Motorized basket lifting mechanism

A basket lifting assembly comprising:

• a support frame assembly including a horizontal rail;
• a basket movably attached to the support frame assembly;
• a first linkage movably attached to the support frame assembly in mechanical communication with the basket;
• a motor connected to the first linkage, wherein actuation of the motor causes rotation of the first linkage;
• a second linkage comprising
• a first arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first arm connected to the first linkage;
• a second arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second arm connected to the basket and the second end of the second arm connected to the second end of the first arm at an arm joint defining an arm angle of less than 180 degrees;
• and
• a guide post positioned between the second linkage and the horizontal rail, the guide post connected to the second linkage at the arm joint.

A basket lifting assembly comprising:

• a support frame assembly including a horizontal rail;
• a door connected to the support frame assembly;
• a basket movably attached to the support frame assembly;
• a first linkage movably attached to the support frame assembly in mechanical communication with the basket;
• a motor connected to the first linkage, wherein actuation of the motor causes rotation of the first linkage;
• a second linkage comprising
• a first arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first arm connected to the first linkage;
• a second arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second arm connected to the basket and the second end of the second arm connected to the second end of the first arm at an arm joint defining an arm angle of less than 180 degrees;
• and
• a guide post positioned between the second linkage and the horizontal rail, the guide post connected to the second linkage at the arm joint,
• wherein the basket lifting assembly has a front end and further comprises a coiled spring oriented parallel to the horizontal rail of the support frame assembly, the coiled spring having a first end connected to the guide post and a second end fixedly connected to the front end of the basket lifting assembly, and
• wherein a first lift state sensor and a second lift state sensor are mounted on the support frame assembly in proximity to the rail, the first lift state sensor positioned in alignment with the guide post at a lowered position of the basket and the second lift state sensor positioned in alignment with the guide post at a lifted position of the basket.