GB2597962A

GB2597962A - Apparatus for lifting a cab of a vehicle, and use of such an apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2597962A
Application number: GB2012526.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mcmillian Jeremy; Gray Jason; Pohl Justin
Original assignee: Daimler AG
Current assignee: Mercedes Benz Group AG
Priority date: 2020-08-12
Filing date: 2020-08-12
Publication date: 2022-02-16
Also published as: GB202012526D0

Abstract

An apparatus 10 for lifting a cab 26 off a frame of a vehicle has a receiving block 12 with a receptacle 14 for receiving a flange and/or a weld seam 34 of the cab. A base element 16 has at one end a reversibly detachable mounting structure 18, which may hook onto a lifting device (24 fig.4) such as a manual stacker. The base element 16 also has a holding structure 28, at an opposite end, which is configured to reversibly detachably hold the receiving block 12. The base element 16 also has a connecting structure 32 between the mounting structure 18 and the holding structure 28. The holding structure 28 and receptacle 14 may be metallic or plastic and can be adapted to fit various types of cabs. An adaptor (38 fig.5) may be used instead of receiving block 12.

Description

APPARATUS FOR LIFTING A CAB OF A VEHICLE, AND USE OF SUCH AN

APPARATUS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to an apparatus for lifting a cab off a frame of a vehicle. The invention also relates to a use of such an apparatus.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] CN 203983425 U shows an automobile repair mounting functional lifting platform. Furthermore, US 5 395 202 shows an apparatus for supporting and lifting a wheelless vehicle-mounted camper cabin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a use of such an apparatus such that a cab of a vehicle may be lifted off a frame of the vehicle in a particularly easy way.

[0004] This object is solved by an apparatus having the features of patent claim 1, and the use having the features of patent claim 7. Advantageous embodiments with expedient developments of the invention are indicated in the other patent claims.

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus for lifting a cab off a frame of a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle. For example, the cab is a driver's cab in which the driver of the vehicle may sit. Thus, the cab is also referred to as a cabin. For example, several, different cabs may be lifted off the frame or off several frames by the apparatus according to the present invention. The apparatus comprises at least one receiving block having a receptacle for receiving at least a length area of a flange and/or a weld seam of a cabin. For example, said flange comprises at least one weld seam by which, for example, at least two components of the cabin are welded together. Thus, preferably, the receptacle is configured to receive at least a length area of said weld seam. For example, the block is an ultrahigh molecular weight (UHMW) block, wherein the receiving block, in particular the receptacle, may be machined to match an outline of the flange and/or the weld seam respectively such that the receptacle may capture the flange or the weld seam and provide a stable foundation from which to lift the cab.

[0006] The apparatus further comprises a base element, wherein, for example, the base element and the receiving block are separately manufactured components. The base element has a mounting structure arranged at a first end of the base element, wherein the mounting structure is configured to be reversibly mounted to a movable, in particular portable, lifting device. This means, the base element may be reversibly mounted to the lifting device by the mounting structure such that the base element and, via the base element, the cab may be lifted by the lifting device. The base element further comprises a holding structure arranged at a second end of the base element, wherein the second end is opposite of the first end. The holding structure is configured to reversibly detachably hold the receiving block. In other words, the receiving block may be reversibly detachably held or arranged on the holding structure such that said flange or weld seam may be supported on the base element via the receiving block. Since the receiving block may be reversibly detachably held on the holding structure, the receiving block may be mounted to and dismounted from the holding structure without any damages of the holding structure or the receiving block. Thus, for example, several, different receiving blocks may be selectively mounted to the holding structure such that the receiving blocks are interchangeable. Thereby, different cabs having different flanges or weld seams may be lifted off the frame or off respective frames by the apparatus. In this regard, the respective receiving blocks, in particular their respective receptacles, are adapted to the respective, different flanges or weld seams.

[0007] Furthermore, the base element comprises a connection structure which is arranged between the mounting structure and the holding structure, wherein the mounting structure and the holding structure are connected with each other by the connecting structure being connected with both, the mounting structure and the holding structure. The apparatus according to the present invention is also referred to as a cab lift or fixture by which, in particular in conjunction with said lifting device, the cab may be lifted off the frame in a particularly easy and secure way. For example, the lifting device is a wireless and/or synchronized vehicle lift configured to lift the fixture and, via the fixture, the cab. In this regard, the fixture may be, in particular reversibly detachably, mounted which is also referred to or configured as a vehicle. Thus, the apparatus according to the present invention may be used to evenly lift the cab with only one single person. For example, the apparatus may be adapted to be used on a sleeper cab, in particular with slight modifications. For example, the cab may be lifted by using an adapter which is also referred to as a fitting. Thus, for example, the apparatus comprises said additional adapter via which a further cab is liftable by the apparatus. This means, for example, at least one first cab may be lifted by the apparatus without using the adapter. Moreover, for example, at least one second cab may be lifted by the apparatus by using said adapter.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a use of an apparatus according to the present invention. In said use, the apparatus is used to lift the cab which is also referred to as a cabin. By using the apparatus to lift the cab, fewer persons are necessary to lift the cab in comparison with conventional cab lifts. Particularly, only one single person may lift the cab using the apparatus according to the present invention, wherein the cab may be lifted particularly easily and thus with a reduced risk of damaging the vehicle when lifting the cab.

[0009] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention derive from the following description of a preferred embodiment as well as from the drawings. The features and feature combinations previously mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figures and/or shown in the figures alone may be employed not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in any other combination or taken alone without leaving the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The drawings show in: [0011] Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention.

[0012] Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a base element of the apparatus. [0013] Fig. 3 shows a further schematic perspective view of the apparatus.

[0014] Fig. 4 shows part of a schematic and perspective top view of the apparatus. [0015] Fig. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of an adapter of the apparatus.

[0016] Fig. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of the apparatus, wherein the adapter is connected with the base element.

[0017] Fig. 7 shows a further schematic perspective view of the apparatus, wherein the base element is connected with the adapter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] In the figures the same elements or elements having the same function are indicated by the same reference signs.

[0019] Fig. 1 shows, in a schematic perspective view, an apparatus 10 for lifting cabs of frames of vehicles such as commercial vehicles, in particular trucks. This means, the respective vehicle, in its completely assembled state, may comprise a cabin which is also referred to or configured as a cab or driver's cab. The respective vehicle may further comprise a frame on which the respective cab may be arranged. As will be described in greater detail below, the apparatus 10 which is also referred to as a fixture is designed to lift the cab off at least one frame rail of the frame using a movable or portable vehicle lift which is also referred to as a lifting device. The apparatus 10, which is also referred to as cab lift, may be used to safely remove the cabin off the frame rail for different purposes. For example, the fixture may be used in order to perform maintenance or inspection of particular components of the vehicle. The fixture (apparatus 10) may further be used in shops, when it may be needed to conduct testing of different components for research and development. The apparatus 10 comprises at least one receiving block 12 having a receptacle 14 for receiving at least a length area of a flange and/or a weld seam of the cab. Moreover, the apparatus 10 comprises a base element 16 having a mounting structure 18 arranged at a first end El of the base element 16. The mounting structure 18 is configured to be reversibly detachably mounted to said lifting device such that the base element 16 and the apparatus 10 may be reversibly detachably mounted to the lifting device by the mounting structure 18. As may be gathered from Figs. 3 and 4, the mounting structure 18 may comprise hooks 20 which may be hooked in a corresponding mounting structure 22 of the lifting device which is partially shown in Fig. 4 and indicated by 24. Since the mounting structure 18 may be reversibly detachably mounted to the lifting device 24, the mounting structure 18 and thus the apparatus 10 may be mounted to the lifting device 24 and dismounted from the lifting device without any damage of the lifting device 24 or the apparatus 10. By the lifting device 24, the apparatus 10 and, via the apparatus 10, the cab may be lifted thereby lifting the cab off the frame. Said cab is partially shown in Fig. 4 and indicated by 26.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 2, the base element 16 further comprises a holding structure 28 arranged at a second end E2 of the base element 16, wherein the ends El and E2 are opposite each other. The holding structure 28 is configured to reversibly detachably hold the receiving block 12. This means that, in a completely assembled state of the apparatus 10, the receiving block 12 is reversibly detachably held on or mounted to the holding structure 28 such that the receiving block 12 may be mounted to and dismounted from the holding structure 28 and thus the base element 16 without any damage of the receiving block 12 or the base element 16. In the embodiment shown in the Figs., the holding structure 28 comprises a receptacle 30 in which at least a portion of the receiving block 12 may be reversibly detachably arranged thereby reversibly detachably holding the receiving block 12 on the holding structure 28. By mounting the receiving block 12 to the holding structure 28 and thus the base element 16, the cab 26 may be supported via the receiving block 12 on the base element 16 and thus the apparatus thereby avoiding any damage of the cab 26. Furthermore, the base element 16 also comprises a connecting structure 32 arranged between the mounting structure 18 and the holding structure 28. The mounting structure 18 and the holding structure 28 are connected with each other by the connecting structure 32 in such a way that the connecting structure 32 is connected with both the mounting structure 18 and the holding structure 28. Preferably, the mounting structure 18, the holding structure 28 and the connecting structure 32 are made of the same material which is also referred to as a first material. For example, the first material is a metallic material such as a steel. Preferably, the receiving block 12 is made of a second material different from the first material. The second material may be a metallic material, in particular a steel. Furthermore, the second material may be plastic material.

[0021] As shown in the Figs., the apparatus 10 (fixture), at the first end El matches the mounting structure 22 which is also referred to as a portable vehicle lift mounting system, while the other end E2 cradles the receiving block 12 which may be configured as a plastic block. The receiving block 12 is manufactured to match the flange or weld seams of the cab 26, wherein the flange or weld seam may be arranged on or at a bottom of a cab 26. Said weld seam is shown in Fig. 3 and indicated by 34. The weld seam 34 may be arranged on said flange, so that, for example, both the flange and the weld seam may be received at least partially in the receptacle 14 and thus the receiving block 12. It should be appreciated that, at the second end E2, the receiving block 12 may be manufactured to match any truck cabin based on specifications of the respective particular cabin that the fixture is being designed to lift. In one embodiment, multiple plastic blocks may be designed, and may be removed from the fixture and replaced by alternate plastic blocks depending on the cabin that needs to be lifted. It should also be appreciated that the receiving block 12 does not need to be made of plastic. Any suitable material may be used such as a metal, which is graded to support the weight of the cabin together with the fixture and the portable vehicle lift.

[0022] Conventionally, the process of lifting a cabin off a frame of a truck is cumbersome and requires two forklifts and several persons. In this context, the apparatus 10 is a tool that may eliminate potential error that may be caused by using two forklifts having to work simultaneously, in synchronization, to lift the cabin off the frame. The fixture allows for using a portable vehicle lift by which the cab 26 may be lifted via the apparatus 10. Using the fixture, the receiving block 12 on the second end E2 is able to capture the weld seam 34 of the cabin, which reduces the risk of dropping the cabin once it is lifted off the frame.

[0023] Fig. 2 shows the base element 16 without the receiving block 12. As stated above, the receiving block 12 may be removed and replaced depending on the cabin that is intended to be lifted using the fixture.

[0024] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the mounting structure 18 on the first end El may be shaped to grapple onto a bar 36 of the portable vehicle lift. Furthermore, the receiving block 12, in particular its receptacle 14, fits the weld seam 34 of the cabin. In Fig. 3, one side of the cabin is shown wherein the weld seam 34 of the bottom of the cabin fits into the receptacle 14 and thus the receiving block 12. In an embodiment, an additional fixture may be used to lift the other side of the cabin using the other side of the portable vehicle lift which is also referred to as a portable lift system.

[0025] Fig. 5 shows, in a schematic perspective view, an adapter 38 of the apparatus 10, wherein the adapter 38 is also referred to as a fitting. The base element 16 and the fitting are separately manufactured components which may be reversibly detachably connected with each other. As shown in Figs. 5 to 7, the adapter 38 may replace the receiving block 12 such that, for example, the base element 16 is either used in conjunction with the receiving block 12 or with the adapter 38. In this regard, the holding structure 28 is configured to reversibly detachably hold the adapter 38. In other words, the adapter 38 may be reversibly detachably held on the base element 16 by the holding structure 28. In this regard, for example, at least a portion of the adapter 38 may be arranged in the receptacle 30 of the holding structure 28 thereby reversibly detachably holding the adapter 38 on the holding structure 28 and thus the base element 16. Thus, for example, a further cab 40, which is also referred to as a further cabin, may be lifted by the apparatus 10 using the adapter 38 instead of the receiving block 12. This means that the lifting device 24 may be used to lift the further cab 40 via the apparatus 10 comprising the adapter 38 instead of the receiving block 12. The fitting (adapter 38) is designed specifically for the further cabin that it is designed to lift. For example, the receptacle 30 is also referred to as a cradle, wherein, for example, the receptacle 30 is bounded or limited by a cradle bracket 42 of the holding structure 28. The cradle bracket 42 is thus arranged on the end E2. In this regard, the fitting fits within the cradle and thus the cradle bracket 42 on the second end E2 of the fixture. In one embodiment, the fitting may be pinned in place to the base element 16 in order to lock the fitting in place. For this purpose, for example, the adapter 38 and the base element 16 each may comprise connecting elements 44 configured to, in particular reversibly detachably, fasten the fitting to the base element 16. Furthermore, the apparatus 10 may comprise several different fittings which may be selectively and reversibly detachably mounted to the base element 16 such that the different fitting may be interchanged. The fittings are adapted to respective cabins to be lifted by the apparatus 10 using the respective fittings.

S

Reference signs apparatus 12 receiving block 14 receptacle 16 base element 18 mounting structure hook 22 mounting structure 24 lifting device 26 cab 28 holding structure receptacle 32 connecting structure 34 seam weld 36 bar 38 adapter further cab 42 cradle bracket 44 connecting elements area

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus (10) for lifting a cab (26, 40) off a frame of a vehicle, the apparatus (10) comprising: -at least one receiving block (12) having a receptacle (14) for receiving at least a length area of a flange and/or weld seam (34) of the cabin (26, 40); and -a base element (16) having: o a mounting structure (18) arranged at a first end (El) of the base element (16), the mounting structure (18) being configured to be reversibly detachably mounted to a lifting device (24); o a holding structure (28) arranged at a second end (E2) of the base element (16), the second end (E2) being opposite of the first end (El), wherein the holding structure (28) is configured to reversibly detachably hold the receiving block (12); and o a connecting structure (32) arranged between the mounting structure (18) and the holding structure (28), wherein the mounting structure (18) and the holding structure (28) are connected with each other by the connecting structure (32) which is connected with both the mounting structure (18) and the holding structure (28).
2. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein the holding structure (28) is made of a first material, and wherein the receiving block (12) is made of a second material different from the first material.
3. The apparatus (10) according to claim 2, wherein the second material is a metallic or plastic material.
4. The apparatus (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first material is a metallic material.
5. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the apparatus (10) further comprising an additional adapter (38) via which a further cab (40) is liftable by the apparatus (10), and wherein the holding structure (28) is configured to reversibly detachably hold the adapter (38).
6. The apparatus (10) according to claim 5, wherein the adapter (38) and the base element (16) each comprise at least one connecting element (44) configured to fasten the adapter (38) to the base element (16).
7. A use of an apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus (10) is used to lift the cab (26, 40) off the frame.