Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Description
Field of Invention
This invention relates generally to lifts and more specifically to motorcycle
lifts
and includes a device for locating and gripping a wheel of said motorcycle
either on said
motorcycle lift or on the ground.
Background of Invention
There have been a wide variety of lifts which have heretofore been
manufactured
and designed to raise and lower vehicles from the ground to permit working on
said
vehicles. Such lifts include either two post or four post or scissor lifts.
Generally speaking these and other lifts have been designed to lift and lower
larger vehicles such as automobiles which have four wheels.
There have, however, been attempts to manufacture and design lifts for
vehicles
other than automobiles such as snowmobiles or the like.
For example U.S. Patent No. 5,211,265 relates to a scissor-type snowmobile
lift
comprising a first and second cross member, rails, a pair of scissor members,
two
mounting brackets, a lower cross member and an hydraulic cylinder.
Moreover U.S. Patent No. 5,335,755 relates to a structural support system for
vehicle storage having two independent means to rotate a two deck inclinable
structure
about a pivot on a stationary structure.
Furthermore U.S. Patent No. 5,031,726 illustrates a mechanism for
automatically
fixing a horizontally movable slide plate for a lifting apparatus of a lift
system which
includes a pair of upper and lower lift means.
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Yet another device is shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,804,206 which relates to a
ramp
type vehicle hoist having a pair of ramps pivotal upwardly from a ground
engaging
position, with rams interconnecting a ground frame with the ramps to permit
raising of
a vehicle upwardly.
Such prior art devices present relatively complicated structures which are not
that
well suited for lifting lighter vehicles such as motorcycles or the like.
Furthermore lifting mechanisms for motorcycles present a challenge to reliably
secure the wheels of a motorcycle since the stability of a two wheel vehicle
is less than
that of a four wheel vehicle. Various arrangements have heretofore been
designed to
attempt to secure the wheels on a vehicle.
For example U.S. Patent No. 5,464,076 relates to a device for securing a wheel
of a wheeled vehicle to a transport vehicle. The device has a wheel receiving
channel
pivotally attached to a frame and a locking apparatus.
Furthermore U.S. Patent No. 3,068,962 relates to a collapsible wheel chock
comprising a base member, a wheel restraining member having a transverse
portion and
leg members hinged to said base member for pivotal movement to and from said
base
member.
Another arrangement is shown in U.S. Patent No. 1,796,557 which illustrates a
wheel stop used in connection with runways formed of inverted channel bars and
having
a clamp device so arranged that the stop may be moved longitudinally of the
channel bars
to adjust the stop to automobiles of various lengths. Finally U.S. Design
Patent
D327,666 relates to a bicycle stand for a single bicycle.
These and other prior art wheel locking or restraining devices also present
relatively complicated structures which are not well suited in terms of
providing a
releasable securing device for the wheel of a motorcycle.
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It is an object of this invention to provide an improved lift for vehicles and
particularly for a motorcycle lift.
It is a further object of this invention to provide improved wheel locating
and
gripping devices for a wheel of a vehicle including that of a motorcycle.
Summary of the Invention
It is an aspect of this invention to provide a lift for a vehicle comprising a
support
platform for supporting said vehicle; scissor means displaceably secured
beneath said
support platform for lifting said support platform and vehicle; means for
releaseably
securing at least one wheel of said vehicle relative said platform so as to
permit said
vehicle to be raised and lowered on said platform.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention a motorcycle lift is
provided comprising a support platform for supporting said motorcycle; a pair
of scissor
assemblies beneath said support platform for lifting and lowering said support
platform,
each said scissor assembly comprising first and second scissor arms pivotally
connected
generally between their ends; first said scissor arm having a first end for
supporting said
lift on the ground below one end of said support platform and a glide means at
said other
end for supporting said support platform; one end of said second scissor arm
pivotally
attached to said support platform at said one end and a ground engaging roller
at said
other end thereof; an actuator connected between first scissor arms and said
second
scissor arms for raising and lowering said support platform; means for
releaseably
securing a wheel of said motorcycle to said support platform.
It is still another aspect of the invention to provide a device for
releaseably
holding a wheel comprising wheel receiving means permitting entry of a wheel
therein
in a first receiving position and holding said wheel when said wheel receiving
means is
displaced to a second holding position.
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It is a further aspect of the invention to provide a wheel chock for locating
and
gripping a wheel of a motorcycle comprising a base; rod means pivotally
connected to
said base so as to locate and permit entry of a motorcycle wheel therein in a
first
receiving position and holding said wheel when said rod means pivots relative
said base
to a second holding position.
Another aspect of this invention relates to a lift for a vehicle comprising a
support
platform for supporting said vehicle; scissor means displaceably secured
beneath said
support platform for lifting said support platform and vehicle.
Brief Description of Drawings
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a motorcycle lift in a raised and lowered
position.
Figs. 2a, 2b, 2c is a side elevational view of the motorcycle lift in a raised
position.
Fig. 3 is an exploded parts drawing of the motorcycle lift.
Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the support platform.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of said support platform.
Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the hydraulic cylinder assembly.
Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the pull-out assembly.
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the first scissor arms.
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the second scissor arms.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the locking bar.
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Fig. 11 is a side elevational view of a wheel chock.
Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the wheel chock.
Fig. 13 is an end view of the wheel chock.
Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a wheel clamping mechanism.
Fig. 15 is a perspective view of an over ride plate or cam.
These and other objects and features of the invention shall be described in
relation to the
drawings.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
In the description which follows, like parts are marked throughout the
specification and the drawings with the same respective reference numerals.
The
drawings are not necessarily to scale and in some instances proportions may
have been
exaggerated in order to more clearly depict certain features of the invention.
Fig 1 illustrates a lift for a two wheel vehicle and in particular Fig. 1
illustrates
a motorcycle lift in a lowered or collapsed position. However, the lift can be
used to lift
snowmobiles or other vehicles. In particular the motorcycle lift 2 comprises a
support
platform 4 for supporting a vehicle such as a motorcycle 6 which is adapted to
be supported
by the support platform 4. In particular the motorcycle 6 is driven unto the
pull-out pan ramp 8.
The motorcycle lift 2 is also illustrated in Fig. 2 in a raised position which
comprises the support platform 4 and scissor assembly I0. Fig. 1 and 3 also
illustrate
the means 11 for releaseably securing the front wheel 14 of the motorcycle 6.
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Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the main components of the motorcycle lift 2. In
particular the motorcycle lift comprises the support platform or ramp 4 having
a cut out
portion 15 adapted to receive a pull-out pan assembly which in turn is adapted
to receive
a pull-out ramp 18.
The lift 2 presents a pair of scissor assemblies 10 where each of the scissor
assembly 10 comprises a first scissor arm 21 and a second scissor arm 22
pivotally
connected to one another generally between their ends. The first scissor arm
21 has a first
or lower end 23 for supporting the lift 2 at the ground below one end 25 of
the support
platform 4 and includes glide means or glide blocks 27 at the other end 29 for
supporting
the support platform 4. The second scissor arm 22 is pivotally attached to the
support
platform 4 at one end 30 at said one end 25 and includes a ground engaging
roller 32 at the
other end 34 thereof.
Accordingly to support the motorcycle on the support platform 4 as well as
providing a mechanism for raising and lowering same a pair of scissor
assemblies 10 are
provided which are substantially identical. Each scissor assembly 10 comprises
a first
and second scissor arm 21, 22.
The two first scissor arms 21 are joined by an angle iron member 40 which is
adapted to bear against the ground and enhance the stability of the vehicle
lift. The
second arms 22 are joined by a hollow rectangular tube 42.
To raise and lower the motorcycle lift a hydraulic cylinder 50 is pivotally
connected at one end to the first scissor arms as best illustrated in Fig. 3
and at the other
end to the second scissor arms 22. More particularly the hydraulic cylinder 50
is
connected at one end 51 to lugs 53 best shown in Fig. 8 for pivotal rotational
motion
therebetween. The other end 55 of the cylinder 50 is pivotally connected by
means of a
cylinder axle adapted to be received by the holes in trunnions 58. It will be
apparent that
the location and orientation of the hydraulic 50 can be varied between the
first and second
scissor arms 21 and 22 provided that the activation of the piston 59
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moves the first and second scissor arms 21 and 22 to raise and lower the
support
platform 4 as illustrated in the drawings.
The first and second scissor arms 21 and 22 are pivotally connected at 60 and
include a thrust washer 61, bushing 62, scissor pin 63, and spring pins 64.
Moreover
the lower end 23 of first scissor arm 21 includes flat washers 70 and a roller
pin 71
adapted to engage the angle iron 40 as shown in Fig. 3. Furthermore the angle
iron 40
shows the use of hex nuts 72 and anchor bolts 73 to anchor the lift 2 to a
solid foundation
or ground such as concrete or the like. Washers 74 are also provided.
Fig. 3 also illustrates the second scissor arms 22 presenting a ground
engaging
roller 32 at the other end 34 thereof. The roller 32 is adapted to roll around
roller pins
80. A flat washer 81 and bearings 82 are utilized with the roller 32. Moreover
spring
pins 84 are also utilized.
The hydraulic cylinder 50 includes a hydraulic hose 90 for receiving hydraulic
pressure for activating the hydraulic cylinder 50. Furthermore a flow control
91 is also
utilized in a manner well known to those persons skilled in the art.
The motorcycle lift described herein also includes a safety locking feature to
be
described herein. More particularly a lift 2 includes a locking bar or brake
leg 95
included at one end 94 means for pivotal swingable movement around axle 56. At
the
other end of the locking bar 95 is presented a stopping edge 96 which is
adapted to ride
over a series of stops 97 as the hydraulic cylinder 50 raises the supporting
platform
upwardly. The locking bar 95 also includes two spaced projections 93 adapted
to
pivotally receive an over ride plate or cam member 98. The cam member includes
a hole
99 which is alignable with the holes presented by members 93. As the hydraulic
cylinder
50 lifts the support platform the edge 96 of locking bar 95 successively rides
over the
stops 97 until the hydraulic cylinder 54 reaches the upmost position whereby
the edge 96
drops over the stop 97 and edge 96 buts up against stop 97 so as to prevent
lowering of the
hydraulic lift even in the event of a catastrophe such as sudden loss of
hydraulic
pressure. In order to lower the motorcycle lift the hydraulic cylinder 50 is
raised
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slightly more upwardly such that the cam surface of cam 98 drops down between
the
edge 96 and stop 97 so as to permit the lowering of the locking bar 95 as the
edge 96
will ride up against the cam surface of cam 98 over the stops 97.
Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the hydraulic cylinder 50 which includes a
cylinder
tube 100, piston rod 102, gland 103, wear ring 104 and piston 105. The
hydraulic
cylinder 50 also includes a seal and wear ring 107, a keeper washer 108 and an
external
snap ring 109.
The pull-out pan assembly is more fully particularized in Fig. 7 and includes
front
pull-out pan glide blocks 120 and rear pull-out pan glide blocks 122. Shoulder
bolts 124
are provided so as to permit the pan assembly 16 to pivot about the shoulder
bolts 124
as best illustrated in Fig. 2b. Hex nuts 126 and lock washers 128 are also
provided
along with cell tapping screws 130. The front pull-out plan glide block 120 is
adapted
to be received by the support platform 4 for slidable relative motion there
between as
best shown in Fig. 2b and 3.
The invention described herein also includes a means for releaseably securing
at
least one wheel of a vehicle as best illustrated in Figs. 11, 12, and 13.
Another
embodiment of same is also shown in Fig. 14.
The embodiment show in Figs. 11, 12 and 13 comprises a wheel chock 12 which
consists of a wheel receiving means which permits entry of a wheel therein in
a first
receiving position shown in Fig. 2c and a second holding position as shown in
Figs. 1
and 7. In particular the wheel receiving means comprises pivotal wheel
receiving means
to permit the entry of a wheel therein. More specifically the wheel receiving
means
includes a base 140 which includes a series of shoulder bolts 142 adapted to
be received
by a series of receiving slots or holes 144 best shown in Fig. 4. However
other means
can be utilized to secure the wheel chock 12 to the support platform 4.
However the
wheel chock 14 is movable and may also be secured to another surface such as
the
ground or cement floor in a garage. Accordingly the wheel chock described
herein may
be used by itself apart from the motorcycle lift described herein.
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The wheel chock includes a first wheel engaging member and a second wheel
engaging member 152 which is connected to the first wheel engaging member at
an angle
as best shown in Fig. 11. The angle in one embodiment as shown in Fig. 11
comprises
an obtuse angle. The first wheel engaging member 150 and second wheel engaging
member 152 are connected to one another and are pivotally connected at 154 for
pivotal
movement relative said base.
More particularly the first wheel engaging member 150 is adapted for
horizontal
contact with the base 140 to permit the front wheel of a motorcycle to ride
over the first
wheel engaging member 150 in a first receiving position. The front wheel then
contacts
the second wheel engaging member 152 thereby causing the first and second
wheel
engaging members 150, 152 to rotate clockwise as shown in Fig. 11 so as to
hold or
cradle the front wheel therebetween in a second holding position. The second
wheel
engaging member 152 includes a depending stop member 156 which will contact
the base
140 and prevent any further rotation therein.
The stop member 156 can comprise a U-shaped rod welded to the second U-
shaped wheel engaging member as best illustrated in Figs. 11 and 13.
Furthermore the
U-shaped rod 156 also acts to reinforce the strength and rigidity of the wheel
chock.
Moreover the wheel chock also includes reinforcing rods or members 158 which
project into the wheel chock as best illustrated in Fig. 12 so as not only to
reinforce the
structure but also provides a surface for the front wheel 14 to ride up unto.
Moreover the
reinforcing members 158 may also present a surface which will accommodate
narrower
sized front wheels 14 since they can brush up against the sides of the wheel
14.
Alternatively the wheel reinforcing members 158 may contact the lower side of
the wheel
14 in the event that a much wider front wheel is utilized.
Accordingly the driver of a motorcycle may drive up over the wheel chock which
may either be located on a top of a view motorcycle lift as shown in Fig. 1 or
a wheel
chock may be secured to a concrete floor thereby permitting individuals to
work on their
motorcycles in their garage on the like.
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Once the user approaches the wheel chock with a motorcycle 6 the first U-
shaped
rod 150 is generally disposed horizontally in contact with the base 140. In
this receiving
position the first U-shaped rod locates and guides the front wheel of a
motorcycle therein.
Upon further movement of the front wheel the front wheel contacts the second U-
shaped
rod portion causing the wheel chock to rotate in a clockwise manner as best
shown in
Fig. 11 until the stop rod 156 contacts the base 140. In this position the
front wheel is
releaseably secured in an upright position. A user may then work on the
motorcycle.
If the wheel chock is located on top of a support platform of the lift shown
in Fig. 1
further restraining straps 160 may be utilized.
An alternate embodiment of the wheel receiving means is shown in Fig. 14
comprises of two spaced apart clamp members which when activated by pressure
such
as pneumatic means clamp the sides of the front wheel in a secure manner. Upon
releasing the hydraulic pressure the clamping members move apart thereby
permitting the
front wheel to be withdrawn therefrom. Furthermore the wheel clamping device
as
shown in Fig. 14 may also be adapted to be removably secured to the support
platform
or to the ground as previously described in relation to the wheel chock.
The motorcycle lift can be lifted by actuating the actuator 50.
The lift is generally constructed of steel tubing and the like having the
appropriate
strength characteristics.
Various embodiments of the invention have now been described in detail. Since
changes in and/or additions to the above-described best mode may be made
without
departing from the nature, spirit or scope of the invention, the invention is
not to be
limited to said details.
