I have built several small models using parts from Erector Sets. They all work as expected. Taking the things learned from the smaller versions and applying them to the larger models has proven that the whole concept of a Lifter is not only possible but practical. 

    Desktop Erector Set Lifters - Small Models

    In the Garage a Single Pole No Rack Lifter - Garage-No Rack

    Lifter using an Extended Tilt Assist Arm - Tilt Assist Arm

    A Single Pole Sliding Pinion and Rack Lifter - Sliding Pinion

    Single Pole Lifter with Sliding Weight - Sliding Weight

    Lifter on an Incline - Lifter on Incline

    Gripper Fulcrums - Gripper Fulcrums

    Output from a Generator - Output-Generator

    Output using a Magnic Light - Output-Dynamo

    Ground Assist - Ground Support

    Planetary Gear - Planetary Gear

    Docking Port - Docking Port

    Solar storage - Solar Storage

    Hydro Lifter - Hydro Lifter

    Hydro Lifter with Water Wheel and a Gravity Light - Water Wheel

    A Lifter using Roller Chain as fulcrum grippers - Roller Chain Fulcrum

    Lifter using a rack and pinion method for fulcrum support - Rack and Pinion

    New safety devices added to a Rack and Pinion Lifter - Lifter Safety

    A Lifter is used to store it's Carriage contents to a Gravity Bank - Carousel-Gravity Bank 

Keep in mind that all of the above are "Proof of Concept" only. The output from a Lifter depends on the Carriage payload, height of the Lifter and drop time. This output has to be matched to the energy usage of any machinery or electrical devices attached. Most of the demonstrations shown have a Carriage with a 400-570 lb. payload. Lifters this size, with a properly matched energy extraction system, would be ideal for home lighting and small device charging. This size is easily built and by daisy chaining similar Lifters, one can match power and usage time to ones needs. Four fifteen foot Lifters, with 500 lbs. in each Carriage, would be equivalent to one sixty foot Lifter with 2000 lbs. in its Carriage.  The nice thing about a Lifter is its ability to scale up easily without experiencing a loss of efficiency due to friction. Lifters with Carriages holding 1000 or 40000 lbs can be configured and operated with little more force than that required for one carrying 500 lbs.

Also note that there are two types of tilting methods used to tilt the Carriage. One is a pushing or pulling action from the side of the Carriage and one is a see-saw approach. Each has its own advantage and can be applied to nearly any Lifter design. Early models developed used only the pushing method. This method takes into account the MA provided by the Height/Width ration of the Carriage and has a very great effect on the total starting MA of the Lifter. Using the see-saw method to tilt a more flattened Carriage gives a similar MA (Mechanical Advantage). See the Section A Little Math for a description of this action.