US 11,772,822 B2
Object lifting system and method
Pierig Bonnefoy, Chuzelles (FR)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Jan. 6, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/570,217.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/141,946, filed on Jan. 26, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0234761 A1, Jul. 28, 2022
Int. Cl. B64F 5/50 (2017.01); B64F 5/10 (2017.01); B66F 7/20 (2006.01); B64C 1/06 (2006.01)
CPC B64F 5/50 (2017.01) [B64F 5/10 (2017.01); B66F 7/20 (2013.01); B64C 1/061 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for lifting an object, the system comprising:
a first floor and a second floor, the first floor being directly above the second floor and securing an assembling body and the second floor;
an object rack supported on the second floor, wherein the object rack is configured to support a plurality of objects, the plurality of objects configured to be attached to the assembling body;
an object advance apparatus coupled with the object rack, the object advance apparatus configured to advance one object from the plurality of objects from an advancing position to a lifting position;
a lifting cylinder supported by the second floor and positioned in line with the lifting position on the object rack, the lifting cylinder configured to extend from a retracted position below the lifting position on the object rack to an extended position above the first floor, such that as the lifting cylinder is extended from the retracted position the one object in the lifting position is removed from the object rack and lifted adjacent to the assembling body; and
a floor flap in the first floor directly above the lifting cylinder, the floor flap configured to open and close in synchronization with the extension and retraction of the lifting cylinder such that the floor flap is opened as the lifting cylinder is extended toward the first floor and remains opened while the lifting cylinder is in the extended position and is closed when the lifting cylinder is retracted below the first floor toward the retracted position and remains closed while the lifting cylinder is in the retracted position.