GB2111446A

GB2111446A - Collapsible axle stand

Info

Publication number: GB2111446A
Application number: GB08132938A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Hung
Original assignee: SHINN FU AUTO SUPPLY Co L
Current assignee: SHINN FU AUTO SUPPLY Co L
Priority date: 1981-11-02
Filing date: 1981-11-02
Publication date: 1983-07-06

Abstract

An axle stand or adjustable support prop comprising a telescopic central pillar (11, 12) with a plurality of pivoted bracing legs pivotable from a collapsed condition in which they lie generally alongside the pillar to a support or bracing condition in which they are splayed outwardly relatively thereto whereby to serve as a combined bracing stabilizing and support for the pillar. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Collapsible axle stand This invention relates to support stands or props and is particularly concerned with a collapsible stand which may be folded into a collapsed condition for transportation and storage. Such stands find special application as so-called 'axle stands' for use in relation to automobiles, typically in conjunction with a jack.

The term 'axle stand' is used herein to embrace any form of adjustable prop or support whether for automobile use or otherwise.

Axles stands are generally known comprising an upright pillar section and splayed supporting legs (for ground engagement), generally pyramidal form about the support pillar. Typically the support pillar is axially adjustable for length, by means of a telescopic sliding pillar arrangement, through a succession of spaced support positions in each of which it is positively located by means of some form of locating pin, peg or latch arrangement. Unfortunately, the splayed legs or indeed the splayed base platform of the (primary support) pillar makes the stands rather bulky and cumbersome for storage and transportation, particularly in say the boot of a car.

According to the invention there is provided a collapsible support or axle stand, comprising a telescopically adjustable pillar provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced bracing legs or struts pivotally attached thereto and moveable from a position in which the struts lie generally alongside the pillar to a relatively outwardly splayed support or bracing condition in which they are spaced outwardly from the pillar at their remote ends from the pivot points of attachment to the pillar, there being provided locating means operable between the remote ends of the splayed legs and support pillar to locate the same positively therein.

Desirably, the locating struts are biased into a latching condition with the support pillar.

In a preferred construction three pivoted bracing struts are provided arranged in generally pyramidal form in the support condition.

Conveniently, the central support pillar comprises an outer tubular member with one end engageable upon a support surface and an inner tubular member received in the other end for telescopic axial movement relative thereto, whereby to adjust the axial position and extent and thus the height of the axle stand, latch or locating means being provided between the relatively interfitting telescopic members in order to secure them relatively in one of a succession of support positions.

Conveniently, the telescopically interfitting tubular members of the support pillar are provided with complementary sets of diametral holes which may be mutually aligned upon the relative axial sliding movement of the tubular members to receive a locating peg or pin.

Optionally, the upper end of the support pillar is provided with an annular reinforcing collar-for example this may be used to provide additional support for the locating pin. A locating collar may also be provided for securing a restraining chain attached to one end of the locating pin.

Preferably, each pivoted bracing leg comprises a U-section member of configuration adapted to embrace a portion of the circumference of the support pillar in the collapsed condition.

Desirably, the pivot for each bracing leg comprises a pin receiving collar attached, for example by welding to the pillar, with a complementary interfitting pin locating in an upper end of the bracing member.

There now follows a description of a particular embodiment of the invention, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a part sectional cut-away view of an axle stand in the assembled condition; Figures 2A and 2B show angularly offset general side elevational view of the jack shown in Figure 1; and Figures 3A and 3B show respectively upper and underside plan views of the jack shown in Figures 1,2A and 2B.

Referring to the drawings, an axle stand comprises a central ground engaging tubular telescopically adjustable pillar member over which an outer tube 12 is provided at its lower end with a base plate 30 and received at its upper end an inner tubular member 11. Both the tubular members 11 and 12 are provided with complementary sets of diametrai holes 16 and 18 respectively which are mutually alignable on a relatively axial sliding movement of the tubular members 11 and 12 to receive a locating peg or pin 1 5 secured by chain 1 9 to a restraining collar 20 round the upper end of the tubular member 12.

The upper end of the inner tubular member 11 is provided with a support cup or yoke 32 to facilitate load bearing operation.

The tubular support pillar assembly is provided with three cirfumferentially spaced bracing legs or struts 14, each of generally inverted U-section and pivotally attached at their upper end to the outer tubular member 12 by a pivot collar 26 welded thereto and receiving a pivot pin 27 located through the walls of the U-section leg.

Each of the legs 14 is thus pivotally secured to the outer tubular member 12 and may be pivoted relative thereto from a collapsed condition (not shown) in which the members lie alongside and by virtue of their U-section partially encompassing part of the circumference of the outer tubular member 12, being parallel thereto or axially aligned therewith and on the other hand an outwardly splayed support or bracing condition in which a ground engaging plate 31 at the opposite end thereof from the pivot 26, 27 rests on the ground or other support surface.

The bracing legs 1 4 are secured in the 'splayed' condition by means of spring-biased locating arms 17, pivotally secured at their outer ends through a pivot arrangement comprising a pin 29 received in the walls of the lower end of the U-section leg 14 and a coil spring 28 mounted therearound and fitted to bias the locating arms 1 7 outward from the U-section legs 14 towards the central pillar 12, and in particular slots or recesses 23 aligned therewith in the lower walls of the outer tubular member 12. In order to achieve secure locating action the outer ends of the locating arms 17 are provided with notches 22 to latch upon the walls of the tubular member 12 as shown in Figure 1.

It will be appreciated that by virtue of the Usection of the legs 14 the locating arm 1 7 may be deflected upwards against the biasing springs 28 to be received therein and still allow the legs 14 to be pivoted into the collapsed condition about the central pillar 12.

Figures 2A and 2B show more clearly how supplementary reinforcing collar 21 is provided around the outer tubular member 12 assisting in supporting the locating pin 15.

It will be appreciated that in the collapsed condition of the axle stand not much greater room is occupied than for the tubular support pillar assembly 11, 1 2 and that the overall cylindrical configuration facilitates storage and unobtrusive packing away of the stand, for example in a car boot, and indeed the collapsed form is fairly convenient for handling and general portability being almost of the size whereby the collapsed section can be gripped in the hand.

For stability three equal circumferentially spaced support legs 14 are provided in pyramidal fashion, this can be appreciated from Figures 3A/3B and the provision of ground engaging plates 31 on the three legs 14 and a central ground engaging plate 30 for the support pillar 12 provides optimum load distribution at the points of contact with the ground. Moreover, tipping of the stand is inhibited by the multiple ground engaging points.

The use of a relatively long support pillar 12 enables a large overall jacking height to be achieved and a greater difference between the retracted and elevated jack heights because the internal adjustable tubular member 11 can be of similar length, moreover the long interfitting lengths of the tubular members 11 and 12 in the more retracted conditions of the jack assist in stabilizing any lateral movement of the support cup or yoke 32.

It will be appreciated from Figure 1 that the lower end of the inner tubular member 11 does not obstruct latching of the locating struts 1 7 in the longitudinal slots 23 in the lower wall 24 of the outer tubular member 12.

Claims

1. An axle stand or adjustable support prop comprising a telescopic central pillar with a plurality of pivoted bracing legs pivotable from a collapsed condition in which they lie generally alongside the pillar to a support or bracing condition in which they are splayed outwardly relatively thereto whereby to serve as a combined bracing stabilizing and support for the pillar.

2. A collapsible support or axle stand, comprising a telescopically adjustable pillar provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced bracing legs or struts pivotally attached thereto and moveable from a position in which the struts lie generally alongside the pillar to a relatively outwardly splayed support or bracing condition in which they are spaced outwardly from the pillar at their remote ends from the pivot points of attachment to the pillar, there being provided locating means operable between the remote ends of the splayed legs and support pillar to locate the same positively therein.