AU2008101096A4

AU2008101096A4 - Wheel handling device for transmission lift

Info

Publication number: AU2008101096A4
Application number: AU2008101096A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Varney Larson
Original assignee: Compac Hydraulik AS
Current assignee: Compac Hydraulik AS
Priority date: 2008-11-10
Filing date: 2008-11-10
Publication date: 2008-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 2016-11-10

Description

PATENTS ACT 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title:- WHEEL HANDLING DEVICE FOR TRANSMISSION

LIFT

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing known to me.

00 This invention relates to lifting devices. More particularly, although not z exclusively it discloses a kit for adapting a transmission lift to also handle vehicle wheels.

SCurrently in car repair shops, where the vehicle is elevated at working height a lifting platform the car mechanic has to remove and hold the wheel at 00 the same time. In fact he has to hold the wheel until the last nut is removed.

Following this he has to then lower the wheel and place it the on the floor.

After completing the repair he has to again lift the wheel from the floor to fitting height on the vehicle. He must then hold the wheel at the correct position while fitting one nut or preferably two to prevent the wheel falling off As large, modem aluminium wheels are heavy (custom wheels can weigh up to 60 kg each) working with such wheels can be both dangerous and ergonomically questionable. While machines exist to solve this problem they are relatively expensive and are designed solely for the task of handling, holding, fitting and removing wheels.

It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantages and accordingly a kit is disclosed for adapting a transmission lift apparatus to handle and install vehicle wheels, said kit including a control unit for mounting between an upper neck of said lift and a base 00 thereof, wheel lifting forks with rotation means for vertical slidable 0 Z engagement with said control unit and an upper wheel retainer for Sattachment to said lifting forks and movement therewith.

ID

S Preferably said control unit includes an elongated track or sleeve which in a 00 position of use extends vertically between said upper neck of the transmission lift and the base thereof.

It is further preferred that the lifting forks include a pair of sleeve bearings which slidably engage within said control unit.

It is further preferred that the wheel retainer in a position of use includes a vertical rod extending between the top plunger of said transmission lift and said lifting forks.

It is further preferred that said wheel retainer in a position of use includes a substantially horizontal rod with a hooked end extending over said lifting forks.

00 The currently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described Z with reference to the attached drawings in which:- IN figure 1 is an exploded elevation view of a transmission lift with a kit 0 Saccording to this invention, 00 figure 2 is a front perspective view of the assembled transmission lift and kit of figure 1, and figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the assembled transmission lift and kit of figure 1 Referring first to figure 1 there is a transmission lift I of a type sold under the trade name Compac Model No. TJ325 or TJ525. It comprises a vertical pedal operated hydraulic jack 2 with lateral wheeled legs 3, 4 front and rear.

In accordance with the invention a kit comprising a control unit 5, fork lifter 6 and wheel retainer 7 are fitted to the transmission lifter as shown in figures 2 and 3. The various kit components are preferably manufactured from a suitably high strength steel. The control unit 5 comprises a vertical sleeve with positioning ring 8 adjacent the top which is fitted over a neck 8A at the top of the hydraulic jack cylinder 2. The lower end of the control unit has brackets 9 which engage a flange 10 at the base of the transmission lifter. A 00 c, fork lifter 6 is fitted with rollers 11 and a pair of sleeve bearings 12 which Z slide one above the other within the vertical control unit.

INDThe wheel retainer preferably comprises a vertical rod 13 which at its lower engages the fork lifter 6 adjacent the upper sleeve bearing and at its 00 upper end engages the top of the hydraulic jack piston 14 by means of a socket 15 and locking screw 15A offset from said rod 13. This rod 13 thereby acts to transfer the lifting force from said hydraulic jack to the fork lifter. An arm 16 with a hook 17 extends out laterally from the rod 13 and in use stabilises a vehicle road wheel during lifting and installation as described earlier.

In use the kit components according to this embodiment are assembled to the transmission lifter as described earlier without the need for tools. The lifting/lowering function is effected by means of the existing lifting/lowering function on the transmission lift. The wheel to be fitted is rolled over rotating lifting forks 6 where the upper retainer 16/17 is rolled over the wheel. This moves the wheel into a ready-for-fitting position without any danger of falling. Following this, the wheel is lifted to the required working height by means of a hydraulic jack pump mechanism. Using the rotating 00 c rollers, on which the wheel rests, and the lifting/lowering function of the 0 Z transmission lift, the user can then align the fitting bores on the wheel precisely with the fitting points on the vehicle without physical exertion or IN any danger of the wheel dropping. Therefore the wheel fitting operation becomes easier to perform in a safe and ergonomically correct manner.

00 It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the embodiment described provides a novel and unique kit for adapting a conventional transmission lifter to remove/install road wheels on elevated vehicles. Clearly however the example described is only the currently preferred form of the invention and a wide variety of modifications may be made which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example the shape and configuration of the kit components and the means of mechanical engagement and assembly may be changed according to design preference.

Claims

1. A kit for adapting a transmission lift apparatus to handle and install IND vehicle wheels, said kit including a control unit for mounting between San upper neck of said lift and a base thereof, wheel lifting forks with 0 0 rotation means for vertical slidable engagement with said control unit and an upper wheel retainer for attachment between a lifting plunger of said transmission lift and said wheel lifting forks and movement therewith.

2. The kit as claimed in claim I wherein said control unit includes an elongated sleeve which in a position of use extends vertically between an upper neck of said transmission lift and the base thereof

3. The kit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said wheel lifting forks include a pair of sleeve bearings which slidably engage within said control unit. -7- 00 O O

4. The kit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said upper wheel retainer is a O Z position of use includes a vertical rod extending between the top of a O lifting plunger for said transmission lift and said lifting forks. \O The kit as claimed in claim I wherein said upper wheel retainer in a 0 position of use further includes a substantially horizontal rod with a hooked end extending over said wheel lifting forks. Dated this 5th day of November, 2008 Compac Hydraufik A/S By Our Patent Attorney MICHAEL ANDERSON-TAYLOR