Portable hoist and method

Traversing hoists – Having boom shiftable vertically along a linear path – Vertically spaced fastening means along boom support

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C212S901000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06561367

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of equipment hoists used to vertically move various heavy vehicle components during maintenance or repair. Particularly, the present invention relates to a portable hoist, which may be positioned into a narrow workspace.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Portable hoists are conventionally used to lift and lower automobile components in the automotive repair and maintenance industry, for example transmissions, engine blocks, automobile rear ends and the like. Conventional portable hoists generally consist of a transverse beam, an upright member and a mechanical lifting device carried by some type of base. Typically, to hoist an engine, the base of the portable hoist is rolled under the automobile, the vertical mast is outside of the vehicle and against or near the outside panels of the vehicle and the hoist is positioned such that the transverse beam and lifting mechanism is over the center of the engine to be hoisted.
Establishments or shops where large vehicles, such as dump trucks, tractor trailers and the like, are serviced often need to raise, or support, heavy or bulky components (not requiring a full transmission lift) located within the engine compartment or underneath the truck, such as a steering box or portions of the transmission. Currently available lifts and hoists are too large and bulky to perform such tasks and require the user in two different physical locations, one to position the hoist and another to attach the hoist to the item to be hoisted. For the smaller, yet heavy and bulky components, the mechanic must physically hold the component by himself or with the help of another mechanic.
While well known conventional portable hoists generally have the same three main components, the configuration and geometry vary in several ways. First, the bases are of several types. Some are shaped like a “V” or “H,” and others as squares and rectangles while others still are telescoping or otherwise adjustable. Second, the hoists have upright members, which may or may not be adjustable. Third, the hoists have transverse beams that are either cantilevered, or supported on each end by the base. Lastly, like the upright member, the hoists with transverse beams may or may not be telescoping or otherwise adjustable. Regardless of the configuration, however, conventional hoists are generally supported by wheels, which provide the hoist with mobility.
Although various types of portable equipment hoists have been developed for lifting heavy automotive components, they have not been altogether satisfactory for use under large vehicles for components of intermediate size such as steering boxes or portions of a transmission.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,963 discloses a portable hoist with a rectangular shaped base from which a non-adjustable vertical mast upwardly extends. Pivotally connected to the mast is a telescoping transverse beam to which a linearly movable shackle bracket is secured. The transverse beam is moved vertically by a lifting ram pivotally connected to the mast end of the transverse beam and secured to the mast. There are several disadvantages to using this hoist in large vehicle maintenance. For example, the movable shackle and transverse beam must be coordinated together in order to position the rigging over the center of the component to be lifted. When working underneath a large vehicle there is no space to perform such adjustments. Additionally, when the rigging is attached to the shackle bracket it is done so at an acute angle, thus, making it impossible to lift the component out of the automobile in a true vertical plane. This requires extra care and unnecessary manual movement and guidance of the heavy component to ensure that it does not collide with, or otherwise damage, any other components of the automobile.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,625 discloses a portable “V” base hoist that is manufactured in such a way, and containing so many components, that it can be easily disassembled by one person. While this may be useful, it undoubtedly increases the cost, and simplicity, of a portable hoist. This device operates in much the same manner as the above prior art and has the same disadvantage of lifting the heavy component on an angle.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,118,010 discloses another portable hoist that is manufactured with several adjustable and removable components and also lifts heavy components on an angle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,490 discloses a variably oriented “H” shaped multi hinged base from which an adjustable, vertical, column extends. A removable, adjustable, cantilever boom is pivotally attached to the vertical column along which a wire rope is run. The wire rope is connected at one end to a winch, located on the vertical column, and on the other end to lifting rigging located at the distal end of the removable boom. While this device lifts the automobile component in a true vertical plane, it is comprised of a large number of parts, thus, making it expensive to manufacture as well. Additionally, the “H” shaped base of this device occupies valuable floor and technician workspace when in use and is cumbersome to maneuver.
While these known devices may be suitable for their intended use, none can be installed and operated underneath a vehicle within small, accessible spaces while being easy to maneuver when in use and both simple to manufacture and use. The present invention fulfills a long felt need for a compact, portable hoist having the capability to be positioned underneath the truck within the engine compartment or along the drive train of the truck to vertically lift and lower, or support, heavy or bulky intermediate-sized vehicle components in a true vertical plane during maintenance or repair, and to be adjustable by the user while in a reclined position under the vehicle.
Therefore, what is needed is a portable hoist that employs a mechanical lifting device for lifting heavy or bulky vehicle components. What is further needed is a portable engine hoist that ensures the component will be lifted vertically. What is still further needed is a portable hoist that is simple and can be easily and efficiently manufactured. Yet what is also needed is a portable hoist that uses the advantages of the prior art but overcomes the disadvantages normally associated with their use for example, fitting underneath a truck within small spaces that are too small for conventional hoists. What is also further needed is a portable hoist that allows the user to adjust the position and height of the hoist as well as operating the lifting mechanism while the user is at the location of the component to be hoisted, and/or in a reclined position under the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved portable hoist that can lift heavy or bulky vehicle components vertically from above the component. It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable hoist that is simple and can be easily and efficiently manufactured. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a portable hoist for lifting vehicle components that fits underneath a truck into spaces that are too small for conventional hoists. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a portable hoist that allows a user to adjust the position and height of the hoist as well as to operate the lifting mechanism while the user is at the location of the component to be lifted such as in a reclined position.
The present invention achieves these and other objects by providing a portable hoist having a U-shaped base, a tail assembly having at least a tail leg attached to the base, a telescoping vertical mast extending from the U-shaped base, a cantilevered lifting beam attached to the top of the vertical mast, and a mechanical lifting system having a winching mechanism with a lifting cable attached adjacent to the back of the lower portion of the vertical mast near the base where the lifting cable of the lifting system passes across the cantile

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