A structure is described which includes a bed and an apparatus having a flexible drive member which moves along an endless path. The apparatus is coupled to the structure and to the bed, and the apparatus is used to vertically move the bed along the endless path.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/903,922, entitled "System and Method for Moving Objects," filed on Jul. 31, 2004, published on Dec. 30, 2004, as U.S. Pat. Application Publication No. 2004/0262946, which claims the benefit of the following applications under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e): (1) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/491,448, entitled "Vertical Sliding Mechanisms and Systems," filed on Jul. 31, 2003; (2) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/492,440, entitled "Vertical Sliding Mechanisms and Systems," filed on Aug. 4, 2003; (3) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/510,270, entitled "Vertical Sliding Mechanisms and Systems," filed on Oct. 9, 2003; (4) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/534,092, entitled "Apparatus and Method for Moving Items in a Vehicle," filed on Jan. 2, 2004; (5) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/544,000, entitled "Systems and Methods for Moving Items in a Vehicle," filed on Feb. 12, 2004; (6) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/560,872, entitled "Systems and Methods for Moving Items in a Vehicle," filed on Apr. 9, 2004; all of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
A single-axis programmable positioning device for positioning a work piece in a work area comprising. The device includes a rail with a pair of parallel channels, a trolley with bearing that ride in the rails, a work piece stop mounted to the trolley, a motor assembly that drives a drive sprocket. A chain extends from one of the bearings, through one channel, around the drive sprocket, through the second channel, around an idler sprocket, and back through the first channel to the bearing. A control panel controls the operation of the device. Optionally, the device includes a magnetic brake for maintaining the position of the trolley between movements.
A lift mechanism is mounted to a support for raising and lowering a bed. The lift mechanism is attached to a side of the bed and includes at least one chain, at least one bed bracket connected to the chain, and a drive mechanism for controllably moving the chain to move the bed bracket and the bed between a respective raised position and lowered position. The bed bracket includes a chain connector for connecting to the chain, a chain guide member receiving the chain and attached to the chain connector, and a bed support member attaching to the chain guide member and to the bed. At least a portion of the bed support member is inserted through the chain guide member. The bed bracket is compact and easy to manufacture and provides a secure connection between the lift mechanism and the bed.
A device is provided for hoisting a module for mounting into an overhead space, such as the crown of an aircraft fuselage. The device includes a frame that supports the module, and a lifting device that lifts the first frame to properly place the module. The lifting device includes a frame, attachment devices that attach the frame of the lifting device to overhead support frames, and a driving device that moves the frame of the lifting device up the attachment devices. The frame of the lifting device receives the frame that supports the module as the frame of the lifting device is moved by the driving device.
A lifting system is used to move an item between a use position and a stowed position in a vehicle. The item may be an article of furniture, an appliance, a storage unit, a platform, or the like. The lifting system may be motorized and/or utilize a flexible drive to move the item. The lifting system may be used to reciprocally move the item between the use position and the stowed position in a recreational vehicle.
A vehicle includes a bed that is configured to move between a sleeping configuration and a seating configuration. The bed is also configured to move vertically between a use position and a stowed position.
