GB2449657A - Car jack - Google Patents

Abstract

The car jack lifts a vehicle by sliding a fork (6) under a wheel of the vehicle and raising the fork by means of two vertical screw mechanisms 5, one in each of two towers. The two tower system leads to strength, stability and safety. Gears (2) within the top of the two lifting towers, holding the forks, are linked by a horizontal drive shaft (1) which is driven by a hand crank or electrical drive from either end (3) of the drive shaft (1). The benefits are that the vehicle does not have to be moved unto the device and the underbody of the vehicle is left clear for extra supporting devices. It may also be used as a wheel dolly.

Description

TITLE: CAR JACK

DESCRIPTION

The use of ramps is often not feasible because of low body panels front and rear, also manoeuvring onto ramps can be difficult in confmed areas. This invention overcomes the problems associated with ramps by lifting the vehicle at the road wheel. If, alternatively a scissor or hydraulic jack is used then this should always be placed under the strongest section of the underneath of the car, however, this is the same place that you would support the car when the jack is removed.

The current Droblems lifting a car for access underneath 1) Most modem and many modified older cars have low valances and air dams. This means that old-fashioned ramps will catch and damage the bodywork.

2) It is virtually impossible to drive a car onto ramps in a domestic garage. This means that the work on a car usually is done outside in exposed conditions.

3) There is always a worry with ramps that you might drive off the end or side.

4) Convertible and older cars with weaker chassis are best not jacked in the middle as distortion of the chassis can occur due to the weight of the engine and rear suspension.

5) Lifting a car using a scissor or trolley jack utilises the strongest area of the chassis or suspension preventing an axle stand or other support to be placed there.

6) Many modem cars have under body aerodynamic covers which inhibit access to the chassis.

7) Jacking points on cars cannot always be trusted to bear the weight of the car, especially on older cars.

8) Jacks supplied with cars are usually only suitable for lifting the car in an emergency, to change the wheel. They are neither strong nor stable.

9) The metal to metal contact of a scissor, bottle or hydraulic jack can damage body suspension of chassis surfaces.

Essential Features of the Car Jack 1) A fork lift system for lifting a single wheel of a vehicle 2) Lifts car at one of the strongest points the wheel.

3) Minimises stress on chassis -essential on convertibles andlor elderly vehicles.

4) Has variable lift height.

5) No worry about driving off edge as with ramps.

6) Car remains in place, useful in confines of a garage.

7) Greater stability -lift is from ground level not sill height.

8) No need for ramps and / or trolley jack.

9) Lifting and supporting the wheels leaves the complete underbody accessible for support or access.

10) Can be used as a wheel dolly. E.g. to lift heavy wheels when changing wheels using normal jack.

11) Essential for winter lay-up vehicles. The car can be lifted by the wheels and supported at the strongest point over winter.

12) Lifting fork will work on a large range of tyre diameters and widths 13) Screw turned either by cranked handle (like scissor jack) or preferably by electric drill type (preferably rechargeable) chuck attachment.

14)Light enough for easy carrymg and manoeuvrability 15) Compact 16) Manoeuvrable

17) Stable

18) Twin tower system adds strength, 19) Twin tower construction adds stability 20) Twin tower construction adds safety 21) One wheel (corner of the vehicle) can be lifted, the car can be supported on stands and the jack removed and used on any other wheel(s).

22) Both wheels on one side of the vehicle can be lifted -this is not possible with ramps.

23) Lifting is vertical.

24)No damage where jack lifts vehicle.

Description of the drawin2s

Diagram 1: Shows the rear/side view illustrating the lifting towers with forks.

Diagram 2: Shows a front view, illusirating the gearing to the vertical screw drive mechanism.

The forks are at the half lifted stage. Key:

1 Drive shaft 2 Gears to vertical screw lift mechanism 3 End of drive shaft with suitable connector for either hand crank or electric drive 4 Bracing bars Screw drive for lifting forks 6 Fork for lifting wheel 7 Base plates (feet) Usin2 the car jack With the fork (6) lowered to the base plates (7), the jack is slid under the vehicle wheel with a fork (6) either side. The drive shaft (1) is turned, driving the gears (2) so that the forks (6) are lifted vertically by the screw drive (5) within the vertical towers. The bracing bars (4) prevent spread of the forks (6) due to the load. When the required height is reached, an axle stand or other supporting device is placed under the vehicle and the jack can be lowered and removed. It can then be used to raise any or all of the other wheels.

Claims (1)

1. I) A stable fork lift system for lifting a single wheel of a vehicle 2) Twin tower system adds strength, 3) Twin tower construction adds stability 4) Has variable lift height.

   5) Car remains in place -no need to drive on.

   6) Lifting and supporting the wheels leaves the complete underbody accessible for support or access.

   7) One size lifting fork will work on a large range of tyre diameters and widths 8) Light enough for manual carrying and manoeuvring 9) Wheels can be raised sequentially and the car supported on stands.

   10) Both wheels on one side of the vehicle can be lifted -this is not possible with ramps.

   1 1)Lifting is vertical.

   12)No damage to bodywork or chassis where jack lifts vehicle.

   13) Can also be used as a wheel dolly. E.g. to lift heavy wheels when changing wheels using normal jack.