US Patent 7128226 Lifting device with a guide device for loads

The invention relates to a lifting device for loads, especially to a suspension lift for vehicles or vehicle parts. Said lifting device comprises load receiving means (14) with at least one longitudinal beam (17) mounted on the load receiving means (14) and substantially aligned in the lifting and lowering direction (S). The device further comprises at least one guide element (15) mounted on the base frame (5) for laterally guiding the longitudinal beam and thus the load receiving element (14) and a lifting gear (19) for performing the lifting and lowering movement of the load receiving means (14). The aim of the invention is to provide a lifting device that facilitates an ample lifting/lowering movement of the load while considerably reducing the overall height of the lifting device. To this end, the longitudinal beam (17) is subdivided in at least two sections (17a, 17b, 17c) in the manner of a link chain. Said sections are interlinked so as to be foldable transversally to the lifting and lowering direction. In the lifted state of the load receiving means (14 ), the upper sections (17b, 17c) of the longitudinal beam (17) are folded and in the lowered state of the load receiving means (14) the upper sections (17b, 17c) of the longitudinal beam (17) are unfolded.