Patent ID: 8105008
Filing Date: 2012-01-31
Classification: B25J,B66C

Abstract:
1. A load-balancing device comprising: a vertical mast; an arm extending outwardly from the mast, the arm pivotally attached at a proximal end to the mast to permit arcuate vertical movement of the arm relative to the mast; a pneumatic lift cylinder connected with the arm; an inflatable reservoir for storing a volume of air at a reservoir pressure selected to maintain the device in a balanced condition when a load is being lifted by said arm, an inflation valve for controlling inflation of the reservoir in order to set the reservoir pressure in response to operator input; an amplifier in fluid communication with a pressurized air supply and in independent selective fluid communication with the reservoir, the amplifier providing a flow of air from the pressurized air supply to the lift cylinder at the reservoir pressure upon engagement of the device with the load; and a selector valve coupled to said reservoir, and to said amplifier, and configured to provide the reservoir pressure from said reservoir to said amplifier upon engagement of the device with the load, the reservoir pressure causing said amplifier to regulate the pressurized air supply to said lift cylinder to balance the load.