Abstract
An automotive lift system includes at least one stationary primary lift and a mobile lift caddy configured to remove a vehicle from a primary lift while the vehicle is elevated above the workplace floor and then transport the vehicle to another location. The lift system employs detachable pivotable lift arms that are removably attached to the lift arms of the primary lift, and which can transfer to the lift caddy. Also, the lift caddy may have clamp lift pads that can be used to remove the vehicle from the primary lift and either also remove the pivot lift arms or not remove the pivot lift arms. This system can also be used on existing primary lifts.
Claims
1. A removable load bearing pivot arm adapted to be attached removably onto an end of a lift arm of a stationary vehicle lift, comprising: an elongated pivot bar member having a proximal end and a distal end, with said proximal end being adapted to fit removably onto the end of said lift arm; a pivot lock pin being removably mounted into a bore formed in the proximal end of said pivot bar member, including male threads at one end and a grippable surface at the other end thereof to permit the pivot locking pin to be turned; a female threaded member mounted on a proximal end of the elongated pivot bar member and adapted for receiving the male threads at said one end of the pivot locking pin; and a lift pad assembly positioned at the distal end of said elongated pivot bar member, and including a rotary bearing contained in said distal end of a shaft supported in the rotary bearing, a load bearing plate mounted atop an upper end of said shaft; and a pivot pad lift receiver mounted at a lower side of said elongated pivot bar member and adapted for receiving a lift member of a mobile lift caddy.
2. The removable load bearing pivot arm according to claim 1, wherein said elongated pivot bar member is formed of an upper elongated plate, a lower elongated plate, and a side member joined to the upper and lower elongated plates and defining an elongated open channel extending from said proximal end to said a distal end of said elongated pivot bar member.
3. The removable load bearing pivot arm according to claim 2, wherein said female threaded member is formed at a proximal end of said upper elongated plate.
4. The removable load bearing pivot arm according to claim 1, further comprising a removable retaining pin removably inserted into a bore formed in the distal end of said elongated pivot bar member for releasably locking the shaft against rotation.
5. The removable load bearing pivot arm according to claim 1, wherein said pivot pad lift receiver includes a lower generally cylindrical stub member adapted to fit into a female receptacle on the lift member of said mobile caddy.
6. The removable load bearing pivot arm according to claim 5, wherein said pivot pad lift receiver further includes a disk member above said generally cylindrical stub member and adjacent therewith, having a diameter greater than said generally cylindrical stub member.
7. The removable load bearing pivot arm according to claim 6, wherein said disk member includes one or more flat faces on a peripheral wall thereof and adapted for receiving a turning tool.
8. The removable load bearing pivot arm according to claim 1, wherein said proximal end of said upper elongated plate includes a hexagonal recess, and a hex nut removably disposed therein.
9. The removable load bearing pivot arm according to claim 1, wherein said shaft extends through the distal end of said elongated pivot bar member, and said pivot pad lift receiver is mounted on an end of said shaft.
10. A clamp lift pad assembly removably disposed upon a caddy lift arm of a mobile lift caddy that is configured for removing a vehicle from a primary lift and carrying such vehicle to a location away from the primary lift, the primary lift having a plurality of lift arms; said clamp lift pad assembly including: a base member supported on an associated caddy lift arm for engaging a vehicle on said primary lift; a horizontal pad member supported on said base member, having first and second side edges opposite one another; a vertical wall member affixed on the first side edge of said horizontal pad member; a clamp yoke affixed to said base member beneath said horizontal pad member, having a journal end extending to or past said second side edge; a pivotable clamp member having a bar portion journaled in said clamp yoke at said journal end thereof; a protrusion extending from one end of said bar member towards said vertical wall member when said bar member is rotated to an engaged position; and an actuator member coupled to an opposite end of said bar member controllably rotating said pivotable clamp member between said engaged and disengaged positions.
11. The clamp lift pad assembly according to claim 10 wherein said base member includes a notched plate with a notch at one end thereof adapted to accommodate a removable load bearing pivot arm that is attached to one end of an associated lift arm of the primary lift.
12. The clamp lift pad assembly according to claim 10 wherein said actuator member is mounted on said base member.
13. The clamp lift pad assembly according to claim 10 wherein said base member includes a post upon which said horizontal pad member is affixed.
14. The clamp lift pad assembly according to claim 10 wherein said bar member has a generally gamma shaped profile.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
(1) FIG. 1 and FIG. 1A are a perspective view and an elevation of a fixed primary lift or hoist that incorporates removable pivot lift arms, and a lift caddy employing a clamp lift pad assembly removably disposed upon the caddy lift according to an embodiment of this invention.
(2) FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof.
(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a removable pivot lift arm according to one embodiment of the invention.
(4) FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are a top plan view, side elevation, and end view thereof, respectively.
(5) FIG. 3D is a section view taken at line 3D-3D of FIG. 3A
(6) FIG. 4 is an elevation showing support of a vehicle at a lift point thereof.
(7) FIG. 5 is a top plan for explaining the pivot motion of the pivot lift arm of this invention.
(8) FIGS. 6 and 6A are perspective views, respectively, of the lift caddy clamp lift pad of an embodiment of this invention, in unclamped and clamped positions, respectively.
(9) FIGS. 6B, 6C and 6D are front side, end, and rear side elevations of the lift caddy clamp lift pad of this embodiment.
(10) FIGS. 7, 7A and 7B are perspective, side and end elevations of another lift caddy clamp lift pad.
(11) FIG. 8 is an enlargement of a portion of the lift caddy as shown in FIG. 8A.
(12) FIG. 9 is an enlargement of a portion of the lift caddy clamp lift clamp shown in FIG. 9A.
(13) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the pivot lift arm and lift caddy clamp lift pad in combination.
(14) FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C are a side view, end view and second side view, respectively of the pivot lift arm and lift caddy clamp lift pad in combination, of FIG. 10.
(15) FIGS. 11 and 12 are perspective views of the pivot lift arm and lift caddy clamp lift pad, of this embodiment shown in the unclamped position and clamped position, respectively.
(16) FIG. 13 is an end elevation of the combination of the pivot lift arm and lift caddy clamp lift pad shown in engagement with the lift point of a vehicle.
(17) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the lift caddy clamp lift pad and pivot lift arm of this embodiment separated from one another.
(18) FIGS. 15 and 16 are side and end elevations of the lift caddy supporting a motor vehicle on the pivot lift arm and lift caddy clamp lift pad assemblies of this embodiment.
(19) FIGS. 17 and 18 are elevation and perspective views of the lift caddy lift pad assembly and pivot lift arm in a disengaged configuration.
(20) FIGS. 19 and 20 are elevation and perspective views of the lift caddy lift pad assembly and pivot lift arm in an engaged configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
(21) With reference to the Drawing Figures, and initially to FIGS. 1, 1A and 2, an automotive repair shop typically employs one or more primary lifts 10, each being positioned within a respective service bay for the purpose of lifting a vehicle above the floor of the repair bay to facilitate repair or maintenance of the vehicle. As shown, a typical primary or permanent lift 10 has two or more vertical lift posts that define the workspace around the vehicle; here there are two lift posts with each lift post having a pair of lift arms 12 that can be extended to position itself under a vehicle 14. Typically, lift pads are positioned at the distal or outer ends of the lift arms 12, and these are to be positioned at predetermined lift points on the body or chassis of the vehicle 14 so it can be lifted safely. In the embodiments of this invention, the lift pads are incorporated into removable load-bearing pivot arms 30 that are removable positioned at distal ends of the lift arms, as will be described. These pivot arms 30 are replaceable and interchangeable, and can be removed from associated sockets or receptacles in the lift arms, as discussed later. Pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders or equivalent actuator mechanisms in each of the lift posts move the lift arms 12 between lowered and elevated positions. As shown here, the primary lift 10 includes video imaging camera(s) 16, e.g. at the center of the cross-beam between the two lift posts, and/or at the positions of the lift arms 12. Additional proximity sensors and ultrasonic device assist in the maneuvering, alignment and position of the lift caddy 20 beneath the chassis of the vehicle 14 on the primary lift, which is carried out using wired or wireless controls. With this combination of video, audio, and other sensors, receivers, and transmitters, and other positioning equipment, the stationary lift allows an operator to align and position the lift caddy 20, and then can raise or lower the lift arms 12 and allow the lift caddy 20 to position itself beneath the vehicle and transfer the vehicle from the lift arms 12 of the primary lift to the caddy 20. The lift pads, e.g., the pivot arms 30 can then be detached from the primary lift arms 12 and secured into the corresponding lift mechanism of the lift caddy 20. Favorably, the primary lift 10 can have an integrated data base to store information, such as lift pad and lift arm location, vehicle position and weight distribution, vehicle height, etc., which permits the primary lift 10 and the mobile lift caddy 20 to work in concert for autonomous operation and allow for decision support software (DSS) to be employed. The data base information may also be used to allow for the stationary lift to work autonomously or semi-autonomously to engage the vehicle transfer caddy or mobile lift caddy 20 during a transfer sequence. The control systems may also be developed and adapted for using this technology with an existing design primary lift, without any loss of the novel and improvement aspects of this invention.
(22) In keeping with the principles of this invention, a mobile lift caddy 20 is provided as illustrated, e.g., in FIGS. 1 and 2, and later in FIGS. 8, 8A, 9 and 9A. The lift caddy 20 has a main body or chassis that is dimensioned to fit into the space defined by the primary lift posts, and has a mobility drive arrangement, which can be a tracked drive or wheel drive. The mobile lift caddy 20 has a set of four lift arms or posts 24 which emanate from a lift arm control within the vehicle. Each of these caddy lift arms can be configured so as to accept a mating portion of the lift pad arrangements on the primary lift arms and lift out the lift pads or extension arms with the vehicle being supported on them, so that the vehicle can be transported on the caddy to another location, which can be another repair bay or can be a holding area. Alternatively, the caddy lift arms or posts and lift pad arrangement can be configured to remain separate from the primary lift arm lift pads, so that the lift caddy 20 can remove the vehicle 14 from the primary lift 10 with or without transfer of the primary lift arm and lift pad arrangements from the primary lift arms.
(23) An embodiment of the pivoting lift arm attachment 30 according to this invention is shown in perspective in FIG. 3 and in other aspects in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D. The main portion of the pivoting lift arm attachment 30 is formed of an elongated upper plate 32 and a parallel elongated lower plate 34, these being joined by a web 36 along one side (hidden in some views). A pivot arm retaining pin or lock pin 38, which has male threads at an upper end, is fitted into a bore in proximal ends of the upper and lower plates 32 and 34, and has a hex head at its lower end. This pin is used to fasten the lift arm attachment 30 onto the distal end of an associated one of the primary lift arms 12. A hex nut 40 with female threads sits in a hexagonal recess in the proximal end of the upper plate 32 and receives the threaded end of the lock pin 38. A lift pad assembly is situated at the distal end of the upper and lower plates 32, 34, with a lift pad 42 adapted for bearing the weight of the vehicle 14 at a given lift point. In this embodiment the lift pad 42 is generally a flat square, although the specific shape is not critical. The lift pad assembly includes a vertical shaft 42A that passes through a bearing 43 within one or both of the distal ends of the upper and lower plates 32, 34, as shown in cross section in FIG. 3D. A receiver member 44 is fitted onto the lower end of the shaft 42A that emerges below the lower plate 34. This has a hexagonal portion and a generally cylindrical tip portion 46 that serves as a receiver to seat into a mating load bearing member on the lift arm or lift post of the lift caddy 20 in the case where the pivoting lift arm attachment 30 becomes detached from the associated lift arm 12 and remains with the vehicle 14 that is being repaired when it is transferred to the lift caddy 20.
(24) FIG. 4 shows a portion 14A of the vehicle frame being supported on the lift pad 42 of the lift arm attachment 30 when the lift arm attachment 30 is fastened onto the end of an associated primary lift arm (not shown). The pivot lift arm attachment 30 can be positioned onto the receptacle provided on the lift caddy arm or post 24. The pin 38 can be removed from the proximal end of the associated primary lift arm 12, and the attachment 30 can swing about the axis of the shaft 43A, generally as shown in FIG. 5.
(25) A clamp lift pad assembly 50, one of which in embodiments of this invention is favorably mounted onto each of the lift arms or posts 24 of the lift caddy 20, is shown in detail in FIG. 6 and FIGS. 6A to 6D. The clamp lift pad assembly 50 includes a clamp lift pad 52, here represented as a horizontal, generally square metal plate, on which the chassis of the automobile or other vehicle 14 is to be supported when the vehicle is carried on the lift caddy 20. The lift pad has a vertical wall 54 rising from a first edge of the lift pad and a second edge opposite the first edge. A generally L-shaped or Gamma-shaped (F-shaped) clamp member 58 is positioned at the second edge, formed of a bar portion 60 which serves as a rocker, and a finger or projection 62 that projects from the bar portion 60 towards the vertical wall 54, so as to bear on a portion of the vehicle chassis when the clamp member 58 is in the closed or clamped position. A yoke member 64 is supported at the lower side of the lift pad 52, or onto a base member beneath the lift pad, and this yoke member 64 has a portion extending beyond the second edge of the lift pad 52. The bar portion 60 of the clamp member is journaled onto that portion of the yoke member, so as to pivot about a horizontal axis in the vicinity of the second edge 56. In this embodiment, the lift pad 52 is supported on a vertical post 66 that is in turn supported on a notched horizontal base plate 68. Here the notch is a generally V-shaped recess 68A at the right side of the base plate 68 in the illustrations of FIGS. 6 and 6A. The recess is configured to accommodate the flange 44 and cylindrical lower tip member 46 of the pivoting lift arm attachment 30, so as to facilitate transferring the vehicle 14 and pivoting lift arm attachment 30 between the primary lift 10 and the lift caddy 20.
(26) An apertured fin member 70 is provided at the lower end of the bar portion 60 of the clamp member, for mounting to a rod or extension member 71 of a hydraulic cylinder or other linear actuator of the lift caddy, which serves to move the clamp member between its clamped and unclamped positions. FIG. 7, in connection with FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an alternative embodiment of the clamp lift pad in which the notched plate 68 is omitted and the vertical post 66 that supports the lift pad 52 can extend directly into the lift caddy's lift arm or post 24. Here, elements that correspond to elements in FIGS. 6 and 6A to 6D are identified with the same reference numbers, and a description thereof need not be repeated. The clamping action of the clamp lift pad assembly 50 can be explained with reference to FIGS. 8 and 8A and with additional reference to FIGS. 9 and 9A. Here, the lift pad 52 is positioned to support a frame member 14A of the vehicle 14 when being carried on the lift caddy, and the clamp lift pad assembly 50 is supported above an associated lift arm or post 24. The actuator rod 71 extends upwards from an associated actuator (not shown) within the lift caddy to the attachment fin 70. The clamp member 58 is rocked to its closed or clamped position with the finger 62 bearing against frame member 14A and urging the same securely against the vertical wall 54, with the cylindrical lower tip member 46 being seated within the V-shaped notch 67 of the base plate 68, This keeps the vehicle securely on the lift caddy when the vehicle is being transported to or from the primary lift.
(27) The interaction of the pivotal lift arm attachment 30 and the clamp lift pad assembly 50 can be explained with reference to the perspective view of FIG. 10 in further reference to the corresponding elevations of FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C.
(28) As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 10, when the primary lift arms are lowered towards the lift caddy, and with the lift caddy properly positioned under the primary lift, the male tip portion 46 seats into the rounded portion of the notch 67 and the hex ring portion 44 is supported on a shoulder at the notch 67. This means both the clamp lift pad 52 and the lift arm lift pad 42 are in contact with a lift point of the vehicle, and both of these support the vehicle so the lift arm attachment 30 can be removed from the associated lift arm after removing the associated lock pin 38. Then as shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C, the lift arm attachment 30 and clamp lift pad assembly 50 remain interlocked in place on the vehicle, and supported from below by the lift arms 24 of the vehicle lift caddy 20 (not shown here). With the vehicle in place, the actuator (not shown here) moves the clamp to and from an unclamped position (FIG. 11) to a clamped position. FIG. 13 shows the clamp member 58 urged against the automobile frame member 14A to clamp the vehicle securely above the lift caddy. Once the caddy has removed the vehicle from the zone of the primary lift, the pivoting lift arm member 30 can be removed as shown in FIG. 14, or left in place.
(29) In a different configuration, the pivot arm assemblies may remain on the primary lift arms 12 or may be transferred to the lift caddy 20.
(30) With the vehicle 14 held in place on the lift caddy 20 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the lift arm attachment 30 and clamp lift pad assembly 50 are each in place upon a respective caddy lift arm or post 24, with the vehicle 14 clamped securely at four lift points on the vehicle chassis.
(31) FIGS. 17 and 18 show the lift arm attachment 30 and clamp lift pad assembly 50 in a disengaged configuration, and FIGS. 19 and 20 show the attachment 30 and assembly 50 in their engaged configuration.
(32) While the present invention has been described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular embodiment. Rather, many modifications and variations would present themselves to persons skilled in the art without departure from the scope and spirit of this invention, as defined in the appended claims.
