CA2069809A1 - Wheel engaging system for towing vehicle wheel lifts - Google Patents
Wheel engaging system for towing vehicle wheel liftsInfo
- Publication number
- CA2069809A1 CA2069809A1 CA 2069809 CA2069809A CA2069809A1 CA 2069809 A1 CA2069809 A1 CA 2069809A1 CA 2069809 CA2069809 CA 2069809 CA 2069809 A CA2069809 A CA 2069809A CA 2069809 A1 CA2069809 A1 CA 2069809A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- arms
- wheel
- vehicle
- engaging
- worm
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
- B60P3/00—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects
- B60P3/12—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects for salvaging damaged vehicles
- B60P3/125—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects for salvaging damaged vehicles by supporting only part of the vehicle, e.g. front- or rear-axle
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Vehicle Cleaning, Maintenance, Repair, Refitting, And Outriggers (AREA)
Abstract
WHEEL ENGAGING SYSTEM FOR TOWING VEHICLE WHEEL LIFTS
ABSTRACT
A wheel engaging system assembly (10) is disclosed for use on a towing or recovery vehicle such as a truck (12). The assembly includes a transverse beam (18) which pivotally mounts two arms (22, 26). The arms are pivoted by a hydraulic motor (30, 32) associated with each arm which drives a worm (36) engaged with a worm gear (38) on each of the arms. The self-locking interaction between the worm gears and worms prevent the arms from moving out of engagement with the wheels on the towed vehicle if power is lost to the assembly.
ABSTRACT
A wheel engaging system assembly (10) is disclosed for use on a towing or recovery vehicle such as a truck (12). The assembly includes a transverse beam (18) which pivotally mounts two arms (22, 26). The arms are pivoted by a hydraulic motor (30, 32) associated with each arm which drives a worm (36) engaged with a worm gear (38) on each of the arms. The self-locking interaction between the worm gears and worms prevent the arms from moving out of engagement with the wheels on the towed vehicle if power is lost to the assembly.
Description
~EEL ENGAGING SYSTEM FOR TOWING ~EHICLE WHEEL LIFTS
TECHNICAL FIELD OF T~E INVENTION
This invention relates in general to devices for lifting and towing vehicles, i~nd more specifically an attachment to a wheel lift device for attacking, and cradling the tires of a vehicle to be towed.
BACgGROUND OF T~E INVENTION
The towing and recovery industry has had to adapt in recent years to a change in the nature of the vehic~les being towed or recovered. In the past, the typicai:towing vehicle comprised the well known boom and sling assemblies where the sling could be hooked under the front or rear of a vehicle to be towed. The boom linked to the sling then lifted the front or rear end of the automobile as appropriate, and the vehicle was then towed to the destination. However, with the fundamental shift in recent years by the automotive industry to manuacture lighter and more optimally engineered vehicles to maximize efficiency, the bumper structure, the frame structure and even the wheel axle assembly of the vehicle, may be too weak to be towed in the conventional manner. Along with this changa in vehicle confiyurationl the costs of labor and capital investments, and an ever-growing concern for operator safety, have created a need for more automated and swifter connection and release procedures for the vehicle towing process to increase manpower productivity, to minimize the time and effort required to conduct the connection and release procedures, and to provide a safer work environment for the operator during these procedures.
As a result of these nee~s, the industry has developed a wheel lift device which includes a wheel engaging device to capture and cradle the front or rear wheels of the vehicle to be towed. The wheel engaging device and captured vehicle are lifted o~f the ground for towing. In the typical situation, the wheels of the towed vehicle will be secured to the wheel engaging device by straps and/or chains. This configuration is unli~ely to injure the towed vehicle because the forces exerted during the towing operation between the towed and towing vehicle i, , .. . . ..
. . .. :, ,.
.
. .
are transferred through the suspension of the towed vehicle, which is designed to absorb su~h ~orces.
U.S. Patent No. 4,674,943 to Nespor discloses ~uch a basic concept which captures each wheel of a pair o~
wheels of the vehicle to be towed between two arms, with each of the arms being pivoted by a hydraulic cylinder between a storage position, a position to allow arms of the wheel engaging device to be slid under the vehicle adjacent the wheels to be engaged, and a position cradling the wheels for lifting and towing.
U.S. Patent No. 4,564,207 to Russ discloses another hydraulic whael system for tow vehicle wheel lifts which also has arms operated by hydraulic cylinders.
U.S. Patent No. 4,473,334 to Brown disclosed an lS automobile lifting and towing device which has a wheel engaging device with facing cradle arms which is spring biased to allegedly automatically move around a wheel to engage the wheel for lifting and towing.
U.S~ Patent No. 4,678,392 to Capers discloses a wheel ~-lift for a tow vehicle having a wheel engaging device with hydraulic cylinders to move arms laterally to engage and cradle the wheels.
The devices currently available in the industry are not wholly satisfactory. The prior art devices are often 2S awkward to use, may require-manual adjustments and are inconvenient to store. A need therefore exists for improved designs to meet the requirements of modern vehicle design, safety and profitability goals. `
.. , ~
.... ~ . ~, :
,. ; . :
- . ,, .; -, ~,, , ' 8~1~Y OF ~H~ VENq~ION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a recovery vehicle cradle arm assembly ~s provided which includes a fixed length beam with a-~enter pivotal mounting assembly and first and second wheel arms pivotally mounted to the beam for pivotal motion between a storage position, an engaging position and a wheel cradle position. A worm gear drive mechanism is provided for moving the first and second arms between the storage, engaging and wheel cradle positions. The gear drive is o~
self-locking design and is locked in any position in the absence of an intentional activation force/ thus assuring that the arms will remain in the last influenced position at all times, even in a wheel cradle position with a vehicle lifted and in tow, until intentionally re-influenced.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the self-locking gear drive mechanism includes a hydraulic motor mounted on the beam adjacent to each of said first and second arms, the shaft extension of the motor mounting a worm. Each of the first and second arms has a worm gear in engagement with the worm gear of the adjacent hydraulic motor.
.....
-: ' ''' ' .. '' :, . ~ ~
, . ..
. , ~ : , i . .
BRIEF DESC~RIPl'I0~7 OF THE DRAWING~3 For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference i~ now made to the following description, taken in conjunc~ion with the accompanying drawings, in which FIGURE 1 is a view of the wheel engaging system forming a first embodiment of the present invention on a towing vehicle towing a car;
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the wheel engaging system;
FIGURE 3 is a view of the wheel engaging system with the arm assembly configured in the engaging position to slide underneath part of the vehicle to`be towed;
FIGURE 4 is a view of the wheel engaging system with the arm assembly configured to the wheel cradle position for capturing the front or rear wheels of the vehicle in the cradle with the vehicle prepared to be lifted off the ground for towing;
FIGURE 5 is a view of the wheel engaging system illustrating the arms in the storage position;
FIGURE 6 is a detail view of one of the arms and associated operating mechanism; and FIGURES 7A and 7B illustrate the tire positions of a vehicle supported by the systém.
~.' .' ~. ' , ~ ' - ; ' ' ~ ' ' ,' ' '~ ' ~ . ', ' ' DETAILED DESCRIPTl:ON
With reference now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like or similar parts ~
throughout several views~ a wheel engaging system io is illustrated which forms a first embodiment sf the present invention. ~s best seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, the assembly is attached to a wheel lift device 13. Device 13 is attached to towing vehicle 12, and is capable of lifting beam 14 vertically, and thus lifting the assembly 10 and any vehicle engaged thereby off the ground. Device 13 can also move the ~eam 14 forward relative to the rear of the towing vehicle to store the wheel engaging system when it is not in use.
The system 10 includes a fixed length transverse beam 18 which is pivotally mounted to the rearward end of the wheel lift axial beam 14 by pivot pin 20 for motion about a generally vertical axis. Mounted intermediate the pivot pin 20 and a first end of the transverse beam 18 is a first arm 22. The first arm is pivotally mounted to the transverse beam 18 by a pivot pin 24 for motion about a generally vertical axis. Similarly, between the pivot pin 20 and a second end of the transverse beam 18 is mounted a second arm 26. The second arm is mounted to the beam 18 for pivotal motion by a pivot'pin 28~ again for motion about a generally vertical axis.
A first reversible hydraulic motor 30 and a second reversible hydraulic motor 32 are mounted to the transverse beam 18 on either side of the pivot pin 20 and adjacent the first pivot pin 24 and second pivot pin 28, respectively. Each of the hydraulic motors 30 and 32 is provided with a drive shaft 34 on which is mounted a worm 36. Each of the first and second arms 22 and 26 has a worm gear 38 mounted thereon centered on the pivot axis of the respective arm, with the teeth of the worm gear ', : :
engaged to the teeth of the worm 36. Pre~erably, the pattern of the teeth on worm 36 and worm gear 38 is of the self-locking type with a helix angle of 5 degrees o~r less.
In other words, whatever forces are exerted about the axis of the pivot pins 24 or 28 to pivot the first or second arms 22 or 26, these forces will not result in rotation of the drive shaft 34 of either motor 30 or 32. Thus, effectively the only way arms 22 and 26 can pivot is if the motors 30 and 32 are activated to rotate worms 36.
Fluid power and control lines extend from the towing vehicle 12 to each of the hydraulic motors. The operator, at whatever remote location a control switch is mounted on the towing vehicle 12, will be able to direct fluid power to the hydraulic motors and thus pivot the arms from that remote position.
As ~est seen in FIGUR~S 3, 4 and 5, the arms 22 and 26 can be pivoted to a stored position, as seen in FIGURE
5 to minimize the extension of the wheel engaging assembly rearward of the truck. When the system is to be used to tow a vehicle, the hydraulic motors can be activated to pivot the arms to the attack position as shown in FI~URE
3. In this position, the arms are positioned so that the arms can be slid under the frame and body, and between the wheels of the vehicle to be engaged until the tire engaging portion 42 at each end of the transverse beam 18 comes into contact with the wheels of the vehicle 17. At that point, the motors 30 and 32 are again activated to pivot the arms into the wheel cradle position, as seen in FIGURE 4, where the arms move into contact with the bacXside of the wh~els to be lifted. FIGURES 7A and 7B
illustrate several possible positions o~ the tires of the towed vehicle 17 on the system 10. The beam 14 and wheel engaging system 10 can then be lifted upward from the . ..
, ' "
, ground, lifting the captured wheels of the vehicle to the desired position before towing.
The arms can also be designed to move hetween the stored position and the attack position in the direction indicatad by arrow 44 in FIGURE 5 so that the arms essentially pass over the pivot pin 20 as they move betwee~n the stored position and the attack position.
Because of the length of each arm, it will be presumed that one arm will be moved between the stored and attack 0 position at a time to avoid the arms interfering with each other.
Also, the design of the wheel engaging system 10 can be such as to permit the wheel arms 22 and 26 to rotate a full circle about their respective pivot pins 24 and 28.
This would be of advantage in permitting the operator to move the arms in the direction most convenient to reach the final position desired.
While two separately operating hydraulic motors have been used in the design illustrated in FIGURES 1-4, it is readily possible to have a single hydraulic motor and a drive shaft extending to both worms 36. This would permit the arms to be moved in opposite sequence at all times.
Further, while a hydraulic motor is preferred for the cradle arm pivoting function,~an electric motor, air motor, or other suitable rotary power source can be used.
The present invention provides a number of advantages over the wheel engaging designs currently available, which typically incorporate hydraulic cylinders. A hydraulic cylinder is only a linear actuator. When the hydraulic cylinder is used to pivot one member relative another, the range of motion of the member will be significantly less than a 180 degree arc. Further, as the pivot connection approaches one limit in its arcuate motion, the angle between the direction of motion of the hydraulic cylinder . .~ ~ ;, . .
...
rod and that of the member being moved becomes greater, with a resultant loss in efficiency and force. Further, the hydraulic cylinders must remain pressurized at ~11 times during the towing operation to provide a secure wheel cradle position for the wheels of the vehicle being towed. If, for any reason, the pressure should be lost in one or more of the cylinders, the arm attached to the cylinder could swing away from the wheel cradle position, the towing position, allowing the vehicle being towed to detach itself or drop from the wheel engaging device.
While one embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and described in the foregoing detailed description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.
` ` ' ~ : ' ' " ' ; ' ,, ~' ;
~' ~
TECHNICAL FIELD OF T~E INVENTION
This invention relates in general to devices for lifting and towing vehicles, i~nd more specifically an attachment to a wheel lift device for attacking, and cradling the tires of a vehicle to be towed.
BACgGROUND OF T~E INVENTION
The towing and recovery industry has had to adapt in recent years to a change in the nature of the vehic~les being towed or recovered. In the past, the typicai:towing vehicle comprised the well known boom and sling assemblies where the sling could be hooked under the front or rear of a vehicle to be towed. The boom linked to the sling then lifted the front or rear end of the automobile as appropriate, and the vehicle was then towed to the destination. However, with the fundamental shift in recent years by the automotive industry to manuacture lighter and more optimally engineered vehicles to maximize efficiency, the bumper structure, the frame structure and even the wheel axle assembly of the vehicle, may be too weak to be towed in the conventional manner. Along with this changa in vehicle confiyurationl the costs of labor and capital investments, and an ever-growing concern for operator safety, have created a need for more automated and swifter connection and release procedures for the vehicle towing process to increase manpower productivity, to minimize the time and effort required to conduct the connection and release procedures, and to provide a safer work environment for the operator during these procedures.
As a result of these nee~s, the industry has developed a wheel lift device which includes a wheel engaging device to capture and cradle the front or rear wheels of the vehicle to be towed. The wheel engaging device and captured vehicle are lifted o~f the ground for towing. In the typical situation, the wheels of the towed vehicle will be secured to the wheel engaging device by straps and/or chains. This configuration is unli~ely to injure the towed vehicle because the forces exerted during the towing operation between the towed and towing vehicle i, , .. . . ..
. . .. :, ,.
.
. .
are transferred through the suspension of the towed vehicle, which is designed to absorb su~h ~orces.
U.S. Patent No. 4,674,943 to Nespor discloses ~uch a basic concept which captures each wheel of a pair o~
wheels of the vehicle to be towed between two arms, with each of the arms being pivoted by a hydraulic cylinder between a storage position, a position to allow arms of the wheel engaging device to be slid under the vehicle adjacent the wheels to be engaged, and a position cradling the wheels for lifting and towing.
U.S. Patent No. 4,564,207 to Russ discloses another hydraulic whael system for tow vehicle wheel lifts which also has arms operated by hydraulic cylinders.
U.S. Patent No. 4,473,334 to Brown disclosed an lS automobile lifting and towing device which has a wheel engaging device with facing cradle arms which is spring biased to allegedly automatically move around a wheel to engage the wheel for lifting and towing.
U.S~ Patent No. 4,678,392 to Capers discloses a wheel ~-lift for a tow vehicle having a wheel engaging device with hydraulic cylinders to move arms laterally to engage and cradle the wheels.
The devices currently available in the industry are not wholly satisfactory. The prior art devices are often 2S awkward to use, may require-manual adjustments and are inconvenient to store. A need therefore exists for improved designs to meet the requirements of modern vehicle design, safety and profitability goals. `
.. , ~
.... ~ . ~, :
,. ; . :
- . ,, .; -, ~,, , ' 8~1~Y OF ~H~ VENq~ION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a recovery vehicle cradle arm assembly ~s provided which includes a fixed length beam with a-~enter pivotal mounting assembly and first and second wheel arms pivotally mounted to the beam for pivotal motion between a storage position, an engaging position and a wheel cradle position. A worm gear drive mechanism is provided for moving the first and second arms between the storage, engaging and wheel cradle positions. The gear drive is o~
self-locking design and is locked in any position in the absence of an intentional activation force/ thus assuring that the arms will remain in the last influenced position at all times, even in a wheel cradle position with a vehicle lifted and in tow, until intentionally re-influenced.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the self-locking gear drive mechanism includes a hydraulic motor mounted on the beam adjacent to each of said first and second arms, the shaft extension of the motor mounting a worm. Each of the first and second arms has a worm gear in engagement with the worm gear of the adjacent hydraulic motor.
.....
-: ' ''' ' .. '' :, . ~ ~
, . ..
. , ~ : , i . .
BRIEF DESC~RIPl'I0~7 OF THE DRAWING~3 For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference i~ now made to the following description, taken in conjunc~ion with the accompanying drawings, in which FIGURE 1 is a view of the wheel engaging system forming a first embodiment of the present invention on a towing vehicle towing a car;
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the wheel engaging system;
FIGURE 3 is a view of the wheel engaging system with the arm assembly configured in the engaging position to slide underneath part of the vehicle to`be towed;
FIGURE 4 is a view of the wheel engaging system with the arm assembly configured to the wheel cradle position for capturing the front or rear wheels of the vehicle in the cradle with the vehicle prepared to be lifted off the ground for towing;
FIGURE 5 is a view of the wheel engaging system illustrating the arms in the storage position;
FIGURE 6 is a detail view of one of the arms and associated operating mechanism; and FIGURES 7A and 7B illustrate the tire positions of a vehicle supported by the systém.
~.' .' ~. ' , ~ ' - ; ' ' ~ ' ' ,' ' '~ ' ~ . ', ' ' DETAILED DESCRIPTl:ON
With reference now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like or similar parts ~
throughout several views~ a wheel engaging system io is illustrated which forms a first embodiment sf the present invention. ~s best seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, the assembly is attached to a wheel lift device 13. Device 13 is attached to towing vehicle 12, and is capable of lifting beam 14 vertically, and thus lifting the assembly 10 and any vehicle engaged thereby off the ground. Device 13 can also move the ~eam 14 forward relative to the rear of the towing vehicle to store the wheel engaging system when it is not in use.
The system 10 includes a fixed length transverse beam 18 which is pivotally mounted to the rearward end of the wheel lift axial beam 14 by pivot pin 20 for motion about a generally vertical axis. Mounted intermediate the pivot pin 20 and a first end of the transverse beam 18 is a first arm 22. The first arm is pivotally mounted to the transverse beam 18 by a pivot pin 24 for motion about a generally vertical axis. Similarly, between the pivot pin 20 and a second end of the transverse beam 18 is mounted a second arm 26. The second arm is mounted to the beam 18 for pivotal motion by a pivot'pin 28~ again for motion about a generally vertical axis.
A first reversible hydraulic motor 30 and a second reversible hydraulic motor 32 are mounted to the transverse beam 18 on either side of the pivot pin 20 and adjacent the first pivot pin 24 and second pivot pin 28, respectively. Each of the hydraulic motors 30 and 32 is provided with a drive shaft 34 on which is mounted a worm 36. Each of the first and second arms 22 and 26 has a worm gear 38 mounted thereon centered on the pivot axis of the respective arm, with the teeth of the worm gear ', : :
engaged to the teeth of the worm 36. Pre~erably, the pattern of the teeth on worm 36 and worm gear 38 is of the self-locking type with a helix angle of 5 degrees o~r less.
In other words, whatever forces are exerted about the axis of the pivot pins 24 or 28 to pivot the first or second arms 22 or 26, these forces will not result in rotation of the drive shaft 34 of either motor 30 or 32. Thus, effectively the only way arms 22 and 26 can pivot is if the motors 30 and 32 are activated to rotate worms 36.
Fluid power and control lines extend from the towing vehicle 12 to each of the hydraulic motors. The operator, at whatever remote location a control switch is mounted on the towing vehicle 12, will be able to direct fluid power to the hydraulic motors and thus pivot the arms from that remote position.
As ~est seen in FIGUR~S 3, 4 and 5, the arms 22 and 26 can be pivoted to a stored position, as seen in FIGURE
5 to minimize the extension of the wheel engaging assembly rearward of the truck. When the system is to be used to tow a vehicle, the hydraulic motors can be activated to pivot the arms to the attack position as shown in FI~URE
3. In this position, the arms are positioned so that the arms can be slid under the frame and body, and between the wheels of the vehicle to be engaged until the tire engaging portion 42 at each end of the transverse beam 18 comes into contact with the wheels of the vehicle 17. At that point, the motors 30 and 32 are again activated to pivot the arms into the wheel cradle position, as seen in FIGURE 4, where the arms move into contact with the bacXside of the wh~els to be lifted. FIGURES 7A and 7B
illustrate several possible positions o~ the tires of the towed vehicle 17 on the system 10. The beam 14 and wheel engaging system 10 can then be lifted upward from the . ..
, ' "
, ground, lifting the captured wheels of the vehicle to the desired position before towing.
The arms can also be designed to move hetween the stored position and the attack position in the direction indicatad by arrow 44 in FIGURE 5 so that the arms essentially pass over the pivot pin 20 as they move betwee~n the stored position and the attack position.
Because of the length of each arm, it will be presumed that one arm will be moved between the stored and attack 0 position at a time to avoid the arms interfering with each other.
Also, the design of the wheel engaging system 10 can be such as to permit the wheel arms 22 and 26 to rotate a full circle about their respective pivot pins 24 and 28.
This would be of advantage in permitting the operator to move the arms in the direction most convenient to reach the final position desired.
While two separately operating hydraulic motors have been used in the design illustrated in FIGURES 1-4, it is readily possible to have a single hydraulic motor and a drive shaft extending to both worms 36. This would permit the arms to be moved in opposite sequence at all times.
Further, while a hydraulic motor is preferred for the cradle arm pivoting function,~an electric motor, air motor, or other suitable rotary power source can be used.
The present invention provides a number of advantages over the wheel engaging designs currently available, which typically incorporate hydraulic cylinders. A hydraulic cylinder is only a linear actuator. When the hydraulic cylinder is used to pivot one member relative another, the range of motion of the member will be significantly less than a 180 degree arc. Further, as the pivot connection approaches one limit in its arcuate motion, the angle between the direction of motion of the hydraulic cylinder . .~ ~ ;, . .
...
rod and that of the member being moved becomes greater, with a resultant loss in efficiency and force. Further, the hydraulic cylinders must remain pressurized at ~11 times during the towing operation to provide a secure wheel cradle position for the wheels of the vehicle being towed. If, for any reason, the pressure should be lost in one or more of the cylinders, the arm attached to the cylinder could swing away from the wheel cradle position, the towing position, allowing the vehicle being towed to detach itself or drop from the wheel engaging device.
While one embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and described in the foregoing detailed description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.
` ` ' ~ : ' ' " ' ; ' ,, ~' ;
~' ~
Claims (6)
1. A wheel engaging system, comprising:
a beam;
first and second arms pivotally mounted to the beam for pivotal motion between a storage position and a wheel engaging position; and a self-locking gear drive system for moving the first and second arms between the storage and vehicle engaging positions, the gear drive system being self-locking in at least the vehicle engaging position to maintain engagement with the vehicle in the absence of external influence.
a beam;
first and second arms pivotally mounted to the beam for pivotal motion between a storage position and a wheel engaging position; and a self-locking gear drive system for moving the first and second arms between the storage and vehicle engaging positions, the gear drive system being self-locking in at least the vehicle engaging position to maintain engagement with the vehicle in the absence of external influence.
2. The wheel engaging system of Claim 1 wherein said self-locking gear drive includes a first worm mounted for rotation about a drive axis adjacent each of said first and second arms, a worm gear mounted on each of said first and second arms and in engagement with the adjacent worm and means for rotating said worm to pivot said first and second arms.
3. The wheel engaging system of Claim 1 wherein said first and second arms can each pivot at least 180°
relative to the beam.
relative to the beam.
4. The wheel engaging system of Claim 1 wherein the first and second arms are further pivotal to a wheel cradle position, said gear drive system further for moving the first and second arms to the wheel cradle position, the gear drive system being self-locking in the wheel cradle position.
5. The wheel engaging system of Claim 4 wherein the gear drive system is self-locking in all positions.
6. A wheel engaging system comprising:
a transverse beam having a center line;
a first arm pivotally mounted to the beam intermediate an end of the beam and the beam center line for pivotal motion between a storage position, and an engaging position and a wheel cradle position;
a second arm pivotally mounted to the beam intermediate the opposite end of the beam and the center line of the beam for pivotal motion between a storage position, an engaging position and a wheel cradle position;
a worm gear mounted on each of said first and second arms centered on the pivotal axis of said arm;
a worm mounted on said beam for rotation about a drive axis adjacent each of said arms and in engagement with the teeth on the worm gear on said arm;
means for selectively rotating said worms to pivot said first and second arms between the storage position, engaging position, and wheel cradle position, the engagement of the worm gears and worms on said arms preventing pivotal movement of said arms in the absence of external forces.
a transverse beam having a center line;
a first arm pivotally mounted to the beam intermediate an end of the beam and the beam center line for pivotal motion between a storage position, and an engaging position and a wheel cradle position;
a second arm pivotally mounted to the beam intermediate the opposite end of the beam and the center line of the beam for pivotal motion between a storage position, an engaging position and a wheel cradle position;
a worm gear mounted on each of said first and second arms centered on the pivotal axis of said arm;
a worm mounted on said beam for rotation about a drive axis adjacent each of said arms and in engagement with the teeth on the worm gear on said arm;
means for selectively rotating said worms to pivot said first and second arms between the storage position, engaging position, and wheel cradle position, the engagement of the worm gears and worms on said arms preventing pivotal movement of said arms in the absence of external forces.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US708,939 | 1976-07-27 | ||
| US70893991A | 1991-05-31 | 1991-05-31 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2069809A1 true CA2069809A1 (en) | 1992-12-01 |
Family
ID=24847785
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2069809 Abandoned CA2069809A1 (en) | 1991-05-31 | 1992-05-28 | Wheel engaging system for towing vehicle wheel lifts |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2069809A1 (en) |
Cited By (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1997017224A1 (en) | 1995-11-08 | 1997-05-15 | Jerr-Dan Corporation | Light weight/rust resistant tow truck body |
| WO1997017226A1 (en) | 1995-11-07 | 1997-05-15 | Jerr-Dan Corporation | Over-center towing locking mechanism for a wheel lift |
| US5692871A (en) * | 1996-11-21 | 1997-12-02 | Chevron, Inc. | Wheel lift towing device |
| WO1998005529A1 (en) | 1996-08-08 | 1998-02-12 | Jerr-Dan Corporation | Locking mechanism for tow truck wheel lift |
| US5762465A (en) * | 1996-05-14 | 1998-06-09 | Zackovich; Stanley E. | Vehicle lifting and towing method and apparatus |
| US5782601A (en) * | 1996-02-02 | 1998-07-21 | Wilson; Paul M. | Vehicle towing apparatus |
| US5908280A (en) * | 1997-04-29 | 1999-06-01 | Allison; James | Wheel lift apparatus for vehicle towing and related methods |
| EP1706288A2 (en) * | 2003-11-20 | 2006-10-04 | Jerr-Dan Corporation | Improved wheel-lift assembly for wreckers |
-
1992
- 1992-05-28 CA CA 2069809 patent/CA2069809A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1997017226A1 (en) | 1995-11-07 | 1997-05-15 | Jerr-Dan Corporation | Over-center towing locking mechanism for a wheel lift |
| WO1997017224A1 (en) | 1995-11-08 | 1997-05-15 | Jerr-Dan Corporation | Light weight/rust resistant tow truck body |
| US5782601A (en) * | 1996-02-02 | 1998-07-21 | Wilson; Paul M. | Vehicle towing apparatus |
| US5762465A (en) * | 1996-05-14 | 1998-06-09 | Zackovich; Stanley E. | Vehicle lifting and towing method and apparatus |
| WO1998005529A1 (en) | 1996-08-08 | 1998-02-12 | Jerr-Dan Corporation | Locking mechanism for tow truck wheel lift |
| US5692871A (en) * | 1996-11-21 | 1997-12-02 | Chevron, Inc. | Wheel lift towing device |
| US5908280A (en) * | 1997-04-29 | 1999-06-01 | Allison; James | Wheel lift apparatus for vehicle towing and related methods |
| EP1706288A2 (en) * | 2003-11-20 | 2006-10-04 | Jerr-Dan Corporation | Improved wheel-lift assembly for wreckers |
| EP1706288A4 (en) * | 2003-11-20 | 2008-07-23 | Jerr Dan Corp | Improved wheel-lift assembly for wreckers |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| FZDE | Dead |