The scissor lift includes a horizontally collapsible base, a vertically collapsible frame mounted on the base, a horizontally foldable platform mounted on top of the vertically collapsible frame, and a plurality of wheels mounted on the base. The horizontally and vertically collapsible scissor lift is steerable and the plurality of wheels may be coupled such that they each rotate about a vertical axis synchronously with respect to one another to steer the lift. Further, at least one of the wheels may be self-driving to controllably propel the horizontally and vertically collapsible scissor lift. One or more winches with associated cables may be used to selectively raise and lower the vertically collapsible frame.

The scissor lift includes a horizontally collapsible base, a vertically collapsible frame mounted on the base, a horizontally foldable platform mounted on top of the vertically collapsible frame, and a plurality of wheels mounted on the base. The horizontally and vertically collapsible scissor lift is steerable and the plurality of wheels may be coupled such that they each rotate about a vertical axis synchronously with respect to one another to steer the lift. Further, at least one of the wheels may be self-driving to controllably propel the horizontally and vertically collapsible scissor lift. One or more winches with associated cables may be used to selectively raise and lower the vertically collapsible frame.

According to one embodiment, there is taught herein a family of branched variants of the traditional scissor mechanism, in which each stage is formed from more than two arms, joined at their midpoints by a branched rivet. In one embodiment arms in adjacent stages are joined at their endpoints with joints that allow for rotation in a single plane. Each resulting mechanism has one degree of freedom in its motion. It deploys from a compact, collapsed state to an extended state. One embodiment is a grasping member that is mechanically coupled to a scissor mechanism so that when scissor mechanism is collapsed the grasping member is open. Then, when the scissor mechanism is extended the grasping member becomes closed.

According to one embodiment, there is taught herein a family of branched variants of the traditional scissor mechanism, in which each stage is formed from more than two arms, joined at their midpoints by a branched rivet. In one embodiment arms in adjacent stages are joined at their endpoints with joints that allow for rotation in a single plane. Each resulting mechanism has one degree of freedom in its motion. It deploys from a compact, collapsed state to an extended state. One embodiment is a grasping member that is mechanically coupled to a scissor mechanism so that when scissor mechanism is collapsed the grasping member is open. Then, when the scissor mechanism is extended the grasping member becomes closed.

A lift device configured to lift an object includes a stationary base, a lift assembly, a support assembly, and a lift mechanism. The lift assembly is movably coupled to the base, and the support assembly is movably coupled to the lift assembly. The support assembly is configured to support the object. The lift mechanism has an adjustable length. The lift mechanism is coupled to the base and to the lift assembly such that decreasing the length of the lift mechanism moves the support assembly upwardly and increasing the length of the lift mechanism moves the support assembly downwardly.

A shelter and associated methodology for operating a shelter that is selectively positionable between an operable raised mode and an idle lowered mode. The shelter has an outer frame with a first upstanding perimeter wall defining an open top. An inner frame has a second upstanding perimeter wall nested within the first upstanding perimeter wall in the lowered mode. Means are provided for raising the inner frame through the outer frame's open top and above the outer frame in the raised mode. The shelter can further include a second inner frame having a third upstanding perimeter wall nested within the second upstanding perimeter wall in the lowered mode. In that case, the means for raising is further configured for raising the second inner frame through the inner frame's open top and above the inner and outer frames in the raised mode.

An apparatus for aligning tubes of a heat exchanger includes a generally planar body having an insertion end and an actuator end, a first driving member received by the body and extending between the insertion end and the actuator end, the first driving member being movable axially with respect to the body, and a first biasing member operatively connected to the first driving member. The first driving member is actuatable to move the first biasing member between a clearance position in which the first biasing member lays generally flat within respect to the body, and an extended position in which the first biasing member extends generally perpendicular from the body.

An apparatus for aligning tubes of a heat exchanger includes a generally planar body having an insertion end and an actuator end, a first driving member received by the body and extending between the insertion end and the actuator end, the first driving member being movable axially with respect to the body, and a first biasing member operatively connected to the first driving member. The first driving member is actuatable to move the first biasing member between a clearance position in which the first biasing member lays generally flat within respect to the body, and an extended position in which the first biasing member extends generally perpendicular from the body.

A vehicle jack includes a lift element, an operative element operably connected to the lift element to transition the lift element from a first position to a second position, where the first position differs in elevation from the second position, and an extension element affixed to the lift element. The extension element has a bottom side that establishes a stable interface with the lift element.

A vehicle jack includes a lift element, an operative element operably connected to the lift element to transition the lift element from a first position to a second position, where the first position differs in elevation from the second position, and an extension element affixed to the lift element. The extension element has a bottom side that establishes a stable interface with the lift element.