Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force – Hoisting truck – Single throw lever
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-30
2002-08-20
Watson, Robert C. (Department: 3723)
Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force
Hoisting truck
Single throw lever
C254SDIG004
Reexamination Certificate
active
06435477
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for the lifting of vehicles. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a jack for elevating a chassis of a vehicle.
2. Background of Related Art
Jacks are widely used to elevate the chassis of an automotive vehicle in a variety of environments. The lift plate of the typical prior art jack apparatus is positioned beneath a lift point on the chassis and the jack is actuated to raise the vehicle for the replacement of a flat tire, for example. Problems with jacks occur, however, when maintenance needs to be performed on the vehicle and the distance between the chassis of the vehicle and the ground is less than the distance from the lift plate of the jack, positioned at the lower limit of its range of motion, and the ground. In this all too common situation, the prior art jack apparatus cannot be positioned under the chassis to perform the repair without additional effort expended by a motorist or pit crew to lift the car above the lift plate of the jack. This kind of scenario can occur as a result of a simple flat tire and can be compounded by uneven ground, a worn suspension system, a low clearance configuration of the chassis relative to the ground, wheel size, location of the lift point in relation to the outside edge of the chassis, and loading of the vehicle.
FIGS. 1 and 2
illustrate a conventional jack shown generally as
200
. Jack
200
includes an actuation lever
234
, a pair of side support plates
212
, a lift arm
220
, a stabilizing arm
250
, a lift plate
222
, and a roller
214
. Actuation lever
234
is positioned at the proximal end of jack
200
and roller
214
is positioned at the distal end. Side support plates
212
include a linear upper edge which slopes downwardly at an angle beginning near the proximal end of jack
200
and extending to the distal end of jack
200
. A proximal pivot member for lift arm
220
and stabilizing arm
250
is supported between side support plates
212
.
The configuration of support plate
212
, lift arm
220
, and stabilizing arm
250
of jack
200
results in the distal portion of lift plate
222
protruding above side support plates
212
when lift arm
220
is positioned at the lower limit of its range of motion. The height of lift plate
222
above ground in combination with its position relative to side support plates
212
makes it difficult in many circumstances to position jack
200
under the chassis of a vehicle. The lowest position of lift plate
222
also places stabilizing arm
250
below side plates
212
adjacent the ground. This makes the lowest position of jack
200
vulnerable to undulations in the ground or variations in a gravel surface. In addition, lift plate
222
contains a lip
223
that further limits its application by necessitating that the added height of lip
223
clear the lift point of the vehicle for proper vertical positioning beneath the lift point of the chassis.
Jack
200
is also constrained by the angle of side support plates
212
when interior lift points of a vehicle are inset from the edge of the chassis. Under these circumstances, lift plate
222
may fit under the vehicle, but the angle of side support plate
212
can preclude jack
200
from extending far enough under the vehicle to reach the lift point. Thus, the configuration of the prior art jack is distinctly limited in its ability to gain access beneath a vehicle and consistently engage the lift points of a vehicle chassis to perform its intended function.
A continuing need exists for a jack configuration that minimizes the height between the ground and lift plate and supports accessing the lift point of a chassis from an approximately horizontal direction in order to increase its ability to lift an automotive chassis under adverse circumstances when the height of the chassis of a vehicle is close to the ground.
SUMMARY
A jack apparatus is provided that includes a unique lifting mechanism and side support plate configuration which allows a heretofore unachievable reduction in the height of the lift plate when it is at the lower limit of its range of motion. The side support plate includes a first angled portion that tapers towards the ground, a horizontal portion, and a second angle that further reduces the height of the distal end of the jack and thereby supports the installation of the jack between the chassis and the ground when the chassis of a vehicle is low to the ground. When the lifting mechanism is positioned at the lowest limit of its range of motion, the totality of the lifting mechanism is positioned beneath and between the side support plates. In addition, the lift plate includes a tapered guide channel which enables the jack to be self-aligning during placement of the jack beneath the chassis of a vehicle.
The invention, together with attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of the invention when used in conjunction with the figures below.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2552965 (1951-05-01), Harris
patent: 3181836 (1965-05-01), Arnes et al.
patent: 4210314 (1980-07-01), Carroll et al.
patent: 4289299 (1981-09-01), Kameda
patent: 5201494 (1993-04-01), Lundman
patent: 5261641 (1993-11-01), Ployer
patent: 6264169 (2001-07-01), Hung
Brunnhoelzl Racing, Inc.
Dilworth & Barrese LLP
Watson Robert C.
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