EP1591402A2

EP1591402A2 - Material positioning lift

Info

Publication number: EP1591402A2
Application number: EP05075663A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fransiscus Petrus Maria Kolsters
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-03-18
Filing date: 2005-03-18
Publication date: 2005-11-02
Also published as: EP1591402A3; NL1025757C2

Abstract

Described is a positioning lift (30), adapted as mounting aid, for example for mounting awnings, comprising:

a post (31);

an object carrier (40) which is displaceable along the post (31);

displacement coupling means (44) for coupling the object carrier (40) with the post (31) and for performing a displacement of the object carrier relative to the post;

a motor (45) for driving the displacement coupling means (44), which motor (45) can be controlled at variable speed;

control means (50) for remotely controlling the motor (45). The object carrier (40) has a platform (41) located above the displacement coupling means (44), which platform (41) may be displaceable relative to an object carrier frame (44).

In a system (100) comprising multiple positioning lifts, the different motors may be controlled by common control means (150) with mutually equal or just somewhat different speeds. The displacement coupling means (820) comprise a flexible push chain (820) guided in a tubular guide (830).

Description

The present invention relates in general to aids for mounting objects in or against an outer wall. The present invention relates in particular to aids for mounting awnings, and the present invention will hereinafter be further explained specifically for this application example. However, it is noted with emphasis that the invention is not limited to this application example: the invention is also suitable for mounting, for example, roller shutters, garage doors and the like in or against an outer wall.

In an embodiment, an awning comprises a rollable screen (cloth) which is rolled up on a bar, while the free end of the screen is fixed to a tension rod. An extension mechanism comprises buckling arms attached to the tension rod. The central roll-up bar may be mounted in a housing which protects the cloth in the rolled-up state. Hereinafter, with "length" of the awning is meant the horizontal size, measured along the outer wall, i.e. in the said example, the length of the roll-up bar.

When an awning is to be attached to an outer wall, that awning must be lifted up from the floor to a predetermined height and be placed in brackets which were mounted against the outer wall before. This is a difficult job, especially when the awning has a relatively large length and is therefore fairly heavy. Awning which is intended for small windows, for example with lengths smaller than two metres, can still be attached by one mechanic, but awning can easily have lengths of five metres and more, in which case mounting should be done by at least two persons. The height of the place where the awning must come, typically above windows or doors, and sometimes even on a floor which is higher than the ground floor, is then so high that the mechanics can not do this while standing on the ground and must climb on a ladder with the awning. This is undesired, since there are safety risks involved.

Therefore, there is a need for a positioning aid with which the awning can be brought to the desired positioning height easily and without safety risks.

At present, lifting aids which could be used for the said purpose exist, but these are not really suitable. Figure 1 schematically shows a side view of a lifting aid of the "hoist" type. In figure 1, a bottom is indicated with the reference number 1, and an outer wall of a house is indicated with the reference number 2. A lifting aid 10 comprises a post 11, which is placed obliquely against the outer wall, and a hoisting hook 12, hanging from a cable 13 reaching down from the upper end of the post 11. The hoisting hook 12 can be pulled up with the cable 13 as is known per se and is not illustrated for the sake of simplicity. From that hoisting hook 12 one could hang an awning in order to thus pull up that awning along the outer wall 2. However, it is then a problem that such a system is only applicable to smooth walls: so, there may not be any obstacles present on the outer wall, such as, for example, an outside lamp. Further, it is a problem that the highest position the hoisting hook 12 can attain is always situated under the upper end of the post 11; this also limits the application possibilities.

Figure 2 schematically illustrates a side view of a lifting aid of the "tile lift" type. The German Gebrauchsmuster 398.08.064 is an example of a lifting aid of such a type. Such a lifting aid 20 comprises a post 21 and a platform 22 which is displaceable along that post 21. Such a lifting aid is used, for example, for transporting tiles. As is shown schematically in figure 2, the platform 22 is pulled up along the post 21 by a cable 23 which is tightened around cable rolls 24 and is driven by a motor 25. In principle, one could use this known lifting aid 20 for mounting awnings, but this has several serious drawbacks. In the first place, the upper extreme position of the carrier 22 is situated under the upper end of the post 21; since the platform 22 is located at the side of the post 21 which is directed away from the outer wall, this means that one must always lift the awning by hand from the platform 22 over the upper end of the post 21 in order to reach the outer wall 2.

Further, no accurate positioning is possible with this known lifting aid 20. The lifting aid 20 works as lift with a lower extreme position and an upper extreme position, and is intended to be displaced fast between those two extreme positions. The motor 25 has only one speed, and can only be switched on or off. The lower and upper extreme positions are defined by end switches (not shown in figure 2 for the sake of simplicity). When the motor 25 is switched on in order to upwardly displace the platform 22, this occurs at a fairly high speed until the platform 22 reaches the upper end switch, whereby the motor 25 is switched off. Then, it is not possible to adjust the position of the platform somewhat. The motor 25 can now only be switched on in order to transport the platform 22 downward again, again with fairly high speed until the platform 22 reaches the lower end switch.

A further problem of the known lifting aid 20 is that it has a complex design, and that therefore setting up the lifting aids lasts relatively long.

The American patent 4.546.854 describes a lifting aid of such a type as well, namely a cargo lift wherein a horizontal platform is displaced along an obliquely standing carrier.

The German Offenlegungsschrift 198.08.503 describes an aid for positioning an awning. The aid of this publication relates to an obliquely standing carrier and a carriage which is displaceable along that carrier. However, the publication does not give details about the driving of that carriage.

A general drawback of the known systems is that only straight posts are possible; this implies a certain need for space at ground level.

A general problem with the known systems is the safety. It must be assured that the carriage can not be displaced beyond the upper end of the post. For that purpose, known systems typically have an end switch which is operated by the approaching carriage. However, end switches are vulnerable, and it is not imaginary that the end switch is damaged or bent during use, so that it does not switch off anymore at the approach of a carriage. Further, in the case of a system in which a post is composed of multiple segments, it could happen that two segments do not fit well onto each other, so that in an extreme case there is the danger of the carriage falling off the post.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lifting aid wherein the drawbacks discussed above are non-existing or at least reduced.

According to an important aspect of the present invention, a positioning lift has a controllable motor with variable speed, which motor is preferably controllable by means of a remote control. A mechanic can thereby simply set a desired height.

According to another important aspect of the present invention, a platform is situated above the coupling means by which that platform is coupled to the post. Thereby, it is possible that the platform is lifted up to above the upper end of the post, so that this post is no obstacle when positioning an awning.

According to another important aspect of the present invention, the carriage is pushed up along the post by a push chain.

According to another important aspect of the present invention, a post is composed of multiple post segments, wherein an end segment is provided with a mechanical locking for the carriage and/or for the push chain. In order to assure that the system can only be put into operation when the end segment is installed, the supply circuit of the motor is provided with a safety circuit which is only closed when the end segment is installed and all post segments are well connected to each other.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained by the following description with reference to the drawings, in which equal reference numbers indicate same or similar parts, and in which:

figure 1 schematically shows a side view of a known lifting aid of the "hoist" type;

figure 2 schematically shows a side view of a known lifting aid of the "tile lift" type;

figure 3 is a schematic side view illustrating several important aspects of a positioning lift according to the present invention;

figure 4 illustrates a detail of a positioning lift according to the present invention;

figure 5 illustrates a positioning system comprising multiple positioning lifts;

figure 6 is a schematic side view illustrating a variation of a positioning lift according to the present invention;

figure 7 is a schematic side view illustrating another variation of a positioning lift according to the present invention;

figure 8A shows a schematic perspective view of a chain guide; figure 8B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a push chain;

figure 8C shows a schematic side view of a push chain;

figure 8D shows a schematic top view of a push chain;

figure 8E shows a schematic side view of a post according to the present invention;

figure 8F shows a schematic side view of a curve part of a post according to the present invention on a larger scale;

figure 8G shows a side view similar to figure 8E of a straight post;

figure 8H shows a side view similar to figure 8G of a bent post;

figure 8J shows a schematic perspective view of a storage case for a push chain;

figure 8K shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the storage case of figure 8J;

figure 9A schematically shows a perspective view of an end segment for a push chain guide;

figure 9B schematically illustrates a post segment provided with electrical connectors;

figure 9C schematically shows an electric control circuit for a motor of a positioning system.

Figure 3 is a schematic side view illustrating several important aspects of a positioning 30 lift according to the present invention. The positioning lift 30 comprises a post 31, in the shown exemplary embodiment being composed of three

post segments

31A, 31B, 31C. At its upper end 32, the post 31 has an oblique supporting plane 33 that, in the shown working position of the post, is directed substantially vertically. This has the advantage that, when placing the post against an outer wall 2, the oblique supporting plane 33 can also function as plane of direction in order to judge whether the post 31 makes a good angle of inclination with the horizontal and with the vertical respectively: when the supporting plane 33 lies substantially straight against the outer wall 2, the orientation of the post 31 is substantially correct. Another advantage of the oblique supporting plane 33 at the upper end 32 of the post 31 is that, at the upper end 32 of the post 31, the upper surface 34 of the post 31, which is directed away from the outer wall 2, substantially extends to the outer wall 2.

The positioning lift 30 further comprises an object carrier 40 which is displaceable along the post 31. At the working position of the post 31 shown in figure 3, the object carrier 40 has a substantially horizontally directed platform 41 which is mounted on a frame 42. The object carrier 40 is situated at the side of the post 31 which is directed away from the outer wall 2. At its end facing the carrier 31, the platform 41 is free from obstacles. If desired, the platform 41 is provided with a raised edge 43 at its opposite end which is directed away from the carrier 31, in order to prevent objects placed on the platform 41 from falling off the platform 41.

The object carrier 40 further comprises coupling means 44 with which the frame 42 is coupled to the post 31. The coupling means 44 are situated below the platform 41. When the carrier 40 is situated at the upper end 32 of the post 31, it is thus possible that the platform 41 is situated at a level higher than the upper end 32 of the post 31, as illustrated in figure 3. The platform 41 can thus be displaced to against the outer wall 2.

The object carrier 40 is displaceable along the post 31. The coupling means 44 are adapted to hold the object carrier 44 relative to the post 31, but also to perform a displacement along the post 31. To that end, the coupling means are driven by a motor 45 which is, in the example shown, associated with the object carrier 40, and which thus moves up and down with that object carrier 40 along the post 31.

In a possible embodiment, the coupling means 44 comprise a transport worm, and the post 31 comprises a rack which is not shown for the sake of simplicity. The motor 45 drives the transport worm, possibly through a transmission system. When the motor is not driven, the transport worm also functions as a lock which holds the object carrier 40 in the position then reached.

If desired, it is also possible that the post 31 is provided with a screw spindle and that the coupling means 44 of the object carrier 40 comprise a rack. In that case the drive motor will be associated with the post 31 in order to rotate said screw spindle. Then, it is an advantage that the object carrier 40 is relatively light, namely free of the motor, but it is a disadvantage that setting up the post 31 has become more complex.

The motor 45 is a controllable motor with variable speed. In principle, it is possible that control means for the motor 45 are associated with the object carrier 40. This is advantageous when a mechanic, when standing on a ladder next to the post 31, wants to operate these control means 46 in order to accurately adjust the height of the object carrier. In a preferred embodiment, illustrated in figure 4, the motor 45 is remotely controllable, so that the displacement of the object carrier 40 can be controlled by a person standing on the floor 1 near the carrier 31. To that end, a control member could be coupled with the motor 45 by means of a wire. Preferably however, as illustrated in figure 4, the motor 45 is wirelessly coupled with the control member 50. To that end, the control member 50 has a transmitting antenna 51, and the motor 45 is provided with a receiver 47 and a receiving antenna 48.

The figures 8A-8K illustrate a preferred embodiment of a positioning lift 800 according to the present invention, wherein an object carrier 840 is displaced along a post 850 by means of a push chain system 810. The post 850 is provided with a tubular chain guide 830. The chain guide 830 may be provided separately and attached to a post profile, but it is also possible that the chain guide 830 and the post profile are integrated, for example because the chain guide is constructed strong enough to be able to absorb load forces like a post.

Figure 8A shows a schematic perspective view of a possible embodiment of the chain guide 830. In this embodiment, the chain guide comprises two

profile pieces

831A, 831B with substantially rectangular cross-section, wherein a

slot

833A, 833B is formed in one

side face

832A, 832B, which

slot

833A, 833B is provided with a

transverse slot

834A, 834B. The two

profile pieces

831A, 831B are arranged with the

slots

833A, 833B facing each other. These

slots

833A, 833B form a guide and a confinement for a push chain 820.

Figure 8B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a push chain 820 in the chain guide 830. Figure 8C shows a schematic side view of a push chain 820 and figure 8D shows a schematic top view of the push chain 820. Since the design of a chain is commonly known, the design of the push chain 820 will be discussed only briefly. The chain of this example is a double chain; alternatively also a single chain or a triple chain may be applied.

The push chain 820 has a series of transverse axles 821. On each axle 821, two

rolls

826, 827 are attached next to each other. The transverse axles 821 are coupled to each other by

links

822, 823, 824, 825. Primary links 822 always couple an end of an axle 821(i) with an end of a next neighbouring axle 821(i+1). Secondary links 823 always couple an end of an axle 821(i) to an end of a preceding neighbouring axle 821(i-1). Primary central links 825 located between the

rolls

826, 827 always couple the centre of the axle 821(i) to the centre of the next neighbouring axle 821(i+1). Secondary central links 824 located between the

rolls

826, 827 always couple the centre of the axle 821(i) to the centre of the preceding neighbouring axle 821(i-1).

The

rolls

826, 827 roll along the walls of the

guide slots

833A, 833B of the

profile pieces

831A, 831B of the chain guide 830. The primary and

secondary links

822, 823 slide in the

transverse slots

834A, 834B of the

profile pieces

831A, 831B. The primary and secondary

central links

824, 825 are situated between the

profile pieces

831A, 831B.

Figure 8E is a schematic side view of a post 850 according to the invention, similar to figure 3. The figure schematically shows that, at its lower end, the post 850 is provided with a storage case 851 for the push chain 820, in which the push chain 820 can be stored in a rolled-up state, as will be explained more elaborately later. Further, the figure schematically shows that, at the lower end of the post 850, a drive motor 852 is arranged for driving the push chain 820. An advantage of this construction is that the heavy motor is situated near the foot of the post, and that a carriage 840 (object carrier) can remain relatively light. The motor 852 drives chain wheels, which chain wheels engage with the chain, as is known per se and not shown for the sake of simplicity.

Figure 8E further shows that an object carrier or carriage 840 is coupled to the free end of the push chain 820. In a rest position, the carriage 840 is situated at the lower end of the post 850, and the push chain 820 is situated inside the storage case 851. When the motor is actuated, the push chain 820 is driven in order to displace linearly within the tubular guide 830, in which case the end of the push chain 820 pushes up the carriage 840. When the motor 852 is shut down, the push chain 820 stands still and with that also the carriage 840. When the motor 852 is actuated in opposite direction, the carriage 840 is moved down again.

As is known, a chain can be bent in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the transverse axles 822. An undesired bending of the push chain 820 is prevented because the push chain 820 is confined in the

slot

833A, 833B and/or the

transverse slots

834A, 834B. An important advantage of the use of a bendable push chain is that the post 850 does not necessarily need to have a straight shape, but may be bent, as is also illustrated in figure 8E. Figure 8F is a schematic side view illustrating that the post 803 may contain substantial bends, which are easily followed by the push chain 820. Figure 8F shows a bend of 90°, but a bend may also extend through a larger angle. Then, it is possible that the post 850 contains a horizontal piece 855, so that the carriage 840 can be displaced horizontally by the motor 852 without an extra motor being needed for that.

A further advantage of a bent post will be explained with reference to the figures 8G and 8H. These figures show a situation that an object is to be lifted up to a roof window 861. Figure 8G shows the application of a straight post 860: since the post 860 must stand under a certain angle in order to be able to reach the roof window 861, the foot 862 of the post 860 must stand at a fairly large distance from the outer wall 863. Figure 8H shows that, in the case of a bent post 850, the foot of the post can stand less far from the outer wall. This is an advantage that is not only of importance when positioning awnings, but also with builder's hoists and the like.

Figure 8J shows a schematic perspective view of a storage case 851 for the push chain 820, whereas figure 8K shows a schematic cross-section of the storage case 851. One can see that the storage case 851 has a slot 853 with a transverse slot 854, similar to the slot 833 and transverse slot 834 of the guide 830, wherein the guide slot 853 of the storage case 851 contains some bends and thus defines a spiral-shaped trajectory. The guide slot 853 of the storage case 851 fits to the guide slot 833 of the guide 830. When the push chain 820 is retracted by the motor in order to move the carriage 840 downward, the push chain 820 slides into the spirally bent guide slot 853 of the storage case, causing the push chain 820 to be wound up to a spiral shape. The total length of the spiral-shaped guide slot 853 in the storage case 851 corresponds to the length of the push chain 820 to be used, which is situated entirely inside the storage case 851 in retracted state.

It is noted that the storage case 851 shown in figure 8J accomodates only one half of a push chain (seen along the longitudinal direction: the left half or the right half). The other half of the rolled-up push chain projects from this storage case 851 without trouble. If desired, also this other half of the rolled-up push chain may be accomodated incide a storage case if a second storage case (mirror image of the storage case 851 shown) is placed next to the storage case 851 shown.

Figure 5 schematically illustrates a preferred embodiment of a positioning system 100 according to the present invention intended for positioning long awnings and the like. Figure 5 is a schematic front view of a house 101 (sketched in a dotted way), with an outer wall 102 against which a long awning 103 is to be mounted. In doing this, use is made of a positioning system 100 with three

independent posts

111, 112, 113, which may each be equal to the post 31 described in the above. Each

post

111, 112, 113 has an

object carrier

121, 122, 123 associated with it, which may each be equal to the object carrier 40 described in the above. Each

object carrier

121, 122, 123 has a

platform

131, 132, 133, on which is awning 103 is lying. Each

object carrier

121, 122, 123 is further provided with a

motor

141, 142, 143. Each

motor

141, 142, 143 has a variable speed, and is remotely controllable. An important aspect of the positioning system 100 is that it has a common control member 150, which can drive all

motors

141, 142, 143 possibly by means of cables but preferably and as illustrated wireless. Thus, it is possible that one single person operates all three positioning lifts by means of operating the common control unit 150.

The control unit 150 may be adapted to make all

motors

141, 142, 143 run at the same speed in order to thus have all three

object carriers

121, 122, 123 move upward at the same speed along the corresponding

posts

111, 112, 113. Preferably however, the control member 150 is also adapted to control the

motors

141, 142, 143 individually, for example in order to thus compensate for irregularities or slopes in the bottom 1 in order to thus attain and maintain a horizontal position of the awning 103.

For the purpose of energy supply, each motor may be provided with an own accumulator or battery. Because of the simplicity, such accumulator or battery is not shown separately in the figures.

In practice, malfunctioning of the motor or the remote control may occur unexpectedly. In order to then still be able to transport the object carrier 40 up or down, the coupling members 44 are preferably provided with a manual control, for example in the form of a crank mechanism. This manually controlled crank mechanism may thus function as emergency control, but, if desired, may also be used for a manually controlled fine-tuning of the position of the object carrier 40.

An important aspect of a good positioning aid is the degree of accuracy with which that aid is able to position an object to be positioned. If the positioning is not exactly right, then, for mounting an awning, it is still needed to lift the awning manually to its final position. The positioning lift 30 according to the present invention already offers the advantage that a good positioning accuracy is attained. In practice however, it may happen that one desires to attain a very high positioning accuracy, and that this high positioning accuracy is difficult to attain by only operating the motor 45, even though it is possible to let that motor run at very low speed. Further, due to the fact that it follows an oblique trajectory relative to the outer wall 2, defined by the oblique position of the carrier 31, it may be a problem that the object carrier 40 has only one point of closest approach to the outer wall 2, namely the upper extreme position of the object carrier 40 relative to the carrier 31. That upper extreme position can be defined because the object carrier 40 touches the outer wall 2, or because the object carrier 40 has reached the extreme point of the displacement range along the post 31. From that extreme point onwards, a further displacement of the object carrier upward is not possible, while a displacement of the object carrier 40 downward along the carrier 31 always involves an increasing distance relative to the outer wall 2.

A further improvement of the positioning system according to the present invention can then be attained if the platform 41 of the object carrier 40 is displaceable relative to the frame 42. That displacement possibility can be a vertical displacement possibility and/or a horizontal displacement possibility.

When the platform 41 has a vertical displacement possibility relative to the frame 42, it is possible to displace an awning carried on the platform 41 vertically up or down parallel to the outer wall 2, while that awning is situated at a short distance from the outer wall 2, and wherein the distance of that awning relative to the outer wall 2 remains constant. For such a displacement possibility different constructional solutions are possible, as will be clear to a person skilled in the art.

When the platform 41 has a horizontal displacement possibility relative to the frame 42, it is possible to bring an awning lying on the platform 41 closer to the outer wall 2 when the platform 41 is situated at the correct height. For attaining such a horizontal displacement possibility of the platform 41 relative to the frame, various constructional solutions are conceivable, as will be clear to a person skilled in the art.

For the adjustment of the platform 41 relative to the frame 42, a separate motor may be present (not shown for the sake of simplicity), which motor may be remotely operable.

It is desired to be able to set the height of the upper point 32 of the carrier 31. To that end, it is possible that the positioning lift 30 has multiple segments from which the carrier 31 can be composed, wherein the different segments have different lengths in order thus to be able to choose the total length of the post 31 by choosing suitable post segments. For example, in the shown example of figure 3, the positioning lift 30 could have one lower segment 31A, one upper segment 31C, and multiple intermediate segments 31B of different lengths.

When it is desired to change the length of the carrier 31, the carrier 31 would then have to be disassembled and reassembled wherein the one intermediate segment 31B is replaced by another intermediate segment 31B. In order to avoid this, preferably the lower segment 31A of the post 31 is adjustable in length. In figure 3 is shown that the lower end of the lower segment 31A is provided with a screw leg 36. By screwing the screw leg 36 in or out, the total length of the lower segment 31A can be changed. Obviously, instead of a screw leg 36, other constructional solutions are conceivable for extending or reducing the length of the lower segment 31A, as will be clear to a person skilled in the art.

In a preferred embodiment, the positioning lift 30 is provided with an accessory 60 which enables the usability of the positioning lift 30 also in situations where the positioning lift could not be placed on the right position relative to the outer wall 2 due to the presence of obstacles. Such a situation is sketched schematically in figure 6, where an obstacle is indicated with the reference number 3. The accessory 60 comprises an extra post 61 which, for example, can be placed against the outer wall 2 and of which the length is adjustable, and a beam 62 which can be coupled with the post 61 at its one end and which can be coupled with the upper end 32 of the post 31 at its other end. During use, the beam 62 is directed substantially horizontally. The upper end 32 of the post 31 is then situated at a distance from the outer wall 2, which distance is defined by the length of the beam 62. The beam 62 may also be adjustable in length, or a set of multiple individual beams 62 having mutually different lengths may be provided for.

The beam 62 is mounted to the upper end 32 of the beam 31 such that the upper surface of the beam 62 is situated substantially in the same horizontal plane as the upper surface of the platform 41 when the object carrier 40 is in its upper position. However, this is not necessary, since the vertical position of the object carrier 40 is adjustable by means of the motor 45, or because the vertical position of the platform 41 relative to the frame 42 is adjustable.

During use, an awning 103 is transported upward by the object carrier 40 until the platform 41 is substantially at the same height as the beam 62. Then, the awning 103 is slid off the platform 41 and slid over the beam 62 up to the outer wall 2.

There are also situations thinkable where it is not possible to let the beam 62 support against the outer wall 2 and on a post 61. Figure 7 shows a preferred embodiment which solves also that problem. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in figure 7, the positioning lift 30 comprises a second post 71, which may be identical to the first post 31, except that no object carrier 40 needs to be transported along the second post 71. Therefore, the second post 71 may be implemented simpler than the first post 31. Nevertheless, it offers advantage to implement the second post 71 identical to the first post 31, because that second post 71 can then also fulfil the role of first post 31 in a situation that multiple posts are used at the same time, as illustrated in figure 5.

In this preferred embodiment, the positioning lift has a beam 72 connected between the upper ends of the first post 31 and the second post 71. In a similar way as described before with respect to the beam 62 of figure 6, during use, an awning to be installed is transported upward by the object carrier 40 until the platform 41 is substantially level with the upper surface of the beam 72, after which the awning is slid off the platform 41 and slid on the beam 72 for a horizontal positioning.

As sketched in figure 7, this embodiment is particularly suitable for installing an awning or the like under the ceiling of a overhanging roof part. In that case, it is of advantage when the

posts

31 and 71 are adjustable in height, as indicated schematically with arrows.

For the sake of security, the lower ends of the

posts

31 and 71 are preferably coupled with each other by means of a connecting bar, or the like, which coupling bar is not shown in figure 7 for the sake of simplicity.

Although it is possible that a post consists of one piece, it is preferable from a transport and storage point of view that a post 850 is composed of multiple segments 857 (see figure 8H). That also has the advantage that the total length of a post can be varied by enlarging or reducing the number of segments in the post. Dangerous situations might arise if the segments are not coupled well with each other.

Further, it is of importance to assure that a carriage can not be transported beyond the end of the post.

Therefore, according to an important safety aspect of the present invention, a post has an end segment 858 which is provided with a mechanical lock for the carriage. In the case of an embodiment with a push chain, the post end segment 858 may be provided with a block or closing of the guide slot; figure 9A schematically shows in perspective view an example of an end segment 930 for the guide 830, provided with a stop 931 which blocks the guide slot 833 completely. Other embodiments of such a stop are also possible. The consequence of such a stop is then, that the push chain will not be able to be displaced further than a position wherein the free end of the push chain strikes against that block 931.

Then however, it is still desired that the motor 852 is shut down automatically when the push chain reaches that block; it could otherwise be possible that the push chain presses the segments of the post apart due to the force present in the motor. Therefore, as extra security, the end segment 858 is preferably provided with a switch which is operated by the push chain or the carriage shortly before the push chain strikes against that block.

While assembling the post 850, one might forget to install the end segment 858. The security described before would then be missing. Also for this the present invention offers a solution. Figure 9B schematically shows a post segment 857, wherein constructional details of the post segment have been neglected. The figure shows that, at its upper end 911, each post segment 857 is provided with a first electrical connector 921 attached to it, and, at its lower end 912, is provided with a second electrical connector 922 attached to it, fitting to the first electrical connector 921. Each

connector

921, 922 has at least two contacts. Preferably, the first electrical connector 921 is a female connector and the second electrical connector 922 is a matching male connector. Each contact of the first electrical connector 921 is connected with a corresponding contact of the second electrical connector 922 through an electrical conductor 923. When a subsequent post segment 857A is coupled with a preceding post segment 857, the positioning of those

connectors

921, 922 is always such that the second electrical connector 922A of the subsequent post segment 857A is coupled automatically with the first electrical connector 921 of the preceding post segment 857.

Preferably, an extra security switch (not shown) is incorporated in the electrical conductor 923, which is normally open (i.e. not conducting), and which is operated mechanically by the subsequent post segment 857A in order to be closed when the subsequent post segment 857A is installed correctly. Even if the

connectors

921, 922A would make good contact, the conductor 923 could then still not form a closed circuit when the subsequent post segment 857A does not fit correctly to the preceding post segment 857, because then this extra safety switch is open.

A post end segment 858 has a second electrical connector 922 only at its lower end. The contacts of that second electrical connector are connected electrically with each other, for example by a direct connection, but preferably by an end switch 924 (see figure 9C) which is normally closed (i.e. conducting): only when the end switch 924 is operated by the approach of a carriage or the approach of a push chain, the end switch will open. The localisation of that end switch 924 is such that it opens yet before the end of the push chain reaches the stop of the post end segment 858.

Figure 9C schematically shows an electric control circuit for a motor 852 of the positioning system 800. The motor 852 is supplied from a supply 950, through

supply lines

951, 952, 953. The supply is a controllable supply in order to let the motor run at adjustable speed. Both the motor and the supply are arranged near the lower end of the post. At least one

supply line

951, 953 goes through the said

electrical connectors

921, 922 and the electrical conductors 923 of the post segments 857 (which in the figure are shown horizontally for the sake of simplicity) to the end switch 924 of the post end segment 858.

More particularly: A motor connector 925 is connected to the second connector 922 of the lower post segment 857. A first supply line 951 extends between a supply exit and a first contact of the motor connector 925. A second supply line 951 extends between a supply exit and a first connection of the motor 852. A third supply line 953 extends between a second connection of the motor 852 and a second contact of the motor connector 925. Alternatively, the first and third supply line 953 could be connected to the first connector 921 of the lower post segment 857.

Only when the end segment 858 is installed, and the end switch 924 is at rest, and all

contacts

921, 922 make good contact, and all extra safety switches preferably present are closed, then the circuit is closed and the motor 852 can run. If one of the

segments

857, 858 is not installed correctly, or if the end segment 858 is missing, or if the end switch 924 is opened as a sign that the push chain has reached an end position, then the circuit is interrupted and the motor 852 can not be driven.

It is noted that the diagram of figure 9C relates to transporting the carriage upward. For transporting downward, another circuit will be used which, however, is not shown. It shall be clear that, when the carriage has reached the end switch 924 and is not allowed to go further, obviously the motor is still allowed to run in the opposite direction in order to get the carriage down. It is further noted that an end switch may also be present at the lower end of the post, which end switch is operated by the carriage in the lower position, or by the chain in the retracted position, in order to prevent the storage case from being damaged.

It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments discussed above, but that several variations and modifications are possible within the protective scope of the invention as defined in the attached claims.

In the preceding, an example of a push chain with links coupled by transverse axles has been discussed. Consequently, such a push chain is bendable in a single direction. It is also possible that links are coupled by a ball coupling or the like, which allows the push chain to be bendable in a lateral direction so that a post can have a lateral bend.

Further, it is not necessary that the push member is composed as push chain with discrete links. The push member might as well be implemented as a continuous push belt, or as a bendable rod. It is only important that the push member combines the quality of bendability with sufficient push strength.

Claims

Positioning lift (30; 800), adapted as mounting aid, for example for mounting awnings, comprising:

a post (31);

an object carrier (40) which is displaceable along the post (31);

displacement coupling means (44) for coupling the object carrier (40) with the post (31) and for performing a displacement of the object carrier relative to the post;

a motor (45) for driving the displacement coupling means (44), which motor (45) can be controlled with variable speed; control means (50) for controlling the motor (45).
Positioning lift according to claim 1, wherein the motor control means (50) are associated with the object carrier (40).
Positioning lift according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the motor control means (50) are adapted to remotely control the motor (45).
Positioning lift according to claim 3, wherein the motor control means (50) are adapted to wirelessly control the motor (45), for example by means of an infrared remote control or radio remote control.
Positioning lift according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the object carrier (40) is provided with a carrying platform (41), and wherein the displacement coupling means (44) are located under that platform (41).
Positioning lift according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the post (31) is composed of two or more post segments (31A, 31B, 31C).
Positioning lift according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, at its upper end (32), the post (31) is provided with an oblique supporting plane (33) which, in the working position of the post (31), is substantially directed vertically.
Positioning lift according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, at its lower end, the post (31) is provided with height adjustment means (36).
Positioning lift according to claim 8, wherein the positioning means comprise a rotary leg (36).
Positioning lift according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the object carrier (40) has a frame (42) and a platform (41) which is adjustable relative to the frame.
Positioning lift according to claim 10, wherein the platform (41) is adjustable in vertical direction relative to the frame (42).
Positioning lift according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the platform (41) is adjustable in horizontal direction relative to the frame (42).
Positioning lift according to any of the claims 10 to 12, wherein the platform (41) is adjustable relative to the frame (42) by means of manual control.
Positioning lift according to any of the claims 10 to 13, further provided with a platform adjustment motor for adjusting the platform (41) relative to the frame (42).
Positioning lift according to claim 14, wherein the platform adjustment motor can be remotely controlled.
Positioning lift according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an auxiliary post (61; 71) and an auxiliary beam (62; 72), which auxiliary beam, at its one end, is attachable to the upper end (32) of the first post (31), and with its other end, is attachable to the upper end of the auxiliary post (61; 71).
Positioning lift according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the displacement coupling means (44) comprise a worm associated with the object carrier (40) and a rack associated with the post (31).
Positioning lift (800) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the displacement coupling means (820) comprise a flexible push member (820) guided in a tubular guide (830); wherein the object carrier (840) is connected with the free end of the push member (820);
and wherein a drive motor (852) for driving the push member (820) is arranged at the lower end of the post (850).
Positioning lift according to claim 18, wherein the displacement coupling means (820) comprise a push chain.
Positioning lift according to claim 18 or 19, wherein a storage case (851) is located at the lower end of the post (850) for incorporating the push member (820) in a state wound to a spiral shape.
Positioning lift according to claim 20, wherein the storage case (851) comprises a guide slot (853) bent according to a spiral shape.
Positioning lift according to any of the claims 18-21, wherein the post (850) has at least one curve.
Positioning lift according to any of the claims 18-22, wherein a stop (931) for the push member (820) is located at the upper end of the post (850).
Positioning lift according to claim 23, wherein an end switch (924) which is to be operated by the push member (820) or by the object carrier (840) is located at the upper end of the post (850), at such a position that the end switch (924) is operated before the free end of the push member (820) has reached the stop (931).
Positioning lift according to any of the claims 1-5 or 18-24, wherein the post (31; 850) is composed of two or more post segments (31A, 31B, 31C; 857, 857A, 858);
wherein a first electrical connector (921) is attached to the upper end (911) of a post segment (857),
wherein a second electrical connector (922) which fits to the first electrical connector (921) is attached to the lower end (912) of a post segment (857),
wherein the first electrical connector (921) and the second electrical connector (922) are connected by an electrical conductor (923) extending along the post (857);
and wherein the motor (852) is supplied by an electric supply circuit in which said electrical conductors (923) of the post segments (857) are incorporated.
Positioning system (100), comprising a plurality of positioning lifts (30; 800) according to any of the preceding claims.
Positioning system according to claim 26, provided with a common control member (150) for commonly controlling the individual motors (141; 142; 143) of the individual positioning lifts.
Positioning system according to claim 27, wherein the common control member (150) is adapted to drive all motors of the different positioning lifts equally fast.
Positioning system according to claim 27, wherein the control member (150) is adapted to drive the different motors of the different positioning lifts at mutually different speeds.
Positioning system according to any of the claims 27-29, wherein the common control member (150) is adapted to wirelessly drive the different motors of the different positioning lifts, for example by means of infrared control or radio control.