GB2313355A - Elevatable Platform - Google Patents

Abstract

An elevatable platform 1 comprises a platform 9, for example in the form of a store and/or a workbench, and a plurality of pairs of supports 3,5 pivotably mounted relative to the platform in the region of one end of each of the supports. At least one of the pairs of supports is pivotably interconnected to each other at 29 intermediate the ends thereof. In this way, pivoting motion of the pairs of supports about the pivotable interconnection causes the platform to be raised and/or lowered. At least one support of each pair of supports may be movable, for example slidable along tracks by castors. Preferably, the platform is moved by manual or motor 35 means and may be counterbalanced (spring 47) or damped (gas spring 45) during its movement. Preferably the platform is mounted on a ceiling or underside of a garage roof to minimise the space taken up when not in use.

Description

ELEVATABLE PLATFORM The present invention concerns an elevatable platform, such as a platform that can be mounted to the roof timbers, wall or the like of a garage and which can be lowered to gain access to the platform and raised to store items beneath the garage roof but above an automobile or the like. The platform may comprise, for example, a storage device and/or a workbench.

It is conventional practice to store items in a garage or the like on shelves which are either floor or wall mounted and which therefore reduce the available floor area of the garage or the like. Moreover, work areas in garages or the like are often of a temporary nature and require to be dismantled in order to park an automobile in the garage.

It is therefore desirable to be able to provide storage space in a garage or the like which does not occupy floor or wall space and to be able to provide a work area that does not require to be dismantled when it is desired to park an automobile in the garage.

According to the present invention there is provided an elevatable platform comprising platform means and a plurality of pairs of supports pivotably mounted relative to the platform means in the region of one end of each of the supports, at least one of said pairs of supports being pivotably interconnected to each other intermediate the ends thereof, whereby pivoting motion of said pairs of supports about said pivotable interconnection causes the platform means to be raised and/or lowered.

The platform means may comprise a storage means and/or a workbench or the like.

Each of said pairs of supports may be pivotably interconnected.

At least one support of each pair of supports may be movable, for example slidable, relative to the platform means during pivoting of said supports about said pivotable interconnection. The or each support may be slidable relative to the platform means by way of castor means provided intermediate the support or supports and the platform means.

At least one support of each pair of supports may be mounted at that end thereof remote from the platform means in a manner which permits movement thereof during pivoting of said supports about said pivotable interconnection. The remote end of the at least one support may be movable along a track, for example by way of castor means. Motor means may be provided for moving the end of the at least one support along the track so as to raise and/or lower the platform means. Alternatively, the platform means may be raised and/or lowered manually, either by way of a counterweight or by way of a winch mechanism. The winch mechanism may be mounted on the platform means. The or each track may be provided with means for limiting movement of the remote end of the at least one support relative thereto Means may be provided for reducing or eliminating the effective weight of the platform means. The effective weight reducing means may comprise means biasing the supports to a raised position of the platform means. The biasing means may comprise a tension spring. The biasing means may act between the supports of one or more pairs of supports. Alternatively, the effective weight reducing means may comprise a counterweight.

Means may be provided for damping movement of the platform means. The damping means may comprise a gas or hydraulic damper. The damping means may act between the supports of one or more pairs of supports. The damping means may comprise the motor means.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of an elevatable platform according to the present invention, the platform being shown in a lowered configuration; Figure 2 is a plan view of the elevatable platform shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a side elevational view similar to that of Figure 1, but with the elevatable platform in a raised configuration.

The elevatable platform shown in the figures comprises a storage basket 1 carried by two pairs of pivotable support bars 3, 5. However, it should be noted that the platform can alternatively be in the form of a workbench or the like either alone or in combination with storage means. The two pairs of support bars 3 and 5 are pivotably mounted on the storage basket and are pivotably secured to each other intermediate their ends. One of each pair of support bars is movable along the storage basket as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

The storage basket comprises four upright posts 7, one positioned at each corner of the basket, the posts being interconnected in pairs by diagonal bracing members 9 secured to the lower ends of the posts. The posts 7 are interconnected in alternate pairs by two lateral bracing members 11 secured substantially midway between the bottom and top of the posts and by two longitudinal bracing members 13 secured at the upper ends of the posts 7. Two longitudinal generally C-shaped channel members 15 are positioned on the bracing members 9 with the open faces of the channel members facing each other.

In this way it is possible to provide two storage levels in the basket, one level being provided by sliding a sheet of chipboard, plywood or the like (not shown) into the generally C-shaped members in the region of the bottom of the posts 7 and another by arranging a sheet of chipboard, plywood or the like (not shown) on the lateral bracing members 13. The sheet of material inserted into the generally C-shaped members may be slid into and out of the C-shaped members, for example to permit use as a workbench.

Additionally or alternatively, all or part or the storage basket may be configured to receive a plurality of individual storage containers (not shown).

If desired, a framework can be provided around at least a part of the storage basket, for example to shield at least some of the support bars 3, 5 and/or to receive further storage means.

Each post 7 is provided intermediate the ends thereof with a mounting block 17 and each pair of mounting blocks has secured thereto and extending in the longitudinal direction of the basket 1 a pair of parallel runners 19. It should be noted that the mounting blocks 17 are not essential and that the runners 19 could be positioned elsewhere, such as at the top or the bottom of the posts.

One of the support bars 3 is pivotably mounted at one end thereof to one of each pair of mounting blocks 17, the other end of each support bar 3 being pivotably received in a mounting member 21 which is secured to a roof timber 23 or other suitable part, such as a wall, of a garage or the like in which the storage device is to be mounted. It should be noted that the roof timbers 23 are cut away in Figure 2 in the interests of clarity.

Each of the support bars 5 is pivotably secured at each end thereof to a castor or roller bearing 25, 27. The castor bearing 25 of each of the support bars 5 is mounted on a different pair of the parallel runners 19 such that the runners 19 are supported by the castor (or roller) of the castor bearing and the castor bearing is movable in the longitudinal direction of the runners 19: that is to say, the castor bearing 25 is supporting at least part of the weight of the basket.

The ends of each of the support bars 5 in the region of the castor bearings 27 are secured together by a bracing member 28.

The support bars 3 and 5 at each longitudinal side of the basket 1 are pivotably secured together at 29 thereby constraining the support bars 3 and 5 to a "scissor" type of movement.

The castor (or roller) of each of the castor bearings 27 is movable along a track 31. The two tracks 31 are arranged parallel to each other and are secured to one or more further roof timbers 23 or other suitable parts, such as the walls, of the garage or the like in which the storage device is to be mounted. The tracks 31 are provided with upwardly inclined end members 33 to restrict movement of the castor bearings 27 along the track.

Mounted on a cradle 35 extending between the two tracks 31 is a gearbox 37 driven by an electric motor 39. The electric motor 39 is drivingly connected by way of shafts 41 to a chain drive arrangement 43 which, in turn, is connected to the castor bearings 27 or to the bracing members 28. Thus, rotation of the electric motor 39 causes the castor bearings 27 to move along the track 31, the direction of movement being dependent on the direction of rotation of the motor.

In order to control movement of the basket 1 and to minimise the effective weight thereof a damper 45, such as a gas or hydraulic damper, and a tension spring 47 (neither of which are shown in Figure 2 for clarity) extend between each pair of support bars 3 and 5. The effect of the springs 47 is to lift the basket 1 and to reduce the load on the electric motor 39 with the damper 45 damping out small and sudden movements.

In use of the elevatable storage device shown in the drawings, with the basket 1 in the position shown in Figure 2, that is in the raised position, the basket can be lowered, for example by means of a handle (not shown), to remove an item stored therein, or to store an item therein, by energising the electric motor by suitable control means (not shown) to rotate in a direction so as to cause the castor of the castor member 27 to move to the right as shown in Figures 1 and 3, i.e. from the position shown in Figure 3 towards the position shown in Figure 1.

Movement of the castor member 27 towards the mounting member 21 correspondingly causes the castor member 25 to move towards the pivot point of the support bar 3 on the basket 1, i.e. in the manner of scissors. Thus, both support bars 3 and 5 move towards a more upright position and cause the basket 1 to lower.

When it is subsequently desired to raise the basket 1, the electric motor 39 is energised by the control means (not shown) to rotate in a direction so as to cause the castor of the castor member 27 to move to the left as shown in Figures 1 and 3, i.e. from the position shown in Figure 1 towards the position shown in Figure 3.

Movement of the castor member 27 away from the mounting member 21 correspondingly causes the castor member 25 to move away from the pivot point of the support bar 3 on the basket 1. Thus, both support bars 3 and 5 move towards a more horizontal position and cause the basket 1 to be raised. The load on the electric motor is reduced by the effect of the spring 47 tending to bias the support bars 3 and 5 towards a horizontal position (i.e. a raised position of the basket).

Clearly the basket 1 can be halted at any suitable position between the raised and lowered positions.

As an alternative to the motor 39 being mounted on the cradle 35, the motor may be mounted on a garage wall or the like or may be mounted on the side of the storage basket and may be operatively connected to the storage basket by way of a cable, wire rope, chain or the like which passes over one or more pulleys mounted, for example, in the roof of the garage or the underside of the track 31. A separate cable may be secured to each side of the storage basket, for example to the lateral bracing members 13 or to the pivot point 29 connecting the support bars 3 and 5.

Alternatively, a single cable may be connected to the centre of the basket or to the centre of one of the lateral bracing members 11.

With the storage device positioned in a garage and the basket 1 in the raised position it is possible to park most automobiles beneath the basket. If desired, the bottom of the basket 1 may be provided with a resilient covering to minimise any damage to a vehicle parked beneath the basket in the event of a failure that should cause the basket to fall. Alternatively, or additionally, securing means, such as a removable pin provided in the track 31 for engaging with the castor member 27, may be provided for securing the basket in the raised and/or the lowered position.

Clearly numerous modifications can be made to the embodiment described with reference to the drawings without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the basket can be of any suitable form. The basket could be lowered and raised manually, that is without the use of a motor. In this case, in addition to and/or as an alternative to an electrically powered raising/lowering mechanism, a manually operable winch may be mounted on a garage wall or the like or may be mounted on the storage basket and may be operatively connected to the storage basket by way of a cable, wire rope, chain or the like which passes over one or more pulleys mounted, for example, in the roof of the garage or the underside of the track 31. A separate cable may be secured substantially symmetrically to each side of the storage basket, for example to the lateral bracing members 13 or to the pivot point 29 connecting the support bars 3 and 5.

Alternatively, a single cable may be connected to the centre of the basket or to the centre of one of the lateral bracing members 11. The winch may be reversible, but in any event is provided with a ratchet and pawl arrangement to prevent the storage basket descending in an uncontrolled manner.

A workbench, where provided, can be of conventional type or can be provided with elongate movable jaws. The positions of the spring and damper can be varied, for example the damper can act between part of the track 31 or the like and the castor bearing 27. Moreover, the spring could be replaced by other means for compensating for the weight of the basket such as a pulley and counterweight arrangement.

The damper may be used as a motor for raising and lowering the basket. To minimise the risk of failure of the device due to overloading, means may be provided for determining, directly or indirectly, the weight of items stored in the basket and for indicating when the weight of stored items exceeds a predetermined value. The basket can be provided with feet, for example fold-down or telescopic feet or a fold-down trestle arrangement, to provide stability, for example when being used as a workbench.

Claims (25)

1. An elevatable platform comprising platform means and a plurality of pairs of supports pivotably mounted relative to the platform means in the region of one end of each of the supports, at least one of said pairs of supports being pivotably interconnected to each other intermediate the ends thereof, whereby pivoting motion of said pairs of supports about said pivotable interconnection causes the platform means to be raised and/or lowered.

2. An elevatable platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein the platform means comprises a storage means and/or a workbench or the like.

3. An elevatable platform as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each of said pairs of supports is pivotably interconnected.

4. An elevatable platform as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one support of each pair of supports is movable relative to the platform means during pivoting of said supports about said pivotable interconnection.

5. An elevatable platform as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one support of each pair of supports is slidable relative to the platform means.

6. An elevatable platform as claimed in claim 5, wherein the or each support is slidable relative to the platform means by way of castor means provided intermediate the support or supports and the platform means.

7. An elevatable platform as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one support of each pair of supports is mounted at that end thereof remote from the platform means in a manner which permits movement thereof during pivoting of said supports about said pivotable interconnection.

8. An elevatable platform as claimed in claim 7, wherein the remote end of the at least one support is movable along a track.

9. An elevatable platform as claimed in claim 8, wherein the remote end of the at least one support is movable by way of castor means.

10. An elevatable platform as claimed in any one of claims 7, 8 or 9, wherein motor means is provided for moving the end of the at least one support along the track so as to raise and/or lower the platform means.

11. An elevatable platform as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein manually operable means is provided for raising and/or lowering the platform means.

12. An elevatable platform as claimed in claim 11, wherein the manually operable means comprises a counterweight.

13. An elevatable platform as claimed in claim 11, wherein the manually operable means comprises a winch mechanism.

14. An elevatable platform as claimed in claim 13, wherein the winch mechanism is mounted on the platform means.

15. An elevatable platform as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein the or each track is provided with means for limiting movement of the remote end of the at least one support relative thereto.

16. An elevatable platform as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein means is provided for reducing or eliminating the effective weight of the platform means.

17. An elevatable platform as claimed in claim 16, wherein the effective weight reducing means comprises means biasing the supports to a raised position of the platform means.

18. An elevatable platform as claimed in claim 17, wherein the biasing means comprises a tension spring.

19. An elevatable platform as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein the biasing means acts between the supports of one or more pairs of supports.

20. An elevatable platform as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein the effective weight reducing means comprises a counterweight.

21. An elevatable platform as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein means is provided for damping movement of the platform means.

22. An elevatable platform as claimed in claim 21, wherein the damping means comprises a gas or hydraulic damper.

23. An elevatable platform as claimed in claim 21 or 22, wherein the damping means acts between the supports of one or more pairs of supports.

24. An elevatable platform as claimed in claim 21 when dependent on claim 10, wherein the damping means comprises the motor means.

25. An elevatable platform substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.