Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force – Fluid pressure – Vehicle attached
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-05
2001-09-11
Watson, Robert C. (Department: 3723)
Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force
Fluid pressure
Vehicle attached
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286813
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Technical Field
The present invention is directed to device for lifting heavy objects, commonly known as a jack. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a jack which employs a pneumatic system for lifting.
The present invention finds particular utility in the field of automotive repair.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a jack preferably comprising a platform, a jack arm stabilizer guide having a first and a second terminal end, the first terminal end being attached to the platform, and a jack arm.
The jack arm stabilizer is attached near the first terminal end of the jack arm, and the jack arm stabilizer is preferably slidably connected to the jack arm stabilizer guide so as to allow the jack arm stabilizer to be translocatable between the first and the second terminal ends of the jack arm stabilizer guide.
The jack further comprises a vertical lift system operatively connected between the jack arm and the platform which is capable of vertically lifting the jack arm, thus translocating the jack arm stabilizer within the jack arm stabilizer guide
The jack arm stabilizer guide preferably comprises a first arm having a first and a second terminal end, the first terminal end of the first arm being attached to the platform. A race is preferably located within the first arm. The jack arm stabilizer guide further comprises a second arm having a first and a second terminal end, wherein the first terminal end of the second arm is attached to the platform. A race is also located within the second arm. Preferably, the first arm and the second arm are attached to the platform such that the race located within the first arm is diametrically opposed to the race located within tile second arm.
The jack arm stabilizer preferably comprises a first plate and a second plate diametrically opposed thereto. A first set of bearings are located between the first and a second plate. When the jack arm stabilizer is placed within the jack arm stabilizer guide, the first set of bearings are positioned within the race located within the first arm of the jack arm stabilizer guide.
The jack arm stabilizer also comprises a second set of bearings located between the first and the second plate. As above, when the jack arm stabilizer is placed within the jack arm stabilizer guide, the second set of bearings are positioned within the race located within the second arm of the jack arm stabilizer guide.
In the preferred embodiment, the jack arm stabilizer guide is offset from the platform, relative to a perpendicular therefrom, at a first predetermined angle. This offset provides maximum clearance for jack arm by allowing the jack arm to engage more of the automobile to be lifted.
Additionally, the jack arm stabilizer is also offset from the jack arm, relative to a perpendicular therefrom, at a second predetermined angle proportional to the first predetermined angle.
The vertical lift system preferably comprises a bellow connected between the platform and the jack arm, wherein the bellow is capable of being inflated causing it to vertically expand, thereby lifting the jack arm and translocating the jack arm stabilizer between the first and the second terminal ends of the jack arm stabilizer guide.
The vertical lift system also comprises a portage system capable of delivering pneumatic fluid to the bellow so as to cause it to inflate. In the preferred embodiment, the pneumatic fluid comprises compressed air.
The bellow of the vertical lift system preferably comprises a bladder having a first and a second terminal end, a first retainer operatively attaching the first terminal end of the bladder to the jack arm, and a second retainer operatively attaching the second terminal end of the bladder to the platform.
The jack preferably further comprises a lock system to prevent the jack arm from descending subsequent to the jack arm having been lifted by the vertical lift system.
In the preferred embodiment, the lock system comprises a first and a second series of notches located in the first and second arm, respectively, of the jack arm stabilizer guide, a first pawl pivotally located between the first and the second plate of the jack arm stabilizer, the first pawl having an ear which is capable of ratcheting against the first series of notches located in the first arm of the jack arm stabilizer guide, and a second pawl pivotally located between the first and the second plate of the jack arm stabilizer, the second pawl having an ear which is capable of ratcheting against the second series of notches located in the second arm of the jack arm stabilizer guide.
When the vertical lift system stops lifting the jack arm, halting the progression of the jack arm stabilizer and thus the pawls, or should a system failure cause the compressed air to leak from any part of the vertical lift system, the pawls will drop down to the nearest notch, thereby securely bearing the weight of the load. Thus, the pawls and notches are a safety lock by preventing the unplanned descent of the jack arm.
In order for the jack arm to descend, it is necessary to pivot the pawls such they clear the notches. Therefore, the jack also preferably comprises a release system to release the lock system, thereby allowing the jack arm to descend subsequent to the jack arm having been lifted by the vertical lift system.
The release system comprises a device which, when activated, causes the ears of the first and second pawls to disengage from the first and second series of notches located in the first and second arms, respectively, of the jack arm stabilizer guide.
Thus, the release system allows the pawls to clear the notches upon the descent of the jack arm via exhausting compressed air from the bellow.
It should be noted that the pawls ratchet independently of each other. Thus, the jack arm is able to tilt, relative to horizontal. This feature finds particular utility in the lifting of an automobile near one of its wheels, since the automobile will tend to tilt as a result of having one of its wheels lifted off the ground while the other one remains thereon.
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Tager Clifford L.
Watson Robert C.
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