GB2327923A

GB2327923A - Apparatus for moving immobilised vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2327923A
Application number: GB9710798A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Raymond George Coker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-05-23
Filing date: 1997-05-23
Publication date: 1999-02-10
Also published as: GB9710798D0

Abstract

Apparatus (2) for moving immobilised vehicles, which apparatus (2) comprises a jack (4) for lifting the vehicle, and drive means (6) for moving the apparatus (2). The jack (4) is slideable underneath the vehicle in order to lift the vehicle from underneath. The drive means (6) is electrically operated and steerable.

Description

APPARATUS FOR MOVING rMMOBILISED VEsICLES This invention relates to apparatus for moving immobilised vehicles.

One of the greatest day to day problems that mechanics face, is that of moving immobilised vehicles. For example, the mechanics may have to move the immobilised vehicles in and out of their garages or, alternatively, the mechanics may have to manoeuvre the vehicles once they are inside the garages. The mechanics currently move immobilised vehicles manually, unless it is possible to tow them which is often not possible due to the confined spaces in garages, especially small repair garages. It is quite common in many garages to have several vehicles enclosed within a small area, and manoeuvring the vehicles around in order to maximise on the efficiency of the garage is always difficult. If it were possible to move the vehicles more easily, this,would save the mechanics much time and effort, whilst also permitting a more efficient use of available garage space.

There are many other instances where it is difficult to move immobilised vehicles. For example, it is difficult to remove broken down vehicles that are parked by the kerb side. It is also difficult to remove crash-damaged vehicles, and especially those vehicles having front-end damage which makes them difficult to control. Also, it is often necessary to move immobilised vehicles that have been left by persons such as visitors to factories and that are incorrectly parked and are causing problems in the factories. Establishments such for example as farms, garages and amusement parks may also periodically need to remove immobilised vehicles.

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or reduce the above mentioned problems associated with the moving of immobilised vehicles.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for moving immobilised vehicles, which apparatus comprises a jack for lifting the vehicle, and drive means for moving the apparatus, the jack being such that it is slideable underneath the vehicle in order to lift the vehicle from underneath the vehicle, and the drive means being such that it is electrically operated and steerable.

With the apparatus of the present inventiop, the drive means can be utilised easily to position the jack underneath the vehicle. The jack can then lift the vehicle, whereupon the drive means can be used to move the apparatus with the vehicle on top of it to a desired position. Because the drive means is steerable, the apparatus can easily be manoeuvred as required. Because the drive means is electrically operated, the apparatus can easily and conveniently be used at a wide variety of locations, both indoors and outdoors.

Usually, the drive means will be battery operated. If desired, for use in garages or other places near mains electricity, the apparatus could alternatively or in addition be mains operated.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the apparatus may be one in which includes a frame, and in which the frame, the jack and the drive means form a single unit.

Preferably, the frame is an open frame having a transversely extending bridge portion on which the jack is mounted. The jack is preferably a hydraulic bottle jack but other types of jack may be employed.

In the first embodiment of the invention, the drive means may advantageously comprise a pair of crawler tracks mounted one along each side of the frame.

Preferably, the crawler tracks are such that they are independently operable. This provides a good steering capability for the apparatus of the invention. The drive to each crawler track may be disengageable by disengaging means for permitting turning and manual handling of the apparatus.

Preferably, the disengaging means is a clutch but other types of disengaging means may be employed if desired.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the apparatus may be one in which the drive means is separately positioned from the jack, and is coupled to the jack.

In the second embodiment of the invention, the jack is preferably a hydraulic jack having a longitudinally extending body and a lever arm which pivots with respect to the body.

In all embodiments of the invention, the apparatus may be one which includes a steering handle for steering the apparatus.

The steering handle is preferably a T-shaped steering handle. Other types of steering handle may however be employed.

The apparatus may be one which includes control means, and in which the control means is positioned on the steering handle, and in which the control means is for controlling the functions of the apparatus.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of first apparatus for moving immobilised vehicles; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a side view of second apparatus for moving immobilised vehicles.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown apparatus 2 for moving immobilised vehicles. The apparatus 2 comprises a jack 4 for lifting the vehicle and drive means 6 for moving the apparatus 2.

The jack 4 is such that it is slideable underneath the vehicle in order to lift the vehicle from underneath. The jack 4 is a hydraulic bottom jack having a body portion 8, an extendible piston 10 and a vehicle-supporting plate 12. In Figure 2, the plate 12 has been omitted for ease of illustration.

The drive means 6 is such that it is electrically operated and is steerable. The apparatus 2 includes a frame 16. The frame 16, the jack 4 and the drive means 6 all form a single unit as will be appreciated from Figures 1 and 2.

The frame 16 is an open frame having longitudinally extending sides 18, 20 and ends 22, 24.

The jack 4 is mounted on a bridge portion 26 which extends between the sides 18, 20 of the frame 16 and which thus extends transversely of the frame 16.

Axles 28 extend as shown in Figure 2 from the sides 18, 20 of the frame 16. As shown in Figure 1, the axles 28 each support a pulley 30.

The drive means 6 comprises a pair of crawler tracks 32, 34. The crawler tracks 32, 34 are mounted one along each side 18, 20 of the frame 16. The crawler tracks 32, 34 run over the pulleys 30. The crawler tracks 32, 34 are independently operable. The drive to each crawler track 32, 34 is disengaged by disengaging means in the form of a clutch (not shown).

The disengaging means is for permitting turning and manual handling of the apparatus 2.

The apparatus 2 includes a T-shaped steering handle 36 which is connected as shown to one end of the frame 16. The steering handle 36 enables general steering of the apparatus 2 when it is under power from the drive means 6. Control means (not shown) may advantageously be positioned on a cross bar 38 forming part of the steering handle 36.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown apparatus 40 for moving immobilised vehicles. The apparatus 40 comprises a jack 42 for lifting the vehicle, and drive means 44 for moving the apparatus 40. The drive means 44 is separately positioned from the jack 42 and it is coupled to the jack 42 by a coupling 46.

The jack 42 is a hydraulic jack having a longitudinally extending body 48 and a lever arm 50 which pivots with respect to the body 48. The lever arm 50 has a vehicle-supporting plate 52 at one end of the lever arm 50. The body 48 has wheels 54 for enabling the jack 42 to move.

The drive means 44 is in the form of a tractor unit having a frame 56 which supports pulleys 58 at each of its longitudinal sides. Crawler tracks 60 extend around the pulleys 58, there being one crawler track 60 at each side of the frame 56. The crawler tracks 60 operate similar to the above described crawler tracks 30, 34 for enabling the apparatus 40 to be moved. The frame 56 supports a motor and power source unit 62. The motor is an electrically operated motor and the unit 62 includes a battery (not shown) for the electrically operated motor.

The apparatus 40 has a steering lever handle 64 attached to one end of the frame 56. The frame 56 is also provided with a hydraulic pump lever 66 for causing operation of the jack 42.

It will be seen from the apparatus 2, 40 that the apparatus is able to lift a vehicle, and move the vehicle on flat surfaces as well as potentially rough surfaces. The provision of the power source avoids the need for the manual effort that has hitherto been employed. The apparatus of the invention can be arranged to be portable so that it can easily be stored and, if necessary, can be carried in the boot of a car.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected.

Thus, for example, the coupling means 46 is in the form of a pivotable coupling means but other types of couplings 46 may be employed. Also, any suitable and appropriate types of electric motors, gear boxes, clutches, hydraulic pump mechanisms, controls and electrical power leads may be employed.

Claims

1. Apparatus for moving immobilised vehicles, which apparatus comprises a jack for lifting the vehicle, and drive means for moving the apparatus, the jack being such that it is slideable underneath the vehicle in order to lift the vehicle from underneath the vehicle, and the drive means being such that it is electrically operated and steerable.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the drive means is battery operated.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 and including a frame, and in which the frame, the jack and the drive means form a single unit.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which the frame is an open frame having a transversely extending bridge portion on which the jack is mounted.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4 in which the jack is a hydraulic bottle jack.

6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 3 - 5 in which the drive means comprises a pair of crawler tracks mounted one along each side of the frame.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the crawler tracks are such that they are independently operable.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the drive to. each crawler track is disengageable by disengaging means for permitting turning and manual handling of the apparatus.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the disengaging means is a clutch.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the drive means is separately positioned from the jack, and is coupled to the jack.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 in which the jack is a hydraulic jack having a longitudinally extending body and a lever arm which pivots with respect to the body.

12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including a steering handle for steering the apparatus.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the steering handle is a T-shaped steering handle.

14. Apparatus according to claim 12 or claim 13 and including control means, and in which the control means is positioned on the steering handle, and in which the control means is for controlling functions of the apparatus.

15. Apparatus for moving immobilised vehicles, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.