Locking device for a lift

A locking device for a lift, said lift having a base and a platform wherein said lift may be variably elevated relative to said base, said locking device comprising,

• a housing secured to said base,
• an elongated gear rack secured to said platform and axially and slidably received in and through said housing,
• a first rotatable gear having its axle rotatably journaled in said housing and positioned to mesh with said gear rack;
• a pair of spaced and parallel elongated support arms pivotably mounted at one end to said housing and having a second gear rotatably mounted between the other end of said support arms,
• said second gear being positioned to mesh with said gear rack, and
• a handle secured to said support arms for moving said second gear axially along said gear rack between a first and second position so that in said first position said second gear is spaced apart from said first gear whereas in said second position, said second gear meshes with both the gear rack and the first gear thereby locking said gear rack against further longitudinal movement wherein said second gear is smaller in diameter than said first gear so that said second gear is wedged in between said first gear and said gear rack.