CARGO LOWERING SLIDE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

The present invention is directed to the problem of maneuvering heavy cargo to an ergonomically correct lifting height for countless industries, including for equipment stored on firefighting and rescue vehicles. Mechanical and electrically actuated horizontal drawer slides and extendable arms enable loads to be moved outside of an enclosure or storage structure for easier access.

Claims

1. A cargo loading device comprising: a first slide assembly comprising at least one slide plate and a sleeve; a second slide assembly comprising at least one slide plate and a sleeve; a first extendable arm interconnected to the first slide assembly; a second extendable arm interconnected to the second slide assembly; a platform having one side interconnected to a distal end of the first extendable arm and having a second side interconnected to a distal end of the second extendable arm; and a compartment, wherein said first slide assembly, second slide assembly, and platform are housed within said compartment when in a retracted position.

2. The cargo loading device of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second extendable arms comprises a scissor mechanism.

3. The cargo loading device of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second extendable arms comprises a rod.

4. The cargo loading device of claim 3 wherein the rods comprise a telescoping rod.

5. The cargo loading device of claim 3 wherein the rods comprise hydraulic pistons.

6. The cargo loading device of claim 3 wherein the rods comprise threaded rods and at least one threaded bushing.

7. The cargo loading device of claim 1 further comprising a motor assembly, the motor assembly configured to extend and retract the first and second slide assemblies.

8. A cargo loading assembly comprising: a storage compartment having a door; a first slide assembly comprising at least one slide plate, the slide plate comprising a rail; a second slide assembly comprising at least one slide plate, the slide plate comprising a rail; the first slide assembly interconnected to a first extendable scissor arm at a proximal end of the first extendable scissor arm; the second slide assembly interconnected to a second extendable scissor arm at a proximal end of the second extendable scissor arm; a platform having one side interconnected to a distal end of the first extendable scissor arm and having a second side interconnected to a distal end of the second extendable scissor arm; wherein said first slide assembly, second slide assembly, and platform are housed within said compartment when in a retracted position.

9. The cargo loading assembly of claim 8 further comprising: an actuator, the actuator comprising a piston having an arm, a shaft, the shaft interconnected to the first slide assembly at a first end of the shaft and interconnected to the second slide assembly at a second end of the shaft; and the arm interconnected to a lever for rotating the shaft.

10. The cargo loading assembly of claim 8 wherein the platform has a first position, a second position, and a third position.

11. The cargo loading assembly of claim 10 wherein the extendable scissor arms are configured to be retracted in the first position.

12. The cargo loading assembly of claim 10 wherein the extendable scissor arms are configured to be retracted in the second position.

13. The cargo assembly of claim 10 wherein the slide assemblies are configured to be extended in the third position.

14. The cargo assembly of claim 10 wherein the slide assemblies are configured to be retracted when the storage compartment door is in a closed position.

15. The cargo assembly of claim 12 further comprising a control module for retaining the scissor arms in a retracted position.

16. The cargo assembly of claim 13 further comprising a control module for retaining the slide assemblies in an extended position.

17. An assembly for loading and storing cargo comprising: a platform having one side interconnected to a distal end of a first extendable arm and having a second side interconnected to a distal end of a second extendable arm; a compartment; a first slide assembly comprising at least one slide plate; a second slide assembly comprising at least one slide plate; the first extendable arm interconnected to a proximal end of the first slide assembly; the second extendable arm interconnected to a proximal end of the second slide assembly; and a control module configured to extend and retract the first and second slide assembly and to raise and lower the platform.

18. The cargo assembly of claim 17 wherein the control module is configured to retain the platform in a raised or lowered position.

19. The cargo assembly of claim 18 wherein the control module is configured to retain the slide assemblies in an extended or retracted position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 depicts a first and second side of the slide assembly in an extended position of certain embodiments.

[0028] FIG. 2 depicts a cargo lowering slide assembly of certain embodiments showing a first and second sides of a slide assembly in an extended position with interconnected scissor arms and cargo platform in a retracted or lifted position.

[0029] FIG. 3 depicts a first and second side of the drawer slide with interconnected scissor arms and cargo platform in an extended or lowered position in certain embodiments of a cargo lowering slide assembly.

[0030] FIGS. 4A-C depicts a side of the slide assembly with interconnected scissor arms and cargo platform in retracted, intermediate, and extended positions of a cargo lowering slide assembly showing in certain embodiments.

[0031] FIG. 5 depicts certain embodiments of cargo lowering slide assembly in a horizontally retracted position with the cargo platform within a storage compartment or enclosure.

[0032] FIG. 6 depicts certain embodiments of the cargo lowering slide assembly with the cargo platform in a horizontally extended position outside of the storage compartment or enclosure.

[0033] FIG. 7 depicts certain embodiments of a cargo lowering slide assembly with the cargo platform in a horizontally extended and vertically lowered position outside of the storage compartment or enclosure.

[0034] FIGS. 8A-D depicts certain embodiments of a cargo lowering slide assembly showing a side of the slide assembly with interconnected scissor arms and cargo platform in retracted, intermediate, and extended positions.

[0035] FIGS. 9A-D depicts certain embodiments of a cargo lowering slide assembly showing a side of the slide assembly with interconnected scissor arms and cargo platform in retracted, intermediate, and extended positions.

[0036] FIG. 10 depicts certain embodiments of a cargo lowering slide assembly in a horizontally retracted position with the cargo platform within a storage compartment or enclosure.

[0037] FIG. 11 depicts certain embodiments of a cargo lowering slide assembly with the cargo platform in a horizontally extended position outside of a storage compartment or enclosure.

[0038] FIG. 12 depicts certain embodiments of a cargo lowering slide assembly with a cargo platform in a horizontally extended and vertically lowered position outside of a storage compartment or enclosure.

[0039] FIG. 13 depicts the scissor arm configuration in certain embodiments showing a first side portion of the actuator devices.

[0040] FIG. 14 depicts the scissor arm configuration in certain embodiments showing a second side portion of the actuator devices.

[0041] FIG. 15 depicts certain embodiments of the cargo lowering slide assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

[0042] The cargo lowering slide assembly generally comprises two drawer slide assemblies 10, two scissor arm assemblies 190, and a cargo platform 150, as seen in FIGS. 1-15. The cargo lowering slide assembly is adapted to be mounted within an enclosure 250, but may also be mounted to a surface that is not enclosed such as on the top of a vehicle or in the bed of a pickup truck.

[0043] As seen in FIGS. 5-7 and 10-12, the enclosure 250 may be any enclosure suitable for storing cargo, but generally includes three side walls, a top, a bottom, and a door opening 260. The door opening may include a door (not shown) such as a tip up door, a sliding door, or a roll up door. The enclosure 250 may be attached or integrated into the body or chassis of a vehicle (not shown) such as a firetruck or emergency response vehicle.

[0044] In certain embodiments the cargo lowering slide assembly, the slide assembly 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 7, is generally comprised of elements 20 through 140. Lower slide plate 30 includes a foot 35 for mounting the slide assembly to the bottom of the enclosure 250 or to another surface. The lower slide plate 30 is slideably engaged with lower slide sleeve 40. In certain embodiments, the slideable engagement comprises ball bearing slides. Lower slide sleeve 40 is interconnected to upper slide sleeve 50 by bridge 60. Upper slide sleeve 50 is slideably engaged with upper slide plate 20, In certain embodiments, the slideable engagement comprises ball bearing slides. Lower rack gear 110 is interconnected to the top edge of lower slide plate 30, and upper rack gear 100 is interconnected to the bottom edge of upper slide plate 20. The slide assembly 10 may include additional slide plates, slide sleeves, and bridges to increase the overall extended length of the slide assembly.

[0045] Other embodiments of the slide assembly are shown in FIGS. 8 through 15. The slide assembly includes an outer slide rail 280, a middle slide rail 290, and an inner slide rail 300 in a nested configuration. In certain embodiments, the outer slide rail 280 and middle slide rail 290 are slideably engaged by ball bearing slides, and the middle slide rail 290 and inner slide rail are slideably engaged by ball bearing slides. Outer slide rail 280 is interconnected to a foot 285 for mounting the slide assembly to the bottom of the enclosure 250 or to another surface. A rack gear 310 (seen in FIGS. 14 and 15) is interconnected to the bottom edge of outer slide rail. Inner slide rail 300 is interconnected to a slide plate similar to the upper slide plate 20. The slide plates of opposing slide assemblies may be interconnected by a beam. The slide assembly may include additional slide rails to increase the overall extended length of the slide assembly.

[0046] In certain embodiments, seen in FIGS. 1-7, slide assembly 10 is extended or contracted horizontally to move the cargo platform 150 by use of extension motor assembly 130, extension timing belt assembly 140, and extension screw 120. Activation of extension motor assembly 130 causes rotation of extension screw 120 that, in turn, converts rotation through a threaded bushing into linear thrust which is applied simultaneously to the bridge 60, the upper slide sleeve 50 and the lower slide sleeve 40. The motion of the lower slide sleeve 40 is coupled directly to the motion of the lower spur gear 70. Rotation of lower spur gear 70 against the fixed lower rack gear 110 causes lower slide sleeve 40 to extend or contract relative to lower slide plate 30. In turn, the lower spur gear 70 which is interconnected to upper spur gear 80 by synchronizer chain 90. Rotation of lower spur gear 70 therefore causes rotation of upper spur gear against upper rack gear 100 and causes upper slide plate 20 to extend or contract relative to upper slide sleeve 50. The synchronizer chain 90 causes relatively simultaneous rotation of lower spur gear 70 and upper spur gear 80 and therefore the extension and contraction of the upper and lower portions of slide assembly 10 is synchronized and amplified. In certain embodiments, the slide assembly 10 can be extended or contracted by use of a drive belt/pulley or drive chain/sprocket assembly, interconnected by mechanical fasteners, welding or by use of adhesive to the rails. Embodiments of the present invention achieve horizontal actuation by utilizing a ball screw/actuator or gearbox assembly or by an air assist type actuator that is interconnected to the slide rails and that extends and returns the slide assembly 10 to an extended or contracted position. In certain embodiments, the cargo lowering slide assembly may also include latches, pins, magnets, solenoids, springs, or other known interference devices for mechanically preventing movement of the cargo lowering slide assembly when in stored, extended, or lowered positions, as well as proximity sensors to electronically monitor and prevent movement of the cargo lowering slide assembly when in stored, extended, or lowered positions.

[0047] In other embodiments, seen in FIGS. 14 and 15, the slide assembly is extended or contracted horizontally to move the cargo platform by use of rack drive assembly. The rack drive assembly includes a motor 330 and pulley 332 and is interconnected to a pulley on a rack drive rod 334 by a belt or chain 336. Activation of the rack drive assembly motor 330 causes rotation of the rack drive rod 334 which, in turn, rotates a spur gear 338 that is engaged with the rack gear interconnected to the bottom edge of outer slide rail. Rotation of spur gear against the fixed rack gear causes the middle and inner slide rails to extend or contract relative to outer slide rail. The slide assembly could also be extended or contracted by use of a drive belt/pulley, drive chain/sprocket, or hydraulic piston assembly, interconnected by mechanical fasteners, welding or by use of adhesive to the rails.

[0048] In certain embodiments, as seen in FIGS. 2-4, the lower ends of scissor arm assemblies 190 are interconnected to opposite sides of the cargo platform 150 by lower scissor pivot 220 and lower pillow block assembly 210. Cargo platform guide 240 is interconnected to the cargo platform 150 and lower pillow block assembly 210 is slideably engaged to cargo platform guide 240. The upper ends of scissor arm assemblies 190 are interconnected to respective slide assemblies 10 at upper scissor pivot 230 and upper bushing assembly 200. Certain embodiments comprise upper bushing assembly 200 screwably interconnected to scissor screw 170. The cargo platform 150 is extended or contracted vertically by use of scissor motor assembly 160, scissor timing belt assembly 180, and scissor screw 170. Scissor timing belt assembly 180 transfers rotation of scissor motor assembly 160 to scissor screw 170. In turn, rotation of scissor screw 170 causes upper bushing assembly 200 to travel outward or inward depending upon the direction of rotation of scissor screw 170. Movement of upper bushing assembly 200 relative to upper scissor pivot 230 causes the scissor arm assembly 190 to extend or contract in a scissor motion. Extension or contraction of the scissor arm assembly 190 may also be achieved with a series of cables and pulleys, screws, or by hydraulic actuation. The cargo platform 150 may also be raised or lowered using telescopic actuation. In other embodiments, cargo platform 150 may be raised or lowered using rods, telescoping mechanisms, hydraulic pistons, treaded rods with nuts, a plurality of screws and bushings or hydraulic cylinders or any combination of mechanisms to raise and lower a platform. As seen in FIGS. 5, 6, 10, 11, 12 and 15, the scissor arm and slide assemblies can be covered by a shroud 270, in certain embodiments when in a retracted position.

[0049] In certain embodiments, seen in FIGS. 8 and 9 the lower ends of scissor arm assemblies 190 are interconnected to opposite sides of the cargo platform 150 by a lower scissor pivot 220 and a lower roller 360. The roller is slideably engaged with a channel attached to the cargo platform 150. The upper ends of scissor arm assemblies 190 are interconnected to respective slide assemblies at a scissor shaft 320 and an upper roller 350. The upper roller 350 is slideably engaged with a channel 370 integrated into the slide plate. The first end of a lever arm 382 is affixed to the scissor shaft 320 near the middle of the scissor shaft length. As seen in FIGS. 8, 9, 13, and 14 a scissor actuator assembly 380 including a hydraulic piston 381 is interconnected to the scissor shaft 320. The arm of the piston 387 is rotatably interconnected to the second end of the lever arm 382. The extension or retraction of the piston arm 387 causes the scissor shaft 320 to rotate. In turn, rotation of the scissor shaft 320 causes the scissor arm assembly 190 to extend or contract in a scissor motion and thereby lower or raise the cargo platform 150. A solenoid locking mechanism 384 can be used to keep the sliding mechanism and the extending arms in a desired position.

[0050] In one embodiment, the adjustment of one or more elements are facilitated or enabled by electromechanical or other motion-augmented means known to those skilled in the art. Control of the electric, electric hydraulic or air actuator devices in the present invention may be achieved via numerous methods including mechanical actuated electrical switches mounted directly to the cargo lowering slide assembly or via wireless switching mechanisms including smart phone actuation or integration into vehicle multiplexing networks. These control systems may include mechanical, electro-mechanical, or module to control the sequence of extension, lowering, raising, and retraction of the cargo lowering slide assembly. For example, the control system may include proximity switches or a module that prohibits the cargo lowering slide assembly from: (1) extending horizontally unless the door of the enclosure is in a fully opened position; (2) lowering the cargo platform unless the slide assemblies are in a fully extended position; or (3) retracting horizontally unless the scissor arms are in a fully retracted or raised position. The cargo lowering slide assembly may also include sensors or a module to warn if the weight of the load in the cargo platform exceeds design parameters. The cargo lowering slide assembly may also include motor overload protection for sensing such events as jamming of the horizontal or vertical movement of the assembly. The cargo lowering slide assembly may also include audio and/or visual indicators to indicate or warn the user that the slide assembly will be moving or is moving. In one embodiment, the electromechanical or other motion-augmented means are interconnected and/or in communication with a controller that controls the positioning or movement of the cargo lowering slide assembly.

[0051] The structural materials employed advantageously in the present invention are fashioned from machined plastics, extruded, machined, or cast aluminum or stainless steel, and although several suitable alternatives are available, as one skilled in the art would recognize readily. Likewise, any padding, where padding is desirable, is preferably some kind of foamed elastomer, though other suitable materials exist. Other hardware, brackets, locking pins and supports may be fashioned from aluminum, stainless steel, brass, or other suitable material. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present disclosure may be constructed of materials known to provide, or predictably manufactured to provide the various aspects of the present disclosure. These materials may include, for example, stainless steel, titanium alloy, aluminum alloy, chromium alloy, and other metals or metal alloys. These materials may also include, for example, carbon fiber, ABS plastic, polyurethane, and other fiber-encased resinous materials, synthetic materials, polymers, and natural materials. The system and its elements could be flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid and made of materials such as stainless steel, titanium alloy, aluminum alloy, chromium alloy, and other metals or metal alloys, carbon fiber, ABS plastic, polyurethane, and other fiber-encased resinous materials, synthetic materials, polymers, and natural materials. In one embodiment, some or all components are manufactured by way of 3-D printing.

[0052] The exemplary systems and methods of this disclosure have been described in relation to firetrucks and rescue vehicles and associated operations. However, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure, the preceding description omits a number of known structures and devices. This omission is not to be construed as a limitation of the scopes of the claims. Specific details are set forth to provide an understanding of the present disclosure. It should however be appreciated that the present disclosure may be practiced in a variety of ways beyond the specific detail set forth herein.

[0053] Although the present disclosure describes components and functions implemented in the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations with reference to particular standards and protocols, the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations are not limited to such standards and protocols. Other similar standards and protocols not mentioned herein are in existence and are considered to be included in the present disclosure. Moreover, the standards and protocols mentioned herein and other similar standards and protocols not mentioned herein are periodically superseded by faster or more effective equivalents having essentially the same functions. Such replacement standards and protocols having the same functions are considered equivalents included in the present disclosure.

[0054] The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various aspects, embodiments, configurations embodiments, sub-combinations, and/or subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the disclosed aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations after understanding the present disclosure. The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and\or reducing cost of implementation.

[0055] The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Description for example, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure may be combined in alternate aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claims require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration.

[0056] Moreover, though the Description has included description of one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the disclosure, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.

[0057] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Further, the inventions described herein are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of including, comprising, or adding and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as, additional items.