초록 ▼

A portable lift (10) for installing and uninstalling computer-related equipment (12) into a storage cabinet (14) broadly comprises a frame (16) operable to be removably secured to the storage cabinet (14); a trolley (18) for supporting the computer-related equipment (12); and a winch assembly (20).

A portable lift (10) for installing and uninstalling computer-related equipment (12) into a storage cabinet (14) broadly comprises a frame (16) operable to be removably secured to the storage cabinet (14); a trolley (18) for supporting the computer-related equipment (12); and a winch assembly (20). The frame (16) is operable to fold into a plurality of portions (28,30,32) for easy storage within a carrying unit (22). The trolley (18) includes a tray (126) on which the computer-related equipment (12) may be placed. The winch assembly (20) includes a winch (166), a plurality of pulleys (168, 170,172), and a plurality of cable portions (180,182,184) that in operation are operable to vertically move the tray (126) within the frame (16) for positioning of the equipment (12) in the storage cabinet (14). The portable lift (10) is lightweight, easy-to-use, and may be assembled and disassembled by one user.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A lift for installing and uninstalling computer-related equipment into and from a storage cabinet, the lift comprising: a frame operable to be removably secured to the storage cabinet without damaging the cabinet, the frame including first and second ends, at least one

The invention claimed is: 1. A lift for installing and uninstalling computer-related equipment into and from a storage cabinet, the lift comprising: a frame operable to be removably secured to the storage cabinet without damaging the cabinet, the frame including first and second ends, at least one hinge for folding the frame into at least two sections along a longitudinal axis of the frame to facilitate portability of the lift and for folding the frame into a carrying unit that can be transported by one user, first and second vertical frame members, a horizontal frame member positioned at the first end of the frame between the first and second vertical frame members, a base positioned at the second end of the frame, and four telescoping securing arms rotatably secured to the frame and operable to be removably secured to the storage cabinet for securement of the lift to the storage cabinet; a trolley operable to be removably mounted to the frame for supporting the computer-related equipment while the equipment is being installed and uninstalled in the cabinet, the trolley being operable to move generally vertically along the longitudinal axis of the frame, the trolley including a tray on which the computer-related equipment may rest, the tray being separable from the frame and including means for transporting the tray to a location remote from the frame while the computer-related equipment is resting on the tray; and a positioning assembly mounted to the frame and operable to vertically move the trolley within the frame. 2. The lift as claimed in claim 1, the trolley including first and second support brackets, and the tray adapted to be removably secured within the support brackets. 3. The lift as claimed in claim 2, the positioning assembly including a winch, first and second pulleys, a cable connector, and first and second cable portions secured to the cable connector, the first cable portion being secured to the winch and operable to wind around the first pulley, and the second cable portion being operable to wind around the second pulley, such that winding the winch moves the cable portions. 4. The lift as claimed in claim 3, wherein the positioning assembly further includes first and second guide rollers operable to roll along the first and second vertical fame members, respectively, wherein the first and second cable portions are secured to the first and second guide rollers, respectively. 5. The lift as claimed in claim 4, wherein the support brackets are adapted to be removably mounted to the guide rollers, such that the tray supported within the support brackets is operable to vertically move within the frame. 6. A portable lift for installing and uninstalling computer-related equipment into and from a storage cabinet, the portable lift comprising: a frame divisible along a longitudinal axis of the frame into at least first and second sections, such that the first section is operable to fold proximate to the second section to facilitate storage of the frame in a carrying unit for transportation by one user, the frame further operable to be removably secured to the storage cabinet without damaging the cabinet; a trolley for supporting the computer-related equipment, the trolley being operable to move vertically along the longitudinal axis of the frame, the trolley including a tray separable from the frame and operable to receive the computer-related equipment thereon at a location remote from the frame, the tray including means for transporting the tray from the remote location to the frame while having the computer-related equipment received on the tray, and a pair of support brackets on which the tray may rest while being moved vertically along the longitudinal axis of the frame, wherein the support brackets are removable from the frame to facilitate storage of the frame in the carrying unit; and a positioning assembly for vertically moving the trolley along the longitudinal axis of the frame, the positioning assembly including at least one pulley, and at least one cable portion trained over the pulley and configured for cooperating with the pulley for vertically moving the trolley within the frame. 7. The portable lift as claimed in claim 6, the positioning assembly further including a pair of guide rollers operable to roll along the frame, wherein the cable portion is secured to the guide rollers, and the support brackets are adapted to be removably mounted to the guide rollers, such that the tray is operable to vertically move within the frame. 8. The portable lift as claimed in claim 7, the frame further including four telescoping securing arms rotatably secured to the frame and operable to be removably secured with the storage cabinet for securement of the frame to the storage cabinet. 9. A lift for installing and uninstalling computer-related equipment into and from a storage cabinet, the lift comprising: a frame; a trolley for supporting the computer-related equipment; and a positioning assembly for vertically moving the trolley within the frame, the positioning assembly including a winch, first, second, and third pulleys, first, second, and third cable portions, wherein the first cable portion is trained over the first pulley, and the second cable portion is trained over the second pulley, a cable connector, wherein the first and second cable portions are secured to the cable connector, the first cable portion is secured to the winch and is operable to wind around the first pulley, and the second cable portion is operable to wind around the second pulley, such that winding the winch moves the cable portions trained across the pulleys, which results in vertical movement of the trolley within the frame, and first and second guide rollers, wherein the third cable portion is secured to the cable connector, wound around the second and third pulleys, and secured to the second guide roller. 10. The lift as claimed in claim 9, wherein the trolley further includes a tray on which the computer-related equipment is placed, and the trolley is removably secured to the guide rollers, such that winding the winch moves the cable portions and trolley vertically along the frame. 11. A lift for installing and uninstalling computer-related equipment into and from a storage cabinet, the lift comprising: a frame having first and second ends and operable to be removably secured to the storage cabinet, the frame including first and second vertical frame members, a horizontal frame member positioned between the first and second vertical frame members at the first end of the frame, a base positioned at the second end of the frame, and at least one rotating and telescoping securing arm for securing the lift to the storage cabinet; a trolley for supporting the computer-related equipment, the trolley including first and second support brackets, and a tray operable to be removably secured within the support brackets; and a winch assembly for vertically positioning the trolley within the vertical frame members, the winch assembly including a winch, first, second, and third pulleys, first and second guide rollers, a cable connector, and first, second, and third cable portions, wherein a first end of the first cable portion is secured to the winch and a second end of the first cable portion is secured to the cable connector, the first cable portion being operable to wind around the first pulley, wherein a first end of the second cable portion is secured to the cable connector and a second end of the second cable portion is secured to the first guide roller, the second cable portion being operable to wind around the second pulley and proceed along the first vertical frame member towards the second end of the frame, and wherein a first end of the third cable portion is secured to the cable connector and a second end of the third cable portion is secured to the second guide roller, the third cable portion being operable to wind around second pulley, proceed along the horizontal frame member, wind around the third pulley and proceed along the second vertical frame member towards the second end of the frame.