A knockdown, portable lift is relatively compact and lightweight for transport and use where there is no existing means for lifting a load between a lower surface and an upper surface or where the existing means cannot be used. Components of the lift are stored in a base portion of the lift and are assembled on site for forming a lift frame extending between the upper and lower surfaces. A platform and drive assembly are supported on the lift frame and are driven together up and down tracks on each side of the lift frame using a rotary drive, such as a hand crank or electric motor, to power the drive assembly. The drive assembly is operable by a person on or off the platform from either the upper or lower surface or traversing stairs over which the platform is moving. The drive assembly incorporates a unique overspeed braking system and a unique clutch arrangement.

A modular loading and unloading system for a high-speed transportation system, the system including an airlock loading zone, at least one airlock arranged in the airlock loading zone and connecting the airlock loading zone to a transportation tube of the high-speed transportation system. The airlock loading zone is configured to receive a plurality of capsules, payloads, and/or cars, and is operable to arrange the plurality of capsules, payloads, and/or cars for insertion into a high-speed transportation vehicle arranged in the airlock.

A modular loading and unloading system for a high-speed transportation system, the system including an airlock loading zone, at least one airlock arranged in the airlock loading zone and connecting the airlock loading zone to a transportation tube of the high-speed transportation system. The airlock loading zone is configured to receive a plurality of capsules, payloads, and/or cars, and is operable to arrange the plurality of capsules, payloads, and/or cars for insertion into a high-speed transportation vehicle arranged in the airlock.

A construction elevator is provided. The construction elevator may include a car controller configured to direct the construction elevator to operate in a lifting operation or a descending operation. The construction elevator may further include a variable frequency drive coupled to a motor that are configured to operate the construction elevator in the lifting operation or the descending operation responsive to the direction of the car controller. Moreover, the construction elevator may include an onboard power source configured to provide power to the variable frequency drive and the motor to complete the lifting operation without needing to be recharged by an external power supply.

A cargo container loading and unloading system for a transportation system, including a loading zone and at least one opening connecting the loading zone to a transportation tube of the transportation system. The opening is sized to allow passage of cargo containers.

A cargo container loading and unloading system for a transportation system, including a loading zone and at least one opening connecting the loading zone to a transportation tube of the transportation system. The opening is sized to allow passage of cargo containers.

A knockdown, portable lift is relatively compact and lightweight for transport and use where there is no existing means for lifting a load between a lower surface and an upper surface or where the existing means cannot be used. Components of the lift are stored in a base portion of the lift and are assembled on site for forming a lift frame extending between the upper and lower surfaces. A platform and drive assembly are supported on the lift frame and are driven together up and down tracks on each side of the lift frame using a rotary drive, such as a hand crank or electric motor, to power the drive assembly. The drive assembly is operable by a person on or off the platform from either the upper or lower surface or traversing stairs over which the platform is moving. The drive assembly incorporates a unique overspeed braking system and a unique clutch arrangement.

A knockdown, portable lift is relatively compact and lightweight for transport and use where there is no existing means for lifting a load between a lower surface and an upper surface or where the existing means cannot be used. Components of the lift are stored in a base portion of the lift and are assembled on site for forming a lift frame extending between the upper and lower surfaces. A platform and drive assembly are supported on the lift frame and are driven together up and down tracks on each side of the lift frame using a rotary drive, such as a hand crank or electric motor, to power the drive assembly. The drive assembly is operable by a person on or off the platform from either the upper or lower surface or traversing stairs over which the platform is moving. The drive assembly incorporates a unique overspeed braking system and a unique clutch arrangement.

A performer lift has abase portion (10) and an extension portion (12). The base portion (10) comprises a platform (16) and a lifting mechanism (18). The extension portion (12) is attachable to the base portion (10) to extend the height of the performer lift. The extension portion (12) allows a performer lift to be provided having a desired height. The performer lift can therefore be adapted to be used in different stage sets, by reusing the same base portion (10) and attaching different extension portions (12), having different heights.

A performer lift has abase portion (10) and an extension portion (12). The base portion (10) comprises a platform (16) and a lifting mechanism (18). The extension portion (12) is attachable to the base portion (10) to extend the height of the performer lift. The extension portion (12) allows a performer lift to be provided having a desired height. The performer lift can therefore be adapted to be used in different stage sets, by reusing the same base portion (10) and attaching different extension portions (12), having different heights.