Elevator apparatus

Claim 2

Apparatus for raising and lowering a platform guided for movement in a predetermined orientation along a predetermined path, said apparatus including: lift means movable along a path spaced from and generally parallel to the predetermined path of said platform; and coupling means for transmitting movement of said lift means to said platform, said coupling means comprising an elongated member pivotally connected to said lift means, said elongated member having a first portion readily detachably engageable with said platform for transmitting a lifting force thereto upon movement of said lift means, and a second portion, spaced from said first portion, readily detachably engageable with said platform for limiting the pivoting movement of said member relative to said lift means tending to result from the application of such lifting force.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elongated member is a lever pivotally connected at one end to said lift means and arranged to bear against said platform such that said first portion is located along the upper side of said lever intermediate its ends and said second portion is located at the lower side of said lever adjacent its end opposite said pivoted end.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 further including means for independently supporting said platform, and means for pivoting said lever to effect disengagement of said lever from said platform upon movement of said lift means when said platform is independently supported by said supporting means.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said lever pivoting means includes a stop positioned so as to engage said lever between said end connected to said lift member and said second portion when said lift member moves downwardly after said platform has become independently supported.

Claim 6

Apparatus for raising and lowering material along a predetermined path said apparatus including: a platform guided for movement in a predetermined orientation along said predetermined path; an independent platform support in said predetermined path; lift means movable along path parallel to said predetermined path; coupling means for operatively connecting said platform to said lift means, said coupling means including a lever pivotally connected adjacent one end thereof to said lift means and extending therefrom toward said platform, a reaction member on said platform to selectively engage the upper side of said lever between the ends thereof, a fulcrum on said platform to selectively engage the underside of said lever adjacent the end of said lever opposite said pivoted end, whereby said reaction member and fulcrum will limit pivoting movement of said lever such that movement of said lift means will be transmitted to said platform to regulate the raising and lowering of said platform; and means for effecting disengagement of said lever from said fulcrum and reaction member when said lift means continues to move after said platform has become independently supported by said platform support.

Claim 7

Apparatus for raising and lowering material along a predetermined path said apparatus including: a platform guided for movement in a predetermined orientation along said predetermined path; an independent platform support in said predetermined path; lift means movable along path parallel to said predetermined path; coupling means for operatively connecting said platform to said lift means, said coupling means including a lever pivotally connected adjacent one end thereof to said lift means and extending therefrom toward said platform, a reaction member on said platform to selectively engage the upper side of said lever between the ends thereof, a fulcrum on said platform to selectively engage the underside of said lever adjacent the end of said lever opposite said pivoted end, whereby said reaction member and fulcrum will limit pivoting movement of said lever such that movement of said lift means will be transmitted to said platform to regulate the raising and lowering of said platform; and means for effecting disengagement of said lever from said fulcrum and reaction member when said lift means continues to move after said platform has become independently supported by said platform support.

Claim 8

Apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for effecting disengagement of said lever includes a stop associated with said independent platform support positioned to engage said lever when said lever moves with said lift means after said platform is supported by said independent platform support to pivot said lever out of engagement with said fulcrum and reaction member.

Claim 9

Apparatus of claim 5 wherein said reaction member and said fulcrum are integrally formed as a non-symmetrical C-shaped clip extending from said platform, the legs of said clip serving to contact said lever so as to form a rigid member therewith during raising and lowering of said platform.