Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6244390
-
Patent Number
6,244,390
-
Date Filed
Thursday, September 2, 199925 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, June 12, 200123 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Kramer; Dean J.
- Chin; Paul T.
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 187 205
- 187 208
- 187 211
- 187 215
- 187 216
- 187 218
- 187 219
- 187 269
- 187 210
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A lift for a vehicle comprising a displaceable support device moveable between a first inground position to a second above ground position for supporting the vehicle, scissor mechanism associated with the displaceable support device for lifting the displaceable support structure and the vehicle, support frame member disposed inground, the scissor mechanism contained in the support frame member where the displaceable support device moves between the first and second positions.
Description
DESCRIPTION
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates generally to a lift for a vehicle and particularly relates to an inground lift and more specifically relates to an inground lift with a receptacle for housing the lift mechanism which includes scissor arm assemblies.
2. Background Art
There have been a wide variety of lifts which have been heretofore manufactured and designed to raise and lower vehicles from the ground to permit working on said vehicles. Such lifts can include either two post or four posts or scissor lifts.
Generally speaking many of these lifts have been designed to be disposed above ground, that is such post and scissor mechanisms have been located above ground when they are in their collapsed position permitting a vehicle to be driven thereon as well as their extended lift position.
There have been a variety of attempts to include lifting mechanisms below or inground.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,147 relates to a jacking device used for lifting a motor vehicle when repairing it and includes at least one jack installed in a floor pit and at least two horizontally spaced apart parallel pairs of links designed for simultaneous movement along two parallel vertical planes respectively.
Another arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,179 which relates to a lifting hoist for motor vehicles where the hoist includes a pit having a foundation, side walls and end walls; lifting cylinder means comprising at least one hollow lifting cylinder mounted in the pit and adapted to hold the motor vehicle carrying apparatus on the upper end thereof, the interior of the lifting cylinder being opened to pressurized fluid, the top end of the cylinder being sealed by a cover plate, and a high pressure unit for providing pressurized oil to the lifting means.
Yet another arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,733,777 which illustrates a lifting mechanism comprising a base having means whereby it may be mounted on the upper end of the moveable element of the lifting mechanism, tiltable load supporting members mounted on the base adjacent the respective ends thereof on substantially pivotal axis, each load supporting member having a part extending below the pivotal axis thereof, a connecting member mounted on the base for movement above a vertical axis below the ends thereof, elongated rigid members pivotally connected with the vertical axis and pivotally connected with the downwardly extending parts of the respective load supporting members.
Yet another arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,951 which relates to an elevator type storage structure for storing objects received at access level at a vertically spaced storage level.
Furthermore U.S. Pat. No. 5,450,928 shows a lift used for maintenance and repair of automobiles.
Finally an organization identified as “Rotary Lift” from Madison, Ind. manufactures inground lifts having a receptacle below ground sold under the trademark “ROTARY” as model number SL9.
Such prior art devices present relatively complicated structures. Moreover there is a need for a reliable inground scissor mechanism lift which is easier to construct and more reliable and stable.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
It is an aspect of this invention to provide a lift for a vehicle comprising a displaceable support means moveable between a first inground position to a second above ground position for supporting said vehicle; scissor means associated with said displaceable support means for lifting said displaceable support means and said vehicle.
It is a further aspect of this invention to provide an inground lift for lifting a vehicle comprising support frame means adapted to be disposed in a pit; displaceable support means co-operating with said support frame means and moveable between a first inground position to a second support position so as to lift said vehicle; scissor means associated with said displaceable support means for moving said displaceable support means and said vehicle from said first position to said second support position.
It is a further aspect of this invention to provide an inground lift for lifting a vehicle comprising a pit in the ground; a receptacle disposed within said pit and having an upper end substantially level with said ground; an upper stationary support frame fixedly secured to said upper end of said receptacle, and presenting two spaced guide bushings; a lower support frame moveable within said receptacle; an upper and lower pair of scissor assemblies disposed between said stationary support frame and said moveable support frame; each of said upper pair of scissor assemblies comprising first and second arms pivotally connected generally between their ends; said first scissor arm having an upper end slideably secured to said stationary support frame; said second scissor arm having an upper end slideably secured to said stationary support frame; each of said lower pair of scissor arm assemblies comprising first and second scissor arms pivotally connected generally between their ends; said first scissor arm having a lower end slideably secured to said moveable support frame; said second scissor arm having a lower end slideably secured to said moveable support frame; said lower ends of said first and second arms of said upper pair of scissor assemblies pivotally connected to the upper arms of said first and second arms of said lower pair of scissor arm assemblies; a pair of support columns, each said support column having one end secured to said lower moveable support frame and an upper end slideably received by said guide bushings; a hydraulic cylinder having one end connected to one of said first and second scissor arms of said upper pair of scissor arm assemblies and the other end connected to one of said first and second scissor arms of said lower pair of scissor arm assemblies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of the inground lift in a first inground or inoperable position.
FIG. 2
is a perspective view of the inground lift in an operable or above ground position.
FIG. 3
is a perspective view of the support column.
FIG. 4
is a bottom plan view of the support column.
FIG. 5
is a side view of the support column where the support column has been truncated..
FIG. 6
is a top plan view of the support column.
FIG. 7
is a side elevational view of the inground lift in the inground position.
FIG. 8
is a top plan view of the inground lift.
FIG. 9
is an end elevational view of the inground lift in a lowered position.
FIG. 10
is another side elevational view of the inground lift in a lowered position.
FIG. 11
is a top plan view of FIG.
10
.
FIG. 12
is an end view of FIG.
10
.
FIG. 13
is a perspective view of the receptacle.
FIG. 14
is a perspective view of the arms.
FIGS. 15 and 16
is a top and side elevational view of the safety locking mechanism.
FIG. 17
is a side elevational view of the inground lift in a raised position.
FIG. 18
is a top plan view of FIG.
17
.
FIG. 19
is an end view of FIG.
17
.
FIG. 20
is a further perspective view of the lifting mechanism in a lowered position.
FIG. 21
is a further perspective view of the lifting mechanism in a raised position.
In the drawings preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood that the description and the drawings are only for the purpose of illustration and as an aid to understanding and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
In the description which follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same respective reference numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and in some instances proportions may have been exaggerated in order to more clearly depict certain features of the invention.
FIG. 1
generally illustrates a lift in a first inground position (i.e. the lifting arms
180
are sufficiently close to the ground to permit a vehicle to be driven over) while
FIG. 2
illustrates the lift
10
in a second operable or above ground position. The lift
10
includes displaceable support means
12
which generally comprise a pair of support columns
14
and
16
which are adapted to lift and support a vehicle when the inground lift
10
is in a second operable position as shown in FIG.
2
. The support columns
14
and
16
illustrated in the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
have a generally rectangular cross-section as shown in
FIGS. 3
,
4
,
5
and
6
. In particular the support column comprises a hollow square tube having the appropriate strength characteristics for lifting a vehicle; and by way of example only the square stock of tube shown in
FIG. 6
can comprise a square tube which is 5½ inches by 5½ inches by ⅜ inch thick tube, having sufficient length to be lifted out of an inground pit. One end of the tube has a plate
17
welded thereto, with four anchoring holes
19
. Although the support columns
14
and
16
may have any number of cross-sections such as circular, triangular or the like, it has been found that by utilizing a square or triangular cross-section the lift
10
exhibits favourable rigidity characteristics which resists swaying of the columns relative the lift
10
. In other words the square or rectangular cross-section of the columns exhibit favourable moment of inertia which resist bending. The support columns
14
and
16
are adapted to be slidingly received within guide means
18
. The guide means
18
depicted in the figures generally consists of plate
21
having a hole
23
which has a cross-section adapted to receive the cross-section of the support columns
14
and
16
. In other words, the hole
23
is also square. The four corners of the square hold can be fitted with bushing material
20
such as polyethylene to co-axially slidingly receive the support columns
14
and
16
. In particular the bushing
20
slidingly receive and guide the support columns
14
and
16
their movement from the first stored or inoperable position shown in
FIG. 1
to the second operable or lifting position shown in FIG.
2
. The bushing materials also reduces friction, and may be replaced if worn, as they are attached to the plate
21
in an appropriate fashion such as bolts or the like. Alternatively, the support columns
14
and
16
may be telescopingly received by square tubes (not shown) which are slightly larger to telescopingly receive the support columns
14
and
16
with the bushing material
20
placed between the support columns
14
and
16
and the said square tubes (not shown).
The columns
14
and
16
are generally comprised of suitable material such as steel or the like. The guide plate
18
may be bolted to the upper frame structure while upper plates
19
may also be fastened to the upper frame structure by welding or bolts.
The lift
10
also includes support frame means generally depicted by
30
which consists of an upper inner or stationary inner support frame
32
and a lower inner or moveable inner frame
34
. Each inner support frame
32
and
34
may consist of a variety of configurations but in the figures consist of a pair of spaced apart channel iron
36
and
38
spaced and connected together by connecting channel irons
40
,
42
,
44
and
46
as illustrated in
FIGS. 1
and
2
. The plates
21
are disposed and firmly secured to the irons
36
,
38
,
40
and
42
as well as
36
,
38
,
44
and
46
respectively, by means of welding, bolts
5
or the like. The support frame means
30
also includes upper outer stationary frame
33
and lower outer stationary frame
35
which are jointed to the upper outer stationary frame
33
by means of connecting frame structure
37
.
Scissor means generally illustrated as
50
are associated with the displaceable support means
12
. In the embodiment to be described herein there are a pair of scissors as best seen in
FIG. 11
, one on each side of the cylinder
90
. However, in the remaining views only one scissor is shown for the sake of clarity, although the second scissor is a mirror image of the scissor shown. More specifically the scissor means
50
comprise a first or upper pair of scissor assemblies
52
and a second or lower pair of scissor assemblies
54
all of which is more precisely illustrated in FIG.
7
. The first pair of scissor assemblies
52
are spaced apart and disposed on either side of the channel irons
36
and
38
. The second or lower pair of scissor assemblies
54
are disposed on either side of the channel irons
36
and
38
.
The first or upper pair of scissor assemblies
52
and the second or lower pair of scissor assemblies
54
are disposed between the stationary support frame
32
and the moveable support frame
34
.
Each of the first or upper pair of scissor assemblies
52
comprise first and second arms
56
and
58
pivotally connected at
60
by means of pins or the like generally between their ends. The first upper scissor arm
56
has an upper end
62
slideably secured to the stationary support frame
32
. The second scissor arm
58
has an upper end
64
slideably secured to the stationary support frame
32
. In one embodiment upper end
60
and
64
includes rollers
66
adapted for slidable moveable displacement within the channel iron
36
as illustrated in FIG.
10
.
Each of the second pair of scissor arm assemblies
54
include a first and second arm
68
and
70
pivotally connected at
72
between their ends. The first scissor arm
68
has lower end
74
slideably secured to the moveable support frame
34
. The second scissor arm
70
has a lower end
78
slideably secured to the moveable support frame
34
. In one embodiment lower end
74
and
78
include rollers
80
adapted to be received for slidable movement within the channel iron
36
.
Alternatively, the upper end
62
of first upper scissor arm
56
could be pivotally attached to the stationary support frame
32
, and the lower end
78
of scissor arm
68
pivotally connected to moveable support frame
34
; with the upper end
64
of second scissor arm
58
and lower end
78
of second scissor arm
70
slideably secured to channel iron
36
.
The lower ends
82
and
84
of the first or upper scissor arms
56
and
58
respectively are pivotally connected to the upper arms
86
and
88
of second and first scissor arms of lower scissor arm assemblies
54
.
The inground lift also includes a hydraulic cylinder
90
having one end
91
secured to one of the upper arms
56
and the other end to one of the arms
68
of lower scissor arm assemblies
54
. When the hydraulic cylinder
90
is activated by hydraulic or pneumatic means in a manner well known to those persons skilled in the art where the device
10
moves from the stored or inground position to the operable lifting position shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, respectively. In other words the hydraulic cylinder
90
pulls the various arms of the scissor assemblies together in a manner whereby the linkages articulate and compress to the structure shown in FIG.
2
. The hydraulic cylinder
90
is pivotally attached at one end
91
to the upper end
62
of upper arm
56
and at the lower end
93
to the lower end
78
of arm
70
. Alternatively, the lower end
93
of cylinder
90
could be attached to the upper portion of scissor arm
68
, while the upper end
91
of cylinder could be attached to the stationary frame
32
.
The device
10
also includes a receptacle
100
which contains all of the components referred to above and is best shown in FIG.
13
. The receptacle
100
is adapted to be placed within a pit
102
dug in the ground. The pit
102
will receive the receptacle so that the upper end of the receptacle
106
is substantially in line or level with the top of the ground. The top of the ground in most cases will be a concrete floor whether located in a garage or the like such that an automobile may drive over the receptacle with the inground lift in its inground or inoperable position. The receptacle
100
is environmentally friendly as it prevents seepage of any hydraulic or pneumatic fluid that may leak from the device and prevent same from infiltrating into the ground and cause an environmental hazard.
As best seen in
FIGS. 1 and 2
the top ends of the support columns
120
and
122
each include vehicle engaging means
124
which generally comprise support arms
180
mounted by pivot pins
182
. The pivot pins
182
are shaped to support a cantilevered load at the end of the support arms
180
. Each support arm
180
comprises an inner moveable bar section
183
and an outer section
184
. The outer section has gear teeth attached to it in the vicinity of and co-axially with the pivot pin
182
to permit the outer sections
184
to be rotated about pin
182
to adjust the arms
180
properly below the vehicle. Thereafter locking means
185
having locking teeth
187
may be dropped to engage the gear teeth within outer sections
184
and lock the arms
180
, when the lift
10
is used to lift the vehicle for servicing. Once service of the vehicle is completed, the lift can be lowered and the locking handle
189
lifted to disengage locking teeth
187
from the gear teeth to permit rotation of the arms
184
.
Each of the outer end of each arm
180
may include a pair of support pads that may be adjusted so as to properly support and lift a vehicle driven thereon.
The inground lift also includes a safety locking feature to be described herein. More particularly the inground lift
10
includes vertically disposed locking bars
130
including a plurality of angled teeth
132
which are adapted to mesh with a pawl or extension
134
. In the embodiment disclosed in
FIG. 15
two locking bars
130
are utilized one of which is attached to one side of the channel iron
36
with the other bar
130
attached to the other side of the channel iron
38
, as best seen in FIG.
1
. The lower portion of the locking bars
130
are attached to the lower outer frame structure
35
as best seen in FIG.
2
.
Each of the pawls
134
are adapted for horizontal slidable movement in the direction of arrows A and B as shown in FIG.
15
. The pawls
134
each have an extension
135
which are adapted to contact a spring or piston to bias the locking teeth
134
with the angled teeth
132
of bars
130
.
As the lift
10
is raised the pawls attached to the moveable frame
34
slide away from the angled teeth
132
to permit the lift
10
to be raised. While lifting the extensions
135
move against the biasing frame of the spring or cylinder (not shown) and snap or spring back against the angled teeth to produce an audible click. In an emerging situation such as a sudden loss of pressure to the cylinder
90
the lift
10
is prevented from dropping because of the engagement of the pawl
134
with the angled teeth
132
. When lowering the lift
10
the pawls are disengaged from the angled teeth by the extensions
135
attached to the pawls
134
in the direction of arrows A and B, by means of hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders or the like.
Accordingly, in operation a vehicle may be driven over the inground lift when the lift is in the inground or stored position as shown in FIG.
1
. Thereafter the appropriate supporting arms may be adjusted under the vehicle so that when the hydraulic cylinder
90
is activated the scissors move from that position shown in
FIG. 1
to the lift position shown in
FIG. 2
so as to raise the vehicle to be worked on. Thereafter the lift may be lowered in the fashion described.
The inground lift described herein provides a safe environmentally friendly lift which can be easily and quickly returned to the stored position thereby providing ample space in a garage for movement thereabout.
The lift is generally constructed of steel or the like having the appropriate strength characteristics and the various parts may be bolted or welded together. Furthermore the structure as shown herein exhibits superb stability features.
Various embodiments of the invention have now been described in detail. Since changes in and/or additions to the above-described best mode may be made without departing from the nature, spirit or scope of the invention, the invention is not to be limited to said details.
Although the preferred embodiment as well as the operation and use have been specifically described in relation to the drawings, it should be understood that variations in the preferred embodiment could be achieved by a person skilled in the trade without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed herein.
Claims
- 1. A lift for a vehicle comprising:(a) a displaceable support means moveable between a first inground position to a second above ground position for supporting said vehicle; (b) scissor means associated with said displaceable support means for lifting said displaceable support means and said vehicle; (c) support frame means disposed inground, said support frame means including a stationary support frame means and a moveable support frame means disposed below said stationary support frame, said scissor means having one end connected to said stationary support means and another end connected to said moveable support means for moving said displaceable support means between said first and second positions.
- 2. A lift as claimed in claim 1 including guide means adapted to be disposed inground for guiding said displaceable support means.
- 3. A life as claimed in claim 2 wherein said support frame means presents said guide means.
- 4. A lift as claimed in claim 3 further including an enclosure disposed inground for receiving said displaceable support means, support frame means, scissor means and guide means.
- 5. An inground lift for lifting a vehicle comprising:(a) support frame means adapted to be disposed in a pit said support frame means including a stationary support frame and a moveable support frame means disposed below said stationary frame; (b) displaceable support means co-operating with said stationary and moveable support frame means and moveable between a first inground position to a second support position so as to lift said vehicle; (c) scissor means associated with said displaceable support means for moving said displaceable support means and said vehicle from said first position to said second support position; (d) said scissor means connected at one end to said stationary support means and connected at another end to said moveable support means for moving said displaceable means between said positions.
- 6. An inground lift for a vehicle comprising:(a) support frame means adapted to be disposed in a pit; (b) displaceable support means co-operating with said support frame means and moveable between a first inground position to a second support position so as to lift said vehicle; (c) scissor means associated with said displaceable support means for moving said displaceable support means and said vehicle from said first position to said second support position; (d) said support frame comprising: (i) a stationary support frame; and (ii) a moveable support frame disposed below said stationary support frame.
- 7. An inground lift as claimed in claim 6 wherein said displaceable support means comprises displaceable column means.
- 8. An inground lift as claimed in claim 7 wherein one end of said displaceable column means is fixedly secured to said moveable support frame and said other end of said column means is displaceable relative said stationary support frame.
- 9. An inground lift as claimed in claim 8 wherein said stationary support means includes guide means for guiding said displaceable column means.
- 10. An inground lift as claimed in claim 9 wherein said guide means comprises a bushing adapted to slideably receive said displaceable column means.
- 11. An inground lift as claimed in claim 10 wherein said stationary support means presents bushings and said displaceable column means comprises two square columns slideably received by said bushings respectively, for movement between said inground position to a second support position so as to lift said vehicle.
- 12. An inground lift as claimed in claim 11 wherein said scissor means comprises:(a) a first and second pair of scissor assemblies disposed between said stationary support frame and said moveable support frame; (b) each of said first pair of scissor assemblies comprising: (i) first and second arms pivotally connected between their ends; (ii) said first scissor arm having an upper end slideably secured to said stationary support frame; (iii) said second scissor arm having an upper end slideably secured to said stationary support frame; (c) each of said second pair of scissor arm assemblies comprising: (i) first and second arms pivotally connected generally between their ends; (ii) said first scissor arm having a lower arm end slideably secured to said moveable support frame; (iii) said second scissor arm having a lower arm slideably secured to said moveable support frame; (d) said lower ends of said first and second arms of said first pair of scissor assemblies pivotally connected to the upper ends of said first and second arms of said second pair of scissor arm assemblies.
- 13. An inground lift as claimed in claim 12 further including actuating means for moving said first and second pair of scissor assemblies between said first inground position to said second support position.
- 14. An inground lift as claimed in claim 13 further including an enclosure adapted to be disposed inground; said enclosure for housing said support frame means, displaceable support means, and scissor means.
- 15. An inground lift as claimed in claim 14 wherein said enclosure prevents seepage of fluid from said enclosure to said ground.
- 16. An inground lift as claimed in claim 12 including actuating means comprising a hydraulic cylinder(a) having one end connected to said first pair of scissor assemblies, (b) another end connected to one of said first or second scissor arms of said second pair of scissor arm assemblies.
- 17. An inground lift for lifting a vehicle comprising:(a) a pit in the ground; (b) a receptacle disposed within said pit and having an upper end substantially level with said ground; (c) an upper stationary support frame fixedly secured to said upper end of said receptacle, and presenting two spaced guide bushings; (d) a lower support frame moveable within said receptacle; (e) an upper and lower pair of scissor assemblies disposed between said stationary support frame and said moveable support frame; (f) each of said upper pair of scissor assemblies comprising: (i) first and second arms pivotally connected generally between their ends; (ii) said first scissor arm having an upper end slideably secured to said stationary support frame; (iii) said second scissor arm having an upper end slideably secured to said stationary support frame; (g) each of said lower pair of scissor arm assemblies comprising: (i) first and second scissor arms pivotally connected generally between their ends; (ii) said first scissor arm having a lower end slideably secured to said moveable support frame; (iii) said second scissor arm having a lower end slideably secured to said moveable support frame; (h) said lower ends of said first and second arms of said upper pair of scissor assemblies pivotally connected to the upper arms of said first and second arms of said lower pair of scissor arm assemblies; (i) a pair of support columns, each said support column having one end secured to said lower moveable support frame and an upper end slideably received by said guide bushings; a hydraulic cylinder having one end connected to one of said first and second scissor arms of said upper pair of scissor arm assemblies and the other end connected to one of said first and second scissor arms of said lower pair of scissor arm assemblies.
- 18. An inground lift as claimed in claim 17 wherein said receptacle is leak proof.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
2281260 |
Aug 1999 |
CA |
|
US Referenced Citations (18)