Abstract:
A storage device for off-floor storage, including a base for emplacement on a floor of a storage area, a substantially vertical support member extending from the base and defining a deployment axis, a platform movably connected to the vertical support member, and a lift actuator operationally connected to the platform. The lift actuator may be energized to move the platform into any one of a plurality of substantially parallel vertical positions oriented generally transversely to the deployment axis. The base is decoupled from the floor.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The typical home currently includes either a one- or two-car garage. In newer homes having two-car garages, the trend is for the garage to be proportioned to accommodate exactly two mid-size or even compact cars with little to no room left over for storage. This poses a problem for people with such bulky items as lawn tractors, motorcycles, jet skis and the like that cannot reasonably be stored indoors. 
   One solution is to build an outdoor storage barn or shed for the garage overflow items. While such a structure solves the problem of protecting the items from the elements, outdoor storage structures have several drawbacks. For example, outdoor storage structures are less secure than garages, and are more prone to break-ins and theft of the items stored therein. Another drawback is that since the storage structures are unconnected to the house, they are not be heated or cooled to the extent that a garage is and thus are less desirable for storage of items sensitive to temperature extremes. Further, many communities have ordinances or regulations that prohibit storage structures, therefore obviating this particular solution to the storage problem. 
   Another storage solution is the suspension of bulky vehicles from the garage ceiling. While this is a practical solution for lightweight items such as bicycles, it is impractical for heavier items such as lawn tractors and motorcycles. 
   Still another means for storing heavy and bulky items in a garage is through the use of a lift platform, such as the one discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,153 to Norris. Norris discloses a hydraulically actuated lifting platform that may be bolted to a garage floor and used to lift vehicles, such as motorcycles, off of the garage floor for storage. While useful, the Norris lift still suffers from the disadvantage of being non-portable, since it must be bolted down to the garage floor. The Norris lift also has the drawback of having a central support column extending upwardly at an angle of between 45 and 75 degrees, such that the Norris lift cannot be positioned flush against a garage wall but must instead extend inwardly into the already tight confines of the garage. 
   There therefore remains a need for a need for a portable storage mechanism that effectively occupies a minimum amount of viable storage space to effectively increase the storage capacity of a garage or like enclosure. The present invention addresses this need. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a storage device for off-floor storage. The device includes a base for emplacement on a floor of a storage area, a substantially vertical support member extending from the base and defining a deployment axis, a platform movably connected to the vertical support member, and a lift actuator operationally connected to the platform. The lift actuator may be energized to move the platform into any one of a plurality of substantially parallel vertical positions oriented generally transversely to the deployment axis. The base is decoupled from the floor such that the device may be readily moved from time to time without the requirement of tools to disconnect it from the surface it rests upon and such that utilization of the device does not require permanent marring of that surface. 
   One object of the present invention is to provide an improved storage lift apparatus. Related objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment portable lifting assembly of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the assembly of  FIG. 1  with the platform in a lowered position. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 4  loaded with a motorcycle and a lawn tool. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  loaded with a pair of motorcycles and having an automobile parked therebelow. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  loaded with tools, a lawn mower and a dog. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the base member of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 8A  is a partial rear elevation view of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 8B  is a partial rear perspective view of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 8C  is a partial rear perspective view of  FIG. 8B . 
       FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of the platform of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 9B  is a partial rear schematic view of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 9C  is a perspective view of a sleeve portion of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic view of the safety latch of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram illustrating the motion actuator system of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 12  is a schematic view of the safety latch of  FIG. 1  oriented to engage the support member. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention and presenting its currently understood best mode of operation, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, with such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
     FIGS. 1–6  illustrate a first embodiment of the present invention, a freestanding or portable elevatable storage platform assembly  20 . The platform assembly  20  includes a base portion  22 , a support member  24  connected to and upwardly extending from the base portion  22 , a platform portion  26  movably connected to the support member  24 , and a lift or motion actuator  28  operationally coupled to the platform portion  26  and the support member  24 . The support member  24  is preferably rigidly connected to the base portion  22  (such as by fasteners such as bolts or by welding). The support member  24  also preferably extends substantially vertically upwardly from the base portion  22 , although the support member  24  may make a slight angle with the base portion  22 , with the preferred direction of the angle such that the support member leans slightly to extend over the base portion  22 . In other words, while the preferred orientation of the support member  24  is perpendicular to the base portion  22 , the support member  24  may deviate slightly from the perpendicular by a few degrees so as to extend away from or (preferably) over the base portion  22 . 
     FIG. 7  illustrates the base portion  22  in greater detail. The base portion  22  includes an elongated frame portion  32  that is preferably rectangular in shape, although the frame portion  32  may be of any convenient shape. The base portion  22  also preferably includes supporting cross members  34  connected to and extending at least partially across the frame portion  32 . The base portion  22  further includes a support column connecting portion  36  adapted to receive and mechanically connect to the support column  24 . In the preferred embodiment, the support column connecting portion  36  is a small framework sized and shaped to snugly receive the support column  24 . The support column  24  is preferably connected to the support column connecting portion  36  by mechanical fasteners (such as bolts or screws), or, alternately, by a more permanent means, such as by welding. Preferably, the base portion is made of a structural material, such as steel, aluminum or the like, and more preferably is made from a structural grade steel such as A36 or the like. 
   The base portion  22  further includes a plurality of leveling feet  37  extending between the base portion  22  and the ground (when the assembly is positioned for use.) The leveling feet  37  are of adjustable length insofar as the length between the base portion  22  and the ground are preferably may be increased or decreased by adjusting the leveling feet  37 . The leveling feet  37  are deployed to accommodate for inherent unlevelness of the surface upon which the assembly  20  is desired to be deployed and positioned for use, such as the ground, an unevenly poured and cured garage floor, or the like. It is greatly preferred that the base portion  22  be leveled relative to the horizontal before lifting a load on the platform portion  26  to maximize the stability of the assembly  20 . It is also important that any loads placed on the platform portion  26  be distributed as evenly as possible with regard to their mass. Accordingly, it is preferably that the base portion  22  be leveled and also configured to remain in place absent an intentional effort to reposition the assembly  20 . In other words, it is preferred that the base portion  22  be non-wheeled and enjoy a friction interface with the ground or supporting surface when the assembly is deployed and positioned for use. 
     FIGS. 8A–8D  show the support member  24  in greater detail. The support member  24  includes an elongated support frame  40  that is preferably characterized by a π-shaped cross-section with one substantially open side. The support member  24  at least partially encloses a lifting member  42 . Preferably, as illustrated in this embodiment, lifting member  42  is a hydraulic cylinder. However, in other contemplated embodiments, lifting member  42  may be any convenient mechanical actuator such as a worm drive or the like. A pulley  44  is connected to the upper end of the lifting member  42 , and a chain  46  extends from a fixed connection to the base portion  22  or the support member  24 , over the pulley  44 , and back to the platform portion  26 . Extension of the lifting member  42  raises the pulley  44 , which puts tension on the chain  46 . The chain  46  in turn exerts a lifting force on the platform portion  26 , raising it along the support column  26 . Lowering the lifting member  42  has the opposite effect of lowering the pulley  44  and lowering the lifting platform  26 . 
   The support member  24  further includes a toothed member  48  positioned therein and oriented parallel with the major axis of the elongated support frame  40 . 
     FIGS. 9A–9C  illustrate the lifting platform  26  in greater detail. The lifting platform  26  includes an uppermost substantially flat portion  60  upon which the items to be stored or lifting cargo (such as motor cycles, snow blowers, jet skis, lawn tractors, tools, or the like) may be placed. The lifting platform  26  further preferably includes a raised fence portion  62  extending upwardly from the periphery of the flat portion  60  and at least partially enclosing the flat portion  60 . Preferably, the fence portion  62  includes flexible members  64 , such as nylon straps or elastic cords attached thereto for securing lifting cargo to the lifting platform  26 . Preferably, the flat portion  60  is formed from flat structural pieces, such as wooden boards, metal plates, or the like and more preferably are formed from textured  6061  aluminum plating. However, any convenient structural material may be chosen. Even more preferably, the flat portion  60  is substantially solid, but may also be a mesh, a honeycomb, or even a substantially open grid. The fence portion  62  is preferably formed from a structural material, such as aluminum or steel, although any convenient structural material may be selected. 
   Preferably, the lifting platform portion  26  has an elongated rectangular shape, and more preferably at least partially encloses the lifting member near one end. Even more preferably, the end enclosing the lifting member  24  is opposite the end of the platform portion  26  onto which vehicular cargo, such as motorcycles, will be loaded and unloaded under their own power. Also preferably, the lifting platform portion  26  is positioned over the base portion  22  such that the two portions  22 ,  26  substantially overlap one another. In other words, when lowered to the ground, the lifting platform portion  26  sits directly on top of and aligned with the base portion  22 . 
   The lifting platform  26  preferably includes a generally rectangular notch  66  formed therein and centrally positioned at the end adjacent the fence portion  62 . The notch  66  is sized and shaped to accommodate the support member  24 . The platform  26  further preferably includes a sleeve member  68  connected to the fence portion  62  and shaped and sized to slideably fit within the support member  24 . More preferably, the support member  24  includes at least one and preferably a pair of parallel rails  70  formed therein and the sleeve member  68  includes at least one and preferably a pair of rail-engaging portions  72  attached thereto and positioned interlockingly slideably engage the rails  70  when the sleeve  68  is disposed within the support member  24 . 
   In one preferred embodiment, the lifting platform  26  includes connection points, such as apertures formed therethrough, to which lightweight storage items may be connected for suspension from the exterior of the platform  26 . The items may be either directly connected to the platform  26  or indirectly connected, such as by suspension via a flexible connector. 
   The dimensions of one preferred embodiment storage platform assembly  20  are as follows. The overall height is preferably less than 9 feet (i.e., the ceiling height of the average garage), and is more preferably in the range of about 8 feet and six inches to about eight feet and eleven inches. The platform portion  26  is substantially rectangular and defined by the measurements of about eighty inches by about eighty-six inches. The base portion  22  is also generally rectangular, having the dimensions seventy-eight inches by forty inches (although the base further includes individual members of lengths in excess of forty inches extending along its otherwise shorter side.) Of course, the assembly  20  may be produced having any convenient dimensions, but is preferably sized to operate in a standard garage and is more preferably sized to provide enough room under a raised and motorcycle-laden platform portion  26  to accommodate the front portion of an automobile parked therebelow. 
   In operation, the platform portion  26  enjoys a sliding and cantilevered connection to the support column  24 , such that the platform portion  26  remains in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the support column  24  as the platform portion  26  is moved along support column  24  (see  FIGS. 1–3 ). In other words, the platform portion  26  remains substantially horizontal as it is raised and lowered. 
   The storage platform assembly  20  further includes a safety mechanism  74  for preventing accidental lowering of the platform portion  26  after the platform portion  26  has been raised into a desired storage position. The safety mechanism  74  is illustrated in detail in  FIGS. 10 and 12 . The safety mechanism  74  includes a latch member  75  pivotingly connected to the sleeve member  68  and disposed to pivotingly engage the toothed member  48  when the sleeve is positioned within the support member with the rail-engaging portions  72  interlockingly slideably engaging the rails  70  (as shown in  FIG. 9B .) The latch member  75  includes an elongated tooth-engaging portion  76 . A biasing member  77 , such as a spring, extends between the latch member  75  and the sleeve  68  and is positioned to exert a biasing force on the tooth-engaging portion  76 , urging the tooth-engaging portion  76  to pivot into the toothed member  48 . The safety mechanism  74  further includes a flexible connector  78 , such as a steel cable, connected thereto and extending to some convenient point on the assembly  20 . The flexible connector  78  is positioned to exert a counter-biasing force on the tooth engaging portion, urging the tooth-engaging portion  76  to pivot away from the toothed member  48 . Preferably, the latch member  75  is balanced such that once the counter-biasing force is exerted to pivot the tooth-engaging portion  76  away from the toothed member  48 , the latch member  75  will remain disengaged from the toothed member  48  long enough for the platform portion  26  to be lowered to the ground. This may be achieved by selecting a damped biasing mechanism as biasing member  77 , including a reengaging portion extending from the latch member  75  to pivot the tooth engaging portion  76  towards the toothed member  48  when the platform is traveling upwardly, or by any like means known to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     FIG. 11  illustrates the lift actuator  28  in greater detail. The lift actuator  28  includes a power source  80  in communication with a power transmission conduit  82 . The power transmission conduit  82  extends from the power source to the lifting member  42 , to which it is operationally connected such that energization of the power source  80  transmits power through the power transmission conduit  82  to the lifting member  42 , actuating the lifting member  42  to urge the platform  26  upwardly (or downwardly) along the elongated support member  24 . The lift actuator  28  preferably includes a control assembly  86  operationally connected to the power source  80 . More preferably, the control assembly  86  is adapted to be locked when not in use, such as by a secure code or a removable key, such that the probability of accidental movement of the platform portion  26  is minimized. Also preferably, the power transmission conduit  82  is adapted to be readily removed and reconnected from the power source  80  and/or the lifting member  42  to minimize accidental movement of the platform portion  26 . Even more preferably, the power source is adapted to provide a predetermined maximum amount of lift power as a load safety precaution. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the motion actuator  28  is hydraulic, i.e. the power source  80  is a hydraulic pump and the conduit  82  is a hydraulic hose. The lifting member  42  is a hydraulic cylinder. The pump  80  is preferably internally configured, such as by a safety valve, to provide a predetermined maximum lifting pressure, such as 2000 pounds. Also preferably, the hose  82  may be readily connected/disconnected to the pump  80  and/or the cylinder  42  to establish/break a hydraulic communication link between the pump  80  and the cylinder  42  to prevent undesired lowering of the platform portion  26  by unauthorized persons, such as young children or thieves. In other embodiments, the motion actuator may be pneumatic, electromechanical, or the like. 
   In operation, the portable elevatable storage platform assembly  20  may be used to store an item (such as a lawn tractor) in a storage area (such as a garage) as follows. The freestanding vertical storage platform assembly  20  is first positioned as desired in the storage area. Preferably, the assembly  20  is positioned against the far wall of the storage area, such that no storage space is wasted behind the assembly  20 . Next, the platform portion  26  is positioned adjacent the ground, i.e. adjacent the base portion  22 . The lawn tractor is loaded onto the platform, and then the platform is elevated to a desired distance from the base portion  22 . Once raised, the platform portion  26  is (preferably automatically) locked in place to prevent movement of the platform portion  26  toward the base portion  22  (i.e., accidental lowering of the platform portion  26 ). (See  FIG. 12 ) When it is desired to retrieve the stored item from storage, the platform portion  26  is first unlocked. In the preferred embodiment detailed above, this is done by first actuating the motion actuator  28  to slightly raise the platform portion  26 , and then pulling the flexible member  78  to release the safety mechanism  74  by pivoting the tooth-engaging portion  76  away from the toothed member  48 . In this embodiment, it is necessary to slightly raise the platform portion  26  before disengaging the safety mechanism  74 , since the weight of the platform portion  26  and any loaded items at least partially rests upon the safety latch  74 , resulting in sufficiently great frictional forces generated between the safety latch  75  and the toothed member  48  that it is essentially impossible to release the safety latch  75  by pulling on the flexible member  78  without first raising the platform portion  26  to relieve the frictional forces. 
   Once the safety mechanism  74  is disengaged, the motion actuator  28  may be engaged to lower the platform portion  26  substantially to the ground, or at least far enough to facilitate unloading of the platform portion  26 . It is preferred that if the platform portion  26  is to be left in a raised position for any length of time, the motion actuator  28  be disabled (such as by key control, removal of the conduit  82 , or the like) to prevent accidental lowering of the platform portion  26 . 
   While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nearly infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.