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. Patent 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 recreational vehicle is disclosed, comprising a plurality of wheels configured to enable the recreational vehicle to roll along the ground, an interior living space enclosed by a plurality of walls, and a generally U-shaped seating area. In some embodiments, the generally U-shaped seating area may comprise two side couches and an interior couch that utilizes a lower mattress as a seat cushion. An exterior couch may face opposite the interior couch and also utilize the lower mattress as a seat cushion. In some embodiments, the recreational vehicle also comprises tracks for elevating the lower mattress and an upper mattress, and elevated table mounts attached to the bottom of the upper mattress that may be used to store one or more table tops below the upper mattress.
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.
One advantageous embodiment of the present invention is an integrated transport system (14) for moving an object (20) in an aircraft (10) between a main cabin (16) and an overhead cabin (18) via a shaft (24) in connection therebetween. This integrated transport system (14) includes a single-unit gantry-lift device (42) with an object carrier (32) for receiving the object (20). This object carrier (32) has one or more restraint members (34, 38) for securing the object (20) in the object carrier (32) and preventing the object (20) from inadvertently tipping or falling out of the object carrier (32). In this embodiment, the single-unit gantry-lift device (42) further includes a lift device (46) for moving the object carrier (32) generally along a longitudinal axis (22) of the shaft (24) and a gantry device (44) for moving the object carrier (32) generally along a first axis (26) of the overhead cabin (18) and/or a second axis (28), which is disposed generally perpendicular to the first axis (26).
A deployable receptacle includes a tray for supporting an object thereon and being movable between a storing position and a deploying position. The tray stores an object thereon when the tray is disposed in the storing position and deploys the object therefrom when the tray is disposed in the deploying position. A lever is coupled to the tray for moving the tray between the storing position and the deploying position.
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.