Inground superstructure and integrated third stage arm for vehicle lift

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9550658-B2
Application number	US-201514608283-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 29, 2015
Priority date	Feb 12, 2010
Publication date	Jan 24, 2017
Grant date	Jan 24, 2017

Abstract

A vehicle lift includes a carrier and a pair of arms. The arms comprise a pair of segments and an adapter pilot slidably disposed in one of the arm segments. The arm segments are slidable relative to each other and define slots to accommodate sliding of the adapter, providing various positions for the adapter along the length collectively defined by the arm segments. The adapter pilot is configured to receive an adapter to engage a vehicle. The arms are pivotable relative to the carrier and present a low profile to provide clearance for low vehicles. The carrier comprises a low profile superstructure. The superstructure includes a pair of substantially horizontal plates with substantially vertical web members extending between the substantially horizontal plates. The superstructure further includes a yoke portion pivotally coupled with the arms.

First claim

We claim:

1. A vehicle lift, comprising:
(a) a vehicle carrier, wherein the vehicle carrier is operable to selectively raise and lower relative to the ground to selectively raise and lower a vehicle relative to the ground; and
(b) a pair of arms pivotally coupled with the vehicle carrier, wherein each arm of the pair of arms comprises:
(i) a first arm segment having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the first arm segment and the distal end of the first arm segment define a length of the first arm segment, wherein the first arm segment is pivotally coupled with the vehicle carrier at the proximal end of the first arm segment,
(ii) a second arm segment having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the second arm segment and the distal end of the second arm segment define a length of the second arm segment, wherein the first arm segment and the second arm segment are in telescoping relationship with one another such that the second arm segment is axially translatable relative to the first arm segment, wherein the first arm segment and the second arm segment are constrained in a collinear relationship, and wherein the second arm segment comprises an elongate slot formed in a sidewall of the second arm segment, wherein the elongate slot extends along at least part of the length of the second arm segment, and
(iii) an adapter pilot, wherein the adapter pilot is configured to couple with an accessory to contact the vehicle to allow the vehicle carrier to raise the vehicle, wherein the adapter pilot is slidably disposed within the elongate slot of the second arm segment such that the adapter pilot is slidable along a length of the elongate slot of the second arm segment and at least part of the length of the second arm segment.

2. The vehicle lift of claim 1 , wherein the first arm segment comprises an elongate slot formed in a sidewall of the first arm segment, wherein the elongate slot of the first arm segment extends along at least part of the length of the first arm segment.

3. The vehicle lift of claim 2 , wherein the elongate slot of the first arm segment and the elongate slot of the second arm segment overlap when the second arm segment is in a proximal translational position.

4. The vehicle lift of claim 2 , wherein the elongate slot of the first arm segment and the elongate slot of the second arm segment do not overlap when the second arm segment is in a distal translational position.

5. The vehicle lift of claim 2 , wherein the adapter pilot is further slidably associated within the elongate slot of the first arm segment such that the adapter pilot is slidable along a length of the elongate slot of the first arm segment and at least part of the length of the first arm segment.

6. The vehicle lift of claim 1 , wherein the adapter pilot is selectively lockable along the length of the elongate slot.

7. The vehicle lift of claim 1 , wherein the adapter pilot includes a lower flange and a cylindraceous sidewall extending upwardly from the lower flange, wherein cylindraceous sidewall is slidably disposed within the elongate slot of the second arm segment, wherein the lower flange is slidably disposed within the second arm.

8. The vehicle lift of claim 1 , wherein the adapter pilot is configured to receive various accessories.

9. A vehicle lift, comprising:
(a) a vehicle lift post;
(b) a superstructure, wherein the superstructure is secured to the vehicle lift post, wherein the superstructure is operable to selectively raise and lower relative to the ground to selectively raise and lower a vehicle relative to the ground, wherein the superstructure comprises:
(i) a base portion, wherein the base portion comprises a plurality of ramps, wherein the plurality of ramps are positioned to skirt the base portion such that with the superstructure lowered relative to the ground the plurality of ramps are configured to provide for passage of the vehicle of over the base portion, and
(ii) a yoke portion that includes a recessed area sized and configured to receive and store vehicle parts; and

(c) a pair of arms, wherein the pair of arms are pivotally secured to the yoke portion, wherein the pair of arms are configured to engage the vehicle,
wherein the yoke portion comprises a first tongue portion and a second tongue portion, a first arm of the pair of arms is pivotally secured within the first tongue portion, and a second arm of the pair of arms is pivotally secured within the second tongue portion; and
wherein the recessed area is separated from the base portion, the first tongue portion, and the second tongue portion.

10. The vehicle lift of claim 9 , wherein the base portion of the superstructure further comprises a first substantially horizontal plate, a second substantially horizontal plate, and at least one substantially vertical web between the first and second substantially horizontal plates.

11. The vehicle lift of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of ramps extend from the first substantially horizontal plate.

12. The vehicle lift of claim 11 , wherein the first substantially horizontal plate and the plurality of ramps substantially cover the second substantially horizontal plate and the at least one substantially vertical web with the superstructure lowered relative to the ground.

13. The vehicle lift of claim 12 , wherein the recessed area is separated from the base portion, the first tongue portion, and the second tongue portion by a plurality of vertical walls.

14. A vehicle lift, comprising:
(a) a vehicle carrier, wherein the vehicle carrier is operable to selectively raise and lower relative to the ground to selectively raise and lower a vehicle relative to the ground; and
(b) a pair of arms pivotally coupled with the vehicle carrier, wherein a first arm of the pair of arms extends along a first longitudinal axis, wherein a second arm of the pair of arms extends along a second longitudinal axis, wherein each arm of the pair of arms comprises:
(i) a first arm segment pivotally coupled with the vehicle carrier, wherein the first arm segment extends along the first longitudinal axis,
(ii) a second arm segment, wherein the second arm segment is constrained by the first arm segment along the first longitudinal axis, wherein the first arm segment and the second arm segment are in telescoping relationship with one another such that the second arm segment is translatable along the first longitudinal axis relative to the first arm segment, wherein the second arm segment comprises an elongate slot formed in a sidewall of the second arm segment along a length of the second arm segment parallel to the first longitudinal axis, and
(iii) an adapter pilot, wherein the adapter pilot is configured to couple with an accessory to contact the vehicle to allow the vehicle carrier to raise the vehicle, wherein the adapter pilot is slidably disposed within the elongate slot of the second arm segment such that the adapter pilot is slidable along substantially the full length of the elongate slot of the second arm segment along the first longitudinal axis.

15. The vehicle lift of claim 14 , wherein the second arm segment is selectively lockable in a translational position along the first longitudinal axis relative to the first arm segment.

16. The vehicle lift of claim 14 , wherein the adapter pilot is selectively lockable in a position along the length of the elongate slot.

17. The vehicle lift of claim 14 , wherein the adapter pilot is further slidable along a length the first arm segment.

Assignees

• Vehicle Service Group Llc

Inventors

• Uhl John E
• Brittain Kevin A
• Siddall Keith W

Classifications

• B66F7/10

  with platforms supported directly by jacks · CPC title

• B66F7/16

  by one or more hydraulic or pneumatic jacks · CPC title

• B66F7/28 Primary

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