Patent Application
20170029254
It is desirable to lift vehicles for numerous reasons—in order to repair the vehicle or for storage purposes, for example. Many lifts are designed for use with two-axel, four-wheeled vehicles, where the lift can support the weight of the vehicle by its position under the wheels of the vehicle, under the axels, or both. Lifts are also needed for other types of vehicles, such as snowmobiles and watercraft. However, these vehicles present unique lifting challenges, specifically where the vehicles do not have wheels or axels.
The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify critical elements of the invention or to limit the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description presented below.
In one embodiment, a device for lifting a small vehicle having a frame and a hood includes a lifting mechanism configured to move a platform from a lowered position to a raised position; and a saddle configured to attach to the platform. The saddle has a top plate having a front side and a back side, opposed first and second side plates extending vertically in a first direction from the top plate between the front side and the back side, and a lip extending vertically in a second direction from the top plate back side. At least one supporting member extending outwardly from the top plate front side. An elbow has a first portion releasably coupled to the supporting member, and a second portion extending upwardly from the first portion. Finally, a hook is disposed on a threaded handle, the handle being attached to the second portion of the elbow and configured to move between a lowered position and raised position. The lip engages with a back portion of the frame of the vehicle, and the hook fastens to a portion of the hood such that the top plate substantially supports the weight of the vehicle when the platform is in the raised position.
In another embodiment, a device for lifting a vehicle includes a lifting mechanism configured to move a platform from a lowered position to a raised position; and a saddle removably attached to the platform. The saddle has a top plate with a front side and a back side, and the back side has a lip extending upwardly therefrom. At least one supporting member extends horizontally from the top plate front side, an elbow is releasably coupled to the supporting member; and a hook is disposed on a handle attached to the elbow. The handle is configured to move between a lowered position and raised position. The lip engages with a back portion of the frame of the vehicle, and the hook fastens to a portion of the hood such that the top plate substantially supports the weight of the vehicle when the lifting mechanism is in the raised position.
In yet another embodiment, a method for lifting a small vehicle comprises the steps of: providing a vehicle having a frame and a hood; providing a lifting device in a lowered position, the lifting device being equipped with a saddle; positioning the lifting device under the vehicle such that the lip engages a portion of the vehicle frame; adjusting the hook to engage a portion of the hood of the vehicle; and causing the lifting mechanism to move from the lowered position to a raised position. The saddle has a top plate having a lip formed thereon; at least one supporting member extending outwardly from the top plate; an elbow adjustably coupled to the supporting member; and a hook disposed on a handle attached to the elbow, the handle being configured to translate between a lowered position and a raised position.
Non-traditional vehicles such as snowmobiles present unique lifting challenges. For example, while it may be acceptable to lift a four-wheeled vehicle by supporting the wheels of the vehicle, snowmobiles do not have wheels, but rather a single track running along a length of the snowmobile. It is not ideal to store a snowmobile on its track, as it is particularly prone to damage if the weight of the snowmobile is supported on the track for an extended duration. Additionally, storing the snowmobile on its tracks may cause damage to the suspension. Moreover, should the tracks need to be removed to complete work on the snowmobile or the tracks, traditional lifts are not configured to support the snowmobile. Other non-traditional vehicles, such as watercraft may similarly benefit from specialized vehicle lifts.
Embodiments of non-traditional vehicle lifts are described herein. With reference to
The saddle 100 may include a plate portion 101, supporting members 112 and 114, an elbow 116, and a hook 120. The saddle 100 may be configured to attach to the jack 10 such that the jack 10 may support a non-traditional vehicle. In one embodiment, the saddle 100 may include a top plate 102 having a front side 102a and a back side 102b. The top plate 102 is disposed between two opposing side plates 104a and 104b. The opposing side plates 104a and 104b may extend downwardly from the top plate 102. The backside 102b of the top plate 102 may be tapered toward the center of the plate 102, culminating in a lip 106 which may extend upwardly from the backside 102b of the top plate 102 as shown in the figures. As described in greater detail below, the lip 106 may be configured to engage with the frame of the vehicle to support the vehicle in a lifted position.
The opposing side plates 104a and 104b may have holes 110 drilled therein for attaching the saddle 100 to the jack 10. Accordingly, the jack 10 may have corresponding holes 20. To attach the saddle 100 to the jack 10, the holes 110 in the saddle 100 are matched up with the holes 20 in the jack 10. Mechanical fasteners 110 may be selectively received through the holes 108 in the saddle 100 and the holes 20 in the jack 10 to secure the saddle 100 to the jack 10. Acceptable mechanical fasteners may include, but are not limited to nuts and bolts, screws, bolt and cotter pins, rivets, clamps, et cetera.
The top plate 102 may be positioned atop support members 112 and 114. Support members 112 and 114 may each include a distal end 112a and 114a and a proximal end 112b and 114b. The distal end 112a of the support member 112 may be located near the back side 102b of the top plate 102 and may extend outwardly therefrom toward the front side 102a of the top plate 102. The proximal end 112b of the support member 112 may further extend outwardly from the front side 120a of the top plate 102.
Proximal ends 114b of the support members 114 may bisect the support member 112 between the distal end 112a and the proximal end 112b. The distal ends 114a of the support members 114 may be respectively located near the tapered portion of the back side 102b of the top plate 102.
The support members 114 may be adhered to the support member 112 using any appropriate method, including but not limited to welding, chemical bonding, mechanical fastening, et cetera. Similarly, the top plate 102 may be adhered to the support members 112 and 114 using similar methods. It will be understood by those of skill in the art that the method selected for attaching the support members 114 to the support member 112 does not have to be the same method selected for attaching the support members 112 and 114 to the top plate 102.
The proximal end 112b of the support member 112 may be configured to be received by the elbow 116. The elbow 116 may have a hole formed therein configured to receive a screw knob 118 for securing the elbow 116 to the support member 112. As is described more particularly below, to facilitate various lengths of vehicles, the proximal end 112b of the support member 112 may have several apertures 113 (
As mentioned above, a hook 120 may be provided to further support the vehicle when in a raised position by engaging the nose of the vehicle. The hook 120 may be secured to the elbow 116 via a bracket 124 and threaded handle 122. The bracket 124 may be attached to the elbow 116, (for example, via nuts and bolts, pins, et cetera) and may be configured to receive the threaded handle 122 through a threaded portion 125. The hook 120 may be threaded onto the handle 126 via a threaded receiving portion 121 on the hook 120. Alternately the hook 120 may be otherwise attached to the handle 126 (e.g., weld, adhesive, etc).
Depending on the length of the vehicle, the distance between the lip 106 and the hook 120 may need to be adjusted. To facilitate the adjustment, the elbow 116 may be translated on the support member 112. To adjust the position of the elbow 116, the screw knob 118 may be released from its position such that the elbow 116 can slide along the support member 112. To shorten the distance, the elbow 116 is moved toward the top plate 102 and the screw knob 118 is tightened to maintain the elbow 116 in the desired position. To lengthen the distance, the elbow 116 is moved away from the top plate 102 according to the same process.
The height of the hook 120 may also need to be adjusted based on the height of the nose of the vehicle. Accordingly, the hook 120 may be raised or lowered by turning the threaded handle 122 via knob 126, thus causing the handle 126 to move up or down in the bracket 124.
The saddle 100 may be formed from any appropriate material. It may be recognized by those of skill in the art that it is desirable for the saddle 100 to be configured to support the weight of a vehicle. Accordingly, exemplary materials that may be used to construct the saddle include steel, aluminum, titanium, et cetera.
In use, the saddle 100 is first attached to the jack. With the jack 10 in a lowered position, the jack 10 is positioned under the frame of the vehicle such that the lip 106 engages with the frame of the vehicle. It may be determined that the length of the saddle needs to be adjusted. Accordingly, the elbow 116 may be adjusted on the support member 112 such that the hook 120 engages with the nose of the vehicle. It may be desirable to lower the hook 120 on the nose of the vehicle to ensure that the vehicle is properly supported by the saddle 100.
Once the saddle 100 is engaged with the frame and the nose of the vehicle, the vehicle may be lifted by the jack 10 according to the lifting mechanism of the particular jack 10. Once the vehicle is lifted, work may be completed on various parts of the vehicle (e.g., the tracks), or the vehicle may be stored in an elevated position during the period of non-use.
Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. The specific configurations and contours set forth in the accompanying drawings are illustrative and not limiting. All steps need not be performed in the order shown or described.
