Vacuum lifting system
OwnerDarren Wayde Lawsoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vacuum operated object lifting system is disclosed that can use air pressure differentials to anchor the lifting system to the floor or other structure. The vacuum lifting system includes a main structure having a space defined in the bottom thereof and a lifting arm system extending from the main structure for grasping and moving a load. The vacuum lifting system includes a vacuum pumping system including an air pump and a conduit system extending from the air pump to the space in the bottom of the main structure. Use of the air pump to draw air out of the conduit system creates pressure differential between ambient air pressure and air pressure in the space of the main structure to anchor the vacuum lifting system to the ground. The vacuum pumping system may also grasp the load by suction.
Claims20
A load lifting system comprising:
- a main structure comprising an interior and a bottom space, the main structure configured to adopt an upright position in which the main structure rests on a surface and the bottom space faces the surface and is enclosed by the main structure and the surface;
- a lifting arm extending from the main structure, the lifting arm configured to hold a load;
- an air pump system housed in the interior of the main structure;
- and
- an air conduit system providing fluid communication between the air pump system and the bottom space of the main structure;
- wherein
- the load lifting system is operable to adopt a first working configuration, in which the main structure is arranged in the upright position and the air pump system is activated and providing a depression at the bottom space to attach the main structure to the surface by suction.
A load lifting system comprising:
- a main structure comprising an interior and a bottom space, the main structure configured to adopt an upright position in which the main structure rests on a surface and the bottom space faces the surface and is enclosed by the main structure and the surface;
- a lifting arm extending from the main structure, the lifting arm configured to hold a load;
- an air pump system housed in the interior of the main structure;
- and
- an air conduit system providing fluid communication between the air pump system and the bottom space of the main structure;
- wherein
- the air pump system is configured to provide a depression at the lifting arm to enable the lifting arm to hold a load by suction;
- and
- the load lifting system is operable to adopt a first working configuration, in which the main structure is arranged in the upright position and the air pump system is activated and providing a depression at the bottom space to attach the main structure to the surface by suction.
A load lifting system comprising:
- a main structure comprising an interior and a bottom space, the main structure configured to adopt an upright position in which the main structure rests on a surface and the bottom space faces the surface and is enclosed by the main structure and the surface;
- a lifting arm extending from the main structure, the lifting arm configured to hold a load;
- an air pump system housed in the interior of the main structure;
- and
- an air conduit system providing fluid communication between the air pump system and the bottom space of the main structure;
- wherein
- the air pump system is configured to provide a depression at the lifting arm to enable the lifting arm to hold a load by suction;
- and
- the load lifting system is operable to selectively adopt:
- a first working configuration, in which the main structure is arranged in the upright position and the air pump system is activated and providing a depression at the bottom space to attach the main structure to the surface by suction, and
- a second working configuration, in which the main structure is arranged in the upright position and the air pump system is activated and pumping air to the recess to provide an excess pressure that reduces a friction between the main structure and the surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.