A container-handling vehicle for picking up storage containers from a three-dimensional grid of an underlying storage system includes a vehicle body and at least one lifting device. The lifting device includes a lifting shaft assembly including a lifting shaft and at least one motor for rotating the lifting shaft, a lifting frame for releasably connecting a storage container, and a first pair of lifting bands and a second pair of lifting bands connecting the lifting shaft to the lifting frame. The lifting shaft includes a first end section and a second end section. Each lifting band has a first end and a second end connected to the lifting shaft and a corresponding lifting band connector on the lifting frame, respectively. Each pair of lifting bands has a first lifting band connected at the first end section of the lifting shaft and a second lifting band connected at the second end section of the lifting shaft. The first pair of lifting bands extends in a substantially horizontal direction from the lifting shaft towards a band guiding assembly, the band guiding assembly is arranged to change the direction of the first pair of lifting bands to extend in a vertical direction. The second pair of lifting bands extends in a vertical direction from the lifting shaft at the side of the lifting shaft facing away from the band guiding assembly, and the connections between the first ends of the first pair of lifting bands and the lifting shaft is staggered by 75-105 degrees relative the connections between the first ends of the second pair of lifting bands and the lifting shaft.

A container-handling vehicle for picking up storage containers from a three-dimensional grid of an underlying storage system includes a vehicle body and at least one lifting device. The lifting device includes a lifting shaft assembly including a lifting shaft and at least one motor for rotating the lifting shaft, a lifting frame for releasably connecting a storage container, and a first pair of lifting bands and a second pair of lifting bands connecting the lifting shaft to the lifting frame. The lifting shaft includes a first end section and a second end section. Each lifting band has a first end and a second end connected to the lifting shaft and a corresponding lifting band connector on the lifting frame, respectively. Each pair of lifting bands has a first lifting band connected at the first end section of the lifting shaft and a second lifting band connected at the second end section of the lifting shaft. The first pair of lifting bands extends in a substantially horizontal direction from the lifting shaft towards a band guiding assembly, the band guiding assembly is arranged to change the direction of the first pair of lifting bands to extend in a vertical direction. The second pair of lifting bands extends in a vertical direction from the lifting shaft at the side of the lifting shaft facing away from the band guiding assembly, and the connections between the first ends of the first pair of lifting bands and the lifting shaft is staggered by 75-105 degrees relative the connections between the first ends of the second pair of lifting bands and the lifting shaft.

An inverted telescoping mast configured to be mounted to a ceiling or other structure within a building for supporting a payload at a range of heights within the building. The mast can include cable management for routing of cables external the mast for supplying/exchanging power, control signals, data etc. to the payload. An internal spring retains the mast in the retracted position. A tension control system restricts extension and/or retraction of the mast when actuating cable tension is above or below respective tension thresholds.

An modular lift system for hoisting objects along a track to a predetermined height. The lift system may include a limit switch, a carriage with an automatic emergency braking system, and a peak to engage the track, whereby the carriage rolls along the side rails of the track between the peak mounted to the top of the track and the bottom of the track. The carriage can be adjustable thereby permitting it to be adapted to various types and sizes of tracks. The automatic emergency braking system is adapted to prevent the uncontrolled descent of the carriage in the event of a cable or primary brake failure.

An modular lift system for hoisting objects along a track to a predetermined height. The lift system may include a limit switch, a carriage with an automatic emergency braking system, and a peak to engage the track, whereby the carriage rolls along the side rails of the track between the peak mounted to the top of the track and the bottom of the track. The carriage can be adjustable thereby permitting it to be adapted to various types and sizes of tracks. The automatic emergency braking system is adapted to prevent the uncontrolled descent of the carriage in the event of a cable or primary brake failure.

A system for lifting and lowering a load between a position in a room to a position in a storage space above the room is disclosed. The system includes: a first and second beam each attached to an underside or side of two ceiling joists. The first and second beams are installed from below without requiring access above the joists. The system also includes a first vertical frame member connected to and supported by the first beam, a second vertical frame member connected to and supported by the second beam, and a horizontal frame member connected to a top portion of each of vertical frame members. The system also includes a platform for supporting the load and a lifting device for raising and lowering the load.

A system for lifting and lowering a load between a position in a room to a position in a storage space above the room is disclosed. The system includes: a first and second beam each attached to an underside or side of two ceiling joists. The first and second beams are installed from below without requiring access above the joists. The system also includes a first vertical frame member connected to and supported by the first beam, a second vertical frame member connected to and supported by the second beam, and a horizontal frame member connected to a top portion of each of vertical frame members. The system also includes a platform for supporting the load and a lifting device for raising and lowering the load.

A vehicle lift includes a lift platform which can be selectively moved in a range between one or more raised positions which are level from the front to the rear and a lowered position where the lift platform is tilted for loading and unloading. A vehicle may be supported on the lift platform. The vehicle lift may be arranged in a trailer.

In one example, a platform lift includes a rotationally stationary leadscrew to support a platform, a rotatable nut to drive the leadscrew up and down through a range of motion, a first spring to apply a continuous downward force to the leadscrew throughout the range of motion, and a second spring to apply a continuous upward force to the leadscrew throughout the range of motion.

A vertical moving method of a vertical moving unit on which a conveyance target object is mounted includes steps of causing a non-electric biasing unit to generate a biasing force to raise the vertical moving unit, causing an electric motor unit to generate a thrust in a direction to raise the vertical moving unit or a thrust in a direction to lower the vertical moving unit, and causing an electromagnetic brake unit to generate a braking force to resist a movement of the vertical moving unit. Independently of presence/absence of the object and a weight of the object, the thrust and/or the braking force is controlled such that the vertical moving unit stops when an external force of overload more than a predetermined value acts on the vertical moving unit during a vertical movement.