US3450386A - Portable hoist for luggage and the like - Google Patents

Description

June 17, 1969 L. T. ELIEL PORTABLE HOIST FOR LUGGAGE AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 15, 1967 FIG mvzswrozz Leo/v 7. EL /4. %5

United States Patent US. Cl. 254-1391 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention comprises a frame adapted with Wheels and a hoist mechanism whereby luggage and similar articles can be lifted and conveniently transported from one location to another. It is particularized by comprising a frame having a platform which can be retracted and an extension which provides a line and hook over the platform when the latter is in operating position. A manual hoist mechanism or crank is provided for raising and lowering the hook, there being a ratchet mechanism to require release to enable the hook and luggage to be lowered. Such ratchet mechanism comprises a pawl engageable with limit stops on the frame, the manual handle being movable in a secondary direction for releasing such ratchet for lowering purposes.

Further, the device is characterized by the extension being collapsible to a position adjacent the frame for ease in transporting the entire device.

The present invention relates to portable hoists for luggage and the like and, more particularly, to mechanisms for raising and transporting articles from one location to another.

Within recent years, the standard of living, particularly within the United States, has improved to the point where people are now able to retire at a younger age. Many such retired persons turn to travel as a way of enjoyably spending their remaining years.

Most travelers today are from the older or senior portion of our society. By and large, they are not particularly well adapted for lifting heavy luggage and transporting the same from the home to the automobile or other means of transportation. As a result of this, many older folks find it difficult to do the traveling they desire, or find it inconvenient to hire people to carry their bags and luggage at every instance.

It has been realized for sometime that it would be desirable to have means of some kind whereby even the most heavy and cumbersome pieces of luggage could be handled conveniently by even the most elderly or fragile person.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable hoist which can be operated simply and without considerable human effort in raising, lowering and transporting luggage from one location to another.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hoist as characterized above which can be transported with the luggage itself so as to be usable at a relatively remote location.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hoist as characterized above which is collapsible so as to be arranged in a relatively small compact package for fitting within an automobile trunk or the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hoist as characterized above which employs manual means for raising and lowering luggage or any other article, but wherein spring loaded ratchet means is provided for preventing accidental release of such luggage once it has been raised.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a hoist as characterized above having a manual 3,450,386 Patented June 17, 1969 crank which not only is employed for raising and lower ing the luggage but which also controls ratchet means for preventing accidental lowering.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a hoist as characterized above which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and which is rugged and dependable in operation.

The novel features which I consider characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The device itself, however, both as to its organization and mode of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a hoist according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of such hoist, taken substantially along line 2 2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view, taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken substantially along line 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view, taken substantially along line 66 of FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view, taken substantially along line 77 of FIGURE 1.

Like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawings there is shown therein a portable hoist 10 according to the present invention.

Such hoist comprises a frame 12 having a main por tion 14 and a platform 16 hingedly connected thereto. Frame 14 is formed of generally tubular side supports 18 and 20, each of which is arcuately shaped as at 18a and 20a so as to meet at the apex 22 of frame 12. Although substantially any type of style of structural member may be employed for such supports, as for instance circular or U-shaped steel channels, it has been found preferable to employ steel tubing having substantially square or rectangular cross-section. Such supports thus provide the desired srength for insuring suitable overall strength for the entire frame.

A centrally located support 24 is positioned generally vertically from the apex 22 of the frame 12 to a position 'between a pair of opposed mounting plates 26 and 28, the latter of which are bolted or riveted to the side supports 18 and 20 as shown in FIGURES 1, 5 and 6 of the drawings. The lower end of support 24 is suitably secured to such mounting plates to provide the desired srength for the frame.

A pair of mounting bolts or studs 30, each having a head 3011, are secured respectively in the side supports 18 and 20 in opposed relation as shown. Such bolts constitute part of the locking and support mechanism for the platform 16 as will hereinafter be explained in greater detail.

Extending through suitable aligned openings in the lower end of side supports 18 and 20, is an axle 32 which carries wheels 34 and 36 at its opposite ends. Such wheels, of course, faciiltate transporting of the entire frame along the ground or pavement as will hereinafter become more apparent.

Platform 16 is generally square or rectangular in construction and is composed of suitable tubular support members 38, 40 and 42, and braces 44 and 46. All of such members of platform 16 are firmly welded together to provide a unitary structure capable of supporting a reasonable weight such as encountered with luggage and the like.

The side support members 38 and 40 of platform 16 are provided with aligned through openings for receiving axle 32 as shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawings. Thus, platform 16 is pivotally mounted on or relative to frame 12 so as to be movable from a retracted position to an operating or extended position as shown in FIGURE 1.

Mounted on either side of platform 16 is a locking and support member as shown at 48 and 50. One end of each of such members is pivotally connected to the corresponding side support member of platform 16 as by a rivet, screw or bolt as shown at 52.

As shown more particularly in FIGURE 7 of the drawings, each of the members 48 and 50 is formed with an elongated slot as shown at 50a with respect to member 50, the upper end 50b of such slot being enlarged and offset to provide a shoulder 500. As will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art, the slot or opening 48a of member 48 is similar or identical to the slot 50a of member 50.

The members 48 and 50 are positioned on the respective bolts 30 in the supports 18 and 20 such that the bolts extend through the slots 48a and 50a. The heads 30a of the bolts prevent disengagement of the members 48 and 50 from their respective mounting bolts 30.

To facilitate quick and easy manual release of platform 16 to its retracted position, a procedure which will hereinafter be explained in detail, a rod 51 is firmly secured between the upper ends of members 48 and 50. Such rod not only acts as a tie-rod for holding such members in fixed relation but also acts as a convenient handle for releasing the supports for the platform.

Piovtally fixed to the apex 22 of frame 12 is an extension 54. The lower end 54a of extension 54 is provided with a collar 56 formed with a pair of tabs 56a constituting a clevis. A similar member 58- is mounted on frame 12 at the apex 22 and is formed with a tab 58a which fits within such clevis. A pivot pin 60 is provided for enabling the extension 54 to pivot rearwardly as will hereinafter appear from its operating position to its retracted position.

A locking device 62 is provided between the extension 54 and frame 12 to maintain the former in its operating position. Such locking means comprises an elongated leaf spring 64 one end 64a of which is firmly secured to end 54a of extension 54 by means of a rivet 66 and a spacer 68. The opposite end 64b of leaf spring 64 is attached to a latch member 70 by means of a bolt or screw 72. Thus, when the extension 54 is moved from its retracted to its operating position the latch member 70 is caused to engage the lowermost edge of the mounting member 58 as shown in solid lines in FIGURE 2 of the drawings. To return the extension to its retracted position it is first necesary to manually move the leaf spring 64 to its broken line position as shown in FIGURE 2.

Extension 54 is also provided with an end portion 54b which is disposed over the mid-portion of platform 16 when the latter is in its extended or operating position. A pulley 74 is rotatably mounted in the end portion 54b of extension 54 by means of a pivot pin 76. A similar pulley 78 is mounted at the apex 22 of frame 12 within the tubular support 24 by means of a pivot pin 80.

A chain or line 82, which may be formed of twine, metal, nylon or substantially any other flexible material, is extended over the pulleys 74 and 78 as shown most clearly in FIGURE 2 'of the drawings. Such line carries a book 84 at one end thereof, although substantially any type of latching or gripping means may be employed.

The opposite end of line 82 extends downwardly through support 24 and is wound on a cylindrical member' 86. A pulley 88 at the bottom of support 24 suitably positions the line 82 in spaced relation to the side walls of the support 24 and guides the line on and d" the cylindrical member 86.

Cylindrical member 86 is rotatably positioned within a housing 89 attached to plate 26, on a shaft 90 which extends between and is suitably journaled in mounting plates 26 and 28. Also mounted on such shaft 90 is a sprocket or gear 92 which cooperates with a drive chain 94.

A second rotatable shaft 96 is suitably journaled in the plates 26 and 28, there being another sprocket or gear 98 on shaft 96 for cooperation with drive chain 94. It has been found preferable to have the sprocket or gear 98 considerably smaller than the sprocket or gear 92 to provide increased mechanical advantage and to decrease the speed of travel of book 84 as will hereinafter become apparent.

The drive shaft 96 extends through a suitable opening in plate 28 and a crank 100 is mounted thereon as shown most clearly in FIGURE 3 of the drawings. Such crank 100 comprises an arm 102 one end 102a of which is firmly connected to shaft 96. The other end 10212 of arm 102 carries a handle or knob 104.

A stud 106 is firmly secured to end portion 102b of arm 102 to extend therefrom at substantially right angles thereto. A knob 104 is formed with a central through opening 104a which is enlarged as at 10411 to provide an annular shoulder 104C. The opening 104a of knob 104 receives stud 106, and a fastening nut 108 and washer 110 are mounted on the threaded end of stud 106. The washer 110 engages the shoulder 104c as shown most clearly in FIGURE 3 of the drawings.

The knob 104 is further formed with a relatively large annular flange 104d. Such flange engages a roller 112 which is carried by a pawl member 114, the latter of which is part of a ratchet mechanism 116. Pawl 114 is pivotally mounted on arm 102 by a pivot pin 118, and is provided with an offset portion 114a.

As shown most clearly in FIGURE 4 of the drawings, end portion 1145: is provided with a beveled surface 114b affording an acute angle 1140 for the end portion 114 for engagement with suitable stop elements circumferentially spaced on plate 28 as shown most clearly in FIGURE 1 of the drawings. A leaf spring 122, having one end pivotally mounted on arm 102 by a pivot pin 124, is positioned as shown in FIGURE 3 to urge the offset end portions 114a of pawl 114 toward mounting plate 28 and elements 120.

The above-described portable hoist is readily used to hoist and transport luggage as well as substantially any other article. To raise the hook 84 and such luggage, it is merely necessary to rotate arm 102 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 1. This is accomplished, of course, by gripping the knob 104 and exerting a rotational force on arm 102. This action turns sprocket 98 as well as sprocket 92 through chain drive 94. As a result of this action the cylindrical member 86 is rotated to thereby retrieve the line 82 over the pulleys 78 and 74 so as to raise the hook 84.

The ratchet mechanism 116 is no impediment to such rotational movement of arm 102 due to the beveled surface 11412 of pawl 114. Any reverse or counterclockwise movement of arm 102, however, is prevented by engagement of the acute corner 1140 of pawl 114 with one of the stop elements 120 on plate 28.

When it is desired to. lower the luggage, it is merely necessary for the operator to release the ratchet mechanism 116. by rectilinearly moving the knob 104 toward plate 28, and to rotate arm 102 in its counterclockwise direction. Suchrectilinear movement of knob 104 causes flange 104d to pivot pawl 114 to its broken line position shown in FIGURE 3. Such movement of pawl 114, of course, is against the force of leaf spring 122.

Thus the ratchet mechanism 116 is released enabling the arm 102 to be rotated in the counterclockwise direction to lower the hook 84. Throughout such rotation of arm 102, of course, the knob 104 remains in its release or depressed position, the flange 104d rolling on the roller 112 throughout the rotation of said arm. Such rectilinear movement of knob 104 is facilitated by the lost motion connection of stud 106 within the opening 104a of knob 104.

Release of the knob 104 enables leaf spring 122 to automatically return pawl 114 to its locking position and knob 104 to its retracted position. Thus the latching mechanism 116 becomes automatically effective upon release of the manually operated knob 104.

Thus, the luggage attached to hook 84 can be lowered onto platform 16. In any event, the entire frame and luggage attached to hook 84 can be transported merely by moving the frame 12 on wheels 34 and 36.

It is frequently desirable to transport the portable hoist with the luggage so as to be usable at a given destination. To facilitate packing and storing of such portable hoist, after the luggage has been suitably removed from hook 84 the extension 54 is pivoted rearwardly about pin 60 after the locking mechanism 62 has been released as above explained. Thus, the extension 54 is caused to be positioned adjacent the frame 12.

The platform 16 can also be retracted by pivoting the support members 48 and 50 to release the shoulders in the slots therein from adjacent the respective bolts 30. Such pivotal movement of members 48 and 50, of course, is against the force of leaf spring 64. The entire platform 16 can then be rotated or pivoted upwardly to a position adjacent the frame 12. In this manner the entire hoist is made compact and can be placed in an automobile trunk or substantially any other confined space where the luggage is located.

It is thus seen that the present invention provides a portable hoist for luggage or any other article, and is provided with certain features of compactness and ease in operation.

Although I have shown and described certain specific embodiments of my invention, I am fully aware that many modifications thereof are possible.

I claim:

1. A portable hoist for luggage and the like comprising in combination, a frame having a main portion and a platform hingedly connected thereto for movement between extended and retracted positions, wheels on said frame to facilitate transporting thereof, a retractable extension on said frame movable from a position over said platform when the latter is extended to retracted position adjacent said frame, hoist means comprising a flexible line suspended from said extension and carrying a hook to engage luggage and the like, and retrieval means on said frame connected to said line to retrieve the same on said extension to thereby lift said hook to permit transporting of said luggage and the like said retrieval means comprising a manual crank and a rotatable cylindrical member whereon said line is wound, said manual crank being operatively associated with said cylindrical member to effect rotation thereof for raising and lowering said hook and releasable ratchet means limiting rotation of said cylindrical member to one direction unless and until said ratchet means is released to permit reverse rotation of said crank to effect rotation of said cylindrical member in the direction opposite to said one direction, said manual crank comprising a rotatable arm mounted on said frame for rotation of said cylindrical member an dincludes a handle to effect rotation of said arm, and said ratchet means comprises a pawl on said rotatable arm for engagement with prearranged stop elements on said frame and wherein said pawl is movably mounted on said rotatable arm and said handle is rectilinearly movable on said arm and engageable with said pawl, whereby rectilinear movement of said handle on said arm effects movement of said pawl thereon to effect disengagement of the latter with said stop elements to thereby permit reverse rotation of said cylindrical member for lowering said hook.

2. A portable hoist for luggage and the like according to claim 1, wherein said extension is elongated having one end hingedly mounted to said frame and another end to be disposed over said platform when both are in nonretracted operating positions, and travel limiting means provided on said extension for engagement with said frame to define the operating position of said extension.

3. A portable hoist for luggage and the like according to claim 2, wherein said extension is provided with a pulley at its extended end to receive said line to facilitate movement of the latter in raising and lowering said hook.

4. A portable hoist for luggage and the like according to claim 3, wherein spring loaded locking means is provided on said main portion and platform of said frame to lock said platform in extended position unless and until said locking means is released to permit said platform to be hingedly moved to retracted position adjacent said main portion of said frame.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 552,599 1/ 1896 Valiant 188-8277 3,048,371 8/1962 Klimek 254-139 3,123,229 3/1964 Kleirnan 254-139 3,158,266 11/1964 Manaugh 212-8 3,212,788 10/1965 Adler 280-36 FOREIGN PATENTS 813,617 5/1959 Great Britain.

EVON C. BLUNK, Primary Examiner. H. C. HORNSBY, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

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