Overhead lift units, systems, and methods for mounting and transporting an overhead lift unit
AssigneeLiko Research & Development AB
InventorsKarin Olsson, Daniel Johansson, Katharina Enström
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An overhead lift unit includes a carriage, a first wheel assembly, a second wheel assembly, and an actuator. The first wheel assembly includes a first wheel coupled to the carriage through a first support arm. The second wheel assembly includes a second wheel coupled to the carriage through a second support arm. The actuator is coupled to the second wheel assembly and is configured to shift the second wheel assembly in a lateral direction relative to the first wheel assembly between an expanded position and a retracted position. Lift systems including the overhead lift unit and methods of transporting the overhead lift unit to and from an overhead rail are also described.
Claims20
An overhead lift unit comprising:
- a carriage;
- a first wheel assembly comprising a first wheel coupled to the carriage with a first support arm;
- a second wheel assembly comprising a second wheel coupled to the carriage with a second support arm, wherein the first wheel assembly is staggered with the second wheel assembly along a longitudinal direction;
- and
- a guide assembly comprising a bearing member and a guide member along which the bearing member is slidable, the guide assembly coupled to the second wheel assembly, wherein the guide assembly is configured to shift the second wheel assembly in a lateral direction relative to the first wheel assembly between an expanded position and a retracted position.
A lift system comprising:
- an overhead rail comprising a carriage support channel comprising a first support flange and a second support flange, the first support flange separated from the second support flange by an opening in the overhead rail;
- and
- an overhead lift unit comprising:
- a carriage;
- a first wheel assembly configured to extend through the opening of the overhead rail and to ride along the carriage support channel, the first wheel assembly comprising a first wheel coupled to the carriage with a first support arm;
- a second wheel assembly configured to extend through the opening of the overhead rail and to ride along the carriage support channel, the second wheel assembly comprising a second wheel coupled to the carriage with a second support arm;
- and
- an actuator coupled to the second wheel assembly, wherein the actuator is configured to shift the second wheel assembly in a lateral direction relative to the first wheel assembly between an expanded position in which the first wheel assembly and the second wheel assembly are coupled with the overhead rail, and a retracted position in which the first wheel assembly and the second wheel assembly are configured to pass through the opening in the overhead rail.
A method of transporting an overhead lift unit to and from an overhead rail, the method comprising one of attaching the overhead lift unit to the overhead rail and detaching the overhead lift unit from the overhead rail wherein:
- the overhead rail defines a carriage support channel comprising a first support flange and a second support flange, the first support flange separated from the second support flange to define an opening in the overhead rail;
- the overhead lift unit comprises a carriage comprising:
- a first wheel assembly comprising a first wheel coupled to the carriage through a first support arm;
- a second wheel assembly comprising a second wheel coupled to the carriage through a second support arm;
- and
- an actuator coupled to the second wheel assembly;
- attaching the overhead lift unit to the overhead rail comprises:
- extending the first wheel assembly and the second wheel assembly through the opening of the overhead rail;
- shifting the second wheel assembly from a retracted position to an expanded position with the actuator, wherein a lateral distance from an outer surface of the first wheel assembly to an outer surface of the second wheel assembly is increased;
- and
- supporting a weight of the overhead lift unit on the carriage support channel with the first wheel of the first wheel assembly and the second wheel of the second wheel assembly;
- and
- detaching the overhead lift unit from the overhead rail comprises:
- shifting the second wheel assembly from the expanded position to the retracted position, wherein the lateral distance from the outer surface of the first wheel assembly to the outer surface of the second wheel assembly is decreased;
- and
- lowering the overhead lift unit from the overhead rail through the opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.