TW201307181A - Floor jack having integrated tool kit - Google Patents

Abstract

A floor jack is provided having an integrated tool kit. The floor jack includes a jack body and a tool kit assembly disposed on the jack body for housing tools. The tool kit includes a storage housing pivotally coupled to an exterior side of a sidewall of the jack body. The storage housing defining a plurality of storage locations configured to secure tools, such as a socket wrench and a plurality of sockets such that they are exposed and readily assessable for use.

Description

Floor jack with integrated tool kit [Control of related applications]

This application is a continuation of the U.S. Patent Application Serial No. Serial No. No. No. No. No. No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No Into this article.

The present invention is generally directed to floor jacks, and more particularly to floor jacks having a tool kit.

The jack is a device for lifting a heavy object, and is characterized in that it can be easily moved and operated, so the jack is widely used in various industries, particularly maintenance of a vehicle. Therefore, almost every vehicle is suitable for jack operation.

The main reason for lifting a vehicle is to allow the mechanic to inspect or repair the components of the vehicle. For this purpose, tools are usually required. Therefore, the user must first use the jack to raise the vehicle. Then, find a suitable tool from a tool kit and carry those tools underneath the vehicle. When the vehicle is in a very distant position, the user must carry the floor jack and a separate tool kit at the same time.

Briefly and in summary, the present invention provides a floor jack having an integrated tool kit having a jack body and a tool kit assembly disposed on the jack body for covering the tool. The kit assembly includes a storage housing configured to cover a plurality of tools, such as a socket wrench and a plurality of sleeves, such that they are exposed and immediately removable for use.

More specifically, by way of example and not limitation, the tool kit assembly is pivotally mounted to a first side wall of the jack body. The storage enclosure defines a plurality of recesses, each of which is configured to receive a single wrench sleeve. The assembly may additionally include a plurality of wrench sleeves. The storage housing is further configured to receive the socket wrench in a conforming recess via a snap-fit configuration.

In a detailed aspect of an exemplary embodiment, the floor jack having an integrated tool kit can include a first tool kit assembly mounted to a first side wall of the jack body and mounted to the jack body A second tool kit assembly on a second side wall. In this configuration, the first tool kit assembly can include a metric sized sleeve and the second tool kit assembly can include an inch size (SAE) sleeve.

In a further aspect of yet another exemplary embodiment, the tool kit assembly (or assemblies) are configured to be removably attached to the side wall of the jack body and pivoted Ground attachment. In this manner, the assembly can be pivoted away from the side wall to facilitate access to the tools. For example, the assembly can include an attachment at the bottom of the tool housing that is attached to the attachment on the sidewall of the jack body.

The upper end of the tool kit assembly can include a deflectable portion configured to be coupled to the jack assembly to maintain the tool kit in a straight cubic direction. For example, the floor jack can include a handle that is pivotally attached to the jack body. The deflectable portion can be coupled to the pivotal attachment of the handle.

In order to summarize the advantages of the present invention over the prior art, certain advantages of the present invention have been described herein. Of course, it will be understood that all of these benefits need not be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be practiced or carried out in a manner that is to be <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt;

All such specific embodiments are within the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. These and other embodiments of the present invention will be immediately apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the <RTIgt; Specific preferred embodiments.

Referring now to the drawings, particularly the first and second figures, a floor jack 10 having an integrated tool kit is shown. The assembly includes a jack body 12, a first tool assembly 14 disposed on a first side wall 16 of the jack body 12, and a second portion disposed on a second side wall 20 of the jack body 12. Tool assembly 18.

The body 12 includes a front portion 22, an intermediate portion 24 and a distal end portion 26. The body includes first and second side walls 16, 20 spaced apart from one another. A lift arm 28 is coupled to the body 12. The lift arm has a first end 30 that is pivotally coupled to the intermediate region 24 of the body 12 and a second end 32 adjacent the front portion 22. The floor jack 10 further includes an upper plate 34 coupled to the second end 32 of the lift arm 28. The upper plate 34 is configured to engage a lifting position of an object to be raised and lowered. In the exemplary embodiment, the upper plate 34 is configured to engage a lifting position of a vehicle; however, in other embodiments, the upper plate 34 can be configured in a variety of other configurations to lift other objects, such as through The spaced apart parallel bars (like those known in the art) are raised and lowered like a locomotive.

A hydraulic system of the floor jack 10 is received within the body 12 and is configured to raise the lift arm 28. The hydraulic system is operated by the drive head 38 and is pivotally coupled to the distal end portion 26 of the body 12. In use, an engagement portion of a drive lever (not shown) is inserted into one of the holes of the drive head 38 to operate a hydraulic system.

The tool assemblies 14, 18 enclose at least one wrench sleeve 40. In the exemplary embodiment, each of the tool assemblies 14, 18 includes a storage housing 13, 15 coupled to a corresponding side wall (16, 20) of the body 12. The first tool kit assembly 14 includes a metric sized sleeve 45 (fourth view) and the second tool kit assembly 18 includes an inch size (SAE) sleeve 47 (fourth view). In this manner, a conventional wrench sleeve 40 can be conveniently accessed by a user. The storage bodies 13, 15 define a plurality of recesses (e.g., 41), each of which is configured to receive a single wrench sleeve of a specified size. In the exemplary embodiment, the recess 41 is disposed along an upper edge 46 of the storage housings 13, 15.

Referring now to Figures 3 through 5, the floor jack 10 further includes a handle 42 that is attached to the side walls 16, 20 in the intermediate region 24 of the body 12 via a pivot attachment 44. The upper edges 46 of the storage bodies 13, 15 include a deflectable portion 48 configured to engage the pivotal attachments 44 in a snap-fit arrangement to detachably engage the storage bodies 13, 15 is maintained in an upright configuration which is substantially flush with the side walls 16, 20. The deflectable portions 48 are disposed in a curved portion 50 of the upper edge 46 that is sized to conform to the pivot attachments 44. The bend 50 is located between the recesses 41 of the storage casings 13, 15. The pivot attachments 44 define an annular lip 58 (fifth view) that is positioned to engage the deflectable portions 48 of the storage bodies 13, 15.

One of the front walls 52 of the storage casing 13 is configured to receive a plurality of tools, such as a wrench 54 and an extender 56. In the exemplary embodiment, the front wall 52 includes a plurality of opposing arms 77, 79 that are configured to receive the tools in a snap-fit manner. In other embodiments, the storage enclosures 13 can be configured to hold a variety of other tools, such as screwdrivers, Allen wrenches, hex wrenches, and other hand tools known in the art. In other embodiments, a variety of other configurations can be used to store the wrench sleeve 40. For example, the storage housing 13 can include a post that is configured to mate with the wrench sleeve 40.

The opposite sides of the storage enclosures 13 , 15 define apertures 60 that are configured to match the pivot post 62 coupled to the sidewalls 16 , 20 of the jack body 12 to form the storage bodies 13 , 15 to a pivotal attachment 44 of the side walls 16, 20. The pivot attachment 44 is configured to define the direction of each of the storage enclosures 13, 15 within a defined range, such as from a vertical direction to an angular orientation of about 30 degrees from the vertical plane (eg, sixth to eighth diagrams) ). In selected preferred embodiments, the terminal end of the angular direction is between about 15 degrees and about 45 degrees from the vertical plane.

As shown in the fifth figure, the storage bodies 13, 15 can be removed from the jack body 12. In this manner, the user can quickly access the tools as needed without the need to move the floor jack 10.

The floor jack 10 further includes a pair of wheels 70 positioned at the front portion 22 of the body 12 with a shaft extending therebetween. Two wheel structures 72 are provided on the end portion 26 of the body 12 that are attached to extensions from the side walls 16, 20. The storage bodies 13, 15 may be sized between the front wheels 70 and the wheel structures 72.

Referring now to Figures 6 through 8, a floor jack assembly 80 includes a tool assembly 82 (similar to the tool assemblies 14, 18 described above). The tool assembly 82 includes a storage housing 84 coupled to a first side wall 86 of the jack body. A sleeve storage assembly 88 and a lever storage assembly 90 are disposed on the second side wall 92 of the jack.

The sleeve storage assembly 88 encases at least one wrench sleeve 94. The storage housing 84 defines a plurality of recesses, each of which is configured to receive a single wrench sleeve. Preferably, the sleeve is configured to form a wrench sleeve 118 that can be used to lug nuts of a vehicle tire. In this way, the user can conveniently access the commonly used wrench sleeve. In other embodiments, a variety of other configurations can be used to store the wrench sleeve. For example, the sleeve storage assembly 88 can include a post that is configured to mate with the wrench sleeve 94.

The lever storage assembly 90 includes a plurality of retainers (98, 102) spaced along the second side wall 92 of the body to secure a drive lever 96. In use, the drive lever 96 is received by the holders (98, 102) such that the lever 96 is longitudinally aligned along the second side wall 92 of the jack body. The holders (98, 102) are configured to securely hold the lever 96. In the exemplary embodiment, a first retainer 98 is disposed adjacent to the front end. The first holder 98 includes an upper end and a lower end that are attached to the side wall 92 defining a hole for receiving one end of the lever 96. The lever 96 is axially inserted into the hole. A second holder 102 is disposed adjacent to the rear end of the body. A second holder 102 is generally U-shaped and defines an upper opening for receiving the lever 96. In the exemplary embodiment, the second retainer 102 is formed to deflect when the lever 96 is inserted through the opening to securely hold the lever 96.

The drive lever 96 further includes an engagement portion 104 that extends beyond a grip 106 toward a second end of the lever body. The engaging portion 104 is configured to operate a lifting arm that is matched to a driving head of the automobile jack. For this purpose, the engagement portion 104 includes a locating pin 108 that extends perpendicularly from the periphery. A fixing hole 110 is axially formed at the second end.

Referring now to the eighth embodiment, the elongated tubular body of the drive lever 96 has a first curved portion 112 adjacent to but spaced apart from the coupling tip 114 and having a second curved portion 116 adjacent to the first The two ends are with the grip 106. The first bend 112 has an angle preferably between about 20 and 90 degrees. The angle of the second bend 116 is between about 0 and 30 degrees. Preferably, the first and second curved portions 112, 116 are in opposite directions such that the body is slightly S-shaped. In other words, in a prescribed direction, the coupling tip 114 projects downwardly relative to a longitudinal axis of the intermediate region, and the engagement region projects upwardly relative to a longitudinal axis of the intermediate region. In other embodiments, the second bend 116 can be entirely eliminated.

A wrench sleeve 118 is attached to the coupling tip 114 of the drive lever 96 such that the drive lever 96 acts as a wrench for the shank wrench. The grip 106 is sufficiently spaced from the wrench sleeve 118 to allow the user to comfortably twist the shank wrench. In addition, the first and second curved portions 112, 116 of the body of the lever 96 can further facilitate twisting of the shank wrench and provide ample clearance for adjacent structures commonly found on vehicles.

While the invention has been described in detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood Accordingly, the invention is defined solely by the scope of such claims as set forth below.

10. . . Floor jack with integrated tool kit

12. . . Jack body

13,15. . . Storage enclosure

14. . . First tool assembly

16. . . First side wall

18. . . Second tool assembly

20. . . Second side wall

twenty two. . . Front part

twenty four. . . Intermediate area

26. . . End

28. . . Lifting arm

30. . . First end

32. . . Second end

34. . . On board

38. . . Drive head

40. . . Wrench sleeve

41. . . Recess

42. . . handle

44. . . Pivot attachment

45. . . Metric size sleeve

46. . . Upper edge

47. . . Inch size sleeve

48. . . Deflectable part

50. . . Bending

52. . . Front wall

54. . . wrench

56. . . Extender

58. . . Ring lip

60. . . Hole

62. . . Pivot column

70. . . wheel

72. . . Wheel structure

77, 79. . . Opposite arm

80. . . Floor jack assembly

82. . . Tool assembly

84. . . Storage enclosure

86. . . First side wall

88. . . Sleeve storage assembly

90. . . Lever storage assembly

92. . . Second side wall

94. . . Wrench sleeve

96. . . Drive lever

98. . . First holder

102. . . Second holder

104. . . Meshing part

106. . . Grip

108. . . Locating pin

110. . . Fixed hole

112. . . First bend

114. . . Coupling tip

116. . . Second bend

118. . . Wrench sleeve

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings in which:

The first figure is a front right side perspective view of a floor jack and tool kit in accordance with a combination of the present invention, showing a first tool kit assembly having one of a plurality of wrench sleeves.

The second figure is a front left side perspective view of the floor jack with the integrated tool kit of the first figure, showing a second tool kit assembly having one of a plurality of wrench sleeves.

The third view is a top view of the floor jack with the integrated tool kit of the first figure, showing the first and second tool kit assemblies in an angled configuration.

The fourth figure is a front perspective view of the floor jack with the integrated tool kit of the first figure, showing the first and second tool kit assemblies in an angled configuration.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the floor jack of the first figure with the integrated tool kit illustrating the first and second tool kit assemblies detached from the jack body.

Figure 6 is a front right side perspective view of a second embodiment of a floor jack and tool kit in accordance with the combination of the present invention.

The seventh figure is a left side perspective view of the floor jack of the sixth figure.

The eighth figure is an elevational view of the driving lever and the sleeve of one of the sixth figures.

10. . . Floor jack with integrated tool kit

12. . . Jack body

13. . . Storage enclosure

14. . . First tool assembly

16. . . First side wall

28. . . Lifting arm

30. . . First end

32. . . Second end

34. . . On board

38. . . Drive head

40. . . Wrench sleeve

42. . . handle

44. . . Pivot attachment

52. . . Front wall

54. . . wrench

56. . . Extender

77, 79. . . Opposite arm

Claims (20)

A floor jack having an integrated tool kit, comprising: a body having a front portion, an intermediate portion and a distal end portion, the body further having a pair of spaced apart side walls; a lifting assembly having a lifting arm, including a first end pivotally coupled to the intermediate portion of the body and a second end adjacent the front portion; an upper plate coupled to the second end of the lift arm, the upper plate configured to engage a lifting position of an object to be lifted and lowered; and a driving head pivotally coupled to the end portion of the body to operate a hydraulic system wrapped in the body and configured to raise the lifting arm And a tool assembly having a storage enclosure coupled to an outer side of one of the pair of side walls, the storage enclosure defining a plurality of storage locations configured to form the fixture. A floor jack having an integrated tool kit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of storage locations are disposed along an upper edge of the storage casing, and each storage location is configured to receive a single wrench sleeve of a predetermined size. . A floor jack having an integrated tool kit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the storage case is pivotally attached to a side wall of the body. A floor jack having an integrated tool kit as claimed in claim 1, wherein an upper edge of the storage casing includes a deflectable portion configured to engage a pivotal attachment of a handle to maintain the storage casing in an upright position In the configuration. A floor jack having an integrated tool kit according to claim 4, wherein the deflectable portion is disposed in a curved portion of the upper edge, the size of which is attached to the pivot. A floor jack having an integrated tool kit according to claim 1, further comprising: a driving lever comprising an elongated body having a first end and a second end, the driving lever having a coupling at the first end a tip end configured to be matched to a wrench sleeve; a sleeve storage assembly disposed on the body for receiving a wrench sleeve configured to match the coupling tip of the drive lever; and a lever storage assembly And disposed on one side wall of the pair of side walls of the body, configured to fix the driving lever along the corresponding side wall of the body. A floor jack having an integrated tool kit as in claim 6 wherein the lever storage assembly includes a plurality of retainers spaced along the corresponding side wall of the body. A floor jack having an integrated tool kit includes: a body having a front portion, an intermediate portion and a distal end portion, the body further having a pair of spaced apart side walls, the body further having a handle having a a central portion above the intermediate portion, and an opposite end portion of the side walls attached to the intermediate portion; a lifting assembly having a lifting arm including a pivotally coupled to the intermediate portion of the body a first end and a second end adjacent to the front portion; an upper plate coupled to the second end of the lifting arm, the upper plate forming a lifting position of an object to be lifted and lowered; and a driving a head pivotally coupled to the distal end of the body to operate a hydraulic system encased within the body and configured to raise the lift arm; a first tool assembly having a removable a storage enclosure coupled to an outer side of the first side wall of the pair of side walls, the storage enclosure defining a plurality of storage locations configured to secure a tool, the storage enclosure having an upper portion, a lower portion and a front wall A plurality of storage locations defines a fixed structure forming tool; and a plurality of tools, such complex is fixedly accommodated in the storage position. A floor jack having an integrated tool kit according to claim 8 of the patent application, further comprising: a second tool assembly having a storage casing pivotally coupled to an outer side of the second side wall of the pair of side walls, the storing The outer casing has an upper portion, a lower portion and a front wall defining a plurality of storage locations configured to secure a tool, the lower portion having a pivotal attachment disposed at an opposite forward end and an aft end, Matching with a corresponding pivotal attachment coupled to the second sidewall such that the storage enclosure is pivotable away from the second sidewall; and a plurality of tools are fixedly received in the plurality of storage locations; wherein the body is configured to A snap fit arrangement and a detachable manner engage each of the storage enclosures. A floor jack having an integrated tool kit as claimed in claim 9, wherein an upper edge of each of the storage casings includes a deflectable portion configured to be snap-fitted and detachably Coupled to the body to maintain each of the storage enclosures in a straight cubic orientation relative to the individual sidewalls. A floor jack having an integrated tool kit as claimed in claim 9 wherein the front wall of each of the storage bodies is configured to receive a plurality of tools. A floor jack having an integrated tool kit of claim 11, wherein the front wall of each of the storage bodies includes a plurality of opposing arms configured to receive a tool in a snap fit manner. A floor jack having an integrated tool kit, comprising: a body having a front portion, an intermediate portion and a distal end portion, the body further comprising a pair of spaced apart side walls, the body further having a handle, having a a central portion above the intermediate portion, and an opposite end portion defining a pivotal attachment to one of the side walls in the intermediate portion, each side wall having a pair of spaced apart columns adjacent to each other a bottom edge on the outer side of the individual side wall; a lifting assembly having a lifting arm including a first end pivotally coupled to the intermediate portion of the body and a second adjacent to the front portion An upper plate coupled to the second end of the lift arm, the upper plate configured to engage a lifting position of an object to be raised and lowered; and a drive head pivotally coupled to the end of the body And operating a hydraulic system encased in the body and configured to raise the lifting arm; a first tool assembly having a storage casing coupled to the first side wall of the column, the storing Shell Forming a plurality of storage locations for securing a tool, the storage enclosure having an upper portion, a lower portion and a front wall defining a plurality of storage locations configured to secure a tool for pivoting the storage enclosure And the plurality of tools are fixedly received in the plurality of storage locations; and a second tool assembly having the pillars coupled to the second sidewall a storage enclosure defining a plurality of storage locations configured to secure a tool, the storage enclosure having an upper portion, a lower portion and a front wall defining a plurality of storage locations configured to secure a tool, the storage enclosure The column is coupled to the column in such a manner that the storage case is pivotable away from the second side wall; and a plurality of tools are fixedly received in the plurality of storage locations. A floor jack having an integrated tool kit as claimed in claim 13 wherein an upper edge of each of the storage bodies includes a deflectable portion configured to be coupled in a snap-fit arrangement and detachably coupled Attaching the individual pivots to the handle to maintain each of the storage bodies in a straight cubic direction relative to the respective side walls, each deflectable portion being disposed on a curved portion of the upper edge, The size can be adapted to the pivot attachment. A floor jack having an integrated tool kit according to claim 13 wherein the plurality of storage locations of the first and the second storage casing are configured to receive the plurality of sleeves in a substantially vertical direction. A floor jack having an integrated tool kit as claimed in claim 13 wherein the front wall of each of the storage bodies is configured to receive a plurality of tools. A floor jack having an integrated tool kit as claimed in claim 15 wherein the front wall of each of the storage bodies includes opposing arms configured to receive a tool in a snap fit manner. A floor jack having an integrated tool kit as claimed in claim 15 wherein the opposing arms of at least one of the front walls are configured to receive a socket wrench. A floor jack having an integrated tool kit as claimed in claim 18, wherein the plurality of storage locations of the first and second storage enclosures are configured to receive a plurality of sleeves in a generally vertical direction. A floor jack having an integrated tool kit according to claim 19, wherein an upper edge of each of the storage casings includes a deflectable portion configured to be coupled in a snap-fit arrangement and detachably coupled Attaching the individual pivots to the handle to maintain each of the storage enclosures in a straight cubic direction relative to the respective side walls, each deflectable portion being disposed on a curved portion of the upper edge, The size may conform to the pivot attachment, the bend being disposed between the two storage positions of the plurality of storage locations.