Adjustable overhead assembly for vehicle lift

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2015232308-A1
Application number	US-201514619202-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 11, 2015
Priority date	Feb 17, 2014
Publication date	Aug 20, 2015
Grant date	—

Abstract

An apparatus for lifting a vehicle comprises at least two posts, at least two lifting assemblies, at least one actuator, and an overhead assembly. The at least two posts are configured to cooperatively raise a vehicle. Each lifting assembly is associated with a corresponding post. The at least two lifting assemblies are configured to move simultaneously to raise a vehicle. The at least one actuator is in communication with the at least two lifting assemblies. The overhead assembly is secured to each of the at least two posts such that the overhead assembly extends from one post to another post. The overhead assembly is selectively movable relative to the at least two posts between a first position and a second position.

First claim

I/We claim:

1 . An apparatus for lifting a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
(a) a pair of posts; (b) pair of lifting assemblies, wherein each lifting assembly is associated with a corresponding post, wherein the lifting assemblies are configured to move simultaneously along the respective posts to raise and lower a vehicle; (c) at least one actuator, wherein the at least one actuator is in communication with the lifting assemblies, wherein the at least one actuator is operable to drive the lifting assemblies along the respective posts; and (d) an overhead assembly, wherein the overhead assembly is secured to each of the posts such that the overhead assembly extends from one post to another post, wherein the overhead assembly is configured to be secured to the posts at a selected one of a first vertical position along the lengths of the posts or a second vertical position along the lengths of the posts, wherein the posts each comprise:
(i) a first overhead assembly engagement feature at the first vertical position, and
(ii) a second overhead assembly engagement feature at the second vertical position.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the posts extend vertically parallel to each other.

4 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the overhead assembly is positioned between the posts, wherein the overhead assembly extends perpendicularly relative to the posts.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each first overhead assembly engagement feature comprises a first set of openings formed through each post, wherein each second overhead assembly engagement feature comprises a second set of openings formed through each post.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the posts each comprise a bottom end and a top end, wherein the bottom ends of the posts are secured to a floor.

7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the overhead assembly is selectively securable to a portion of each post adjacent to the top end of each post.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator comprises at least two hydraulic cylinders, wherein each hydraulic cylinder is disposed within a corresponding one of each post.

9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein each hydraulic cylinder is configured to push each respective lifting assembly upwardly.

10 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein each hydraulic cylinder is configured to pull each respective lifting assembly upwardly.

11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein each post comprises a bottom end and a top end, wherein the top end includes a cylinder bracket secured to the top end, wherein the cylinder bracket is configured to secure a respective hydraulic cylinder of the at least two hydraulic cylinders.

12 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second overhead assembly engagement features of each post comprises at least one pair of overhead brackets.

13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein each overhead bracket comprises a vertically extending portion secured to each respective post and a horizontally extending portion secured to the overhead assembly.

14 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the overhead assembly is positioned to bear upon the overhead brackets at either the first vertical position or the second vertical position.

15 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein each overhead bracket is attachable to each corresponding post by nut and bolt mechanical fastening.

16 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein each overhead bracket is configured to be selectively movable between the first vertical position or the second vertical position to selectively adjust the height of the overhead assembly relative to the posts.

17 . A vehicle lift system comprising:
(a) a first post and a second post, wherein the first post and the second post are aligned relative to each other such that the first post and second post are configured to support a vehicle; (b) an actuation assembly comprising a first actuator and a second actuator, wherein the first actuator is associated with the first post, wherein the second actuator is associated with the second post; (c) a lift assembly, wherein the lift assembly comprises:
(i) a first lift structure, wherein the first lift structure is associated with the first post and is in communication with the first actuator, and
(ii) a second lift structure, wherein the first lift structure is associated with the first post and is in communication with the first actuator, wherein the second lift structure is associated with the second post and is in communication with the second actuator,
wherein the first lift structure and the second lift structure are movable in unison relative to the first post and the second post to raise and lower a vehicle; and
(d) an overhead assembly, wherein the overhead assembly extends from the first post to the second post, wherein the overhead assembly is selectively attachable to the first post and the second post to transition between a first overhead height and a second overhead height.

18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the overhead assembly comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is associated with the first post, wherein the second end is associated with the second post.

19 . The system of claim 18 , further comprising a first bracket and a second bracket, wherein the first bracket is configured to selectively secure the first end of the overhead assembly to the first post, wherein the second bracket is configured to selectively secure the second end of the overhead assembly to the second post, wherein the first and second posts each include a first set of engagement features associated with the first overhead height and a second set of engagement features associated with the second overhead height, wherein the first and second brackets are configured to engage the first and second posts at a selected one of the first set of engagement features or the second set of engagement features.

20 . A method for adjusting the height of a vehicle lift system, the vehicle lift system comprising a pair of posts, a pair of brackets, and an overhead assembly extending between each post of the pair of posts, the method comprising:
(a) selecting a first height or a second height for the overhead assembly relative to the pair of posts; (b) coupling each bracket of the pair of brackets at a first position on each post of the pair of posts, wherein the first position on each of the pair of posts corresponds to the first or second height selected for the overhead assembly; and (c) coupling the overhead assembly to each bracket of the pair of brackets while the brackets are in the first position on each post of the pair of posts.

Assignees

• Vehicle Service Group Llc

Inventors

• Uhl John E
• Siddall Keith W
• Schneider Ronald J
• Liu Jia

Classifications

• B66F7/20 Primary

  by several jacks with means for maintaining the platforms horizontal during movement · CPC title

• B66F7/28 Primary

  Constructional details, e.g. end stops, pivoting supporting members, sliding runners adjustable to load dimensions · CPC title

• B66F3/46 Primary

  Combinations of several jacks with means for interrelating lifting or lowering movements · CPC title

• Y10T29/49826

  Assembling or joining · CPC title

• B66F7/04

  hydraulically or pneumatically operated · CPC title