FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a delivery vehicle. More particularly, the present disclosure generally relates to a lift assembly for a delivery vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Delivery vehicles typically store items for delivery on shelves. The driver generally retrieves the items for delivery at various locations. The driver may retrieve the items by entering the rear of the delivery vehicle and manually removing the items from the shelves.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a delivery vehicle includes shelving units that are disposed within a cargo space of said delivery vehicle. The shelving units include shelves and vehicle supports. A delivery item is disposed on at least one of the shelves and a lift assembly is operably coupled to the shelving units and configured to receive the delivery item. The lift assembly includes upper rails and lower rails each being operably coupled to said delivery vehicle. Vertical guides are operably coupled to the upper and lower rails. An alteration assembly is operably coupled to each of the upper and lower rails and the vertical guides. The alteration assembly translates the vertical guides along the upper and lower rails. A platform is operably coupled to the vertical guides and includes a central receiving member. The central receiving member is operable between a retrieval position and a holding position. A motor assembly is operably coupled to the platform and each of the vertical guides.

Embodiments of the first aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:the shelves include a plurality of rods, wherein the plurality of rods are selectively disposed within the central receiving member in the retrieval position of the platform;the platform includes side rails operably coupled to the central receiving member, wherein the central receiving member is configured to translate along the side rails between the retrieval position and the holding position;a controller is communicatively coupled to the motor assembly, wherein the controller activates the motor assembly to translate the central receiving member between the retrieval position and the holding position;a drive feature is communicatively coupled to the controller;a pulley assembly is operably coupled to the drive feature, wherein the drive feature translates the lift assembly between a raised position and a lowered position; and/orthe controller translates the platform into the raised position when the central receiving member is in the retrieval position, wherein the delivery item is disposed on the central receiving member in the retrieval position.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a package lift system for a vehicle includes shelving units including shelves. Upper and lower rails are proximate to the shelving units. A lift assembly is selectively engaged with the shelving units. The lift assembly includes an alteration assembly that is operably coupled to the upper and lower rails. Vertical guides are operably coupled to the alteration assembly. A platform is operably coupled to the vertical guides and includes a receiving member. The receiving member is operable between a retrieval position and a holding position. A motor assembly is operably coupled to the receiving member. A controller is communicatively coupled to the motor assembly and the alteration assembly and translates the receiving member between the retrieval position and the holding position. The controller includes a global positioning system. A memory storage is communicatively coupled to the controller and includes a delivery database that includes coordinates from the global positioning system and a delivery location of a delivery item.

Embodiments of the second aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:a drive feature is operably coupled to the controller and the lift assembly, wherein the drive feature includes the lift assembly relative to the shelving units;the receiving member includes sensors that detect a load on the receiving member, wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to the sensors and activates the drive feature when the sensors detect the load on the receiving member;the shelves include a plurality of rods and the receiving member defines a plurality of grooves, wherein the plurality of rods are selectively disposed within the plurality of grooves in the retrieval position of the receiving member;an imager is operably coupled to the lift assembly and is communicatively coupled to the controller;the imager detects a label of the delivery item and the controller compares the detected label with the delivery location stored in the memory storage;the global positioning system of the delivery database is communicatively coupled to a network to receive location information of said vehicle; and/orthe controller activates the motor assembly of the lift assembly to retrieve the delivery item when the controller determines that the delivery location corresponds to the location information of said vehicle.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a package lift assembly for a delivery vehicle includes a plurality of rods that define at least one shelf. The package lift assembly further includes upper and lower rails. An alteration assembly is operably coupled to the upper and lower rails. Vertical guides are operably coupled to the alteration assembly. A platform is operably coupled to the vertical guides and includes a central receiving member. At least a portion of the plurality of rods are selectively disposed within the central receiving member. A motor assembly is operably coupled to the central receiving member and the vertical guides. The motor assembly and the alteration assembly cooperate to translate the platform along the vertical guides and translate the central receiving member between a retrieval position and a holding position.

Embodiments of the third aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:the central receiving member defines grooves in which the plurality of rods are at least partially and selectively disposed;the platform further includes side rails that are operably coupled to the central receiving member, wherein the central receiving member translates along the side rails between the retrieval position and the holding position;a controller is operably coupled to the alteration assembly and the motor assembly, wherein the controller includes the delivery locations;the controller activates the alteration assembly to position the platform that is proximate to the shelf, wherein the controller activates the motor assembly to translate the central receiving member from the holding position to the retrieval position;the alteration assembly includes cables that are operably coupled to the platform, wherein the cables translate the platform between a raised position and a lowered position; and/orthe controller activates the alteration assembly to raise the platform when the central receiving member is in the retrieval position.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

