mouth positioned substantially at work level of the system, the enclosure defining both a longitudinal and a transverse axis. The lift system also includes an in-ground anchoring of the enclosure relative to reactive forces generated by vehicles during lifting by the system, the anchoring disposed substantially at the work level and about the mouth of the enclosure. A rigid support frame is secured upon inner annular surfaces of the anchoring, defining a rigid horizontal plane at the mouth of the enclosure and co-parallel with it. Vertically-oriented cylindrical collars are secured to opposite longitudinal ends of the support frame. Further, a vertically oriented elongated screw drive having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end including an annular thrust bearing, is positioned at about the level of the support frame.

Abstract: A lift has a member for supporting a material handling tool. The lift has a housing defining an interior and a longitudinally elongated slot orientated in the vertical direction. The housing has a wall encircling the slot. The member extends through the slot in the housing and moves in the longitudinal direction. A flexible closure strip has a length of at least twice the longitudinal length of the slot and is connected to the member at an approximate midpoint of the flexible closure strip and movable with the member. The flexible closure strip is in slideably sealing engagement with the slot. A pair of scroll boxes accumulates and dispenses the flexible closure strip as the member moves in the longitudinal direction. One of the scroll boxes is located in proximity to an upper wall portion of the wall and the other scroll box located in proximity to a lower wall portion of the wall.