Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force – Special engaging elements – Sharing props
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-05
2001-04-24
Watson, Robert C. (Department: 3723)
Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force
Special engaging elements
Sharing props
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220573
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an apparatus for hoisting a vehicular clutch with a central bore comprising a selectably engagable elongated shaft with means for attaching disposed on a first end and with the shaft being suitably sized transversely to fit into the central bore of the clutch, an upright post with a base disposed on the bottom end of the post, a carriage supported on and movable relative to the post, and means for moving the carriage relative to the post. The carriage has a first face with complementary means for attaching adapted for use in engaging the means for attaching to support the shaft in a generally horizontal plane.
Truck clutches often last for only one year and then need to be replaced. With current technology, considerable time and expense are consumed in removing a defective clutch and/or flywheel and replacing it with a new or refurbished one. With this improved jack one is able to assemble and disassemble the clutch and flywheel under the truck allowing for easy installation and removal in even the toughest situations.
This improved manual lifting jack is designed characteristically to lift fourteen inch or fifteen inch spicer clutch assemblies, but may be employed in other capacities were the use of an insertable shaft for lifting is advantageous.
Alternative technology is available in the form of a clutch caddy distributed by Unique Truck Equipment, Inc., Part No. 32000. The principal disadvantage of this device is that it occupies too great of a floor area to allow one service man to operate it efficiently. Another clutch handling device is disclosed in Automotive And Heavy Duty Shop Equipment Catalog, Item No. 5015, which has similar disadvantages to the previously discussed design, and as can be seen, both designs have shafts that required bolting in order to be operative, making maneuvering difficult when inserting the shaft into the bore of a clutch or flywheel with damage resulting to the clutch or flywheel in the event of improper alignment. To alleviate these concerns and others which will become apparent from the disclosure which follows, the present invention conveniently provides for a selectably engageable shaft with specially designed means for attaching disposed on an end of the shaft which can be mated with a complementary means for attaching which is disposed on a face of the carriage. Such design permits the hoisting device to position a clutch for installation or removal and then allow the hoisting device to be removed with the shaft remaining temporarily in place. This is impossible with the above designs. Moreover, due to the considerably smaller floor profile of the instant invention, one man or woman service person can use this hoisting device to install a clutch and/or flywheel under a truck or like vehicle without the need for a second individual to assist in the installation of same.
The citation of the foregoing publications is not an admission that any particular publication constitutes prior art, or that any publication alone or in conjunction with others, renders unpatentable any pending claim of the present application. None of the cited publications is believed to detract from the patentability of the claimed invention.
ADVANTAGES OF THIS INVENTION
Unlike the foregoing devices which teach cumbersome structures that operate with more than one serviceman, the present invention conveniently provides a considerably smaller floor profile allowing one service person to hoist a clutch and/or flywheel under a truck or like vehicle without the need for a second individual to assist in the installation.
The selectably engageable shaft has a hook disposed on one end which can be engaged and disengaged to a movable jack carriage. This advantageous feature permits the hoisting device to position a clutch for installation or removal and then allow the hoisting device to be removed with the shaft remaining temporarily in place during installation. When a hoisted clutch is lowered after the clutch has been properly positioned for installation, the hook disengages allowing the, clutch jack to be removed. Once the shaft has disengaged from the carriage and remains in place to facilitate alignment, it can be withdrawn from the central bore at any convenient time thereafter. This is not possible with the above referenced devices.
Moreover, this improved manual lifting jack is designed specifically to lift fourteen inch or fifteen inch Spicer truck clutch assemblies. With this improved jack of the present invention, one is able to assemble and disassemble the clutch and/or flywheel completely under a truck resting on grade.
Thus, this invention provides for the first time a truck clutch jack that can be operated by one serviceman without the need to elevate the vehicle while the clutch is replaced.
Still other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure that follows.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an apparatus for hoisting a vehicular clutch with a central bore comprising a selectably engagable elongated shaft having a first end and a second end with means for attaching disposed on the first end. The shaft is suitably sized transversely to fit into the central bore of the clutch. An upright post with a base disposed on the bottom end of the post, a carriage supported on and movable relative to the post, and means for moving the carriage relative to the post are further provided.
The carriage has a first face with complementary means for attaching adapted for use in engaging the means for attaching to support the shaft in a generally horizontal plane.
The clutch may be hoisted by inserting the second end of the shaft into the central bore of the clutch, disposing the central bore in a horizontal position, engaging the complementary means for attaching and the means for attaching, and moving the carriage and the engaged shaft upwardly relative to the post to hoist the clutch.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 474653 (1892-05-01), Deffler
patent: 513201 (1894-01-01), Robinson et al.
patent: 698896 (1902-04-01), Beierstorf
patent: 1029823 (1912-06-01), Richardson
patent: 2706535 (1955-04-01), Marshall
patent: 3052323 (1962-04-01), Hopfeld
patent: 3225868 (1965-12-01), Barnes
patent: 3753550 (1973-08-01), Criswell
patent: 5033717 (1991-07-01), Symon
McKenna Michael R.
Watson Robert C.
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