Wheel-lift mechanism
AssigneeBuild-A-Mold Limited
InventorHorst Schmidt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A simplified wheel-lift mechanism is disclosed. The components of the wheel-lift mechanism are all formed of a plastic material that is corrosion resistant. Further, the wheel-lift mechanism includes a one-piece flexible coupling which reduces the complexity of the system over prior art systems. The one-piece flexible coupling includes a plurality of integrally molded discs connected by a plurality of circumferentially-spaced integrally molded posts. This results in a strong coupling which allows relative angular motion between the ends of the coupling. In a further feature of this invention, a locking key is operable to lock the wheel hub at a particular location. The locking key is selectively released to allow the wheel to be lowered. A unique drive mechanism is also included.
Claims6
A wheel-lift mechanism comprising:
- a first shaft connected to a first end of a coupling, said coupling having a second end connected to a second shaft, said coupling being operable to transmit rotation from said first shaft to said second shaft even when said first and second shafts occupy non-parallel orientations relative to each other, said second shaft being connected to a reel for raising and lowering a flexible lift member, said flexible lift member being operably connected to a wheel hub to raise and lower said wheel hub;
- and
- a tee is received in said wheel hub, one end of said flexible lift member extends through said tee, a locking member is positioned over said tee, said locking member preventing said tee from moving downwardly to lower said wheel hub when said locking member is in the locked position, said locking member being movable to a release position in which the locking member allows said tee to move vertically.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.