Lift unit docking systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11833094-B2
Application number	US-201916381556-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 11, 2019
Priority date	Apr 16, 2018
Publication date	Dec 5, 2023
Grant date	Dec 5, 2023

Abstract

A lift unit docking system includes a docking rail, a docking rail adapter, and a locking mechanism. The docking rail is configured to provide ingress and egress of a lift unit to and from an overhead rail, and includes a body defining a channel and an adapter receiving opening within the body. The docking rail adapter is repositionable relative to the adapter receiving opening of the docking rail and is configured to transport the lift unit into and out of the channel of the docking rail. The locking mechanism is repositionable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locking mechanism extends into the channel to block movement of a mounted lift unit toward the adapter receiving opening of the docking rail when in the locked position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A lift unit docking system, comprising:
a docking rail configured to provide ingress and egress of a lift unit to and from an overhead rail, the docking rail comprising a body defining a channel and an adapter receiving opening within the body;
a docking rail adapter repositionable relative to the adapter receiving opening of the docking rail and configured to transport the lift unit into and out of the channel of the docking rail; and
a vertical lifter configured to vertically lift the docking rail adapter to the adapter receiving opening of the docking rail,
wherein the docking rail adaptor comprises a carrier wheel track configured to support the lift unit thereon and the carrier wheel track defining a raised portion positioned at a terminal end of the carrier wheel track such that the lift unit traverses the raised portion during ingress and egress of the lift unit to and from the carrier wheel track.

2. The lift unit docking system of claim 1 , wherein the vertical lifter comprises a telescoping column coupled to the docking rail adapter.

3. The lift unit docking system of claim 1 , wherein:
the vertical lifter comprises a moveable carriage and a telescoping column coupled to the moveable carriage; and
the docking rail adapter is coupled to the telescoping column.

4. The lift unit docking system of claim 1 , the docking rail further comprising a locking mechanism operable to block a mounted lift unit from moving longitudinally through the docking rail and accessing the adapter receiving opening when the locking mechanism is positioned in a locked position.

5. The lift unit docking system of claim 1 , wherein the docking rail adapter comprises:
a base configured to contact the body of the docking rail around the adapter receiving opening when transporting the lift unit into or out of the channel of the docking rail; and
the carrier wheel track is positioned on the base and configured to support the lift unit thereon.

6. The lift unit docking system of claim 5 , wherein the carrier wheel track comprises a first carrier wheel track and a second carrier wheel track, and the raised portion is positioned at the terminal end of each of the first carrier wheel track and the second carrier wheel track.

7. A lift unit docking system, comprising:
a docking rail configured to provide ingress and egress of a lift unit to and from an overhead rail, the docking rail comprising a body defining a channel and an adapter receiving opening within the body;
a docking rail adapter repositionable relative to the adapter receiving opening of the docking rail and configured to transport the lift unit into and out of the channel of the docking rail;
a locking mechanism repositionable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locking mechanism extends into the channel to block movement of a mounted lift unit toward the adapter receiving opening of the docking rail when in the locked position; and
a vertical lifter configured to vertically lift the docking rail adapter to the adapter receiving opening of the docking rail,
wherein the docking rail adaptor comprises a carrier wheel track configured to support the lift unit thereon and the carrier wheel track defining a raised portion positioned at a terminal end of the carrier wheel track such that the lift unit traverses the raised portion during ingress and egress of the lift unit to and from the carrier wheel track.

8. The lift unit docking system of claim 7 , wherein:
the docking rail further comprises a lock opening positioned opposite from the adapter receiving opening; and
the locking mechanism comprises a lock that is configured to be positioned within the lock opening and move relative to the lock opening in a vertical direction between the locked position and the unlocked position.

9. The lift unit docking system of claim 8 , wherein the docking rail adapter comprises a unlocking mechanism configured to extend into the channel of the docking rail, contact the lock of the locking mechanism, and move the lock of the locking mechanism to the unlocked position.

10. The lift unit docking system of claim 9 , wherein the docking rail adapter comprises:
a base;
the carrier wheel track is positioned on the base, wherein the unlocking mechanism is coupled to the base and extends above the carrier wheel track.

11. The lift unit docking system of claim 7 , wherein the docking rail adapter comprises:
a base configured to contact the body of the docking rail around the adapter receiving opening when transporting the lift unit into or out of the channel of the docking rail; and
the carrier wheel track is positioned on the base.

12. The lift unit docking system of claim 7 , wherein the locking mechanism is biased to the locked position.

13. The lift unit docking system of claim 7 , wherein:
the docking rail further comprises a lock opening; and
the locking mechanism comprises:
a retaining member positioned within the housing and sized so as to be unable to pass through the lock opening;
a lock extending from the retaining member and configured to be positioned within the lock opening and move relative to the lock opening in a vertical direction between the locked position and the unlocked position; and
one or more biasing members configured to bias the lock to the locked position.

Assignees

• Liko Res & Dev Ab

Inventors

• Karlsson Roger
• Eriksson Göran
• Linde Marcus
• Dovervik Elin
• Sundqvist Johanna
• Lundström Åsa

Classifications

• A61G7/1073 Primary

  Parts, details or accessories · CPC title

• A61G7/1042 Primary

  Rail systems (walking aids with suspension devices A61H3/008) · CPC title

• B62B3/02

  involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable or convertible · CPC title

• B62B3/04

  involving means for grappling or securing in place objects to be carried; Loading or unloading equipment · CPC title

• B66C7/08

  Constructional features of runway rails or rail mountings (of general application E01B) · CPC title