Patent ID: 7168904

Claim:
A storage device for off-floor storage, comprising: 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; a lift actuator operationally connected to the platform; and a failsafe safety mechanism operationally connected to the lift platform; wherein 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; wherein the base frictionally engages the floor; wherein the base is mechanically decoupled from the floor; wherein movement of the platform to a sufficiently raised position enables positioning of the platform over a portion of an automobile; wherein the platform includes a notch formed therethrough through which the substantially vertical support member extends; wherein actuation of the failsafe safety mechanism engages the support member to prevent further downward motion of the platform; wherein once the failsafe safety mechanism is engaged, the platform rests on the safety mechanism; and wherein the platform must be raised off of the safety mechanism prior to disengagement of the safety mechanism.