Lift system

A lift and storage device comprising:

• a base;
• a support structure secured to and emanating up from the base;
• a travelling assembly operationally associated with the support structure;
• a drive assembly operationally associated with the support structure and the travelling assembly, wherein the drive assembly raises and lowers the travelling assembly;
• a support arm operationally associated with the travelling assembly, the support arm designed for supporting a support tray, the support tray comprising;
• a horizontal support member secured to the support arm;
• a first front tire support assembly secured to a first end of the horizontal support member;
• a second front tire support assembly secured to a second end of the horizontal support member;
• a first rear tire support assembly secured to one side of the horizontal support member;
• a second rear tire support assembly secured to the opposite side of the horizontal support member;
• a first clamping assembly operationally associated with the first rear tire support assembly;
• the first rear tire support assembly allowing for the adjustment of a distance between the first front tire support assembly and the first rear tire support assembly;
• a second clamping assembly operationally associated with the second rear tire support assembly;
• the second rear tire support assembly allowing for the adjustment of a distance between the second front tire support assembly and the second rear tire support assembly.

A method of storing one or more bicycles comprising the steps of:

• providing a lift and storage device comprising:
• a base;
• a support structure secured to and emanating up from the base;
• a travelling assembly operationally associated with the support structure;
• a drive assembly operationally associated with the support structure and the travelling assembly, wherein the drive assembly raises and lowers the travelling assembly;
• a support arm operationally associated with the travelling assembly, the support arm designed for supporting a support tray, the support tray comprising;
• a horizontal support member secured to the support arm;
• a first front tire support assembly secured to a first end of the horizontal support member;
• a second front tire support assembly secured to a second end of the horizontal support member;
• a first rear tire support assembly secured to one side of the horizontal support member;
• a second rear tire support assembly secured to the opposite side of the horizontal support member;
• a first clamping assembly operationally associated with the first rear tire support assembly;
• a second clamping assembly operationally associated with the second rear tire support assembly;
• placing the support tray at a first position at ground level;
• loading one or more bicycles onto the support tray by:
• placing a front tire of a bicycle into the first or second front tire support assembly;
• adjusting a distance between the first or second front tire support assembly and the corresponding first or second rear tire support assembly to fit the bicycle;
• placing a rear tire of the bicycle into the corresponding first or second rear tire support assembly;
• and
• engaging the corresponding first or second clamping assembly to decrease a distance between the pair of support rails to secure the rear tire within the first or second rear tire support assembly;
• raising the support tray to a second position to store the bicycle(s) by engaging the drive assembly.