EP3992141A1

EP3992141A1 - Device for lifting vehicles

Info

Publication number: EP3992141A1
Application number: EP21202520.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Orazio Spanesi
Original assignee: Spanesi SpA
Current assignee: Spanesi SpA
Priority date: 2020-10-14
Filing date: 2021-10-13
Publication date: 2022-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 2041-10-13
Also published as: IT202000024214A1; EP3992141B1

Abstract

A device for lifting vehicles, comprising a stationary structure (2) intended to be supported or anchored on the ground (S) or installed in a recess formed in the floor, a movable structure (4) operatively connected to the stationary structure (2), a plurality of arms (18) having one end (19) hinged to the movable structure (2) and a free end (20) with which a pad element (21) designed to come into contact with the vehicle to be lifted is associated; actuating means (5) designed to selectively lift and lower the movable structure (4) with respect to the stationary structure (2) between two predetermined limit positions; each arm is designed to selectively rotate about a respective substantially vertical hinge axis (Y) between an inactive position and an active position in which the pad element (21) comes into contact with the vehicle. Locking means (29) are provided to promote the selective and automatic locking of a arms (18) in the active position.

Description

Field of application of the invention

The present invention can be situated in the technical sector of bodywork and mechanical workshop equipment and relates to a lifting device for vehicles. In particular, the lifting device according to the present invention can be of the scissor type, and/or with two columns and/or or a type with an air spring.

Prior art

As is known, it is envisaged in the field of vehicle repairs and maintenance to use devices to promote the controlled lifting of the means of transport between a lowered position (in which the wheels are in contact with the ground) and a raised position suitable for allowing the intervention of an operator in the lower parts of the vehicle, which are usually hidden and difficult to access from the outside.
These devices, commonly called lifting bridges or simply car lifts, consist of a load-bearing structure that can be anchored to the ground (or over a pit for total or partial embedding of said lift in the floor) and a movable structure, which is fixed to the load-bearing structure, and designed to undergo a translational movement in a vertical direction between two end positions.
In general, the movable structure is designed to be raised/lowered between a lower position, in which it is substantially close to the ground (or flush with the floor in the embedded versions), and an upper position in which it reaches a pre-determined height from the ground (generally less than 2.5 meters).
A plurality of arms is also provided which are anchored to the movable structure and provided with respective terminal elements, commonly called pads, whose upper surface is intended to come into contact with the bottom of the vehicle to be lifted.
In most lifting devices, the pads constitute the only part of the movable structure that interacts with the vehicle when it is lifted upwards or during its downward descent.
The weight of the vehicle, therefore, is borne entirely by the movable structure and the load-bearing structure of the device through the pads and the arms.
Typically, the pads (and thus the corresponding arms supporting that support the pads) are equal in number and equally distributed between the right side and the left side of the vehicle to promote a uniform weight distribution of the vehicle over the structure.
In some types of lifting devices, the arms that support the pads are hinged to the movable structure to allow their selective rotation by an operator who is preparing to lift the vehicle.
When the lifting device is not in operation, the arms can be placed in a rest position in which they are in contact with (or in proximity to) the movable structure to reduce the overall dimensions of the device.
Before lifting the vehicle, the operator, manually or through an automatic actuation system, will rotate the individual arms up to a final position in which the pad comes into contact with the bottom of the vehicle (usually at the points predefined by the vehicle manufacturer).
This way the operator can adjust the final position of the individual arm by choosing the position so that the contact between the pad and the bottom of the vehicle occurs in an area of the latter designed to support its weight.
As is known, in fact, the shape of the bottom of vehicles varies significantly due to the characteristics of the vehicle (vehicle size, make, etc.) and the operator must take care to position the pads correctly by giving each arm a precise rotation around the hinge axis.
The installation of the movable arms undoubtedly allows the flexibility of the lifting device to be enhanced but is not exempt from certain drawbacks, the greatest of which is in the possibility that these components are subjected to an unexpected rotation capable of displacing them from their final position (for example due to the action of external forces) before they come into contact with bottom of the vehicle (or even after contact).
This rotation can be caused by a chance interaction of the arms with people and/or with moving objects present in the installation environment of the lifting device. Typically, a chance movement of the arms can be the result of contact between the same and the body of one or more operators who are preparing to work on the bottom of the vehicle, or be caused by an interaction with moving elements such as trolleys, cables, compressed air conducts, etc.
A movement of the arms occurring just prior to the interaction between the pad and the vehicle can be dangerous for the latter and for the operators located in the vicinity of the device.
First of all, the pad could come into contact with fragile parts of the bottom or with components of the vehicle not suitable for supporting its weight (portions of the body, components of various types, tube, etc.). Furthermore, the degree of freedom that the arms have during lifting could give rise to an unstable contact between the bottom of the vehicle and the pad.
The instability of this contact is due to the interaction between irregular or uneven areas of the bottom of the vehicle and the outer surface of the pad; the latter could thus be subjected to a sudden "sliding" relative to the vehicle and cause the latter to move abruptly.
The consequences of a sudden and unpredictable downward movement of the vehicle could be potentially dangerous and potentially cause the impact of some parts of the operator's body with sharp or rigid portions of the vehicle.
The parts of the body most exposed in this kind of events are the head and the hands, although it should be emphasized that the sudden and limited sliding of the vehicle could indirectly cause harm even to people who are located in the vicinity of the lifting device. Documents WO2018/189137 and EP1468755 describe lifting devices for vehicles of the type similar to those introduced in the preamble of claim 1. However, none of these is designed and manufactured in such a way as to overcome the drawbacks described above.

Description of the Invention

The present invention intends to overcome the aforementioned technical drawbacks by providing a lifting device for vehicles which is particularly safe and reliable.
In particular, the main object of the present invention is to provide a lifting device for vehicles capable of keeping the position of the vehicle stable during its raising and lowering.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a lifting device for vehicles that is simple to manufacture and particularly flexible in terms of its use.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a lifting device for vehicles which exhibits high durability over time and requires reduced maintenance.
Last but not least, it is the object of the present invention is to provide lifting device for vehicles the configuration of which satisfies all the safety regulations stipulated in various countries with reference to the sector of bodywork or vehicle assistance.
These objects, together with others which will be explained in more detail in the following, are achieved by a lifting device lift of the type according to claim 1.
Other objects which will be described hereinafter in more detail in the following are achieved by a vehicle lift according to the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

The advantages and features of the present invention will clearly emerge from the following detailed description of a preferred, but non-limiting, configuration of a lifting device for vehicles illustrated in the following drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lifting device for vehicles realized according to a first preferred configuration.
Figures 2 and 3 represent, respectively, a perspective view and a frontal view of the lifting device of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a top view of the lifting device of Figure 1;
Figures 5 and 6 represent respective enlargements of details visible in the top view of Figure 4.
Figure 7 represents a further side view of the lifting device of Figure 1;
Figure 8 is a partial perspective side view of the lifting device of Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a detail of Figures 7 and 8;
Figure 10 is a top view of a possible alternative embodiment of the locking means intended to be used in the lifting device of Figure 1.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention relates to a lifting device for vehicles which will be indicated in the following description by the reference number 1.
In particular, the device 1 can be used to lift road vehicles with different sizes and functions such as, for example, cars, vans, trucks, buses etc.
Figures 1 to 10 show a preferred embodiment of the lifting device 1 according to the present invention which comprises suitable adaptations and dimensional modifications depending on the size of the vehicle to be raised/lowered (car, truck, bus, caravan, etc.).
The lifting device 1 comprises a stationary structure 2 intended to be placed on the ground S.
As is better visible in Figures 1 - 3 and in Figure 7 , the stationary structure 2 can consist of a support base 3 which has a substantially rectangular shape and is designed to be stably anchored to the ground S by means of a plurality of locking screws (not shown in the figures).
Alternatively, the support base 3 can be embedded inside a special recess made in the floor of the installation environment.
Also provided are a movable structure 4 operatively connected to the stationary structure 2 and operation means 5 designed to promote the selective and controlled lifting or lowering of the movable structure 4 with respect to the stationary structure 2 between two predetermined limit positions.
As is better visible in Figures 1 - 4 , the movable structure 4 can comprise a platform 6 made of a metallic material and having an upper surface 7 which is substantially flat and horizontal.
The platform 6 is connected to the support base 3 by means of two pairs of parallel side members 8, 9 having a lower end 10, 10' fixed or hinged to the base 3 and an upper end 11 hinged to the platform 6.
In particular, the lower end of a pair of side members 8 will be hinged to the base 3 in a fixed position while the lower end 10 of the other pair of side members 9 is anchored to the base 3 to be able to translate along a substantially horizontal direction X.
In Figure 1 and Figure 7 the fixed lower ends of the side members 8 are indicated with the reference number 10 while the lower ends of the side members 9 which can translate along the direction X are indicated with the reference number 10'.
Conveniently, the lower ends 10, 10' and the upper ends 11 of each side member are arranged on opposite sides with respect to a vertical centerline plane passing through the platform 6 and indicated in the figures by the symbol π.
The pairs of side members 8, 9 are joined together via a horizontal crosspiece 12 arranged in a position substantially equidistant from the ends 10, 10' and in correspondence with the centerline plane π, as is better visible in Figures 2 and 3 .
The operation means 5 comprises a piston 13 provided with a movable rod 14 whose head 15 is hinged to a bracket 16 which is in turn connected to the crosspiece 12 in a rotatable manner.
In this way the progressive extension (or return) of the rod 14 of the piston 13 allows the counterclockwise (or clockwise) semi-rotation of the bracket 16 by promoting the translational movement of the crosspiece 12 upwards (or downwards) along the centerline plane π.
The cylinder 17 of the piston 13 is constrained to the base 3 and during its operation the lower end 10' of the side members 9 can translate towards the inside of the base 3 (in the case of a forward movement of the rod 14) or towards the outside of the base 3 (in the case of a return movement of the rod 14).
This way the pairs of side members 8, 9 are free to move between a position in which they are substantially horizontal and parallel to each other (complete lowering of the movable structure, maximum retraction of the rod 14) to a position in which they are arranged according to a symmetrical "X" shape with respect to the centerline plane (complete raising of the movable structure, maximum extension of the rod 14).
This "X" positioning of the side members 8, 9 is clearly visible in Figures 1 - 7 and in the technical field of lifts and lifting platforms is called a "pantograph" or "scissor" configuration.
Conveniently, the piston 13 can be of the oleodynamic or pneumatic type and can be replaced by any linear actuator of a different nature (i.e., electrical) adapted to promote the translational and bidirectional movement of a thrust element which can be anchored to the crosspiece 12.
As described above, during the actuation of the piston 13, the platform 6 translates vertically between a lower limit position, in which it is substantially placed in proximity to the support base 3, and an upper limit position in which it is placed at a predetermined height from the ground S.
By way of example, in the upper limit position the platform can reach a height h that does not exceed two meters.
The lifting device 1 further comprises a plurality of arms 18 provided with one end 19 hinged to the movable structure 4 and a free opposite end 20 to which is associated a pad 21 designed to come into contact with the bottom of the vehicle to be lifted.
These arms 18 are clearly visible in Figures 1 - 5 and in Figure 8 and in this particular configuration of the device 1 they are hinged in proximity to the straight side edges 22, 23 of the platform 6.
The device 1 typically comprises an even number of arms 18 uniformly arranged along the side edges 22, 23 of the platform 6. In the configuration of the device illustrated in the figures the use four arms 18 distributed in pairs along the respective edges 22, 23 of the platform 6 is envisaged.
Each arm 18 is consequently free to selectively rotate around a respective substantially vertical hinge axis Y between an inactive position and an active position.
The arms 18 can be substantially straight and, in the inactive position (not visible in the figures), they can be collected in proximity of the side edges 22, 23 of the platform 6 to reduce the overall dimensions of the device 1.
When the arms are in the active position, their axis of extension Z can be rotated around the hinge axis Y to perform a predetermined angular movement α with respect to the respective side edges 22, 23 of the platform 6, as better visible in Figure 4 .
The angle α can be the same for all arms 18 or can be different for one or more of them.
In other words, the active position can be the same for all the arms 18 or can vary for one or more arms, according to the requirements.
The rotation of the arms 18 between the two inactive/active positions can be performed manually by an operator or can be carried out in an automatic or semiautomatic manner through the use of suitable actuators.
The configuration of the invention illustrated in the figures refers to this second case, in which four small pistons 24 having the bottom of the cylinder hinged to the platform and the head 25 of the rod hinged to the respective arm 18 are provided.
These pistons are clearly visible in Figure 7 and Figure 8 .
Conveniently, the pads 21 can be fixed to the arms 18 in a removable manner and their vertical position with respect to the latter can be manually adjusted by the operator.
In particular, the upper surface 26 of the pads 21 is intended to come into contact with the bottom of the vehicle and for this reason is located at a height from the ground h' slightly higher than the height h of the platform 6, generally higher by a few centimetres.
In this way, during the ascent and descent of the vehicle, the vehicle interacts exclusively with the pads 21 while the platform 6 is designed to never come into contact with the bottom or with other parts of the means of transport, which is raised with respect to the ground S.
The pads 21 are generally made of a semi-rigid material suitable for supporting the weight of the vehicle, generally rubber or other similar polymeric materials.
Furthermore, the pad 21 can be anchored directly to the arm 18 or can be associated with the latter in a removable manner, as better illustrated in Figures 2 , 4 , 5 and 8 .
In this case, the pad 21 is integral with a section of profiled tube 27 (generally having a rectangular cross-section) having an internal cavity 28 inside which the end portion of the arm 18 can be inserted in a sliding manner.
This condition is clearly visible in Figures 1 , 8 and 5 .
In this way the operator can change the type of pad 21 to be used for lifting a specific vehicle by simply removing the section of tube 27 in use from the arm 18 and inserting therein the most suitable pad for the specific case.
The section of tube 27 can be fixed to the arm 18 by means of rapid connection means (for example the insertion of a pin into suitable holes formed on the arm and on the tube) or with other fastening elements known per se and not described in the following description.
According to a particular aspect of the invention, locking means 29 designed to selectively and automatically lock the plurality of arms 18 when the latter are in the active position are provided.
The presence of the locking means 29 prevents the arms from rotating inadvertently and/or suddenly from their active position during their interaction with the vehicle floor, or during the raising/lowering of the vehicle itself.
Conveniently, as will be better clarified below, the expression "locking means" used in the present description is intended to refer to means of reversible type, which can be selectively operated to effect both the rotational locking of one or more arms in an active position, as well as the unlocking of the same in order to allow them to rotate from the active position to the inactive position.
The locking means 29 can be configured to selectively lock one or more arms 18 in the active position, for example two out of four arms.
Alternatively, the locking means 29 can be configured to selectively lock all arms 18 in the active position.
Furthermore, in the configuration of the lifting device 1 illustrated in the figures, the locking means 29 can promote the locking of all arms 18 in the active position substantially in simultaneous, i.e., at the same moment in time.
In the event that a lifting device alternative to the configuration illustrated herein is desired, the locking means 29 can be configured to promote the locking of the arms 18 at different moments in time, for example one after the other or in accordance with a precise locking sequence.
As better visible in Figures 4 - 6 , the locking means 29 can comprise a plurality of first locking elements 30 rigidly connected to the hinged end 19 of a respective arm 18.
The first locking elements 30 can thus be designed to rotate around the hinge axis Y of the corresponding arm 18 when a movement between the active position and the inactive position (or vice versa) is conveyed to the arm 18.
In the configuration of the invention illustrated in the figures, the first locking elements 30 are positioned on the outer surface 31 of the platform, above the respective arm 18.
In particular, the first locking elements 30 can be manufactured with a plate of reduced thickness and are integral with the hinge pin 32 passing through the end 19 of the respective arm 18.
Conveniently, the locking means 30 comprise a plurality of second locking elements 33 placed in proximity to the first locking elements 30.
Said second locking means 33 are better visible in particular in Figures 4 - 6 .
Each first locking element 30 can be associated with a corresponding second locking element 33 and the latter can be integral with the movable structure 4.
In the case of the lifting device 1 illustrated in the figures, the second locking elements are anchored to the upper surface 31 of the platform 6.
As better shown in Figures 4 - 6 , the second locking element 33 can be obtained from a section of metal profile with a reduced thickness (flat profile).
In particular, each second locking element 33 can have an elongated shape that extends along a respective direction of extension W substantially horizontal and orthogonal to the hinge axis Y of the respective arm 18.
The second locking element 33 can be located in proximity of the side edges 22, 23 of the platform 6 and its extension direction W can be substantially parallel to said edge.
In particular, in the configuration of the lifting device 1 illustrated in the figures, provision is made for the arrangement of a pair of second locking elements 33 for each side of the platform 6.
In addition to being positioned in proximity to the first locking elements 30 which are integral with the respective arm, each pair of second locking elements 33 is arranged to define a single direction W along which both elements 33 extend.
This configuration is clearly visible in Figure 4 .
Conveniently, the first locking elements 30 and the second locking elements 33 have respective end edges 34, 35 arranged in a mutually facing position.
Said edges 34, 35 are provided with respective shaped portions 36, 37 having at least one section with a complementary shape to each other. The complementary shape of the shaped portions 36, 37 therefore allows the edges 34, 35 to mutually commit to each other when they come into contact.
As better visible in Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the first locking element 30 has a substantially semicircular edge facing the second locking element 33.
Regardless of the active position selected for the respective arm 18, a toothing 38 (clearly visible in Figure 6 ), the extension of which is chosen so that the teeth are always facing the second locking element 33, is formed at a portion 36 of said edge.
In other words, the toothing 38 performed on the edge portion 36 of the first locking element 30 always faces the second locking element 33, regardless of the rotation angle α chosen to determine the active position of the corresponding arm 18.
The second locking element 33 has an edge portion 37 which is also semicircular and faces the toothed edge portion 36 of the first locking element 30.
Furthermore, the semicircular edge portion 37 of the second locking element 33 has a radius substantially equal to that of the toothed semicircular edge portion 36 of the first locking element 30.
The edge portion 37 of the second locking element 33 likewise includes a toothing 33 the pitch and the shape of the teeth of which is substantially the same as that chosen for the toothing 38 formed on the edge portion 36 of the first connecting element 30.
Advantageously, the first locking element 30 and/or the second locking element 33 are movable with respect to each other between a first position and a second position.
In particular, in the first position the edge portions 36, 37 associated with the first locking element 30 and the second locking element 33 are spaced apart and disengaged from each other.
In this position the first locking element 30 can freely rotate around its own hinge axis Y when a rotation is convey to the respective arm 18.
In the second position, the edge portions 36, 37 are mutually in contact so as to be mutually engaged and promote the locking of the first locking element 30 (and thus of the respective arm) with respect to the second locking element 33. The locking means 29 illustrated in Figures 1 to 9 exhibits locking elements 30, 33 with the corresponding edge portions 36, 37 in the second position.
As better visible in Figure 6 , in the second position the toothing 38, 39 obtained on the edge portion 36, 37 of the first 30 and second locking element 33 undergo reciprocal meshing thus effecting the rotational locking of the respective arm 18.
In the configuration of the lifting device 1 indicated in the figures, the first locking element 30, although free to rotate with respect to its own hinge axis Y, is constrained with respect to any other movement, including a translation towards the second locking element 33.
In other words, the first locking element 30 is fixed with respect to the second locking element 33 inasmuch as it cannot approach or move away from the latter.
The second locking element 33 is mounted on the platform 6 in to be free to perform a selective and controlled translation along its extension direction W.
The range of this translation will be such to allow the edge portion 37 to approach/move away from the edge portion 36 of the first locking element 30 so as to move between the first position of disengagement (in which the toothing 38, 39 formed on both elements 30, 33 are distal to each other) and the second position of engagement (in which the meshing of the toothing 38, 39 formed on both elements 30, 33 occurs).
As better shown Figure 6 , the second locking element 33 includes an elongated seat 40 inside which a fixed pin 41 integral with the platform 6 is inserted.
During the movement of the second locking element 33, the pin 41 slides inside the seat 40 to guide the translational movement of the element between the first and second position.
The locking means 29 further comprise at least one actuator 42 suited to selectively move the edge portion 37 of the second locking element 33 between the first position and the second position (and vice versa).
As shown in particular in Figures 7 - 9 , two piston type actuators 42 are provided, each of which has a cylinder 43 connected to the platform 6 and ends (respectively constituted by the head of the rod 44 and the bottom 45) connected to the pair of second locking elements 33 arranged along the same side of the platform 6.
Conveniently, the head of the rod 44 and the bottom 45 of the actuators are free to translate along a direction substantially parallel to the direction of extension W of the second locking element 33.
Furthermore, the head of the rod 44 and the bottom 45 are arranged on opposite sides with respect to the centerline plane π.
In particular, the ends 44, 45 of the piston 42 are connected to the end portions of the second locking elements 33 by means of a screw 46 passing through an elongated seat 47 suitably obtained in the platform 6 (clearly visible in Figure 9 ).
The activation of the actuator 42 will move each end 44, 45 of the piston away from the centerline plane π, in this way the second locking elements 33 will describe an outward motion to promote the positioning of their edge portion 37 in the second position (in which the engagement of the teeth 38, 39 occurs).
The return of the ends 44, 45 of the piston to the rest position will promote the translation of the second locking elements 33 in the opposite direction (i.e. inwards in order to effect their mutual approach).
In this case, therefore, the shaped edge 37 of the second locking elements 33 will move away from the shaped edge 36 of the first locking elements 30, to the position of disengagement.
In the configuration of the lifting device 1 illustrated in the figures, a single actuator 42 can promote the movement of a pair of second locking elements 33 arranged on the same side of the platform 6.
However, in a different configuration of the device 1 it is possible to provide for the installation of a single actuator 42 designed to control the movement of all the second locking elements 33 or for the use of a plurality of actuators 42 that can be operated independently, each being associable with a single connecting element 33.
Furthermore, the actuators 42 can be operated simultaneously so as to promote the simultaneous movement of the edge portion 37 of the second locking elements 33 into the second position (corresponding to the mutual engagement of the toothing 38, 39).
Alternatively, the actuators 42 can be operated at different times to promote the selective engagement 36, 37 of the edges of the locking elements 30, 33 at staggered or different times.
Figure 10 shows a different configuration of the elements 30, 33 which constitute the locking means 29.
In this case the edge portions 36, 37 of the respective locking elements 30, 33 do not have a toothing, but a particular "coupling" shape substantially designed to replicate that of a "male-female" type.
The first locking element 30 is in fact provided with a plurality of recesses 48 arranged along radial directrices R which extend starting from the centre of the element (which is placed in correspondence with the hinge axis Y of the respective arm 18).
Each radial directrix R is designed to define a certain active position of the arm 18, i.e., the angular position of the directrix R defines a corresponding angle of rotation α.
In this case, therefore, the active positions of the arm 18 are discrete inasmuch as they refer to a predetermined angle of rotation α at which a corresponding recess 48 has been formed on the first locking element 30.
The second locking elements 33 have an elongated edge portion 37 with a shape substantially counter-shaped the recesses 48 formed on the first locking element 30.
In the first position the recesses 48 and the elongated edge portion 37 are spaced apart to allow the rotation of the arm 18 around the hinge axis Y; however in the second position the elongated edge portion 37 of the second connecting element 33 is inserted inside a corresponding recess 48 formed on the edge 37 of the first connecting element 30.
This way, the engagement of the locking elements 30, 33 is obtained by inserting the elongated edge portion 36 inside the recess 48 to lock the respective arm 18 rotationally.
Operationally, when it is necessary to lift the vehicle to a predetermined height, the method for operating the lifting device 1 is as follows:

a) positioning the movable structure 4 in the lower limit position (completely lowered);
b) positioning the vehicle above the movable structure 4;
c) rotation of the arms 18 from their inactive position to their active position;
d) activating the locking means 29 to promote the locking of one or more arms 18 in the active position;
e) lifting the movable structure 4 to bring the pads 21 associated with the respective arms 18 into contact with the bottom of the vehicle to be lifted;
f) further lifting the movable structure 4 until it reaches the predetermined height above the ground.

In order to promote the lowering of the vehicle, the method for operating the lifting device 1 is as follows:

g) lowering of the movable structure 4 down to a height from the ground so as to allow the vehicle wheels to come into contact with the ground;
h) further lowering of the movable structure 4 to disengage the pads 21 associated with the respective arms 18 from the bottom of the vehicle;
i) activation of the locking means 29 to release the arms 18 from the active position;
j) rotation of the arms 18 from the active position to the inactive position.

As described above, the lifting piston 13, the small pistons 24 associated with the arms 18 and the actuators 42 of the locking means 29 can be selected from the various types of components currently available on the market such as, for example, pneumatic, oleodynamic, electrical devices, etc.
If the actuator devices cited above are of a oleodynamic /pneumatic type, it is possible to provide a control unit, indicated in the figures by the reference number 49, provided with a pump, not illustrated, connected to a circuit directly associated with the lifting piston 13, to the small pistons 24 and the actuators 42.
The lifting device 1 can also comprise an electrical or electronic control unit (not shown) designed to selectively operate the pump and any possible solenoid valves to control the movement of the movable structure 4 (lifting/lowering) and/or the rotation of the arms 18 between the inactive position and the active position.
Conveniently, the lifting device 1 object of the invention can include shapes and configurations different those shown in the figures, but which are still designed to replicate the inventive concept characterizing the invention.
For example, the stationary structure 2 can comprise a pair of columns and the movable structure can comprise two distinct parts, each of which is mounted on a respective column to move vertically with respect to the same (in a synchronous manner to the movement of the other moving part).
The present invention can be carried out in other variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive characteristics claimed and described herein; these technical features can be replaced by different technically equivalent elements and materials; the shape and size of the invention can be any, provided that they are compatible with its intended use
The numbers and reference signs inserted in the claims and in the description have the sole purpose of increasing the clarity of the text, and should not be considered as elements limiting the technical interpretation of the objects or methods identified by the same.

Claims

A device for lifting vehicles, comprising:
- a stationary structure (2) designed to be supported or anchored on the ground (S), or embedded in a recess formed in the floor;

- a movable structure (4) operatively connected to said stationary structure (2);

- a plurality of arms (18) with one end (19) hinged to said movable structure (2) and a free end (20) with which a pad element (21) designed to come into contact with the vehicle to be lifted is associated;

- operation means (5) designed to selectively lift and lower the movable structure (4) with respect to the stationary structure (2) between two predetermined limit positions;

- locking means (29) designed to selectively and automatically lock one or more arms (18) of said plurality of arms (18) in the active position;
wherein each arm is designed to selectively rotate about a respective substantially vertical hinge axis (Y) between an inactive position and an active position wherein said pad element (21) comes into contact with the vehicle;

and wherein said locking means (29) comprise a plurality of first locking elements (30) operatively connected to the hinged end of a respective arm (18),

characterized in that said locking means (29) comprise a plurality of second locking elements (33) placed in proximity to said first locking means (30).
The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said locking means (29) are designed to lock all the arms (18) of said plurality of arms (18) in said active position substantially simultaneously.
The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first locking elements (30) are designed to rotate about the hinge axis (Y) of the corresponding arm (18) when the latter rotates between said active position and said inactive position.
The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second locking elements (33) are associated with said movable structure (4).
The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first locking elements (30) and said second locking elements (33) have respective end edges (34, 35) facing each other.
The device according to claim 5, characterized in that said end edges (34, 35) facing each other comprise respective shaped portions (36, 37) having a substantially mutually complementary shape and selected to allow their mutual engagement.
The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first locking element (30) and/or said second locking element (33) are reciprocally movable between a first and a second position.
The device according to claim 7, characterized in that, in said first position, the shaped portions (36, 37) of the end edges (34, 35) of said first (30) and said second locking element (33) are spaced apart and disengaged from each other, and in that, in said second position, the shaped portions (36, 37) of the end edges (34, 35) are substantially in contact and mutually engaged in order to lock said first locking element (30) with respect to said second locking element (33).
The device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that said locking means (29) comprise at list one actuator (42) designed to selectively move the portion (36) of the edge (34) of said first locking element (30) and/or the portion (37) of the edge (35) of said second locking element (33) between said first position and said second position.
The device according to claim 9, characterized in that said one or more actuators (42) are designed to position the edge portions (36, 37) of the end edges (34, 35) of all the first locking elements (30) and/or all the second locking elements (33) in the second position substantially simultaneously.
The device according to claim 9, characterized in that said shaped portion (36) of the end edge (34) of said first locking element (30) and said shaped portion (37) of the end edge (35) of said second locking element (33) have a toothing (38, 39) designed to allow mutual engagement of the teeth when the respective arm (18) is in said active position.
The device according to claim 11, characterized in that each of said second locking elements (33) has an elongated shape extending along a longitudinal extension direction (W) substantially orthogonal to the hinge axis (Y) of the respective arm (18).
The device according to claim 12, characterized in that the position of the first locking element (30) with respect to the second locking element (33) is substantially fixed, said one or more actuators (42) being designed to move said second locking element (33) along said extension direction (W) to bring its edge portion (37) into said first and into said second position.
The device according to claim 9, characterized in that said at least one actuator (42) is designed to position all second locking elements (33) in said second position substantially simultaneously.