Roof boxes, or ski boxes as they were initially called, have become very popular. To begin with, these were an alternative to ski racks, used for transporting skis on the roof of a passenger car. In the ski box, the skis were protected against the weather, fouling and theft, unlike on the ski rack. The first ski boxes were relatively small, but people were still quick to find out that the ski box could be used for transporting a lot more than skis. With time, the boxes have expanded and become better adapted to the design of the car. The have also become more streamlined.

Although modem roof boxes do not have anywhere near the same air resistance as the first ski boxes, driving with such a box on the car roof will still entail higher fuel consumption. In spite of this, most people will choose to keep the box on the roof even when it is empty. This is due to the fact that there is a lot of work involved in taking the box off and putting it back on again.

However, lifting devices, or lifts, have now been introduced on the market, which make the job of removing and refitting the ski box easier. A common feature of these is the fact that they are designed to be mounted to a garage ceiling and to lift the box vertically to a safe distance above the car. Then the box can be left suspended from the lift under the ceiling in the garage until it is next required.

However, the existing lifts are partly too troublesome to operate and partly too expensive and complex. Therefore, there is a demand for a simpler and less expensive lift that is also easy to install and operate.

The present invention provides such a lift by means of the features that appear from the characterising part of Claim 1.

The subsequent independent claims describe advantageous embodiments of th invention.

The invention will now be explained in greater detail by way of an example embodiment illustrated in the appended drawings, in which : Figure 1 is a perspective view of the lift according to the invention seen from above; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the lift according to the invention seen from below, Figure 3 shows the strapway of the lift according to the invention ; Figure 4 is an exploded view of the winding mechanism according to the invention; and Figure 5 shows the wind-up mechanism according to the invention with strap threading.

The lift according to the invention is shown in perspective from above in Figure 1 and from below in Figure 2. It generally consists of a frame 1, a set of straps 2 and a winding mechanism 3.

The frame is in turn composed by a central beam 4 and two side beams 5 and 6 that are arranged transversely, preferably at right angles, to the central beam at either end of the central beam 4. Preferably, the side beams 5 and 6 project an equal distance to either side of the central beam. Both the central beam 4 and the side beams 5 and 6 have a generally U-shaped cross section with a bottom 4a, 5a, 6a and side edges 4b, 4c, 5b, 5c, 6b, 6c. The central beam 4 is slightly wider than the side beams 5 and 6. In the operating position, the open face of U-shape of the central beam 4 faces upwards, while the open faces of the U-shape of the side beams 5,6 face downwards.

The side beams 5 and 6 are fixed to the central beam 4 by means of two sockets 7,8 and 9,10 at either end of the central beam 4. The sockets extend through the bottoms 5a, 5b of the side beams 5,6 and the bottom 4a of the central beam. The side edges 4b, 4c of

the central beam 4 have been cut away where the central beam overlaps the sic dams 5,6. A portion 11 of the central beam 4 has been bent upwards around the side edges 5c, 6c of the side beams 5,6 which face E ly from the central beam 4. The sockets 7, 9 and 10 have wider portions at the ends. This may be achieved e. g. through riveting, the walls of the sockets being forced outward after these have been threaded through preformed holes in the beams 4,5 and 6. In this manner, the sockets 7,8, 9 and 10 act as eyelets, pressing the side edges 5b, 5c and 6b, 6c of the side beams 5,6 towards the bottom 4a of the central beam 4. The portion 11 further acts to stabilise the joint between the beams 4,5 and 6 by preventing the side beams 5 and 6 from sliding in the longitudinal direction of the central beam.

The side beams 5 and 6 are equipped with a respective socket 12,13, 14 and 15 at either end. The sockets 12,13, 14 and 15 extend through both side walls 5b, 5c and 6b, 6c respectively, and are preferably fixed by means of riveting in the same way as sockets 7, 8,9 and 10. Around the sockets 7, 8, 9,10, 12,13, 14 and 15 are combined sliders and spacers 35 (see Figure 3). These sliders and spacers 35 are cylindrical elements with a length corresponding to the distance between the bottom 5a, 6a of the side beam and the bottom 4a of the central beam 4, or the distance between the two side edges 5b, 5c, 6b, 6c of the side beam, respectively.

A winding mechanism 3 is provided centrally on the central beam. In general, this consists of a gear unit 16, which may be of the type used for awnings, and a drum 17.

The winding mechanism 3 will be explained in greater detail below.

The lift also comprises a set of straps 2. This can be seen most clearly in Figure 3, where the beams 4,5 and 6 have been removed in order to demonstrate more clearly how the straps are threaded. The set of straps 2 generally consists of two strapsl8 and 19 that act as pulling elements. Preferably, the straps 18 and 19 are identical and continuous.

The strap 18 will now be described in greater detail. It will be appreciated tha le strap 19 is constructed and threaded in the same manner as the strap 18. Thus the strap 19 will not be described in detail.

The strap 18 is attached to the drum 17, as is specified below in connection with the winding mechanism. From the drum 17, the strap runs along two parallel paths 20 and 21 up to the sockets 7 and 8. Here, the strap paths 20 and 21 pass between the sockets 7 and 8. At the sockets 7 and 8, the strap paths 20 and 21 separate and continue along paths 22 and 23. Through the paths 22 and 23, the strap paths are turned through 90°, passing over the sockets 12 and 13. The strap 18 depends from the sockets 12 and 13 in the shape of a loop 24.

The winding mechanism will now be explained in greater detail with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

In Figure 4, the gear unit 16 is shown as a unified part, while the drum 17 is shown in an exploded view. Preferably, the gear unit is of a type that is readily available and which today is used extensively for operating awnings. It includes an incoming shaft 25, the outer end of which is shaped as a hook 26 for engaging a complementary k on a crank (not shown). The gear unit 16 also has an outgoing shaft 27 drivingly connected to the drum 17.

The drum 17 consists of two discs 28 and 29 and a drum shaft 30, the discs 28 and 29 being attached to separate ends of the drum shaft 30. The drum shaft has an angular cross section, and is preferably shaped so as to be complementary to the outgoing shaft 27 of the gear unit 16. Two pins 31 and 32 extend adjacent to and in parallel with the drum shaft 30, the respective ends of which pins are attached to the discs 28 and 29, for instance by the use of screws 33, as shown. The pins 31,32 are preferably disposed by a respective side face 30a of the drum shaft 30. The drum 30 may be riveted to the discs 28 and 29 in the same manner as the sockets 7-10 and 12-15. Alternatively, both the drum 30 and the pins 31,32 may be welded to the discs or otherwise joined to these.

However, it is highly advantageous for at least one disc 29 to be removable fc ie purpose of replacing the straps, if required.

As shown in Figure 5, the straps 18 and 19 threaded around their respective pins 31 and 32, allowing the strap paths 20 and 21 to start from respective sides of the pin 31. In principle, although the straps 18 and 19 may be made from piece goods straps, thus requiring them to be joined together to form a continuous loop, it will not matter where in the strap path the join is positioned. Any part of the straps 18 and 19 may be threaded around the pins 31 and 32. When the straps have been threaded around the pins and the disc 29 has been fitted to the drum shaft 30, the straps may be wound onto the drum 17.

Preferably, the straps should be tensioned slightly during the winding. When the drum has been rotated so that one of the corners 30b of the drum shaft meets the strap 18 or 19 respectively, the strap paths 20 and 21 will be pressed against each other, resulting in a locking effect between these, thus preventing the strap paths 20 and 21 from sliding in relation to each other. As the drum is rotated and the straps 18 and 19 are wound on top of each other, the locking effect will increase. As both straps 18 and 19 are wound onto the same drum, all the strap paths, i. e. strap paths 20 and 21 for strap 18 and the corresponding strap paths for strap 19, are wound onto the same diameter. Thus the winding will be synchronous for all the strap paths.

As an alternative to two straps 18 and 19, use may be made of a continuous strap that is threaded double between the pin 31 and the drum shaft 30 and further between the pin 32 and the drum shaft 30, so that the double strap extends in two directions from the drum 17.

An expedient method of installing the lift will now be explained.

First, four marks are made in the ceiling for screwing four mounting brackets to the garage ceiling, on the basis of e. g. a template or given dimensions. The mounting brackets are not shown in the figures, but are preferably formed as a plate with a screw hole at either end. One end of each mounting bracket is first screwed to the ceiling by passing a screw through the screw hole formed at the first end. Here, it is important to

ensure that the same end is screwed in for each bracket. The other end of the] unting bracket is free. Preferably, the mounting bracket is formed as an angle, so that the first end is displaced slightly in parallel to theist of the bracket. This leaves a small clearance between the free end of the mounting bracket and the ceiling.

A total of four slits 34 are formed in the side beams 5 and 6. These have the same mutual spacing as the ceiling-mounted brackets. Now, the lift may be hung on the brackets by inserting the free end of the mounting brackets through the slits 34. The lift is now suspended from the ceiling. However, in order to secure the lift against sliding off the brackets, a screw will also be screwed into the ceiling through the screw hole in the free end of the mounting brackets, which end is now projecting through the side beam 5,6 on the opposite side of that end of the bracket which is pre-fixed to the ceiling.

After the lift has been installed, one may easily lower the loops 24 by means of a crank (not shown), e. g. of the type used for operating awnings, which crank is inserted into the hook 26 on the incoming shaft 25. As the straps are wound onto the same drum, as mentioned previously, the loops 24 will be lowered in a completely synchronous manner. Then each loop may easily be pulled around their respective end of t^. Xoof box. The spacing between the loops is adjusted to allow the loops to be fitted properly underneath the roof box. This should leave no possibility of the roof box slipping out of the loops 24. In order to further secure against this, parts of the straps 18 and 19 may be provided with a friction material, in particular in the loops 24 and that part which is in contact with the roof box. However, other means (not shown) such as hooks, catches or similar, may also be provided in order to ensure that the loops do not slip in relation to the roof box.

After the loops 24 have been passed under the roof box, the roof box may be uncoupled from the car and lifted up under the garage ceiling by rotating the crank in the opposite direction. The roof box is now suspended at a convenient distance from the car and out of the way of anyone moving about inside the garage. Fitting the roof box to the car roof happens in the reverse order.

The straps 18 and 19 are of a sufficient length to allow a person to lower the roof box to a convenient height above the floor (of co se, the car is not in the garage at this point) open the lid of the box while it is suspended in the lift, and gain access to the box in order to add or remove items. This position is considerably more comfortable for placing or removing items from the box than that offered by a box positioned on the roof of a car. The side beams 5 and 6 are longer than the width of most roof boxes, thus ensuring that the straps 18,19 extend slightly further out than the roof box and do not obstruct the opening of the lid.

Preferably, the straps are made from a textile, and are either woven or braided.

Advantageously, the straps are of the type used in e. g. cargo slings or seat belts.

The sliders and spacers 35 are preferably made from a rigid plastic or another low- friction material.

In order to prevent wear and tear on the edges of the straps, sliders (not shown) may be provided at the bottom 4c of the central beam 4, e. g. near the sockets 7,8 and 9,10. The sliders may be in the form of discs made from the same material as the slider,.,-,-icers 35.

Obviously, the lift may also be used for hoisting other items than roof boxes, such as bicycles, lawn mowers, patient lifting etc. Thus the appended claims are not to be deemed limiting with respect to area of application.

Instead of using a crank, the incoming shaft 25 in the gear unit 16 may be connected to an electric motor, for which the appropriate control electronics and limit switches may also be provided.