US3921762A

US3921762A - Vehicle lift adapter

Info

Publication number: US3921762A
Application number: US300982A
Authority: US
Inventors: Iii Edgar B Provine
Original assignee: Dover Corp
Current assignee: Delaware Capital Formation Inc
Priority date: 1972-10-26
Filing date: 1972-10-26
Publication date: 1975-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 1992-11-25

Abstract

A vehicle lift adapter pad assembly including a base member adapted to slidably engage typical lift arm structure of the vehicle lift. A vertical pin is pivotally attached to the base member and is provided with a transverse aperture carrying therein a horizontal shaft. High step and low step adapter pads are pivotally attached to the horizontal shaft and selectively movable between off center upright positions and reclined positions.

Description

United States Patent Provine, III

[ Nov. 25, 1975 VEHICLE LIFT ADAPTER Edgar B. Provine, III, Memphis, Tenn.

inventor:

Dover Corporation, Washington, D.C.

Filed: Oct. 26, 1972 Appl. No.: 300,982

Assignee:

U.S. Cl. 187/8.75 Int. Cl. B66F 7/28 Field of Search l87/8,4l, 8.47, 8.49, 8.52,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1962 Goldzwigum l87/8.75

Goldzwig et al. l87/8.75 Pelouch l87/8.75

Primary ExaminerEvon C. Blunk Assistant Examiner.lames L, Rowland Attorney, Agent, or FirmJohn R. Walker, ill

[57] ABSTRACT 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 3,921,762 V VEHICLE LIFT ADAPTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION lowing US. patents. The Halstead US. Pat. Nos.

2,899,020; 2,949,978; the Cochin US. Pat. No. 2,777,538; the Wallace US. Pat. Nos. 2,958,395; 3,149,699; the Goldzwig US. Pat. No. 3,052,322; Goldzwig et al. US. Pat. No. 3,205,977; the Swick US. Pat. No. 3,243,015; the Hott US. Pat. No.'3,33'l,470; and the Pelouch US. Pat. No. 3,367,449. None of the above patents show or suggest applicants device.

During the past decade the state of the art has become highly devolped as is evidenced by the abovementioned patents. The whole intent of these type adapters in general is to have a pickup point which may be movably controlled so as to engage optimum portions of the vehicle under carriage. The usual practice in vehicle lift adapters is to include a step saddle which is pivotally attached to the sliding base with a central pivot pin which has an upwardly directed head portion to capture the step saddle and having the lower end of the shank portion welded to the sliding base, e.g., like that taught in the above-mentioned 2,949,978 patent. The following is a quote from column 3, second paragraph of the 2,949,978 patent and wherein the term base element is used in lieu of step saddle:

Each slide 16 carries a vehicle frame engaging pad, generally designated 22. Said pad comprises a base element generally designated 23, which includes an elongated plate 24 having an inverted channel 25 extending thereacross with its downwardly depending side legs weldedto the edges of plate 24. Base element 23 is supported for rotation about a vertical axis on slide 16 by means of a pivot pin 26 (FIGS. 6, 7, 8) which is journalled through plate 24 and may have its lower end rigidly secured, as by welding, to the portion of slide 16 above arm 12. Channel 25 presents a generally horizontal upwardly directed surface which is thereby supported for rotary movement about 360 in a horizontal plane.

Several problems prevail with certain prior vehicle lift adapters of the above-described type: First, the weld holding the vertical pin to the sliding base often ruptures as a result of abuse and/or constant heavy loads in normal use. Second, any malfunction or deformation of the component parts of the lift adapter usually requires that the entire lift adapter assembly be replaced since the component parts are held together by welds. Third, the step saddle or intermediate part between these adapter pads and the vertical pin increases the overall height of the lift adapter and certain vehicles having a low slung undercarriage cannot be lifted with conventional lifts.

The overall height problem was recognized in the 3,205,977 patent and the following is a quote from column l therefrom:

The structure comprising a base plate attached to the top of a hydraulic or semi-hydraulic post, the rails pivoted thereto and the slidable adapters is termed a superstructure Because theunderbodies of modern automobiles are so low, it'is necessary that the superstructures of frame contact lifts be as low as possible when the lift is in its lowest position. At the present time, lifts are commercially available that are only 4 /2 5 /2 inches above the ground when in a loweredposition. Even with such low lifts, the superstructures are still too high for some automobiles, especially some models of sports cars. When it is desired to raise such a sports car by a frame contact lift, means to elevate the sports car with respect to the lift as it is being driven over the lift must often be provided. This, of course, is time-consuming and bothersome Generally, there is'little difficulty with the height of the base plate and the pivoted lift rails. The height difficulty is primarily encountered in the height of the slidable adapters sincethe adapters necessarily project above the rails upon which they slide.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed towards overcoming the disadvantages and problems relative to previous lift adapters. The concept of the present invention is to provide a relatively inexpensive and more effective lift adapter which facilitates removaland replacement of each individual component part by using simple hand tools.

The lift adapter of the present invention includes a base member adapted to slidably engage typical lift arm structure'of the vehicle lift. A vertical pin is also included which is pivotally attached to the base member, i. e., the base member is provided with an aperture which receives the pin. The pin, having a downwardly directed head, is provided with this transverse aperture for carrying therein a horizontal shaft which secures the pin to the base member. Also included are high step and low step adapter pads which are pivotally attached to the horizontal shaft, that is, each pad is selectively movable between an off center upright position and a reclined position, thus providing several different heights for the lift adapter.

The advantages of the lift pad adapter of the present invention are: First, the adapter is totally void of welds. Second, the adapter is more effective yet cheaper to manufacture. Third, each individual component part can be easily replaced with the use of simple hand tools. Fourth, the step saddle or the intermediate member which previously supported the adapter pads is completely eliminated. This reduces the cost of manufacturing and also allows for reduction in the overall height of the lift adapter. Therefore, vehicles having extremely low undercarriage may now be lifted with the vehicle lift.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a top view of the lift adapter of the present invention shown in conjunction ,with lift arm structure of the vehicle lift.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view'of the structure depicted in FIG. 1 showing the lift adapter pads in a reclined position and engaging and supporting undercarriage structure of the vehicle which is depicted in phantom therein.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken as on the line IIIIIl of FIG. '1.

FIG. 4 is a partial view similar to FIG. 2'except the low step adapter pad is in an off center upright position for engaging and supporting the phantomized structure 3 of the vehicle.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken as on the line VV of FIG. 1 and showing the high step adapter pad in an off center upright position and engaging and supporting the phantomized structure of the vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The lift adapter 11 of the present invention is intended to provide an adjustable means for adapting a typical vehicle lift (not shown) to undercarriage frame structure 13 of the vehicle, i. e., the frame structure 13 being phantomized in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5. It should be pointed out that the vehicle lift per se may be any of the well known types such as that patented by Goldzwig et al. US. Pat. No. 3,205,977 and previously mentioned. The lift adapter 11 of the present invention specifically is intended to be adapted to slide to and fro along typical lift arm structure 15 of the vehicle lift, i. e., similar to the lift rails 24 disclosed in the 3,205,977 patent. The above brief description of a vehicle lift per se will suffice for present purposes. Reference should be made to the 3,205,977 patent and/or other references in the state of the art for a more detailed description of the character and structure of the vehicle lift.

The lift adapter 11 of the present invention includes a base member 17 adapted to slide to and fro along the lift arm structure 15 in any well known manner, e. g., confrontingly arranged flanges 19 joined by a horizontally disposed web 21 upwardly thereof and terminating downwardly thereof respectively by inwardly directed flanges 23 which slidably engages the respective sides, upper, and lower surfaces of the lift arm structure 15 as clearly shown in FIG. 3 of the drawing.

Also included is a main pin 25 which is pivotally attached to the base member 17 with the main pin 25 being free to pivot about a vertical axis. More specifically, the horizontal web 21 is provided with a recessed aperture 27 and the main pin 25 has a shank portion 29 and a head portion 31 with the aperture 27 pivotally receiving the main pin 25, i. e., the shank portion 29 protruding upwardly from the base member 17 and the lower surface of the head portion 31 being flush with the underside of the base member 17, as clearly shown in FIG. 3 of the drawing. In this regard, it should be noted that an annular ridge 33 appears adjacent the recessed aperture 27. This is for the purpose of shaping the recessed aperture 27 while at the same time providing optimum strength for supporting the pin 25 and keeping the thickness of the horizontal web 21 to a minimum which obviously aids in minimizing the overall height of the lift adapter 11.

The pin 25 is provided with a transverse aperture 35 which receives a horizontally disposed shaft 37. The lift adapter 11 also includes a high step adapter pad 39 for selectively engaging structure of the vehicle or the undercarriage frame 13 and a low step adapter 41 which may also selectively engage the undercarriage frame 13.

The high step adapter pad 39 includes a first pair of ears 43 and the low step adapter pad 41 includes a second pair of ears 45. The high and low

step adapter pads

39, 41 respectively have off center upright positions and reclined positions character referenced in the drawing by the

numerals

39, 41; 39", 41" as clearly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings. The adapter prior to lifting the vehicle. In other words, the

adapter pads

39, 41 are depicted in FIG. 2 of the drawings in reclined positions which present the

respective surfaces

47, 49 upwardly for engaging the undercarriage frame 13. It should be noted that with the

adapter pads

39, 41 both in the reclined position, the overall height of the lift adapter 1 1 is at its minimum adjustment. Additionally, the low step adapter pad 41 is depicted in FIG. 4 in the off center upright position 41', thus presenting an upwardly directed surface 51 for engagement with the undercarriage frame 13 or providing an intermediate height adjustment. Further, the high step adapter pad 39 is depicted in FIG. 5 in the opposite upright position 39, thus presenting an upwardly directed surface 53 for engagement with the undercarriage frame 13 or providing the maximum height adjustment of the lift adapter 1 1.

From FIG. 3 of the drawing, it may be seen that the first pair of ears 43 are provided with aligned apertures 55 and the second pair of ears 45 are provided with aligned apertures 57 all of which pivotally receive the shaft 37. The first and second pairs of

ears

43, 45 straddle the main pin 25. Additionally, the ears 43 are adjacent the pin 25 and the cars 45 are remote therefrom. Accordingly, the respective high and low

step adapter pads

39, 41 may selectively be pivoted about the shaft 37 between the off center upright positions 39', 41' and the reclined positions 39", 41" in the manner just described.

The shaft 37, being full floating, is captured on opposite ends thereof in any well known manner, e. g., Truarc external series klip-rings 59 or the like. It will be understood that klip-rings 59 may be removed without special tools. Only a screwdriver or the like need be utilized to pry off the klip-rings 59 by insertion into the notch 60. From FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings, it may be seen that the ears 43 have portions thereof removed ing the lift adapter 11 to the undercarriage frame 13 as at 61 to establish clearance between the ears 43 and the annular ridge 33, thus allowing the high step adapter pad 39 to be moved freely between the off center upright position 39 and the reclined position 39".

From FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 of the drawings, it may be seen that the high step adapter pad 39 includes first shoulder means 63 for restingly engaging and rigidly supporting the low step adapter pad in the off center upright position 41. The upper end or surface 51 of the low step adapter pad 41 engages the undercarriage frame 13 of the vehicle and has the weight of the vehicle resting thereon. In other words, the off center upright position 41 is approximately 15 from a true vertical. Thus, the weight of the vehicle pushing down upon the surface 51 tends to rotate the low step adapter pad 41 counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 4, but is prevented from doing so since respective portions of the surface 49 adjacent the ears 45 engages the pair of shoulders 63.

Additionally, the low step adapter pad means 41 includes second shoulder means 65 for restingly engaging and rigidly supporting the high step adapter pad 39 in the off center position 39. The upper end or surface 53 of the high step adapter pad 39 engages the undercarriage frame 13 of the vehicle and has the weight of the vehicle resting thereon. In other words, the off center upright position 39 is approximately 15 from a true vertical. Thus, the weight of the vehicle pushing downwardly on the surface 53 tends to rotate the high step adapter pad 39 clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 5, but is prevented from doing so since portions of the surface 47 adjacent the ears 43 engage the shoulder 65.

From FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings, it may be seen that the

respective ears

43, 45 include bulging

elliptical periphery portions

67, 69 or means for positively seating the head portion 31 of the main pin means 25 into the recessed aperture 27. The bulging portions 67 of the respective ears 43 wedgingly engages the upper sur face of the web 21 as the high step adapter pad 39 is moved to the off center upright position 39'. Additionally, the bulging portions 69 of the respective ears 45 wedgingly engages the upper surface of the web 21 as the low step adapter pad 41 is moved to the off center upright position 41.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the full intended scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A vehicle lift adapter comprising a base member adapted to slide to and fro along typical lift arm structure of the vehicle lift, main pin means having shank and head portions, said base member being provided with a recessed aperture pivotally receiving said main pin means with said shank portion thereof protruding upwardly from said base member and said head portion being flush with the underside of said base member and said head portion slidably engaging said lift arm struc ture of the vehicle lift, shaft means, said shank of said main pin means being provided with a transverse aperture receiving said shaft means with said shaft means being horizontally disposed, high step adapter pad means for selectively engaging structure of the vehicle and having a first pair of ears, and low step adapter pad means for selectively engaging structure of the vehicle and having a second pair of ears, said high and low step adapter pad means selectively supporting the weight of 6 the vehicle and respectively having off center upright positions and reclined positions thereto, said first and second pairs of ears being provided with aligned apertures pivotally receiving said shaft means with said first and second pairs of ears straddling said main pin means with one of said pairs of ears being adjacent said main pin means and the other of said pair of ears being remote therefrom whereby said respective high and low step adapter pad means may selectively be pivoted about said shaft means between said off center upright positions and said reclined positions, said high step adapter pad means including first shoulder means for restingly engaging and rigidly supporting said low step adapter pad means in said off center upright position with the upper end of said low step adapter pad means engaging structure of the vehicle and having the weight of the vehicle resting thereon; said low step adapter pad means including second shoulder means for restingly engaging and rigidly supporting said high step adapter pad means in said off center upright position with the upper end of said high step adapter pad means engaging structure of the vehicle and having the weight of the vehicle resting thereon.

2. The adapter of claim 1 in which is included means for positively seating said head of said pin means into said recessed aperture, said head seating means being operable by selectively moving said high and low step adapter pad means to said off center upright positions.

3. The adapter of claim 2 in which said head seating means includes bulging elliptical periphery portions of said ears which wedgingly engage the upper surface of said base member as said high and low step adapter pad means selectively are moved to said off center upright positions.

Claims

1. A vehicle lift adapter comprising a base member adapted to slide to and fro along typical lift arm structure of the vehicle lift, main pin means having shank and head portions, said base member being provided with a recessed aperture pivotally receiving said main pin means with said shank portion thereof protruding upwardly from said base member and said head portion being flush with the underside of said base member and said head portion slidably engaging said lift arm structure of the vehicle lift, shaft means, said shank of said main pin means being provided with a transverse aperture receiving said shaft means with said shaft means being horizontally disposed, high step adapter pad means for selectively engaging structure of the vehicle and having a first pair of ears, and low step adapter pad means for selectively engaging structure of the vehicle and having a second pair of ears, said high and low step adapter pad means selectively supporting the weight of the vehicle and respectively having off center upright positions and reclined positions thereto, said first and second pairs of ears being provided with aligned apertures pivotally receiving said shaft means with said first and second pairs of ears straddling said main pin means with one of said pairs of ears being adjacent said main pin means and the other of said pair of ears being remote therefrom whereby said respective high and low step adapter pad means may selectively be pivoted about said shaft means between said off center upright positions and said reclined positions, said high step adapter pad means including first shoulder means for restingly engaging and rigidly supporting said low step adapter pad means in said off center upright position with the upper end of said low step adapter pad means engaging structure of the vehicle and having the weight of the vehicle resting thereon; said low step adapter pad means including second shoulder means for restingly engaging and rigidly supporting said high step adapter pad means in said off center upright position with the upper end of said high step adapter pad means engaging structure of the vehicle and having the weight of the vehicle resting thereon.