Lift systems with continuous in-rail charging

A rail-mounted lift system comprising:

• a rail comprising at least one conductor positioned on an upper portion of the rail, a first support flange, and a second support flange, the at least one conductor comprising a conductive tape having a primary conductive layer positioned between an insulating layer and a protective layer, the insulating layer being adhesively bonded to the upper portion of the rail;
• a carriage slidably disposed in the rail for relative movement to the rail, the carriage comprising:
• a carriage body;
• at least one pair of support wheels rotatably coupled to the carriage body, the at least one pair of support wheels slidably engaged with the first support flange and the second support flange;
• a conductor truck comprising at least one conductive roller rotatably attached to the conductor truck, wherein the conductor truck is mounted to the carriage body with a biasing member upwardly biasing the at least one conductive roller into rolling engagement with the at least one conductor;
• and
• a lift unit coupled to the carriage body, the lift unit comprising a motor paying out and taking up a lifting strap, wherein the lift unit is electrically coupled to the at least one conductive roller.

A kit of parts for retrofitting an overhead rail for continuously charging a lift unit along a length of a rail, the kit of parts comprising:

• a conductive tape comprising a primary conductive layer positioned between an insulating layer and a protective layer;
• and
• a carriage comprising:
• a carriage body;
• at least one pair of support wheels rotatably coupled to the carriage body;
• at least one conductive roller rotatably attached to the carriage, wherein the at least one conductive roller is upwardly biased into rolling engagement with the conductive tape when the conductive tape and the carriage are installed in the rail.