FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to a system device and method for lifting loads and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a compact mobile mechanical device for lifting heavy loads.

BACKGROUND

[002] The need for loading and transporting heavy and complex cargo is known and required in both the private and commercial sectors. For example, a homeowner may require filling a container of possessions when moving. A business owner may require a shipment of a large load for importing or exporting transaction. Today, in order to transport these loads from place to place, it is necessary to utilize heavy and cumbersome machinery such as trucks attached to a container. For private use, an individual might have to load his personal items for shipment at an inconvenient location and immediately for example on a truck or other transport machinery.

[003] Furthermore, existing mechanisms such as trucks including a lever take up a lot of physical space, thereby making their transportation both expensive and complicated.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[004] The present embodiments provide a compact system, device and method for lifting loads. According to a first aspect e embodiment of the invention there is provided a mobile elevator for lifting loads, the mobile elevator comprising: a base for holding the loads, said base is configured to house said mobile elevator units; a plurality of side legs for lifting the base from a surface, wherein said side legs are positioned inside a dedicated cavity in said base; at least one first engine configured to release or insert the side legs outwards or inwards from or to the base; at least one rotating engine configured to rotate the side legs upwards or downwards perpendicularly or in parallel to said base; and at least one second engine configured to release or insert a base leg from or into each of said side legs.

[005] In an embodiment, said first engine or second engine are hydraulic pistons.

[006] In an embodiment, said mobile elevator is autonomous.

[007] In an embodiment, there is provided a controller configured to control the mobile elevator position.

[008] In an embodiment, the controller comprises a release or insert mode state options to release or insert the side legs from or into the base.

[009] In an embodiment, the controller comprises an up or down mode state options for lifting the mobile elevator base up or down.

[0010] In an embodiment, there is provided a close mode state and an open mode state.

[0011] In an embodiment, the controller is configured to control a transformation of the mobile elevator from a close mode state to an open mode state and vice versa.

[0012] In an embodiment, the transformation of the mobile elevator is activated by a single operation of said controller.

[0013] In an embodiment said operation comprises a single click on a button of said controller.

[0014] In an embodiment, the transformation of the mobile elevator is activated by a number of clicks on a button of said controller.

[0015] In an embodiment, said controller is located remotely from said mobile device.

[0016] In an embodiment said controller is connected wirelessly to the mobile elevator. [0017] In an embodiment, the controller is configured to automatically activate the mobile elevator.

[0018] In an embodiment, said controller is configured to control the engines of said mobile elevator.

[0019] In an embodiment, said base is configured to be placed on or attached to one member of the group consisting of: a truck, a trailer, a car, a plane, a container or the ground.

[0020] In an embodiment, said base is configured to house all units of said mobile elevator.

[0021] In an embodiment, said units are selected from the group consisting of: side legs, first and second engines, rotating engines, base legs.

[0022] In an embodiment, said side legs and said base legs are cylindrical or square shaped.

[0023] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for lifting loads by a mobile elevator said mobile elevator comprising a base for holding the loads, the method comprising: releasing a plurality of legs from within the base outward in parallel to said base by at least one motor; rotating the legs to a perpendicular position to the base by at least one rotate motor; and releasing a base leg from within each of said legs downward to lift the base off the ground.

[0024] The method may include transforming said mobile elevator from a close mode position to an open mode position by inserting back the legs into the base.

[0025] The method may involve inserting the base legs into the legs; rotating the legs to a position parallel to the base; and inserting the legs into the base.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The subject matter disclosed may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic upper side view of a mobile elevator configured to lift a load, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0029] Figure 2A is a flow chart illustrating a procedure for raising the base platform in the various stages of the mobile elevator's operation, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0030] Figures 2B, 3 A and 3B illustrate an upper and side view respectively, of the mobile elevator in its compact format, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0031] Figures 2C and 3C illustrate an upper view of the mobile elevator wherein the side legs are released from within the mobile elevator base outward, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0032] Figures 2D and 3D illustrate a side view of the mobile elevator wherein the side legs have been rotated perpendicular to the base, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0033] Figures 2E, 3E and 3F illustrate a side and an upper side view of the mobile elevator wherein the base legs are released from the side legs, according to one embodiment of the invention; [0034] Figures 2F and 2G illustrate the mobile elevator placed on a truck transforming back to a close mode position, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0035] Figures 4A and 4B illustrate an upper and side view respectively, of the mobile elevator attached to a transporting device, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0036] Figures 4C and 4D illustrate another use of the present embodiments, where the mobile elevator is utilized to load a cement mixer; and

[0037] Figure 5 illustrates a selector device for controlling the mobile elevator according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The present invention relates to a device system and method for lifting loads and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a lifting or elevating device, such as a mobile elevator for lifting heavy loads.

[0039] The lifting system may comprise a base or housing part such as a rectangle shaped base configured to hold the loads. The base further comprises at least two dedicated cavities, for example in the sides of the base. Each of the cavities comprises a leg, housed within the base. The legs are configured to elevate the base and the loads on the base. In operation, the legs are configured to be released outwards from the base cavity, rotated and lift the base upwards and downwards. Advantageously, the present invention embodiments provide a compact and autonomous (e.g. not part of other system's or device's such as trucks or trailers or other know machinery) system which doesn't occupy a large place, i.e. the system units, such as the system's elevating legs, are placed within the system and are automatically activated with no need to connect or add any part or component for lifting the base. [0040] The prior art solutions that are currently used to lift loads, rely on either external units or part such as external legs that may be attached by the user to a track for lifting the base of the truck, for example a user must connect external legs or other machinery for activating, operating and controlling the lifting of the loads. Additionally, according to the prior art embodiments, the base is always part of the truck and may not be released from the truck and placed for example at the user place, such as the user backyard. Moreover, the loads may not be placed on the ground but rather on the truck, and as a result the user, may not put his loads at a convenient place but only on the track.

[0041] Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates an upper side view of a mobile elevator device, such as an autonomous elvator 100 for lifting loads such as heavy loads, i.e. containers, trucks, cars etc. According to some embodiments of the invention the mobile elevator 100 may include a base 110 (e.g. elevating base) for holding a load, at least two legs such as side legs 140 for holding the base and elevating the base 110 up and down, a number of engines for activating and releasing the legs 140 from the base 110 and lifting the base 110 upwards and downwards.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the mobile elevator 100 may include one or more engines such as piston engines 120 and 125 for releasing/inserting outwards/inwards the side legs 140 from/into the base and one or more rotating motors 130 for rotating the side legs 140 perpendicular to the base 110. The mobile elevator further includes a plurality of side engines such as hydraulic piston engines 145 for lifting the base 110 upwards or downwards.

[0043] In order to preserve the compact dimension of the mobile elevator 100 and avoid a scenario where some of its components are bulgy, the mobile elevator 100 components such as the pistons 130 and other components are stored within an empty dedicated space 150 in the body of the base 110. [0044] The base 110 further comprises at least two cavities, space or openings such as cavities 102 located at the inner side parts of the base. The cavities are configured to house the legs 140 in a 'closing' mode (i.e. when the device is not operated) so the legs will not stand out of the base 110.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the base 110 platform may be of a thickness of 30-50 cm, with a length of 6 metres and a width of 3 metres. The base platform may be made out of steel, iron or any other material known in the art that is able to withstand heavy loads.

[0046] The base 110 is configured to be flat from above and below in order to rest straight on a flat surface such as the ground, a truck or on the sidewalk. In some embodiments the base 110 may be of any shape and size according to the user needs, for example the base may be round or quadrilateral to elevate small loads such as chairs and tables.

[0047] In order to elevate the base 110, the first and second pistons 120 and 125 are activated to release the legs from within the base outward. The rotating motor 130 is employed to rotate the legs 140 perpendicular to the base 110 and the plurality of side piston engines 145 are configured to lift the base upward or downward by releasing a plurality of base legs 142 from the side legs 140.

[0048] In an embodiment of the invention, the legs such as the side legs or the base legs may be cylindrical or square shaped, or according to any convenient shape for holding the base.

[0049] According to some embodiments of the invention the engines such as the rotating motor 130 may be electrically activated by for example a 12V or 24V battery.

[0050] In some embodiments, the engines and/or battery may be positioned inside the base 110 or inside a truck. [0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the mobile elevator engines, such as the rotating engine 130 and the piston engines 145 are activated by a switch or a remote control device as will be further illustrated in Figure 5.

[0052] According to some embodiments the side engines 145 and/or the first and second pistons 120 and 125 maybe or may include a hydraulic piston.

[0053] According to some embodiments of the inventions all the mobile elevator parts or units are housed within the base to keep the compact shape of the mobile elevator.

[0054] Figure 2A is a flow chart describing a process 200 for activating the mobile elevator such as the mobile elevator 300 illustrated in figure 3A-3F and in Figures 2B-2G, according to some embodiments of the invention. Prior to the activation of the mobile elevator (step 210), the mobile elevator 300 is in a 'close' compact position, i.e. the side legs 310 are stored within the base 320.

[0055] For example, Figure 3 A and 3B illustrate an upper view and a side view of the side legs 310 stored within the base 320, for example within a dedicated space inside the base 320.

[0056] In this 'close' mode position, the mobile elevator is compact and may be easily stored at the user's place for example in his garage without occupying a large space.

[0057] For example as shown in Figure 2B, in the 'close' mode position the base 320 may be placed on the ground enabling trucks 260 to be easily loaded on the base.

[0058] In the next step (step 220), as shown for example in Figures, 2C and 3C the side legs 310 are released outwards from sides of the base 320. For example, once activated by the user's remote unit a plurality of engines such as the first and second pistons 120 and 125 are activated to release the legs 310 from within the base 320 outward by activating units e.g. piston units 335. Units 335 are configured to release/insert the side legs from/into the base and further rotate the legs for elevating the base. Accordingly the units 335 are configured to fold and close the device. As illustrated in Figures 2C and 3C in this position the side legs are external and parallel to the base, positioned few cm from the base, for example up to 50cm from the base 320.

[0059] At the next step (step 230) as shown for example in Figures 2D and 3D, the side legs 310 are rotated by units 335 to be perpendicular to the base 310. For example, the rotating motor 130 is configured to rotate the legs 310 in an anticlockwise rotation to a perpendicular position to the base 320. At this position the base is still positioned on the ground while the side legs are orthogonal to the base.

[0060] In the following step (step 240) as shown for example in Figure 2E and 3E a plurality of base legs 330 may be released downwards/upwards to/from the ground and elevate the base 310 upwards/downwards, for example 50cm-200cm from the ground. According to one embodiment the side legs are activated by one or more pistons such as hydraulic pistons to release the base legs from the side legs.

[0061] Figure 3F illustrates an upper side view of a mobile device including a side leg 310 configured to release/insert a base leg downward/upward from the side leg 310 and raise the base off the ground.

[0062] At the end of the process the base legs are automatically inserted into the side legs and finally the legs are inserted into the base as illustrated in Figure 2F and 2G.

[0063] It is stressed that the process of the device's transforming from a 'close' mode to an Open' and vice versa is activated according to the steps shown in flowchart 2A.

[0064] Figures 4A and 4B illustrate an upper view and a side view, accordingly, of a mobile elevator 400 loaded on a truck, according to some embodiments of the invention. For example, the mobile elevator 400 is raised above a rig 460 of the truck 425. The mobile elevator base 420 may be raised up and down to an appropriate position using the mobile elevator mechanism elevator e.g. the piston engines, controlled by the remote device as will be further illustrates in Figure 5.

[0065] Figures 4C-4D illustrates another use of the present embodiments, where the mobile elevator is utilized to load a cement mixer, as shown in Figure 4C the mixer is loaded on the mobile elevator. Once the mobile elevator lifts the mixer from the ground, for example 150 cm from the ground, a truck may later load the mixer and drive the mixer to a construction zone.

[0066] Figure 5 illustrates a mobile elevator selector or controller such a remote controller 500. The controller 500 is configured to control and/or operate the mobile elevator. According to one embodiment of the invention the controller 500 may include for example an up/down module 550 for lifting the mobile elevator base up and down e.g. raise or lower the base to a desired position/height for example to place the mobile elevator on a vehicle as shown for example in Figure 4A and 4B.

[0067] According to another embodiment of the invention the selector may include an open/close module 570 configured to release/insert the side legs from/into the base accordingly (as shown for example in Figure 3C).

[0068] According to one embodiment, the up/down module 550 or open/close module 570 may be connected to a pressure controller module 560 configured to monitor and stabilize the base to ensure that the base is balanced and not tilted as it is lifted up and down by the mobile elevator user.

[0069] According to some embodiments the controller may include a single or a number of buttons and may be activating by a One click' process, where the user may for example click once on the controller button and the mobile elevator will be automatically activated. For example a first click will transform the mobile elevator from a close mode to an open mode and a second click will transform back the mobile elevator to a close position. [0070] In one embodiment the selector 500 may activate the mobile elevator wirelessly or may be connected directly to the mobile elevator via a dedicated electric wire.

[0071] In one embodiment the selector may include a joystick for easily controlling and activating the mobile elevator. In another embodiment the controller may be activated by voice commands where the user may say or use predefined words such as Open' or 'close' and the mobile device will be activated immediately and automatically.

[0072] According to another embodiment the mobile elevator may be activated by a dedicated 'selector' application installed in the user's mobile phone, PC or tablet for remotely activating the mobile elevator.

[0073] The terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", "having" and their conjugates mean "including but not limited to". This term encompasses the terms "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of".

[0074] As used herein, the singular form "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0075] It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

[0076] Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

[0077] All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting.