US2677580A - Portable elevator for overhead installations - Google Patents

Description

May 4, 1954 c. MINZENMAYER PORTABLE ELEVATOR FOR OVERHEAD INSTALLATIONS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 10, 1951 INVENTOR.

r l l C. MINZENMAYER PORTABLE ELEVATOR FOR OVERHEAD INSTALLATIONS Filed NOV. 10, 1951 May 4, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR.

C H/QELES M/A/zEA/MAIYEIZ HTTOENEYS Patented May 4, 1954 UNITED STATE TENT OFFICE.

EGRTLE ELEVATOR FOR OVERHEAD INSTALLATIONS This invention relates to a portable elevator for overhead installations and more particularly to an elevator adapted to raise and position overhead fixtures such as lighting fixtures.

When it is desired to install overhead lighting fixtures it is customary for the workman or workmen to lift the fixture manually and position the same against the ceiling or overhead to which it is desired to affix it and then hold the fixture while it is being secured by nuts or bolts. Such a procedure is extremely difficult, even when two men are employed, because of the unnatural overhead position of the workmans arms. Furthermore the weight of such fixtures is considerable, especially industrial fixtures the length of which, when fluorescent lights are involved, may exceed seven feet. Because of the weight involved serious accidents have been caused in the past when installation of a fixture has been attempted without employing sufficient workmen.

In large rooms and industrial plants when it is desired to install overhead fixtures it is not uncommon to have three men continuously employed on such work and of these three, two will merely be holding the fixture while the other secures the necessary nuts or bolts. It is extremely desirable to obviate the necessity of holding the fixture with the attendant expense involved especially when a large number of fixtures must be installed.

The main object of the present invention is therefore the provision of a portable elevator for lifting such light fixtures and positioning the same so that only one workman is required to secure the fixture in place.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a portable elevator for lighting fixtures which eliminates all of the safety hazards inherent in the operation of securing such fixtures to an overhead or ceiling. In this connection it should be noted that the customary procedure heretofore followed has required the provision of some elevated means on which the workmen may stand while holding the fixture in place. In buildings under construction it is not uncom men for the workmen to resort to any available article for this purpose without giving much thought to the stability of such article. By the present invention a stable support is always provided for the fixture and all that is required in addition is a step ladder or the like for the workman who is securing the fixture in place.

. Still another object of the invention is the provision of a portable elevator for lifting and posi- 2 Claims. (01. 304-29) I tioning lighting fixtures which will permit exact positioning of the fixture in place on the ceiling by th workman who may remain on the floor during the positioning operation if desired.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of an elevator for overhead fixtures which may be readily adapted for use with lighting fixtures of various sizes.

A still further object is the provision of a relatively small, lightweight portable elevator for lifting and positioning overhead fixtures which is adapted to be carried in elevators and through doorways and the like having restricted vertical clearance and which elevator may be readily extended to the height of even the highest overhead.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following specification and from the attached drawings.

The invention will be described particularly with respect to the installation of lighting fixtures but it will be apparent that the same may be employed to secure other fixtures to a ceiling or overhead. For example wall board, accoustieai tile and the like may also be installed on an overhead or ceiling by means of the present invention.

In the drawings:

l is front elevational view of the elevator partly broken away and in section showing the same in a nested or lowered position. Portions of the device on the rear side are omitted for clarity.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the elevator of Fig. 1 with certain portions broken away to show structure.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view through the elevator as taken along lines 3--3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of the fixture support of the elevator showing a lighting fixture in position on said support and adjacent a ceiling or overhead. The fixture is broken away to show internal structure.

Fig. 5 is a rear elevational view of the elevator partly broken away and in section showing the platform in a raised position and the fixture support in a horizontally extended position. Portions of the device on the front side are omitted for clarity.

Fig. 6 is a reduced semi-schematic end elevational view of the essential portions of the e1evator showing the same in a vertically extended position.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detailed vertical cross- 3 sectional view through the fixture support as taken along lines l'i of Fig. 4.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view through the guide member as taken along lines e% of Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view through the guide member as taken along lines 99 of Fig. 2.

In detail the elevator comprises a frame generally designated l which includes a generally oblong bed 2 having its opposite ends formed of channels 3 and its opposite sides of angles 4.

The bed 2 is provided with caster wheels 5 to permit manual movement of the frame over a fioor. Adjacent the ends of the bed 2 are a pair of vertically extending guide members 6, i of T- shaped cross-section. These members are rigidly secured at their lower ends to the channels 3 as by welding or by riveting to an angle 8 extending longitudinally of the bed 2 and secured to the channels 3.

Diagonal braces H), II extending between the upper ends of the guide members 5, 1, respectively, and the bed 2 serve to maintain said guide members in an upright position.

A platform generally designated i2 is adapted to be moved upwardly and downwardly along the length of guide members 9, i. This platform l2 comprises a generally oblong plate 13 substantially the length of the bed 2 and which is provided along its side edges with stiifening angles l4, l5. Angle I5 is positioned in sliding engagement with the flange of the T- shaped guide members 5, 7 while angle I4 is along the opposite edge of plate i3 (Figs. 1, 2).

Secured to the underside of plate l3 adjacent its opposite ends are a pair of bracket members generally designated IE, IT respectively. These brackets comprise a channel-shaped horizontal portion i3 secured at its web to the plate l3 and a vertically extending portion l9 with its web in sliding engagement with the outwardly facing surface of the flange of the adjacent guide member 6 or T. A brace 29 extending between the outer end of the portion I8 and the vertical portion it serves to stiffen the bracket (Fig. 2).

For the purpose of slidably securing the brackets 55, i"! to the guide members 6, 'I, respectively, rollers 22, 23, 24 are provided on each vertical portion i9 of the brackets I6, I? in rolling engagement with the adjacent guide member. Roller 22 is positioned closely adjacent the top of the platform 12 and, as best seen in Fig. 9, is secured to a shaft 25 which in turn is rotatably supported in a bearing 26. A plate 21 secured to one flange of the channel portion I9 of the bracket serves to carry the bearing 29 so that the roller 22 engages the inner side of the flange 28 of the guide member 6 or "i. Only the securement of bracket I! will be described in detail it being understood that the securement of bracket Hi to guide member 6 is identical.

Roller 23 is spaced downwardly under roller 22 and is secured to the vertical portion 19 of bracket IT in the same manner as roller 22.

Roller 24 is positioned adjacent the lower end of channel portion 19 in the manner shown in Fig. 8. A pair of bearings 30 are secured to the opposedly facing sides of the flanges of channel portion i9 and these bearings rotatably support a shaft 3! to which the roller 24 is secured. An opening 32 is formed in the web of channel l9 through which the roller 2:1 extends into engagement with the adjacent face of flange 28 of guide member ii. Angles 29 are secured along one of 4 their flanges to channel 19 and their other flanges engage the inner face of flange 28 of guide I.

From the above description and referring to Fig. 2 it will be apparent that the rollers 22, 23 resist any tendency of the platform I2 to swing downwardly and outwardly away from the guide i and the lower roller 24 resists inward and upward swinging of the lower end of the bracket i1. Thus a couple is established by rollers 22-24 for maintaining the platform [2 in a horizontal position at all times and also for minimizing the frictional resistance to movement of the platform I2 along the guides 6, i.

It should be noted that the platform l2 may be moved upwardly along guides 65, I to a position with plate l3 spaced upwardly from the upper ends of guides 6, I. In such a case the upper roller 22 will be out of engagement with the associated guide but rollers 23, 24 will be sufficient to maintain the platform in its desired horizontal position provided the weight on platform I2 is not too great.

Platform I2 is preferably power driven and to this end a reversible motor 35 is supported on a bracket generally designated 36 which in turn is secured to a pair of vertically extending stiffeners 31, 38 (Fig. 5) which may be secured at their lower ends to angle 8 and at their upper ends to a similar angle 39 extending between the upper ends of guides 6, 1. The motor 35 is thus supported on the side of the guide members 6, T opposite from the side supporting the platform 12.

Mounted above the motor 35 and also secured to stiffeners 31, 33 as by a support generally desighated 40 is a reducer generally designated ii of conventional design. Reducer 4| is provided with and input shaft 42 which is driven by a belt 43 from the shaft of motor 35. The output shaft 44 of reducer l! extends in a direction horizontally inwardly of the frame I and carries a drum 45 on which ropes 46, 47 are adapted to be wound (Fi 5).

Rope 46 extends upwardly from drum 45 and around a sheave 48 which is secured to angle 39 about centrally of the latter. Hope 46 then extends horizontally alongside angle 39 to a point adjacent the upper end of guide member 7 and then around sheave 49 and downwardly to a bracket 50 which is secured to the vertically extending portion I9 of bracket l2 at a point adjacent the lower end of said portion (Figs. 1, 5). A turnbuckle 5| may be secured to the rope 46 adjacent the bracket 12 to permit adjusting the platform to the desired horizontal position.

The rope 4'! extends in a similar manner to rope 46 and extends around sheaves 52, 53 secured to angle 8 and then downwardly to bracket 54 through turnbuckle 55.

It will be apparent from the above described structure that when motor 35 is operated to rotate the drum 45 clockwise as seen in Fig. 5 the platform l2 will be raised and when the direction of rotation of motor 35 is reversed the platform will be lowered. A conventional switch box 60 may be mounted on vertical stiffener 31 adjacent the motor 35 for the purpose of controlling the above described operation of motor 35.

For limiting the downward movement of the platform 2 a limit switch 6| is mounted on the base 2 and a contact member 62 may be rigidly secured to the bracket 59 so as to engage said switch for stopping the motor 35 when said platform is in its lowermost position.

For limiting the upward movement of platform [2 a limit switch 63 is provided on the upper horizontal angle as and a contact member 64 is secured to the vertical channel portion l9 of platform 52 so that said member engages the limit switch at and stops the motor 35 just before the intermediate rollers 23 are disengaged from the guides l. The platform i2 is shown in its lowest position in l, and in its highest position in Fig. 6.

Positioned over the platform i2 is the fixture support generally designated 65 which is adapted to receive the fixture to be secured to the overhead or ceiling. This fixture support comprises a pair of horizontally spaced angles 61, 68 which extend longitudinally of the frame I and which may be secured together at spaced points along their horizontally disposed flanges by means of plates $9 (Figs. 2,7).

Secured to the underside of the support E56 are a plurality of vertically disposed rods which may be rigidly secured at their upper ends to angles 6?, 8E and plates lit and rigidly secured at their lower ends to a generally oblong base generally designated ii. Base H may be conveniently formed from a pair of longitudinally extending angles l2, :3 defining the side edges of said base and transversely extending lates M secured at their opposite ends to said angles.

The rods iii are preferably arranged in two groups or three each with said groups spaced longitudinally of the fixture support 65. Each group of three rods is arranged in the form of an equilateral triangle with one rod at each corner of the triangle and with two rods spaced transversely of the support be adjacent the end of the latter and the third rod positioned centrally between the longitudinally extending sides of said support (Fig. 3).

For the purpose of slidably supporting rods 78 on the platform i2 sleeves ii are secured about centrally between their ends to plate l3 of said platform 32 which may be suitably apertured to receive said sleeves.

The fixture support $36 is adapted to be moved upwardly from the position shown in Figs. 1, 2 to different distances as desired from platform [2 and to its highest position as shown in Fig. 6.

For the purpose of so moving fixture support 56 a reducer is secured to the underside of horizontal plate it of platform 2 at a point centrally of its length. This reducer is preferably manually operated by means of a hand crank 19 so that very slight movements of the fixture support 65 may be effected if desired. Reducer 18 is provided with an output shaft 39 to which is secured a drum ill similar to drum 55 on the output shaft of reducer ll. Wound on drum 8! are a pair of ropes 83. Rope 82 extends generally upwardly and outwardly from the bottom of drum 8i and is passed around sheave M which in turn is secured to the underside of plate l3 of platform l2 at a point centrally between the side edges of the same. Rope 82 then extends downwardly through the base ll of the fixture support 66 which suitably apertured to receive said rope and around a sheave 35 secured to the underside of said base "ii. The sheave 35 is positioned so that it is directly under the rod iii which is centrally between the side edges of the base ll. Rope 82 then passes upwardly through the base ll and is secured at its upper end to the underside of plate 53 of platform E2. Turnbuckle 85 may be interposed between the end of the rope 82 and the plate i3 to permit adjustment in the alignment of platform l2.

. Rope 83 extends from the top of drum 8| in a direction oppositely outwardly of rope 82' and is run in a manner identical to rope 82 except that it extends to the opposite side of the drum 8i than rope $2. Sheaves 8?, 88 and turnbuckle 89 are employed with rope in a manner corresponding with sheaves 84, 85 and turnbuckle 86 respectively.

It will be noted that the upper sheaves 8d and 87! are positioned with respect to the adjacent rod ill so that the generally downwardly extending runs of ropes 82, 83 make substantially the same angle with the adjacent rod iii as the up wardly extending runs of said ropes. By this arrangement the forces brought to bear on the base ll of the fixture support fit are directed vertically upwardly so that there is no tendency for the rode it to cook in their corresponding guides ll. This is very important as it is desirable to make the entire device as light as possible so that it may be manually moved. By the introduction of undesirable lateral forces the design of the device would require oojectionably heavy elements which are obviated by the present invention. It should be noted in this connection that rods ll) have been made diameter and four feet long Without causing objectionable bending under the loading of the heaviest type of lighting fixture.

The features of the fixture support 56 which permit it to be extended and telescoped to receive fixtures 01" various sizes will now be described.

As best seen in Fig. '7 each of the longitudinally extending angles 6'1, 68 of the fixture support 65 is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending tubular guides Hi, 92 which are respectively secured to the opposite sides of the upstanding flange 93 of angle 51. Inasmuch as the attachments to angles 6'! and 68 ar identical, only the parts associated with angle 6? will be described in detail.

The tubular guides Q5, 92 are open ended and are provided with slots 93, ea respectively along their upper sides which are adapted to receive flat bars 9d, 96 respectively therethrough. lhe fiat bars 95, are secured along their lower edges to rods 9i, 98 respectively which in turn slidably received in the tubular guides Si, 92. For ease in assembly, the rods 68 may each be replaced by a pair of half rounds secured to the opposite sides of the fiat bars 95, 96 as shown in Fig. 7.

Secured to the outer fiat bar 85 along its upper edge is one end of a plate or supporting element 99 which extends transversely of the fixture support 56 and is secured at its other end in a similar manner to the corresponding outer fiat bar 95 carried by angle 63. Referring to Figs. 1, 3, 4 it will be seen that plate 99 defines one end of the fixture support $6.

In a similar manner a plate or supporting element lilil extends between and is secured to the inner flat bars at at the ends of the latter opposite to the supporting element 95 and defines the other end of the support 6%. It will be apparent that by pulling outwardly on element 9? in a direction away from the machine the outer section which comprises fiat bars 95 and element 99 may be extended to a position such as that shown in Fig. 4. In like manner the section which comprises inner fiat bars 36 and supporting element ififl may be pulled oppositely outwardly to a corresponding outer position. By the above described structure the support to may be readily extended or telescoped to suit whatever desired length of fixture itis desired to install.

When supporting lighting fixtures it is sometimes desirable to give additional support to the fixture at points intermediate the length of such fixture and at the same time permit access to the inside of the fixture for securing the latter in place. To this end I provide longitudinally movable intermediate supporting elements such as indicated at I03, 34 Fig. 3. Element I03 is carried by the outer section of the support on fiat bars 95 while element I04 is carried by flat bars 96 of the inner section. Element I03 may be formed of fiat plate into a downwardly opening channel shape having depending flanges 105 to each of which is secured the corresponding ends of a pair of short shafts I06. The other ends of shafts I66 are supported on ears I01 depending from the inner side of element I03. Shafts I06 serve to rotatably support rollers 138 which are adapted to roll along tracks I69 secured to the outer side of flat bars 95 (Figs. 1, 4, 5, 7).

In like manner the movable fixture support element in: is provided with rollers I09 which support said element for movement along the length of tracks H secured to flat bars 96.

By the above described structure it is a simple matter to move the elements i03, I04 to any convenient support points along the length of the fixture and at the same time permit access to the fixture between the angles 61, 68 where desired.

When the device is not in use the platform [2 and the fixture support 66 may be positioned in their lowest position as shown in Figs. 1, 2 by operation of the drums 45 and BI. If it is del sired to install a hanging fixture such as indicated at H6 in Figs. 4 and 6 the fixture may be placed on the fixture support 66 after the latter has been extended or telescoped as required to accommodate the length of the fixture. At the same time the intermediate fixture support elements l 3, H34 may be moved as desired so as to permit access through the support 66 to the holes ill which are generally formed in the upper wall of the fixture to receive studs H2 depending from the ceiling or overhead H3. The platform l2 may then be raised by means of the motor 35 and reducer 4| until the fixture H6 is closely adjacent the ceiling H3 or in about the position indicated in Fig. 4. The workman may then mount a step ladder (not shown) and visually inspect the relationship between the studs 1 l2 and the openings l l l and while on the ladder he may then turn the crank 19 on reducer 18 to cause the fixture support 66 to move upwardly until the fixture engages the overhead or ceiling H3 with the studs E I2 passing through the holes H l in the fixture. The fixture may then be secured in place by nuts in the usual manner while the weight of the fixture is being taken by the support 66.

Depending upon the particular installation the above procedure may be varied somewhat. For example if the ceiling is not too high the fixture may be placed on the device and raised any de sired distance by means of crank 13. The operator may then operate motor 35 from the floor and raise platform i2 until the fixture is closely adjacent the overhead. If necessary the device may be moved on wheels until the holes H l in the fixture are in registration with the studs l l2 and then the motor may be operated again to raise the fixture upwardly into engagement with the ceiling. The operator may then mount his ladder and secure the fixture in place. The support 66 may then be retracted and the device moved into position for the next fixture.

It has been found that use of the present invention not only permits the installation of lighting fixtures by one man but the operation may be performed faster and safer than heretofore when two or even three men have been required.

The fact that the elevator may be telescoped to the position of Figs. 1, 2 permits the same to be taken through doors from one room to the next and it may be moved from fioor to floor in an elevator.

In many instances, particularly where fragile fixtures could be easily injured by being forced against the ceiling, the operator may effect elevation of platform [2 and support 66 (with the latter in its closest position to platform [2) by means of motor 35. In a normal office room, a fixture on the support 66 would not reach the ceiling by the time the limit switch 63 was actuated, hence the final elevation of the fixture would be by actuation of crank 1'9, thereby precluding any accidental injury to the fixture by not stopping the motor in time, or by an overrunning of the motor after the manually actu-- ated switch was actuated.

The reducers 4|, 1% are of the conventional worm-gear type so as to prevent any movement of the platform 52 and support 66 either up or down by gravity alone. Either the motor or the crank must be operated to accomplish either result.

The connection H5 between crank l9 and the input shaft to reducer 78 may be of the conventional ratchet type to enable elevation of the support 66 by either full rotation of the crank or by oscillation thereof as desired, the latter being desirable in instance where the operator may find it easier to both watch the fixture and operate the crank by oscillatory movement of the latter.

As seen in the drawings, the upper supporting surface of the support 66 is coplanar. Thus the fixture may or may not overhang the edges of the support without affecting the level of the fixture. Also, in the event panels of ceiling board are elevated to the ceiling, their marginal portions may extend beyond one or all edges of the support, and still be held flat against the ceiling. Usually the end marginal portions of such panels will extend beyond the support, and if not, the extensible portions of the latter may be collapsed until they do, thus permitting said marginal portions to be nailed in place while they are supported by the elevator.

The ropes for elevating the platform l2 and support 66 are preferably wire ropes.

I claim:

1. A portable elevator for elevating an overhead fixture or the like to a point adjacent the ceiling of a room to permit securement of said fixture to said ceiling comprising: a wheel mounted frame adapted to be moved over the floor of such room and including a bed and a guide member extending upwardly from said bed, a generally horizontally disposed platform mounted on said frame for vertical movement along guide member from a lower position adjacent said g ...e member to an upper position spaced upwardly from said member, means on said frame for so moving said platform, a fixture support carried by said platform and adapted to receive a fixture or the like thereon, means on said platform for moving said support vertically to different distances from said platform as desired, said platform and said support being movable to a lower position in which the same are within the horizontally projected confines of said guide members, said fixture support including a base spaced downwardly from said support and below said platform, elongated rods connecting said support with said base and guide elements on said platform for slidably supporting said rods for vertical movement therealong, said platform and said support being adapted to be positioned in a lower position with said base adjacent said bed and said support adjacent said platform.

2. A portable elevator for elevating an overhead fixture or the like to a point adjacent the ceiling of a room to permit securement of said fixture to said ceiling comprising: a wheel mounted frame adapted to be moved over the floor of such room and including a bed and a guide member extending upwardly from said bed, a generally horizontally disposed platform mounted on said frame for vertical movement along said guide member from a lower position adjacent said guide member to an upper position spaced upwardly from said member, means on said frame for so moving said platform, a fixture support carried by said platform and adapted to receive a fixture or the like thereon, means on said platform for moving said support vertically to different distances from said platform as desired,

said platform and said support being movable to a lower position in which the same are within the horizontally projected confines of said guide members, said fixture support including a base spaced downwardly from said support and below said platform, elongated rods connecting said support with said base and guide elements on said platform for slidably supporting said rods for vertical movement therealong, said platform and said support being adapted to be positioned in a lower position with said base adjacent said bed and said support adjacent said platform, said means for so moving said support including a rope extending between said platform and said base and a drum on said platform on which said rope is adapted to be wound, said rope having a pair of runs connected to said base at a point on the latter and slanting oppositely outwardly and upwardly of said point at equal angles to a vertical line through said point.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 487,039 Volz Nov. 20, 1892 1,332,011 Weinberg Feb. 24, 1920 1,555,103 Christian Sept. 29, 1925 2,337,796 Baker et a1 Dec. 28, 1913 2,480,066 Weaver Aug. 23, 1949

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