Attic lift system and method

A method of lifting or lower an object to or from an attic of a building to a generally open area of a lower level that has no laterally adjacent support or guidance structure, the method comprising:

• providing a lift platform and an upper level support structure having an opening configured to allow passage of the platform therethrough, the opening being suspended above the open area of the lower level, the lift platform having a base and a deck vertically spaced above the base, the lift platform being configured to allow passage of the deck of the platform through the opening, the deck having an outer perimeter that is spaced inwardly from the outer perimeter of the base, and wherein the lift platform has angled guides along the outer periphery that extend from the base to the deck to facilitate centering of the lift platform within the opening as the lift platform is raised;
• providing an upper level frame coupled to the upper level support structure and a winch having a motor that rotates a single drum supported by the upper level frame at a position spaced a substantial distance above the opening;
• providing four lengths of cable, each length of cable secured at one end to the winch and at an other end to separate areas of the platform through a biasing member having a length of about 10 to 16 inches and having a spring constant of from 50 to 500 lbs/inch and that expands linearly five inches or more to provide an amount of play and tension on the lift platform when the lift platform is seated within the opening;
• positioning an object to be raised or lowered upon the platform;
• and
• operating the winch to rotate the drum to wind or unwind the lengths of cable to raise or lower the platform through the open area of the lower level, the lengths of cable being wound about the drum in close, non-overlapping coils wound longitudinally along the length of the drum.

A self-centering lift system for lifting or lowering items from one level to another within a building, the system comprising:

• an upper level support structure having an opening, the opening being suspended above a generally open area of a lower level;
• a lift platform having a base and a deck vertically spaced above the base, the lift platform being configured to allow passage of the deck of the platform through the opening, the deck having an outer perimeter that is spaced inwardly from the outer perimeter of the base, and wherein the lift platform has angled guides along the outer periphery that extend from the base to the deck to facilitate centering of the lift platform within the opening as the lift platform is raised, the lift platform also being provided with an outward projecting rim that engages edges of the upper level support structure surrounding the opening when the lift platform is in a fully raised position;
• an upper level frame coupled to the upper level support structure;
• a winch having a motor that rotates a drum supported by the upper level frame;
• four lengths of cable that are each secured to separate areas of the lift platform through biasing members, the four lengths of cable each being secured at opposite ends to the drum of the winch;
• and wherein
• operation of the winch rotates the drum to wind or unwind the cables in close, non-overlapping coils wound longitudinally along the length of the drum to raise or lower the platform through the open area of the lower level without any laterally adjacent support or guidance structure within the open area, and wherein the biasing members expand linearly to provide tension on the lift platform when the lift platform is seated within the opening;
• and wherein
• the cables are weighted so that the cables remain taut after the platform is lowered and resting on a support of the lower level;
• and wherein
• the biasing members are coiled springs having a length of from about 10 to 16 inches and are capable of expanding linearly by 5 inches or more to provide an amount of play and tension on the lift platform when the lift platform is seated within the opening.