Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20040262949?dq=7,134,016
Timestamp: 2015-09-02 16:17:57
Document Index: 56952167

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60']

Patent US20040262949 - System and method for moving objects - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA structure is described which includes a system having a support member and a toothed wheel which cooperate with each other to vertically move a bed....http://www.google.com/patents/US20040262949?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20040262949 - System and method for moving objectsAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS20040262949 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 10/915,984Publication dateDec 30, 2004Filing dateAug 11, 2004Priority dateJul 31, 2003Also published asCA2534654A1, CA2534654C, EP1654187A2, EP1654187A4, US6983979, US6983980, US6988760, US7121612, US7121613, US7198320, US7350850, US7384093, US7744142, US8038193, US8336940, US8651545, US20040262946, US20040262947, US20050001449, US20060091697, US20060181110, US20060220417, US20060290159, US20080238119, US20100219660, US20120025555, US20130081336, WO2005012156A2, WO2005012156A3Publication number10915984, 915984, US 2004/0262949 A1, US 2004/262949 A1, US 20040262949 A1, US 20040262949A1, US 2004262949 A1, US 2004262949A1, US-A1-20040262949, US-A1-2004262949, US2004/0262949A1, US2004/262949A1, US20040262949 A1, US20040262949A1, US2004262949 A1, US2004262949A1InventorsC. Martin RasmussenOriginal AssigneeHappijac CompanyExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (73), Referenced by (6), Classifications (24), Legal Events (5) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetSystem and method for moving objects
US 20040262949 A1Abstract
A structure is described which includes a system having a support member and a toothed wheel which cooperate with each other to vertically move a bed. Images(173) Claims(42)
What is claimed is: 1. A structure comprising: a support member including a plurality of openings, the support member being coupled to the structure; and a toothed wheel which cooperates with the plurality of openings in the support member to vertically move a bed. 2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the structure is a recreational vehicle. 3. The structure of claim 1 comprising a plurality of support members, each of which includes a plurality of openings, the support members being coupled to the structure; a plurality of toothed wheels, each of which cooperates with a corresponding support member to vertically move the bed. 4. The structure of claim 3 wherein the plurality of support members include a support member coupled to each one of opposing walls of the structure. 5. The structure of claim 1 wherein the toothed wheel cooperates with the plurality of openings to vertically move superposed beds between a first configuration where the beds are spaced apart and a second configuration where the beds are stowed adjacent to each other. 6. The structure of claim 5 wherein the superposed beds include a lower bed and an upper bed, wherein the lower bed is used to move the upper bed between the first configuration and the second configuration. 7. The structure of claim 1 comprising a motor which drives the toothed wheel. 8. A recreational vehicle comprising: a cargo area which is used to receive an off-road vehicle; a support member including an engaging portion, the support member being coupled to the vehicle; and a toothed wheel which cooperates with the engaging portion to vertically move a bed between a first position where the bed is in the cargo area and is used for sleeping thereon and a second position where the bed is stowed adjacent to a ceiling of the vehicle. 9. The recreational vehicle of claim 8 comprising a door which is used as a ramp to move the off-road vehicle into and/or out of the cargo area. 10. The recreational vehicle of claim 8 comprising a plurality of support members each of which includes an engaging portion, each of the plurality of support members being coupled to the vehicle; a plurality of toothed wheels, each of which cooperates with the engaging portion of a corresponding support member to vertically move the bed. 11. The recreational vehicle of claim 8 comprising a motor which drives the toothed wheel. 12. The recreational vehicle of claim 8 wherein the toothed wheel cooperates with the engaging portion to vertically move superposed beds between a first configuration where the beds are spaced apart in the cargo area and a second configuration where the beds are stowed adjacent to the ceiling of the vehicle. 13. The recreational vehicle of claim 12 wherein the superposed beds include a lower bed and an upper bed, wherein the lower bed is used to move the upper bed between the first configuration and the second configuration. 14. A recreational vehicle comprising: a first vertical rail including a plurality of slots, the first vertical rail being coupled to a first wall of the vehicle; a second vertical rail including a plurality of slots, the second vertical rail being coupled to a second wall of the vehicle, the second wall being positioned opposite the first wall; and a first gear and a second gear which cooperate with the plurality of slots in the first vertical rail and the plurality of slots in the second vertical rail, respectively, to vertically move a bed. 15. The recreational vehicle of claim 14 comprising a cargo area which is used to receive an off-road vehicle, wherein the first gear and the second gear are used to vertically move the bed between a first position where the bed is in the cargo area and is used for sleeping thereon and a second position where the bed is stowed adjacent to a ceiling of the vehicle. 16. The recreational vehicle of claim 14 comprising a motor which drives the first gear and the second gear. 17. The recreational vehicle of claim 14 comprising: a third vertical rail including a plurality of slots, the third vertical rail being coupled to the first wall; a fourth vertical rail including a plurality of slots, the fourth vertical rail being coupled to the second wall; and a third gear and a fourth gear which cooperate with the plurality of slots in the third vertical rail and the plurality of slots in the fourth vertical rail, respectively, to vertically move the bed. 18. The recreational vehicle of claim 17 comprising a chain which is used to move at least two of the first gear, the second gear, the third gear, or the fourth gear in unison. 19. The recreational vehicle of claim 14 wherein the first gear and the second gear are used to vertically move superposed beds between a first configuration where the beds are spaced apart and a second configuration where the beds are stowed adjacent to a ceiling of the vehicle. 20. The recreational vehicle of claim 19 wherein the superposed beds include a lower bed and an upper bed, wherein the lower bed is used to move the upper bed between the first configuration and the second configuration. 21. A recreational vehicle comprising: a cargo area which is used to receive an off-road vehicle; a first vertical rail including an engaging portion, the first vertical rail being coupled to a first wall of the vehicle; a second vertical rail including an engaging portion, the second vertical rail being coupled to a second wall of the vehicle, the second wall being positioned opposite the first wall; and a first gear and a second gear which cooperate with the engaging portion of the first vertical rail and the engaging portion of the second vertical rail, respectively, to vertically move a bed between a first position where the bed is in the cargo area and a second position where the bed is adjacent a ceiling of the vehicle. 22. The recreational vehicle of claim 21 comprising a motor which drives the first gear and the second gear. 23. The recreational vehicle of claim 21 wherein the engaging portion comprises a plurality of slots. 24. The recreational vehicle of claim 21 comprising: a third vertical rail including an engaging portion, the third vertical rail being coupled to the first wall; a fourth vertical rail including an engaging portion, the fourth vertical rail being coupled to the second wall; a third gear and a fourth gear which cooperate with the engaging portion of the third vertical rail and the engaging portion of the fourth vertical rail, respectively, to move the bed between the first position and the second position. 25. The recreational vehicle of claim 24 comprising a chain which is used to move at least two of the first gear, the second gear, the third gear, or the fourth gear in unison. 26. The recreational vehicle of claim 21 comprising a door which is used as a ramp to move the off-road vehicle into and/or out of the cargo area. 27. The recreational vehicle of claim 21 wherein the first gear and the second gear are used to vertically move superposed beds between a first configuration where the beds are spaced apart in the cargo area and a second configuration where the beds are stowed adjacent to the ceiling of the recreational vehicle. 28. The recreational vehicle of claim 27 wherein the superposed beds include a lower bed and an upper bed, wherein the lower bed is used to move the upper bed between the first configuration and the second configuration. 29. A recreational vehicle comprising: a first pair of vertical rails each of which includes a plurality of slots, the first pair of vertical rails being coupled to a first wall of the vehicle; and a second pair of vertical rails each of which includes a plurality of slots, the second pair of vertical rails being coupled to a second wall of the vehicle, the second wall being positioned opposite the first wall; a plurality of gears each of which cooperates with the plurality of slots in a corresponding vertical rail from the first pair of vertical rails and the second pair of vertical rails to vertically move a bed; and a motor which is used to drive the gears. 30. The recreational vehicle of claim 29 comprising a cargo area which is used to receive an off-road vehicle, wherein the plurality of gears are used to vertically move the bed between a first position where the bed is in the cargo area and is used for sleeping thereon and a second position where the bed is stowed adjacent to a ceiling of the vehicle. 31. The recreational vehicle of claim 29 wherein a chain is used to move at least two of the gears in unison. 32. The recreational vehicle of claim 29 wherein the plurality of gears are used to vertically move superposed beds between a first configuration where the beds are spaced apart and a second configuration where the beds are stowed adjacent to a ceiling of the vehicle. 33. The recreational vehicle of claim 32 wherein the superposed beds include a lower bed and an upper bed, wherein the lower bed is used to move the upper bed between the first configuration and the second configuration. 34. A recreational vehicle comprising: a cargo area which is used to receive an off-road vehicle; a first pair of vertical rails each of which includes an engaging portion, the first pair of vertical rails being coupled to a first wall of the vehicle; and a second pair of vertical rails each of which includes an engaging portion, the second pair of vertical rails being coupled to a second wall of the vehicle, the second wall being positioned opposite the first wall; a plurality of gears each of which cooperates with the engaging portion of a corresponding vertical rail from the first pair of vertical rails and the second pair of vertical rails to vertically move a bed between a first position where the bed is in the cargo area and a second position where the bed is adjacent a ceiling of the vehicle; and a motor which is used to drive the gears. 35. The recreational vehicle of claim 34 wherein a chain is used to move at least two of the gears in unison. 36. The recreational vehicle of claim 34 wherein the plurality of gears are used to vertically move superposed beds between a first configuration where the beds are spaced apart in the cargo area and a second configuration where the beds are stowed adjacent to a ceiling of the vehicle. 37. The recreational vehicle of claim 36 wherein the superposed beds include a lower bed and an upper bed, wherein the lower bed is used to move the upper bed between the first configuration and the second configuration. 38. A recreational vehicle comprising: a first pair of vertical rails each of which includes an engaging portion, the first pair of vertical rails being coupled to a first wall of the vehicle; and a second pair of vertical rails each of which includes an engaging portion, the second pair of vertical rails being coupled to a second wall of the vehicle, the second wall being positioned opposite the first wall; a first pair of gears corresponding to the first pair of vertical rails and a second pair of gears corresponding to the second pair of vertical rails, the first pair of gears cooperating with the engaging portions of the first pair of vertical rails and the second pair of gears cooperating with the engaging portions of the second pair of vertical rails to vertically move a bed; only one drive member positioned transverse to the first wall and the second wall and used to synchronize movement of the first pair of gears and the second pair of gears; and a motor which is used to drive the gears. 39. The recreational vehicle of claim 38 wherein a chain is used to move at least two gears from the first pair of gears and/or the second pair of gears in unison. 40. The recreational vehicle of claim 38 wherein each vertical rail of the first pair of vertical rails and the second pair of vertical rails includes a plurality of slots, and wherein the first pair of gears and the second pair of gears cooperate with the plurality of slots in the first pair of vertical rails and the plurality of slots in the second pair of vertical rails, respectively, to vertically move the bed. 41. The recreational vehicle of claim 38 comprising a cargo area which is used to receive an off-road vehicle, wherein the first pair of gears and the second pair are used to vertically move the bed between a first position where the bed is in the cargo area and is used for sleeping thereon and a second position where the bed is stowed adjacent to a ceiling of the vehicle. 42. The recreational vehicle of claim 38 wherein the first pair of gears and the second pair of gears are used to vertically move superposed beds between a first configuration where the beds are spaced apart and a second configuration where the beds are stowed adjacent to a ceiling of the vehicle.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/903,922, entitled “System and Method for Moving Objects,” filed on Jul. 31, 2004, which claims the benefit of the following applications under 35 U.S.C. � 119(e): (1) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/491,448, entitled “Vertical Sliding Mechanisms and Systems,” filed on Jul. 31, 2003; (2) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/492,440, entitled “Vertical Sliding Mechanisms and Systems,” filed on Aug. 4, 2003; (3) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/510,270, entitled “Vertical Sliding Mechanisms and Systems,” filed on Oct. 9, 2003; (4) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/534,092, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Moving Items in a Vehicle,” filed on Jan. 2, 2004; (5) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/544,000, entitled “Systems and Methods for Moving Items in a Vehicle,” filed on Feb. 12, 2004; (6) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/560,872, entitled “Systems and Methods for Moving Items in a Vehicle,” filed on Apr. 9, 2004; all of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND [0002] Since at least the beginning of civilization, shelter from the elements has been a basic human need. Over the years, a number of structures have been developed to satisfy this need. For example, structures such as homes, apartments, condominiums, and the like have been used to effectively provide shelter from the elements. In addition to these immobile structures, mobile structures such as land vehicles, aircraft, watercraft, and the like have also been used to effectively provide shelter. Many of these structures are used not just to provide shelter but also to provide living quarters. [0003] Ever since people began to use structures as living quarters, there has been an almost universal desire to increase the size and comfort provided by these structures. This is true regardless of whether the structure is mobile or immobile. For immobile structures, this desire is manifest by the continually increasing size of homes, apartments, condominiums, hotels, etc. In the context of mobile structures, the desire for more space and comfort is manifest by the increased size of land vehicles, aircraft, watercraft, etc. The size of immobile structures may be limited by a number of factors such as cost, available real estate in the area, government regulations, etc. The size of mobile structures may be limited by transportation regulations set by the government (e.g., width of a road vehicle, length of a road vehicle, etc.) and by the physical dimensions of the roads (e.g., width of a travel lane, distance between railroad tracks, height of bridges, etc.) or other medium of transportation (e.g., waterways, etc.). Also building larger structures may unnecessarily increase the consumption of valuable resources (e.g., land, steel, wood, etc.). Accordingly, it would be desirable to more effectively utilize the space in structures without increasing the “footprint” of the structures. [0004] One type of vehicle where it may be desirable to more effectively utilize the space are “toy hauler” type recreational vehicles. Toy haulers may differ from other types of recreational vehicles in a number of ways. For example, toy haulers include a cargo area which is used to receive and transport off-road vehicles. Because of the cargo area, the toy hauler may have different characteristics than other recreational vehicles. For instance, in many recreational vehicles, the integrity of the body may be reinforced using a number of techniques such as coupling cabinets to both the side walls and the ceiling of the vehicle, using interior walls extending between the ceiling and the floor, and the like. Although these techniques may be used in a toy hauler, in an effort to maximize the amount of cargo space, these techniques are often not used in the cargo area. The lack of these reinforcement techniques combined with the rear wall being used as a door or ramp to load the off-road vehicles (i.e., the rear wall is not a rigid stationary structure) may contribute to flexing, swaying, etc. of the side walls in the area adjacent to the cargo area. This may be a problem when the toy hauler is traveling at high speeds, in high winds, or over rough surfaces (e.g., washboard gravel roads, unmaintained backcountry roads, etc.). The flexing, swaying, etc. may cause an object such as a bed coupled between the side walls to dislodge and fall during travel. Off-road vehicles positioned in the cargo area may be damaged by the falling bed. In light of these problems, it would be desirable to provide an improved system to securely hold and move the bed or other objects to prevent such an occurrence. [0005] In the past, there have been attempts to more effectively utilize space inside structures by using a system which moves a bed to a use position at night and a stowed position during the day. Thus, the space taken up by the bed is capable of being utilized for other purposes when the bed is not being used for sleeping. Unfortunately, these systems suffered from a number of problems. For example, many of these systems were considered unreliable and difficult to maintain and operate. These problems may have inhibited the widespread adoption of these systems. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an improved system for moving objects that is considered reliable and effective for its intended use. DRAWINGS [0006]FIG. 1 shows a partially cut-away view of one embodiment of a structure which includes a system for vertically moving one or more objects. [0007]FIG. 2 shows a perspective view from inside a structure of another embodiment of a system for vertically moving one or more beds. [0008]FIGS. 3-10 show alternating assembled and exploded perspective views of various embodiments of lifting assemblies which may be included as part of a system for vertically moving one or more beds. [0009]FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a support member which may be used in a system for vertically moving one or more beds. [0010]FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a support member which may be used in a system for vertically moving one or more beds. [0011]FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a support assembly which may be used in a system for vertically moving one or more beds. [0012]FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional bottom view of the support assembly from FIG. 13. [0013]FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a support assembly which may be used in a system for vertically moving one or more beds. [0014]FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional bottom view of the support assembly from FIG. 15. [0015]FIG. 17 shows a side view of one embodiment of a toothed member in cooperation with a support member which may be used in a system for vertically moving one or more beds. [0016]FIGS. 18-23 show perspective views of various stages of assembly of a transmission which may be used in a system for vertically moving one or more beds. [0017]FIGS. 24-26 show cross-sectional top views of various embodiments of lifting assemblies which may be used in a system for vertically moving one or more beds. [0018]FIG. 27 shows a perspective view of two lifting assemblies coupled to a wall according to another embodiment of a system for vertically moving one or more beds. [0019]FIGS. 28-31 show front views of one embodiment of a portion of a drive assembly which may be used to move multiple lifting assemblies together. [0020]FIG. 32 shows a front view of a portion of a drive assembly which may be adjusted between a first orientation where adjacent lifting assemblies move together and a second orientation where the adjacent lifting assemblies may be moved independently of each other. [0021]FIG. 33 shows a front view of a portion of a drive assembly which may be adjusted between a first orientation where adjacent lifting assemblies move together and a second orientation where the adjacent lifting assemblies may be moved independently of each other using a camming device. [0022]FIG. 34 shows a side view of a camming device in a disengaged configuration where adjacent lifting assemblies may be moved independently of each other. [0023]FIG. 35 shows a side view of a camming device in an engaged configuration where adjacent lifting assemblies move together. [0024]FIG. 36 shows another side view of a camming device in a disengaged configuration where adjacent lifting assemblies may be moved independently of each other. [0025]FIG. 37 shows another side view of a camming device in an engaged configuration where adjacent lifting assemblies move together. [0026]FIG. 38 shows a perspective view of a cam mechanism which may be used with a camming device. [0027]FIG. 39 shows a cross-sectional view of a drive member and a drive shaft separated from each other according to one embodiment. [0028]FIG. 40 shows a cross-sectional view of a drive shaft in cooperation with a drive member according to one embodiment. [0029]FIG. 41 shows a perspective view of two lifting assemblies coupled to a wall and used to vertically move a bed using a gear rack. [0030]FIG. 42 shows a perspective view of two lifting assemblies coupled to a wall and used to vertically move a bed using a stationary chain. [0031]FIG. 43 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of an arrangement for coupling a bed to a lifting assembly in a disengaged configuration. [0032]FIG. 44 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of an arrangement for coupling a bed to a lifting assembly in an engaged configuration. [0033]FIG. 45 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a system for vertically moving one ore more beds using one lifting assembly coupled to each opposing wall. [0034]FIG. 46 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a system for vertically moving superposed beds where the beds are in a use configuration. [0035]FIG. 47 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a system for vertically moving superposed beds where the beds are positioned adjacent to each other. [0036]FIG. 48 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a system for vertically moving superposed beds where the beds are positioned adjacent to a ceiling. [0037]FIG. 49 shows a bottom view and a front view of one embodiment for stowing a ladder which is used to enter and exit an upper bed. [0038]FIG. 50 shows a front view of one embodiment for supporting an upper bed in the use configuration. [0039]FIG. 51 shows a perspective view of a stop assembly in a disengaged configuration, the stop assembly being used to support an upper bed in the use configuration. [0040]FIG. 52 shows a perspective view of a stop in an engaged configuration, the stop being used to support an upper bed in the use configuration. [0041]FIG. 53 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a guide used to support an upper bed in the use configuration. [0042]FIG. 54 shows a top view of the guide from FIG. 53 positioned in cooperation with a support member to guide the movement of the upper bed as it moves vertically. [0043]FIGS. 55-56 show perspective views of another embodiment used to support an upper bed in the use configuration. [0044]FIG. 57 shows a perspective view from inside a structure of another embodiment of a system for vertically moving one or more beds. [0045]FIG. 58 shows a perspective view of a stop in a disengaged configuration, the stop being used to support an upper bed in the use configuration. [0046]FIG. 59 shows a perspective view of a stop in an engaged configuration, the stop being used to support an upper bed in the use configuration. [0047]FIG. 60 shows a cross-sectional top view of a stop in an engaged configuration, the stop being used to support an upper bed in the use configuration. [0048]FIG. 61 shows a back view of a stop in an engaged configuration, the stop being used to support an upper bed in the use configuration. [0049]FIG. 62 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a system for vertically moving one or more beds where a chain is used to synchronize movement of two or more lifting assemblies. [0050]FIG. 63 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a lifting assembly which may be used to vertically move a bed where the lifting assembly uses a chain to synchronize movement of another lifting assembly. [0051]FIG. 64 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a system for vertically moving one or more beds where one of the beds is in a use position and another bed is in a stowed position. [0052]FIG. 65 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a stop in a disengaged configuration, the stop being used to support an upper bed in a stowed position while the lower bed is in a use position. [0053]FIG. 66 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a stop in an engaged configuration, the stop being used to support an upper bed in a stowed position while the lower bed is in a use position. [0054]FIG. 67 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a system for vertically moving two pairs of beds, each of which is coupled to only one wall where one pair of beds is shown in a use configuration and another pair of beds is shown in a stowed configuration. [0055]FIG. 68 shows a front perspective view of one embodiment of a moving assembly which may be used in a system for vertically mov