Patent ID: 6622989
Filing Date: 2003-09-23
Classification: B65G,B66F

Abstract:
A lift assembly for raising and lowering a load, said lift assembly comprising:a first member adapted for resting on a reference surface; a second member defining a support surface for supporting a load, said support surface being spaced from said first member along an axis of extension; a drive assembly selectively moving said second member relative to said first member along said axis of extension from an initial position to a final position to raise or lower said second member relative to said first member, said drive assembly being adapted to move said second member from said initial position at a progressively increasing speed to an intermediate position and after which at a progressively decreasing speed until said second member is moved to said final position; and at least one spring mounted between said first member and said support surface, said spring being in a compressed state when said second member is in said initial position whereby said spring reduces the load on said drive assembly when said drive assembly moves said second member to at least said intermediate position.