# US 2014/0191101 A1 · Recumbent trike lift and storage mechanism

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- Number: US 2014/0191101 A1
- Document ID: US20140191101A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/148,481
- Filed: 2014-01-06
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-07
- Inventors: Blane Alan Krause
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140191101A1

## CPC

- B62H 3/12: Hanging-up devices
- B62K 3/005: {Recumbent-type bicycles}
- B62H: CYCLE STANDS; SUPPORTS OR HOLDERS FOR PARKING OR STORING CYCLES; APPLIANCES PREVENTING OR INDICATING UNAUTHORIZED USE OR THEFT OF CYCLES; LOCKS INTEGRAL WITH CYCLES; DEVICES FOR LEARNING TO RIDE CYCLES
- B62K: CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDECARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE

## Abstract

A lifting and storage mechanism for storing a recumbent trike in a garage using the energy of a counterweight or motor is disclosed. The lifting and storage mechanism includes a pulley system that securely holds the trike in a horizontal balanced position while lifting and lowering the trike and while in a stored position. Counterweight reduces the pulling force required to manually lift the trike with pulley system; A motor can be used in place of counterweight to eliminate manual intervention.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A lifting and storage mechanism comprising:
a pulley system coupled to a counterweight and having a plurality of pulley wheels, at least two cables, and a cable clamp;
a lifting arm assembly secured to the pulley system and having at least one J-shaped hook; and,
a weighted J-shaped hook;
wherein the force of the counterweight in a vertical direction controls movement of the pulley system, and thereby regulates vertical height of the lifting arm assembly in conjunction with the weighted J-shaped hook.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The mechanism of claim 1, wherein two J-shaped hooks and the weighted J-shaped hook support a recumbent trike in the elevated storage region.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The mechanism of claim 1, wherein two lift arm assemblies support two bicycles in the elevated storage region.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The mechanism of claim 1, wherein two lift arm assemblies support a canoe in the elevated storage region.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The mechanism of claim 1, further comprising angle brackets secured adjacent a ceiling of a garage for providing one or more elevated storage regions.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The mechanism of claim 1, wherein a motor system replaces the counterweight.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The mechanism of claim 6, wherein the pulley system lowers the one or more J-shaped hooks from the elevated storage position upon actuation of the motor.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The mechanism of claim 6, wherein the pulley system raises the one or more J-shaped hooks into the elevated storage position upon actuation of the motor.

### Claim 9

A lifting arm assembly for securing a load, the assembly comprising:
a bar-like support member having opposing ends;
one or more J-shaped hooks secured to the support member and extending generally perpendicular from the support member; and,
an eye bolt secured at approximately a mid-span of the support member and extending away from the support member, opposite of the J-shaped hooks;
wherein a cable of a pulley system is coupled to the eye bolt so as to control the raising and lowering of the support member and the one or more J-shaped hooks hold an item for storage.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The lifting arm assembly of claim 9, wherein the one or more J-shaped hooks comprises two J-shaped hooks spaced at opposing ends of the support member.