US1689144A - Turntable lift - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 m a PeZeru/I Lzmail? P. J. LUNATI TURNTABLE LIFT Filed June 9, 1925 Oct. 23, 1928.

I yzJ/H Oct. 23, 1928, 1,689,144

P. J. LUNATI TURNTABLE LIFT Filed Jhne 192s -2 sheets-sheet 2 PeZZPJI Lzmaii Patented Oct. 23, 1923.

' PETER J. LUNATI, or mnnrrnrs, TENNESSEE.

TURNTABLE LIFT.

Application filed June 9,

My invention relates to turntable lifts.

More particularly it relates to hydraulic or fluid-pressure operated lifts especially adapted for raising automobiles to afford ready access to parts normally relatively in accessible for oiling, greasing, inspection, cleaning and repair.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved turntable lift.

Another object is to provide a safer fluid operated lift. a

. Another object is to provide a lift which is particularly responsive to application of fluid pressure.

Another object is to provide a lift readily accommodated with the usual "garage and service station equipment.

Another object is to provide a lift which operates with relatively equal ease in cold weather and in hot weather.

Another object is to provide a lift wherein the return of the mechanism to normal or deto operate and maintain.

pressed position is automatically retarded inthe event of ei'theraccidental or intentional release of pressure.

Another object is to provide a satisfactory air operated turntable lift for automobiles. Another object is to provide a lift particu larly adapted for the oiling of automobiles. Another object is to provide a lift wherein the air required for the lifting operation is utilized to deliver oil under pressure for lubricating purposes.

Another object is to provide a lift which is simple, reliable and relatively inexpensive Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description. I

In the drawings, I have shown several embodiments of the invention. In this show Figure 1 is a central vertical sectional view through one form of the invention,

.Figure 2 is an enlarged central vertical sectional view showing a portion of the upper end of the piston and associated elements,

Figure 3 is a similar view of the lower end of .the cylinder showingthe piston in lowered position,

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a vehicle in position and the piston raised,

Figure 5 is a section on. line 55 of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a section taken substantially on line 66 of Figure 5.

1925. Serial No. 86,019.

In general my hydraulic turntable 'lift comprises a hollow stationary cylinder, hav mg a closed bottom and open top, and a movable hollow piston telescopically and rotatably mounted in the cylinder and carrying the automobile supporting superstructure. The cylinder and piston are partly filled with an lncompressible fluid such as oil, while air may be injected into the space in the piston above the oil level to effect the raising and maintain the elevation of the piston regardless of the direction the superstructure is turned. In any position of the piston the superstructure may be turned about the axis of the stationary cylinder to provide a turntable effect. The piston is prevented from suddenly dropping if the source of pressure fails and the pressure within the piston is utilized for an oil spraying equipment.

Referring to the drawings the numeral 10 videdwith a cap 15 having a transverse air port 16 therein connected with an air pressure supply pipe 17. As shown diagrammatically in Figure 1 of the drawings, the pipe 17 is connected to a three-way valve 18 which has a pair ofbra nch pipes 19 and 20. I The pipe 19 opens to the atmosphere while the pipe 20 communicates with the interiorof a pressure tank 21 supplied with air pressure from a suitable pump (not shown).

A hollow or tubular piston 22 is arranged to rotate and reciprocate within the cylinder sections as shown in Figure 1. A packing gland 23 surrounds the piston and is bolted as at 24 to an annular flange 25 formed integral with the upper cylinder section as shown. Packing 26 is provided to prevent leakage ofoil and air past the piston as w ill be hereinafter explained. The piston is provided at its lower end with a cap 27 threaded 'thereon and provided with a depending flange 28 to limit the downward movement of the piston as. will be obvious. As shown in Figure 1, the cap 27 isprovided with an annu'lar flange 29 having a sliding fit witlun the lower cylinder section while the piston proper upper cylinder section. The lower cylinder section is slightly larger in diameter than the upper cylinder section and it will be obvious that the flange 29 is adapted to contact with the lower end of the upper cylinder section to limit the upward movementyof the piston. As clearly shown in Figure 3, the cap 27 is provided with a central opening 30 in which is arranged a vertical air pipe 31. The open ing 30 is'slightly'larger in diameter than the pipe 31 to permit the passage of oil through the opening in a manner to be described. The lower end of the pipe 31 is threaded as at 32 within a vertical extension 33 of the air passage 16. The upper end of the air pipe 31 is provided with a T-head 34 as shown in Figure 2 for a purpose to be described. shown in Figure 1, the cylinder and piston form a two-compartment chamber adapted to contain oil to a level substantially as indicated by the numeral 35 in Figures 1 and 2 with a fluid pressure space above the'oil level and a restricted liquid passage between the chamber compartments. It will be obvious that the level of the oil is at all times below the T-head 34 so that it cannot flow into the 'air pipe 31.

A head indicated as a whole by the numeral 36 is carried by the upper end of the piston as indicated in Figures 1, 2, 5 and 6. This head includes a substantially cylindrical collar 37 which is pressed in position onv the upper end of the piston and is provided with an inturned annular flange 38 at its upper end which is adapted to positively limit the downward movement of the collar. The

head 36 is further provided with a plurality of outwardly extending arms which are formed integral with the collar 37. Each of these armsincludes substantially vertical ribs 39 which are arranged substantially radially of the piston and each of the ribs terminates in its outer end in longitudinal por-' tions 40 as clearly shown in Figure 5. Integral webs 40', which are preferably horizontal, are adapted to reinforce the ribs 39.

The numeral 41 designates as a whole a pair of I beam supporting members each of which includes parallel central portions42, the webs 43 of which are riveted to the ribs 40 as at 44. Outwardly of the parallel portions 42 the I beams diverge as at 45 and their outer ends are arranged beneath parallel vehicle supporting'rails 46. The outer ends of the I beams may be riveted as at 47 orotherwise secured to the rails 46 as will be apparent. As shown in Figures 2 and 6, a cover pass through plate 48 is arranged over the head 36 and associated elements. The plate is preferably secured to the flanges 38 ofthe head by screws 49. Rivets 50 or other fastening elements and throng the upper bases of the I beams 41 as shown in Figure 6. It will be obvious that the outer edges of the plate 48 the plate 48 and its connections to the I'beams are adapted to prevent any tendency of the latter to rock downwardly at their outer ends when a vehicle is in position on the rails.

An oil container 51 is arranged within the upper end of the piston 22 as clearly shown .in Figure 2. .This oil containeris provided mally closed by a threaded plug 56. An outlet pipe 57 extends through the plate 48 and has its lower end arranged adjacent the bottom of the container 51. Above the plate 48 the pipe 57 is provided with a suitable valve 58 and the pipe-is adapted for connect-ion above this valve with a suitable flexible hose (not shown); a

As shown in Figure 1, a depression'59 surrounds; the piston and is preferably circular and of such a diameter as to receive the I beams 45 when the device is in its lowered position. The rails 46 are adapted to rest upon the ground. 60 to permit a vehicle to be driven upon the-rails 46.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows With the rails 46 lowered to contact wit the ground, a vehicle may be driven thereover to a substantially central position above the piston and cylinder. With the vehicle properly in position the valve 18 may be arranged in the position shown in Figure ,1 of the drawings whereby compressed air will be admitted into the upper end of the piston in the space above the oil level therein. The admission of the air will lift the piston as indicated in Figure 1 until the flange 25) contacts with the lower end of the upper cylinder section 12 andwill hold the piston and superstructure up as long as the pressure obtains and regardless of'any turning of the piston and superstructure. It willbe obvious that oil within the piston will flow downwardly the T-head 34. Air pressure is adapted to maintain the vehicle in lifted position as long as desired. lVhile the piston is held up by the air pressure it is capable of unrestricted rotation about its axis. hen it is desired tolower the vehicle the valve 18 may be rotated through an angle of 90 in a clockwise direction as viewed in-Figurei': 1 whereby communication will be established between the interior of the piston and the atmosphere.

The weight of the vehicle and the movable partsof the apparatus willthen cause the piston to move downwardly, and downward air movement will be retarded by the'dash-pot action of the relatively small opening 30.

As shown in Figures 4 and 7, access may be had to the bottom of the vehicle throughout the greater portion of its length sincethere are no braces or other elements arranged between the rails other than the I beams 41: Since the centers of the I beams are spaced and their ends diverge outwardly it will be apparent that mechanics may move along the bottom of the car from the ends thereof to the head 36. As previously'stated the pressure of the air within the cylinder 22 is communicated to the interior of the oil container through the openings 53 and a suitable hoseranged in the container 51 for filling oil cups .or the like beneath the vehicle. The a1r pressure which maintains the piston in raised position will pump oil from the container 51 through thepipe 57 as long as-desired and flow. of oil may be cut off merely by closing thevalve 58. The piston and cylinder may be filled with oil by removing the plug 56 and allowing the oil to flow downwardly through the tube 54. When the piston and cylinder are being thus filled with oil it will be apparent that the T-head 34 Wlll prevent the oil from'flowing downwardly into the pipe 31.

It will be obvious that it is desired to provide means for preventing sudden accidental downward movement of the vehicle while mechanics are working thereunder- The cylinder sections are surrounded by the concrete well 14 to provide reinforcement therefor to prevent the walls of the cylinder from blowing out under the influence of the pressure. therein. Should the pressure within the piston and. cylinder be released due to breakage of any of the other parts, such as the blowing out of the plug 56, it will be obvious' that the downward movement of the vehicle will be retarded by the dashpot action of the opening 30 thus allowing a mechanic working beneath the vehicle to escape before the piston reaches its lower. position.

While it has been pointed out that the IN springs, oil cups, etc may be lubricated while the vehicle is in raised position it will be obvious that any desired mechanical work may be performed while the vehicle is elevated. Under some conditions it is desirable to tilt the vehicle and this readily may be done by driving either end of the car upon the rails 46 and placing chocks against the wheels whereupon the piston may be lifted in the manner described and the vehicle tilted due for lifting, and lowering the vehicle will be.

apparent. Under some conditions it is desirable to permit the vehicle to leave the rails in a different direction from thatlat which it approaches. Under such conditions the operator may freely rotate the piston within the cylinder so that the vehicle may leave in any desired direction.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferredexample of the same and that various changes in the shape,

size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to withoutdepartingv from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A hydraulic lift comprising a cylinder, a reciprocating piston arranged therein,

means for supplying. fluid pressure to the in-- terior of said cylinder to lift and hold said piston, a liquid container carried by the piston and communicating at its upper end with the interior of said cylinder so as to receive the lifting and holding fluidpressure, and a discharge pipe having its lower end arranged near the bottom of said container.

2. A hydraulic lift comprising a cylinder,

a hollow piston adapted to reciprocate in'v said cylinder, said piston and said cylinder being adapted to contain a liquid, said piston being provided with a restricted opening communicating with said cylinder below the level of the liquid therein, means for intro-v ducing fluidpressure into said piston above \the level ofthe liquid therein, an oilcontainer arranged in said piston .and communicating at its upper end with the interior of said piston above the level. of the liquid therein, and a discharge pipe having its lower end arranged near the bottom of said container..

3. A hydraulic lift comprising a cylinder, a hollow piston adapted toreciproca'te in said cylinder, said piston and said cylinder being adapted to contain a liquid, said piston being open at its lower end to communicate with the interior of said cylinder, means for introducing fluid pressure vinto said piston above the level of the liquiditherein, an'oil container-arranged insaid piston and provided near its upper,end with an opening communicating with the interior of saidpiston above the level of. the liquid therein and a discharge pipe'having its lowerend arranged near the bottom of said container.

' 4. .A device constructed in accordancewith clann 3 Wherem said container 1s arranged adjacent the upper end of said piston and provided with a tube extending therethrough. 5. A device constructed inaccordance with .claim 3 wherein said piston is provided with a closure plate at its upper end provided with an. opening, a plug normally closing's'aid with an opening, said cylinder and piston being adapted to contam a 1i uid, a 'stationary pipe extending upwar y through said opening and having lts u per end arranged above the level of the hquid in said piston, the upper end of said pipe being open and extended" laterally, and means for an plying pressure fluid to the lower end of said pipe, said piston bein provided with means for supplying ,liqui thereto through the upper end. thereof. 1

7. A hydrauliryiift comprising a cylinder, a hollow closed-top piston mounted for reciprocation in the cylinder, the cylinder and "piston forming a pressure -chamber, means.

or communicating fluid ressure to .the

'chamber to lift and hold t e piston, and a pneumatic liquid-spraying apparatus carried by the piston and operable by the liftin and holding fluid pressure within the chem er.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

PETER J. LUNATI.

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