Patent ID: 9078796
Filing Date: 2015-07-14
Classification: A47C,A61G,F16M

Abstract:
1. A lifting apparatus for raising and lowering a payload along an imaginary z axis of an imaginary, right-handed Cartesian xyz coordinate system comprising an imaginary x axis defining a +x direction and a −x direction, an imaginary y axis defining a +y direction and a −y direction, and the imaginary z axis defining a +z direction and a −z direction, these axes also defining an imaginary xy plane spanned by the x and y axes, in which context the lifting apparatus comprises: a. a platform whose projection upon the xy plane is substantially rectangular, the platform comprising a substantially planar platform top surface facing the +z direction upon which the payload is placed, a left platform portion near a +x edge of the platform that is also known as the left edge, a right platform portion near a −x edge of the platform that is also known as the right edge, a front platform portion near a −y edge of the platform that is also known as the front edge, and a rear platform portion near a +y edge of the platform that is also known as the rear edge; b. a left lifter assembly comprising a left hex-plus-X linkage and a left lifting member, wherein the left hex-plus-X linkage comprises a left base member which rests on a reference surface such as a floor that is substantially parallel to the xy plane, and a left actuator capable of raising and lowering the left lifting member with respect to the left base member, c. a right lifter assembly comprising a right hex-plus-X linkage and a right lifting member, wherein the right hex-plus-X linkage comprises a right base member which rests on the reference surface, and a right actuator capable of raising and lowering the right lifting member with respect to the right base member, d. power means capable of powering both the left actuator and the right actuator, the left actuator receiving either Forward Power to raise the left platform portion toward +z, or Reverse Power to lower the left platform portion toward −z, or No Power to leave the left platform portion stationary, and similarly, the right actuator receiving either Forward Power to raise the right platform portion toward +z, or Reverse Power to lower the right platform portion toward −z, or No Power to leave the right platform portion stationary; e. control means capable of issuing commands denoted Extend, Retract, and Off, these commands causing a delivery of either Forward Power, Reverse Power, or No Power, respectively, to the left and right actuators simultaneously, whereby both the left and right lifting members, as well as the platform affixed thereto, execute a motion in the z direction, either ascending substantially in unison toward +z, descending substantially in unison toward −z, or remaining stationary, in accordance with the Extend, Retract, and Off commands, respectively, such that a distance R from the reference surface to a representative point on the front edge may be increased or decreased, in a substantially continuous fashion, between a minimum value R SIT defining a low position of the lifting apparatus and a maximum value R STAND defining a high position of the lifting apparatus.