AU2009222487A1

AU2009222487A1 - Vehicle Support Stand

Info

Publication number: AU2009222487A1
Application number: AU2009222487A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Andrew John Shephard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-10-07
Filing date: 2009-09-30
Publication date: 2010-04-22
Anticipated expiration: 2029-09-30
Also published as: AU2009222487B2

Description

1 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT "Vehicle Support Stand" The following statement is a ful description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 2 VEHICLE SUPPORT STAND Field of the Invention 5 The invention relates to a vehicle support stand. In a particular aspect, it relates to a type of vehicle support stand known in the field as an "axle stand". Background 10 There are times when it is necessary to raise all or part of a car off the ground such as when changing a tyre or when access to the underside of the car is required. Often this involves raising the car with the use of a jack. 15 However, holding the car in the raised position with the jack alone can be unsafe. Therefore axle stands may be used in order to provide additional or alternative support for the car in the raised position. In such instances, the or each axle stand is positioned beneath a secure point of the car which will support the weight of the car (eg. the base of the sub frame in some vehicles), and the jack is used to lower the car 20 on to the axle stand or stands. It is to be understood that the term "axle stand" is used in this specification as a term of art, and despite its reference to the word "axle", an axle stand is not limited to being placed specifically beneath the axle of a vehicle. Axle stands are intended to be 25 placed under points of a vehicle that are designed to support the weight of the vehicle. In fact, placement beneath an axle which is not designed to support the weight of a vehicle may cause bending of or damage to the axle, The present invention seeks to provide an improved vehicle support stand. 30 Summary of the Invention The invention provides a vehicle support stand comprising, 3 - a vehicle support member, - interval adjustment means adapted to adjust the height of the vehicle support member in intervals, - continuous adjustment means adapted to adjust the height of the vehicle support 5 member in a continuous range, and - ground support means. The interval adjustment means may comprise, - a first telescopic member having a hole, 10 - a second telescopic member telescopically engageable with the first telescopic member, the second telescopic member having a row of holes arranged from top to bottom, each of which may be independently aligned with the hole in the first telescopic member, and - a locking pin adapted to be passed through a pair of aligned holes in the first 15 and second telescopic members. The locking pin may be chained to one of the telescopic members. In a suitable form the first telescopic member has a row of two or more holes 20 arranged from top to bottom and each of the holes in the second telescopic member may be independently aligned with at least one of the holes in the first telescopic member. The locking pin may comprise a U-shape for passing through two pairs of aligned 25 holes. The first and second telescopic members may comprise first and second tubes respectively. In a particular form the first and second tubes are square shaped. In another suitable form the first and second tubes are circular in shape. 30 Either the first or second telescopic member may extend up from the ground support means.

4 The interval adjustment means may comprise one or more stop members. The or each stop member may limit extension of the telescopic members. The stop members may prevent separation of the telescopic members. The or each stop member may comprise a tooth projecting from one of the telescopic members. In a particular form 5 there is an internal tooth projecting from one of the telescopic members and an external tooth projecting from the other telescopic member, wherein abutment of the teeth prevents further extension of the telescopic members. The or each tooth may be formed by an indentation in the telescopic member. 10 The continuous adjustment means may comprise, - an externally threaded member, and - an internally threaded sleeve adapted to screwably receive the externally threaded member. 15 The internally threaded sleeve may comprise a nut. The nut may be fixed at the top of the first or second tube so that the aperture of the nut communicates with the top opening of the tube. The externally threaded member may comprise an externally threaded pin. The 20 externally threaded pin may have a head. Thus, the externally threaded member may comprise a bolt. The continuous adjustment means may comprise a stopper. The stopper may limit extension of the externally threaded member. The stopper may prevent separation of 2$ the externally threaded member from the internally threaded sleeve. The stopper may comprise a stop pin projecting from the externally threaded member. Abutment of the stop pin against the internally threaded sleeve may prevent further extension of the externally threaded member. 30 The stop pin may comprise a slotted spring pin which is driven through an aperture in one of the tubes into an aperture in the externally threaded pin during construction of the vehicle support stand.

5 The vehicle support member may be fixed atop the externally threaded member. Thus, screwing of the externally threaded member in the internally threaded sleeve may lower the height of the vehicle support member. Conversely, unscrewing the 5 externally threaded member in the internally threaded sleeve may raise the height of the vehicle support member. The vehicle support member may comprise a plate. The plate may have a pair of upturned flanges at opposite sides thereof. 10 In a particular form the vehicle support member is adapted to swivel with respect to the externally threaded member. The ground support means may comprise a base, It may further comprise a plurality 15 of struts extending from the base to one of the telescopic members. The base may be square shaped. The vehicle support stand may be an axle stand. 20 Brief Description of the Drawings In order that the invention may be more fully understood there will now be described, by way of example only, preferred embodiments and other elements of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings where: 25 Figure 1 is an exploded axonometric view of a first axle stand according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an axonometric view of the first axle stand in a locked position; 30 Figure 3 is a front sectional view of the first axle stand in the locked position shown in Figure 2; 6 Figure 4 is a magnified view of part of Figure 3 illustrating insertion of a slotted spring pin; Figure 5 is a magnified view of part of Figure 3 showing a pair of teeth s projecting from respective square tubes; Figure 6 is an axonometric view of the first axle stand fully extended; Figure 7 is a magnified view of part of Figure 6 showing abutment of the 10 slotted spring pin against a nut; Figure 8 is a magnified view of part of Figure 6 showing abutment of the teeth; and 15 Figure 9 is an axonometric view of a second axle stand according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Description of Examples of the Invention and the Preferred Embodiment 20 The various elements identified by numerals in the drawings are listed in the following integer list. Integer List 25 2 First axle stand 4 Base 6 First square tube 8 Second square tube 10 Nut 30 12 Threaded pin of bolt 14 Head of bolt 16 Top plate 18 Line indicating placement of intermediate piece 7 20 Line indicating placement of top piece 22 Aperture in nut 24 Slotted spring pin 26 Cylindrical passage in threaded pin 5 28 Line indicating placement of threaded pin 30 Circular opening in second tube 32 Arrow indicating locking pin placement 34 Slot in spring pin 36 Chamfered edges of spring pin 10 38 Projecting portion of spring pin 40 Circular hole in first square tube 42 Circular hole in second square tube 44 Circular hole in second square tube 46 Circular hole in second square tube 15 48 Circular hole in second square tube 50 Locking pin 52 Internal tooth of first square tube 53 Chain for locking pin 54 External tooth of second square tube 20 56 Flange of top plate 58 Arrow indicating rotation of top piece 60 Second axle stand 62 First round tube 64 Second round tube 25 66 Strut 68 U-pin 70 Hole in first round tube 72 Hole in first round tube 74 Hole in second round tube 30 76 Hole in second round tube 78 Hole in second round tube 8 Referring to Figures I to 8, there is shown a first axle stand 2 for supporting a raised vehicle such as a car. The first axle stand 2 has a bottom piece, an intermediate piece and a top piece. 5 The bottom piece comprises: " a square shaped steel base 4, " a first square shaped steel tube 6 which is welded to and extends perpendicularly up from the centre of the base, and " a locking pin 50 which is connected to the first square tube by a chain 53. 10 The intermediate piece comprises: * a second square shaped steel tube 8 sized to fit loosely within the first square tube 6, and * a nut 10 with an aperture 22, the nut being welded atop the second square tube 15 8 so that the aperture 22 communicates with the hollow of the tube 8. The top piece comprises: * a bolt with a threaded pin 12 and a head 14, the threaded pin having a cylindrical passage 26 extending diametrically therethrough near its base, and 20 a a steel top plate 16 welded atop the head of the bolt, the steel top plate having a pair of angled flanges 56 which extend upward and outward at opposed ends of the plate 16. During construction the intermediate piece is engaged with the bottom piece by 25 locating the second square tube 8 within the first square tube 6, as indicated by line 18 in Figure 1. The intermediate piece is also engaged with the top piece during construction, as indicated by line 20 in Figure 1, by screwing the bolt into the aperture 22 of the nut 30 until the threaded pin 12 projects down into the hollow of the second square tube 8.

9 Following engagement of the top and intermediate pieces, line 28 in Figure 1 indicates that a slotted spring pin 24 is hammered (in the direction of arrow 32 in Fig 2) through a circular opening 30 in the second tube 8 and into the cylindrical passage 26 of the threaded pin 12. 5 Figure 4 shows the slotted spring pin 24 before and after insertion into cylindrical passage 26 of the threaded pin. The spring pin 24 has a slot 34 extending along its length and chamfered edges 36 at each end. The chamfered edges 36 allow the spring pin to be forced into the similar sized cylindrical passage 26, with the tight squeeze 10 causing circumferential compression of the spring pin 24 and closure of the slot 34. Within the cylindrical passage 26, in an attempt to regain some of its original shape, the spring pin exerts an outward circumferential force against the passage walls. This force holds the spring pin 24 tightly within the cylindrical aperture. During 15 hammering the spring pin only travels just past the circular opening 30 of the second tube 8. This means that a portion 38 of the spring pin is left projecting from the threaded pin perpendicularly to its length. The first square tube 6 has a pair of opposed circular holes 40 near its top end. The 20 first tube 6 also has a pair of opposed teeth 52 formed by indentations in opposed walls which project internally into the hollow of the first tube. The second square tube 8 has four pairs of opposed circular holes, 42, 44, 46, and 48, arranged in a row from top to bottom respectively. The second tube also has a pair of 25 opposed teeth 54 formed by indentations in opposed walls which project externally from the wall of the second tube. Once the car is jacked up the axle stand 2 may be placed therebeneath. The top plate 16 of the axle stand is raised by telescopically extending or sliding out the second 30 square tube 8 from the first square tube 6. This allows quick movement of the top plate up in contact with or adjacent to a secure point on the underside of the car by which the cars weight can be supported.

10 The amount of extension of the second square tube 8 is limited by its external teeth 54 abutting against the internal teeth 52 of the first tube, as shown in Figure 8. The abutment of the pairs of teeth, 52 and 54, prevents separation of the second tube 8 from the first tube 6 as is required by Australian standards. 5 Following raising of the second tube into contact with or adjacent to the secure point, the second tube is then retracted slightly until one of the pairs of opposed holes, 42, 44, 46, or 48, are aligned with the pair of opposed holes 40 in the first tube 6. Once the holes are aligned the locking pin 50 is passed therethrough (as indicated by arrow to 56 in Figure 2) in order to prevent relative movement of the square tubes 6, 8. Figure 2 shows one of four positions in which the square tubes 6, 8 may be locked by insertion of the locking member 56 into aligned holes 40 and 44. Gross positioning of the top plate by movement and locking of the square tubes in 15 this manner is a quick and easy adjustment. With the top plate now raised closer to the secure point of the car, the user can better visualize the position of the top plate 16 with respect to the secure point, Thus the user can alter the placement of the axle stand so that the top plate rests directly beneath the secure point as required. 20 Rotational movement, as indicated by arrow 58 in Figure 2, is required in order to extend or retract the top piece with respect to the intermediate piece. Thus, once the axle stand 2 is correctly positioned, the top plate is raised into contact with the secure point of the car by screwing the top piece in an anticlockwise direction so that the threaded pin 12 extends or unscrews from the nut 10. As rotational force is required 25 to produce this movement, the downward force produced by the weight of the car on the top plate does not cause the top piece to retract into the intermediate piece, and the car is supported on the axle stand 2. The opposed flanges 56 are intended to limit the secure point from slipping off the 30 sides of the plate. Flanges are not included on the other two sides of the top plate 16 so that it may support secure lengths of the car (such as portions of the chassis) between the two flanges.

11 Although the top piece of the first axle stand 2 rotates as a unit, it is envisaged in other suitable embodiments that the top plate is able to swivel with respect to the bolt. This would enable easy alignment of the top plate with secure lengths of the car, whilst extension and retraction of the top piece would be performed by separate 5 rotation of the bolt. As shown in Figure 7, extension of the top piece from the intermediate piece is limited by abutment of the projecting portion 38 of the slotted spring pin 24 against the underside of the nut 10. This prevents separation of the top piece from the 1o intermediate piece as is required under Australian standards. In order to remove the axle stand, the car may by jacked up further so that it is clear of the axle stand, or the axle stand's top plate 16 may be lowered so that the car's weight rests on the jack. Lowering of the top plate may be achieved by either rotating 15 the top plate 16 in a clockwise direction so that the bolt is screwed into nut 10, or by unlocking the second square tube 8 and retracting it within the first square tube 6. Figure 9 shows a second axle stand 60 designed to support the weight of heavier vehicles such as vans and trucks. As can be seen, the second axle stand 60 includes 20 many features which are similar to those of the first axle stand 2. Notable differences between the two stands include: * Instead of first square tube 6 and second square tube 8, the second axle stand has a first round steel tube 62 and a second round steel tube 64. The round tubes 62, 64 are stronger than the square tubes 6, 8. 25 a Four steel struts 66, which are not present in the first stand 2, extend up from the corners of the square base to the first round tube 62. * Instead of a single straight pin 50, the second axle stand has a U-pin 68 adapted to withstand greater loads. " The first round tube 62 has a top pair of opposed holes 70 and a bottom pair of 30 opposed holes 72.

12 9 The second round tube 64 has five pairs of opposed holes arranged from top to bottom. Only the top three pairs of holes 74, 76, and 78 are visible in Figure 9. * Locking of the round tubes 62, 64 occurs by, first aligning two adjacent pairs 5 of the five pairs of holes in the second round tube with the two pairs of holes 70, 72 in the first round tube, and then passing the legs of the U-pin through the aligned pairs of holes. In Figure 9 pairs of holes 76 and 78 in the second round tube have been aligned with the holes 70, 72 in the first round tube. to Whilst the above description includes the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that many variations, alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the essential features or the spirit or ambit of the invention. 15 It will be also understood that where the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", are used in this specification, unless the context requires otherwise such use is intended to imply the inclusion of a stated feature or features but is not to be taken as excluding the presence of other feature or features. 20 The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any forn of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia. 25

Claims

1. A vehicle support stand comprising, - a vehicle support member, 5 - interval adjustment means adapted to adjust the height of the vehicle support member in intervals, - continuous adjustment means adapted to adjust the height of the vehicle support member in a continuous range, and - ground support means. 10

2. The vehicle support stand according to claim I wherein the interval adjustment means comprise, - a first telescopic member having a hole, - a second telescopic member telescopically engageable with the first telescopic is member, the second telescopic member having a row of holes arranged from top to bottom, each of which may be independently aligned with the hole in the first telescopic member, and - a locking pin adapted to be passed through a pair of aligned holes in the first and second telescopic members. 20

3. The vehicle support stand according to claim 2 wherein the first telescopic member has a row of two or more holes arranged from top to bottom and each of the holes in the second telescopic member is independently alignable with at least one of the holes in the first telescopic member. 25

4. The vehicle support stand according to claim 3 wherein the locking pin comprises a U-shape for passing through two pairs of aligned holes.

5. The vehicle support stand according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the 30 first and second telescopic members comprise circular or square shaped tubes. 14

6. The vehicle support stand according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the interval adjustment means comprise one or more stop members for limiting extension of the telescopic members. 5

7. The vehicle support stand according to claim 6 wherein the or each stop member comprises a tooth projecting from one of the telescopic members.

8. The vehicle support stand according to claim 7 wherein the or each tooth is formed by an indentation in the telescopic member. 10

9. The vehicle support stand according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein there are two teeth, those being an internal tooth projecting from one of the telescopic members and an external tooth projecting from the other telescopic member, and abutment of the teeth prevents further extension of the telescopic members. 15

10. The vehicle support stand according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the continuous adjustment means comprise, - an externally threaded member, and - an internally threaded sleeve adapted to screwably receive the externally 20 threaded member.

11. The vehicle support stand according to claim 10 wherein the continuous adjustment means comprises a stopper for limiting extension of the externally threaded member in relation to the internally threaded sleeve. 25

12. The vehicle support stand according to claim 11 wherein the stopper comprises a stop pin which projects from the externally threaded member, the stopper being adapted to limit extension of the externally threaded member by abutment against the internally threaded sleeve. 30

13. The vehicle support stand according to claim 12 wherein the stop pin comprises a slotted spring pin which is driven through an aperture in one of the tubes 15 into an aperture in the externally threaded pin during construction of the vehicle support stand.

14. The vehicle support stand according to any one of the preceding claims 5 wherein the vehicle support member comprises a plate having a pair of upturned flanges at opposite sides thereof.

15. The vehicle support stand according to any one of claims 10 to 14 wherein the vehicle support member is adapted to swivel with respect to the externally threaded to member.

16. The vehicle support stand according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the ground support means comprise a base and a plurality of struts which extend from the base to one of the telescopic members. 15

17. A vehicle support stand substantially as herein described and with reference to Figures 1 to 8.

18. A vehicle support stand substantially as herein described and with reference to 20 Figure 9. Dated this 30th day of September 2009 25 Andrew John Shephard by his patent attorneys Morcom Pernat