Abstract
An apparatus for parking objects, in particular vehicles, is provided. The apparatus includes at least one platform which can be moved by a movement device and which has a parking surface, at least one drive which is part of the movement device, and at least one traction means which is part of the movement device. The traction means connects an anchor point to the movement drive. The drive is configured as a linear drive which includes a stationary base part and a connecting element which is linearly movable with respect thereto. The movement direction of the connecting element is substantially horizontal.
Claims
1. An apparatus for parking vehicles, comprising: at least one platform which can be moved by means of a movement device and which has a parking surface, at least one drive which is part of the movement device, and at least one traction means which is part of the movement device, wherein the traction means connects an anchor location to the movement drive, wherein the drive is configured as a linear drive which comprises a fixed base portion and a connection element which can be moved in a linear manner relative thereto, wherein the movement direction of the connection element is substantially horizontal.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movement device moves the platform in a horizontal direction, a vertical direction, or both a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anchor location is configured so as to be able to be changed in terms of its horizontal position relative to the movement device or is arranged in a fixed manner.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive can be optionally connected to a horizontal gear mechanism, wherein the horizontal gear mechanism converts a movement produced by the drive into a horizontal movement of the platform.
5. The apparatus as claimed claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one redirection means for redirecting the traction means, wherein the traction means connects the anchor location to the movement drive via the redirection means which changes the direction of the traction means.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive is connected to the platform at the fixed base portion thereof and the drive moves together with the platform in a vertical direction.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movement device has at least one vertically extending guide which has a fixed portion which is secured to a fixed base, and the vertically extending guide further has a movable portion which is connected to the platform and the movable portion is guided so as to be able to be moved vertically in the fixed portion.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one side portion is provided on the platform adjacent to the parking surface and the drive is secured to the side portion.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive is secured below the platform and below the parking surface.
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive is configured as a hydraulic cylinder, as a pneumatic cylinder, as an electromechanical linear drive or as an electric linear motor.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of movement devices, a plurality of drives, or both a plurality of movement devices and a plurality of drives are provided.
12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anchor location is arranged in a fixed manner above the platform and is identical to or connected to a location on a building or a fixed frame.
13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the anchor location is arranged on the platform and so as to be non-movable relative to the platform.
14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the redirection means is configured as a roller which is rotatably supported with respect to the platform and is arranged on the platform.
15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the redirection means is configured as a roller which is rotatably supported relative to a fixed base, and is arranged on the fixed base.
16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the redirection means is configured as a fixed sliding piece which is arranged on the platform or a fixed base.
17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the movement direction of the connection element is directed in the direction toward the redirection means when moved out of the fixed base portion.
18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the movement direction of the connection element is directed in the direction away from the redirection means when moved out of the fixed base portion.
19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the traction means extends substantially vertically between the redirection means and the anchor location.
20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the traction means extends substantially horizontally between the redirection means and the drive.
21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive is secured to a fixed base.
22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the traction means is directly connected to the connection element of the drive and the connection element transmits its movement to the traction means.
23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the traction means is connected at the end thereof opposite the anchor location to a traction location which is located in a constant position with respect to the fixed base portion and the traction means extends from the traction location to the connection element.
24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is provided on the connection element a redirection roller via which the traction means is guided.
25. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises at least two platforms which can be raised and lowered and which are arranged vertically one above the other, wherein the two platforms are connected with a constant spacing with respect to each other by means of spacer elements.
26. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is provided laterally on the platform a respective synchronization traction element which extends with a first portion in a first region of the platform over a central second portion which extends on the platform to a third portion to a second region of the platform opposite the first region and which is fixed with one end thereof in the first region and with the other end thereof in the second region, wherein each synchronization traction element is guided at least by a roller on the platform.
27. The apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein the two ends of the synchronization traction elements are secured to a fixed base.
28. The apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein the rollers of both synchronization traction elements are connected in a rotational manner by means of a synchronization shaft.
29. The apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein the synchronization shaft, when viewed from the side of the apparatus, is arranged vertically in a line with the redirection means.
30. An apparatus for parking vehicles, comprising at least one platform which can be raised and lowered by means of a movement device and which has a parking surface, at least one drive which is part of the movement device, at least one traction means which is part of the movement device, and at least one redirection means for redirecting the traction means, wherein the traction means, via the redirection means which changes the direction of the traction means, connects an anchor location to the drive, wherein the drive is configured as a linear drive which comprises a fixed base portion and a connection element which can be moved in a linear manner relative thereto, wherein the movement direction of the connection element is substantially horizontal, wherein the drive is connected at the fixed base portion thereof to the platform and the drive moves together with the platform in a vertical direction and the redirection means is configured as a roller which is rotatably supported with respect to the platform and is arranged on the platform and the anchor location is arranged in a fixed manner above the platform and is identical to or is connected to a location on a building or a fixed frame.
31. The apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein the traction means is connected directly to the connection element of the drive and the connection element transmits its movement to the traction means.
32. The apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein the traction means is connected at the end thereof opposite the anchor location to a traction location which is located in a constant position with respect to the fixed base portion and the traction means extends from the traction location to the connection element.
33. An apparatus for parking vehicles, comprising at least one platform which can be raised and lowered by means of a movement device and which has a parking surface, at least one drive which is part of the movement device, at least one traction means which is part of the movement device, and at least one redirection means for redirecting the traction means, wherein the traction means, via the redirection means which changes the direction of the traction means, connects an anchor location to the drive, wherein the drive is configured as a linear drive which comprises a fixed base portion and a connection element which can be moved in a linear manner relative thereto, wherein the movement direction of the connection element is substantially horizontal, wherein the drive is secured to a fixed base, and the redirection means is configured as a roller which is rotatably supported with respect to a fixed base, and is arranged on the fixed base and the anchor location is arranged on the platform and in a non-movable manner relative to the platform.
34. The apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein the traction means is connected directly to the connection element of the drive and the connection element transmits its movement to the traction means.
35. The apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein the traction means is connected at the end thereof opposite the anchor location to a traction location which is located in a constant position with respect to the base portion and the traction means extends from the traction location to the connection element.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0052] In the drawings, the disclosure is schematically illustrated in particular in embodiments. In the drawings:
[0053] FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of a first embodiment of an apparatus,
[0054] FIG. 2 is a schematic, perspective view of a second embodiment of an apparatus,
[0055] FIG. 3 is a schematic, perspective view of a third embodiment of an apparatus,
[0056] FIG. 4 is a schematic, perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an apparatus,
[0057] FIG. 5 is a schematic, perspective view of a fifth embodiment of an apparatus,
[0058] FIG. 6 is a schematic, perspective view of a sixth embodiment of an apparatus,
[0059] FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a seventh embodiment of an apparatus,
[0060] FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of an eighth embodiment of an apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0061] In the Figures, elements which are identical or correspond to each other are given the same reference numerals and are therefore not described again unless advantageous. The disclosures contained in the entire description can be accordingly transferred to identical components with the same reference numerals or same component names. The position indications selected in the description, such as, for example, top, bottom, lateral, etcetera, are also in relation to the Figure which has been directly described and illustrated and are accordingly intended to be transferred to the new position in the event of a position change. Furthermore, individual features or feature combinations from the various embodiments shown and described may also constitute solutions which are independent per se, inventive or according to the invention.
[0062] FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of a first embodiment of an apparatus. The illustration of all the Figures is schematic. This means that only elements of the apparatus which are significant for the function are shown. The apparatus comprises a platform 2 which can be moved in a vertical direction and which in this instance has a rectangular shape. The apparatus and the platform 2 are provided for parking objects, in particular motor vehicles. In order to park objects on the platform 2, it has a parking surface 21 which is configured in a planar manner in this instance. The platform 2 has a first region 10 which faces toward the back left in the illustration. A second region 11 of the platform is arranged opposite the first region 10 and facing the front right. Objects, in particular vehicles, are moved over the second region 11 onto the platform 11, as indicated by arrows. The first region 10 is generally arranged adjacent to a vertically extending wall so that over the first region 10 normally no objects are moved onto the platform 2 or away from the platform 2. A side portion 22 of the platform 2 is arranged in each case at two longitudinal sides adjacent to the parking surface 21. A longitudinal side is intended in this instance to be understood to be the longer dimension of the platform 2 which extends from the front right to the back left in the illustration. The side portions 22 extend in this instance at right-angles to the parking surface 21. The side portions 22 are configured to be planar per se. The parking surface 21 and the side portions 22 are advantageously constructed from flat metal, in particular from metal profiles which are sufficiently strong to absorb the weight of the objects which are parked. In the embodiment illustrated, the apparatus has two drives 3 which each comprise a securing portion 31 and a connection element 32. The securing portions 31 are securely connected to the side portions 22 of the platform 2. When the platform 2 is moved, the drives 3 consequently move together with the platform 2. At the end of the side portions 22 facing the rear in the first region 10 of the platform, a redirection means 6 in the form of a rotatably supported roller is arranged in each case. The redirection means 6 consequently also move together with the platform 2. Above the redirection means 6, an anchor location 4 which is arranged in a fixed manner can be seen in each case. These anchor locations 4 are arranged outside the platform 2 and consequently do not move together with the platform 2. The anchor locations 4 may, for example, be arranged on the ceiling of a building portion which surrounds the apparatus or which belongs to the apparatus, or on a non-movable carrier frame which belongs to the apparatus. At each side of the platform 2, there is arranged a traction means 5 which is secured in each case to an anchor location 4. The traction means 5 extends from the anchor location 4 initially vertically upward and is then redirected by the redirection means 6 in the horizontal direction. From the redirection means 6, the traction means 5 extends to the connection element 32 of the drive 3. The traction means 5 is in this instance directly connected to the end of the connection element 32 facing away from the base portion 31. The movement device 7 comprises the drive 3 and the traction means 5. A synchronization traction element 8a, 8b is arranged in each case so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the platform 2. These synchronization traction elements 8a, 8b are in each case connected by means of two rollers 50a, 50b or 51a, 51b to the side portions of the platform 2. The rollers 50a, 50b, 51a, 51b are in this case rotatably secured to the platform 2. The synchronization traction element 8a facing the front left will be described below. This description applies similarly to the second synchronization traction element 8b which faces the back right. The synchronization traction element 8a is secured with an end 88 in a fixed manner to a non-movable location below the platform 2. From this location, a first portion 81 extends in a vertical direction as far, in the first region 10, as the roller 50a by means of which the synchronization traction element 8a is redirected in a substantially horizontally extending direction. From the roller 50a, a second, central portion 82 extends up to the roller 50b which is arranged in the second region 11 of the platform 2. The roller 50b then redirects the synchronization traction element 8a in the vertical direction again. From the roller 50b, a third portion 83 extends upward in a vertical direction to a location which is arranged in a fixed manner above the platform. The other end 89 of the synchronization traction element 8a is secured to this location. The synchronization traction elements 8a, 8b may, for example, be configured as chains or cables and additionally serve to ensure that the first region 10 and the second region 11 of the platform 2 move in a uniform manner or synchronously during raising and lowering.
[0063] In the first region 10 of the platform 2, the rollers 50a and 51a in the embodiment illustrated are connected by means of a synchronization shaft 90. The two rollers 50a and 51a are in this instance arranged in a rotationally secure manner on the synchronization shaft 90. The synchronization shaft 90 serves to ensure a uniform raising and lowering in the transverse direction of the platform 2. To this end, the two rollers 50a and 51a are operationally connected to the synchronization traction elements 8a and 8b. In this instance, there is a frictional or positive-locking connection, whereby, when the synchronization traction elements 8a and 8b move past the rollers 50a and 50b, they are forced into a rotational movement. Such an operational connection may, for example, be produced by the synchronization traction elements 8a and 8b being configured as chains and the two rollers 50a and 50b being configured as pinions which engage in these chains. When the first synchronization traction element 8a moves relative to the roller 50a, it is caused to carry out a rotational movement and this rotational movement is transmitted to the roller 51a. From the roller 51a, the rotational movement is in turn converted into a linear movement of the other synchronization traction element 8b. The same naturally applies in the reverse direction, that is to say, from the synchronization traction element 8b to the synchronization traction element 8a. In the case illustrated, the redirection means 6 and the synchronization shaft 90 are not arranged in a vertical direction directly below one another. However, a particularly low-distortion construction is produced by the synchronization shaft 90 and consequently the two rollers 50a and 50b being arranged in a vertical active line together with the redirection means 6. The embodiment illustrated with two movement devices 7 and a movement which is synchronized by means of a synchronization shaft 90 can be produced in a particularly reliable and cost-effective manner. Such an apparatus has a redundancy of two drives 3 so that the apparatus, in spite of the failure of a drive 3, is fully operational as before. A uniform lifting and lowering of the platform 2 is ensured in a reliable manner in a longitudinal direction by means of synchronization traction elements 8a and 8b and in the transverse direction by the synchronization shaft 90. As a result of the horizontal arrangement of the drives 33 on the side portions 22, very little structural space is required for the drives 7 and the movement devices 7 so that such an apparatus makes optimum use of the space available for parking objects, in particular vehicles.
[0064] FIG. 2 is a schematic, perspective view of a second embodiment of an apparatus. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 differs from the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 as a result of the arrangement of the drive 3. With the exception of this arrangement, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 is identical to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. For reasons of clarity, the identical components are only partially provided with reference numerals. For these identical components, reference may be made to FIG. 1 and the associated description. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the base portion 31 of the drive 3 is also securely connected to a side portion 22 of the platform 2. Consequently, the drive 3 also moves together with the platform 2 in this instance. The drive 3 is orientated in such a manner that the connection element 32 faces away from the redirection means 6. When the connection element 32 is moved out of the base portion, this movement is consequently also directed away from the redirection means 6. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the drive 3 is arranged in a transposed manner so that the connection element 32 moves toward the redirection means 6 when moved out of the base portion. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the traction means 5 is connected to the connection element 32 by means of a communication piece. This communication piece 322 is required in this instance in order to guide the traction means 5 past the base portion 31. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the entire movement device 7 is arranged in the first region 10 of the platform 2. This arrangement is more compact than in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0065] FIG. 3 is a schematic, perspective view of a third embodiment of an apparatus. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 differs from the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 as a result of the arrangement or positioning of the drive 3 and as a result of the connection of the traction means 5 to the connection element 32. The other portions and elements of the apparatus in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 are identical to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. For these portions and elements, reference may consequently be made to the description of FIG. 1. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the drive 3 is arranged in such a manner that the direction faces away from the redirection means 6 when the connection element 32 is moved out of the base portion 31. The end of the traction means 5 facing away from the anchor location 4 is connected in FIG. 3 to a traction location 53 which is fixedly arranged on the side portion 22 of the platform 2. From this traction location 53, the traction means 5 first extends to a redirection roller 321 which is rotatably fitted to the tip of the connection element 32. The traction means 5 is guided around the redirection roller 321 and subsequently extends further in a substantially horizontal direction to the redirection means 6. In this embodiment, the force or movement of the connection element 32 is transmitted indirectly, that is to say, via the redirection roller 321, to the traction means 5. The traction location 53 serves in this instance to introduce force into the platform 2 and is arranged in a non-movable manner with respect to the base portion 31. As a result of this arrangement, the force of the drive 3 is amplified in the manner of a pulley.
[0066] FIG. 4 is a schematic, perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an apparatus. In this fourth embodiment, in contrast to the embodiments of the drive 3 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the drive 3 is not arranged on the platform 2, but instead fitted in a fixed manner outside the platform 2. The drive 3 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 consequently does not move together with the platform 2. In contrast, the anchor location 4 is in the embodiment illustrated arranged on the platform 2 on the side portion 22 thereof and moves together with the platform 2. The traction means 5 begins at this anchor location 4 and extends from there initially vertically upward to a redirection means 6 which is arranged in a fixed manner outside the platform. The traction means 5 is redirected by the redirection means 6 into a horizontal direction. The drive 3 is in this instance orientated in such a manner that the movement direction of the connection element 32 is directed toward the redirection means 6 when moving out of the base portion 31. The traction means 5 is connected directly to the end of the connection element 32 facing away from the base portion 31. In this embodiment, the drive 3 and redirection means 6 are arranged in a particularly space-saving manner above, for example, on the ceiling of the building portion which belongs to the apparatus. In this embodiment, the platform 2 is constructed and can be produced in a particularly simple manner. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 has no synchronization shaft 90 in contrast to the embodiments in FIGS. 1 to FIG. 3. Of course, however, such a synchronization shaft 90 may also be provided in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4. The two synchronization traction elements 8a and 8b are in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 constructed in a similar manner to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. For the synchronization traction elements 8a and 8b, reference may consequently be made to the description relating to FIG. 1.
[0067] FIG. 5 is a schematic, perspective view of a fifth embodiment of an apparatus. In this embodiment, two platforms 2 which are arranged one above the other are provided. In this instance, the two platforms 2 are constructed in an identical manner. The two platforms 2 are connected parallel with each other with a constant spacing by means of four spacer elements 23. These spacer elements 23 may be configured in a rigid or flexible manner. It is also possible to arrange more than two platforms 2 in this manner one above the other. The platform 2 illustrated above corresponds to the platform 2 from the embodiment of FIG. 1 and has two movement devices 7. These movement devices 7 are configured in an identical manner to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. It is, of course, also possible to provide two or more platforms 2 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 with a drive 3 which is arranged in a fixed manner. Generally, two or more platforms 2 may be provided for all the embodiments illustrated and described.
[0068] FIG. 6 is a schematic, perspective view of a sixth embodiment of an apparatus. In this embodiment, in contrast to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, only one movement device 7 with a drive 3 is provided. The drive 3 is in this instance fitted below the parking surface 21 and for this reason illustrated with dashed lines. This arrangement below the parking surface 21 is also particularly space-saving and at the same time, in a position of the platform 2 moved vertically upward, is very easily accessible for maintenance operations. The drive 3 consequently moves in this instance together with the platform 2. A redirection means 6 which is configured as a rotatable roller is also arranged below the platform 2. The anchor location 4 is in this instance arranged in a fixed manner above the first region 10 of the platform 2. The traction means 5 extends from the anchor location 4 initially in a vertically downward direction and is then redirected by the redirection means 6 in a horizontal direction to the drive 3. The traction means 5 is in this instance directly connected to the connection element 32 of the drive 3. The entire movement device 7 is in this instance arranged centrally in the transverse direction of the platform 2. The embodiment illustrated has the advantage that only one movement device 7 is provided and consequently fewer components are present than in the embodiments set out above. Of course, an apparatus may also have only one single movement device 7 in which the drive, as illustrated and described in FIG. 4, is arranged in a fixed manner above the platform and the anchor location 4 is connected to the platform 2. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 also has a synchronization shaft 90 and two synchronization traction elements 8a, 8b. With regard to these components, reference may be made to the description relating to FIG. 1.
[0069] FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a seventh embodiment of an apparatus. This side view shows an embodiment of an apparatus in which the platform 2 is configured so as to be able to be moved both in a vertical and in a horizontal direction. The platform 2 is illustrated in the lower position thereof, from which it can be moved vertically upward. The drive 2 is secured to the platform 2 with the base portion 31 thereof and moves together therewith. A redirection means 6 in the form of a rotatably supported roller is also arranged on the platform 2. The anchor location 4 is in this instance configured so as to be able to change position and secured to the ceiling of a building portion above the platform 2. In this instance, the anchor location 4 can be displaced in the horizontal position thereof. For this displacement, a displacement drive which is not illustrated is provided. As a result of this displacement drive, the anchor location 4 can be moved from the position thereof illustrated with continuous lines, for example, into the position 4′ illustrated with dashed lines. The movement direction of the anchor location 4 is indicated with the double-headed arrow 43. The anchor location 4 also comprises a brake 41 in this embodiment. This brake 41 serves to clamp and consequently to fix the traction means 5 on the anchor location 4. In this embodiment, the traction means 5 extends from the connection element 32 of the drive 3 via the redirection means 6 in a vertically upward direction to the anchor location 4 where it is fixed by the brake 41 in the illustrated state. From the anchor location 4, the traction means 5 extends further to a traction means store 51. This traction means store 51 stores additional traction means 5. Such a traction means store 51 may, for example, be configured as a roller or a winch. In the illustrated state, in which the traction means 5 is fixed to the anchor location 4, the platform 2 moves in a vertical direction when the drive 3 is activated.
[0070] In order to move the platform 2 in a horizontal direction, starting from the state illustrated in FIG. 7 with continuous lines the following steps are carried out: firstly, the brake 41 is released so that the traction means 5 is no longer fixed at the anchor location 4. Subsequently, the anchor location 4 is displaced by the adjustment drive which is not illustrated in the horizontal position thereof, for example, as far as the position 4′ illustrated with dashed lines. Subsequently, the brake 41 is fixed again so that the traction means 5 is clamped again at the anchor location 4. During the horizontal movement of the anchor location 4 in the direction of the position 4′, the traction means 5 is removed from the traction means store 51. During the movement of the anchor location 4, there is still no movement of the platform 2. The adjustment drive is only provided to change the horizontal position of the anchor location 4. As soon as the anchor location 4 has reached the position 4′, a horizontal movement of the platform 2 is also possible. To this end, a redirecting member 95 is first moved into position so that it engages in the traction means 5 which extends vertically downward from the position 4′ of the anchor location 4. The redirecting member 95 may in this instance be configured differently and is suitable for assuming an active state, in which it engages in the traction means 5, and a passive state, in which it does not engage in the traction means 5. In the active state of the redirecting member 95, it fixes the vertical path of the traction means 5 between the position 4′ of the anchor location 4 and the redirecting member 95. If the drive 3 is now activated, the platform 3 is moved in a horizontal direction initially toward the redirecting member 95. Such a horizontal movement of the platform 2 is, for example, useful in storage systems in which a particularly high packing density of objects is intended to be achieved. After the horizontal movement of the platform 2 to the left, the redirecting member 95 can now be moved into the passive state. With further activation of the drive 3, the platform 2, as described above, is now raised by the cooperation of the connection element 32, redirection means 6 and anchor location 4 into a position 4′ in a vertical direction. For a horizontal movement of the platform 2 to the right, for example, there may be provided a resiliently active force store, such as a spring, which pulls the platform 2 back into the state thereof illustrated with continuous lines again. In the embodiment illustrated, the movement drive 7 is used both for a vertical movement and for a horizontal movement of the platform 2. Whether a horizontal or a vertical movement takes place is determined in this instance by the position of the anchor location 4. This anchor location 4 may be positioned in the horizontal position thereof by means of an adjustment drive. In this embodiment, only a single powerful drive 3 is required to move the platform 2. In order to adjust the horizontal position of the platform 2, only an adjustment drive which is constructed in a simple manner is required. Of course, the principle of a horizontally movable anchor location 4 can also be combined with other embodiments in order to achieve a horizontal movability of the platform 2.
[0071] FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of an eighth embodiment of an apparatus. In this eighth embodiment, both a vertical movement and a horizontal movement of the platform 2 are also possible. The technical principle for moving the platform 2 in a vertical direction is identical to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1: there is provided a drive 3 which is arranged on the platform 2 and which has a horizontally movable connection element 32. From this connection element 32, a traction means 5 extends over a redirection means 6 which is also arranged on the platform 2 to an anchor location 4 which is arranged in a fixed manner. In order to move the platform 2 in a horizontal direction, a horizontal gear mechanism 96 is provided. This horizontal gear mechanism 96 can optionally be connected to the drive 3. For a vertical movement of the platform 2, the drive 3 is connected to the traction means 5 as described above. If a horizontal movement of the platform 2 is intended to take place, the connection between the drive 3 and the traction means is temporarily separated. Instead, the drive 3 is connected to the horizontal gear mechanism 96. If the drive 3 is now activated, the horizontal gear mechanism 96 produces a movement of the platform 2 in a horizontal direction. In the embodiment illustrated, a towing means 98 is provided and extends from the horizontal gear mechanism 96 to a towing location 97. When the drive 3 is activated, the horizontal gear mechanism 96 produces a movement of the towing means 98. The towing means 98 is in this instance drawn into the horizontal gear mechanism 96. As a result, the platform 2 is pulled along the towing means 98 to the towing location 97 arranged on the left and is consequently moved in a horizontal direction.
[0072] A movement in the opposing direction can be produced by means of a resilient force store, such as, for example, a spring. Such a resilient force store is not illustrated in this instance. Alternatively, the towing means 98 may also be configured in such a manner that a force transmission is possible in two directions. To this end, the towing means 98 may be configured in a rigid manner, for example, as a toothed rack. In this embodiment, the horizontal gear mechanism 96 is configured in such a manner that it moves along the towing means 98 which is configured in a rigid manner when the drive 3 is activated. In this instance, in the horizontal gear mechanism 96 a linear movement of the drive 3 can be converted into a rotational movement of a pinion which in turn engages in a towing means 98 which is configured as a toothed rack. If, as a result of the cooperation of the drive 3, horizontal gear mechanism 96 and towing means 98, the desired horizontal position of the platform 2 is reached, the horizontal gear mechanism 96 can be separated from the drive again and it can be connected to the traction means 5 again in order to produce a vertical movement of the platform 2. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 also enables both a vertical movement and a horizontal movement of the platform 2 using only one drive 3. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 can, of course, also be combined with an anchor location 4 which is configured to be able to be moved horizontally, as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7.
[0073] The claims which have now been submitted with the application and those submitted subsequently are without prejudice for obtaining continued protection.
[0074] If, on closer examination, in particular also of the relevant prior art, it should be found that one or other feature may be advantageous for the objective of the invention but is not decisively significant, a wording which no longer has such a feature, in particular in the main claim, is naturally already sought. Such a sub-combination is also covered by the disclosure of this application.
[0075] It should further be noted that the embodiments and variants of the invention described in the various embodiments and shown in the Figures can be freely combined with each other. In this instance, individual or multiple features are mutually interchangeable. These feature combinations are also disclosed.
[0076] The references set out in the dependent claims refer to the further formation of the subject-matter of the main claim by the features of the respective dependent claim. However, they are not intended to be understood to be an omission in respect of obtaining independent objective projection for the features of the dependent claims referred to.
[0077] Features which have been disclosed only in the description or also individual features from claims which comprise a plurality of features may be taken at any time to have inventively significant meaning for distinguishing from the prior art in the independent claim/claims and even if such features were mentioned in connection with other features or achieve particularly good results in connection with other features.
[0078] All the features and advantages, including structural details, spatial arrangements and method steps, which follow from the claims, the description and the drawing can be fundamental to the invention both on their own and in different combinations. It is to be understood that the foregoing is a description of one or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. The invention is not limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein, but rather is defined solely by the claims below. Furthermore, the statements contained in the foregoing description relate to particular embodiments and are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention or on the definition of terms used in the claims, except where a term or phrase is expressly defined above. Various other embodiments and various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiment(s) will become apparent to those skilled in the art. All such other embodiments, changes, and modifications are intended to come within the scope of the appended claims.
[0079] As used in this specification and claims, the terms “for example,” “for instance,” “such as,” and “like,” and the verbs “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and their other verb forms, when used in conjunction with a listing of one or more components or other items, are each to be construed as open-ended, meaning that the listing is not to be considered as excluding other, additional components or items. Other terms are to be construed using their broadest reasonable meaning unless they are used in a context that requires a different interpretation.
