US3693938A

US3693938A - Vehicle lift

Info

Publication number: US3693938A
Application number: US135985A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank D Freudenthal; Gary L Kincaid
Original assignee: Gray Manufacturing Co Inc
Current assignee: Gray Manufacturing Co Inc
Priority date: 1971-04-21
Filing date: 1971-04-21
Publication date: 1972-09-26
Anticipated expiration: 1989-09-26

Abstract

A vehicle lift having a shiftable, vehicle elevating framework, the framework including a cross frame, there being means carried by the cross frame for engaging the vehicle to be lifted, the means including extensible arms telescoped within each end of the cross frame, and laterally extending reach pieces connected to the outer ends of each of the arms by an L-shaped connecting bracket whereby to position the reach pieces below the outer end of the corresponding arm, the bracket being configured in such a manner as to permit full retraction of the reach pieces within the confines of the cross frame. Each of the reach pieces carries a tubular socket at its free end, the sockets each carrying a vehicle engaging saddle assembly which is adjustable in a vertical path and swingable in a horizontal plane to permit maximum utilization of the saddle assemblies to engage the vehicle and to present an unobstructed space therebetween when the same are used.

Description

Freudenthal et al.

[451 Sept. 26, 1972 [s41 VEHICLE LIFT [72] Inventors: Frank D. Freudenthal; Gary L. Kincaid, both of St. Joseph, Mo.

[73] Assignee: Gray Manufacturing Company, Inc.,

St. Joseph, Mo.

[22 Filed: April2l, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 135,985

[52] US. Cl ..254/134 {51] Int. Cl. ..B66f 3/00, 860p 1/00 [58] Field of Search ..251/2 A, 2 AB, 133, 134

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,937,002 5/1960 Schultz ..254/134 X 3,044,747 7/1962 Nolden ..254/134 X 3,091,431 5/1963 Aynes et al. ..254/134 X 3,130,956 4/1964 Mandelko ..254/2 A 3,302,927 2/1967 Gray ..254/134 X Primary Examiner-Othell M. Simpson Attorney-Schmidt, Johnson, Hovey & Williams 571 ABSTRACT A vehicle lift having a shiftable, vehicle elevating framework, the framework including a cross frame, there being means carried by the cross frame for engaging the vehicle to be lifted, the means including extensible arms telescoped within each end of the cross frame, and laterally extending reach pieces connected to the outer ends of each of the arms by an L-shaped connecting bracket whereby to position the reach pieces below the outer end of the corresponding arm, the bracket being configured in such a manner as to permit full retraction of the reach pieces within the confines of the cross frame. Each of the reach pieces carries a tubular socket at its free end, the sockets each carrying a vehicle engaging saddle assembly which is adjustable in a vertical path and swingable in a horizontal plane to permit maximum utilization of the saddle assemblies to engage the vehicle and to present an unobstructed space therebetween when the same are used.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures VEHICLE LIFT This invention relates to a vehicle lift which is intended to be utilized in service stations, garages and the like wherein a wide variety of vehicles are serviced and, during the course of such servicing, must be elevated by a lift such as that herein disclosed.

In portable vehicle lifts, a major consideration is the placement of the vehicle engaging portions thereof sufficiently low to clear obstructions of the undercarriage of the vehicle yet allow room beneath the cross frame of the vehicle lift to present an adequate stabilizing base. Yet another major consideration in vehicle lifts which are designed to contact the vehicle at two spaced locations is to present a lift which is sufficiently narrow to permit easy maneuvering through doorways, crowded garage service areas and the like, but yet allow the vehicle engaging saddle assemblies of the lift sufficient maximum span therebetween to permit the same to be engaged with the vehicle at lifting points which are widely spaced on the vehicle.

It is, therefore, the most important object of this invention to provide a portable vehicle lift for engaging vehicles at two points of contact, which points lie on opposite sides of the center line of the vehicle, the vehicle engaging saddle assemblies of the lift being carried by the lifting framework in such a manner that they are adjustable inwardly and outwardly with respect to the center line of the lifting framework whereby to provide a lift presenting a minimum width between the saddle assemblies when the same are fully retracted but permitting a maximum spread therebetween when the arms and the saddle assemblies are fully extended.

A yet further important object of this invention is to provide a vehicle lift wherein the saddle assemblies are carried by extensible arms in such a manner as to permit the saddle assemblies to be located sufficiently low with respect to the vehicle so as to clear obstructions presented thereby but yet provide adequate room beneath the cross frame of the vehicle lift for an adequate stabilizing base which extends forwardly of the elevating or lifting framework.

It is yet a further aim of this invention to provide a vehicle lift wherein there is a clear, unobstructed space between the saddle assemblies when the same are in use, thus permitting the lift to be used in conjunction with vehicles which have a trailer hitch secured thereto, the hitch falling within said unobstructed area whereby the vehicle having the hitch thereon may be easily lifted. Other obstructions such as the protruding grille of certain vehicles, tail pipes and other such protrusions may fall within the unobstructed area.

A yet further object of this invention is to provide a vehicle lift having a shiftable, vehicle elevating framework, the framework including a cross frame having extensible arms telescoped within each end thereof, the arms each carrying a reach piece extending forwardly therefrom and having a socket carried by the free end thereof, the sockets each receiving a cylindrical support member of a vehicle engaging saddle assembly. whereby the saddle assembly may be adjusted both horizontally and vertically in order to present a lift having greater universal application.

Other objects of this invention include the manner in which the reach pieces are connected to the outer ends of their corresponding arms whereby to permit full retraction of said reach pieces within the confines of the cross frame, as well as other details of construction which will become fully apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle lift showing the same in a lowered condition;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, front perspective view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, side elevational view thereof, parts being broken away and in section to reveal details of construction;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, top plan view of the cross frame and associated components, parts being broken away and in section to reveal details of construction; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional front elevational view of one end of the cross frame and its associated arm.

The vehicle lift hereinafter generally described is similar to that disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,302,927, the lift 10 including as its basic components a pneumatic power cylinder 12 of any suitable design, which power cylinder 12 is vertically movable with respect to an upright center column 14, the center column 14 being rigidly supported by a base 16, there being a shiftable, vehicle elevating or lifting framework 18 suitably attached to the power cylinder 12 whereby, upon introduction of air into the cylinder 12, as through a connection 20, the power cylinder will be raised whereby to shift upwardly vehicle elevating framework 18. When framework 18 is shifted upwardly the front portion of base 16 moves into engagement with the supporting surface. Lift 10 is portable by virtue of the provision of wheels 22 carried by an axle and stabilizing bar assembly 24.

The vehicle elevating framework 18 includes a pair of spaced-apart, generally horizontal members 26 having the outer ends thereof attached to a cross frame 28 and the inner ends thereof attached to a pair of corresponding and vertically disposed channel legs 30 which are disposed in substantially parallel relationship to the center column 14 and are secured, at the ends thereof opposite to those attached to members 26, to the lower marginal portion of power cylinder 12 whereby, upon raising of the cylinder 12, legs 30 and members 26 will be shifted whereby to elevate the cross frame 18.

The improvement of the present invention resides in the construction of cross frame 28 and its associated components which are utilized to engage and lift the vehicle upon actuation'of the lift 10.

Cross frame 28 is tubular in configuration, whereby to present a top wall 32, a bottom wall 34, a front wall 36, and a rear wall 38, said rear wall 38 being connected to the members 26 whereby, as the lift is actuated the cross frame 28 is moved in a substantially'vertical path. A caster wheel 40 is carried by the cross frame 28 at substantially the center thereof and a bolt or pin 42 spans the interior passage of cross frame 28 at substantially the center thereof and adjacent the caster wheel 40.

The cross frame 28 presents a pair of opposed,

open ends

44 and 46, which extend beyond opposite sides of the base 16. Each of the

ends

44 and 46 has telescoped therewithin a corresponding,

extensible arm

48 and 50, respectively. The

arms

48 and 50 are of essentially the same cross-sectional configuration as cross frame 28, although smaller in outer dimension than the inner dimension of cross frame 28 whereby to permit the telescoping of

arms

48 and 50 into the cross frame 28. Each

arm

48 and 50 has a looped

rod

52 and 54, respectively, welded to the interior thereof as illustrated in FIG. 4, whereby outward extension of the

arms

48 and 50 will be limited by virtue of the

rods

52 and 54 engaging center bolt 42. Thus, extension of

arms

48 and 50 is limited to a predetermined distance whereby to prevent overextension in an outwardly direction.

Each

arm

48 and 50 carries a vehicle-engaging saddle assembly broadly designated by the

numerals

56 and 58, the

assemblies

56 and 58 being carried by the outer ends of

corresponding arms

48 and 50, the inner ends being, at all times, received within the cross frame 28. Since the vehicle-engaging assemblies carried by each arm are identical, only one will be described hereinafter.

Thus, the vehicle-engaging assembly carried by arm 50, for instance, includes a generally L shaped, in plan configuration, connecting bracket 60 secured to the outer end of the arm 50. Connecting bracket 60 includes a first plate 62 which is secured, in perpendicular relationship, to the outer end of the arm 50 and is disposed in a vertical plane all as clearly shown for instance, by' FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 of the drawing. The first plate 62 presents an inner surface 64, which inner surface 64 is secured to the end of arm 50 as by welding or the like, the plate 62 also presenting an outer surface 66. Bracket 60 also includes a second plate 68 disposed in perpendicular relationship to said first plate and secured thereto along one marginal edge in spaced, substantially parallel relationship to the rear wall .38 of the cross frame 28, the inner surface 70 of plate 68 being proximal to the cross frame 28, the plate 68 also presenting an outer surface 72.

The

plates

62 and 68 which comprise L-shaped connecting bracket 60 cooperate to carry a forwardly extending reach piece 74 and to connect the same, at one end thereof, to the outer end of arm 50. It is to be noted that the reach piece 74, which is tubular in configuration, has its normally innermost end 76 secured to the inner surface 70 of the plate 68 at a point below the bottom wall 34 of the cross frame 28. Further, the reach piece 74 is secured to the inner surface 64 of plate 62 at a point below the bottom wall 34 of the cross frame 28, all to the end that there is clearance between the uppermost wall 78 of the reach piece 74 and the bottom wall 34 of the cross frame 28. It is to be also noted that there is clearance between the inner surface 70 of second plate 68 and the rear wall 38 of the cross frame 28. The provision of the clearances above described permit the full retraction of arm 50 into the cross frame 28 as illustrated, for instance, in FIG. 4 of the drawing whereby the vehicle-

engaging assemblies

56 and 58 may be moved asfar together as possible and substantially within the confines of the cross frame 28, as illustrated in FIG. 1, when the

arms

48 and 50 are in their fully retracted positions, with respect to said cross frame 28.

The reach piece 74 carries, at its free end 80 a tubu- 6 lar socket 82, which socket receives a cylindrical supporting member 84 carried by the vehicle engaging saddle assembly '86 corresponding to arm 50. It is to be noted that the cylindrical supporting member 84 is located off center with respect to the pad portion 88 of the saddle assembly 86 whereby, upon rotation of the member 84 within the socket 82, the saddle assemblies 86 may be swung, in a horizontal plane, to a maximum distance apart, thereby presenting a substantial unobstructed space therebetween, and positioning the assemblies 86 at the most advantageous location to engage widely spaced lifting-points on the vehicle.

The socket member 82 is tubular in configuration as is the supporting member 84 to permit the free rotation of the saddle assembly 86 with respect to socket member 82 as illustrated in FIG. 4 wherein the left hand saddle assembly is shown swung outwardly and to also permit vertical adjustment of the position of the pad 88 with respect to the cross frame 28, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3.

By utilizing the structure hereinabove described, there is presented a vehicle lift which has the

vehicle engaging assemblies

56 and 58 thereof initially positionable as shown in FIG. l'whereby a very narrow width is presented for the lift, inasmuch as the

arms

48 and 50 may be fully retracted with respect to cross frame 28 and the saddle assemblies 56 and 58 swung to a position lying essentially fully within the confines of cross frame member 28.

Furthermore, the pads 88 of the saddle assemblies 86 can be positioned at an initially lower position, as illustrated in FIG. 3, than would be possible if the same were carried atop the cross frame 28 or atop arms such as 48 and 50, thereby presenting a lower starting height for the saddle assemblies 86 to permit placement thereof beneath vehicles which present a minimal ground clearance.

When the lift 10 is to be placed into use, it can be readily utilized to lift a vehicle having a trailer hitch or the like thereon inasmuch as the unobstructed space 90 will readily receive such hitch while yet permitting the pads 88 of the saddle assemblies 86 to be passed beneath the vehicle and any obstructions depending therefrom and subsequently shifted into engagement with desired points on the vehicle as the lift is actuated.

It is of course further apparent that the pads are positionable in a large number of selected positions by virtue of the extensibility of the

arms

48 and 50; the vertical adjustment of the supportingmember 84 in tubular socket 82 and the available horizontal rotating movement of the member 84 in socket 82 whereby the pads may be swung outwardly with respect to their corresponding arms to obtain a maximum span therebetween. Thus, there is presented a lift having a minimum, fully retracted width for easy transportation and initial positioning but yet having a maximum outward reach if necessary when the lift is to be utilized.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a vehicle lift having a shiftable, vehicle elevating framework, said framework including a cross frame, means carried by the cross frame for engaging said vehicle, said means including:

extensible arms telescoped within each end of said cross frame, said arms each having an inner end and an outer end;

reach pieces connected to the outer ends of each of said arms and positioned therebelow, the free end of the reach pieces -extending laterally from their corresponding arms; and 7 vehicle engaging assemblies carried by said free e iids of each of said reach pieces in a manner whereby said assemblies fall substantially within the confines of said cross frame when the arms are fully retracted with respect to said cross frame.

2. A vehicle lift asset forth in claim 1, there being a bracket connecting each of said reach pieces to the outer end of its corresponding arm, said connecting brackets each including a first plate secured to the outer end of said arm and a second plate carried by said first plate in spaced, substantially parallel relationship to the rear wall of said arm, the corresponding reach piece being secured to both of said plates at a position below the outer end of the arm.

3. A vehicle lift as set forth in claim 2, said first plate being secured to the outer end of the arm in perpendicular relationship thereto, said second plate being perpendicular to said first plate.

4. A vehicle lift as set forth in claim 3, each of said plates presenting an inner surface and an outer surface, said reach piece being secured to the inner surfaces of each plate.

5. A vehicle lift as set forth in claim 1, there being a tubular socket carried by the free end of each of said reach pieces and a vehicle engaging saddle assembly adjustably carried by each of said sockets.

6. A vehicle lift as set forth in claim 5, said vehicle engaging saddle assemblies each having a cylindrical supporting member receivable within a corresponding socket whereby to permit said saddle assemblies to rotate about the vertical axis of said cylindrical supporting member.

7. A vehicle lift as set forth in claim 6, said cylindrical supporting members being located off center with respect to their corresponding saddle assemblies whereby to provide a maximum distance between said assemblies when they are rotated to an outward position.

8. A vehicle lift as set forth in claim 7, said saddle assemblies being positioned generally forwardly of the cross frame when in use whereby to present an unobstructed space therebetween.

9. A vehicle lift as set forth in claim 6, said cylindrical supporting members being vertically adjustable within their corresponding sockets whereby to position said vehicle engaging saddle assemblies in selected planes relative to that of the normally upper part of the cross frame.

Claims

1. In a vehicle lift having a shiftable, vehicle elevating framework, said framework including a cross frame, means carried by the cross frame for engaging said vehicle, said means including: extensible arms telescoped within each end of said cross frame, said arms each having an inner end and an outer end; reach pieces connected to the outer ends of each of said arms and positioned therebelow, the free end of the reach pieces extending laterally from their corresponding arms; and vehicle engaging assemblies carried by said free ends of each of said reach pieces in a manner whereby said assemblies fall substantially within the confines of said cross frame when the arms are fully retracted with respect to said cross frame.

2. A vehicle lift as set forth in claim 1, there being a bracket connecting each of said reach pieces to the outer end of its corresponding arm, said connecting brackets each including a first plate secured to the outer end of said arm and a second plate carried by said first plate in spaced, substantially parallel relationship to the rear wall of said arm, the corresponding reach piece being secured to both of said plates at a position below the outer end of the arm.