CA2082539A1 - Lifting apparatus - Google Patents
Lifting apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA2082539A1 CA2082539A1 CA 2082539 CA2082539A CA2082539A1 CA 2082539 A1 CA2082539 A1 CA 2082539A1 CA 2082539 CA2082539 CA 2082539 CA 2082539 A CA2082539 A CA 2082539A CA 2082539 A1 CA2082539 A1 CA 2082539A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tool bar
- members
- lifting
- lifting apparatus
- accordance
- 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
- 230000003405 preventing effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract 3
- 230000008093 supporting effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 claims 5
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 abstract description 5
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 9
- 239000000306 component Substances 0.000 description 6
- 241000282320 Panthera leo Species 0.000 description 5
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 description 3
- NLZUEZXRPGMBCV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Butylhydroxytoluene Chemical compound CC1=CC(C(C)(C)C)=C(O)C(C(C)(C)C)=C1 NLZUEZXRPGMBCV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229920000136 polysorbate Polymers 0.000 description 2
- DNXHEGUUPJUMQT-UHFFFAOYSA-N (+)-estrone Natural products OC1=CC=C2C3CCC(C)(C(CC4)=O)C4C3CCC2=C1 DNXHEGUUPJUMQT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- ZPEZUAAEBBHXBT-WCCKRBBISA-N (2s)-2-amino-3-methylbutanoic acid;2-amino-3-methylbutanoic acid Chemical compound CC(C)C(N)C(O)=O.CC(C)[C@H](N)C(O)=O ZPEZUAAEBBHXBT-WCCKRBBISA-N 0.000 description 1
- POSKOXIJDWDKPH-UHFFFAOYSA-N Kelevan Chemical compound ClC1(Cl)C2(Cl)C3(Cl)C4(Cl)C(CC(=O)CCC(=O)OCC)(O)C5(Cl)C3(Cl)C1(Cl)C5(Cl)C42Cl POSKOXIJDWDKPH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 240000007839 Kleinhovia hospita Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000153282 Theope Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000009193 crawling Effects 0.000 description 1
- STEPQTYSZVCJPV-UHFFFAOYSA-N metazachlor Chemical compound CC1=CC=CC(C)=C1N(C(=O)CCl)CN1N=CC=C1 STEPQTYSZVCJPV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000005239 tubule Anatomy 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66F—HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD
- B66F7/00—Lifting frames, e.g. for lifting vehicles; Platform lifts
- B66F7/02—Lifting frames, e.g. for lifting vehicles; Platform lifts with platforms suspended from ropes, cables, or chains or screws and movable along pillars
- B66F7/04—Lifting frames, e.g. for lifting vehicles; Platform lifts with platforms suspended from ropes, cables, or chains or screws and movable along pillars hydraulically or pneumatically operated
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Forklifts And Lifting Vehicles (AREA)
- Handcart (AREA)
Abstract
LIFTING APPARATUS
Abstract of the Disclosure Lifting apparatus for lifting equipment such as utility vehicles (e.g., three-wheeled commercial mowers, four-wheeled vehicles, outdooor power equipment, etc.) for inspection, servicing and repair purposes. The lifting apparatus includes spaced-apart tool bars and wheel lift means carried by the tool bars. The wheel lift means are movable along the tool bars and preferably are also movable transversely of the tool bars and are able to engage the wheels of the vehicle even when the vehicle is not aligned parallel to the tool bars. When the tool bars are raised, the wheel lift means cause the vehicle to be lifted. The underside of the vehicle is unobstructed to enable access to all portions of the vehicle or its components (e.g., cutting blades, etc.). The lifting apparatus preferably includes releasable locking members for preventing the tool bars from moving downwardly.
Abstract of the Disclosure Lifting apparatus for lifting equipment such as utility vehicles (e.g., three-wheeled commercial mowers, four-wheeled vehicles, outdooor power equipment, etc.) for inspection, servicing and repair purposes. The lifting apparatus includes spaced-apart tool bars and wheel lift means carried by the tool bars. The wheel lift means are movable along the tool bars and preferably are also movable transversely of the tool bars and are able to engage the wheels of the vehicle even when the vehicle is not aligned parallel to the tool bars. When the tool bars are raised, the wheel lift means cause the vehicle to be lifted. The underside of the vehicle is unobstructed to enable access to all portions of the vehicle or its components (e.g., cutting blades, etc.). The lifting apparatus preferably includes releasable locking members for preventing the tool bars from moving downwardly.
Description
10J13-PI\ -01 LII;`TING APPAI~}~TUS
Field of the In entloll This i.nvention relates.to lifting apparatus for liftinq of equipment to enable inspect.ion, se~vicing and ~epair.
More particularly, this inventlon r:ela~.es to powered liEt apparatus which i5 especially useful for lifting outdoox powex equipment, recxeational vehicles, ut.ility vehicles, etc.
~g~f ~
Golf couxse mowing equipment and other commercial mow-ing devices typically require fxequent (e.g., daily~ in~pec-tion, adjustment, servicing, or re~air of various compon-ent.6. It is very di~ficult to acces~ ~11 of the components of the ~quipment wit.hout lifting t.he equipment or crawling undcr it. ~onventional chain hoists axe not suitable ~or lifting most types o powex equipment because thexe normally aren't readily accessible poxtions of the fxame t~ which sevexal ch~ s can be connectecl fox lifting. Also, the equipment may not be st~bly supported with chains.
Conventi.onal automo~ile hoi~ts and lifts a~e also not adaptable to lifting equipment ~uch as commexcial mowe~s (e.g., thr:ee-wheeled mowers) or vaxious other types o~
equipment which do not have a frame whi~h can be readily engaged by conventional hoist lifting axms. Conventional hoist~ or li.fts do not include t.he types of adjustability which would b~ xequixed ln oxdex to p~rml t lif~.ing of ~r~
va~ious types of power equipment. Those hoists which in~
clude a~ms which extend unde~ a vehicle to be liEted require that the a~ms reach an~ engage thc E~ame of the vehicle.
~lthough this is possible when liftin(3 conven~ional automo ~ile vehi~les, it i9 difficult o~ impo~sible to do thi~ when attempting to li~t various types of powe~ cquipment.
Furthe~mo~e, it i5 difficult to align power equipment such as comme~cial mowers with a conventional hoist o~ lift of the type intended ~o~ lifting automo~iles. This ma~es the use of conventional hoists o~ lifts even mo~e difficult o~ cumbersome for lifting equipment such as lar~e mowe~s, th~ee-wheeled vehicles, etc.
Iloists, jacks and other types of apparatus have p~e-viously been used fo~ various liting pu~poses. See, for example, the hoists descxibed in U.S. Patents 2,09~,636;
Field of the In entloll This i.nvention relates.to lifting apparatus for liftinq of equipment to enable inspect.ion, se~vicing and ~epair.
More particularly, this inventlon r:ela~.es to powered liEt apparatus which i5 especially useful for lifting outdoox powex equipment, recxeational vehicles, ut.ility vehicles, etc.
~g~f ~
Golf couxse mowing equipment and other commercial mow-ing devices typically require fxequent (e.g., daily~ in~pec-tion, adjustment, servicing, or re~air of various compon-ent.6. It is very di~ficult to acces~ ~11 of the components of the ~quipment wit.hout lifting t.he equipment or crawling undcr it. ~onventional chain hoists axe not suitable ~or lifting most types o powex equipment because thexe normally aren't readily accessible poxtions of the fxame t~ which sevexal ch~ s can be connectecl fox lifting. Also, the equipment may not be st~bly supported with chains.
Conventi.onal automo~ile hoi~ts and lifts a~e also not adaptable to lifting equipment ~uch as commexcial mowe~s (e.g., thr:ee-wheeled mowers) or vaxious other types o~
equipment which do not have a frame whi~h can be readily engaged by conventional hoist lifting axms. Conventional hoist~ or li.fts do not include t.he types of adjustability which would b~ xequixed ln oxdex to p~rml t lif~.ing of ~r~
va~ious types of power equipment. Those hoists which in~
clude a~ms which extend unde~ a vehicle to be liEted require that the a~ms reach an~ engage thc E~ame of the vehicle.
~lthough this is possible when liftin(3 conven~ional automo ~ile vehi~les, it i9 difficult o~ impo~sible to do thi~ when attempting to li~t various types of powe~ cquipment.
Furthe~mo~e, it i5 difficult to align power equipment such as comme~cial mowers with a conventional hoist o~ lift of the type intended ~o~ lifting automo~iles. This ma~es the use of conventional hoists o~ lifts even mo~e difficult o~ cumbersome for lifting equipment such as lar~e mowe~s, th~ee-wheeled vehicles, etc.
Iloists, jacks and other types of apparatus have p~e-viously been used fo~ various liting pu~poses. See, for example, the hoists descxibed in U.S. Patents 2,09~,636;
2,564,267; 3,734,466; 4,058,293; 4,196,8~7; and 4,856,618.
Other lifting devices a~e al50 described in U.S. Patents 4,793,593; 4,540,329 and 2,840,248.
None of such prio~ holst and liftinq device~ are enti~ely suitable o~ practical fox lifting and suppo~tin~3 odd-shaped vehicles and ce~tain types of powe~ equipment (e.g., tllree whe~led vehicles such as mowers). Also, the hoist. systems ~}lich are intend~d fo~ U6e in liftirlg automo-biles and garden tractors or the like typically ~equi~e that the vehicle bc ve~y ca~efully aligned with the lifting appa~atus in order to be lifted. If the vehicle is not pxt~pexly aligrled, ~he li ~ting mechani ~m eithe~ cannot engage ` ..` 9 th~ vehicle, or the weight of the vehlcle i8 not p~ope~ly balanced on the lift mechanism. This condi~ion can be very dangexous becaus~ the vehicle could 811p or f~ll oef the lift, causing damage to the vehicle and injuxy to any work-men who may be undex ox near the vehicle.
Some of the conventional hoist systems a~e also unsuit-able because they include ~ails, plat.fo~ms, or othe~ ti.ny struct.u~e which extends unde~neath the vehicle. Such stxuc-tuxe can interfexe with xequi~ed access to the underside of the vehiole fox inspection, sexvicing, ox xepai~ puxposes.
Although xamps axe sometilnes used to suppo~t a vehicle in an elevated position, this can be vexy dange~ous. Also, the amount of elevation obtained wi.th ~amps is limited.
Thexe has not hexetofo~e been pxovided lifting appaxa-tus which is suitable or pxactical fox safaly and effi~ient-ly lifting outdoo~ powe~ equipment (e.g., three-wheele~
mowers), utility vehicles, ~ecreatiollal vehicles, etc.
Summar~c of the Pr.e~ent Invention In acco~dance with tl~e present i.nvention the~e is pxo-vid~d lifting appa~atus which i8 especially useful fox lift.-ing vehicles and equipment (e.g., thxee-wheeled mowe~s~ to enable inspectiorl, sexvicing and xepai.~ thexeof. l'he lift-ing appa~atus is especially useful ox li.fting and support-ing equipment such as laxge comme~cial mowers and othe~
types of outdoo~ powex equipment which cannot ~e safely lifted and suppo~ted by means of conventional automobile hoi~ts and lifts. The appaxatus is also useful in lifting r-C ~
and SUppOXtillg vehicl~?s such as golE car-t~, xec7-eation~l vehicles, etc.
In one embodiment the lift.ing appa~atus is suitable fvr lifting a thxee-wheeled vehicle, the appaxatus p~oviding ~n unobstxucted ent~yway and`l'ifting means to xeadily adapt to the vehicle 80 that the vehicle can be quickly and collveni-ently dxiven into the appaxatus, without having to aliyn t.he vehicle with the longitudinal axis of the lifting appaxatus.
The apparatus can readily adapt to vehicles of different.
sizes.
The lifting appa~atus compxlses, in one en~bodiment:
(a) two gellexally hoxizontal tool bax me~lbexs which a~e txansvexsely spaced-apart to pxovide an unobstructed entxyway for the vehicle;
(b) tt~o side wheel lift means, each of wllich i~ read-ily attached to one of said tool bax membexs, for engaging a si~e wheel of the vehicle; whexeill each side wheel lift. means is adapted to be moved longi~udinally along a xe~pective to~l bax mernber to readily adapt, to diffexent.ly sized vehicles and to a vehicle misaligned wi~,h ~espect to the longitudinal axis of the appaxatus;
(c) thixd wheel lift means fo~ engaging and lifting th~? thixd wheel of t.he vehicle; and (d) li.~ting means fox lifting th~? two tool bar memb~
and the thixd wheel lift means to lift the vehicl~.
The apparatus of t.hi~ invention i9 ve~y verr,at.ile and can be used to safely and ef~ectively lift: powe~ equipment and vehicles o~ vaxious types and 5tyle8. The wheel li.ft means axe movable longit.udinally, and prefexably also tralls versely, with respect to the tool members. Ther-e is no need to have the equipment ox.vehicle aligned pa~allel to the tool baxs. The wheel lift means can be moved and positioned such t.hat they will pxoperly and desirably engage the wheels of the unit to be lift.ed rega~dless of any misalignmellt between the vehicle and the apparatus.
The lifting appaxatus of this invention is suitable for safe and effective lifting of a wide varie-ty of vehicles and powe~ equipment (e.g., commexcial mowe~s, th~ee-whæeled and f~ux-wheeled vehicles, golf carts, xec~eatioll~l vehicles, etc.). The apparatus does not xequi~e acces~ to the frame of the vehicle or the equipment in oxder t.o sa~ely lift it, and no special alignment is ~equi.xed in ordex to allow the lift to ope~ate. Also, the lift appa~atus does not require any vert.ical adju~.ment of a~ms o~ hanger~ in orde~ to p~operly engagQ the v~hicle o~ the ~quipm~nt to ~e lifted.
The li.ft appaxatus i.s ve~y open and enables a vehicle to be driven easily int.o the area between the tool bax ~em-bexs. Afte~ the wh~el lift means have engaged the wheels, th~ vehicle can be lifted to the desired height. The unde~-side of the vehicle is completely open and accessible to enable inspection, servicirlg and repaix of the vehicle. In o-the~ wo~ds, the lift appa~atus doe~ not ob5t~uc~ ~ccess to the unde~ide of the vehicl~.
Othe~ advantages oE the appaxatus of tha inv~ntion will be appaxent from the following detailed desc~iptiorl.
Br.ief Description o _ the D wln~
The invention is descxibed in more detail hereinafter with r:efexence to the accompanying drawings, wherein li~e refexence characters refex to the same parts th~ouyhout the sevexal views and in which:
FIGURE 1 is a pe~spective view illustrating one embodi-ment. of lifting appaxatus of the invention tprio~ to attach-ment of side wheel li.ft. means);
FIGURE ~ is a perspecti.ve view of the lifting apparatus of Figure 1 with a laxge commerci.al mowex positioned between the tool bar Tnembe~s in p~epaxation fox being lifted ~y the appaxatus;
FIGURE 3 is a top view illustxating one manne~ in which the appa~atus of thi s i.nvention is able to engage and sup-poxt. a laxge commercial three-wheeled mow~ for lifting pur-poses even when the mow~x is not aligned parallel to the to~l baxs;
FIGURE 4 is a pexspective view illustratiny a large commexcial mowe~ whi.ch is suppo~ted safely in an elevated posi$ion to enable a workman to inspect/ service and ~epaix components on the unde~si.de of the mowe~;
FIGURES 5A - 5D illustrate a pxefe~red em~odiment of wh~l lift ~o~k ~ean~ which 1~ u~eful in thls invention;
FIGIJRE 6 illust~ates a p~efe~ed embodilllent of t:ht3 cable means and hydraulic cylinde~ u~d to li~. t:he tool bar membe~s;
FIGURE 7 is a top view of th~ cross member which connect~ the upper end of the two up:~icJht suppo~t melllhc!rs;
FIGUI~ES 8A - 8~ illustrate a p~efe~ed manner in which the ca~les a~e connected to a ve~tical slide melnbe~ for lifting one of t.he tool bars;
FIGU~E 9 is a side elevat.ional view showing one of ~he t.ool ba~ membe~s and one of the up~ight suppo~t mem~e~s;
FIGURE 10 is a cross-sectional vi.ew t.aken along line 10-10 in Figu~e 9;
FIGU~E 11 is a front elevational pa~tially cut-away view of one. of th~ upri.ght suppo~t Membexs showing the ~eleasable safety lock means FIGU~E 12 is a pex6pective vi.ew fu~ther illust.~atillg the ope~ation of the saf ety lock means;
FIGURE 13 is a botto~n vi.ew of one ernbodiment of tray which 1s use~ul in th~ invent.ion;
FIGURE 14 is a c~oss-sectional view of the t~ay shown in Figure 13 taken alon~ line 14-14:
FIGURE 15 is a c~oss-secti.onal view of the t~ay shown in Eigu~e 13 taken along lin~ 15-15;
FIGURE 16 is a side elevational vi.ew of the uppe~ end of one of the up~ight ~uppo~t membexs;
FIGU~E 17 is a si~e elevatiollal view of the uppe~ en~
o~ ~.he othn~ up~l~h~ ~u~po~t memb~
FIGUR~ 18 is a pe~spective view showing the cont~ol leve~s accessible on one of the up~ight suppo~t Inelnbers in the apparatus of the invention;
E`IGUR~ 1~ is a pe~spec~.ive view showing the s~fety lock means on the other up~ight suppo~t membe~;
FIGUII~ 20 is a side elevational view of one ~f ~he uprigllt suppo~t membe~s showing openincJs fo~ vie~Jing the equalizer ~a~ to which ~.he lift cables a~e attached;
FIGUR~S 21A and 21B show the placement oE a photocell and ~eflector which is useful in a high lift wa~ning system in the appa~atus of the lnvention;
FIGU~E 22 illus~.~ates one mannex in wh.~ch a leg of t.he up~i~ht suppo~t. membe~ can be secu~ed to t.he floo~;
FIGUnE 23 ~howa the lowe~ ~nd o~ one of the up~ight suppo~t memb~s;
FIGU~E 24 i.s a pe~spect.ive view illust~atillg anothe~
embodiment of foxk hange~ which is u6eful in t.his invention;
FIGU~E 25 is an end elevational view illust~ating anothex en~odiment. of t.ool ba~ and fo~k hanger Ineans whicl a~ useful in t.~is invention FIGURES 26A and 26B are elevational view~ illust~ating ope~ation of the foot gua~d system of the invention;
FIGUR~ 27 is a perspective view of one embo~in~ent of hyd~aulic powe~ unit which is useful in ~his invention;
FIGUR~S 28A and 28B a~e elevational cut awdy views showing a prefe~ed embodiment of hyd~aulic ~elease valve which 1~ useful in the appa~atus of t.his invention.
- a .
~ ? ~tg Detailed D~scxi~tion of the Invention __________ __ ___._ ______ _ ___ ~__ In Figu~e 1 thexe is illu~t.~ated one embodiment oE lif~.
appaxatus lO which is useful in this inventioll. The appa~-atus includes spaced-apaxt elongat.ed tool bax membe~s 12 alld 14, upxight suppoxt membe~s 16 and 18, and cross membe~ 19.
Floo~ suppoxt9 15 and 17 axe secu~ed to the lowe~ ends of th~ upright membexs 16 and 1~ respect.ively. The floor sup-ports can be bolted to the floox of the shop ox buildillg in whicll the li.ft. apparatus i9 to be used, i.f desired. This is illust.xated in Figuxe 22 whexe bolt 17A is used to secure floox support 17 to a flonr 11. By bolting the apparatus to t.he floo~l the appa~atus i~ ext.~emely stabl~ and is p~event-ed fxom moving ox tipping. Depending upon the lengt.h of the floo~ suppoxts 15 and 17, It n~ay not be necessa~y to s~cu~e them to the floox.
As illustxated in Figuxe 1, t.he tool bax membe~s axe txansvexsely sp~ced apaxt such ~hat a laxge open axea is de~ined between them into which a vehicle to be lifted can b~ quickly and conveniently dxiven ~hexe 1~ no need to align the vehicle with the tool b~ membexs ox ~i.th the longitudinal axis o~ the app~xatus. The longitudinal axis i5 defined as the axis pexpendicular to the plane defined by the t.wo upxight suppoxt membexs. When the t.ool ba~ members ax~ parallel to each othex, the longitudinal axis of the lift appaxatus is paxallel to the tool bax membexs.
In the lift apparatus illustxated in the drawings the tool ba~ meTnbex~ axe pa~allel to each othe~, but it i s 2~ r~ 9 possible fox them to be non-paxallel if de~ired. For example, t:he xea~ward ends of the tool ba~ mcmbc~rs could be angled towaxds each ot}ler. The xearwaxcl ends o~ e tool bar membexs could even be connected, i~ de~i~ed. rreEera~ly the tool bax membexs are hoxizontal, as illustxatecl.
Each tool bax membe~ is p~efe~ably secuxed to a vertical sli~ex member 20 which is slidably ret~ined in a respective upxight suppoxt membe~. The uppex end of each slidex men~c!r is attacl~ed to a lift cable system.
As illust~ated in Figuxe 10, the upxight suppoxt membe~
is tubular in nature and includes a wide longitudinal slot along its length. Thexe prefe~ably axe blocks 20A secu~ed to opposite edges of the slider membex to appxoximate the intexiox dimensions of the upright support membex. As a xesult, the tool bax membe~ is prevented froM tiltlng, twisting or rotating xelative to the up~ight suppoxt member.
The lowex end of each support member pxefexably includes a transverse ba~ ox xod secuxed thPxeto to maintail~ t:he pxopex dime~sion for the upright. This is illustrated in Figu~e 23 whexe bax 16~ is secuxed to the lowex ~nd of upright 16.
The lift cabl~! ~ystem prefexably com~xi6es two cables 21 and 22 which are attached to each slidex membex by means of ao equalizQ~ bar 23. The equalizex bar is attached to the uppex end of the slicle~ membex by means of bolt 23A in such a manner that the equalizex bax can pivot about its center, as shown in Figures 8A-8C, for example. In the nvent that ot~ ~f the ca~l~s falls (e.cJ., bxeak~ ox becomes loosened), the other cable ~ill still su~po~t the tool ba~.
This i~ an addltional safety featu~e. Figure ~O 3)10W~ a~e~-tures 16A in up~ight suppor~ 16 which enable one to obse~ve whethe~ the e~ualize~ ba~ 23 is in a level position, there~y indicating that the two cables a~e still p~ope~ly conllected and ope~ational.
A prefer~ed type of wheel l~ft mealls fox use in this invention is illust~ated in Figures 5A-5D. The wheel lift means shown comp~ises a lift fork membe~ 40 havincJ an elon-gated shank membex 42 secu~ed thereto. The fork lift memb~r includes spaced-apart forks o~ ba~s 40A. The length of the forks, and the distance separating the fo~ks, may vary as desired to accommodate any size wheel. The forks or bars can slidably enga~e a wheel of a vehicle to he lifted fo~-wardly and rea~waxdly of the foot print of the wheel, i.eO, one fo~k extends along the floox in f~ont of the wheel and the othex fo~k slides along the floor behind the wheel. The foot p~int of the wheel is defined as the po~tion of the wheel in contact with the floo~. The wheel of the vehicle does not have to be lifted in order to ~e engaged by the forks.
The shank 42 extends away from the fork men~e~ 40 as illustrated. The lengtll of shank 42 may vary. The diameter and cross sectional configu~ation of the shank membe~ may also vary. P~eferably the shank i5 square or rectangula~
cross-sectioll.
The lift foxk means is detachably connected ox attached to one of the tool ba~ members by meAns o a hangcr ~S com-p~ising a body member which includes opposiny ar:ms 46 and 47. When the hanger is attached to the tool bar memher, arm 46 beaxs against one side of t,he tool ba~ member and arm 47 bea~s against the othe,r side. This is best, illu~txated in Figure 5B.
Preferably the t-ool baxs are non-circular in cross-section so that the hangex means (to which the lift orks are attached) will not xotate towaxd the item to be lifted when the tool baxs are raised. As illustrated in the d~aw-ings, a xectangular c~oss-section fox the tool bars i~ ve~y suitable. A square cross-section or other polygonal or non-cixcula~ c'xoss-section is also useful for the tool bars.
If a ci~culax cxoss-section tool bar is used, therl the hange~ must be bolted, pinned, o~ keyed to the tool bar to pxevent undesi~able angular xotation.
As illustrated in Fi~ures 5A and 5s the lower end of arm 46 of the hange~ preferably includes a lip 4~A ~hich extends under the lower edge of the tool ba~. Tlle lip 46A
(a) prevents the hanger 45 fxom being lifted st~aight upwaxdly and ~b) p~event~ hange~ 45 from being positioned par~ially ovex the end of the tool ba~ 12 or 19. The end of each tool bax pxefexably includes a raised end portion ti.e., 12A an~ 14A). Because the vert,ical d~mensioll of end portlons 12A and 14A is greatex than the vertical dimension be~we~n lip 46A and ba~ 49 ln hange~ 45, the hange~ cannot ~ ' ~ r~.; ''., ~3 be attached t.o -the extreme outer elld of either tool ~ar.
This safety featu~e prevellts the hanger from belny only partially attached to the end of the t.ool bax.
The up~e.r portion of the l~anger ~ody inclu~les el receivex poxtion fox sli.dably xecelving the sharl~ 4~ of the Eork means. The xeceiver includes an upper ~a~ 48 which pxevents the shank 92 f~om mov.ing upwaxdly away f~om ~.he tool bar. Handle ~A may be .integ~al with the b~r 48.
Thus, angulax movement ox ~otation of the hangcr 45 relative to the tool ~ar in the dixection of the ite~ to be lifted is p~evented by means of opposing axms 46 and 47 which engage opposite sides of the tool bax. ~llgula~ move-ment or rot.ation of shank ~2 ~elative to the tool bax is pxevented by means of bax 48 extending over shank 42. The shank membex is suppo~ted on its lowe~ surface by means of t.~ansverse baxs 49~ Thus, shank Tnembex 42 is vexy stably suppoxted in hangex 45 against downwaxd foxce applied on the fo~k member 40.
The shank member 42 is slidably xeceived in the hanger 45 in a ~anne~ such that the txansvexse ox latexal position of t.he sh~nk x21ative to the hange~ is easily adjust.ed, as xequi~ed, in o~der ~.o slide the foxks 40~ (a) a~ound a wheel 102 of a vehicle to be lifted, ox (b) away from the wheel 102 afte~ servicin~ ox xepai~ of the vehicle is completed.
l'he longitudinal positioning of the hallge~ 45 ~elatjve to the tool bax may be adjust.ed by lifting the for~ member and the attached end of ~he shank upwaxdly (as sh~wn in Figuxe 5A) and then simply slidlng the hange~ ~5 along the tool bax to the deslxed position. Then the foxk and shank axe lowexed, whexehy the hanger 45 again engages opposing sides of the tool bax ~Figuxe 5B). When weight is applied to t.he foxk membex, the hange~ tightly gxips the tool ba~
and will not slide along the tool bar. The hange~ al50 p~e-V~lltS the foxk membexs fxom tipping downwaxdly.
~ ecause the position of the oxk membe~s xelative to the tool baxs is adjustable both in the lonyitudinal and in the txansvexse ox latexal dixections, the foxk me~bexs on the tool baxs can be ~oved to any requixed position in ordex to pxopexly engage the wheels of the vehicle, xegaxdless of ~he position of the vehicle xelative to the tool baxs. This is vexy well illustxated in the top view of Figure 3 whexein a laxge commexcial mowex 100 is positioned between the tool ~ax membexs 1?. and 14. The rllowex i8 llOt aligned paxallel to the tool baxs ox to the longitudinal axis of the lift appa~
atus, yet the foxk membexs axe able to easily and readily engag~ the ~ide wheels 102 of the ~owex.
Although anothex fo~k membex could be attached to one of the tool baxs fox the puxpose of engaging and lifting wheel 103 of the n~owex, it is also possible to use a lift txay 35 which is suppoxted between the tool bax membexs.
Pxefexably the position of the txay 35 xelative to the tool haxs is adjustable. Fo~ example, the tool ba~s may include a plurality of spaced-apaxt apextuxes 13 along theix top 6u~ace. A handle 36 at each end of the tray pxefexably includes a downwaxdly ext.~nding end ox pin 36A w~ c'h can engage an apexture 13 at the desired location along the tool bar. See Figure~ 14 and 15. This prevents th~ t~ay ~rom sliding relative to the tool bars.
When lifting four-wheeled vehicles, it is possible to place two whe~ls on the lift t.ray and then use two fork mem-be~s for cngaging and liftlng the othe~ two whe~ls. ~lte~-natively, a separate fork member may be used for lifting each wheel.
~ nother feature of the lift tray is appa~ent f~om Fiyures 14 and 15. One edge 35A of the txay extends to the floo~ 11 when the tool bars axe in theix lowered position so as to facilitate, xolling of a wheel of a vehicle onto the tray. The opposite ed~e 35B of the txay does not extend downwardly to the ~loox. This helps to avoid pinching of a wvxkman's feet under the edge 35~ when the tool haxs are lowexed. Each side edge of the tray includes a raised xib to asslst in ~etaining the wheel on the tray.
Another Eeature illustrat.ed in the dxawings is a toe o~
foot guaxd ~ax 38 which extends along the length of the tray. It is pivotably mount~d at each of its ends. The ~ax 38 extends slightly farwaxdly of the tray. If a woxkman's foot is contacted by the bax 38 when the tool ~a~s ax~
lowexed, the bax 38 causes the wo~kman's foot to be pusl~ed away from undex the tray e,dge 35B. This is illu~txated in Figures ~6A alld 26B.
~r~
lihen the vehicle is lifted by ~he appa~atus of thiu invention, t.he enti~e undexside of the vehicle is easily accessible by woxkmen fo~ inspection, sexvicin~ and xepair.
Yox exampler when the vehicle is a large commexcial m~wex ~as illustxàted, fox example, in Figure 4), a wo~kman can access the functi.onal components of the machlne (e.g., cUttin~J blades and knives) Witllout having to c~awl undex the machine. Aa illustxated, the woxkman can sit on a xo~ g stool and woxk on the machine in a comfoxtable position. As a ~esult, any inspection, servicing ox xepaixs can be conducted in a vexy efficient and convenient mannex.
Hydxaulic cylindex 24 is caxried by the cross membe~
19. The cylindex 24 is powexed by a hydxaulic power Ullit comprlsiny electxic mot.ox 27, oil xese~voi~ .9, hyd~aulic 3~pump 31 valve b~d~ assembly 32, and contxol shaft 33. The ,s ~"~ n 4 ~
I xese~voix includes an end plate 37 and an oil level indica-tor window 37A. Ram 24A is movable between extended and xet~acted positions. Pulleys 26 axe connected to the outer end of xam 24A. The cables 21 and 22 axe secuxed intexmedi-ate theix ~nds by bolts 25, an~ the cables extend axound pull~ys 26 and 28. One tail of each cable extends down thxough upxight membex 16 to connect to an e~ualizex bax 23 and slide~ membex 20, as i.llus~xat~ in Figuxe 6. The other tail of each cable extends axound pulley 28, tl~en along the length of cxoss membex 19 and ove~ a pulley 30, aftex which it extends down thxough upxight membex 18 to connect to an equaliæex bax and alidex membex.
~,? ~j~,9 When the xam 24A of cylincler 24 is ~etxacted into cylinder 24, the cables 21 and 22 li~t. the two tool ba~s upwardly. This, of cou~se, lifts wha~.ever i8 enCJ~ge(l by the foxk members and the lift tray. Because the ~alll 24~ is bein~ xetxacted i~lt.O the cylindex in order t.o lift the t:ool baxs, thexe is no ne~d to utili~e separ~te ~uide members for the ram. The tension on the cables maintain~ p~ope~ ~lign-ment o~ the ram with the cylinder.. ~ecause the tails of each cable a~e secuxed to opposite tool baxs th~ough equal-izer baxs, the load force acting upon each of tl~e pulleys 26 is equalized. Also, t.hi.s axxangement enable~ sm~ll conven-tional hydx~ulic cyli.nders to be used.
The lift apparatus of t:he inventi.on also pxefexa~ly includes a xeleasable safety loc~ system to prevent the tool bax membexs fxom inadvexteJItly and undesirably falling with a load thexeon. The safety system include6 a rack secured to one of the slider membexs (or dixectly to a tool ba~ mem-bex)~ Prefexably, a xack is secuxed to each of the slider me~bexs. ~he xack i 3 ali gned vertically.
A prefexred safety lock sy6tem used in the appar~tus of the invention is illustxat.ed in Figures 11 and 12. The rack compxi~es projections ox ledges 50 which are ~paced apart alld aligned vextically. ln the embodiment shown, the ledges 50 axe secu~ed dixectly to the ~lider membex 20. Alterrla-tively, the ledges collld be secured to a ~epax~te ba~ o~
strip which i~ in turn secured to the slider member.
Coopexating with the ~ack i8 a locking membe~ 52 which is pivotably mounted on pl n 53 . As the slidex m~mber~ are raised (and thus the ~.ool ba~s), the ledge 50 15 able to move past the locking membex 52 by tipping the lockinc]
member away fxom the slidex membex. Then the weight of t.he locking membex causes it to move against the slidex member again beneath the ledge membex. ~9 a xesult, the lockincJ
membex pxevents the slidex membex from falling ~ownwA~dly in the event the cables ox hydraulic unit should fail.
In oxdex to xelease the lock system, levex 54 is manually pushed downwaxdly to move the locking membex 52 away fxom t:he ledges 50. Then the tool bax may be lowered.
In a p~eerxed system, there i6 a safety lock associat-ed with each of the tool bars, In other words, ther.e is a xack on each slider member 20. Thexe is also a locking mem-bex 52 suppoxted by each upxight member 16 and lB which is associated with a xack on the xespective slider member 20.
The two locking members axe interconilected in a manner such that both can be xeleased by a single levex 54. Elon-gated ~od 55 extends upwardly xom the locking member S~ to one end of an axm 56 at the uppex end of the upxight member 18. The opposite end of the axm 56 is secuxed to a hoxizon-tal rod 57 whicll extends through the CX058 membex l9 to an axm 58 ~t the uppex end of the othex upxight suppoxt membex 16. Rod 59 is connected to one end of the arm 5~ and extends downwaxdly to the locking menlbex 52.
~: ~ $ ~. . . 9 Thus, d~wnwaxd moven~ellt of the levex 54 c~u~e6 the locking membe~s 52 on both up~lght ~uppo~ts to be sinlultan-eously released f~om bot.h ~acks on the two ~ e~ In~mbe~
Thi~ is a distinct advanta~e ove.~ vaxious p.~evi~usly known lockincJ syYtems on hoists whexe it is necessaxy to sepax-ately release the locXs on each side of tlle hoist.
Anothex advant.a~e oF the lock ~elease 6ystem used he~e-in is that when xod 55 is u~ged upwa~:dly, this causes ~od 59 to also be urged upwaxdly to xelease the lockiny membe~ fox the other tool ba~. Wherl xod 55 moves downwa~dly t.his enables the locking membe~ in suppoxt. membex 18 to again engage the xack connected to the tool bax 14. If ~ox any xeaso!l the locking membex in suppoxt membe~ 16 i8 pxevented f~om engaginy the rack connected to tool bar 12, that. ~oes not. intexfere with the locking member engaging the ~ack for tool ba~ 14.
Other mcans fox simultaneously ~eleasing both locking membe~s can also be used, if desixed. For example, cables ox wi~es may be interconn~cted b~tween the tw~ locking mem-bexs in a m~nner. such that. simult.aneou~ ~elease of the lock-il~g membexs i~. obtained by placing tension on the cables o~
wires.
The cont~ol levex 60 fo~ opexating th~ hyd~ulic power unit i~ pxefe~ably loca~ed adjacent the lock xelease levex 54, ox at least on the same up~ight suppo~t men~bex, so that the opexato~ can release the lock system and lowe~ the tool bu~a ~rom ~.h~ ~m~ loo~tl~
?
Control lever 60 i.~ connected to a ve~tical ~od 61 which extends upwardly to switch means 62. Upwa~d Inovement of pivotable leve~ 60 causes ~ocl 61 Iwhich is pivotal~ly attached to the opposl~.e end of leve~ 60) to m~v~ downwar~-ly. This causes a~m 64 ca~xying switch means 62 to pi.vot downwardly. Swit.ch push ~ut.ton 62A the~eby encounte~s ledge o~ plate 63. Closure of this electric switch activates electric motox 27 which thell drivas hyd~aullc pump 3l.
Hydraulic fluid is pumped from the xesexvoir ~9 t.hrough the valve body assembly and th~ough line 34A to cause ram 24~ of cylinde~ 24 to be ~et~acted into the cylinde~. This retrac-tion of the ~am ~esult~ in unifo~m lifting of the tool ba~s 12 and 14. When lever 60 ls retuxned to its neutral posi-tion the switch arm is xaised and t.he electric motor stops.
The tool ~ars also stop raising when the elect.ric motor stops. Hydraulic p~essure in the line p~ev~nt6 the tool bars ~om lowexing. Also, the locking members engage the xackq connected to the tool bars t.o provide a mechanical locking to prevent the tool bars f~om lowering.
When it is desixed to lower the tool bars, the locking members a~e first released as pxeviously desoribed above.
~hen the control lever 60 is pushed downwardly. ~his causes rod 61 to move upwa~dly, whereby swit.ch arm 64 is pivoted upwa~dly. ~ontrol shaft 33, which is secu~ed at one end to arm 64, is caused t~ ~otate i.n response t~ arm 64 bein~
pivoted. The opposi.te end of shaft 33 is received in valve body s~aembly 3~, and thls end of the ~haft 33 lnclude6 a xecessed ledge portion 33A. When sha~t 33 is ~otat.ed in one dixection it causes a valve 70 to open to allow hydraulic fluid in line 34A -to flow back into the reservoir 29.
the fluid d~ains ~ack t.o the rese~voir the tool bars are a~le to be lowexed slowly.
The pree~ed valve 6ystem i3 illustrated i.n Figu~es 28A and 28~. Hyd~aulic fluid fxom the pump 31 i.s foxced t.h~ough passageway 32A in an inlet port in valve body 32 and out through an outlet poxt ox opening in line 34~ fo~ caus-ing the ram 24A to be xetracted into cylinder 24 (for lift-ing t.he tool ba~st. In this mode the valve 70 remains in contaot with seat 80. Valve 70 in this position p~events the hydraulic fluid fxom draining ~ack to the reservoir th~ough passageway 32~ and outlet port 32B.
In oxdex to open the valve and pexmit hydxaulic fluid to d~ain back to the xese~voix, the cont~ol shaft is caused to xotate slightly in one dixection in a manner such that the ledge por~iotl 33A enguges the lowex end 70A of valve 70 and causes the valve to be tipped and then lifted xelative to the seat 80 (as illustxated in Figuxe 28B).
When valve, 70 is ~niti.ally engaged by ledge poxt.ion 33A, the valve 70 is ~ixst. caused to tilt sliyhtly away from seat 80 on one side. The small openlng which ~esul~.s between the head of the valve and the seat enables hyd~aulic fluid to begin flowing downwardly past the valve and into th~ passageway 32 B for xetuxn ko the xeservoir. Tllis lnlti~l tipplng movement of valv~ 70 does not xequixe ~ ~ r~
si.gnificant force ~o be applied to the lowe~ end 70~ of the valve. In othex words, tlle length ~f the valve stcm 70 com-pa~ed to the diamete~ o the valve seat 80 p~ovides a favo~.-able mechanical advanta~Je which ena~les a ~mall mechanical fo~ce to ovexcome the pressu~e of the hydraulic fluid in t.he 3ystem. This i~ a unique advantage of the valve syst.em of thi~ inventlon.
~ fter the valve 70 ha6 been tilted slightly to one side relative to the seat 80, continued rotation of shaft 33 causes additional tilting of valve 70. Additional engage-ment of ledge 33A a~ainst end 70A urges valve 70 upwardly away from seat 80 (as illustrat.ed in Figure 28~) to creclte a large~ opening fox the hydraulic fluid to flow throu~h the valve assembly and into the resexvoir~ In othex words, as the ledge poxtion engages the lowex end of the valve stem 70, the~ axe both a vert.ical force conlponent and a horizoll-tal fo~ce component created. This causes initial tilting ox tipping of the valve and then subsequent lifting of tlle valve xelative to the seat 80.
The pressure drop ac~oss the valve seat is ~educed af te~ the valve is initially ~ilted. The foxce which is then xequixed i.n order to lift the valve off th~ seat is therefore ~educed.
Thus, the operation o~ the release valve described herein is a significant..improvement over conventional release valves in which a movable valve component is moved ~ 22 -2~
directly against the hydxaullc pxessuxe in the system, which xequires significant force.
The valve 70 pxefexables include a conlcal ox sloped portion 70B dixectly under the head of the valve to fac~
tate centexin~ of the valve with respect to the seat no whell shaft 33 retuxns to its orlginal position. Spring ~2 biases the valve 70 to its noxmally closed position. Pin 84, with associated spring asse~bly 85, urges shaft 33 ba-~k to its normal posi~ion as shown in Figure 28A when th~ shaft is xotated opposite of the di~ection required to engage v~lve 70. ~lthough the lowex end 70A of the valve stem is pxefex-ably tapexed (as illustxated in the dxawings), it is not xequixed to be tape~ed~ Fox example, the valve stem could be a cylindxical body with no tapered end.
Anothex feature which may be included in the apparatus used in this invention is a hiqh lift warning system. Fox example, a source 66 of electxomagnetic ~adlation may be secuxed to the upper end of one of the upright support mem-bexs and a xeflectox 65 is ~ecuxed to the upper end of the othex upxight suppoxt membex. The souxce 66 eMits a na~ow beam of xadiation ~e.g., infxared xadiation) which is directed ~oward the reflector 65. The re1ected beam is xeceiYed by the detectox poxtion o~ source 66. If ~n object being llfted by $he tool bars extends into the path of the beam and obstxucts ik, then the detectox no longer xeceives the beam. This cause6 an audible alaxm to be sounded to warn of the high li~t condition. ~hen the electric motox which powexs the hydxaulic lift system is stopped, this also tuxns off the audible ala~m.
~ nothex advantage o the waxning system illustrated in the dxawings is that electtical powe~ is xequixed only on the up~ight support membex 18. Thexe i8 no need to extend electxical powex to suppoxt membex 16. The r~lecto~ 65 does not xequixe any electxical powex.
Othex types of waxning systems may also be used. Fox exampl~, a light souxce can be attached to one of the upxight members and a photodetectox fox xeceiving ~ light beam fxom the light sou~ce can ~e attached to the othex upxight support membex. When an object being llfted blocks the light beam, the photodetecto~ activates an audible alaxm to warn of ~he high lift condition.
Of couxse, it is also possible to mount the light source and detectox ~ox ~ ~e1ectox) on walls o~ oth~ sup-port stxuctuxe which is adjacent to the lifting apparatus to sexve the same o~ a similar puxpose.
Figuxes 24 and 25 illustrate othex useful hanger means which may be used in this invention to attach and suppoxt the foxk membe~s on a tool bax. In Figuxe 24 the hangex ~eans 90 comp~ises a tubulax section 92 which is adapted to slidably engage a tool bax having a ~ectangulax cxoss sec~ion. To the top suxface of the section 92, and pexpen-dicularly thexeto, thexe ~s secu~ed anothex -tubulax section 94. Bxacing membexs 93 may be welded ox othexwise secuxed ~tween kh~ two tubul~ ~ectiona ~ox ~e~n~orc~ment puxposes.
r - 2~ -Tubular. section 94 is shown as having a squaxe cxo ~-s~ cti fo~ slidably receivillg a foxk shank having a scl~a~e c~oss-section. Thus, t.he hanger. 90 can be moved longitudinally along a tool ba.~ member, and a fork shan~ can be moved t~ansve~sely o~ laterally relative to the tool bar rnember.
Figuxe 25 is an ~nd view illustxhting a non-cixcula~
tool ba~ membex g5. This tool bar compri6e~ a generally cylindrical tube ox ba~ having a square or. ~ectangula~
cxos~-section key membex secuxed to its ou~.er su~face, a6 illustrated. A hanger means 95 includes a low~r section having an opening the~ethrough which genexally confo~m~ to the outex suxface of a ma~or. portion of the tool bar ~7.
Preferably, the opening includes an expanded portion 9~, as illust~ated. The hangex 95 can be moved longitudinally along tool ba~ 97. The p~esence of the expanded openin~
po~t.ion 96 enables the hangex to be ~otated approximately 90 in one dixection (e.g., to lenable t.he hanger to be tilted upwardly and away from the vehicle t.o be lifted).
Ilanger 95 also includes a txansvexse openin~ for slid-ably xeceiving fo~k shank memb~ 42. The ~hank 42 can be moved t~ansve~sely o~ late~ally with ~espect to tool bax 97.
Ot.her va~iants ~re possible without depaxtil)g f~om the scope of this invention. Va~ious othe~ aspects of the apparatus and methods described h~xein are claimed in the follo~ing copending, commonly assiglled applications, filed of even date: Sexial Nos. (Attoxney Docket Nos. 1043-PA-02, 1043-PA-03, 1043-P~-04, 1043-PA-05, 1043~PA-06, 1043-PA-07, 1043-P~-08, 1093-PA-09l 1043-PA-10, and 1043-PA-ll).
Other lifting devices a~e al50 described in U.S. Patents 4,793,593; 4,540,329 and 2,840,248.
None of such prio~ holst and liftinq device~ are enti~ely suitable o~ practical fox lifting and suppo~tin~3 odd-shaped vehicles and ce~tain types of powe~ equipment (e.g., tllree whe~led vehicles such as mowers). Also, the hoist. systems ~}lich are intend~d fo~ U6e in liftirlg automo-biles and garden tractors or the like typically ~equi~e that the vehicle bc ve~y ca~efully aligned with the lifting appa~atus in order to be lifted. If the vehicle is not pxt~pexly aligrled, ~he li ~ting mechani ~m eithe~ cannot engage ` ..` 9 th~ vehicle, or the weight of the vehlcle i8 not p~ope~ly balanced on the lift mechanism. This condi~ion can be very dangexous becaus~ the vehicle could 811p or f~ll oef the lift, causing damage to the vehicle and injuxy to any work-men who may be undex ox near the vehicle.
Some of the conventional hoist systems a~e also unsuit-able because they include ~ails, plat.fo~ms, or othe~ ti.ny struct.u~e which extends unde~neath the vehicle. Such stxuc-tuxe can interfexe with xequi~ed access to the underside of the vehiole fox inspection, sexvicing, ox xepai~ puxposes.
Although xamps axe sometilnes used to suppo~t a vehicle in an elevated position, this can be vexy dange~ous. Also, the amount of elevation obtained wi.th ~amps is limited.
Thexe has not hexetofo~e been pxovided lifting appaxa-tus which is suitable or pxactical fox safaly and effi~ient-ly lifting outdoo~ powe~ equipment (e.g., three-wheele~
mowers), utility vehicles, ~ecreatiollal vehicles, etc.
Summar~c of the Pr.e~ent Invention In acco~dance with tl~e present i.nvention the~e is pxo-vid~d lifting appa~atus which i8 especially useful fox lift.-ing vehicles and equipment (e.g., thxee-wheeled mowe~s~ to enable inspectiorl, sexvicing and xepai.~ thexeof. l'he lift-ing appa~atus is especially useful ox li.fting and support-ing equipment such as laxge comme~cial mowers and othe~
types of outdoo~ powex equipment which cannot ~e safely lifted and suppo~ted by means of conventional automobile hoi~ts and lifts. The appaxatus is also useful in lifting r-C ~
and SUppOXtillg vehicl~?s such as golE car-t~, xec7-eation~l vehicles, etc.
In one embodiment the lift.ing appa~atus is suitable fvr lifting a thxee-wheeled vehicle, the appaxatus p~oviding ~n unobstxucted ent~yway and`l'ifting means to xeadily adapt to the vehicle 80 that the vehicle can be quickly and collveni-ently dxiven into the appaxatus, without having to aliyn t.he vehicle with the longitudinal axis of the lifting appaxatus.
The apparatus can readily adapt to vehicles of different.
sizes.
The lifting appa~atus compxlses, in one en~bodiment:
(a) two gellexally hoxizontal tool bax me~lbexs which a~e txansvexsely spaced-apart to pxovide an unobstructed entxyway for the vehicle;
(b) tt~o side wheel lift means, each of wllich i~ read-ily attached to one of said tool bax membexs, for engaging a si~e wheel of the vehicle; whexeill each side wheel lift. means is adapted to be moved longi~udinally along a xe~pective to~l bax mernber to readily adapt, to diffexent.ly sized vehicles and to a vehicle misaligned wi~,h ~espect to the longitudinal axis of the appaxatus;
(c) thixd wheel lift means fo~ engaging and lifting th~? thixd wheel of t.he vehicle; and (d) li.~ting means fox lifting th~? two tool bar memb~
and the thixd wheel lift means to lift the vehicl~.
The apparatus of t.hi~ invention i9 ve~y verr,at.ile and can be used to safely and ef~ectively lift: powe~ equipment and vehicles o~ vaxious types and 5tyle8. The wheel li.ft means axe movable longit.udinally, and prefexably also tralls versely, with respect to the tool members. Ther-e is no need to have the equipment ox.vehicle aligned pa~allel to the tool baxs. The wheel lift means can be moved and positioned such t.hat they will pxoperly and desirably engage the wheels of the unit to be lift.ed rega~dless of any misalignmellt between the vehicle and the apparatus.
The lifting appaxatus of this invention is suitable for safe and effective lifting of a wide varie-ty of vehicles and powe~ equipment (e.g., commexcial mowe~s, th~ee-whæeled and f~ux-wheeled vehicles, golf carts, xec~eatioll~l vehicles, etc.). The apparatus does not xequi~e acces~ to the frame of the vehicle or the equipment in oxder t.o sa~ely lift it, and no special alignment is ~equi.xed in ordex to allow the lift to ope~ate. Also, the lift appa~atus does not require any vert.ical adju~.ment of a~ms o~ hanger~ in orde~ to p~operly engagQ the v~hicle o~ the ~quipm~nt to ~e lifted.
The li.ft appaxatus i.s ve~y open and enables a vehicle to be driven easily int.o the area between the tool bax ~em-bexs. Afte~ the wh~el lift means have engaged the wheels, th~ vehicle can be lifted to the desired height. The unde~-side of the vehicle is completely open and accessible to enable inspection, servicirlg and repaix of the vehicle. In o-the~ wo~ds, the lift appa~atus doe~ not ob5t~uc~ ~ccess to the unde~ide of the vehicl~.
Othe~ advantages oE the appaxatus of tha inv~ntion will be appaxent from the following detailed desc~iptiorl.
Br.ief Description o _ the D wln~
The invention is descxibed in more detail hereinafter with r:efexence to the accompanying drawings, wherein li~e refexence characters refex to the same parts th~ouyhout the sevexal views and in which:
FIGURE 1 is a pe~spective view illustrating one embodi-ment. of lifting appaxatus of the invention tprio~ to attach-ment of side wheel li.ft. means);
FIGURE ~ is a perspecti.ve view of the lifting apparatus of Figure 1 with a laxge commerci.al mowex positioned between the tool bar Tnembe~s in p~epaxation fox being lifted ~y the appaxatus;
FIGURE 3 is a top view illustxating one manne~ in which the appa~atus of thi s i.nvention is able to engage and sup-poxt. a laxge commercial three-wheeled mow~ for lifting pur-poses even when the mow~x is not aligned parallel to the to~l baxs;
FIGURE 4 is a pexspective view illustratiny a large commexcial mowe~ whi.ch is suppo~ted safely in an elevated posi$ion to enable a workman to inspect/ service and ~epaix components on the unde~si.de of the mowe~;
FIGURES 5A - 5D illustrate a pxefe~red em~odiment of wh~l lift ~o~k ~ean~ which 1~ u~eful in thls invention;
FIGIJRE 6 illust~ates a p~efe~ed embodilllent of t:ht3 cable means and hydraulic cylinde~ u~d to li~. t:he tool bar membe~s;
FIGURE 7 is a top view of th~ cross member which connect~ the upper end of the two up:~icJht suppo~t melllhc!rs;
FIGUI~ES 8A - 8~ illustrate a p~efe~ed manner in which the ca~les a~e connected to a ve~tical slide melnbe~ for lifting one of t.he tool bars;
FIGU~E 9 is a side elevat.ional view showing one of ~he t.ool ba~ membe~s and one of the up~ight suppo~t mem~e~s;
FIGURE 10 is a cross-sectional vi.ew t.aken along line 10-10 in Figu~e 9;
FIGU~E 11 is a front elevational pa~tially cut-away view of one. of th~ upri.ght suppo~t Membexs showing the ~eleasable safety lock means FIGU~E 12 is a pex6pective vi.ew fu~ther illust.~atillg the ope~ation of the saf ety lock means;
FIGURE 13 is a botto~n vi.ew of one ernbodiment of tray which 1s use~ul in th~ invent.ion;
FIGURE 14 is a c~oss-sectional view of the t~ay shown in Figure 13 taken alon~ line 14-14:
FIGURE 15 is a c~oss-secti.onal view of the t~ay shown in Eigu~e 13 taken along lin~ 15-15;
FIGURE 16 is a side elevational vi.ew of the uppe~ end of one of the up~ight ~uppo~t membexs;
FIGU~E 17 is a si~e elevatiollal view of the uppe~ en~
o~ ~.he othn~ up~l~h~ ~u~po~t memb~
FIGUR~ 18 is a pe~spective view showing the cont~ol leve~s accessible on one of the up~ight suppo~t Inelnbers in the apparatus of the invention;
E`IGUR~ 1~ is a pe~spec~.ive view showing the s~fety lock means on the other up~ight suppo~t membe~;
FIGUII~ 20 is a side elevational view of one ~f ~he uprigllt suppo~t membe~s showing openincJs fo~ vie~Jing the equalizer ~a~ to which ~.he lift cables a~e attached;
FIGUR~S 21A and 21B show the placement oE a photocell and ~eflector which is useful in a high lift wa~ning system in the appa~atus of the lnvention;
FIGU~E 22 illus~.~ates one mannex in wh.~ch a leg of t.he up~i~ht suppo~t. membe~ can be secu~ed to t.he floo~;
FIGUnE 23 ~howa the lowe~ ~nd o~ one of the up~ight suppo~t memb~s;
FIGU~E 24 i.s a pe~spect.ive view illust~atillg anothe~
embodiment of foxk hange~ which is u6eful in t.his invention;
FIGU~E 25 is an end elevational view illust~ating anothex en~odiment. of t.ool ba~ and fo~k hanger Ineans whicl a~ useful in t.~is invention FIGURES 26A and 26B are elevational view~ illust~ating ope~ation of the foot gua~d system of the invention;
FIGUR~ 27 is a perspective view of one embo~in~ent of hyd~aulic powe~ unit which is useful in ~his invention;
FIGUR~S 28A and 28B a~e elevational cut awdy views showing a prefe~ed embodiment of hyd~aulic ~elease valve which 1~ useful in the appa~atus of t.his invention.
- a .
~ ? ~tg Detailed D~scxi~tion of the Invention __________ __ ___._ ______ _ ___ ~__ In Figu~e 1 thexe is illu~t.~ated one embodiment oE lif~.
appaxatus lO which is useful in this inventioll. The appa~-atus includes spaced-apaxt elongat.ed tool bax membe~s 12 alld 14, upxight suppoxt membe~s 16 and 18, and cross membe~ 19.
Floo~ suppoxt9 15 and 17 axe secu~ed to the lowe~ ends of th~ upright membexs 16 and 1~ respect.ively. The floor sup-ports can be bolted to the floox of the shop ox buildillg in whicll the li.ft. apparatus i9 to be used, i.f desired. This is illust.xated in Figuxe 22 whexe bolt 17A is used to secure floox support 17 to a flonr 11. By bolting the apparatus to t.he floo~l the appa~atus i~ ext.~emely stabl~ and is p~event-ed fxom moving ox tipping. Depending upon the lengt.h of the floo~ suppoxts 15 and 17, It n~ay not be necessa~y to s~cu~e them to the floox.
As illustxated in Figuxe 1, t.he tool bax membe~s axe txansvexsely sp~ced apaxt such ~hat a laxge open axea is de~ined between them into which a vehicle to be lifted can b~ quickly and conveniently dxiven ~hexe 1~ no need to align the vehicle with the tool b~ membexs ox ~i.th the longitudinal axis o~ the app~xatus. The longitudinal axis i5 defined as the axis pexpendicular to the plane defined by the t.wo upxight suppoxt membexs. When the t.ool ba~ members ax~ parallel to each othex, the longitudinal axis of the lift appaxatus is paxallel to the tool bax membexs.
In the lift apparatus illustxated in the drawings the tool ba~ meTnbex~ axe pa~allel to each othe~, but it i s 2~ r~ 9 possible fox them to be non-paxallel if de~ired. For example, t:he xea~ward ends of the tool ba~ mcmbc~rs could be angled towaxds each ot}ler. The xearwaxcl ends o~ e tool bar membexs could even be connected, i~ de~i~ed. rreEera~ly the tool bax membexs are hoxizontal, as illustxatecl.
Each tool bax membe~ is p~efe~ably secuxed to a vertical sli~ex member 20 which is slidably ret~ined in a respective upxight suppoxt membe~. The uppex end of each slidex men~c!r is attacl~ed to a lift cable system.
As illust~ated in Figuxe 10, the upxight suppoxt membe~
is tubular in nature and includes a wide longitudinal slot along its length. Thexe prefe~ably axe blocks 20A secu~ed to opposite edges of the slider membex to appxoximate the intexiox dimensions of the upright support membex. As a xesult, the tool bax membe~ is prevented froM tiltlng, twisting or rotating xelative to the up~ight suppoxt member.
The lowex end of each support member pxefexably includes a transverse ba~ ox xod secuxed thPxeto to maintail~ t:he pxopex dime~sion for the upright. This is illustrated in Figu~e 23 whexe bax 16~ is secuxed to the lowex ~nd of upright 16.
The lift cabl~! ~ystem prefexably com~xi6es two cables 21 and 22 which are attached to each slidex membex by means of ao equalizQ~ bar 23. The equalizex bar is attached to the uppex end of the slicle~ membex by means of bolt 23A in such a manner that the equalizex bax can pivot about its center, as shown in Figures 8A-8C, for example. In the nvent that ot~ ~f the ca~l~s falls (e.cJ., bxeak~ ox becomes loosened), the other cable ~ill still su~po~t the tool ba~.
This i~ an addltional safety featu~e. Figure ~O 3)10W~ a~e~-tures 16A in up~ight suppor~ 16 which enable one to obse~ve whethe~ the e~ualize~ ba~ 23 is in a level position, there~y indicating that the two cables a~e still p~ope~ly conllected and ope~ational.
A prefer~ed type of wheel l~ft mealls fox use in this invention is illust~ated in Figures 5A-5D. The wheel lift means shown comp~ises a lift fork membe~ 40 havincJ an elon-gated shank membex 42 secu~ed thereto. The fork lift memb~r includes spaced-apart forks o~ ba~s 40A. The length of the forks, and the distance separating the fo~ks, may vary as desired to accommodate any size wheel. The forks or bars can slidably enga~e a wheel of a vehicle to he lifted fo~-wardly and rea~waxdly of the foot print of the wheel, i.eO, one fo~k extends along the floox in f~ont of the wheel and the othex fo~k slides along the floor behind the wheel. The foot p~int of the wheel is defined as the po~tion of the wheel in contact with the floo~. The wheel of the vehicle does not have to be lifted in order to ~e engaged by the forks.
The shank 42 extends away from the fork men~e~ 40 as illustrated. The lengtll of shank 42 may vary. The diameter and cross sectional configu~ation of the shank membe~ may also vary. P~eferably the shank i5 square or rectangula~
cross-sectioll.
The lift foxk means is detachably connected ox attached to one of the tool ba~ members by meAns o a hangcr ~S com-p~ising a body member which includes opposiny ar:ms 46 and 47. When the hanger is attached to the tool bar memher, arm 46 beaxs against one side of t,he tool ba~ member and arm 47 bea~s against the othe,r side. This is best, illu~txated in Figure 5B.
Preferably the t-ool baxs are non-circular in cross-section so that the hangex means (to which the lift orks are attached) will not xotate towaxd the item to be lifted when the tool baxs are raised. As illustrated in the d~aw-ings, a xectangular c~oss-section fox the tool bars i~ ve~y suitable. A square cross-section or other polygonal or non-cixcula~ c'xoss-section is also useful for the tool bars.
If a ci~culax cxoss-section tool bar is used, therl the hange~ must be bolted, pinned, o~ keyed to the tool bar to pxevent undesi~able angular xotation.
As illustrated in Fi~ures 5A and 5s the lower end of arm 46 of the hange~ preferably includes a lip 4~A ~hich extends under the lower edge of the tool ba~. Tlle lip 46A
(a) prevents the hanger 45 fxom being lifted st~aight upwaxdly and ~b) p~event~ hange~ 45 from being positioned par~ially ovex the end of the tool ba~ 12 or 19. The end of each tool bax pxefexably includes a raised end portion ti.e., 12A an~ 14A). Because the vert,ical d~mensioll of end portlons 12A and 14A is greatex than the vertical dimension be~we~n lip 46A and ba~ 49 ln hange~ 45, the hange~ cannot ~ ' ~ r~.; ''., ~3 be attached t.o -the extreme outer elld of either tool ~ar.
This safety featu~e prevellts the hanger from belny only partially attached to the end of the t.ool bax.
The up~e.r portion of the l~anger ~ody inclu~les el receivex poxtion fox sli.dably xecelving the sharl~ 4~ of the Eork means. The xeceiver includes an upper ~a~ 48 which pxevents the shank 92 f~om mov.ing upwaxdly away f~om ~.he tool bar. Handle ~A may be .integ~al with the b~r 48.
Thus, angulax movement ox ~otation of the hangcr 45 relative to the tool ~ar in the dixection of the ite~ to be lifted is p~evented by means of opposing axms 46 and 47 which engage opposite sides of the tool bax. ~llgula~ move-ment or rot.ation of shank ~2 ~elative to the tool bax is pxevented by means of bax 48 extending over shank 42. The shank membex is suppo~ted on its lowe~ surface by means of t.~ansverse baxs 49~ Thus, shank Tnembex 42 is vexy stably suppoxted in hangex 45 against downwaxd foxce applied on the fo~k member 40.
The shank member 42 is slidably xeceived in the hanger 45 in a ~anne~ such that the txansvexse ox latexal position of t.he sh~nk x21ative to the hange~ is easily adjust.ed, as xequi~ed, in o~der ~.o slide the foxks 40~ (a) a~ound a wheel 102 of a vehicle to be lifted, ox (b) away from the wheel 102 afte~ servicin~ ox xepai~ of the vehicle is completed.
l'he longitudinal positioning of the hallge~ 45 ~elatjve to the tool bax may be adjust.ed by lifting the for~ member and the attached end of ~he shank upwaxdly (as sh~wn in Figuxe 5A) and then simply slidlng the hange~ ~5 along the tool bax to the deslxed position. Then the foxk and shank axe lowexed, whexehy the hanger 45 again engages opposing sides of the tool bax ~Figuxe 5B). When weight is applied to t.he foxk membex, the hange~ tightly gxips the tool ba~
and will not slide along the tool bar. The hange~ al50 p~e-V~lltS the foxk membexs fxom tipping downwaxdly.
~ ecause the position of the oxk membe~s xelative to the tool baxs is adjustable both in the lonyitudinal and in the txansvexse ox latexal dixections, the foxk me~bexs on the tool baxs can be ~oved to any requixed position in ordex to pxopexly engage the wheels of the vehicle, xegaxdless of ~he position of the vehicle xelative to the tool baxs. This is vexy well illustxated in the top view of Figure 3 whexein a laxge commexcial mowex 100 is positioned between the tool ~ax membexs 1?. and 14. The rllowex i8 llOt aligned paxallel to the tool baxs ox to the longitudinal axis of the lift appa~
atus, yet the foxk membexs axe able to easily and readily engag~ the ~ide wheels 102 of the ~owex.
Although anothex fo~k membex could be attached to one of the tool baxs fox the puxpose of engaging and lifting wheel 103 of the n~owex, it is also possible to use a lift txay 35 which is suppoxted between the tool bax membexs.
Pxefexably the position of the txay 35 xelative to the tool haxs is adjustable. Fo~ example, the tool ba~s may include a plurality of spaced-apaxt apextuxes 13 along theix top 6u~ace. A handle 36 at each end of the tray pxefexably includes a downwaxdly ext.~nding end ox pin 36A w~ c'h can engage an apexture 13 at the desired location along the tool bar. See Figure~ 14 and 15. This prevents th~ t~ay ~rom sliding relative to the tool bars.
When lifting four-wheeled vehicles, it is possible to place two whe~ls on the lift t.ray and then use two fork mem-be~s for cngaging and liftlng the othe~ two whe~ls. ~lte~-natively, a separate fork member may be used for lifting each wheel.
~ nother feature of the lift tray is appa~ent f~om Fiyures 14 and 15. One edge 35A of the txay extends to the floo~ 11 when the tool bars axe in theix lowered position so as to facilitate, xolling of a wheel of a vehicle onto the tray. The opposite ed~e 35B of the txay does not extend downwardly to the ~loox. This helps to avoid pinching of a wvxkman's feet under the edge 35~ when the tool haxs are lowexed. Each side edge of the tray includes a raised xib to asslst in ~etaining the wheel on the tray.
Another Eeature illustrat.ed in the dxawings is a toe o~
foot guaxd ~ax 38 which extends along the length of the tray. It is pivotably mount~d at each of its ends. The ~ax 38 extends slightly farwaxdly of the tray. If a woxkman's foot is contacted by the bax 38 when the tool ~a~s ax~
lowexed, the bax 38 causes the wo~kman's foot to be pusl~ed away from undex the tray e,dge 35B. This is illu~txated in Figures ~6A alld 26B.
~r~
lihen the vehicle is lifted by ~he appa~atus of thiu invention, t.he enti~e undexside of the vehicle is easily accessible by woxkmen fo~ inspection, sexvicin~ and xepair.
Yox exampler when the vehicle is a large commexcial m~wex ~as illustxàted, fox example, in Figure 4), a wo~kman can access the functi.onal components of the machlne (e.g., cUttin~J blades and knives) Witllout having to c~awl undex the machine. Aa illustxated, the woxkman can sit on a xo~ g stool and woxk on the machine in a comfoxtable position. As a ~esult, any inspection, servicing ox xepaixs can be conducted in a vexy efficient and convenient mannex.
Hydxaulic cylindex 24 is caxried by the cross membe~
19. The cylindex 24 is powexed by a hydxaulic power Ullit comprlsiny electxic mot.ox 27, oil xese~voi~ .9, hyd~aulic 3~pump 31 valve b~d~ assembly 32, and contxol shaft 33. The ,s ~"~ n 4 ~
I xese~voix includes an end plate 37 and an oil level indica-tor window 37A. Ram 24A is movable between extended and xet~acted positions. Pulleys 26 axe connected to the outer end of xam 24A. The cables 21 and 22 axe secuxed intexmedi-ate theix ~nds by bolts 25, an~ the cables extend axound pull~ys 26 and 28. One tail of each cable extends down thxough upxight membex 16 to connect to an e~ualizex bax 23 and slide~ membex 20, as i.llus~xat~ in Figuxe 6. The other tail of each cable extends axound pulley 28, tl~en along the length of cxoss membex 19 and ove~ a pulley 30, aftex which it extends down thxough upxight membex 18 to connect to an equaliæex bax and alidex membex.
~,? ~j~,9 When the xam 24A of cylincler 24 is ~etxacted into cylinder 24, the cables 21 and 22 li~t. the two tool ba~s upwardly. This, of cou~se, lifts wha~.ever i8 enCJ~ge(l by the foxk members and the lift tray. Because the ~alll 24~ is bein~ xetxacted i~lt.O the cylindex in order t.o lift the t:ool baxs, thexe is no ne~d to utili~e separ~te ~uide members for the ram. The tension on the cables maintain~ p~ope~ ~lign-ment o~ the ram with the cylinder.. ~ecause the tails of each cable a~e secuxed to opposite tool baxs th~ough equal-izer baxs, the load force acting upon each of tl~e pulleys 26 is equalized. Also, t.hi.s axxangement enable~ sm~ll conven-tional hydx~ulic cyli.nders to be used.
The lift apparatus of t:he inventi.on also pxefexa~ly includes a xeleasable safety loc~ system to prevent the tool bax membexs fxom inadvexteJItly and undesirably falling with a load thexeon. The safety system include6 a rack secured to one of the slider membexs (or dixectly to a tool ba~ mem-bex)~ Prefexably, a xack is secuxed to each of the slider me~bexs. ~he xack i 3 ali gned vertically.
A prefexred safety lock sy6tem used in the appar~tus of the invention is illustxat.ed in Figures 11 and 12. The rack compxi~es projections ox ledges 50 which are ~paced apart alld aligned vextically. ln the embodiment shown, the ledges 50 axe secu~ed dixectly to the ~lider membex 20. Alterrla-tively, the ledges collld be secured to a ~epax~te ba~ o~
strip which i~ in turn secured to the slider member.
Coopexating with the ~ack i8 a locking membe~ 52 which is pivotably mounted on pl n 53 . As the slidex m~mber~ are raised (and thus the ~.ool ba~s), the ledge 50 15 able to move past the locking membex 52 by tipping the lockinc]
member away fxom the slidex membex. Then the weight of t.he locking membex causes it to move against the slidex member again beneath the ledge membex. ~9 a xesult, the lockincJ
membex pxevents the slidex membex from falling ~ownwA~dly in the event the cables ox hydraulic unit should fail.
In oxdex to xelease the lock system, levex 54 is manually pushed downwaxdly to move the locking membex 52 away fxom t:he ledges 50. Then the tool bax may be lowered.
In a p~eerxed system, there i6 a safety lock associat-ed with each of the tool bars, In other words, ther.e is a xack on each slider member 20. Thexe is also a locking mem-bex 52 suppoxted by each upxight member 16 and lB which is associated with a xack on the xespective slider member 20.
The two locking members axe interconilected in a manner such that both can be xeleased by a single levex 54. Elon-gated ~od 55 extends upwardly xom the locking member S~ to one end of an axm 56 at the uppex end of the upxight member 18. The opposite end of the axm 56 is secuxed to a hoxizon-tal rod 57 whicll extends through the CX058 membex l9 to an axm 58 ~t the uppex end of the othex upxight suppoxt membex 16. Rod 59 is connected to one end of the arm 5~ and extends downwaxdly to the locking menlbex 52.
~: ~ $ ~. . . 9 Thus, d~wnwaxd moven~ellt of the levex 54 c~u~e6 the locking membe~s 52 on both up~lght ~uppo~ts to be sinlultan-eously released f~om bot.h ~acks on the two ~ e~ In~mbe~
Thi~ is a distinct advanta~e ove.~ vaxious p.~evi~usly known lockincJ syYtems on hoists whexe it is necessaxy to sepax-ately release the locXs on each side of tlle hoist.
Anothex advant.a~e oF the lock ~elease 6ystem used he~e-in is that when xod 55 is u~ged upwa~:dly, this causes ~od 59 to also be urged upwaxdly to xelease the lockiny membe~ fox the other tool ba~. Wherl xod 55 moves downwa~dly t.his enables the locking membe~ in suppoxt. membex 18 to again engage the xack connected to the tool bax 14. If ~ox any xeaso!l the locking membex in suppoxt membe~ 16 i8 pxevented f~om engaginy the rack connected to tool bar 12, that. ~oes not. intexfere with the locking member engaging the ~ack for tool ba~ 14.
Other mcans fox simultaneously ~eleasing both locking membe~s can also be used, if desixed. For example, cables ox wi~es may be interconn~cted b~tween the tw~ locking mem-bexs in a m~nner. such that. simult.aneou~ ~elease of the lock-il~g membexs i~. obtained by placing tension on the cables o~
wires.
The cont~ol levex 60 fo~ opexating th~ hyd~ulic power unit i~ pxefe~ably loca~ed adjacent the lock xelease levex 54, ox at least on the same up~ight suppo~t men~bex, so that the opexato~ can release the lock system and lowe~ the tool bu~a ~rom ~.h~ ~m~ loo~tl~
?
Control lever 60 i.~ connected to a ve~tical ~od 61 which extends upwardly to switch means 62. Upwa~d Inovement of pivotable leve~ 60 causes ~ocl 61 Iwhich is pivotal~ly attached to the opposl~.e end of leve~ 60) to m~v~ downwar~-ly. This causes a~m 64 ca~xying switch means 62 to pi.vot downwardly. Swit.ch push ~ut.ton 62A the~eby encounte~s ledge o~ plate 63. Closure of this electric switch activates electric motox 27 which thell drivas hyd~aullc pump 3l.
Hydraulic fluid is pumped from the xesexvoir ~9 t.hrough the valve body assembly and th~ough line 34A to cause ram 24~ of cylinde~ 24 to be ~et~acted into the cylinde~. This retrac-tion of the ~am ~esult~ in unifo~m lifting of the tool ba~s 12 and 14. When lever 60 ls retuxned to its neutral posi-tion the switch arm is xaised and t.he electric motor stops.
The tool ~ars also stop raising when the elect.ric motor stops. Hydraulic p~essure in the line p~ev~nt6 the tool bars ~om lowexing. Also, the locking members engage the xackq connected to the tool bars t.o provide a mechanical locking to prevent the tool bars f~om lowering.
When it is desixed to lower the tool bars, the locking members a~e first released as pxeviously desoribed above.
~hen the control lever 60 is pushed downwardly. ~his causes rod 61 to move upwa~dly, whereby swit.ch arm 64 is pivoted upwa~dly. ~ontrol shaft 33, which is secu~ed at one end to arm 64, is caused t~ ~otate i.n response t~ arm 64 bein~
pivoted. The opposi.te end of shaft 33 is received in valve body s~aembly 3~, and thls end of the ~haft 33 lnclude6 a xecessed ledge portion 33A. When sha~t 33 is ~otat.ed in one dixection it causes a valve 70 to open to allow hydraulic fluid in line 34A -to flow back into the reservoir 29.
the fluid d~ains ~ack t.o the rese~voir the tool bars are a~le to be lowexed slowly.
The pree~ed valve 6ystem i3 illustrated i.n Figu~es 28A and 28~. Hyd~aulic fluid fxom the pump 31 i.s foxced t.h~ough passageway 32A in an inlet port in valve body 32 and out through an outlet poxt ox opening in line 34~ fo~ caus-ing the ram 24A to be xetracted into cylinder 24 (for lift-ing t.he tool ba~st. In this mode the valve 70 remains in contaot with seat 80. Valve 70 in this position p~events the hydraulic fluid fxom draining ~ack to the reservoir th~ough passageway 32~ and outlet port 32B.
In oxdex to open the valve and pexmit hydxaulic fluid to d~ain back to the xese~voix, the cont~ol shaft is caused to xotate slightly in one dixection in a manner such that the ledge por~iotl 33A enguges the lowex end 70A of valve 70 and causes the valve to be tipped and then lifted xelative to the seat 80 (as illustxated in Figuxe 28B).
When valve, 70 is ~niti.ally engaged by ledge poxt.ion 33A, the valve 70 is ~ixst. caused to tilt sliyhtly away from seat 80 on one side. The small openlng which ~esul~.s between the head of the valve and the seat enables hyd~aulic fluid to begin flowing downwardly past the valve and into th~ passageway 32 B for xetuxn ko the xeservoir. Tllis lnlti~l tipplng movement of valv~ 70 does not xequixe ~ ~ r~
si.gnificant force ~o be applied to the lowe~ end 70~ of the valve. In othex words, tlle length ~f the valve stcm 70 com-pa~ed to the diamete~ o the valve seat 80 p~ovides a favo~.-able mechanical advanta~Je which ena~les a ~mall mechanical fo~ce to ovexcome the pressu~e of the hydraulic fluid in t.he 3ystem. This i~ a unique advantage of the valve syst.em of thi~ inventlon.
~ fter the valve 70 ha6 been tilted slightly to one side relative to the seat 80, continued rotation of shaft 33 causes additional tilting of valve 70. Additional engage-ment of ledge 33A a~ainst end 70A urges valve 70 upwardly away from seat 80 (as illustrat.ed in Figure 28~) to creclte a large~ opening fox the hydraulic fluid to flow throu~h the valve assembly and into the resexvoir~ In othex words, as the ledge poxtion engages the lowex end of the valve stem 70, the~ axe both a vert.ical force conlponent and a horizoll-tal fo~ce component created. This causes initial tilting ox tipping of the valve and then subsequent lifting of tlle valve xelative to the seat 80.
The pressure drop ac~oss the valve seat is ~educed af te~ the valve is initially ~ilted. The foxce which is then xequixed i.n order to lift the valve off th~ seat is therefore ~educed.
Thus, the operation o~ the release valve described herein is a significant..improvement over conventional release valves in which a movable valve component is moved ~ 22 -2~
directly against the hydxaullc pxessuxe in the system, which xequires significant force.
The valve 70 pxefexables include a conlcal ox sloped portion 70B dixectly under the head of the valve to fac~
tate centexin~ of the valve with respect to the seat no whell shaft 33 retuxns to its orlginal position. Spring ~2 biases the valve 70 to its noxmally closed position. Pin 84, with associated spring asse~bly 85, urges shaft 33 ba-~k to its normal posi~ion as shown in Figure 28A when th~ shaft is xotated opposite of the di~ection required to engage v~lve 70. ~lthough the lowex end 70A of the valve stem is pxefex-ably tapexed (as illustxated in the dxawings), it is not xequixed to be tape~ed~ Fox example, the valve stem could be a cylindxical body with no tapered end.
Anothex feature which may be included in the apparatus used in this invention is a hiqh lift warning system. Fox example, a source 66 of electxomagnetic ~adlation may be secuxed to the upper end of one of the upright support mem-bexs and a xeflectox 65 is ~ecuxed to the upper end of the othex upxight suppoxt membex. The souxce 66 eMits a na~ow beam of xadiation ~e.g., infxared xadiation) which is directed ~oward the reflector 65. The re1ected beam is xeceiYed by the detectox poxtion o~ source 66. If ~n object being llfted by $he tool bars extends into the path of the beam and obstxucts ik, then the detectox no longer xeceives the beam. This cause6 an audible alaxm to be sounded to warn of the high li~t condition. ~hen the electric motox which powexs the hydxaulic lift system is stopped, this also tuxns off the audible ala~m.
~ nothex advantage o the waxning system illustrated in the dxawings is that electtical powe~ is xequixed only on the up~ight support membex 18. Thexe i8 no need to extend electxical powex to suppoxt membex 16. The r~lecto~ 65 does not xequixe any electxical powex.
Othex types of waxning systems may also be used. Fox exampl~, a light souxce can be attached to one of the upxight members and a photodetectox fox xeceiving ~ light beam fxom the light sou~ce can ~e attached to the othex upxight support membex. When an object being llfted blocks the light beam, the photodetecto~ activates an audible alaxm to warn of ~he high lift condition.
Of couxse, it is also possible to mount the light source and detectox ~ox ~ ~e1ectox) on walls o~ oth~ sup-port stxuctuxe which is adjacent to the lifting apparatus to sexve the same o~ a similar puxpose.
Figuxes 24 and 25 illustrate othex useful hanger means which may be used in this invention to attach and suppoxt the foxk membe~s on a tool bax. In Figuxe 24 the hangex ~eans 90 comp~ises a tubulax section 92 which is adapted to slidably engage a tool bax having a ~ectangulax cxoss sec~ion. To the top suxface of the section 92, and pexpen-dicularly thexeto, thexe ~s secu~ed anothex -tubulax section 94. Bxacing membexs 93 may be welded ox othexwise secuxed ~tween kh~ two tubul~ ~ectiona ~ox ~e~n~orc~ment puxposes.
r - 2~ -Tubular. section 94 is shown as having a squaxe cxo ~-s~ cti fo~ slidably receivillg a foxk shank having a scl~a~e c~oss-section. Thus, t.he hanger. 90 can be moved longitudinally along a tool ba.~ member, and a fork shan~ can be moved t~ansve~sely o~ laterally relative to the tool bar rnember.
Figuxe 25 is an ~nd view illustxhting a non-cixcula~
tool ba~ membex g5. This tool bar compri6e~ a generally cylindrical tube ox ba~ having a square or. ~ectangula~
cxos~-section key membex secuxed to its ou~.er su~face, a6 illustrated. A hanger means 95 includes a low~r section having an opening the~ethrough which genexally confo~m~ to the outex suxface of a ma~or. portion of the tool bar ~7.
Preferably, the opening includes an expanded portion 9~, as illust~ated. The hangex 95 can be moved longitudinally along tool ba~ 97. The p~esence of the expanded openin~
po~t.ion 96 enables the hangex to be ~otated approximately 90 in one dixection (e.g., to lenable t.he hanger to be tilted upwardly and away from the vehicle t.o be lifted).
Ilanger 95 also includes a txansvexse openin~ for slid-ably xeceiving fo~k shank memb~ 42. The ~hank 42 can be moved t~ansve~sely o~ late~ally with ~espect to tool bax 97.
Ot.her va~iants ~re possible without depaxtil)g f~om the scope of this invention. Va~ious othe~ aspects of the apparatus and methods described h~xein are claimed in the follo~ing copending, commonly assiglled applications, filed of even date: Sexial Nos. (Attoxney Docket Nos. 1043-PA-02, 1043-PA-03, 1043-P~-04, 1043-PA-05, 1043~PA-06, 1043-PA-07, 1043-P~-08, 1093-PA-09l 1043-PA-10, and 1043-PA-ll).
Claims (35)
1. Lifting apparatus fox lifting a three-wheeled vehicle of the type having two side wheels and a third wheel, said apparatus providing an unobstructed entryway and lifting means to readily adapt to said vehicle so that said vehicle can be quickly and conveniently driven into the lifting apparatus, so that the apparatus can readily adapt.
to vehicles of different sizes, and so that the apparatus can readily adapt to a vehicle misaligned with respect to the longitudinal axis of said lifting apparatus; wherein said apparatus comprises:
(a) two generally horizontal tool bar members which are transversely spaced apart to provide an unobstructed entryway for said vehicle between said tool bar members;
(b) two side wheel lift means, each of which is readily attached to one of said tool bar members, for engaging a side wheel of said vehicle forwardly and rearwaxdly of the foot print of said side wheel; wherain said side wheel lift means is longitudinally movable along said tool bar member to readily adapt to different size vehicles and to a vehicle misaligned with respect to the longitudinal axis of said lifting apparatus;
(c) third wheel lift means for engaging and lifting said third wheel; and (d) lifting means for lifting said two tool bar members and said third wheel lift. means to raise said three-wheeled vehicle.
to vehicles of different sizes, and so that the apparatus can readily adapt to a vehicle misaligned with respect to the longitudinal axis of said lifting apparatus; wherein said apparatus comprises:
(a) two generally horizontal tool bar members which are transversely spaced apart to provide an unobstructed entryway for said vehicle between said tool bar members;
(b) two side wheel lift means, each of which is readily attached to one of said tool bar members, for engaging a side wheel of said vehicle forwardly and rearwaxdly of the foot print of said side wheel; wherain said side wheel lift means is longitudinally movable along said tool bar member to readily adapt to different size vehicles and to a vehicle misaligned with respect to the longitudinal axis of said lifting apparatus;
(c) third wheel lift means for engaging and lifting said third wheel; and (d) lifting means for lifting said two tool bar members and said third wheel lift. means to raise said three-wheeled vehicle.
2. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said side wheel lift means are transversely movable with respect to said tool bar members.
3. Lifting apparatus comprising:
(a) first and second spaced-apart tool bar members;
(b) lifting means for lifting said tool bar members;
and (c) at least one lift fork means carried by each said tool bar mamber, said lift fork means being movable along said tool bar members, and said lift fork means being transversely movable with respect to said tool bar members.
(a) first and second spaced-apart tool bar members;
(b) lifting means for lifting said tool bar members;
and (c) at least one lift fork means carried by each said tool bar mamber, said lift fork means being movable along said tool bar members, and said lift fork means being transversely movable with respect to said tool bar members.
4. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 3, fur-ther comprising first and second spaced-apart upright sup-port members, wherein said first tool bar member is disposed adjacent said first upright support member and said second tool bar member is disposed adjacent. said second upright support member; and wherein said lifting means is supported by said upright support members.
5. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein said lifting means comprises (a) power means, and (b) cable means operatively connected between said tool bar members and said power means for selectively raising and lowering said tool bar members.
6. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 5, wherein said power means comprises a power supply and a hydraulic cylinder; wherein said hydraulic cylinder is mov-able between extended and retracted positions; wherein when said cylinder is moved from said extended position to said retracted position said tool bar members are raised.
7. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 6, fur-ther comprising a generally horizontal cross member connect-ed between said upright support members; wherein said hydraulic cylinder is carried by said cross member; and wherein said cable means comprises a plurality of cable members operatively connected between each said tool bar member and said hydraulic cylinder.
8. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 4, fur-ther comprising releasable safety lock means for preventing said tool bar members from moving downwardly.
9. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein said safety lock means comprises (a) an elongated vertical rack member secured to a respective one of said tool bar members, and (b) a locking member carried by a respective one of said upright members; wherein when said locking member engages said rack member said tool bar member is prevented from moving downwardly.
10. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein there are first and second rack members which are secured, respectively, to said first and second tool bar members; and wherein there are first and second locking mem-bers carried, respectively, by said first and second upright members.
11. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 3.
wherein each said lift fork means comprises (a) hanger means, and (b) a fork member which includes an elongated shank member; wherein said hanger means is attachable to one of said tool bar members; and wherein said shank member is slidably received and retained in said hanger means.
wherein each said lift fork means comprises (a) hanger means, and (b) a fork member which includes an elongated shank member; wherein said hanger means is attachable to one of said tool bar members; and wherein said shank member is slidably received and retained in said hanger means.
12. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 11, wherein said hanger means comprises a body member comprising (a) first and second arms which engage said tool bar member in a manner such that angular rotation of said body member relative to said tool bar member is restricted in at least one direction, and (b) a receiver portion for receiving and supporting said shank member against angular rotation relative to said tool bar member in said one direction.
13. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 3, fur-ther comprising lift tray means supported between said tool bar members.
14. Lifting apparatus comprising:
(a) first and second spaced-apart upright support members;
(b) first and second spaced apart tool bar member;
(c) lifting means fox lifting said tool bar members;
and (d) at least one lift fork means carried by each said tool bar member, said lift fork means being movable along said tool bar members, and said lift fork means being transversely movable with respect to said tool bar members.
(a) first and second spaced-apart upright support members;
(b) first and second spaced apart tool bar member;
(c) lifting means fox lifting said tool bar members;
and (d) at least one lift fork means carried by each said tool bar member, said lift fork means being movable along said tool bar members, and said lift fork means being transversely movable with respect to said tool bar members.
15. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein said first tool bar member is disposed adjacent said first upright support member and said second tool bar member is disposed adjacent said second upright support member;
wherein said lifting means is supported by said upright mem-bers; and wherein said lifting means comprises (a) power means, and (b) cable means operatively connected between said tool bar members and said power means fox selectively raising and lowering said tool bar members.
wherein said lifting means is supported by said upright mem-bers; and wherein said lifting means comprises (a) power means, and (b) cable means operatively connected between said tool bar members and said power means fox selectively raising and lowering said tool bar members.
16. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 15, wherein said power means comprises a power supply and a hydraulic cylinder; wherein said cable means comprises a plurality of cable members operatively connected between each said tool bar member and said hydraulic cylinder, wherein said hydraulic cylinder is movable between extended and retracted positions; wherein when said cylinder is moved from said extended position to said retracted position said tool bar members axe raised.
17. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 14, further comprising releasable safety lock means for prevent-ing said tool bar members from moving downwardly.
18. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 17, wherein said safety lock means comprises (a) first. and second elongated vertical rack members secured, respective-ly, to said first and second tool bar members, and (b) first and second locking members carried, respectively, by said first and second upright members; wherein when said locking members engage said jack members said tool bar members are prevented from moving downwardly.
19. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein each said lift fork means comprises (a) hanger means, and (b) a fork member which includes an elongated shank member; wherein said hanger means is attachable to one of said tool bar members; and wherein said shank member is slidably received and retained in said hanger means.
20. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 19, wherein said hanger means comprises a body member comprising (a) first and second arms which engage said tool bar member in a manner such that angular rotation of said body member relative to said tool bar member is restricted in at least.
one direction, and (b) a receiver portion for receiving and supporting said shank member against angular rotation relative to said tool bar member in said one direction.
one direction, and (b) a receiver portion for receiving and supporting said shank member against angular rotation relative to said tool bar member in said one direction.
21. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 14, further comprising lift tray means supported between said tool bar members.
22. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 21, wherein the position of said lift tray means relative to said tool bar members in adjustable.
23. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 14, further comprising first and second vertical slide members secured, respectively, to said first and second tool bar members; wherein said first and second slide members are slidably retained, respectively, in said first and second upright support members.
24. Lifting apparatus for lifting a vehicle of the type having at least three wheels, wherein said apparatus comprises:
(a) first and second spaced-apart upright support members:
(b) first and second spaced-apart tool bar members;
wherein said first tool bar member is disposed adjacent said first upright support member and said second tool bar member is disposed adjacent said second upright support member;
(c) lifting means for lifting said tool bar members;
wherein said lifting means is supported by said upright support members; and (d) at least one lift fork means carried by each said tool bar member, said lift fork means being mov-able along said tool bar members, and said lift fork means being transversely movable with respect to said tool bar members; wherein each said lift fork means is adapted to engage one of said wheels of said vehicle.
(a) first and second spaced-apart upright support members:
(b) first and second spaced-apart tool bar members;
wherein said first tool bar member is disposed adjacent said first upright support member and said second tool bar member is disposed adjacent said second upright support member;
(c) lifting means for lifting said tool bar members;
wherein said lifting means is supported by said upright support members; and (d) at least one lift fork means carried by each said tool bar member, said lift fork means being mov-able along said tool bar members, and said lift fork means being transversely movable with respect to said tool bar members; wherein each said lift fork means is adapted to engage one of said wheels of said vehicle.
25. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 24, wherein said lifting means comprises (a) power means, and (b) cable means operatively connected between said tool bar members and said power means for selectively raising and lowering said tool bar members.
26. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 25, wherein said power means comprises a power supply and a hydraulic cylinder; wherein said hydraulic cylinder is mov-able between extended and retracted position wherein when said cylinder is moved from said extended position to said retracted position said tool bar members axe raised.
27. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 26, further comprising a generally horizontal cross member connected between said upright support members; wherein said hydraulic cylinder is carried by said cross member; wherein said cable means comprises a plurality of cable members operatively connected between each said tool bar member and said hydraulic cylinder.
28. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 24, further comprising (a) first and second elongated vertical rack members secured, respectively, to said first and second tool bar members, and (b) first and second locking members carried, respectively, by said first and second upright members; wherein when said first and second upright members said tool bar members are prevented from moving downwardly.
29. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 24, wherein each said lift fork means comprises (a) hanger means, and (b) a fork member which includes an elongated shank member; wherein said hanger means is attachable to one slidably received and retained in said hanger means.
30. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 29, wherein said hanger means comprises a body member comprising (a) first and second arms which engage said tool bar member in a manner such that angular rotation of said body member relative to said bar member is restricted in at least one direction, and (b) a receiver portion for receiving and supporting said shank member against angular rotation
31. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 24, further comprising lift tray means supported between said tool bar members.
32. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 28, further comprising lock release means operably connected to said locking members for simultaneously releasing said locking members from said rack members.
33. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 24, further comprising first and second vertical slide members secured, respectively, to said first and second tool bar members; wherein said first and second slide members are slidably retained, respectively, in said first and second upright support members; wherein said lifting means com-prises (a) power means, and (b) cable means operatively connected between said power means and said first and second slide members.
34. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 33, wherein said cable means comprises first and second cable members; and further comprising first and second equalizer bars pivotably connected, respectively, to said first and second vertical slide members; and wherein said first and second cable members are secured to each of said equalizer bars.
35. Lifting apparatus in accordance with claim 24, further comprising high lift warning means carried by said upright support members for providing a warning signal when said vehicle is lifted to a predetermined height.
Applications Claiming Priority (8)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US80225991A | 1991-12-04 | 1991-12-04 | |
| US07/802,244 US5330315A (en) | 1991-12-04 | 1991-12-04 | Methods for lifting |
| US07/802,450 US5362196A (en) | 1991-12-04 | 1991-12-04 | Lift forks |
| US07/802,244 | 1991-12-04 | ||
| US07/802,246 | 1991-12-04 | ||
| US07/802,450 | 1991-12-04 | ||
| US07/802,246 US5211264A (en) | 1991-12-04 | 1991-12-04 | Lifting apparatus |
| US07/802,259 | 1991-12-04 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2082539A1 true CA2082539A1 (en) | 1993-06-05 |
Family
ID=27505817
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2082539 Abandoned CA2082539A1 (en) | 1991-12-04 | 1992-11-10 | Lifting apparatus |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP3190751B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2082539A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2684656B1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2262084B (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE29611404U1 (en) * | 1996-07-02 | 1996-08-14 | Meyer, Siegfried, 86756 Reimlingen | Lifting platform |
| CN110937547A (en) * | 2019-10-29 | 2020-03-31 | 无为华美机动车安全检测有限公司 | Lifting platform applied to detecting automobile chassis |
| IT202000006085A1 (en) * | 2020-03-23 | 2021-09-23 | O Me R Spa | ARM FOR A LOAD SUPPORT STRUCTURE |
Family Cites Families (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2099636A (en) * | 1935-12-09 | 1937-11-16 | I A Weaver Engineering Company | Vehicle-lift |
| GB659242A (en) * | 1949-06-28 | 1951-10-17 | Emanuel Spa | Improvements in or relating to fluid-actuated vehicle hoists |
| FR1115154A (en) * | 1954-11-29 | 1956-04-20 | Load lifting device | |
| US3713515A (en) * | 1968-09-11 | 1973-01-30 | Joyce Cridland Co | Vehicle lift |
| FR2340837A1 (en) * | 1976-02-10 | 1977-09-09 | Charlie Bernard | Mobile hoist for heavy loads - is mounted on three wheels with drawgear and two hydraulic jacks for lifting load |
| US4540329A (en) * | 1983-03-28 | 1985-09-10 | Diesel Equipment Limited | Safety lock for tailgate lift |
| DE8419431U1 (en) * | 1984-06-28 | 1985-10-24 | Eßmann, Johannes Wilhelm, 4100 Duisburg | Device for lifting vehicles |
| JPS6432900U (en) * | 1987-08-25 | 1989-03-01 | ||
| US4984657A (en) * | 1989-07-28 | 1991-01-15 | Burns Richard H | Service lift stand apparatus for small tractors |
-
1992
- 1992-11-10 CA CA 2082539 patent/CA2082539A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1992-11-25 FR FR9214186A patent/FR2684656B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-12-02 GB GB9225242A patent/GB2262084B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-12-03 JP JP32433392A patent/JP3190751B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP3190751B2 (en) | 2001-07-23 |
| JPH05262497A (en) | 1993-10-12 |
| FR2684656B1 (en) | 1995-05-05 |
| FR2684656A1 (en) | 1993-06-11 |
| GB2262084B (en) | 1995-08-02 |
| GB9225242D0 (en) | 1993-01-20 |
| GB2262084A (en) | 1993-06-09 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |