US3022043A

US3022043A - Quick action jack

Info

Publication number: US3022043A
Application number: US56397A
Authority: US
Inventors: Dewey S Weiss
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1960-09-16
Filing date: 1960-09-16
Publication date: 1962-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 1979-02-20

Description

Feb. 20, 1962 D. s. WEISS 3,022,043

QUICK ACTION JACK Filed Sept. 16, 1960 &

INVENTOR. Dewey S. Weiss Buckhorn, Cheafham 8 Blore ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,022,043 QUICK ACTIONJACK Dewey S. Weiss, 4434 SE. 25th Ave., Portland, Greg. Filed Sept. 16, 1960, Ser. No. 56,397 6 Claims. (Cl. 254-98) The present invention comprises a quick action jack which may be rapidly extended for use, or rapidly collapsed following use thereof. While the jack is herein illustrated as comprising a device to be permanently affixed to a part of a vehicle, such as to the drawbar of a semi-trailer, it is to be appreciated that the device may be a detachable jack adapted to be temporarily disposed between a portion of any body to be lifted and the supporting surface from which the body is to be raised.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a trailer jack mounted permanently upon the drawbar portion of a semi-trailer, which jack may be rapidly collapsed so as to elevate the ground-engaging portion thereof to a considerable distance above the ground without requiring lengthy revolving of a crank handle, or to be rapidly lowered into engagement with the ground while the trailer is supported by a tractor, without requiring lengthy operation of a jack handle. The advantage of this construction isthat vehicle operators are, encouraged ,to raise such an attached jack highenough above the road level'that it would be very unlikely for the jack to strike .an object on the road while the vehicle is moving. Prior devices depending entirely upon operation of a jack.

handle to raise and lower the foot of the jack have'caused careless operators to leave the jack foot very close to the ground, with the result that jacks are quite often torn loose or damaged while the vehicle is in movement.

The objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from inspection of the accompanying drawings taken in connection with thefollowing specification wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which a preferred form of the present invention is illustrated and described.

In the drawings, PEG. 1 is a side elevation of the present invention as attached to a portion of a vehicle body;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of FIG. 1; r FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 2, the view being taken on an enlarged scale, with parts broken away;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal section taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 3; 1

FIG. 5 is a horizontal section taken substantially along line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section taken substantially along line 66 of FIG. 3; and

1 FIG. 7 is a horizontal section taken substantially along line '7--7 of FIG. 3.

The jack of the present invention comprises a rigid, elongated first member 10, preferably comprising a cylinder or pipe section, the member 10 having means thereon for association of the jack with a body to be lifted, such as the welding pad 11 adapted to be welded to'a portion of the frame 12 of a vehicle. A second rigid,

longated member 14 is slidably guided for vertical movement on the first member 10, the second member preferably comprising a cylinder or section of pipe of such a diameter as to be slidable within the first member 1%. The

members

10 and 14 are held against rotation with respect to each other such as by means of a screw 15 mounted in the lower end of section 16 and having its tip engaged in a longitudinal slot 16 in the member 14. It will readily be appreciated that rectangular tubes would not require means other than their shape to prevent relative rotation of one tube with respect to the other, and that various forms of elongated members may r 3,022,043 Patented Feb. 20, 1962 be provided. The member 14 is provided with groundengaging means at its lower end, such as the wheel mounting clevis 17 and wheel 18 supported therein. The member 14 is also provided with a laterally extending toot shelf 19 for a purpose to be explained.

in the illustrated example the first member 10 comprises a cylinder having a closure wall 20 at its upper end and being open at its lower end. The second member 14 comprises a cylinder having an upper partition 21 at its upper end and a lower partition 22 spaced downwardly from the upper partition. The upper wall 2% is provided with a vertical journal 23 in which is rotatively journaled a reduced cylindrical portion 24 of a vertically extending jack screw 25 which extends downwardly within the jack to a point adjacent the lower end of the member 16. The reduced portion 24 provides a shoulder 26 which engages a thrust bearing 27 inserted between the shoulder 26 and the upper wall 2i The upper partition 21 is provided with an opening 28 and the lower partition 22 is provided with a vertically aligned opening 29, both of which have an internal diameter siightly larger than the maximum diameter of the'jack screw 25, so that the jack screw is held in alignment within the inner member 14. The lower end of the jack screw is provided with a reduced, threaded extension 30 on which is mounted a nut 31 held infixed position by a cotter pin 32. The reduction of the lower end of the screw provides a shoulder 33, and a springretainer 34 is mounted on the reduced section between the shoulder 33 and the nut 31. A long coil spring 35 surrounds the portion of the screw extending below thelower partition 22 and is retained under compression between the lower partition 22 and the spring retainer 34. The spring 35 is extended when the'inner member 14 is retracted within the outer member 1 and fully compressed when the inner member is lowered to the greatest extent possible. The upper end of the screw 25 is provided with a crank 36 whereby the screwrnay be rotated.

A partial nut 40 is mounted within the inner member between the

partitions

21 and 22, the partial nut having a vertical height less than the space between the partitions whereby the partial nut may have limited vertical movement from a position close to or engaging the lower partition to a position close to or engaging the upper partition. The partial nut is so formed as to be capable of limited swinging movementfrom and into engagement with the jack screw 25. In'order to elTect such movement the partial nut is provided with a pair of cars 41 provided with vertically aligned rectangular openings 42. A rectangular rock shaft 43 passes through the openings 42 whereby the partial nut 40 is longitudinally slidable on the rock shaft and'angularly fixed with respect thereto. The upper end of the rock shaft is provided with a reduced cylindrical portion 44 which is journaled in the upper wall 20, and a collar 45 is fixed to the upper end thereof by means of a lever 46 projecting radially therefrom. The lower end of the rock shaft 43 is provided with a cylindrical reduced portion 47 which is journaled in the spring retainer 34. The downwardly projecting lower portion thereof supports a pin 48 extending radially therefrom and with which is engaged one end of a tension spring 49, the other end being engaged with a pin 5t} projecting downwardly from the spring retainer 34. The spring 49 is so biased as to urge the partial nut 40 away from engagement with the jack screw'25, and manual operation of the lever 46 is required to throw the partial out into engagement with the jack screw.

Abutment means are provided to hold the partial nut in engagement with the jack screw when the partial nut is close to or adjacent the lower partition 22. In the preferred form the abutment means comprises an abutment having a horizontal upper surface and an inupper partition 21, the lower surface 61 of the partial nut may rest upon the surface 55 of the abutment means whereby the partial'nut is maintained in relatively elevated position and held away from engagement with the jack screw by the spring 49. This is accomplished, when the ground-engaging roller 18 is fully elevated, by stepping V 7 upon the foot shelf 19 and pressing downward until the nut strikes the upper partition 21, whereupon the spring 49 snaps the nut out of engagement with the screw. Continued pressure of the foot on the foot shelf 19 moves the wheel into engagement with the ground. While pressure is. maintained against the foot shelf, the lever 46 may be operated to rock the rock shaft and throw the gagement of said partial nut and said rockshaft, a spring retainer mounted on the lower end of said jack screw, and a coil spring surrounding the portion of said jack screw projecting below said lower partition and compressed between said lower partition and said spring retainer. 7

2. A quick action jackcomprising a rigid, elongated I outer tube adapted to be engaged in upright condition partial nut into engagement with the jack screw, whereupon, when pressure against the foot shelf 19 is released, :the spring 35 causes relative lowering of the lock nut to a position closely adjacent the lower partition 22. During such movement the

cam surfaces

55 and 60 force the threads of the nut into firm engagement with the threads of the jack screw. When the movement has been accomplished the abutment means prevents separation of the nut and screw whereupon the crank 36 may be operated to extend the wheel 18. It will require a revolution or two to again lower the wheel to engagement with the ground, whereupon continued rotation of the crank 36 will elevatethe body. When the body is supported at its elevated position, such as by engagement of a tractor with a semi-trailer, the crank may be reversed a few turns until the wheel 18 is elevated a half inch or so above the ground whereupon foot pressure applied to the foot shelf 19 will relatively raise the nut with respect to the lower partition, thereby clearing the cam faces 56 and 60 and permitting the spring 49 to snap the nut out of engagement, whereupon release of the pressure of the foot from the foot shelf 19 will permit the spring 35 to elevate the wheel-to its maximum elevation.

Having illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the'present invention, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the same permits of modification in detail and arrangement. I claim as my invention all such modifications as come within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim: g I. A quick action jack comprising a rigid, elongated first member adapted to'be engaged in upright condition with a body to-be supported by the jack, a rigid, elongated second member slidably guided for vertical movement on said first member, said second member project ing'downardly from said first member, ground-engaging .means at the lower end of said second member, a foot shelf projecting laterally from said second member, an elongated jack screw journaledin the upper end of said first member and extending downwardly to a point adjacent the lower end of said first member, a crank mounted. on the upper end :of said jack screw, an upper partition on said second member at the upperend thereof, a lower partition on said second member spaced downwardly from said upper partition, said partitions each having an opening through which said jack screw extends, 'a partial nut mounted between said partitions for limited swinging movement into and out of engagement. with said jack screw, saidpartial nut having a vertical dimension less than the distance between said partitions whereby said second member is capable of limited vertical movement with respect to said first member when said partial nut and jack screw are engaged, a manually operable'rockshaft journaled in the upper end of said first -member and extending downwardly to a point adjacent the lower end of said jack screw, means on said partial nut -.cfiecting longitudinally slidable and angularly fixed enwith a body to be supportediby the jack, a rigid, elongated inner tube siidably guided for vertical movement within said outer tube, said outer tube being open at its lower end and said inner tube projecting downwardly therefrom, ground-engaging means at the lower end of said inner tube, a foot shelf projecting laterally from the lower end of said inner tube, an elongated jack screw journaled in the upper end of said outer tube and extending downwardly into said inner tube to a point adjacent the lower end of said outer tube, a crank mounted on the upper end of said jack screw, an upper partition in said inner tube at the upper end thereof, a lower partition in said inner tube spaced downwardly from said upper partition, said partitions each having an opening through'which said jack screw extends, a partial nut mounted in said inner tube between said partitions for limited swinging movement into and out of engagement with said jack screw, said partial nut having a vertical dimension less than the distance between said partitions whereby said inner tube is capable of limited vertical movement with respect to said outer tube when said partialnut and jack screw are spring surrounding the portion'of said jack screw projecting below said lower partition and compressed between said lower partition and said spring retainer.

3. A quick action jack comprising a rigid, elongated outer tube adapted to be engaged in upright condition with a body to be supported by the jack, a rigid, elongated inner tube slidably guided for vertical movement within said outer tube, said outer tube being open at its lower end and said inner tube projecting downwardly therefrom, ground-engaging means at the lower end of said inner tube, a foot shelf. projecting laterally from the lower end of said inner tube, an elongated jack screw ournaled in the upper end of said outer tube and extendmg downwardly into said inner tube to a point adjacent the lower end of said outer tube, a crank mounted on the upper end of said jack screw, an upper partition in said inner tube at the upper end thereof, a lower partition in said inner tube spaced downwardly from said upper partition, said partitions each havingan'opening through which said jack screw extends, a partial nut mounted in said inner tube between said partitions for limited swinging movement nto andout of engagement with said jack screw, said partial nut having a vertical dimension less than the distance between said partitions whereby said inner tube is capable of limited vertical movement with respect to said outer tube when said partial nut and jack screw are engaged, a manually operable rockshaft journaled in the upper end of said outer tube and extending downwardly through said inner tube to a point adjacent the lower end'of said jack screw, means on said partial nut effecting longitudinally slidable and angularly fixed engagement of said partial nut and said rockshaft, a spring retainer mounted on the lower end of said jack screw, a coil spring surrounding the portion of said jack screw projecting below said lower partition and compressed between said lower partition and said spring retainer, and spring means urging said rockshaft to a position wherein said partial nut is disengaged from said jack screw.

outer tube adapted to be engaged in upright condition with a body to be supported by the jack, a rigid, elongated inner tube slidably guided for vertical movement within said outer tube, said outer tube being open at its lower end and said inner tube projecting downwardly therefrom, ground-engaging means at the lower end of said inner tube, a foot shelf projecting laterally from the lower end of said inner tube, an elongated jack screw journaled in the upper end of said outer tube and extending downwardly into said inner tube to a point adjacent the lower end of said outer tube, a crank mounted on the upper end of said jack screw, an upper partition in said inner tube at the upper end thereof, a lower partition in said inner tube spaced downwardly from said upper partition, said partitions each having an opening through which said jack screw extends, a partial nut mounted in said inner tube between said partitions for limited swinging movement into and out of engagement with said jack screw, said partial nut having a vertical dimension less than the distance between said partitions whereby said inner tube is capable of limited vertical movement with respect to said outer tube when said partial nut and jack screw are engaged, a manually operable rockshaft journaled in the upper end of said outer tube and extending downwardly through said inner tube to a point adjacent the lower end of said jack screw, means on said partial nut efiecting longitudinally slidable and angularly fixed engagement of said partial nut and said rockshaft, a spring retainer mounted on the lower end of said jack screw, a coil spring surrounding the portion of said jack screw projecting below said lower partition and compressed between said lower partition and said spring retainer, and abutment means on said lower partition preventing separation of said partial nut from said jack screw when said partial nut and said lower partition are close together.

5. A quick action jack comprising a rigid, elongated outer tube adapted to be engaged in upright condition with a body to be supported by the jack, a rigid, elongated inner tube slidably guided for vertical movement within said outer tube, said outer tube being open at its lower end and said inner tube projecting downwardly therefrom, ground-engaging means at the lower end of said inner tube, a foot shelf projecting laterally from the lower end of said inner tube, an elongated jack screw journaled in the upper end of said outer tube and extending downwardly into said inner tube to a point adjacent the lower end of said outer tube, a crank mounted on the upper end of said jack screw, an upper partition in said inner tube at the upper end thereof, a lower partition in said inner tube spaced downwardly from said upper partition, said partitions each having an opening rough which said jack screw extends, a partial nut mounted in said inner tube between said partitions for limited swinging movement into and out of engagement with said jack screw, said partial nut having a vertical dimension less than the distance between said partitions whereby said inner tube is capable of limited vertical movement with respect to said outer tube when said partial nut and jack screw are engaged, a manually operable rockshaft journaled in the upper end of said outer tube and extending downwardly through said inner tube to a point adjacent the lower end of said jack screw, means on said partial nut efiecting longitudinally slidable and angularly fixed engagement of said partial nut and said rockshaft, a spring retainer mounted on the lower end of said jack screw, a coil spring surrounding the portion of said jack screw projecting below said lower partition and compressed between said lower partition and said spring retainer, cooperating cam means on said lower partition and said partial nut causing engagement of sai partial nut and said jack screw as said lower partition relatively approaches said partial nut and preventing separation thereof when said partial nut and lower partition are relatively close together, and spring means for swinging said partial nut out of engagement with said jack screw when said partial nut and said upper partition are relatively close together.

6. A quick action jack comprising a rigid, elongated first member adapted to be engaged in upright condition with a body to be supported by the jack, a rigid, elongated second member slidably guided for vertical movement on said first member, said second member projecting downwardly from said first member, ground-engaging means at the lower end of said second member, an elongated jack screw journaled in the upper end of said first memher and extending downwardly to a point adjacent the lower end of said first member, a crank mounted on the upper end of said jack screw, an upper partition on said second member at the upper end thereof, a lower partition on said second member spaced downwardly from said upper partition, said partitions each having an opening through which said jack screw extends, a partial nut mounted between said partitions for limited swinging movement into and out of engagement with said jack screw, said partial nut having a vertical dimension less than the distance between said partitions whereby said second member is capable of limited vertical movement with respect to said first member when said partial nut and jack screw are engaged, means for effecting limited swinging movement of said partial nut into and out of engagement with said jack screw and limited longitudinal movement of said partial nut between said upper and lower partitions, a spring retainer mounted on the lower end of said jack screw, and a coil spring surrounding the portion of said jack screw projecting below said lower partition and compressed between said lower partition and said spring retainer.

No references cited.