# US 6,523,647 B2 · Elevating platform assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,523,647 B2 - Document ID: US6523647B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 09/861,864 - Filed: 2001-05-21 - Published: 2002-11-21 - Granted: 2003-02-25 - Earliest claimed: 2001-05-21 - Assignees: Hydro Mobile - Inventors: Benoit Duplessis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6523647B2 ## CPC - B66F 11/04: for movable platforms or cabins, e.g. on vehicles, permitting workmen to place themselves in any desired position for carrying out required operations ({Working platforms on fork-lift trucks B66F9/127; } vehicle aspects of service vehicles B60P3/14; platforms for cleaning windows A47L3/02; devices for rescuing persons from buildings A62B1/02; liftable or lowerable platforms for use on ladders E06C7/16; maintenance travellers for bridges E01D19/10; scaffolds on an extensible sub-structure E04G1/22) - E04G 1/20: Scaffolds comprising upright members and provision for supporting cross-members or platforms at different positions therealong - Y10T 74/18088: Rack and pinion type - Y10T 74/1967: Rack and pinion - B66F: HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD ({invalid lifting devices A61G7/10; } mounting artificial islands on piles or like supports E02B17/00; scaffolding combined with lifting devices E04G1/22; lifting devices for sliding forms E04G11/24; lifting of buildings E04G23/06; shores or struts E04G25/00; lifts or other hoisting devices on ladders E06C7/12; props for mining E21D15/00) - E04G: SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An elevating platform assembly includes a generally vertical mast having a generally vertical rack mounted thereon. A first trolley is coupled to the mast and is moveable therealong. A drive mechanism is carried by the first trolley and includes at least one pinion in mating engagement with the rack. An elongated elevating platform extends from the mast and has a second trolley mounted adjacent one end thereof. The second trolley couples the elevating platform to the mast and is moveable along the mast. The first trolley is coupled to at least one of the second trolley and elevating platform in a manner to maintain alignment of the at least one pinion and rack when loads are placed on the elevating platform that create moments at the mast. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An elevating platform assembly comprising: a generally vertical mast having a generally vertical rack mounted thereon; a first trolley coupled to said mast and being moveable therealong; a drive mechanism carried by said first trolley, said drive mechanism including at least one pinion in mating engagement with said rack; and an elongated elevating platform extending from said mast and having a second trolley mounted adjacent one end thereof, said second trolley coupling said elevating platform to said mast and being moveable along said mast, wherein said first trolley is coupled to at least one of said second trolley and said elevating platform in a manner to maintain alignment of said at least one pinion and rack when loads are placed on said elevating platform that create moments at said mast. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An elevating platform assembly according to claim 1 wherein said first trolley is coupled to said elevating platform. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An elevating platform assembly according to claim 2 wherein a floating couple acts between said first trolley and said elevating platform. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) An elevating platform assembly according to claim 3 wherein said floating couple includes an elastomeric element acting between said first trolley and said elevating platform. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) An elevating platform assembly according to claim 4 wherein said elastomeric element is carried by a C-shaped member on said elevating platform, said C-shaped member receiving a cross member on said first trolley. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) An elevating platform assembly according to claim 5 wherein said cross member forms an interference fit with said elastomeric element and a limb of said C-shaped member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An elevating platform assembly according to claim 1 wherein said first trolley is positioned on said mast below said second trolley, said second trolley resting on said first trolley. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) An elevating platform assembly according to claim 7 wherein shock absorbing elements are carried by at least one of said first and second trolleys and act between said first and second trolleys. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) An elevating platform assembly according to claim 8 wherein said shock absorbing elements are carried by said first trolley. ### Claim 10 An elevating platform assembly comprising: an upright mast having a vertical rack extending along at least one side thereof; a motor trolley coupled to said mast, said motor trolley carrying a drive mechanism including at least one rotatable pinion in mating engagement with said at least one rack, rotation of said at least one pinion advancing said motor trolley vertically along said mast; an elongated elevating platform extending from said at least one side of said mast, said elevating platform including a generally horizontal work surface; and a main trolley acting between said elevating platform and said mast and being moveable vertically along said mast, wherein said motor trolley is coupled to one of said main trolley and said elevating platform in a manner so as to maintain alignment of said at least one pinion and said rack when loads are placed on said elevating platform. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) An elevating platform assembly according to claim 10 wherein said motor trolley and said main trolley are nested and wherein said motor trolley is coupled to said elevating platform via a floating couple. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) An elevating platform assembly according to claim 11 wherein said floating couple includes an elastomeric element carried by a C-shaped member on said elevating platform, said C-shaped member receiving a cross-member on said motor trolley. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) An elevating platform assembly according to claim 12 wherein said cross member forms an interference fit with said elastomeric element and a lower limb said C-shaped member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) An elevating platform assembly according to claim 13 wherein said elevating platform includes a framework supporting said work surface and having an upper beam, said C-shaped member being secured to said upper beam. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) An elevating platform assembly according to claim 14 wherein said motor trolley includes an upper pair of vertically spaced pinions and a lower pair of vertically spaced pinions, each of said pinions engaging said rack, said cross member being disposed between said upper pair and lower pair of pinions. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) An elevating platform assembly according to claim 10 wherein said motor trolley is disposed on said mast beneath said main trolley, said main trolley resting on said motor trolley. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) An elevating platform assembly according to claim 16 further including shock absorbing elements on at least one of said motor trolley and main trolley, said shock absorbing elements acting between said motor trolley and said main trolley. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) An elevating platform assembly according to claim 17 wherein said shock absorbing elements are formed of elastomeric material and are disposed on the top of said motor trolley.