Abstract:
A mobile elevator assembly which may be used for gaining access to balconies and the like for purposes of moving furniture further comprises a trailer base upon which all components are mounted, a plurality of telescoping frame assemblies which can be raised from a first nested position to an erect position on the base, a vertically extending track member which is secured to the erected frame assemblies, a carriage moveable along the track member, and a winch and cable for raising and lowering the carriage.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an elevator type device and more particularly, relates to a mobile elevator assembly. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are numerous occasions wherein it is required that one gain access to an elevated location such as for purposes of repair. There are many different types of apparatuses which can be used for such purposes and one common type of apparatus is a moveable platform such as may be used in repairing electrical or telephone cables or the like. 
     For the consumer, one occasion where a mobile elevator assembly would be desirable is when it becomes time to move furniture or appliances from an upper story. This upper story may either be in a house or in an apartment building. Frequently, one has to move relatively heavy objects down staircases with limited room for maneuverability. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile elevator assembly which permits one to gain access to elevated locations and which is transportable. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile elevator assembly comprising a base, a plurality of telescoping frame assemblies, means for raising and lowering the telescoping frame assemblies from a first nested position to an erect position on the base, means for securing the telescoping frame assemblies together when the telescoping frame assemblies are in an erect position, a vertically extending track member secured to the telescoping frame assemblies to thereby form a substantially continuous track when the telescoping frame assemblies are in an erect position, a carriage moveable along the track member, and lift means for raising and lowering the carriage. 
     In a greater detail, the mobile elevator assembly of the present invention can be used in a great number of applications. Thus, a primary use would be to gain access to the upper floors of low rise apartment buildings and/or residences. However, it could equally well be used to serve as a temporary replacement for scaffolding, ladders, etc. 
     As aforementioned, the mobile elevator assembly includes a base. Although a separate base could be provided upon which the frame assemblies are subsequently mounted, a preferred embodiment provides that the mobile elevator assembly is transported on a conventional type of trailer and the trailer serves as the base. To this end, the trailer, when hauled to the site where the mobile elevator assembly is to be used, would require means of stabilizing the same. Conventional stabilizing legs can be used. 
     The mobile elevator assembly includes a plurality of frame assemblies which are connected one to the other. Any convenient number may be utilized and preferably, the frame assemblies are arranged in a telescoping fashion such that when in a storage position, they nest one within the other and yet can be readily raised to achieve the desired height. Two or more such telescoping frame assemblies are utilized. 
     Each of the telescoping frame assemblies may be constructed in a conventional manner having both horizontal frame members and vertical frame members with reinforcing members extending between. Any number of such structures are known in the art. Although, the frame assemblies may have any conventional configuration such as a rectangular shape, a preferred embodiment uses triangularly shaped frame sections which provide sufficient structural integrity while minimizing the weight and cost of the structure. 
     Once erected, the frame assemblies are secured together to form a solid structure. While many means for securing members together are known in the art including various types of clamp structures, etc, a convenient means may include a connecting member mating with like members on vertical frame members of the respective frame assemblies. 
     In order to erect the frame assemblies, there may be provided a gin pole which is also mounted on the base and which with a suitable winch and cable arrangement, either driven manually or electrically, can be utilized to raise the telescoping frame assemblies. One particular embodiment will be described in the preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     There is provided at least one vertically extending track member which is secured to the telescoping frame assemblies when they are in an erect condition. The track member is that in which the carriage will ride along. Although a single track member may be employed, in a preferred embodiment, a pair of such track members are utilized. 
     The carriage which is moveable along the track member or members may assume many different forms. Thus, it could comprise a platform upon which a person can stand. Alternatively, it may comprise a fork member similar to that used in lift fork trucks. It suffices to say that many different types of carriages can be employed with the present invention. 
     In order to raise the carriage member, suitable lift means are provided. Again, it is well known in the art to use different types of lift mechanisms including hydraulic, electrical and/or manual. It again suffices to say that any conventional lift means may be utilized. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, there are provided telescoping rails which may be used in conjunction with the carriage assembly. This arrangement can be particularly useful when it is desired to load or unload furniture or other goods from a balcony. In such an instance, the carriage moves above the balcony and the telescoping rails will then extend down to the balcony and a suitable transporting member may ride along the rails. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Having thus described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments thereof, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile elevator assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention when in a disassembled condition; 
     FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating the mobile elevator assembly in an assembled condition with the wheels of the transporting trailer being removed for purposes of clarity; 
     FIG. 3 is a partial side elevational view illustrating the first step in the erection of the mobile elevator assembly; 
     FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating the gin pole in an erect position ready to start assembly of the elevator assembly; 
     FIG. 5 is also a view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrating the erection of the elevator assembly; 
     FIG. 6 is a partial side elevational view illustrating the operation of the elevator; 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the telescoping arm arrangement for erection of the frame assemblies; 
     FIG. 8 is a partial side elevational view showing the connection of the frame sections; 
     FIG. 9 illustrates the frame sections when in a connected position; and 
     FIG. 10 is a partial side elevational view illustrating operation of the mobile elevator assembly in a manner to permit access to balconies and the like. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a mobile elevator assembly when in a disassembled or unerected condition and ready for transport to a site. Mobile elevator assembly, generally designated by reference numeral  10 , is mounted on a trailer  12 . Trailer  12  has wheels  14  and a trailer hitch  16  for attachment to a vehicle to tow the mobile trailer assembly to the desired site. There are also provided stabilizers  18  on either side of the trailer, each stabilizer having a stabilizer pad  20  designed to contact the ground. The trailer base is generally designated by reference numeral  22 . 
     Mobile elevator assembly  10  includes a plurality of frame sections, with the illustrated embodiment having three such frame sections—an inner frame section generally designated by reference numeral  28 , an intermediate frame section generally designated by reference numeral  30  and an outer frame section generally designated by reference numeral  32 . Each of the frame sections  28 ,  30  and  32  are comprised of a plurality of structural members—vertical posts  34 , diagonal struts  36  and horizontal members  38 . In the illustrated embodiment, frame sections  28 ,  30  and  32  are triangular in overall configuration and as may be seen in FIG. 1, in an unerected condition, are designed to nest one within the other. 
     Mobile elevator assembly  10  includes a gin pole  44 . On trailer base  22 , there are provided a pair of gin pole brackets  46  to which gin pole  44  is mounted by means of gin pole pivot pin  48 . There is also provided a gin pole support  50  for supporting gin pole  44  when in an unerected condition and to this end, there is provided a member  52  having a U shaped recess on gin pole support  50 . 
     A slidable member  54  is mounted on gin pole  44  and is slidable along the length thereof. Gin pole slidable member  54  includes a pair of arms  56  and  58  which extend outwardly in a V shaped configuration for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow. 
     Mounted on trailer base  22  is a first electric motor  64  having a winch  66  operatively connected thereto and about which is entrained cable  68 . A pulley  70  is mounted on trailer base  22  while there is also provided a pulley  72  at the bottom of gin pole  44 . At the top of gin pole  44 , there is provided a top pulley  74 . Gin pole slidable member  54  also has a pulley  76  thereon. At the end of cable  68 , there may be provided a detachable hook  78  as shown in FIG. 3 for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow. 
     Arm extensions  84  are provided and are designed to fit within arms  56  and  58  of gin pole slidable member  54 . In turn, frame engaging members  82  having a recess  88  are pivotably mounted thereon by means of pins  86 . 
     A top platform  90  is adapted to be mounted on the top of inner frame section  28 ; top platform  90  has a middle pulley  92  and outer pulley  94  mounted thereon. Top platform  90  also includes a pair of parallel side members  96  each having an extendable arm portion  98  associated therewith. 
     Mobile elevator assembly  10  also includes a pair of elevator track members  102 , each having a recess  104  formed in a side thereof and arranged to be facing each other. An elevator carriage in the form of a fork  106  is designed to ride within recesses  104  with a suitable roller member (not shown). Elevator fork  106  is comprised of a base  108  and a pair of outwardly extending fork arms  110  having bracing arms  111 . Mounted on elevator fork base  108  is a pulley attachment  112 . 
     Mounted on trailer base  22  underneath frame sections  28 ,  30  and  32  is an electric motor  114  and associated winch  116  with a cable  118 . 
     In operation, the mobile elevator assembly  10  is towed to a desired site. Subsequently, gin pole  44  is erected from its storage position shown in FIG. 1 to a vertical position as shown in FIG.  4 . To this end, cable  68  is entrained about pulleys  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  (as shown in FIG. 3) and hook  78  is connected to a suitable portion of one of the frame sections  28 ,  30  and  32 . Electric motor  64  and winch  66  are then operated to raise gin pole  44  to the vertical position and a stabilizing leg  60  is then secured thereto. 
     Subsequently, arm extensions  84  are engaged in arms  56  and  58  and member  82  is pivoted whereby recess  88  engages a horizontal member  38  of inner frame section  28 . Cable  68  is then connected to slidable member  54  and used to raise inner frame section  28 . At this point, inner frame section is then connected to intermediate frame section  30  as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 to which reference will now be had. 
     Each of the vertical posts  34  carry conventional connectors  124  which have a cylindrical aperture formed therein. A middle connector  126  is designed to fit between connectors  124  on two adjacent vertical posts  34  of inner frame section  28  and intermediate frame section  30 . Locking pins  128  are then inserted through the apertures in the connectors  124  and  126  to lock the frame sections together as shown in FIG.  9 . 
     Subsequently, the operation is repeated to raise intermediate frame section  30  from its position nesting within outer frame section  32 . The intermediate frame section  30  and outer frame section  32  are then attached in the same manner as described above for inner frame section  28  and intermediate frame section  30 . 
     Subsequently, elevator track members  102  are erected and secured to outer horizontal frame member  40  and to extendable arms  98 . As shown in FIG. 6, inner frame section  28  and elevator track member  102  each carry connectors  132  and  134  respectively. Connectors  132  and  134  are similar to connectors  124  and a U shaped connector pin  136  is inserted therein to lock elevator track members  102  in place. 
     Cable  118  is then entrained about pulleys  92  and  94  and connected to pulley attachment  112  of elevator fork  106 . Motor  114  may then be operated to raise and to lower elevator fork  106  as desired. 
     It will be understood that elevator fork  106  may have various attachments and/or configurations. Thus, it may not be a fork member but may be a solid platform if so desired. 
     Referring to FIG. 10, there is shown a variation of the above. In this arrangement, there is provided a pair of telescoping rails  142  (only one shown) with a transporting member  144 . Transporting member  144  is comprised of a base  146 , and a back  148  which merges with a handle section  149 . Wheels  150  are designed to ride on telescoping rails  142  while there is provided guide members  152  which ride within telescoping rails  142  and which guide members  152  are adjustable in length. 
     There is also provided a hand operated winch  156  with handle  158  mounted on a vertical post  154  secured to elevator fork  106 . A cable  160  is entrained about an upper pulley  162  and connected to bracket  164  on transporting member  144 . 
     As may be seen, in this embodiment, telescoping rails  142  may be used to have access to a balcony B for moving certain items. 
     It will be understood that the above described embodiments are for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.