Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force – Hoisting truck – Platform type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-14
2001-07-10
Watson, Robert C. (Department: 3723)
Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force
Hoisting truck
Platform type
C254S134000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257552
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an arrangement for handling a load, preferably a drive train or other vehicle component, the arrangement including a movable jack assembly for transferring the load to and from the vehicle, a stand for receiving the load from the jack assembly, and a platform assembly adapted to be secured to the load for supporting the load on the jack assembly and stand.
Conventionally, in the handling of cars having rear wheel drives, a jack assembly is used which includes a universal lift head for removing and transporting the engine and gear box of the car separately to and from a stand or work bench. However, it has become customary to use front wheel drives for cars, where the engine, the gear box, and the front axle are integrated into a single unitary drive train assembly that is supported on an auxiliary frame of the car. As such, there is a need for a handling arrangement for moving these types of drive train assemblies to and from a stand or work bench as a unit.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a load handling arrangement that overcomes the technical problems existing in conventional arrangements, and facilitates the removal, service, and replacement of automotive components and the like.
In accordance with these and other objects evident from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, an arrangement is provided that includes a jack, a platform assembly, and a stand. The jack includes a wheeled base and a piston-and-cylinder assembly supported on the base. The piston-and-cylinder assembly is shiftable between a retracted, lowered position and an extended, raised position, and includes an upper end presenting a first receiving structure. The platform assembly includes a second receiving structure adapted for receipt on the first receiving structure, a first docking component, and a mounting structure adapted for connection to the load. The stand includes a second docking component adapted for receipt of the first docking component of the platform such that the platform assembly and load can be transferred between the jack and the stand.
The platform assembly preferably permits adjustment in order to connect to and support any of several different types of components to be serviced, and the jack assembly and stand are particularly adapted for the use with the platform assembly.
The stand can be designed in different ways. Preferably, it includes a substantially vertical column which may be attached to the floor of the repair shop, and a beam movable vertically along and lockable to the column. The second docking component of the arrangement preferably includes a docking tube secured to a free end of the beam, and the first docking component is a docking pin sized for receipt in the tube. For its attachment to the platform assembly, the first docking component can be provided with attachment pins which are substantially perpendicular to the docking pin and are intended for insertion in two corresponding bores in a receiver block forming a part of the platform assembly. A removable locking pin can be used for releasably locking the attachment pins to the receiver block.
By providing an arrangement in accordance with the present invention, numerous advantages are realized. For example, by providing an arrangement in which a component is secured on a platform assembly that may be easily transferred between a jack and a stand, it is possible to first remove a drive train or other component from a vehicle by employing the jack assembly fitted with the platform assembly, and subsequently transfer the component and platform assembly to the stand for service. At the same time, transfer of the component to the stand frees the jack assembly for other duty, for example to raise or lower the beam of the stand to a desired height for work on the load and/or to be equipped with another platform assembly for removing another drive train or component from a vehicle.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2838278 (1958-06-01), Johnsen
patent: 3949976 (1976-04-01), Cofer
patent: 4066243 (1978-01-01), Johnson
patent: 4479634 (1984-10-01), Blatz
patent: 4553727 (1985-11-01), Arzouman
patent: 5779225 (1998-07-01), Trost
Andersson Leif
Brucker Gregory C.
Crow Perry A.
Gray Automotive Products, Inc.
Shook Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
Watson Robert C.
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