GB2205793A - Vehicle axle support device - Google Patents

Abstract

The support comprises an upstanding member 1 with a slidable fitting 2 which may be fixed to member 1 at a selected height and bolted to an axle 7 of the vehicle. A jack rest 3 may be secured at a selected height on member 1 and the vehicle is raised or lowered by placing a jack on rest 3 and raising or lowering the fitting 2. <IMAGE>

Description

AXLE STILTS This invention is related to the method of raising a vehicle from the ground for inspection, maintenance and repair.

Access to the underside of a vehicle for maintenance and repair is essential in providing for the continuous use and safe operation of that vehicle.

Where there are workshop facilities, the usual method is to drive the vehicle over an inspection pit or to lift the vehicle bodily to a height by means of a mechanical lift. These methods involve permanent installations. Other methods involve the use of portable or permanent wheel ramps, up which a vehicle is driven or jacks of various sizes.

The former only raises the vehicle a limited amount and usually at ,one end only and if portable can be cumbersome. The latter usually have only a very limited lift; those with a more extensive lift are not really portable, in the sense of being carried and usually require a smooth surface from which to operate. They are also in general not to be relied upon from the point of view of safety, where the collapse of a jack through malfunction or imperfect use can cause the vehicle to fall with horrendous consequences upon an operative below. Further, purpose-made vehicle jacks often use vehicle bodywork which can be dangerous through hidden corrosion.

This invention overcomes many shortcomings listed above; it provides good access height, safety and portability which none of the foregoing achieve. It further enables the lifted vehicle to be lowered onto props and the invention removed if required.

The invention comprises a post, referred to as a stilt and a sliding axle fitting which is bolted to the vehicle axle with a means of securing it a various heights upon the stilt.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of referring to the drawing in Figure 1.

The invention in this case comprises a stilt (1). The stilt carries a sliding axle fitting (2) and a sliding jack rest (3), a simple strut (4) a safety tie (5) and a restraining tie (6). Both the axle fitting and the jack rest have a releaseably secureable means to keep them upon the stilt and to enable them to be held at any height. The axle fitting is so designed that it will inhibit lateral sway when used in an end lift position but will accommodate the necessary flexibility when used for side lifting.

The stilt (1) in this case is perforated to receive the means for securing the axle fitting (2) and the jack rest (3) at various heights. The strut (4) is secured to the top of the stilt by an easily removable bolt or similar. The safety tie is easily detachable. The restraining tie (6) is secured to the foot of the stilt in an easily releaseable manner and secured at its other end to the opposite side of the vehicle. (This is only used in a side lift position).

The use of the invention is illustrated in Figures 2 to 6. Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the use for an end lift, Figures 4, 5 and 6 for a side lift. Figures 2 and 4 illustrate the position of the invention at commencement of lifts, Figures 3 and 5 at maximum lifts and Figure 6 the position of the stitl at maximum height on side lift and the necessity for using the restraining tie (6). In usuage illustrated, pairs of stilts are required. In Figures 2 and 3, the stilt has to be inclined slightly to accommodate the radius effect as the vehicle rises.

The purpose of the strut (4) is to: a) Stop the steering wheels turning if there is no other means of so doing.

b) Otherwise to provide for additional vehicle stability For instance, only one strut may be necessary when undertaking a side lift and even this can be removed at maximum height.

To inhibit lateral sway in Figures 2 and 3, the axle fitting is rigidly attached to the stilt. In the case of Figures 4, 5 and 6, the axle fitting allows for flexibility relative to the stilt.

Raising or lowering the vehicle is simply by placing a suitable jack on the jack rest to elevate of lower the axle fitting above it, such raising and lowering to be of a uniform nature on each axle stilt. To greatly contribute towards stability, the axle fitting is bolted 'offcentre' to the axle (7); this makes the turning effect of the vehicle weight upon its own axles cause this condition. The axle fitting is bolted on the 'bumper side' of each axle (7).

Though the road wheels are usually removed prior to attachment of the axle fittings etc, special nuts and bolts may enable the wheels to be left in position.

Claims (1)

1. CLAi'

   1) The axle stilt comprises a post, referred to as a stilt and 5 5lidin axle fitting which can be bolted to the vesicle axle with E means for securing it at a variety of heights on the stilt 2) An axle stilt as in Claim 1 which when used as a pair till effect end lift of the vehicle.

   3) An axle stilt as in Claim 2 which when used as a pair will effect side lift of the vehicle 4) An axle stilt as in Claim 3 which is portable in that a pair of stilts can be carried by one person.

   5) Am axle stilt as in Claim 4 with a means for raising and lowering the vehicle 6) An axle stilt as in Claim 5 incorporating a method to inhibit vehicle sway 7) An axle stilt as in Claim 6 with a means to allow for movement of the sliding axle fitting independant of the rake of the stilt when used in a side lift 8) kn axle stilt as in Claim 7 with a means to counteract turning action of the steering wheels when useu in a in; lift position 9) An axle stilt as in Claim 8 where the turning effect on the axle caused by the weight of the vehicle materially adds to the vehicle stability 10) An axle stilt as in Claim 9 which allows a road wheel to be left in position.