Patent Application
20200156910
This invention relates generally to vehicle jacks and particularly to a hydraulic floor jack with an integrated support.
A hydraulic floor jack is commonly used to elevate a portion of a vehicle. To do so, a user typically places the floor jack under a portion of the frame of the vehicle. The floor jack is raised until a lift arm of the floor jack comes into contact with the frame of the vehicle. The user then uses leverage to raise a portion of the vehicle to a desired height with the floor jack.
Often, a portion of a vehicle is raised with a floor jack in order for the user to access the vehicle from underneath the vehicle to make repairs to the vehicle. However, it is not safe for a user to rely on a floor jack alone to keep the vehicle safely raised while the user is underneath the vehicle. The floor jack may fail, allowing the vehicle to fall and potentially seriously injure the user under the vehicle. Hydraulic systems, commonly used in floor jacks and other vehicle jacks are particularly prone to failure. It is therefore common for users to place one or more jack stands under a vehicle that has been raised by a floor jack in order to ensure that the vehicle remains safely in a raised position while the user performs repairs under the vehicle.
It is generally not possible for a conventional jack stand to occupy the same space as the floor jack. Typically, a jack stand must be placed under the frame of the vehicle at a second location. In some cases, it may be necessary to place more than one jack stand under the frame of the vehicle at more than one other location. To do so, the user typically uses the floor jack to temporarily raise a portion of the vehicle to more than the desired height. The user then places at least one jack stand, set at the desired height, under the vehicle at other locations. The user then lowers the floor jack until the vehicle comes to rest safely on the at least one jack stand at the desired height. To lower the vehicle again, the user uses the floor jack to temporarily raise the vehicle up and off of the at least one jack stand. The user then removes the at least one jack stand from under the vehicle. The user then lowers the floor jack until the vehicle comes to rest again safely on the ground.
Using jack stands in combination with using a floor jack can be cumbersome because a jack stand is an additional piece of equipment that must be used in addition to the floor jack. Furthermore, the jack stand supports the vehicle at a location that is different from the support location of the floor jack. This is particularly problematic for use with vehicles that have a unibody construction. Vehicles with unibody construction commonly have only one support location on each side of the vehicle, leaving no other suitable location for a jack stand, once that location has been taken up by the floor jack.
There are a number of conventional jack stand devices that work in conjunction with a floor jack such that the floor jack and the jack stand engage the vehicle at a single support location. For example, some conventional jack stands are configured such that a floor jack is used to raise the saddle of the jack stand, which in turn engages the support location on the vehicle. Some of these jack stands are separate pieces of equipment from the floor jack. Some require the user to reach down and under the vehicle to insert a locking pin into the jack stand to secure its position. Some have only one or very few locking positions. Some are not on wheeled supports and must be carried into position.
Some conventional hydraulic floor jacks have an integrated support. However, these can only be used in front or rear applications where the floor jack is generally parallel to the vehicle's wheels. This is because, with regard to ordinary floor jacks without the integrated support, the circular-type motion of the lift arm of the floor jack coming up and back, drawing the floor jack in and under the load requires the floor jack to move along the floor as the vehicle is being raised. Existing floor jacks with integrated supports are not able to roll along the ground while the vehicle is being raised up, because the jack stand is pressed solidly to the ground in response to the load of the vehicle while the vehicle is being raised up, requiring the remaining wheels of the vehicle to roll slightly along the ground as the rest of the vehicle is being raised.
Accordingly, what is needed is an improved floor jack having a wheeled frame with an integrated support that can be easily secured in any of a plurality of locked positions and that is not limited to use only in front or rear applications, where the floor jack is generally parallel to the vehicle's wheels, but can be used with the floor jack oriented in any orientation relative to the orientation of the vehicle.
The present invention relates to vehicle jacks and particularly to a hydraulic floor jack with an integrated support. The floor jack of the present invention can be used with the floor jack oriented in any orientation relative to the orientation of a vehicle to be raised.
Embodiments of a hydraulic floor jack of the present invention comprise a plurality of wheels coupled to a frame and engaging a support surface such that the frame is suspended above the support surface, whereby the hydraulic floor jack is able to roll along the support surface. A pair of spaced linear racks are disposed substantially parallel to each other and are hingedly coupled to the frame. The linear racks are interconnected via a support oriented substantially orthogonal to the linear racks. A biasing mechanism is coupled to the frame such that the biasing mechanism engages the support and linear rack assembly to maintain the support in a disengaged position in which the support remains suspended above the support surface, whereby the hydraulic floor jack remains free to roll along the support surface, both for positioning the floor jack under the vehicle and while a vehicle is being raised.
Each linear rack has a slide structure that is slideably mounted on the rack. Each of a pair of connecting arms is hingedly coupled to each slide structure, and also hingedly coupled to a lift arm of the hydraulic floor jack, such that the slide structures slide along the linear racks in response to the lift arm being raised or lowered.
A pair of pawls is interconnected via a pawl connector and each pawl is hingedly coupled to a slide structure. The pawls are configured to successively engage teeth of the racks as the slide structures slide along the racks in response to the lift arm being raised.
A pawl release mechanism is coupled to the pawl structure, whereby a user may disengage the pawls from the teeth, while in a disengaged position, thereby allowing the slide structures to slide freely along the racks in response to the lift arm being lowered. While the pawl release mechanism is in an engaged position, a downward force from the weight of a vehicle suspended by the lift arm is transmitted through the connecting arms and the slide structures to the pawls, such that the pawls engage teeth of the racks. In response, the racks rotate downward with respect to the frame, overcoming the biasing mechanism, to an engaged position, whereby the support is moved to contact the support surface in response to a user releasing the hydraulic fluid pressure of the hydraulic floor jack. The vehicle may thereby be raised and lowered with the hydraulic floor jack being oriented along any orientation with respect to the orientation of the vehicle.
Alternative embodiments comprise only one linear rack, with only one corresponding slide structure, connecting arm, and pawl. Principles of operation of a hydraulic floor jack comprising only one linear rack are the same as those for embodiments described above having two linear racks.
A method of use of a hydraulic floor jack with an integrated support is also disclosed.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the Figures, and:
As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to vehicle jacks and particularly to a hydraulic floor jack with an integrated support. The floor jack of the present invention can be used with the floor jack oriented in any orientation relative to the orientation of a vehicle to be raised.
Referring to the Figures,
In some embodiments, the frame 14 may comprise substantially parallel spaced first and second side members 4 and 6 that are coupled together via at least one cross member 8. The at least one cross member 8 may be oriented substantially orthogonally to first and second side members 4 and 6. First and second side members 4 and 6 and the at least one cross member 8 may be formed from iron, such as angle iron, that is welded, bolted, or otherwise coupled together. The frame 14 may further comprises a plurality of wheels 12 operationally coupled to the frame 14, wherein the plurality of wheels 12 supports the frame 14 and engages a support surface 16, such as the ground, and supports the frame 14 such that the frame 14 does not contact the support surface 16.
Although the frame 14, as shown in the figures, comprises spaced first and second side members 4 and 6 that are coupled together via at least one cross member 8, this is not intended to be limiting. The frame 14 may comprise any of a single member or a plurality of a variety of members, or any combination thereof, configured in a manner that is consistent with the functions of a frame 14 of a floor jack 10.
In some embodiments, the lift structure may comprise a lift arm 38 with a lower end thereof hingedly coupled to the frame 14 and an upper end thereof hingedly coupled to a saddle 54 that is configured to engage a vehicle. A secondary arm 56 is similarly coupled to the frame 14 and to the saddle 54, such that the secondary arm 56 is substantially parallel to the lift arm 38. The lift arm 38, the secondary arm 56, the saddle 54, and the frame 14, together form a parallel four-bar linkage that maintains the upper surface of the saddle 54 substantially horizontal while in any position within its range of motion. The lift arm 38 may rotate with respect to the frame 14 to any position between a lowered position, as shown in
The lift arm 38 may be raised by means of a hydraulic unit 58, or the like, such as is commonly used in hydraulic floor jacks. In embodiments, the hydraulic unit 58 may be operationally coupled to the frame 14 and to the lift arm 38 to raise the lift arm 38, as shown in
In some embodiments, the support mechanism may comprise a pair of spaced first and second linear racks 18 and 20, disposed substantially parallel to each other, each linear rack 18 and 20 having opposed first and second ends 64 and 66, the first ends 64 thereof being coupled to a support 22. The support 22 may be disposed substantially orthogonal to the linear racks 18 and 20 to act as a cross member to maintain the substantially parallel spacing of the linear racks 18 and 20, the support 22 being configured to engage the support surface 16 while the floor jack 10 is in a loaded position, as shown in
In embodiments, each of the linear racks 18 and 20 has an array of teeth 68. Although each of the linear racks 18 and 20 shown has an array of teeth 68, this is not intended to be limiting. Each of the linear racks 18 and 20 may alternatively have an array of apertures, recesses, indentations, or other means of successive engagement with a pawl, or the like.
Each of the linear racks 18 and 20 may be hingedly coupled to the frame 14, such that the support 22 may rotate between an engaged position, as shown in
In embodiments, the support mechanism further may further comprise a first and second slide structure 28 and 30, each slide structure 28 and 30 overlying and being slideably mounted to one of the first and second linear racks 18 and 20, respectively. The support mechanism may further comprise a pair of connecting arms 32, each connecting arm 32 having opposed first and second ends 34 and 36. The first end 34 of each connecting arm 32 may be pivotally coupled to the lift arm 38 and each second end 36 may be pivotally coupled to one of the first and second slide structures 28 and 30, respectively, whereby the connecting arms 32 act to slide the slide structures 28 and 30 backward along the linear racks 18 and 20 as the lift arm 38 is being raised, and act to slide the slide structures 28 and 30 forward along the linear racks 18 and 20 as the lift arm 38 is being lowered.
In embodiments, each of the first and second slide structures 28 and 30 may contain one of a first and second pawl 42 and 44, respectively, hingedly coupled to the slide structures 28 and 30. The first and second pawls 42 and 44 may be coupled together by a pawl connector 46 to form a pawl structure 40. The pawl connector 46 may be essentially U-shaped, having a crossover bar and a pair of side arms extending downward therefrom, each of the pair of side arms being coupled one of the first and second pawls 42 and 44, respectively. Each of the first and second pawls 42 and 44 may be configured within the first and second slide structures 28 and 30, respectively, to engage the teeth 68 of the linear racks 18 and 20 in concert with each other, such that the slide structures 28 and 30, the connecting arms 32, the lift arm 38 and the saddle 54 are held securely in a fixed position relative to the frame 14 in response to a downward force of the vehicle, while in a loaded position, as shown in
In an embodiment of the present invention the support 22 remains suspended above the support surface 16 while the vehicle is being raised from a lowered position, as shown in
Once the user raises the vehicle to the desired height, the user may release the fluid pressure of the hydraulic unit 58. The downward force of the vehicle on the saddle 54, due to the weight of the vehicle, may then be transmitted through the lift arm 38 and the connecting arms 32, through the pawls 42 and 44 to the linear racks 18 and 20, thereby overcoming the springs 24, or other upwardly biasing mechanisms 24, to move the support 22 downward to engage the support surface 16, such that the floor jack 10 is unable to roll, and the vehicle may thereby be safely secured in its loaded position, as shown in
To lower the vehicle, the user may then lock the hydraulic fluid pressure of the hydraulic unit 58 and pump the handle 60 to raise the saddle 54, thereby releasing the support 22 from the support surface 16 and allowing the floor jack 10 to roll again. The pawls 42 and 44 may be disengaged from the teeth 68 of the linear racks 18 and 20 by any of a variety of pawl retention mechanisms known by a person of skill in the art. For example, a lever 52 may be coupled to one of the first or second pawls 42 or 44. A cable 70, or the like, may be strung from an outer end of the lever 52, through an eyelet mounted to the frame 14 proximate the socket 62, to a latch mechanism coupled to the handle 60 at a location on the handle 60 that is convenient to the user. The user may pull the cable 70, which in turn pulls the lever 52 to disengage the pawls 42 and 44 from the teeth 68 of the linear racks 18 and 20. The latch mechanism may be used to secure the pawls 42 and 44 in a disengaged position. The user may then lower the vehicle by releasing the fluid pressure of the hydraulic unit 58, thereby allowing the weight of the vehicle and gravity to lower the saddle 54 and the lift arm 38. The slide structures 28 and 30 are thereby able to slide freely along the linear racks 18 and 20 because the pawls 42 and 44 are disengaged from the teeth 68 of the linear racks 18 and 20. Releasing the cable latch mechanism may allow the pawls 42 and 44 to engage the teeth 68 of the linear racks 18 and 20 again for raising the vehicle.
In some embodiments, the cable 70 may comprise a spring 72 that is stretched when the user pulls the cable 70 while the floor jack 10 is in a loaded position, as shown in
Although embodiments of a hydraulic floor jack 10, as described above, comprise two linear racks 18 and 20, this is not intended to be limiting. In some embodiments, a hydraulic floor jack 10 comprises only one linear rack, with only one corresponding slide structure, connecting arm, and pawl. In embodiments with only one linear rack, the linear rack may be disposed longitudinally between the pair of side members 4 and 6 of the frame 14, or it may be disposed along the outside of the frame 14 along either of the pair of side members 4 and 6. Embodiments may comprise only one linear rack, or two linear racks, or more than two linear racks, with a suitable number of slide structures, connecting arms, and pawls, corresponding to the number of liner racks, accordingly. Principles of operation of a hydraulic floor jack 10 comprising only one linear rack, or more than two linear racks, are the same as those for embodiments disclosed above having two linear racks 18 and 20.
The method of use of a hydraulic floor jack may further comprise: locking the hydraulic fluid pressure again; using the handle to raise the vehicle; setting the pawl release mechanism to a disengaged position, wherein the biasing mechanism returns the support to an unloaded position; and releasing the hydraulic fluid pressure, whereby a downward force from the weight of the vehicle lowers the lift arm, wherein the slide structure is allowed to freely slide along the linear rack.
It is an advantage of the method of use, as depicted in
The components defining any floor jack with an integrated jack stand may be formed of any of many different types of materials or combinations thereof that can readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the components selected are consistent with the intended operation of a floor jack with an integrated jack stand. For example, the components may be formed of: rubbers (synthetic and/or natural) and/or other like materials; glasses (such as fiberglass) carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; polymers such as thermoplastics (such as ABS, Fluoropolymers, Polyacetal, Polyamide; Polycarbonate, Polyethylene, Polysulfone, and/or the like), thermosets (such as Epoxy, Phenolic Resin, Polyimide, Polyurethane, Silicone, and/or the like), any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; composites and/or other like materials; metals, such as zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper, iron, steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel, aluminum, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; alloys, such as aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, magnesium alloy, copper alloy, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; any other suitable material; and/or any combination thereof.
Furthermore, the components defining any floor jack with an integrated jack stand may be purchased pre-manufactured or manufactured separately and then assembled together. However, any or all of the components may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another. Manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously may involve extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, casting, forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting, punching, plating, and/or the like. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they may then be coupled with one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, a weld, a fastener (e.g. a bolt, a nut, a screw, a nail, a rivet, a pin, and/or the like), wiring, sewing, any combination thereof, and/or the like for example, depending on, among other considerations, the particular material forming the components. Other possible steps might include sand blasting, polishing, powder coating, zinc plating, anodizing, hard anodizing, and/or painting the components for example.
The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit and scope of the forthcoming claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application to Raul Tijerina entitled “FLOOR JACK WITH INEGRATED SUPPORT AND METHOD OF USE,” Ser. No. 62/767,669, filed Nov. 15, 2018, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62767669 | Nov 2018 | US |
