WO1990005695A1

WO1990005695A1 - Method and device for lifting a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO1990005695A1
Application number: PCT/SE1989/000264
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan Olofsson
Original assignee: Jan Olofsson
Priority date: 1988-11-15
Filing date: 1989-05-12
Publication date: 1990-05-31
Also published as: SE8804117A; AU3764189A; SE8804117D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for raising one side-part (62) of an automotive vehicle (60), particularly an automobile, for the purpose of fixating the vehicle (60) in an inclined position so as to provide good access for performing work, inter alia, on the underside of the vehicle. There is used a side-support (3; 103) and a lifting yoke (1; 101), the vehicle wheels on one side (61) of the vehicle being replaced with side-supports (3; 103) and the wheels on the other side (62) of the vehicle being replaced with side-support (103) provided with means for attaching the lifting yoke (101) or replaced with a lifting-yoke (1) directly mounted on the vehicle. A lifting force is applied to the lifting yoke, for instance with the aid of a separate, additional lifting arrangement, such as to incline the vehicle (60). A safety-support (5; 105) is then attached to the side-support (3; 103), such as to rest against a foundation surface (64). The separate, additional lifting arrangement can then be removed. The side-support (3; 103) has two legs (31, 32; 131, 132), which together define an acute angle (V), and are provided with a pocket (37) or an opening (174), by means of which the safety-support (5; 105) can be anchored. The underside of the vehicle (60) will be free from obstacles when using the inventive device, i.e. no parts of the device will present an obstacle to performing work on the underside of the vehicle.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR LIFTING A VEHICLE

The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement for lifting one side of an automotive 5 vehicle, particularly a car, for the purpose of fixa¬ ting the vehicle in an inclined position and therewith provide adequate access for carrying out work, inter alia, beneath the vehicle.

10 When carrying out work beneath a car, for instance, it is necessary to provide the best possible access to the undersurface of the vehicle while, at the same time, enabling the workman or fitter to carry out the work involved in comfortable and ergonomically favourable

15 positions, to the greatest extent possible.

It is also desirable that the area beneath the vehicle is completely free from obstacles when fixating the vehicle in an inclined position, since any obstacles 20 located immediately beneath the vehicle would act as a hinderance when performing, for instance, welding ope¬ rations beneath the vehicle, or when, for instance, replacing an exhaust system.

25 The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device which will satisfy these require¬ ments and desiderata, this object being achieved with a method and a device having the characteristic features disclosed in the following Claims.

30

The present invention affords the following advantages:

When using the inventive device, the underneath of the vehicle will be totally free of obstacles, i.e. no 35 parts of the device will constitute an obstacle to the performance of work carried out, for instance mainte¬ nance on the vehicle chassis and other repair work where it is necessary to have access to the vehicle from beneath.

Thus, the inventive device resolves the problem of obstruction by lifting arms or lifting forks when carrying-out work on the vehicle, e.g. when changing a gear box, clutch, bearings, drive couplings, exhaust system and the like. The same also applies, of course, to repair work on rust damage and when applying rust preventatives to the undersurface of the vehicle.

The inventive device is thus highly beneficial when working beneath the vehicle, since said device elimi¬ nates essentially the need for working positions in which the fitter is forced to carry out work with his arms raised above his head, with subsequent strain in arms, shoulders, neck and spine.

The inventive device thus enables the fitter to work in an almost perfect position, since the fitter is either able to carry out the work necessary while standing upright beneath that part of the vehicle which is raised to a high position when using the device, or seated on a stool when carrying out work on that part of the vehicle undersurface which is lifted to a low height with the aid of the device.

Furthermore, the inventive device is constructed so that the fitter or workman need not be afraid that the vehicle will collapse on top of him.

Another important advantage afforded by the inventive device is that the device requires only very small lateral space in the workshop, therewith enabling the device to be used, for instance, in relatively narrow garage spaces. The device can be handled readily and can be used by the unskilled fitter or workman, for instance by a car owner who prefers to carry out his own car repair work. The time taken to raise the vehicle to an inclined position, to fixate the vehicle in said inclined position, and to lower and reposition the vehicle is relatively short, which is, naturally, also an advantage.

The inventive device is also constructed so that when dismantled, it will take-up only a small amount of space, enabling the device to be packed into a rela- tively small box which, in turn, enables the device to be sold, for instance, through post-order channels and stored in confined spaces.

Because of its simple and genial construction, the inventive device is also economically attractive.

Exemplifying embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accom¬ panying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a view from above of the component parts of the inventive device; Fiσure 2 is a side view of the lifting yoke of the inventive device; Fiσure 3 is a rear view of a car, and shows parts of the inventive device attached thereto; Fiσure 4 is a rear view of an automobile and shows the automobile fixated in an inclined position with the aid of the inventive device; Fiσure 5 illustrates a second embodiment of an inventive device, and shows the com¬ ponent parts of said device from above; Fiσure 6 is a side view of the side-support of the device according to said second embodiment; Fiσure 7 is a rear view of a car, and shows parts of the second embodiment of said device attached to the vehicle; and Fiσure 8 is a rear view of a car and shows the automobile fixated in an inclined position with the aid of the device according to said second embodiment.

The inventive device illustrated in Figure 1 includes a lifting yoke or bar 1, two side-supports 3 and two safety-supports 5.

The lifting yoke 1 includes an intermediate part 10 comprising, for instance, a square-section tube 11 which supports in its central region a means, for in¬ stance in the form of a lifting eye 12, whereby a sepa- rate, additional lifting arrangement can be connected thereto. For reasons of strength, the illustrated in¬ termediate part 10 is strengthened by a stiffening plate 13, although, as will be understood, the pro¬ vision of such a plate is a question of dimensioning and is thus not absolutely necessary, and the lifting eye 12 can, of course, be mounted directly on the square-section tube 11. The intermediate part 10 is also provided with two locking screws 14 located rela¬ tively close to the ends of the tube.

The lifting yoke 1 also includes two end-parts 15, which may comprise, for instance, square-section tubes of a configuration such as to fit into the square- section tube 11 of the intermediate part 10 and thus be telescopically insertable into said intermediate part 10, the end-parts 15 being fixated relative to the intermediate part 10 by means of the locking screws 14.

The lifting yoke 1 also includes two fixating or secur- ing means 16 comprising a flange 17 connected to one end of an arm 18, e.g. in the form of a round tube, the other end of which arm is connected to an attachment part 19 in the form, e.g., of a square-section tube configured to fit externally over the end-parts 15, said attachment parts 19, and thus also the fixating means 16, being displaceable along the end-parts 15, wherein the fixating means 16 are fixated relative to the end-parts 15 by tightening one of the locking screws 20 provided on the attachment part 19. The flange 17 includes a plurality of openings or holes 21, e.g. slots, said slots or holes 21 together forming a hole-pattern which will enable attachment of the fixa¬ ting means 16, and thus the lifting yoke l, to hub plates 63 or like devices which carry the wheels of the vehicle, while using, for instance, the attachment screws and/or attachment nuts normally used for attach¬ ing the vehicle wheels to the vehicle. As will be un¬ derstood, the hole-pattern formed by the slots or holes 21 is located so that a lifting-yoke 1 can be attached to the greatest possible number of makes and models of vehicles. This will suffice to reduce the number of lifting-yoke variants required to satisfy the market.

The flange 17 is also provided with a centre hole 22.

Because the position of the end-parts 15 in relation to the intermediate part 10 and also the position of the fixating means 16 relative to said end-parts 15 can be adjusted, the distance A between the centres of the fixating meansx 16 can also be adjusted, thereby en¬ abling the lifting yoke 1 to be adapted readily to the axel distances of mutually different car makes and models.

The side-support 3 is preferably configured by a metal-plate element 30 provided with two legs 31 and 32 which form an acute angle V with one another, for in¬ stance an angle of 40° , said legs being mutually con¬ nected via a curved part 33 of the metal-plate element 30.

The free end of the upper leg 31 is rounded, as shown at 34, and has a central hole 35 provided therein. The leg 31 also has provided therein a plurality of open- ings or holes 36, for instance slot-like holes, which together form a pattern of holes which enable the side- support 3 to be screwed firmly to the hub plates or discs 63 of the vehicle, or corresponding devices operative to support the vehicle wheels, preferably while using the screws and/or nuts normally used to secure the wheels to the vehicle. It will be understood that this pattern of, e.g., elongated slots or holes 36 will enable the side-support 3 to be attached to the greatest possible number of different vehicle makes and models available on the market, and therewith also reduce the number of side-support variants required on the market.

The side-support 3 has provided therein a recess or pocket 37 for receiving one end of the safety-support 5. The recess 37 is formed, for instance, by welding a square-section tube 38 to the lower leg 32. The tube 38 has an end-connection 39, and an opening 40 corres¬ ponding to the centre hole in the square-section tube 38 is formed in the curved part 33 of the metal-plate part 30. With the intention of reinforcing the side- support 3, a stiffening plate 41 (see Figures 3 and 4) is welded to the upper leg 31 and to the tube 38, so as to eliminate essentially all relative movement between the legs 31 and 32. As will be understood, it lies within the scope of the invention to arrange the pocket 37 for the safety support 5 and the stiffening plate 41 in ways different to those described and illustrated.

Provided adjacent the pocket 37 is a hole 42 (see Figures 3 and 4) which is intended to accommodate a safety device in the form, for instance, of a locking pin or a safety cotter (not shown).

The safety-support 5 comprises a rod or a tube 50 whose cross-sectional shape is adapted to fit grippingly in the recess or pocket 37 on the side-support 3. In the case of the illustrated embodiment, the safety-support 5 comprises a square-section tube 50 whose cross- sectional dimensions are such as to enable the tube to be fitted into the center hole of the square-section tube 38. The walls of the square-section tube 50 have provided therein a hole 51 which, when the safety- support 5 is inserted into the recess or pocket 37 on the side-support 3 and brought to its stop-position against the end-connection 39, will register with the hole 42 in the square-section tube 38, so as to enable the locking pin or cotter pin to be inserted into the holes 51 and 42 so as to lock the safety-support 5 firmly to the side-support 3.

The inventive device is used in the following manner:

1. That side, here referenced 61, of the vehicle/car 60 which is not the side finally to be raised is lifted with the aid of a jack or the like so as to enable the wheels on this side of the vehicle to be removed. Sub¬ sequent to removing the two wheels on this side of the vehicle, the side-supports 3 are attached to the wheel- supporting hub plates 63 of the vehicle 60, or to corresponding vehicle components.

2. This side 61 of the vehicle is then lowered so that the side-supports 3 come into contact with and rest on the floor or corresponding foundation surface 64. The jack is then removed from the vehicle.

When it is necessary to move the jack in order to re¬ move the front and rear wheels of the vehicle, the location of the jack will, of course, be shifted be¬ tween wheels and side-supports, in two stages.

3. In the next stage, the other side 62 of the vehicle 60 is raised, so as to enable the wheels on this side to be removed. Subsequent to removing the wheels, the assembled lifting-yoke l is attached. The lifting yoke is adjusted so that the distance A between the fixating means 16 coincides with the axel distance/wheel dis¬ tance of the vehicle 60 concerned. The lifting yoke 1 is secured in position, by screwing the flanges 17 of the fixating means 16 to the wheel-supporting hub plates 63 or like devices, with the aid of the vehicle wheel-screws and/or wheel-nuts 65.

When removal of the front and rear wheels requires the jack to be moved, it will be understood that the lift¬ ing yoke 1 is mounted in position in two stages. So- called load-bearing stools or blocks 70 (see Figure 3) may be used as temporary supports beneath the fixating means 16.

4. In the next stage, there is used a separate, addi¬ tional lifting arrangement (not shown), e.g. in the form of a conventional block and tackle arrangement attached to the ceiling of the workshop, for instance, is connected to the lifting-eye 12 of the lifting yoke 1 and a lifting force F is applied to the yoke 1 so as to further raise the side 62 of the vehicle on which the lifting yoke is attached, such as to bring the vehicle to an inclined position in which the lower leg 32 of the side-support 3 is in form abutment with the foundation surface/floor 64. It should be mentioned that in the case of smaller and relatively light cars, for instance, the lifting force can be applied to the lifting yoke 1 by manual lifting, without the assis¬ tance of the aforesaid block and tackle, for instance.

5. The safety-supports 5 are then attached to the side-supports 3, it being ensured that one end of the safety-supports 5 is properly pushed into the recess or pocket 37 of the side-supports 3. A locking device, in the form of a locking pin or cotter is then inserted so as to secure the safety-supports 5 to the side-supports 3.

6. Fine adjustments are then made to the inclined position of the vehicle 60, with the aid of the sepa¬ rate, additional lifting arrangement, so that the safety-supports 5 rest reliably on the supporting foun- dation surface 64. The separate, additional lifting arrangement can now be disengaged or, if desired, left attached so as to provide an additional safety means, even though this in itself is not necessary, of course.

In accordance with the aforedescribed inventive method, the vehicle 60 can be fixated/parked in an inclined position in the desired direction of inclination with the aid of the inventive device, and the vehicle is now ready for work to be carried out, for instance, on the underside of the vehicle.

When work on the vehicle is completed, the side 62 of the vehicle 60 on which the lifting-yoke is attached is raised through a short distance with the aid, for in¬ stance, of said separate, additional lifting arrange¬ ment, so that the safety-supports 5 can be dismantled from the side-supports 3. The vehicle-side 62 on which the lifting-yoke is attached is then lowered to a posi- tion in which the lifting-yoke 1 can be removed from the vehicle and the vehicle wheels fitted to the vehicle-side 62, it being ensured that the vehicle rests securely on a jack and/or load-bearing blocks 70 so that the exchange between lifting-yoke 1 and vehicle wheels can be made safely. The jack and/or the load- supporting blocks is/are then removed so that the wheels now fitted on the vehicle rest against the foun¬ dation/floor 64.

The vehicle-side 61 is then raised with the aid of a jack or the like, so that the side-supports 3 move out of engagement with the foundation surface 64. The side- supports 3 are then removed from the vehicle and the wheels are fitted on the vehicle-side 61, whereafter the jack is lowered and removed, so as to bring said wheels into engagement with the foundation surface/ floor 64. The vehicle 60 has now been returned to its original position standing on its wheels, and can now be driven or rolled away on its own wheels.

Figures 5-8 illustrate a second embodiment of the in¬ ventive device, which will now be described with re¬ ference to these Figures.

The device according to the second embodiment comprising a lifting-yoke 101, which is a simplified version of the aforedescribed lifting-yoke, and four side-supports 103 and two safety-supports 105.

One important advantage afforded by the device accord¬ ing to the second embodiment is that the vehicle 60 can be raised and inclined in both directions, solely by attaching the lifting yoke 101 to the side-supports 103 on that side of the vehicle which is to be lifted temporarily.

The lifting yoke 101 includes an intermediate part 110 in the form of a square-section tube 111, which has a lifting-eye 112 provided in the centre part thereof. The intermediate part 110 is reinforced with the aid of a reinforcing plate 113, the lifting-eye 112 being anchored to said reinforcing plate.

The lifting-yoke 101 also includes two-end parts 115, which consist, e.g., of square-section tubes having a shape which will enable the tubes to fit into the square-section tube 111 of the intermediate part 110, so as to be telescopically movable in the intermediate part 110, the end-parts 115 being locked relative to the intermediate part 110 with the aid of locking pins or cotters 114.

The side-support 103 is preferably configured by a plate-part 130 which has two legs 131 and 132, which define therebetween an acute angle V, e.g. an angle of 30^°, said legs being joined together by a curved part 133 of the plate part 130.

The upper leg 131 is rounded at its free end, as shown at 134, and is provided with a central hole 135. The leg 131 is also provided with a plurality of slot-like openings 136, which together form a hole pattern which enables the side-support 103 to be screwed firmly to the hub plates 63 or like vehicle components.

The lower leg 132 is provided at its free end with an outwardly angled part 170, which carries on its under¬ surface an attachment part 171 in the form of a square- section tube which is intended to accommodate the end- parts 115 of the lifting yoke 101. The end-parts 115 are locked relative to the attachment part with the aid of a locking screw 172 provided on the attachment part 171.

Two tubular bracing elements 173 are arranged between the legs 131 and 132, for the purpose of imparting sufficient stability and mechanical strength to the side-support 103.

The side-support 103 is provided with an opening 174 which accommodates one end of the safety-support 105. The opening 174 corresponds generally to the outer dimensions and shape of the safety-support 105. The extent to which the safety-support 105 can be inserted into the side-support 103 is limited by two side-plates 175 and one end-plate 176. These plates 175 and 176 are connected to the legs 131 and 132 and thus contribute towards the stability and mechanical strength of the side-support 103. A safety cotter 177 is provided on one of the side-plates 175 which enables the safety- support 105 to be secured to the side-support 103 when necessary.

The safety-support 105 may comprise a square-section 150, which is dimensioned so as to fit grippingly in the opening 174 provided in the side-support 103. The tube 150 is provided with a hole 151 into which the safety cotter 177 is fitted subsequent to inserting the safety-support 105 to its maximum in the side-support 103.

Bearing in mind the aforedescribed method of using the first embodiment of the inventive device, the method of using the device according to the second embodiment will be understood from the following, somewhat summary description.

1. All four side-supports 103 are attached to the wheel-carrying hub-plates 63 of the vehicle 60, or to corresponding vehicle components.

2. The lifting yoke 101 is fitted to the side-supports 103 mounted on that side of the vehicle to be lifted temporarily. This is effected by inserting the end- parts 115 of the assembled lifting yoke 101 into the attachment parts 171 of the side-supports and locking said parts with the aid of the locking screws 172.

3. The vehicle 60 is raised with the aid of an appro- priate, separate lifting arrangement (not shown) con¬ nected to the lifting eye 112 of the lifting yoke 101, so that the vehicle is brought to an inclined position in which the two safety-supports 105 can be attached to the side-supports 103, which lie in abutment with the foundation surface or floor 64. It is then ensured that the safety-supports 105 are firmly secured to the side- supports 103 and that the safety-supports reliably abut the foundation surface 64. If desired, the separate lifting arrangement can now be removed until needed again. The steps taken hereinafter will be evident in view of the description of the procedure followed when using the first embodiment of the inventive device.

If it is desired to incline the vehicle in the other direction therewith to facilitate work required on the vehicle, the vehicle is first lowered and the lifting- yoke 101 is simply moved to the side-supports 103 on the other side of the vehicle.

It will be understood that the inventive device can be configured in a number of ways different to that des¬ cribed in the aforegoing, within the scope of the ac¬ tual inventive concept. This applies particularly to the configuration of the lifting yoke, the side- supports and the safety-supports. It will also be understood that, for instance, the side-supports may be connected together in pairs and that the safety-support can be anchored to the side-support or side-supports in a number of ways different to that illustrated and described. In certain cases, only one side-support and one safety-support need be used.

It will also be understood that with respect to the aforedescribed devices, priority has been given to the possibility of dismantling the devices into small units so as to enable, inter alia, the device to be packed in a relatively small package. If this priority is unnecessary, the device may, of course, comprise fewer separate parts.

The invention is therefore not restricted to the illustrated and described enbodiments, since modifica¬ tions and changes can be made within the scope of the following Claims.

Claims

1. A method for lifting one side-part (62) of an auto¬ motive vehicle (60), particularly a car, for the pur- pose of fixating the vehicle in an inclined position so as to provide good access for performing work, inter alia, on the underside of the vehicle, c h a r a c¬ t e r i z e d by using side-supports (3; 103) and a lifting-yoke (1; 101); by replacing the vehicle wheels on said one vehicle side (61) with side-supports (3;

103); by replacing the vehicle wheels on the other side (62) of the vehicle with side-supports (103) which present means for mounting the lifting-yoke (101) or with a lifting-yoke (1) mounted directly on said vehic- le side; by applying a lifting force on the lift-yoke (1; 101) such as to bring the vehicle (60) to an in¬ clined position; and by thereafter attaching a safety- support (5; 105) to at least one of the side-supports (3; 103) such as to be in supporting contact with a foundation surface (64).

2. An arrangement for raising one side-part (62) of an automotive vehicle (60), particularly an automobile, for the purpose of fixating the vehicle in an inclined position and thereby provide good access for performing work on, inter alia, the underside of the vehicle, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the arrangement in¬ cludes a side-support (3; 103), which is configured for attachment to means (63) on the vehicle for carrying the vehicle wheels.

3. An arrangement according to Claim 2, c h a r a c- t e r i z e d in that it includes a lifting-yoke

(1; 101).

4. An arrangement according to Claim 2 or 3, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i z e d in that the arrangement includes a safety-support (5; 105); and in that the side-support (3; 103) is provided with means (37, 42; 174-177) for anchoring the side-support to the safety-support.

5. An arrangement according to any one of Claims 2-4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the side-support (3; 103) comprises two legs (31, 32; 131, 132), which form an acute angle (V) with one another; and in that the one leg (31; 131) is provided with means (36; 136), which enable said side-support (3; 103) to be anchored to said support means (63).

6. An arrangement according to Claim 5, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the side-support (3; 103) has a curved transition part (33; 133) between the legs (31, 32; 131, 132).

7. An arrangement according to any one of Claims 3-6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the lifting yoke

(1; 101) includes an intermediate part (10; 110) pro¬ vided with means (12; 112) operative to enable a sepa- rate, additional lifting arrangement to be attached to said lifting yoke.

8. An arrangement according to any one of Claims 4-7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the safety-support (5; 105) comprises a rod or a tube (50; 150) provided at one end thereof with a hole (51; 151) intended for a locking means operative to lock the safety-support (5; 105) to the side-support (3; 103).