The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 11, 2011
Filed:
Feb. 19, 2008
Larry Bukowski, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Andrew Griesser, Lake Orion, MI (US);
Vincent Sisti, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Detlev Ziesel, Lake Orion, MI (US);
Larry Bukowski, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Andrew Griesser, Lake Orion, MI (US);
Vincent Sisti, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Detlev Ziesel, Lake Orion, MI (US);
GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Detroit, MI (US);
KUKA Systems Corporation North America, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Abstract
A lift machine comprises a base, a support for supporting a load above the base, a lift actuator operatively connected between the base and the support for raising and lowering the support relative to the base, and a support stabilization mechanism operatively connected between the base and the support for stabilizing the support relative to the base during raising and lowering of the support by the lift actuator. The support stabilization mechanism comprises a pair of opposed linkages, with each of the pair of opposed linkages having a lower torque tube link and an upper torque tube link. The lower torque tube link has a torque tube operatively pivoted to the base. The upper torque tube link has a torque tube operatively pivoted to the support. The pair of opposed linkages are interconnected in such a manner that the pair moves in synchronization during raising and lowering of the support by the lift actuator and maintains the support substantially level even in the event that the center of mass of the load is offset from a vertical axis of the lift actuator.