Tank lifter

A motorized apparatus is provided to lift, tilt and transport heavy tank-like objects such as water heaters. Structurally, the apparatus includes a hitching assembly which can be engaged with an elongated tank to hold it on the apparatus. A guide rail, which is mounted for rotation around a pivot point on a chassis of the apparatus, is also engaged with the hitching assembly. Screw-drives, which are engaged between the guide rail and the hitching assembly, are activated to move the hitching assembly in translation on the guide rail. Also, a screw-drive, which is engaged between the chassis and the guide rail, is activated to rotate the hitching assembly and tank together around the pivot point on the chassis. Further, drive wheels on the apparatus can be selectively activated to transport the entire apparatus.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains generally to motorized devices and apparatuses for transporting heavy objects. More particularly, the present invention pertains to motorized devices and apparatuses for transporting elongated liquid tanks over relatively short distances (e.g. between a home and a service truck). The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as a motorized apparatus for mechanically lifting, tilting and transporting water heaters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Moving heavy objects over relatively short distances may sometimes be necessary, but it is almost always difficult. As a consequence, several devices have been developed for the specific purpose of transporting particularly heavy objects over short distances (e.g. hand trucks and dollies). Still, it is often the case that a heavy object must be manhandled into position onto and off the transport device.

The most problematic aspect for the task of preparing a heavy object for short distance transport is the need to properly position it on the transport device. Invariably, this requires somehow lifting and positioning the object into a secure and stable orientation on the transport device. The difficulty in doing this, however, is easily aggravated when the weight of the object is substantial. Indeed, without mechanical assistance, the lifting and positioning of a heavy object may require the employment of several individuals.

With the above in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide a motorized apparatus for mechanically lifting and tilting an elongated cylindrical-shaped tank (e.g. a water heater) into position on the apparatus for short distance transport. Another object of the present invention is to provide a motorized apparatus for moving an elongated cylindrical-shaped tank, wherein the apparatus can be mechanically adjusted to conform it for engagement with differently sized tanks to ensure a secure and stabilized transport of a particular tank. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a motorized apparatus for mechanically lifting and tilting an elongated cylindrical-shaped tank into position on the apparatus for short distance transport, wherein the apparatus is easy to use, is relatively simple to manufacture, and is comparatively cost effective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a motorized apparatus is provided for lifting, tilting and transporting an elongated, cylindrical-shaped tank (e.g. a water heater). For purposes of disclosure, the tank defines a longitudinal axis and it may be either empty or full of water. In overview, as intended for the present invention, other than fastening the tank onto the apparatus, there is no need for an operator to manhandle the tank.

Structurally, the apparatus of the present invention includes a chassis. It also includes an elongated guide rail which is mounted on the chassis for rotation around a pivot point on the chassis. Further, the apparatus has a hitching assembly that is engaged with the guide rail. As envisioned for the present invention, the tank is to be fastened to the hitching assembly that is positioned on the guide rail. Thus, in combination, the tank and hitching assembly are held together on the guide rail.

In detail, the hitching assembly includes an elongated hitching bar that defines an axis and has an upper end and a lower end. Operationally, the hitching bar is positioned on the guide rail for translational movements in directions back and forth along the axis of the hitching bar. It is also positioned for rotational movements with the guide rail around the pivot point on the chassis. Specifically, this rotation will be back and forth from a vertical orientation through an angle α, wherein the angle α is preferably in a range between 0° and 50°.

In addition to the hitching bar, the hitching assembly includes a foot that is affixed to the lower end of the hitching bar, and it has a cradle that is located between the upper and lower ends of the hitching bar. Together, the foot and the cradle act to support the tank on the hitching bar when the tank rests on the hitching bar and against the foot. Also, a buckle is attached to the upper end of the hitching bar for engagement with the tank, and a belt is connected with the cradle where it can be strapped over the tank to secure and stabilize the tank against the hitching bar.

To help conform the hitching assembly to the tank, the length of the hitching bar can be adjusted. Specifically, for this purpose, a locking pin can be used to adjust the length of the telescoping hitching bar. Thus, a specific distance L can thereby be established between the buckle at the upper end of the hitching bar and the foot at the lower end of the hitching bar, as desired.

A pair of lifting screw-drives which straddle the hitching bar are provided as a means for moving the hitching assembly together with the tank in translational movements on the guide rail. To do this, each lifting screw-drive has a first end fixedly mounted on the guide rail and a second end engaged with the hitching bar. Thus, an elongation or a shortening of the lifting screw-drives will move the hitching assembly/tank combination in translational movements on the guide rail.

A single, tilting screw-drive is provided as a means for tilting the guide rail around the pivot point on the chassis while the tank is hitched/fastened onto the hitching assembly. For this purpose, the tilting screw-drive has a first end which is pivotally mounted on the chassis. It also has a second end which is pivotally mounted on the guide rail at a location between the pivot point and the upper end of the hitching bar. Thus an elongation or a shortening of the tilting screw-drive will rotate the hitching assembly/tank combination in rotation through the angle α around the pivot point.

Transporting a tank with the apparatus of the present invention is possible with the operation of a carriage. In detail, the carriage supports the chassis of the apparatus and it includes a pair of front casters, a pair of rear casters, and a pair of drive wheels that are positioned between the front and rear pairs of casters. In combination, each drive wheel is respectively aligned between a front caster and a rear caster to support the carriage.

Overall control of the apparatus is provided by a control panel. Specifically, a lifting toggle switch on the control panel is electrically connected to the lifting screw-drives for operating the lifting screw-drives. Similarly, a tilting toggle switch is electrically connected to the tilting screw-drive for operating the tilting screw-drive, and a power switch is electrically connecting to the drive wheels on the carriage for operating the drive wheels. A motor is provided for powering the lifting screw-drives, the tilting screw-drive and the drive wheels.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially toFIG. 1, an apparatus for lifting and tilting an elongated, cylindrical-shaped tank is shown and is generally designated10. For clarity inFIG. 1, a tank12is shown in phantom to distinguish it from the apparatus10. As shown, the apparatus10includes a chassis14that incorporates a control bar16. Also shown is a control panel18that is established on the control bar16.

A carriage is provided as part of the chassis14for apparatus10, and it is shown to include a drive wheel20that is aligned between a front caster22and a rear caster24. Although only one drive wheel20, one front caster22and one rear caster24are shown inFIG. 1, it is to be appreciated that a similar combination of drive wheel20, front caster22and rear caster24(duplicates not shown) are on the other side of the chassis14. For this carriage combination, a motor26is provided to power the drive wheels20for moving the apparatus10.

Referring now toFIG. 2, a hitching bar for the apparatus10is shown and is generally designated28. As shown, the hitching bar28is elongated, and it defines an axis30that extends between an upper end32and a lower end34. Also, a buckle36is provided at the upper end32of the hitching bar28, and a foot38is provided at the lower end34of the hitching bar28. A central section40of the hitching bar28is located between the upper end32and the lower end34of the hitching bar28. As shown, a lower section42of the hitching bar28is rigidly affixed to the central section40, and an upper section44of the hitching bar28is telescopically engaged with the central section40.

Still referring toFIG. 2, it is to be appreciated that a locking pin46is provided to interact between the central section40and the upper section44of the hitching bar28. In particular, the locking pin46selectively interacts with the hitching bar28to allow for adjustments in the length of the hitching bar28. Thus, with the locking pin46, a fixed relationship can be created between the central section40and the upper section44to thereby establish a desired length L between the upper end32and the lower end34of the hitching bar28.FIG. 2, also shows that a cradle48is formed on the central section40, and that a connector50is mounted on the central section40. Further, a push plate52is directly connected with the connector50.

FIG. 3shows a guide rail54that structurally interacts with both the hitching bar28and the chassis14of the apparatus10. For its interaction with the hitching bar28, a bracket56is mounted on the guide rail54to establish a hollow58inside the guide rail54. A slot60, which is formed on the guide rail54, extends parallel to the axis30that is defined by the hitching bar28(note: the axis30is referred to here to disclose the cooperative relationship between the hitching bar28and the guide rail54). Specifically, as shown inFIG. 3, a portion of the connector50of hitching bar28is inserted through the slot60and into the hollow58of the guide rail54. In this combination, the connector50(i.e. hitching bar28) can be moved back and forth in translational movement along the axis30, relative to the guide rail54. This translational movement along axis30is indicated inFIG. 3by the arrows62.

For an interaction of the guide rail54with the chassis14,FIG. 3indicates that the guide rail54is pivotally mounted on the chassis14for rotation around a pivot point64. Further,FIG. 3shows that a tilting screw-drive66is positioned for engagement between the chassis14and the guide rail54at a connecting point68. The functional purpose for tilting screw-drive66is actually two-fold. For one, in combination with the attachment between guide rail54and chassis14at the pivot point64, the tilting screw-drive66connected at connecting point68on the guide rail54helps stabilize the guide rail54with hitching bar28on the chassis14. For another, the tilting screw-drive66can be selectively actuated to rotate the guide rail54and the hitching bar28together around the pivot point64.

With reference toFIG. 4it will be seen that along with the tilting screw-drive66, a lifting screw-drive72is included with the apparatus10. Although only one lifting screw-drive72is shown inFIG. 4, it is to be appreciated there are a pair of lifting screw-drives72that straddle the guide rail54. In detail, a first end74of each lifting screw-drive72is fixed on respectively opposite sides of the guide rail54. Similarly, a second end76of each lifting screw-drive72is positioned to urge against the push plate52that is directly connected with the connector50of the hitching bar28(seeFIG. 2). Thus, as perhaps best appreciated with reference toFIG. 4, the lifting screw-drives72can be activated to move the hitching bar28in translation (arrows62) on the guide rail54. In a separate operation, the tilting screw-drive66can be activated to move the guide rail54and hitching bar28, together, in rotation (see arrows70) on the chassis14around the pivot point64.

An operation of the apparatus10will be best appreciated with reference back toFIG. 1. There it will be seen that the foot38of hitching bar28is first positioned under a heavy object that is to be moved (e.g. tank12). A belt78is then cinched around the tank12to hold it against the cradle48. If needed, the buckle36can be engaged with the top of the tank12to help secure and stabilize the tank12on the hitching bar28.

With the tank12secured on the hitching bar28, and with tank12in a vertical orientation, a toggle switch80on the control panel18can be exercised to activate the lifting screw-drives72. Thus, tank12can be lifted/lowered as needed. Next, a toggle switch80on the control panel18can be exercised to activate the tilting screw-drive66. Specifically, this is done to position the bulk of tank12over the chassis14during transport. Finally, a power switch82on the control panel18can be exercised to activate the drive wheels20and thereby transport the tank12. Directional control of the apparatus10is provided by manipulating the control bar16.