GB2271330A

GB2271330A - Devices for lifting vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2271330A
Application number: GB9321028A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Angelo Amorino
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-10-12
Filing date: 1993-10-12
Publication date: 1994-04-13
Also published as: ITSA920011U1; IT228786Y1; ES1026223U; BR9304224A; FR2696696A3; SE9303300L; JPH07300063A; SE9303300D0; CA2108081A1; DE9315421U1; ES1026223Y; GB9321028D0; ITSA920011V0; FR2696696B3

Abstract

A vehicle lifting device comprises a hydraulic jack 2 or the like built in the vehicle on each side thereof. The jacks are fed by a hydraulic power unit 3 operated by a motor 4 connected to the vehicle battery and controlled by means of a removable remote control device. The device can be used both to lift the vehicle in case of repairs, replacement of tyres etc., and as anti-theft devices, by simply lowering and locking it in the extended position when the vehicle is parked. <IMAGE>

Description

"DEVICES FOR LIFTING VEHICLES" The present invention relates to devices for the lifting of vehicles.

Presently, when maintenance or repair work on the lower part of a vehicle is required, for example in the case of a puncture or a breakdown, the vehicle is lifted using a jack applied to the vehicle body in a predetermined place.

As a consequence, even to carry out the replacement of a tyre, laborious and uncomfortable effort is involved especially when there is bad weather.

It is usually necessary to open the vehicle boot and remove any luggage present in order to take out the jack. The jack then has to be applied to the vehicle body by inserting it into a seat which is often dirty or full of mud, and then operate it manually, involving toil, so as to lift the vehicle.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for lifting a vehicle, comprising at least one piston disposed in correspondence with the lower part of the vehicle and which can be operated so as to cause an associated stem to be extended towards the ground, thereby lifting the vehicle on the side on which the piston is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for the lifting of a vehicle, comprising lifting means, such as at least one piston, hydraulic ram or the like, built in the vehicle side, which is extendable until it engages the ground and then lifts the vehicle.

Preferably, two lifting means are provided, one on each side of the vehicle. The device can thus be used both to lift the vehicle from one side or the other in case of repairs, replacement of tyres etc., and as an anti-theft device, by simply lowering and locking the lifting means in the extended position when the vehicle is parked.

The lifting means may be connected by means of appropriate ducts with a hydraulic power unit which can for instance be arranged in a boot and be operable by a motor powered by the vehicle battery.

It is then possible to have the vehicle raised by simply pressing a button, either from its inside or outside. Preferably, the device according to the invention will be provided with a remote control device with enables the driver to actuate the lifting means at a distance, thereby regulating the car's lowering and the lifting. Preferably, the electronic control station which receives the remote control signal and operates the various devices will be built in a removable covering in order to guarantee the highest vehicle safety when this is parked with the lifting means in the lifting position. Preferably the lifting means is disposed in correspondence with the central part of the vehicle, preferably in correspondence with the door jambs.

An embodiment of the -present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle outline with the lifting device according to an embodiment of the invention; Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a view partially in section of the vehicle lifting pistons; Figures 4 and 5 schematically illustrate the side view and the view from above, respectively, of the hydraulic piston drive power unit; Figure 6 schematically illustrates a remote control device according to the preferred embodiments of invention; and Figure 7 illustrates schematically the box containing the electronic control devices of the lifters.

With reference to Figure 1, 1 indicates a vehicle equipped with a lifting device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, which consists of a couple of hydraulic pistons 2 or the like, fed by a hydraulic power unit 3 which is operated by a motor 4 connected to the vehicle battery.

Preferably, the power unit 3 and the motor 4 will be housed in the vehicle boot and connected to the pistons 2 by means of ducts 5.

The pistons (see Figures 2 and 3) comprise a hydraulic cylinder 6 wherein a ram 7 moves which is equipped, in its lower part, with a plate or support base 8 the dimensions of which are sufficient to guarantee a support large enough, depending on the vehicle's weight. The cylinder 6 is fixed to the vehicle, preferably in correspondence with the door jambs, by means of a support 9 equipped, in its lower part, with a sensor or button 10; at the external end of the ram 7 there is a plate 8 which, when said ram 7 is completely retracted into the cylinder 6, engages with said sensor or button 10.

Actuation of the device according to the invention causes the extension of the ram 7 and the removal of the plate 8 from the sensor 10; such removal causes, through per se known means, the lighting of a warning light placed in the vehicle's dashboard and the contemporaneous prevention of the engine's functioning, for instance by interrupting the ignition circuit.

On the opposite side of the button 10 there is a pin 10 or the like, which a spring 12 presses against the wall of the ram 7.

The latter is provided, near its upper end, with a seat 13 suitable to allow the insertion of the pin 12 in order to block the ram in its position of greatest extension, as illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 4 represents schematically the hydraulic power unit, indicated with numeral 14, which sucks oil from tank 15 and is operated by a motor 16 connected in the vehicle's electric circuit.

A couple of ducts 17 send the fluid under pressure to the pistons 2.

The power unit and the motor 16 are operated by devices of a known type which will preferably be electronically controlled by means of a control station 18, said control station being equipped with suitable sensors 19 and being removably inserted in a box 20 provided with grooves 21 for the correct positioning of the station itself.

A remote control 22, with a plurality of buttons 23, will allow the various devices to be remotely operated. From the given description the working of the devices according to the invention is clear.

In case work on the vehicle is needed, in order to lift it, it is sufficient to operate the hydraulic power station by pressing the corresponding button of the remote control device 22, operating one or the other of the pistons 2 to lower the ram 7 which abuts onto the ground by means of the plate 8 and, subsequently, lifts the vehicle's body.

The restoration of the previous situation takes place by simply causing the retraction of ram 7.

In the position of greatest extension of the telescopic ram, the pin 11 inserts itself into the seat 13 to lock the ram in its position, thus becoming a safety element against accidents.

As previously outlined, if one of the rams 7 has not been completely retracted into its cylinder 6, the sensor 10 will not be operated by the plate 8 and will prevent the engine from being started, thus preventing any risk of starting the vehicle with the rams 7 not completely withdrawn.

It will then be possible to use the same devices as anti-theft devices.

Once the car has been parked, it is sufficient to operate the extension of both rams 7 and lock them in this position, thus preventing the vehicle from being removed.

The pistons will preferably be operated by means of the remote control which sends the signal to the devices placed in the control station 18.

It will then be possible to remove said control station while the vehicle is parked, thus preventing the pistons from working and forming a further safety against theft. Said rams can be in one piece or telescopic, and can be installed, besides laterally, also in correspondence with the front and/or rear part of the vehicle, according to the needs.

Dimensions of the various constituent parts of the device, as well as the materials used, can also vary according to needs.

Claims

1. A device for lifting a vehicle, comprising at least one piston disposed in correspondence with the lower part of the vehicle and which can be operated so as to cause an associated stem to be extended towards the ground, thereby lifting the vehicle on the side on which the piston is provided.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said piston is hydraulically operated by means of a hydraulic power unit which in turn is operated by a motor powered by the vehicle's battery.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said piston causes the extension of a stem provided with a ground support base, the stroke of said stem being greater than the distance between said piston and the ground.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, including a pin urged by resilient means to press against the side surface of the stem of the piston, said stem comprising a seat suitable to house said pin to lock said piston in the position of greatest extension.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, including a sensor operable by a base plate fixed at the lower end of the stem of each piston, said sensor being connected to a warning light placed on the vehicle dashboard.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, including a remote control means for operating the device.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said remote control means comprises a remote control device and an electronic control station removably housed in the vehicle.

8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein two pistons are provided, one on each side of the vehicle.

9. A device for the lifting of a vehicle, comprising lifting means built in the vehicle side, which is extendable until it engages the ground and then lifts the vehicle.

10. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.