Supports – Machinery support – Stand
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-20
2001-02-20
Braun, Leslie A. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Machinery support
Stand
C248S150000, C248S121000, C269S047000, C269S901000, C269S909000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189853
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a transmission stand, and more particularly to a stand that properly supports and positions a transmission for repair work.
Automobile transmissions frequently need repair. The transmission itself is bulky, heavy, and has many internal parts that need to be arranged in a specific fashion. The current state of the art is to remove the transmission and place it on a work bench or on the floor. The repair, which can take a considerable amount of time, is done with the technician on his knees or bending over, which becomes uncomfortable and requires frequent breaks thereby lengthening the time for the repair. Furthermore, the fluid drainage of the transmission is very difficult to complete because of the shape of the transmission with no well defined low point. The fluid also will run onto the floor creating a further environmental and clean up problem.
Vierling U.S. Pat. No. 3,461,832 describes a method of lifting an outboard motor up and out of the water while the motor remains mounted on the boat. This device consists of a cable attached to the motor which is further attached to a lever arm mounted on the side of the boat. Although effective for raising the motor, it is completely ineffective for lifting a transmission into an upright position. The free transmission would simply spin and fall on the floor.
Geise U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,194 describes an easel-type device for working on parts. The mounting of a transmission on this type of device would require a crane. Furthermore, maintaining the transmission on the easel would be difficult since the easel would be very top heavy. With the significant weight of a transmission attached, it would easily topple and would be an unacceptable work surface.
Gerber U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,365 describes a device which takes a vertical object and brings it to a horizontal position. This does not help in the use of transmission servicing since the optimum final position is not quite vertical. There is no method for lifting the transmission which is horizontal on the floor to the vertical position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is a transmission stand that greatly facilitates the ability to work on an automobile transmission by placing it in an upright and stable position.
Another object of the present invention is a transmission stand that easily allows fluid drainage of the transmission without clean up and environmental problems.
Still another object of the present invention is a transmission stand that safely and efficiently supports and positions a heavy and awkwardly shaped automobile transmission for repair work.
In the present invention, the base of the stand is wider than the main body of the stand to give it stability. There is also the added benefit of allowing the placement of a catch basin directly underneath the low point of the transmission to collect the draining fluid. The angle at which the transmission is held on the stand is less than vertical so that nothing falls out when the pan and the valve body of the transmission are removed. The generally triangular shape of the transmission requires that the large base of the transmission be mounted at a high position for service. In the transmission stand of the present invention, arm attachments are provided near the top located a distance from the handle of the stand. The arms are then attached to the pre-existing bolt holes in the transmission with bolts while the transmission is on the ground. The arms may be adjusted inwardly and outwardly for various size transmissions. Another chain is slid underneath the transmission while it is on the floor and then reattached to the stand to prevent sway in the lifting process. When the stand is then lifted by the handle providing leverage, the premounted transmission is then easily brought in the not quite vertical position most appropriate for its servicing.
Still another purpose is a method of raising the transmission by attaching a device to bring it from horizontal to a vertical position. This provides great benefits to the mechanic where a crane may be used to lift the stand with the attached transmission.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2919092 (1959-12-01), Chasar et al.
patent: 3461832 (1969-08-01), Vierling
patent: 4880194 (1989-11-01), Geise et al.
patent: 5087013 (1992-02-01), Gress et al.
patent: 5160125 (1992-11-01), Jenkins
patent: 5259602 (1993-11-01), Rogos
patent: 5275365 (1994-01-01), Gerbel et al.
patent: 5562271 (1996-10-01), Davis, Jr.
patent: 5662307 (1997-09-01), Lentine
patent: 5848778 (1998-12-01), Wagner
Braun Leslie A.
Connolly Bove & Lodge & Hutz LLP
Wujciak A. Joseph
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