Lateral Casket Loading Lift for Multi-Level Vehicle Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing casket transport devices are complex, unsafe, and require manual lifting, which can cause operator injury, and are often limited to specialty vehicles, lacking efficiency and ease of loading multiple caskets.
Innovation Solution
A casket transport system with vertically movable loading arms and hydraulic actuators that allow lateral loading onto shelves and multiple levels, using pivotable support arms and flexible drives for safe, efficient casket handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual lifting methods are used to load caskets, then the device complexity is reduced, but operator safety deteriorates due to risk of injury
Solution Approach 1:
A mechanically advantaged lifting system acts as an intermediary between the operator and the casket, using a pulley-based mechanical advantage system to reduce the force required by the operator while maintaining safe handling of the casket. The system includes a drum, pulleys, and cables that collectively reduce the lifting force requirement while keeping the overall device relatively simple.
2Reliability
If electric winch with stranded cable is used to lift caskets, then operator safety is improved, but device complexity increases and maintenance cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electric winch systems with a purely mechanical pulley and drum system. This substitution eliminates the need for electric motors, control systems, and complex cable management while maintaining the safety benefits of mechanical advantage. The system uses simple mechanical components that are easier to maintain and less prone to failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the electric motor and control system components from the lifting mechanism, retaining only the essential mechanical elements (drum, pulleys, cables) needed to provide mechanical advantage. This simplification reduces device complexity while preserving the core safety function.
3Reliability
If specialty vehicle bodies with complex handling methods are used, then casket loading safety is improved, but adaptability to different vehicle types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting system is designed as a universal solution that can be installed in various vehicle body types (flatbeds, box trucks, step decks). The mechanically advantaged system with its drum and pulley configuration can accommodate different vehicle geometries and loading scenarios, providing safe casket handling across multiple vehicle platforms without requiring vehicle-specific customization.
4Quantity of substance
If racking systems with multiple levels are used to hold caskets, then loading capacity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the loading capacity into discrete levels achieved through the mechanically advantaged lifting system. Instead of complex racking structures, the patent uses multiple cable drums and pulley systems to create elevated loading positions. This segmentation approach increases capacity while maintaining relative simplicity by using modular, repeatable mechanical units.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe, efficient, and cost-effective transport of multiple caskets without manual lifting, suitable for various vehicle types, reducing operator risk and enhancing loading capacity.
Implementation Method 1
The lift mechanism includes a hydraulic actuator with a flexible drive
Implementation Method 2
The flexible drive is connected to the base support to move the base support vertically along a vertical track
Data Source
AI summary
A casket transport system for installation in a transport vehicle, and a method of loading eight or more caskets into the transport vehicle. The invention includes a plurality of shelves configured for mounting within a transport vehicle and receiving caskets in a lateral or sideways direction. A lift mechanism is mounted at the rear of the transport vehicle. The lift mechanism includes a base support member vertically movable along a vertical track between a lower position for loading caskets laterally and at least one raised position for moving the caskets laterally into the transport vehicle. At least one support arm is mounted to the base support member and configured to support a casket in a lateral direction as it is raised and lowered. An extension arm is pivotally mounted to the support arm and movable between a raised position and a lowered bridging position to facilitate sliding a casket laterally into the transport vehicle. In this way, at least eight or more caskets can be loaded into vehicle.