WO2017033169A2

WO2017033169A2 - Lifting system

Info

Publication number: WO2017033169A2
Application number: PCT/IB2016/055140
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zvi Raz
Original assignee: Zvi Raz
Priority date: 2015-08-27
Filing date: 2016-08-29
Publication date: 2017-03-02
Also published as: WO2017033169A3

Abstract

A lifting system for holding a towed vehicle is provided, the lifting system is mountable on a carrying vehicle having a chassis. The lifting device includes a lifting mechanism mountable on a chassis of the carrying vehicle and configured to be displaced along a surface of the chassis; the lifting mechanism includes at least one arm configured to hold the towed vehicle, the at least one arm is selectively horizontally extending from the lifting mechanism and being configured to be vertically displaced with respect to the chassis, such that the at least one arm can be displaced underneath the towed vehicle; wherein the at least one arm is pivotally mounted on the lifting mechanism and is configured to be rotated sidewardly engaging thereby wheels of the towed vehicle.

Description

LIFTING SYSTEM

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a lifting system, mounted on a conventional truck, usable for lifting and towed vehicles. The main use of this invention is liftin cars from illegal parking area and carrying St to a legal area.

BACKGROUND

There is known a side fork lifting in which the forks teeth activated perpendicularly to the movement direction.

Israeli patent no. 1 161 10 discloses a side fork lift mounted on conventional truck, solved the problem of driving in the city with a slo moving conventional fork lift.

Israeli patent no. 1 38879 uses two fork lift mounted on the truck, each fork lift has two teeth, on two sides of the loaded cars wheels .solved partly the problem of damaging the loaded ear .but remain unbalanced.

Israeli patents no.1 1 61 1 0 and 138879, are based on a lifting system moving on rails perpendicular to the truck driving direction.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

There is provided in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter a lifting system for holding a towed vehicle, the lifting system is mountable on a carrying vehicle having a chassis. The lifting systera includes a lifting mechanism mountable on a chassis of the carry ing vehicle and configured to be displaced along a surface of the chassis; the lifting mechanism includes at least one arm configured to hold the towed vehicle, the at least one arm is selectively horizontally extending from the lifting mechanism and being configured to be vertically displaced with respect to the chassis, such that the at least one arm can be displaced underneath the towed vehicle: wherein the at least one arm is pivotal!y mounted on the lifting mechanism and is configured to be rotated sideward!y engaging thereby wheels of the towed vehicle,

The at least one ami can be configured to be extended in different directions with respect to the chassis such that it can be extended sidewardly with respect to the chassis. The at least one arm can be slidabl mounted on a suspension member and is -configured to slide back and forth between a retracted position in which the at least one arm is disposed above or below the chassis and a deployed position in the at least one arm is extended sideward from the chassis.

The at least one arm can be configured to horizontally rotate sidewardly. The at least one arm can include a unit having a first arm configured as a slidable arm and a second arm configured to horizontally rotate sidewardly. The first arm can be configured to engage one side of the wheels and the second arm is configured to engage the other side of the wheels such that the wheel is securely held between the first and second arms. The first arm can be longer than the second arm and is configured to engage two wheels of the front or rear pair of wheels of the towed vehicle while the second is configured to engage one wheel of the front or rear pair of wheels. The at least one arm can be configured to vertically tilt.

The at least one arm can include a shoulder portion is configured to conform to a radial shape of a tire of the towed vehicle and to engage surface of the tire.

The shoulder portion can further include a plurality of rollers, configured to engage the surface of the tire, facilitating thereby pushing of the shoulder portion underneath the fires.

The at least one arm can include two arm units, each having a first arm and a second amis configured to engage a wheel of the towed vehicle, wherein each of the ami units is suspended from a beam longitudinally disposed along the length of the chassis and being configured to vertically slide up and down with respect to the chassis, and wherein the two arm units are positioned one with respect to the other such that arms of one of the arm units is configured to engage front wheels of the towed vehicle while arms of the other arm unit is configured to engage rear wheels of the vehicle.

The disposition of the ami units on the beam can be selectively set in, accordance with the length of the towed vehicle.

The liftin mechanism can include a pair of vertical posts each mounted on one side of the chassis, a pair of levering members each of which being pivotally mounted to one of the vertical posts, and a beam longitudinally disposed along the length of the chassis between the vertical posts and being pivotally mounted to the Severing members, such that pivoting of the levering members displaces the beam along a radial path, wherein the at least one arm is mounted on the beam.

The lifting mechanism can further include a pair of vertical members, wherein one end of each one of the levering members is pivotally coupled to one of the vertical posts while the other end thereof is pivotally coupled to one of the vertical members, The lifting mechanism can further include a pair of auxiliary levering members each of which is mounted above one of the levering members, such that one end of each the auxiliary levering members is pivotally coupled to one of the vertical posts while the other end thereof is pivotally coup led to one of the vertical members. Each one of the fevering members and the auxiliary levering members together with one of the vertical members and vertical posts can be configured to form together a parallelogram having a dynamic angles. The parallelogram is configured to balance opposing compression and tension forces acting on the lifting mechanism.

The lifting mechanism can further include an auxiliary vertical member disposed parallel to the vertical post and pivotally mounted to a tail-end of the levering members and the auxiliary levering members forming thereby an auxiliary parallelogram configured to balance the opposing forces when the parallelogram is folded upwardly.

The lifting system can further include a weight sliding member-configured to slide on the chassis to an opposing side thereof respect to the lifting mechanism so as to balance forces exerted by the lifting mechanism on the chassis.

The lifting mechanism can be slidabe along the chassis such that the at least one arm can be displaced t either side of the chassis so as to lift a towed vehicie parked on either side of the chassis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the disclosure and to see how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1A is a side perspective view of a truck having mounted thereon a lifting device in accordance with an example of the presently disclosed subject matter ;

Fig. J B is a top perspective view of the truck of fig, 1 A;

Fig. 2A is a side perspective view of the truck of Fig. 1A with the lifting- device in the deployed position: Fig. 23 i a side perspective view of the truck of Fig. 2A with the arm of the lifting device rotated, sidewise;

Fig. 3A is a back view of the truck of Fig. I A with the lifting device hi the deployed position and elevated position:

Fig. 3B is a side view of the truck of Fig, l A with the lifting device in the retracted and elevated position:

Fig. 4 is a side perspective view' of a truck having mounted thereon a lifting device in accordance with another example of the presently disclosed subject matter^*

Figs. 5A to 5D are side perspective view of the truck of Fig. 4, in different positons during a loading process of a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Figs. 1A and I B show a truck 10 having a vehicle towing system 15 mounted on the chassis 5 thereof. The vehicle towing system 15, includes a lifting mechanism, generally designated 20. mounted on the chassis 5 of the truck 10 and being configured to be horizontally displaceable along the surfac of the chassis 5 and further configured to be vertically displaced with respect to the chassis 5.

According to the illustrated example, the lifting mechanism 20 slideson a pair of tracks 25 disposed along the width of the chassis 5, on which the lifting mechanism 20 is configured to siide, allowing the latter to be horizontally displaceable along the width of the chassis 5. Sliding of the lifting mechanism 20 along the tracks 25 can be carried out by means of an actuator 28,

The vehicle towing system 15 can include a weight sliding member 7, slidably disposed on the chassis 5 of the truck 10. The weight sliding member 7 is configured to slide along the chassis 5 so as to balance the weight of the lifting mechanism 20. That is to say . when the lifting mechanism 20 is disposed on one side of the chassis, and is loaded with a towed vehicle, the weight of the towed vehicle and the lifting mechanism 20 exert forces on one side of the chassis. At this position the weight sliding member 7 is configured to slide to an opposing side of the chassis 5 and to exert counter forces such that the truck 10 remains stable, The Sifting mechanism 20 further includes a bea 22 longitudinally disposed along the length of the chassis 5 and being configured to vertically slide up and down with respect to the chassis 5. The lifting mechanism 20 can include a pair of vertical posts 24 on which the longitudinal beam 22 is slidabiy mounted. Sliding of the beam 22 along the vertical posts 24 ca be carried out by means of hydraulic actuator 27 or other motors.

The vehicle towing system 15 further includes at least one arm 32a mounted on the lifting mechanism 20 and horizontally extending with respect to the chassis S. The arm 32a is configured to hold a towed vehicle and to be selectively extended in different directions with respect to the chassis 5, such that the arm can be selectively extended underneath the truck 10 (as shown in Figs. ] A and IB) or sidewardly with respect to the truck W (as shown in Figs. 2A 2B)

The arm 32a, which is configured to hold a towed vehicle, can include a pair of arms, and according to the illustrated example includes two arm units 34, each having a first and a second arms 32a and 32b, configured to engage wheels of a towed vehicle. Each of the arm unit 34 is suspended from the beam 22 and is positioned one with respect to the other such that each arms of the one unit can engage the front wheels of the towed vehicle while the arms of the other unit 34 engage the rear wheels of the vehicle. According to an example, the disposition of the units 34 on the beam 22 can vary in accordance with the length of the towed vehicle. That is to say, the unit 34 can be configured to slide along the beam, allowing thereby one. of the units to engage the front wheels of the towed vehicle and the other one to engage the rear wheels of the towed vehicle.

As indicated above the arms can be configured to selectively extend in different directions with respect to the chassis 5, For example, the arms 32a can be configured to be slidabiy mounted on a suspension member 36 such that the arms 32a can slide back and forth between a retracted position in which the arms 32a are disposed underneath the truck 10 and a deployed position in which the arms 32a are extended sideward from the truck 10.

In addition, or alternatively, the arms 32a. and 32b be configured to rotate sidewardly such thai the position thereof can be selected between a retracted position in which the arms 32a and 32b are folded underneath the truck, and a deployed position in which the arms 32a and 32b are extended outside the truck.

According to the illustrated example, a first arm 32a of each of the units 34 is configured as a siidable arm which can also rotate., while the second arm 32b is a roatatble and is not configured for sliding. As shown in Figs. 2A and 2B, the first arm 32a is longer than the second arm 32b, and is configured such that the first arm extends underneath the entire width of a towed vehicle so as io engage two of the front or rear wheels of the towed vehicle, and the second arm 32b extends only as far as required for engaging one wheel of the towed vehicle, i.e. the one closer to the truck 10.

Thus, while the first arm 32a slides between the retracted position and the deployed position, the second arm 32b. which is a short arm, rotates to the deployed position outwardly from the truck 10,

According to an example, the first and second arm 32a and 32b are tillable. This way. in case the towed vehicle is disposed at a slope with respect to its width, for example when two side wheels are disposed on a side walk while the other side wheels are disposed on the street, the arms 32a and 32b can be slightly tilted upwardly. Accordingly, when the arms are displaced to the deployed position thereof underneath the towed vehicle, the arm are disposed substantially in parallel to the chassis of the towed vehicle.

The first and second arms 32a and 32b further includes a shoulder portion 38, which is configured such thai the side-lower portion of the second amis 32a and 32b has a smaller thickness than the center thereof. The shoulder portion 38 is configured to conform to the radial shape of the tire, i.e, the side-lower portion of the shoulder portion 38 engages the tire surface: first and then the center portion of the arm.

According to the illustrated example, the shoulder portion 38 can further include a plurality of rollers 40, configured to engage the surface of the tire of the towed vehicle, facilitating thereby pushing of the shoulder portion 38 of the arms 32a. and 32b underneath the tires.

The lifting mechanism 20 can be configured to lift a towed vehicle parked on either side of the truck i d. According to the present example, the lifting mechanism 20 can slide along the width of the chassis 5 on the tracks 25, and the arms 32a and 32b can be displaced from one side of the truck 10 to the other side thereof. T he arms 32a and 32b can thus be lifted above the chassis 5, disapleed to the desired side of the truck 10 and then lowered to the height of the wheels of the towed truck.

The vehicle towing system IS is configured such that the first and second arms 32a and 32b ae deployed to engage the front and rear wheels of the towed vehicle. That is to say, the first arms 32a of units 34 slides outwardly from underneath the truck ί , and such that the first arm 32a of one unit 34 is i close proximity to the front wheels while the first ami 32a of the other unit 34 is in close proximity to the rear wheels. The first arms 32a can then be slightly rotated so as to engage the surface of the wheel of the towed vehicle, until the shoulder portion 38 is disposed under the surface of the tire.

The second arms 32b of the units 34 are rotated to the deployed position, such that one second arm 32b engages one of the front wheels, i.e. the wheel close to the truck 10, while the other second arm. 32b engages one of the rear wheels. Similar to the first arms 32a, the second arms 32b is rotated so as to engage the surface of the wheel of the towed vehicle, until the shoulder portion 38 is disposed under the surface of the tire.

It. is appreciated tha while the first arms 32a engages one side of the wheels the second arms " 32b engages the other side of the wheels. This way, the wheel is securely held between the two arms, and the first and second arms 32a; and 32b are disposed slightly underneath the tire. As a result, when the vehicle is elevated by the lifting mechanism 20 the first and second arms 32a and 32b grip the vehicle from the wheels precluding thereby damage to the body of the towed vehicle.

The lifting mechanism 20 is then configured to elevate the units 34, with the vehicle held by the first and second arms 32a and 32b. I.e. the longitudinal beam 22 slides upwardly along the height of the vertical posts 24, until the towed vehicle is above the height of the chassis 5 of the truck 10, as shown in Fig. 3A. Finally, the lifting mechanism 20 slides along the pair of tracks 25 such that until the units 34 and the first and second amis 32a and 32b disposed substantially above the surface of the chassis 5. i .e. the towed vehicle is disposed on top of the truck's chassis 5, At this point, the beam 22 can be lowered until the wheels of the towed vehicle are rested on the chassis 5, for example, the weight sliding member 7 and are secured between the first and second arms 32 and 32b.

With reference to Fig. 4, according to another example of the presently disclosed subject matter the vehicle towing system 55 in which like elements are designated by like reference numerals, is mounted on the truck 10 having a vehicle a chassis 5.

The vehicle towing system 5S, includes a lifting mechanism, generally designated 60, mounted on the chassis 5 of the truck 10 and being configured to be horizontally displaeeable along the surface of the chassis 5 and further configured to be vertically displaced with respect to the chassis S.

According to the present example, the lifting mechanism 60 includes a pair of vertical posts 64 each mounted on one side of the chassis, for example the front and back thereof, and a pair of levering members 66 each of which being pivotal !y mounted to one of the vertical posts 64. The lifting mechanism 60 further includes a longitudinal beam 22 longitudinally disposed along the length of the chassis 5 between the vertical posts 64. The levering members 66 are configured to displace the longitudinal beam 22 by rotatin between the two edges of the chassis. Pivoting of the levering members 66 can be carried out by means of motors or hydraulic arm 68. According to an example, the longitudinal beam 22 can be configured to slide up and down along the vertical posts 64.

The lifting mechanism 60 can include frame 70 extending along the length of the truck 10, to which the levering members 66 are coupled and on which the beam is mounted. Thus, the levering members 66 when pivoting, causes the displacement of the frame 70 therewith along a radial path.

The^' frame 60 can further include a pair of vertical members 72 mounted such that one end of each levering members 66 is pivotaliy coupled to one of the vertical posts 64 while the other end thereof is pivotaliy coupled to one of the vertical members 72. The frame can further include a pair of auxiliary levering members 74 each of which is mounted above one of the levering members 66, such that one end of each auxiliary levering members 74 is pivotaliy coupled to one of the vertical posts 64 whiie the other end thereof is pivotaliy coupled to one of the vertical members 72.

The levering members 66, and the auxiliary levering members 74 together with the vertical members 72 and the vertical posts 64 form together a parallelogram 75 having a dynamic angles. That is to say, while the vertical posts 64 are affixed to the chassis of the truck 10, the levering members 66, and the auxiliary levering members 74 are pivotaliy mounted to the vertical posts 64 and are displacble along a radial path. The vertical members 72 which is the forth edge of the parallelogram 75 is also displacble along a radial path, however while maintaining its vertical disposition, parallel to the vertical posts 64.

This way, levering members 66, and the auxiliary levering members 74 balance the opposing forces acting on the frame 70, i.e. compression and tension forces.

it is appreciated that while the frame 70 is displaced along the radial path, when the frame reaches the topmost position thereof the levering members 66, the auxiliary fevering members 74, the vertical members 72 and the vertical posts 64 are all coaxially disposed and directed upwardly. Thus, at this position ail the parallelogram 75 is folded and the balances between the forces acting on the frame 70 is not maintained. Hence, the frame may include an auxiliary vertical member 76 disposed parallel to each of the vertical posts 64 and pivotaliy mounted to a tail-end 7! of the levering members 66, the auxiliary levering members 74. Thus, the auxiliar vertical members 76, the vertical posts 64, the levering members 66, and the auxiliary levering members 74 form together an auxiliary parallelogram 80, which balances the opposing forces acting on the frame 70. i.e. compression and tension forces while the main parallelogram 75 is folded.

As in the previous example, the vehicle towin system 55 further includes at least one arm 32a, or two or more units 34 having first and second arms 32a and 32b, mounted on the longitudinal beam 22. Thus, when the longitudinal beam 22 is displaced by levering members 66 between th tw o edges of the chassis the units 34 and the first and second arms 32a and 32b, are displaced therewith.

As shown in Figs. 5A to SD, due to the pivotal movement of the levering members 66, the displacement path of the longitudinal beam 22 is a rotational path, and is configured such thai when the levering member 66 is pivoted to sidemost position, i.e. either left side of the chassis or the right side of the chassis, the beam 21 is disposed such that the first and second arms 32a and 32b suspended therefrom are at a height which allows them to engage wheels of the towed vehicle.

When the levering member 66 is directed upwardly, on the other hand, the beam 22 is it its upmost position and the first, and second arms 32a and 32b are above the height of the chassis 5. The rotational path of the beam, is thus configured to allow displacing the first and second arms 32a and 32b between a towing position in which the first and second arms 32a and 32b are disposed below the chassis 5 and adjacent the truck JO, and a driving position, in which the first and second arms 32a and 32b are disposed on the chassis 5.

In addition the truck 10 can be provided w ith a balancing system 80 having a set of rails 82, extending perpendicular to the truck driving direction.

The vehicle towing system can be provided with an electrical control system, configured to aliovv manual or automatic operation, the control system ma consist electrical or mechanical sensors, camera and PLC.

The operation of the device can be used as follow: The truck being driven in the street; the lifting mechanism 60 on one side, the loading side, while the first and second arms 32a and 32b lay bellow the truck chassis 5. The balancing system 80 is on the opposite side of the truck. The truck 5 is stopped adjacent the towed vehicle, while one unit 34 is parallel to the rear wheels and the other unit 34 is parallel the front wheels.

The first and second arms 32a and 32b are displaced under the towed vehicle, such that the first arms 32a are adjacent one side of the tires, the second arms 32b are adjacent the other side of the tires. The first and second arms 32a and 32i are rotated to engage the surface of the tire.

The iifting mechanism 66 is lifts the towed vehicle onto the chassis, by rotating the Severing member.

Those skilled in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains will readily appreciate that numerous changes, variations, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, mutatis mutandis.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A lifting system for holding a towed vehicle the lifting system is mountabJe on a carrying vehicle having a chassis, the lifting device comprising:

a lifting mechanism motmtable on a chassis of the carrying vehicle and configured to be displaced along a surface of the chassis; said lifting mechanism includes at least one arm configured to hold the towed vehicle, said a least one arm is selectively horizontally extending from said lifting mechanism and bein configured to be vertically displaced with respect to said chassis, such that said at least one arm can be displaced underneath the towed vehicle;

wherein said at least one arm is pivotaily mounted on said lifting mechanism and is configured to be rotated sideward!y engaging thereby wheels of the towed vehicle.

2. The lifting system according to Claim 1 wherein said at least one arm is configured to be extended in different directions with respect to the chassis such that it can be extended sidewai'dly with respect to the chassis.

3. The lifting syste according to Claim 2 wherein said at least one arm is slidably mounted on a suspension member and is configured to slide back and forth between a retracted position in which said at least one arm is disposed above or below the chassis and a deployed position in said at least one arm is extended sideward from the chassis,

4. The lifting system according to Claim 1 wherein said at least one arm is configured to horizontally rotate sidewardly.

5. The lifting system according to Claim 4 wherein said at least one arm includes a unit having a first arm configured as a slidable arm and a second arm configured to horizontally rotate sidewardly.

6. The lifting system according to Claim 5 wherein said first arm is configured to engage one side of the wheels and said second arm is configured to engage the other side of the wheels such that the wheel is securely held between the first and second arms.

7. The lifting system according to Claim 5 wherein said first arm is longer than said second arm and is configured to engage two wheels of the front or rear pair of wheels of the towed vehicle while said second is configured to engage one wheel of the front or rear pair of wheels.

8. The lifting system according to Claim 1 wherein said at least one arm includes a shoulder portion is configured to conform to a radial shape of a tire of the towed vehicle and to engage surface of said tire.

9. The lifting system according to Claim 8 wherein said shoulder portion further comprises a plurality of rollers, configured to engage said surface of said tire, facilitating thereby pushing of said shoulder portion underneath the tires.

10. The lifting system according to Claim 1 wherein said at least one ami includes two arm units, each having a first arm and a second arms configured to engage a wheel of the towed vehicle, wherein each of the arm units is suspended from a beam longitudinally disposed alon the length of the chassis and being configured to vertically slide up and down, with respect to the chassis, and wherein said two arm units are positioned one with respect to the other such that arms of one of said ami units is configured to engage front wheels of the towed vehicle while arms of the other ami unit is configured to engage rear wheels of the vehicle.

11. The lifting system according to Claim 10 wherein disposition of said arm units on said beam is selectively set in accordance with the length of the towed vehicle.

12. The. lifting system according to Claim 1 wherein said lifting mechanism includes a pair of vertical posts eac mounted on one side of the chassis, a pair of levering members each of which being pivotally mounted to one of said vertical posts, and a beam longitudinally disposed along the length of the chassis between the vertical posts and being pivotally mounted to said levering members, such that pivoting of said levering members displaces said beam along a radial path, wherein said at least one arm is mounted on said beam.

.

13. The lifting system according to Claim 12 wherein said lifting mechanism further includes a pair of vertical members, wherein one end of each one of said levering members is pivotally coupled to one of the vertical posts while the ther end thereof is pivotally coupled to one of the vertical members,

14. The lifting system according to Claim 1 3 wherein said lifting mechanism further includes a pair of auxiliary levering members each of which is mounted above one of said levering members, such that one end of each said auxiliary levering members is pivotally coupled to one of said vertical posts while the other end thereof is pivotally coupled to one of said vertical members.

15. The lifting system according to Claim 14 wherein each one of said levering members and said auxiliary levering members together with one of said vertical members and vertical posts form together a parallelogram having a dynamic angles.

16. The lifting system according to Claim 1 5 wherein said parallelogram is configured to balance opposing compression and tension forces acting on said lifting mechanism .

17. The liftin system according to Claim 16 wherein said lifting mechanism further includes an auxiliary vertical member disposed parallel to said vertical post and pivotally mounted to a tail-end of said levering members and said auxiliary levering members forming thereby an auxiliary parallelogram configured to balance said opposing forces when said parallelogram is folded upwardly.

18. The lifting system according to Claim 1 further includes a weight sliding member configured to slide on the chassis to an opposing side thereof respect to said lifting mechanism so as to balance forces exerted by said lifting mechanism on the chassis.

19. The lifting system according to Claim 1 wherein said at least one arm is configured to Vertically tilt.

20. The lifting system according to Claim 1 wherein said lifting mechanism is s!idabe along the chassis such that said at least one arm can be displaced to either side of the chassis so as to lift a towed vehicle parked on either side of the chassis.