FORM 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2005

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTION 10 AND RULE 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

“A system for elevating and lowering a platform”

APPLICANTS:
Name Nationality Address
BHARAT HEAVY ELECTRICALS LIMITED Indian BHEL HOUSE, SIRI FORT, NEW DELHI – 110049, INDIA., with one of its manufacturing units at
High Pressure Boiler Plant, Tiruchirapalli - 620014, Tamil Nadu

The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-
BACKGROUND

[001] Embodiments generally relate to a mechanism for lifting and lowering. More particularly, embodiments relate to a system for elevating and lowering a platform.
[002] Platforms enabled for being lifted and lowered have a wide array of applications. Such platforms can be used for handling material. A mechanism for lifting and lowering platform is illustrated in FIG. 1.
[003] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of platform 102 which is enabled for being lifted and lowered. In FIG. 1, elements illustrated using dotted lines are invisible from top view. The mechanism enabling the platform 102 to be lifted and lowered comprises screw jacks 104a, 104b, 104c and 104d, electric motor 102, chain drives 108, 106a, 106b, 106c, and 106d, and shaft 110. The electric motor 102 provides power required for lifting and lowering the platform 102. The power provided by the electric motor 102 is transferred to the shaft 110 through the chain drive 108, thereby enabling the shaft 110 to rotate. In turn, the shafts associated with screw jacks 104a, 104b, 104c and 104d are made to rotate using chain drives 106a, 106b, 106c, and 106d, respectively, which are associated with the shaft 110, thereby enabling the screw jacks 104 to lift or lower the platform 102 accordingly.
[004] In the mechanism illustrated in FIG. 1, elements such as screw jacks 104, electric motor 102, chain drives 108 and 106 and shaft 110, which are prone to breakdown are disposed within the circumference of the platform 102. In case of breakdown, it is extremely difficult to determine which element has failed, due to poor visibility of the elements. Further, to rectify the problem, either the platform will have to be separated and moved away from the mechanism, or operators will have to go underneath the platform and rectify the problem. Moving the platform away from the mechanism is difficult in case the platform 102 is relatively heavy. Further, separating the platform 102 from the jacks 104 is difficult in case the screw jacks 104 are mechanically coupled with the platform 102. Separating and moving the platform away from the mechanism is time consuming. Additionally, mounting the platform 102 back to its desired position after rectifying the problem is also time consuming, thereby rendering the platform inoperable for a long duration of time. Alternatively, to counter the disadvantages associated with separating the platform from the screw jacks 104 and subsequently mounting back the platform 102, operators can go underneath the platform 102 and rectify the problem. However, it will be difficult for the operators to go underneath the platform 102 if the clearance between the platform 102 and the ground is less. Further, carrying out repair work will be difficult due to poor visibility of the elements. Moreover, the operators will be at risk when they go underneath the platform 102. The operators might get seriously injured in case of any mishap when the operators are underneath the platform 102. Hence, the operators’ safety is compromised when the operators go underneath the platform 102.
[005] In light of the foregoing discussion, there is a need for a system for elevating and lowering a platform in which problem associated with the system can be easily rectified. Further, the system should ensure the safety of the operators while maintaining the system. Additionally, the system should reduce the downtime of the platform due to breakdown.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION
[006] Accordingly the invention provides a system for elevating and lowering a platform. The system includes a plurality of projections projecting out of circumference of the platform, wherein the projections are disposed on at least two opposite sides of the platform. Further, lifters are configured for interfacing with the projections and at least one driver is configured to provide power to enable the lifters to elevate and lower the platform. Furthermore, a power transfer mechanism is configured to transfer power provided by the driver to the lifters, thereby enabling the platform to be elevated and lowered.
[007] There is also provided a method for elevating and lowering a platform. The method includes configuring plurality of lifters to interface with plurality of projections projecting out of circumference of the platform, wherein the plurality of projections are disposed on at least two opposite sides of the platform. Further, providing at least one driver for supplying power to enable the lifters to elevate and lower the platform and transferring power provided by the driver to the lifters by means of a power transfer mechanism, thereby enabling the platform to be elevated and lowered.

[008] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[009] The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a mechanism provided in prior art for lifting and lowering a platform, and
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a system for elevating and lowering a platform, in accordance with an embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0012] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0013] As mentioned, there remains a need for elevating and lowering a platform. The embodiments herein achieve this by providing a system for elevating and lowering a platform. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 2, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a system for elevating and lowering a platform 202, in accordance with an embodiment. The system comprises projections 204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d, lifters 210a, 210b, 210c and 210d, driver 212 and power transfer mechanism. The projections 204c and 204d are disposed on first side 228a of the platform 202 and projections 204a and 204b are disposed on the second side 228b of the platform 202. Lifters 210a, 210b, 210c and 210d are configured for interfacing with projections 204a, 204b, 204c and 204d respectively
[0015] The projections 204 rest on lifters 210. In an embodiment, projections 204a and 204c are part of beam 206 which is interfacing with the surface of the platform which is closer to the ground. First end of the beam 206 that projects out of the first side 228a of the platform 202 is the projection 204c and second end of the beam 206 that project out of the second side 228b of the platform 202 is the projection 204a. Similarly, first end of the beam 208 that projects out of the first side 228a of the platform 202 is the projection 204d and second end of the beam 208 that projects out of the second side 228b of the platform 202 is the projection 204b. In another embodiment, the platform 202 is manufactured such that the platform has projections, in which case the beams may be absent. The platform 202 is enabled to being elevated and lowered by the power provided by the driver 212 which is transferred to the lifters 210 using power transfer mechanism. The power transfer mechanism comprises first chain drive 214, second chain drive 216, connecting shafts 218 and 220, first shaft 226 and second shaft 224
[0016] Connecting shaft 218 connects lifters 210a and 210b, and connecting shaft 220 connects lifters 210c and 210d. Further, first shaft 226 is associated with lifter 210d and second shaft 224 is associated with lifter 210b. The first shaft 226 and the second shaft 224 are in mechanical communication through second chain drive 216. The first chain drive 214 enables mechanical communication between a shaft associated with the driver 212 and first shaft 226. The driver 212 is operated to enable elevation and lowering of the platform 202.
[0017] During operation, the power provided by the driver 212 through the shaft associated with the driver 212 is transferred via first chain drive 214 to the first shaft 226 which drives the lifter 204d and the connecting shaft 220 which drives the lifter 210c. Further, the power transferred to the first shaft 226 is transferred via second chain drive 216 to the second shaft 224 which drives lifter 210b and the connecting shaft 218 which drives the lifter 210a, thereby enabling the platform 202 to be elevated or lowered accordingly.
[0018] In an embodiment, lifters 210 are screw jacks.
[0019] In an embodiment, driver 212 is an electric motor.
[0020] In an embodiment, more than one driver 212 is used to elevate and lower the platform 202.
[0021] In an embodiment, more than two lifter 210 are disposed on first side 228a and second side 228b of the platform 202.
[0022] In an embodiment, lifters are disposed on more than two sides of the platform 202.
[0023] In an embodiment, projections 204 are not part of beams 206 and 208, and are independently attached to platform 202.
[0024] In an embodiment, the projections 204 are welded to the platform 202.
[0025] In an embodiment, the projections are mechanically coupled to the platform 202.
[0026] In an embodiment, the platform 202 is manufactured in such a way that the platform 202 has projections on its opposite sides.
[0027] In an embodiment, each lifter 210 is associated with a transmission to control the extent to which each lifter 210 elevates or lowers the platform 202. The transmissions associated with the lifters 210 enables platform 202 to be lifted parallely to the ground. Additionally, the transmissions can be configured to elevate or lower the platform at an inclination to the ground.
[0028] The system has advantages over prior know technology because, most of the elements of the system that are prone to breakdown are provided away from the platform. Hence, the when the system breaks down, the element/elements responsible for the breakdown can be easily identified and rectified. Further, maintenance of the system is easy because most of the elements of the system are clearly visible and accessible. Additionally, the operators’ safety is ensured as the operators while maintaining the system will not have to go underneath the platform as followed in prior art.
[0029] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A system for elevating and lowering a platform, the system comprises:
plurality of projections projecting out of circumference of the platform, wherein the plurality of projections are disposed on at least two opposite sides of the platform;
plurality of lifters configured for interfacing with the projections;
at least one driver for providing power to enable the lifters to elevate and lower the platform; and
power transfer mechanism configured for transferring power provided by the driver to the lifters, thereby enabling the platform to be elevated and lowered.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the projections are secured to the platform.
3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the projections are welded to the platform.
4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the projections are mechanically coupled with the platform.
5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the projections are beams interfacing with a surface of the platform which is closer to ground and the lifters.
6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the lifters are screw jacks.
7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the power transfer mechanism comprises of a first chain drive for transferring power provided by the driver to a first shaft associated with one of the plurality of lifters disposed on a first side of the two opposite sides of the platform.
8. The system according to claim 7, further comprising, at least one connecting shaft disposed on each of the two opposite sides of the platform for connecting lifters disposed on the opposite sides of the platform.
9. The system according to claim 7, further comprising, a second chain drive for transferring power provided by the driver to a second shaft associated with one of the plurality of lifters disposed on a second side of the two opposite sides of the platform.
10. The system according to claim 7, further comprising, a transmission associated with each of the lifters.
11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the driver is an electric motor.
12. A method for elevating and lowering a platform, the method comprises:
configuring plurality of lifters to interface with plurality of projections projecting out of circumference of the platform, wherein the plurality of projections are disposed on at least two opposite sides of the platform;
providing at least one driver for supplying power to enable the lifters to elevate and lower the platform; and
transferring power provided by the driver to the lifters by means of a power transfer mechanism, thereby enabling the platform to be elevated and lowered.
13. A system for elevating and lowering a platform substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in accompanying drawings.
14. A method for elevating and lowering a platform substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in accompanying drawings.

Dated this 16th December 2009

Mr. Nishant Kewalramani
Patent Agent