Patent Grant
8814142
1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to the field of portable supports or bracing systems. More particularly, the invention pertains to an adjustable, telescopic lifting strut and stabilization system, suitable for use in stabilizing a vehicle at the scene of an accident or similar emergency situation.
2. Description of Related Art
When an automobile, truck or other motor vehicle is involved in an accident, there are occasions when the vehicle comes to rest on its side or its roof, for example, or against an object, such as a tree, utility pole or another vehicle. In such situations, the vehicle must be stabilized to allow rescue personnel to remove the driver and passengers. Moreover, in order to prevent further injury to the occupants of the vehicle or rescue personnel, or further damage to the vehicle itself, the vehicle usually must be stabilized in the position at which it has come to rest. A roof-resting motor vehicle, for example, can be an especially difficult situation for rescue teams, particularly in terms of vehicle stabilization. Vehicle stabilization is thus the first critical step in securing an accident scene, and quick and simple solutions are desired, as time spent on vehicle stabilization is time not spent on victim extrication and patient care.
Because of the wide variety of positions to which a vehicle involved in an accident may come to rest, it is necessary for rescue teams to have available a stabilization support or bracing system that is adjustable to various positions and heights. In addition, stabilization is a task that typically is performed by rescue personnel, as they prepare to remove the occupants from the vehicle. Therefore, the stabilization support or bracing system should be capable of being assembled quickly and easily. It also is necessary for the stabilization system to be transported easily, so that rescue personnel can quickly bring the stabilization support from an emergency vehicle to the vehicle to be supported. Hence, the weight of the stabilization support or bracing apparatus should be minimized and the components should be compact, since space on rescue vehicles generally is quite limited, due to the large variety of equipment required to handle various rescue operations.
Furthermore, there are instances in which a significant portion of the weight of a vehicle must be supported by the stabilization support or bracing apparatus, necessitating an apparatus or system that can support a large amount of weight (i.e., the weight of a vehicle). Further, since a stabilization support typically is used repeatedly throughout its lifetime, durability also is preferred. It is therefore desirable to develop a vehicle stabilization support that is strong, durable, adjustable and reusable, yet economical and easy to transport and set up, and highly versatile. For example, the ideal stabilization system should be adaptable for use in vehicle rescue, collapse rescue, confined space rescue, trench rescue, as a ram, shore, strut, etc., for stabilizing, lifting, shoring, pushing, ramming, etc.
Stabilization supports of the prior art include wood, such as four-by-four (4×4) beams that are wedged in between a stable surface, such as the ground, and the area of the vehicle to be supported. These primitive shoring supports lack adjustability and are not durable, often being discarded after one use, and suffer from numerous other practical limitations. For example, they are relatively heavy and they cannot be disassembled, collapsed or folded for storage, and thus take up an inordinate amount space in the rescue vehicles, where space is at a premium.
Other stabilization supports of the prior art include various metal strut members, some of which rely on jacks or pneumatic pressure to position and/or stabilize the brace against the vehicle. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,170, assigned to American Rescue Technologies, Inc., discloses an “Adjustable Self Locking Shoring Strut”, consisting of a pneumatic/hydraulic shoring strut for bracing walls in various situations. In its preferred embodiment, this strut contains an internal biasing member that urges contraction, when pneumatic pressure is released. More particularly, the pneumatic/hydraulic shoring strut is composed of an inner and outer cylinder, which form an annular recess therebetween. The cylinders are mounted in first and second caps and an annular drive piston is positioned within the annular recess, creating first and second chambers. A port for injecting air into the first chamber is mounted on the outer cylinder and hydraulic fluid is sealed in the second chamber. A channel is provided in one of the caps, providing fluid communication between the second chamber and an interior cavity located within the inner cylinder, where a working piston is reciprocatingly mounted. The channel has a unidirectional flow control valve and a releasable flow restriction control mounted therein, thereby facilitating the self-locking feature of the strut.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,705, assigned to Airshore International Direct Equipment West Ltd., discloses a “Vehicle Stabilization and Support Tool”, consisting of a tool for stabilizing and supporting a vehicle by forming a rigid member between a bearing surface and the vehicle, including at least one member having a cylinder and a movable piston that protrudes axially from the cylinder at a cylinder end. The cylinder end is formed with a pair of inclined circumferential surfaces. A collar extends axially from the cylinder and slidably receives the protruding piston. The collar is formed with a pair of internal annular step surfaces corresponding to the cylinder end surfaces. The collar step surfaces and the cylinder circumferential surfaces are engagable to permit rotation and simultaneous axial movement of the collar with respect to the cylinder. A pin is selectively positionable at one of a plurality of holes along the piston for engagement with the collar to prevent movement of the piston with respect to the collar. A locking system is provided for releasably securing the collar against rotation relative to the cylinder. In use, the piston is extended from the cylinder and the pin is inserted through one of the holes along the piston to define an initial extended position. The collar is then rotated to move axially into engagement with the pin and locked in place with respect to the cylinder to define a final fixed extended position of the tool.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,776,383 to Lanka discloses a “Vehicle Bracing Apparatus and Method for Use”. The brace includes a main tube including a first end and a second end and defining at least one first set of orifices. An extension tube is disposed in the main tube from the first end and defines at least one second set of orifices. The position of the extension tube is set by selectively aligning at least one set of orifices from the first set and at least one set of orifices from the second set and inserting a fastener through the aligned orifices. A vehicle anchor is removably connected to the extension tube and a footer is removably connected to the second end of the main tube.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,333, assigned to Curtiss Wright Flight Systems, Inc., discloses a ram device comprising a spreading tool that includes a hollow tube, a first ram member, and a second ram member. The hollow tube has a tubular wall with an axial throughbore and at least one opening extending through the tubular wall. The ram members are slidingly disposed within the throughbore, and at least one ram member is capable of extending beyond the outer edge of the hollow tube. The tool can be adapted for use with a force multiplying device which transmits an output force through a relative displacement between at least two spreadable tips. The first and second ram members are capable of being spaced apart by the force multiplying device such that the tool is capable of extending the expandable distance of the jaws and increasing the distance over which the output force is transmitted.
U.S. Publication No. 2005-0258332A1, assigned to Res-Q-Jack, Inc., discloses a folding telescopic buttress stand that includes a first two-piece telescopic section having an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member in slidable engagement, the outer tubular member being pivotally attached at its lower end to a base plate, and the inner tubular member having attached at its upper end a second two-piece telescopic section having an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member in slidable engagement. One embodiment includes an end fitting or adapter for engagement with a vehicle or other object affixed to the upper end of the inner tubular member. Another embodiment includes a third two-piece telescopic section having an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member in slidable engagement affixed to the upper end of the second two-piece telescopic section.
A wide variety of stabilization struts are known in the art, such as, for example, those manufactured and sold under the names Rescue 42, Inc. (a.k.a. rescue42) Composite Telecribbing Rescue Struts, Hurst Airshore, Paratech Rescue Support Systems (a.k.a. RescueStrut), Genesis Rescue Systems' Kodiak vehicle stabilization system, Junkyard Dog Industries Nightmare and G-Force rescue struts, Prospan Manufacturing Company, ARS, StabFast, Keeble Rescue Systems Marquee strut, and Powerhawk Power Pusher Rams.
Although there are many known devices that are intended to aid in stabilizing a vehicle at the scene of an accident, the prior art devices suffer from a number of limitations. For example, one problem with the prior art devices is that the devices are heavy, cumbersome and difficult to transport and set up. Moreover, lifting struts known in the prior art require pin removal and reinsertion to attach a jack. Furthermore, prior art add-on jacks, such as the Rescue 42 jack, are configured to extend from the strut base up to the upper extension tube, which makes for heavy assembly. Thus, there remains a need in the art for an adjustable lifting strut that is lightweight but strong, durable, adjustable and reusable, yet economical and easy to transport and set up.
Provided herein is a portable, adjustable, telescopic lifting strut and stabilization system, suitable for use in stabilizing a vehicle at the scene of an accident or similar emergency situation. Briefly stated, an improved telescopic lifting strut and stabilization system includes a lower outer tubular member in slidable engagement with an upper extendable inner tubular member, with a pocket or catch for receiving and supporting a jack on the outer tubular member, and a pin for restraining the upper extendible tubular member from further engagement into the lower tubular member, while allowing unrestrained extension of the upper tubular member from within the lower tubular member, and a removably attachable jack having a bracket at its upper end incorporating a saddle or half-hole for engaging a strut lift pin located in a corresponding saddle, half-hole or flat bearing surface located on the upper end of the lower tubular member, the lift pin extending through the saddle holes in the upper tubular member, such that upon actuation of the jack, its upper bracket engages the lift pin and extends the upper telescopic tubular member from within the lower tubular member.
According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, herein is disclosed an improved adjustable, telescopic lifting strut and stabilization system that includes a removably attachable jack. An advantage of the present invention is that it provides quick, simple means for stabilizing a vehicle, providing essentially infinite adjustability and a configuration suitable for practically any contemplated application at the scene of an accident.
According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, herein is disclosed an improved adjustable, telescopic lifting strut and stabilization system that includes an attached ratchet strap for securing the strut to another object.
According to yet another preferred aspect of the present invention, herein is disclosed an alternative embodiment including staggered saddle holes on different faces of an extendible tubular member to allow for fine adjustment of the length of the lifting strut.
These and other features and advantages will become readily apparent from the following Detailed Description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale, with the emphasis instead placed upon the principles of the present invention. Additionally, each of the embodiments depicted are but one of a number of arrangements possible utilizing the fundamental concepts of the present invention. The drawings are briefly described as follows.
The following description relates to certain preferred embodiments of a portable, adjustable, telescopic lifting strut and stabilization system. Numerous variations and modifications, other than those specifically indicated, will be readily apparent to those of sufficient skill in the art. In addition, certain terms are used throughout the discussion in order to provide a convenient frame of reference with regard to the accompanying drawings, such as “front”, “back”, “inner”, “outer”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like. Such terms are not intended to be specifically limiting of the invention, except where so indicated in the claims.
The invention provides a portable, adjustable, telescopic lifting strut and stabilization system, suitable for use in stabilizing a vehicle at the scene of an accident or similar emergency situation. The invention provides an improved strut for rescue applications having numerous features that extend its utility, including, for example, an attached ratchet strap, a removably attachable lift jack, and other useful features in a similar vein. The invention further provides a variety of improvements, including attachments and accessories, which further enhance the features and improve the utility of the disclosed embodiments.
Referring generally to
Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 10-14, the upper end of the jack 16 includes a jack lift bracket 20, which incorporates a pair of notches, recesses, saddle or half-holes 22 for aligning with and engaging the strut lift pin 18 located in a corresponding similarly-shaped saddle, half-hole or flat bearing surface 24A located on the upper end of the lower tubular member 10, and engages the corresponding holes 24B in the upper tubular member 12. The lift pin 18 extends through the holes 24B in the extendible upper tubular member 12, such that upon actuation of the jack 16, the upper jack lift bracket 20 engages the lift pin 18 and extends the upper extendible tubular member 12 from within the lower tubular member 10. The lift pin 18 bearing on the paired recesses, saddle holes, half-holes or flat bearing surface 24A located on the upper end of the lower tubular member 10 restricts the upper inner tube from further engagement into the lower outer tube, while still allowing for free extension of the inner tube relative to the outer tube. The shape of the recesses or saddle holes preferably provides for a maximum bearing surface area on the tube wall and lift pin.
The lifting means of the strut requires a lift pin that extends a minimum distance out each side of the strut lower outer tube 10 to allow for proper engagement with the lift jack 16. Additionally, the lift pin 18 preferably includes means for preventing unintentional pull-out. It is also preferable for the lift pin to have an ergonomic handle for ease of insertion and removal. Referring now to
Some prior art struts are known to have a strap that runs up to the upper end fitting that engages an object at the top of the strut (e.g., vehicle). These straps then run down to a second engagement point with the same object, and then the strap returns to the base of the strut. This assembly is time consuming, requires a greater strap length, and is particularly unfriendly to lifting struts. One type of strut known in the prior art has a base with an off-set pre-attached strap. The strap ratchet mechanism is low on the base pad, where debris is likely to interfere and a user must reach low to operate the ratchet. The strap is off-set to one side of the base, which can cause twisting of the base, unless the strap returns to the opposite side of the base. A strap commonly is attached to the front of a strut base, since this structure is typical of virtually all struts in the field.
Referring now to
To allow the strap some travel, the ratchet handle is placed in the locked open position perpendicular to the lower outer strut tube. In this position, the strap may be extended, however, the strap will automatically recoil, when extension force is released. The strap may be hooked to an object or to additional flexible tie members, if the strap length is inadequate. If necessary, chain(s) or similar flexible tie members can be used to create multiple connection points with an object from the single strap hook point. To tighten the strap, move the ratchet handle into operating range between the locked open free-wheel position and the locked closed position, parallel to the strut. The strap is tightened as the handle is repeatedly moved between the two locking positions. Once the desired tension is achieved, the handle is moved to the locked closed position, parallel to the strut.
Referring now to
The lifting strut members optionally include one or more sections of round or square tubing combined with one or more sections of another round or square tube. The add-on jack technology disclosed herein is compatible with round tube shores, with some slight shape changes in the bottom lip of the jack that engages the strut pocket, and the top saddle bracket that engages the lift pin(s). For fashioning a round tube shore, the catch pocket on the outer shore tube would be a circular pocket all the way around. The jack catch lip would be arched to fit. The top jack saddle bracket would not differ much from the current design, however, the stop collar on the top of the outer tube would be round with saddle holes around the circumference, that could be at various depths to allow for fine adjustment. The inner tube optionally is a round tube with multiple lines of holes staggered, which may involve twist alignment.
One point of potential concern is the indexing issue, when the holes are on 2″ centers. This is typically not a problem, when using the apparatus as a stabilization shore with the strut set at an angle, as the angle is adjusted for proper fit/tightening. However, when the strut is set vertically, as in collapse shoring or similar, the problem becomes more apparent. This is where an adjustable jacking head may come into play with a minimum of 2″ adjustment. Another solution to the indexing issue is the staggered off-center holes in the strut wall and possibly additional holes in the opposite walls to allow for finer adjustment.
Another situation that poses a potential problem is that, when you put the add-on jack on and you crank it all the way out, you may not end up on a hole to pin. In addition, it may be undesirable to let the jack down to the nearest hole, as this could have adverse affects on the rescue. There are a few solutions to this problem, including: 1) adjust jack travel such that it travels ¼″ over 12″ (i.e., up to 12¼″), that way you always have a hole when you get to full extension; 2) put a second jack on the back side of the strut, while the first jack is still on the front, so that you can raise more from the backside until lift is achieved or until you reach the next hole for pinning. This is a good reason for using two (2) lift pins and no shoring pins. The first lift pin can't be used, as it is loaded by the first jack, so slip the second lift pin in down as close to the outer tube as the available holes will allow, and put the second jack in place and crank it up slightly to engage the pin. In some situations, one could even put a third or fourth jack on (i.e., one on each side of the strut).
However, putting a second jack on the back side of the strut may be difficult, due to proximity to the object being supported, so an alternate embodiment of the strut would have a jack pocket, saddle pin holes, and indexing holes on all four (4) sides of the strut—a second (or primary) jack could also be placed on the side of the strut. This requires a little more clearance between the jack and strut, but in this configuration one can have a pair of staggered holes on each side of the jack and achieve finer indexing as well.
According to its contemplated use, to use the adjustable telescopic strut with the shoring pin, place the strut base on the ground surface with the upper end leaning toward the object to be supported, away from the operator side or the side with the affixed ratchet strap assembly. Remove the shoring pin to allow for extension of the inner tube, and extend the inner tube to its desired position. Replace the shoring pin in the conventional hole in the outer tube, release the lock on the retractable ratchet strap assembly and place it in the free-wheel position. Attach the end of the strap to an object such that the object, strut and strap form a triangle. Tighten the strap with the ratchet mechanism. To lift the object, insert the lift pin through the saddle holes in top of the outer tube; place the jack bottom lip into the catch pocket affixed to the outer strut tube; push the jack top in, such that the saddle holes on top of the jack lift bracket align below the lift pin. Raise the jack slightly to relieve pressure on the shoring pin. Remove the shoring pin and lift the extendible tubing member to the desired point. If full jack extension is achieved, yet additional lift is desired, insert the shoring pin or a second lift pin, reset the jack or get second jack, and repeat process. Full strut extension is achieved, when internal stop collars meet. Note that the shoring pin is not necessary; shoring and lifting can be accomplished through use of lift pin only, if so desired.
In lieu of stop collars, an improved means for preventing over-extension of a telescopic stabilization strut includes a connecting rod or similar rigid member, or a cable or similar flexible connection attached to or near the base and run up through the inside of the outer and inner tube or tubes. The top of this rod includes a J-shaped hook or other catch means for stopping extension of the inner tube or tube. The hook or catch means engages a cross member fixed to the lower end of the inside tube, or other means for catching the connecting member to prevent over extension.
In a strut comprising square perforated tubing, one problem is that a rigid connecting rod running up through the center could interfere with pinning successive sections to secure the telescopic tubular members. One means to circumvent this problem includes adding a rigid connecting member which positions the rod in the corner of the inside tube or tubes. A flexible connecting member, however, will readily move aside, when pinning through the perforations to secure the telescopic tubular members.
An alternative embodiment includes an inner tube or tubes containing an open slot along the entire length, with the exception of a length near the end determined by the overlap requirement. The outer tube includes a pin or similar component, which slides freely along the inner tube slot. Once minimum overlap is achieved, the pin contacts the end of the slot, preventing further extension. The pin optionally is rigidly fixed, spring loaded, removable, or otherwise attached and activated. Likewise, the slot optionally is located within the outer tube or tubes and the stop pin on the inner tube or tubes. Another option is a square outer tube with a round stop collar affixed to the top to allow for a round inner tube.
X-Strut Features
One useful feature of the adjustable lifting strut system is that it allows for the jack and strut to be transported separately from the struts, thereby reducing weight, when lifting ability is not needed. The fact that the jack is reversibly removable from the strut also allows for more lift height than do prior art struts having a built-in jack. After using the full stroke (normally 12″) of the jack to extend the strut (thereby lifting an object), the jack can be removed from the strut, reset and reattached in a different position along the length of the strut, where the jack can then be used to continue lifting. Depending on the length of the struts and each successive lifting cycle, resetting the jack may be repeated multiple times. Additionally, a single jack can be used, reset, and reattached to several separate struts as needed, thereby reducing the total number of jacks needed and reducing the weight required to lift with multiple struts at the same accident or disaster scene. This also can save costs for rescue squads, when purchasing equipment.
Cone Pin/Lift-Arm Interaction
Referring now to
Lift Arm Pin Ramp
Referring now to FIGS. 28A,B, another feature that optionally is added to the lifting jack 16 is an improved pin-jack interface on the jack lift bracket 20 or lift arm 21. An improved feature of lift arm 21 includes a ramped slot (pin ramp 22R) that engages the lift pin 18 or 18C. As shown in
Flared Lift Arms
Similarly, during the same process of lowering the strut under load and for the same fact that there is a difference in the tubing size between the inner and outer tubing sections, it is possible to engage the pin with the jack in misaligned position (
With the addition of a flare or wing 321 on the side of the jack lift arm 21 opposite the pin ramp 22R, the lift arm is guided into correct alignment with the outer tubing section of the strut, when the jack is collapsed. As the wing 321 contacts the collar of the outer tube 10, the force of the load being lowered pushes the lift arm 21 into correct alignment, so it will not catch on the lower tube (FIGS. 30B,C).
Strut Base Fairlead
A preferred embodiment of the adjustable lifting strut system includes an on-board ratchet strap 42. This allows for quick deployment and securing the base of the strut. In order to access the ratchet mechanism, it needs to be on the side of the strut opposite from the vehicle or other object being stabilized. The strap therefore must pass across or under the strut to reach the object (
Invertible Jack with Interchangeable Plug-in Lift Arms
In an alternative embodiment of the adjustable lifting strut system, jack 16P includes reversibly removable plug-in lift arms 21P, which optionally are strut-specific and plug-in to a universal port 421P on the jack (FIGS. 32A,B). This feature provides many advantages to the system, one being that the plug-in lift arms can be switched out to make the jack compatible with different struts. This allows a user to purchase different struts, but not be required to purchase separate jacks to match. Thus, the jack can be used with any strut, as long as the correct plug-ins matching that particular strut are available (FIGS. 32A,B-33A,B). Further, the improved jack 16P preferably has a symmetrical design, such that the plug-ins can be switched to allow the jack to be inverted (flipped) on the strut. This can be advantageous, such as, for example, when something in the accident or disaster scene is interfering with the cranking of the handle. The jack also optionally is configured to serve as a stand-alone strut with a built-in jack (
Lift Arm Plug-ins
A variety of means are used for securing the lift arm plug-in fittings to the jack. One example is a spring-loaded plunger 23. Referring now to
Threaded Strut
Referring now to
It is to be understood that the architectural and operational embodiments described herein are exemplary of a plurality of possible arrangements to provide the same (or equivalent) general features, characteristics, and general system operation. Therefore, while there have been described the currently preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and it is intended to claim all modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, it must further be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.
This is a continuation-in-part patent application of co-pending application Ser. No. 12/016,531, filed Jan. 18, 2008, entitled “Adjustable Lifting and Stabilization Rescue Strut System”. The complete disclosure of the aforementioned application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Parent | 12016531 | Jan 2008 | US |
| Child | 13271074 | US |
