Overhead self-levelling lift system for transporting payloads in dynamic settings and use thereof

Abstract

A self-levelling lift system is provided, to transport payloads in dynamic settings. The lift comprises a superstructure, first and second support members, a carriage and a drive. The superstructure has rails along which the carriage moves. The support members allow for the superstructure to change angle in response to a changing relationship between a first surface and a second surface, such as the shore and a boat. Also provided is a use of the system for concurrently transporting a payload and allowing for pedestrian traffic.

1 . A self-levelling lift system, to transport payloads in dynamic settings, said lift comprising:
 a superstructure having a first end, a second end and a mount extending between said first end and said second end;   first and second support members located proximal to said first end and said second end of said superstructure, wherein said first support members are in moveable contact at a distal end with a first surface, and said second members are affixed at a distal end to a second surface and are in pivotal engagement with a second surface at a distal end;   a carriage in moveable engagement with said mount; and   a drive to move said car between said first and said second end.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said mount comprises two rails. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said carriage comprises a car, a framework, and a transporter, wherein said transporter has wheels for engaging the rails of the mount. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said carriage further comprises a hydraulic ram mounted between the framework and the transporter, to assist in maintaining the car level. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein said car is comprised of two doors, two sides, hinges and a platform, said doors rotatably attached to said platform by said hinges. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said drive is a cable drive. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein said cable drive comprises a motor, a worm gear, a winch and a cable. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 further comprising a brake. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said motor, worm gear and winch are mounted on said transporter. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising controls in electronic communication with said cable drive and located within said car. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising door hydraulic rams to assist in opening and closing said doors. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising retractor hydraulic rams to assist in folding of the car. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  further wherein said framework further comprises a telescoping arm for raising and lowering the car. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said superstructure defines an A-frame comprising two rails that function additionally as girders and trusses extending therebetween. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a gangway located below said superstructure. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein:
 said mount comprises two rails;   said carriage comprises a framework, a transporter, wherein said transporter has wheels for engaging the rails and a car, wherein said car is comprised of two doors, two sides, hinges and a platform, said doors rotatably attached to said platform by said hinges; and   said drive is a cable drive.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said carriage further comprises a hydraulic ram mounted between the framework and the transporter, to assist in maintaining the car level. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein said cable drive comprises a motor, a worm gear, a winch and a cable. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  further comprising a brake. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein said motor, worm gear and winch are mounted on said transporter. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20  further comprising controls in electronic communication with said cable drive and located within said car. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising door hydraulic rams to assist in opening and closing said doors. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22  further comprising retractor hydraulic rams to assist in folding of the car. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23  further wherein said framework further comprises a telescoping arm for raising and lowering the car. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein said superstructure defines an A-frame comprising two rails that function additionally as girders and trusses extending therebetween. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein said superstructure defines an A-frame comprising two rails that function additionally as girders and trusses extending therebetween. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26  further comprising an anchor block. 
     
     
         28 . A use of a system comprising:
 a superstructure comprising a first end, a second end and two rails extending between said first end and said second end;   first and second support members located proximal to said first end and said second end of said superstructure, wherein said first support members are in moveable contact at a distal end with a first surface, and said second members are affixed at a distal end to a second surface and are in pivotal engagement with a second surface at a distal end;   a carriage in moveable engagement with said mount, said carriage comprising a car, a framework, and a transporter, wherein said transporter has wheels for engaging the rails; and   a drive to move said car between said first and said second end, to transport a payload between a static surface and a non-static surface.   
     
     
         29 . The use of  claim 28  further comprising retracting and folding said car. 
     
     
         30 . A use of a system, said system comprising:
 a superstructure comprising a first end, a second end and two rails extending between said first end and said second end;   first and second support members located proximal to said first end and said second end of said superstructure, wherein said first support members are in moveable contact at a distal end with a first surface, and said second members are affixed at a distal end to a second surface and are in pivotal engagement with a second surface at a distal end;   a carriage in moveable engagement with said mount, said carriage comprising a car, a framework, and a transporter, wherein said transporter has wheels for engaging the rails;   a drive to move said car between said first and said second end; and   a gangway below said superstructure, to concurrently transport a payload in said car and allow pedestrian traffic on said gangway.   
     
     
         31 . The use of  claim 30  wherein said drive is controlled remotely by an operator. 
     
     
         32 . The use of  claim 31  wherein said payload is cargo. 
     
     
         33 . The use of  claim 30 , further comprising retracting and folding said car.