Patent ID: 7500816
Filing Date: 2009-03-10
Classification: B66F

Abstract:
1. System for lifting and lowering an object, comprising a group of at least two mobile lifting columns, each lifting column comprising: a displaceable frame with a standing mast part; a carrier displaceable along the mast part for engaging the object to be lifted; a drive for moving the carrier along the mast part; a control for controlling at least the drive; and communication means for communicating with at least other lifting columns in the group via a transmission or broadcast path, wherein selection of at least one of the lifting columns of the group is based on master-slave principles wherein selection of any column as a first lifting column for a first sub-group is, as a result of the first selection a first master lifting column, the first selected column configured to actuate selectively operable selection means for any of the remaining column or columns from the group to be included in the first sub-group, the selection of any remaining column or columns being a slave column or columns wherein the selection means of a slave column is adapted to read and adopt an identification, upon selection to the first sub-group, for the purpose of selecting the slave column in the first sub-group associated with the first master column, and for thereafter addressing the slave column in the process of lifting the object, wherein the identification is readable from an identification component associated with the first master column, wherein the system is configured to allow for the selection of an additional master column or columns, and an additional slave column or columns, to form a plurality of additional sub-groups with remaining columns that were not assigned to the first sub-group.