Patent ID: 10212870

Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a bridging apparatus. The apparatus may be used to span the gap between a vertically movable storage container and a stationary floor structure when a landing of the storage container is planar to a landing of the stationary floor structure. In this invention, the bridging apparatus comprises a bracket, an overlay plate, a hinge comprising a rod, glides, and a switch, which interact with each other and with the vertically movable storage container and the stationary floor structure. As the storage container ascends, the glide of the overlay plate slides angularly contacts a vertical wall of the stationary floor structure and glides along the wall. When the storage container landing is planar with the stationary floor structure landing, the overlay plate rotates downward to a 90-degree angle, resting in a recess in the stationary floor structure landing, engaging the switch to terminate power to the vertically movable storage container.