Adjusting device for a height-adjustable platform and method for adjusting the height of the platform
AssigneeAktiebolaget Skf
InventorsManuel Doppler, Klaus Pfeffer, Marcel Soltermann, Tobias Tschabold
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The height of a platform relative to a support surface is adjustable by rotating a drive shaft to actuate a first height-adjusting device and a second height-adjusting device, thereby changing the height of the respective ends of the first and second height-adjusting devices relative to the support surface. The drive shaft is selectively drivable by either a drive motor or a manually-operable drive.
Claims14
An apparatus for changing a height of a height-adjustable platform relative to a support surface, the apparatus comprising:
- a rotatable drive shaft configured to actuate a first height-adjusting device and a second height-adjusting device to change a height of an end of the first height-adjusting device relative to the support surface and a height of an end of the second height-adjusting device relative to the support surface;
- at least one drive motor operably connected to the rotatable drive shaft for rotating the rotatable drive shaft;
- and
- at least one manual drive for driving the rotatable drive shaft, the at least one manual drive comprising a first gear configured to engage a second gear of the rotatable drive shaft such that torque is transmissible from the manual drive to the rotatable drive shaft,
- wherein the at least one manual drive is shiftable between a first configuration and a second configuration, the first configuration comprises when the at least one manual drive operably engages via the first gear to the second gear the rotatable drive shaft, the second configuration comprises when the at least one manual drive is disengaged from the rotatable drive shaft,
- wherein the at least one manual drive comprises a retaining means for holding the at least one manual drive in the second configuration,
- wherein the second gear of the rotatable drive shaft is fixed to a platform against a force of a preload by a fixing device to separate a friction-fit.
An apparatus for changing a height of an adjustable height platform relative to a support surface, the apparatus comprising:
- a rotatable drive shaft configured to actuate a first height-adjusting device and a second height-adjusting device to change a length of the first height-adjusting device and a length of an end of the second height-adjusting device,
- a motorized drive operably connected to the rotatable drive shaft;
- and
- a manual drive selectively operably connected to the rotatable drive shaft,
- wherein the apparatus is shiftable between a first mode of operation in which the rotatable shaft is driven by the motorized drive and a second mode of operation in which the rotatable shaft is driven by the manual drive;
- and
- at least one manual drive for driving the rotatable drive shaft, the at least one manual drive comprising a first gear configured to engage a second gear of the rotatable drive shaft such that torque is transmissible from the manual drive to the rotatable drive shaft,
- wherein the at least one manual drive is shiftable between a first configuration and a second configuration, the first configuration comprises when the at least one manual drive operably engages via the first gear to the second gear the rotatable drive shaft, the second configuration comprises when the at least one manual drive is disengaged from the rotatable drive shaft,
- wherein the at least one manual drive comprises a retaining means for holding the at least one manual drive in the second configuration,
- wherein the second gear of the rotatable drive shaft is fixed to a platform against a force of a preload by a fixing device to separate a friction-fit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.