US20070180788A1

US20070180788A1 - Adjustable floor system for installation inside a repair pit

Info

Publication number: US20070180788A1
Application number: US11/657,522
Authority: US
Inventors: Yves Cote
Original assignee: Soudure Cote and Fils Inc
Current assignee: Soudure Cote and Fils Inc
Priority date: 2006-01-25
Filing date: 2007-01-25
Publication date: 2007-08-09
Also published as: CA2534890A1; CA2574846A1

Abstract

The adjustable floor system is for installation inside a repair pit and preferably comprises top and bottom parts, a floor mounted on the top part, two folding leg assemblies distal from each other, connected between the top and bottom parts and movable between folded and unfolded positions and cylinders for moving the folding leg assemblies between the folded position where the floor is adjacent to a bottom surface of the repair pit and the unfolded position where the floor fills an upper opening of the repair pit. Preferably, the floor comprises elements and the adjustable floor system comprises a stair frame having steps. The elements of the floor are positioned over the steps of the stair frame when the folding leg assemblies are in the unfolded position, the elements laying down respectively on the steps while the folding leg assemblies are moving from the unfolded position to the folded position.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an adjustable floor system for installation inside a repair pit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known in the art that repair pits in use today are typically deep and longitudinal pits made in the ground and generally finished with concrete. They are usually found in garages where vehicles are repaired. Generally, a vehicle is parked on top of the pit with the wheels thereof placed on either side of the pit, so the bottom side of the vehicle is accessible for a person positioned inside the pit. Theses pits are generally wide and deep enough for a mechanic to walk and work in it.
A major drawback associated with these conventional repair pits is that they are not designed optimally for preventing people from falling within a given pit when a vehicle is not parked over it. Indeed, when no vehicle is parked on top of a conventional pit, it may constitute a pitfall for people working and walking around the pit. Because accidents can occur when not in use, not only with people but also with vehicles, a repair pit should ideally be covered or encircled with a security device to prevent accidents.
In addition, repair pits are disadvantageous in that the workers have to use a ladder or another similar mean to get into and out of them. Also, since most people are not generally of the same height, some might have difficulties reaching the vehicles when inside the pit, and might be limited to the reaching tools found inside the pit.
It is also known in the art that car lifts have been invented to get around some of the disadvantages discussed above, but these also present their own disadvantages. For example, these conventional lifts can generally not support the weight of heavy vehicles and demand a bigger vertical clearing in a garage.
Hence, in light of the aforementioned, there is a need for an improved device, which by virtue of its design and components, would be able to overcome some of the above-discussed prior art problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable floor system for installation inside a repair pit, comprising:

- top and bottom parts;
- a floor mounted on the top part;
- at least two folding leg assemblies distal from each other, connected between the top part and the bottom part and movable between folded and unfolded positions; and
- moving mechanisms for moving the folding leg assemblies between the folded position where the floor is adjacent to a bottom surface of the repair pit and the unfolded position where the floor fills an upper opening of the repair pit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable floor system for installation inside a repair pit, comprising:

- top and bottom parts;
- a floor mounted on the top part;
- at least one displacement mechanism, connected between the top part and the bottom part and movable between first and second positions; and.
- at least one moving mechanism for moving the at least one displacement mechanism between the first position where the floor is adjacent to a bottom surface of the repair pit and the second position where the floor covers an upper opening of the repair pit.

The objects, advantages and other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given for the purpose of exemplification only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an adjustable floor system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a top view of the adjustable floor system of FIG. 1, where the cylinders are not shown.
FIG. 3 is a front view of what is shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is an exploded side view of the adjustable floor system of FIG. 1, where the cylinders are not shown.
FIG. 5 is a front view of what is shown in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a top view of the bottom part of the adjustable floor system of FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is a section view along line A-A of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a side view of what is shown in FIG. 6.
FIG. 9 is a top view of the top part of the adjustable floor system of FIG. 1.
FIG. 10 is a side view of what is shown in FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is an exploded front view of what is shown in FIG. 9.
FIG. 12 is a side view of a folding leg assembly of the adjustable floor system of FIG. 1.
FIG. 13 is a front view of what is shown in FIG. 12.
FIG. 14 is an enlargement of a part of FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 is a front view of one leg of the folding leg assembly shown in FIG. 12.
FIG. 16 is a side view of what is shown in FIG. 15.
FIG. 17 is a front view of another leg of the folding leg assembly shown in FIG. 12.
FIG. 18 is a side view of what is shown in FIG. 17.
FIG. 19 is a top view of the cross leg assembly of the adjustable floor system of FIG. 1.
FIG. 20 is a side view of what is shown in FIG. 19.
FIG. 21 is a top view of the second leg of the cross leg assembly shown in FIG. 19.
FIG. 22 is a side view of what is shown in FIG. 21.
FIG. 23 is a top view of the first leg of the cross leg assembly shown in FIG. 19.
FIG. 24 is a side view of what is shown in FIG. 23.
FIG. 25 is a side view of a cylinder of the adjustable floor system of FIG. 1.
FIG. 26 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the adjustable floor system, according to another aspect of the present invention and comprising stairs.
FIG. 27 is a top view of what is shown in FIG. 26, with a cylinder not shown.
FIG. 28 is a front view of what is shown in FIG. 27, with an element shown above the floor system.
FIG. 29 is a detailed side view of the stair frame with the elements of the floor positioned on the steps.
FIG. 30 is a bottom view of an element of the floor.
FIG. 31 is a side view of what is shown in FIG. 30.
FIG. 32 is a partial bottom view of the floor with the elements positioned in the floor.
FIG. 33 is a side view of what is shown in FIG. 32.
FIG. 34 is a side view of a second embodiment of the adjustable floor system of the present invention.
FIG. 35 is a top view of what is shown in FIG. 34.
FIG. 36 is a side view of a third embodiment of the adjustable floor system of the present invention.
FIG. 37 is a top view of what is shown in FIG. 36.
FIG. 38 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of the adjustable floor system of the present invention.
FIG. 39 is a side view of what is shown in FIG. 38, in another position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals and in order to weight down the figures, some elements are not referred to in some figures if they were identified in another figure.
Broadly described and illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 11, the adjustable floor system 1 according to the present invention, as exemplified in the accompanying drawings, is for installation inside a repair pit and comprises top 10 and bottom 50 parts. A floor 12 is mounted on the top part 10. The adjustable floor system 1 also comprises at least two folding leg assemblies 80 distal from each other, connected between the top part 10 and the bottom part 50 and movable between folded and unfolded positions. The adjustable floor system 1 also comprises moving mechanisms 100 for moving the folding leg assemblies 80 between the folded position where the floor is adjacent to a bottom surface of the repair pit and the unfolded position where the floor fills an upper opening of the repair pit.
As better shown in FIGS. 1 and 12 to 18, the folding leg assemblies 80 comprise upper legs 82 and lower legs 90, each leg having first and second extremities 92, 94, 96, 98, the second extremities 94 of the upper legs being rotatably connected to the first extremities 96 of the lower legs, the first extremities 92 of the upper legs being rotatably connected to distal portions 18, 20 of the top part, the second extremities 98 of the lower legs being rotatably connected to distal portions 54, 56 of the bottom part 50.
The moving mechanisms comprises two cylinders 100, better shown in FIG. 25, preferably either hydraulic cylinders or pneumatic cylinders, each cylinder 100 having a first extremity 102 rotatably connected to the bottom part and a second extremity 104 rotatably connected to one folding leg assembly, the cylinders 100 maintaining the folding leg assemblies 80 once the unfolded position is reached.
As better shown in FIGS. 1 and 19 to 24, the adjustable floor system 1 further comprises a cross leg assembly 110 operatively connected between the top part 10 and the bottom part 50, for stabilizing the floor assembly.
The cross leg assembly 110 comprises a first leg 112 having first 114 and second 116 extremities respectively connected slidably and rotatably to the top 10 and bottom 50 parts, and a second leg 118 having first 120 and second 122 extremities respectively connected slidably and rotatably to the bottom 50 and top 10 parts.
According to another aspect of the invention, better shown in FIGS. 26 to 33, the floor 12 comprises elements 160 and the top part 10 comprises supports 22 for holding the elements 160 of the floor 12 in a straight horizontal position when the folding leg assemblies 80 are in the unfolded position.
The adjustable floor system comprises a stair frame 150 having steps 152, the stair frame 150 being connected to the bottom part 50, the elements 160 of the floor 12 being positioned over the steps 152 of the stair frame 150 when the folding leg assemblies 80 are in the unfolded position, the elements 160 laying down respectively on the steps 152 while the folding leg assemblies 80 are moving from the unfolded position to the folded position.
The stair frame 150 comprises tubes 154, and the elements 160 comprise anchors 162 cooperating with the tubes 154 of the stair frame 150 to stabilize in position the elements 160 of the floor 12 with the steps 152 of the stair frame 150.
The anchors 62 have a triangular extremity 164 for easier insertion into the tubes 154.
Still referring to FIGS. 1 to 33, the preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an adjustable floor system 1 which can be adjusted in height. When the folding leg assemblies 80 are in the unfolded position where the floor 12 covers an upper opening of the repair pit, vehicles or people can circulate on top of it safely and there are no unwanted voids, thus preventing objects and people from falling into the repair pit.
The height of the adjustable floor system 1 can be adjusted by stopping the folding leg assemblies 80 between their folded and their unfolded positions, according to a desired height. When the folding leg assemblies 80 are partially or completely folded, elements 160 of the floor 12 are laid down on the steps 152 and thus provide a way for workers to get down into the repair pit. By folding partially or completely the folding leg assemblies 80, the adjustable floor system can be adjusted in height and workers of various heights can be comfortable while working.
The leg assemblies 80, 110 of the adjustable floor system 1 are assembled with a series of shafts 130 as shown on FIGS. 2 and 13. Although not shown, more then two folding leg assemblies could be used and none or more than one cross leg assembly could be used to embody this invention.
The floor 12 of the preferred embodiment is preferably made of checker plate sheets, for grip. The top part also preferably comprises lateral protectors 14, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
Preferably, the adjustable floor system 1 is deposited at the bottom of the repair pit but could be connected to the bottom floor of to the walls of the repair pit.
The rising and lowering of the floor system is preferably done by the action of the cylinders 100 collaborating with the folding leg assemblies 80. The cross leg assembly 110 is preferably used only for guiding the movement of the adjustable floor system.
The cross leg assembly 110 has preferably the ability to fold itself until the two legs 112, 118 are parallel to each other in the horizontal plan, to unfold itself until the legs 112, 118 are perpendicular to each other and to unfold even more until the movement is limited by the span of the cross leg assembly slidable connections. The legs 112, 118 of the cross leg assembly preferably have wheels 124, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 24, to enable horizontal displacement of the extremities of the legs in the slidable connections. However, any other equivalent mechanism or device could be used for these connections, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.
The folding leg assemblies 80 are preferably designed to receive strength from the cylinders 100 for raising and lowering the adjustable floor system 1.. The folding leg assemblies 80, when at their unfolded position, are able to support great charges and are very stable.
In the preferred embodiment, when the cylinders are activated, they push or pull onto the shafts 130 thus unfolding of folding the folding leg assemblies 80. However, it should be understood that the folding and the unfolding of the folding leg assemblies could also be produced by other mechanisms or other configurations of material such as a change of the position where the cylinders are connected to the folding leg assemblies or to the bottom part 50, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.
Once operatively placed in a repair pit, the adjustable floor system 1 has preferably a mechanism which makes it autonomous and safe. Preferably moved by hydraulic force, the adjustable floor system rises to the desired height, to the millimeter. When it is lowered, the adjustable floor system deposits the elements 160 on the steps 152 of the stair frame 150 and gets them back when it rises again. When completely raised, the adjustable floor system 1 covers the entire repair pit thereby avoiding the need for the installation of security cones or of trestle. Furthermore, its conception with folding leg assemblies 80 allows it to support the weight of loaded trucks. Preferably, the strength of the cylinders 100 alone maintains the folding leg assemblies in their unfolded position once this position is reached.
In another embodiment of the invention, the folding leg assemblies could be stopped by abutments once they have reached their unfolded position, ensuring that the adjustable floor system 1 has the necessary strength to uphold heavy loads like loaded vehicles. Abutments of many forms could be used. Thus, the strength of the cylinders in combination with the abutments would maintain the folding leg assemblies in their unfolded position once this position is reached.
Preferably, the stair frame 150 is mounted and fixed permanently to the bottom part 50. However, other equivalent configurations could be used. For example, the stair frame could be deposited on the bottom surface of the repair pit.
When the adjustable floor system 1 is lowering, each element 160 is preferably laid down exactly in its place and is maintained there by its weight. Preferably, the anchors 162 have a triangular extremity 164 which allows for the insertion and the centering of the anchors into the tubes 154 in order to keep the element 160 in its position. When the adjustable floor system is raised, the top part 10 in collaboration with the supports 22 lifts the elements 160 which become part of the floor 12, as shown in FIGS. 32 and 33. Many other configuration of element could be used and locking devices could be added to keep the elements in place.
Furthermore, the upper legs 82 of the folding leg assemblies 80 can comprise abutments and the lower legs 90 of the folding leg assemblies can comprise stop portions, the abutments cooperating with the stop portions for stopping the folding leg assemblies 80 once the unfolded position is reached.
Other embodiments of the invention could also use different devices for powering the folding and unfolding of the folding leg assemblies 80, for the laying down of the elements 160, for the anchors 162, for the legs configuration, etc.
According to other embodiments of the invention, shown in FIGS. 34 to 39, the adjustable floor system 1 for installation inside a repair pit comprises top 10 and bottom parts 50, a floor 12 mounted on the top part, at least one displacement mechanism 84, connected between the top part 10 and the bottom part 50 and movable between first and second positions. The adjustable floor system also comprises at least one moving mechanism 106 for moving the displacement mechanism 84 between the first position where the floor is adjacent to the bottom surface of the repair pit and the second position where the floor covers an upper opening of the repair pit. The bottom part 50 can be the bottom surface of the repair pit.
More specifically, FIGS. 34 and 35 show a second embodiment of the invention where the displacement mechanism comprises a column 180, a threaded rod 182 and a nut 184, the nut 184 being connected to the top part 10 and displaceable along the threaded rod and the threaded rod 182 being rotatably connected to the column 180. The moving mechanism preferably consists of a motor and a gearbox, the gearbox actuating the threaded rod.
Preferably, there is more than one gearbox. The gearboxes, are actuated by an electrical motor located under the stair frame, the gearboxes are located on the bottom sides of the repair pit. The gearboxes can be worm gearboxes. The worm gearboxes can transfer their strength to two other worm gearboxes placed farther near the middle of the length of the adjustable floor system, which in turn transfer their strength to two final worm gearboxes located at the end of the adjustable floor system, opposite the stairs. Each worm gearbox actuates an ACME threaded rod, itself actuating an ACME nut flange in cooperation with the top frame of the adjustable floor system, which moves toward the top or the bottom of the ACME rod according to the direction of the rotation of the threaded rod, thus contributing to the raising or the lowering of the adjustable floor system.
The column 180 is for holding the threaded rod 182 and its holding system can comprise ball bearings or any equivalent device. The nut 184 is engaged on the threaded rod. In this embodiment of the invention, the number of column can vary according to the needs. A longer repair pit might require a greater number of columns, depending on the loads to be supported. The threaded rod can be driven by different device such as a motor, electrical, hydraulic, etc. The threaded rod can also be driven individually or as described previously in cascade, where many threaded rods are driven by a single motor. In the case where one motor drives several threaded rods, a mechanical link such as the worm gearbox described previously or such as a chain, a cable, a strap or any equivalent can be used. Furthermore, a reduction could be added to the system, to limit the speed of rotation of the threaded rod.
As also shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, wheels 194 can be installed at the corners of the floor for guiding the floor when it is raised or lowered. Furthermore, a cross leg assembly could also be added to this embodiment of the invention, for stabilizing the adjustable floor assembly.
FIGS. 36 and 37 show a third embodiment of the invention where the displacement mechanism comprises a column 200, a loop chain 202, at least first 204 and second gears 206 and a stop block 208. The first gear 204 is operatively connected to a first extremity 212 of the column and the second gear 206 is connected to a second extremity 210 of the column. The stop block 208 is operatively connected to the top part 10 and to the loop chain 202. The loop chain 202 is cooperating with the gears 204, 206. The moving mechanism comprises a motor and a gear 222 operatively connected to the loop chain 202, to drive the loop chain.
The number of columns in this embodiment of the invention can vary according to the needs. A longer repair pit might require a greater number of columns, depending on the loads to be supported. This type of assembly allows an easy adaptation with adjustable floor system of different sizes, including non standard sizes. This embodiment of the invention can be embodied with a single loop chain or multiple loop chains. Each chain can be encircling as few as 2 gears or as many as needed. Furthermore, the path of the chains can vary and the number and disposition of the gears can also vary. Furthermore, devices for adjusting the chains could be needed. The driving of the chain can be done with a sprocket linked to a motor. Devices can also be added to limit the movement of the motor or any equivalent device and thus the extent of movement of the chains to a certain range. Furthermore, the gears and the loop chain could be replaced with any equivalent devices, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.
As also shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, wheels 196 can be installed at the corners of the floor for guiding the floor when it is raised or lowered. Furthermore, a cross leg assembly could also be added to this embodiment of the invention, for stabilizing the floor assembly.
FIGS. 38 and 39 show a fourth embodiment of the invention where the displacement mechanism comprises arms 230, wheels 232, a loop element 234 and at least one drive element 236, the wheels are operatively connected to the arms 230 and to the loop element 234, the arms 230 are also operatively connected to the top part 10. The moving mechanism comprises a motor and a drive element 236 operatively connected to the loop element 234, to drive the loop element.
In another embodiment of the invention, the displacement mechanism and the moving mechanism could be embodied with cylinders being partially buried under the ground of the bottom floor of the repair pit and having their mobile part connected to the top part. In this case, the cylinders, when extending, would themselves move the top part of the adjustable floor system between a first position where the floor is adjacent to the bottom surface of the repair pit and the second position where the floor covers an upper opening of the repair pit.
The top 10 and bottom 50 parts are preferably made of a heavy duty metal.
Furthermore, even though not described in details, there are preferably controls to start and stop the movement of the adjustable floor system 1. The controls can be located nearby the adjustable floor system or remote from the adjustable floor system.
Furthermore, emergency stop buttons could also be available at different suitable locations on or near the adjustable floor system to allow for convenient stopping of movements of the adjustable floor system 1 whenever there is a danger or need for a worker.
Of course, numerous modifications could be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An adjustable floor system for installation inside a repair pit, comprising:

top and bottom parts;

a floor mounted on the top part;

at least two folding leg assemblies distal from each other, connected between the top part and the bottom part and movable between folded and unfolded positions; and

moving mechanisms for moving the folding leg assemblies between the folded position where the floor is adjacent to a bottom surface of the repair pit and the unfolded position where the floor fills an upper opening of the repair pit.

2. The adjustable floor system of claim 1, wherein the folding leg assemblies comprise upper legs and lower legs, each leg having first and second extremities, the second extremities of the upper legs being rotatably connected to the first extremities of the lower legs, the first extremities of the upper legs being rotatably connected to distal portions of the top part, the second extremities of the lower legs being rotatably connected to distal portions of the bottom part.

3. The adjustable floor system of claim 1, wherein the moving mechanisms is selected from the group comprising a hydraulic cylinder and a pneumatic cylinder.

4. The adjustable floor system of claim 1, wherein the moving mechanisms comprises two cylinders, each cylinder having a first extremity rotatably connected to the bottom part and a second extremity rotatably connected to one folding leg assembly, the cylinders maintaining the folding leg assemblies once the unfolded position is reached.

5. The adjustable floor system of claim 1, further comprising a cross leg assembly operatively connected between the top part and the bottom part, for stabilizing the floor assembly.

6. The adjustable floor system of claim 5, wherein the cross leg assembly comprises a first leg having first and second extremities respectively connected slidably and rotatably to the top and bottom parts, and a second leg having first and second extremities respectively connected slidably and rotatably to the bottom and top parts.

7. The adjustable floor system of claim 1, wherein the floor comprises elements and the top part comprises supports for holding the elements of the floor in a straight horizontal position when the folding leg assemblies are in the unfolded position.

8. The adjustable floor system of claim 7, comprising a stair frame having steps, the stair frame being connected to the bottom part, the elements of the floor being positioned over the steps of the stair frame when the folding leg assemblies are in the unfolded position, the elements laying down respectively on the steps while the folding leg assemblies are moving from the unfolded position to the folded position.

9. The adjustable floor system of claim 8, wherein the stair frame comprises tubes, and wherein the elements comprise anchors cooperating with the tubes of the stair frame to stabilize in position the elements of the floor with the steps of the stair frame.

10. The adjustable floor system of claim 9, wherein each of the anchors has a triangular extremity for easier insertion into the tubes.

11. An adjustable floor system for installation inside a repair pit, comprising:

top and bottom parts;

a floor mounted on the top part;

at least one displacement mechanism, connected between the top part and the bottom part and movable between first and second positions; and

at least one moving mechanism for moving the at least one displacement mechanism between the first position where the floor is adjacent to a bottom surface of the repair pit and the second position where the floor covers an upper opening of the repair pit.

12. The adjustable floor system of claim 11, wherein the bottom part is the bottom surface of the repair pit.

13. The adjustable floor system of claim 11, wherein the displacement mechanism comprises a column, a threaded rod and a nut, said nut being connected to the top part and displaceable along the threaded rod and said threaded rod being rotatably connected to the column.

14. The adjustable floor system of claim 13, wherein the moving mechanism comprises a motor and a gearbox, said gearbox actuating the threaded rod.

15. The adjustable floor system of claim 1 1, wherein the displacement mechanism comprises a column, a loop chain, at least first and second gears and a stop block, said first gears being operatively connected to a first extremity of the column and said second gear being operatively connected to a second extremity of the column, said stop block being operatively connected to the top part and to the loop chain, said loop chain cooperating with the gears.

16. The adjustable floor system of claim 15, wherein the moving mechanism comprises a motor and a gear operatively connected to the loop chain, to drive the loop chain.

17. The adjustable floor system of claim 11, wherein the floor comprises elements and the top part comprises supports for holding the elements of the floor in a straight horizontal position when the folding leg assemblies are in the unfolded position.

18. The adjustable floor system of claim 17, comprising a stair frame having steps, the stair frame being connected to the bottom part, the elements of the floor being positioned over the steps of the stair frame when the folding leg assemblies are in the unfolded position, the elements laying down respectively on the steps while the folding leg assemblies are moving from the unfolded position to the folded position.