Google Maps…

Google Maps has just recently been update and the “L” Shaped House now shows up in a search of the neighborhood. I don’t know.. it looks kind of big.

Accessibility Lift…Design Process

The design for wheelchair lift in the “L” Shaped House is the result of a carefully considered engineering effort. The first phase of this effort was an extensive search for a commercially available lift. I think it is almost always better to buy than build when you are looking for an item like this. The commercial builders (presumably) have the advantage of having gone through many design iterations and their products generally represent the culmination of this process. We found many examples of lift assemblies available in the marketplace. Ranging from manually actuated portable lifts all the way to elaborate built-in elevators. Unfortunately none of the commercial lifts we found would fit in the space we have available. The collage below shows some of the lifts we considered in the search. The Liftboy lifting platform from Powerlift (upper left) comes as close to meeting our requirements as any of them…but in the end all are either too big or don’t lift high enough.

The two lifts in the image below highlight the difficulty we faced while searching for a commercial lift to fit in the space available at the end of the stairs in the garage. Lifts generally fell into two categories; they were too wide or too long. It is also surprising how expensive these sorts of lifts are (nearly $6,000 for the blue one).

While searching we came across a few examples of homemade lifts. A Canadian gentleman built the lift shown below (I can’t find his link again). The very clever cantilevered design addresses many of the space considerations we face in our home. It is especially interesting because the platform could be lifted quite high without requiring a large footprint. We spent some time playing around with this compelling configuration. His implementation is kind of crude…he does not use any bearings in the vertical slide. The sketch shows some possible improvements to the slide assembly but this design (compelling as it is) has a few disadvantages related actuating and controlling the lifting platform. That is…the overhead structure supporting the pulleys and cables gets tall and implementing a safe and simple control would be a little challenging (his is just a momentary switch). Furthermore I’ve found it challenging to get motor driven cable systems to operate smoothly. We considered the possibility of using a garage door actuator but could not find a small enough version anywhere.

Given our reservations related to controls for our lifting mechanism we expanded our search to include some other kinds of lifts. A number manufactures build lift assemblies that incorporate linear actuators in their designs. The linear actuators used generally include all sorts of nice control features like built in limit switches and “soft start” motors. Examples of these include the many different versions of lifts used to transport electric scooters for the disabled.  Unfortunately no one makes a lift rated for wheelchairs that lifts 48”. The image below shows two examples of these sorts of lifts. The Burr Handi-Lift is an interesting example that lifts to higher heights but they specifically exclude wheelchairs.

Our search turned up a fascinating possibility in the form of a personal watercraft dock lift. Several manufactures produce these lifts with both manual and electric actuators and integrated control systems. As interesting as this seems…this kind of lift has some disadvantages. The cantilevered platform has to be pretty robust (think tall) to accommodate the load and therefore ends up sitting something like 6” off the floor in the lowered position.

The simplicity and (relative) low cost of the mid-rise lift I purchased from Greg Smith Equipment for the third stall in the garage compelled us to look closely at this design. These kinds of hydraulically actuated scissors lifts are very common in industrial applications. The Atlas TD6MR has more than 48” of stroke and is capable lifting 6,000 pounds. Furthermore the hydraulic control system is quiet, smooth, safe, and runs off a single 120 volt outlet.

A scaled drawing of a scissors lifting mechanism tailored to the space available clearly shows that a single set of lifting arms results in a mechanism that would be unstable in the fully raised position. I produced the sketch below to inform Dan Oss and Byron Knapp (PICo’s engineering team) as we asked some questions about the structural elements of the lift mechanism. I was specifically interested in understanding the effects of lengthening one of the lifting bars.

Dan quickly produced the CAD model shown here that shows how this structure works. The unequal length arms cause the platform to rotate slightly as the lift is raised. Carefully placing pivot points in the structure results in a platform that is tilted slightly forward at the bottom and slightly backward at the top of the travel. Even with this one extended lifting arm the structure looks a little unstable at the top of its travel.

Working with this model quickly exposed the advantages of a “compound” scissors arrangement. In this configuration two sets of connected lifting bars push the platform to the same height while maintaining a comfortable (stable) spread even at the top of the travel. The lower sketch shows a possible motorized lifting configuration that allows the bars to clear one another as the platform is raised.

As Dan’s experiments with the structure continued another possibility emerged. This time pairs of lifting arms tied together at their centers rotate and slide along a connecting rod as the stage is raised. This arrangement is superior to the previous in that the lifting bars are really quite short in relation to the stroke of the lift. It also provides for an uncluttered area between the bars for a possible actuator.

The next sketch shows the real breakthrough in this process. Dan quickly discovered that combining a single full length lifting bar with two half length bars allowed for a structure that not only has fewer parts but also provided more flexibility for actuators. The sketches below show the mechanism as it quickly evolved. The first shows it with a full side panel supporting the arms while we see the greatly simplified support structure in the second.

The 3D CAD model below shows the lift assembly in its final form (the back side lifting mechanism is removed for clarity). Here we see the lifting platform fully raised with the hydraulic cylinder in place in the structure. The hydraulic actuator is positioned slightly off center on the lifting bar so that a cylinder with 14” of stroke produces 42” of  platform motion. The ends of the lifting bars are guided in linear slides and the cylinder is tucked snugly in-between. All of the elements in the structure are sized to provide a 1000 lb. lift rating which should easily accommodate our expected maximum 400 lb. requirement.

We plan to use a hydraulic control system from Dalton Hydraulics. The MTE Hydraulic Pumping Station (250-730) is a D.C. powered system that we will connect to a deep-cycle battery with a “maintainer” charging system. The D.C. system will allow us to use the lift in the event we lose electrical power in the house. Multiple wired remotes will allow us to have push button control both on the platform and at the top and bottom of the lift.

Wheelchair Lift (modeled)

Over the weekend we straightened up in the garage and re-checked dimensions in the space where the wheelchair lift will be positioned. I also placed Dan Oss’s SolidWorks 3D model in the photograph below of the newly cleaned-up area using Photoshop. Arrows in the sketch show the lift platform movement as well as the wheelchair path. I think we are all now confident that this design is going to work nicely.

The next order of business is to “tweak” the structural elements of the lift mechanism as we decide on some important properties … like the size and shape of the rectangular steel tubing, and the thickness of the lifting bars. We might even subject the model to some simple finite element analysis.

Wheelchair lift (refined design)

One day of  review and refinements has resulted in this final(?) design for the accessibility lift in the garage at the “L” Shaped house. The first sketch shows the lift with the platform raised a little less than halfway up it’s travel.

 

The second sketch shows the lift platform fully extended at the top of it’s travel. The transparent platform exposes the lifting mechanism under the far side.

The last sketch shows two hydraulic cylinders (crudely) placed in the assembly for clarity.

Wheelchair Lift

From the very beginning we have been paying close attention to accessibility issues at the “L” Shaped House. The original design of our home included a ramp from the garage to the mudroom entrance (here).  The elevation issue encountered early in the construction process forced us to change course and turn our attention toward a lift in the garage. After carefully considering many options we have decided to build our own lift mechanism designed by the world class engineering staff at Professional Instruments Co. Dan Oss, and Byron Knapp have come up with the ingenious scissors lift mechanism (that lifts the platform through center) shown in the Solid Works 3D model below. Hydraulic cylinders connected to the off-center vertical linkage (visible in the bottom two sketches) will actuate the the lift and requires only 12” of stoke to raise the platform to it’s full height of 41”.

A refined view of this design showing one of the lifting cylinders in place below…

We plan to start fabricating the lift assembly shortly and hope to have it in place in the garage before the end of the year. The composite sketch below shows the lift mechanism superimposed on a photo of the end wall of the garage with some faint pen and ink additions to the design.

“L” Shaped Workshop…

Nearly 1 year on … We have the workshop in the garage set up and running!

The first photo below is a wide shot of the third stall with the workbench top fitted to the mid-rise scissors lift. The plan is to make this stall into a “convertible” workspace that will accommodate both auto maintenance and big wood working projects. The mid-rise lift provides a wonderful adjustable height base for the workbench. The only problem is what to do with the work surface when a car is in place?

The next two photos show the back wall of the third garage stall with our toolboxes, metal pegboard, and teardown bench in place. The galvanized metal pegboard from Wall-Control is absolutely great! Their product is well conceived and provides for not only tool storage and shelving … but light brackets as well. A few hours of organizing resulted in the arrangement seen here (it will probably evolve from here).

The last photo here shows our first project nearly complete. We are building three Nordic ski waxing stations to be used during the High School racing season this year.

First … the plan (Google Sketch-Up)

Next … the (nearly complete) project. The adjustable height 4’ x 8’ work surface made this effort convenient and fun!

Jib Crane in Action…

So … I visited Rockler in Minnetonka last night and purchased a new Delta bandsaw for the garage workshop at The “L” Shaped House. The saw comes in a big cardboard box with a note stating “some assembly required”.  The photos below show how nice it is to have a (1000 lb. capacity) jib crane built right into the space. A few straps make lifting the bandsaw assembly out of the box and onto the assembled base a safe, and easy operation!

Garage Organization

Ahh … I spent most of the weekend working in the garage at The “L” Shaped House attaching organizing equipment to the walls and ceiling. The photo below shows some of the fruits of this effort. First; both of our “big” ladders hanging from the Racor Bike and Ladder lifts installed to the ceiling in the foreground. Next; a hose reel, electrical cord reel, and an LED worklight all attached to the ceiling just to the left of the jib crane. Finally; the new galvanized pegboard system from Wall Control and a Gladiator GearLoft shelf on the West wall above the “tear-down” bench. All that is left now is the plumbing from the air compressor under the stairs to the cord reel on the ceiling.

The garage Lifts

After considering many options I finally selected, purchased, and installed lifts in the garage of The “L” Shaped House. The first photo below shows both the 4-post lift (in the fourth stall) and the portable scissors lift (in the third). Both lifts were purchased from Greg Smith Equipment. The 4-Post lift is an Atlas Garage Pro 8,000 chosen because it is (at least theoretically) possible to attach the wheels and push it out the door on to the garage apron. As you can see in the photo…it’s first occupants are our snow blowers.

The second lift is an Atlas Portable Scissors Lift (model TD6MR). This lift has a 6,000 lb. capacity and can be easily moved around inside the garage. The only compromise is a requirement for ramps with low clearance vehicles like the Mini. With the lifts installed and some of our tools now in place the garage at The “L” Shaped House is really taking shape!

Anchor Block…Paver photo shoot

Barb Falk from Anchor Block called a few weeks ago asking if we would allow them to photograph the paver driveway at the “L” Shaped House for next year’s catalog. We readily agreed and after a rain delay last week Pat Barry of InsideOut Studios showed up this afternoon to take the two shots Barb wants. The first three photos below show Pat, and his assistant Trev working to get the lighting perfected in the shot as Barb looks on. The photos also show some of the tools of the trade including the camera, lights, tethered computer, ladders, and the all important gas powered leaf blower.

 

The next photo shows Pat and Barb checking out a freshly captured exposure of the driveway and house as they work to get exactly the shot they want for the catalog. The image on the screen in the photo and a beautiful shot of the pavers along the front of the garage will soon grace the pages of Anchor’s promotional materials. It was really interesting (and more than a little humbling) to watch as these professionals worked together to produce a couple of fabulous photographs of the “L” Shaped House. 

Home Automation…Central vacuum

The SLH Home Systems folks finished installing the Beam central vacuum system at the “L” Shaped House yesterday afternoon. The system includes the power unit in the basement, two Q Power Team head units (one on each floor), and a garage hose and tool kit. The head units have a 30’ hose with a quilted fabric hose cover to protect the walls and base boards. The photos below show the head unit for the first floor vacuum  we plan to store in the laundry room closet.

In the video below Helen demonstrates the features and operation of the central vacuum system.

Carpentry…Three porches (wrap-up)

During a noon visit today I took a few photos of the front porch and rear breezeway porch at the “L” Shaped House. The first photo shows how Landon’s very nice work on the inside of the front porch carries through to the outside as well. I find this view of our new home particularly pleasing.

 

The next photo shows the front of the house from middle of the driveway with the side breezeway deck and barn lights along the front of the garage visible on the extreme right. The uniform railing and column details on the three porches tie these elements together nicely and really complete the farm house look.

The last photo shows most of the back side of the house with the rear breezeway entrance visible in the center. With the porches complete we can now see Mike Kloti’s vision for the house in the flesh. Everything from the MiraTEC trim wrapping the structure…to the railing defining the porches…to the Kloti Chops at the eaves…has come together with a sense of scale and proportion that seems nearly perfect!

Landscaping…The Dog Run

After Jay’s JLM Landscaping crew finished up their part of our high-tech dog run Paul went to work installing the pet door and building a ramp to the porch. The photos below shows all of the elements of the backyard dog run together for the very first time. In the first we see the K9 grass inside the fencing and the ramp leading to the porch (we’ll remove a couple of spindles later).

The second photo shows the dog run, ramp, and pet door off the back side of the breezeway porch. We plan to have a “flexible” barrier that will clip in-between the porch railing and back wall of the house to restrict access to part (or all) of the rear breezeway porch.

I think this entire system is going to be really nice for both the dogs and humans.

Qwest phone service…Day 1

Our friends at Qwest came by this morning and connected the “L” Shaped House to their phone network. The first photo below shows the Radio Shack wall mount phone I put in the garage later this afternoon. We have a single phone line and plan to use Qwest’s (20 Mbps…DSL) “Heavy Duty” internet service.

The next photo shows the (slightly amused) Qwest guy working to install our new Network Interface Device (box) on the back wall of the garage. He was not exactly prepared to be photographed while installing a new service…but was a really good sport about it!

 

A rock named…“Ann”

So…what exactly are our friends Andy and Kevin doing back at the “L” Shaped House on a Friday night.

They're fixing the new sod on the edge of the driveway…of course!

Thank You…Andy and Kevin…I appreciate you guys stepping up like this!!!

Why? you ask…

Another “trailblazer”  (don’t know who) decided to back straight down an 18 foot wide drive that has a wonderful gentle curve  half way down the hill leaving a pathetically inadequate “patch” job in their wake.

Really!

 

Andy, Kevin, and I decided a 4000 lb  boulder placed just inside the curve on the right might provide just the kind of incentive necessary to keep our wayward travelers on course. A Photoshop version of this idea is shown in the image below.  I think it will be effective and look good too!

  

A little curious about the name?

Look closely at the right front tire of this driver backing down the hill…The rock has her name on it!