Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
20038-2
ARM RESTRAINTS FOR VEHICLE LIFT AND VEHICLE LIFT INCLUDING THE
SAME
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to vehicle lifts or hoists for use in lifting
cars and/or
trucks for service to the tires, wheels, brake systems, suspension systems and
the
like. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to safety mechanisms
for
such vehicle lifts.
BACKGROUND
Vehicle lifts can be defined as machines, usually as hydraulic machines, by
which
vehicles, such as cars or trucks, are lifted above the ground surface to give
access
to the underparts of the vehicle. A vehicle lift usually includes spaced apart
hydraulic hoist post(s) positioned such as to allow a vehicle to be introduced
or
displaced therebetween. Each hoist post can include a vertical post structure,
a
carriage which is movable up and down along the post structure between the
ground surface and a hoisted level, as well as one or more load-carrier arm(s)
pivotally coupled to the carriage. For example, the vehicle lift can include
two
hydraulic hoist posts, where each post includes two load-carrier arms so that
the
arms together define a four-point support for the vehicle to be lifted.
While it is necessary for the arms to pivot about a vertical axis for example
in order
to provide adjustment to reach the vehicle lifting points on different
vehicule
configurations, shapes and/or sizes that are to be lifted, it is important to
prevent
the arms from pivoting while the vehicle is being lifted (i.e., while the
carriage is
sliding along the post structure away from the ground surface). Indeed, the
arms
can have a tendency to slip when the support points on the vehicle are
damages,
uneven or dirty.
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Even though some safety mechanisms are provided to prevent the load-carrier
arms of a vehicle lift from pivoting once the carriage is sliding away from
the
ground surface, none of the constructions so far proposed is wholly
satisfactory.
In view of the above, there is therefore a need for a safety mechanism that
prevents a load-carrier arm from pivoting once the carriage is lifting away
from the
ground surface and which, by virtue of its design and components, would be
able
to overcome or at least minimize some of the above-discussed concerns.
SUMMARY
It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an arm restraint for a
vehicle lift
and a vehicle lift which includes the same that overcome or mitigate one or
more
disadvantages of known safety mechanisms preventing a load-carrier arm from
pivoting or of known vehicle lifts, or at least provide useful alternatives.
In accordance with an embodiment, there is provided a lift for lifting a heavy
load
above a floor, the lift comprising: a lifting post extending upwardly from the
floor; a
carriage mounted to the lifting post and vertically displaceable therealong; a
load-
carrier arm pivotally mounted to the carriage and vertically displaceable
along the
lifting post with the carriage; and an arm restraint mounted to the load-
carrier arm
and vertically displaceable along the lifting post with the carriage and the
load-
carrier arm, the arm restraint being configurable in a released configuration
wherein the load-carrier arm is pivotable with respect to the lifting post and
a
locked configuration, wherein pivoting of the load-carrier arm with respect to
the
lifting post is prevented, the arm restraint comprising a main bracket mounted
to
the carriage and having a locking element with a bracket locking surface and a
locking rod mounted to the load-carrier arm and having a rod portion with a
rod
locking surface, the locking element being biased towards the rod portion with
the
locking surfaces of the locking element and the locking rod extending
substantially
parallel to one another, being engaged together in the locked configuration to
prevent relative displacement of the main bracket and the locking rod and
being
disengaged from one another in the released configuration to allow relative
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-28
displacement of the main bracket and the locking rod. The locking element
translates perpendicularly to the locking rod between the locked configuration
and
the released configuration
In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided a lift for lifting a
heavy
load above a floor, the lift comprising a lifting post extending upwardly from
the
floor; a carriage mounted to the lifting post and vertically displaceable
therealong; a
load-carrier arm pivotally mounted to the carriage and vertically displaceable
along
the lifting post with the carriage; and an arm restraint mounted to the load-
carrier
arm and vertically displaceable along the lifting post with the carriage and
the load-
carrier arm, the arm restraint being configurable in a released configuration
wherein the load-carrier arm is pivotable with respect to the lifting post and
a
locked configuration, wherein pivoting of the load-carrier arm with respect to
the
lifting post is prevented, the arm restraint comprising: a main bracket
mounted to
the carriage; a locking rod mounted to the load-carrier arm and having a rod
portion with a rod locking surface with rod teeth; and a locking assembly
comprising a bracket portion provided on the main bracket and a locking
element
with a bracket locking surface with bracket teeth extending parallel to the
rod teeth,
the bracket portion further comprises a guide portion with two rod-receiving
members having a first end mounted to the main bracket and extending
therefrom,
being spaced-apart from one another to define a lock-receiving cavity
inbetween
and being connected to one another at a second end, each one of the rod-
receiving members having an aperture extending therethrough and defining a rod-
receiving channel extending substantially parallel to the main bracket with
the
locking rod being insertable therein, the locking rod having a longitudinal
axis
spaced-apart from a longitudinal axis of the main bracket and being
translatable in
the rod-receiving channel in the released configuration of the arm restraint,
the
locking element being received in the lock-receiving cavity and biased towards
the
rod portion with the locking surfaces of the locking element and the locking
rod
extending substantially parallel to one another, being engaged together in the
locked configuration to prevent relative displacement of the main bracket and
the
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-28
locking rod and being disengaged from one another in the released
configuration to
allow relative displacement of the main bracket and the locking rod, wherein
the
locking element translates perpendicularly to the locking rod between the
locked
configuration and the released configuration.
In some implementations, the main bracket defines a bracket locking end and a
bracket pivoting end opposite the bracket locking end, the bracket pivoting
end
being pivotally mounted to the carriage and pivotable about a bracket pivot
axis.
In some implementations, the locking rod defines a rod pivoting end and a rod
free
end opposite the rod pivoting end, the rod pivoting end being pivotally
mounted to
the load-carrier arm so as to pivot about a rod pivot axis.
In some implementations, the arm restraint further comprises a locking
assembly
having a bracket portion provided on the main bracket and including the
locking
element, the bracket portion of the locking assembly further comprises a guide
portion protruding from the main bracket and adjacent to the bracket locking
end,
the guide portion defining a rod-receiving channel extending substantially
parallel
to the main bracket with the locking rod being inserted therein, the locking
rod
being translatable in the rod-receiving channel in the released configuration
of the
arm restraint.
In some implementations, the bracket portion of the locking assembly further
comprises a biasing device operatively engaged with the locking element and
biasing the bracket locking surface of the locking element towards the rod
locking
surface in the locked configuration of the arm-restraint.
In some implementations, the guide portion defines a lock-receiving cavity in
which
the locking element is received and a section of the locking rod extends.
In some implementations, the lifting post comprises a base supporting the
lifting
post on the floor and the main bracket comprises a lever abutting at least one
of
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-28
the floor and the base in at least a lowest configuration of the load-carrier
arm to
configure the arm restraint in the released configuration.
In some implementations, the locking assembly further comprises a lock
transmission assembly operatively coupling the locking element to the lever so
as
to allow the displacement of the locking element between an engaged
configuration and a disengaged configuration in accordance with a
configuration of
the lever with the locking element being configured in the disengaged
configuration
when the lever is abutting at least one of the floor and the base.
In some implementations, the lock transmission assembly comprises: a
transmission link extending between a first end and a second end, the first
end
being operatively coupled to the lever; a locking portion connector coupled to
the
locking element and translating therewith between the engaged and disengaged
configurations; an articulated connection connecting the locking portion
connector
to the transmission link; and the biasing device operatively connected to the
locking portion connector for biasing the locking element into the engaged
configuration when the lever is substantially free of external pressure
applied
thereon.
In some implementations, the lever defines a base-engageable end and a bracket-
connecting end, opposite the base-engageable end, the bracket-connecting end
being pivotally mounted to the main bracket and pivotable about a lever pivot
axis.
In some implementations, the first end of the transmission link is pivotally
mounted
to the bracket-connecting end at a lever connection point spaced apart from
the
lever pivot axis.
In some implementations, the main bracket further comprises an articulation
plate
support extending downwardly from a lower surface of the main bracket and the
articulated connection comprises: an articulation plate defining a first
articulation
axis, a second articulation axis and a third articulation axis, the second end
of the
transmission link being pivotally coupled to the articulation plate at the
first
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-28
articulation axis, the articulation plate being pivotally mounted and coupled
to the
articulation plate support and pivotable about the second articulation axis;
and a
connector link extending between a first link end and a second link end, the
first
link end being pivotally mounted and coupled to the articulation plate at the
third
articulation axis, the second link end being pivotally mounted and coupled to
a
lower end of the locking portion connector of the lock transmission assembly.
In some implementations, the biasing device extends between the main bracket
and the locking element when the lever is substantially free of external
pressure
applied thereon, the locking element is pushed towards the locking rod for
engagement of the locking surfaces.
In some implementations, the biasing device is a coiled spring surrounding a
section of the locking portion connector.
In some implementations, the locking portion connector extends through the
main
bracket into a connector channel extending therethrough and adjacent to the
.. bracket locking end, the locking portion connector being translatably
inserted in the
connector channel with sections of the locking portion connector extending
outwardly of the main bracket at both ends, the locking element being mounted
to
an upper end of the locking portion connector.
In some implementations, a diameter of the connector channel is larger
adjacent to
the locking element to define a biasing device-receiving recess with a portion
of the
biasing device being contained in the biasing device-receiving recess.
In some implementations, the main bracket defines a longitudinally-extending
segment and a bracket pivoting segment extending upwardly from the
longitudinally-extending segment, wherein a distal end of the bracket pivoting
segment is pivotally mounted to the carriage and pivotable about the bracket
pivot
axis.
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In some implementations, the carriage comprises: more than one of the load-
carrier arm and the arm restraint, each one of the load-carrier arms being
independently pivotally mounted to the carriage and vertically displaceable
along
the lifting post with the carriage; and each one of the arm restraints is
being
mounted to a corresponding one of the plurality of load-carrier arms and being
vertically displaceable along the lifting post with the carriage and the
corresponding
one of the plurality of load-carrier arms.
In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided an arm restraint in
combination with an heavy load lift, the heavy load lift comprising a lifting
post
including a post structure extending upwardly, a carriage slidably mounted to
the
post structure, and a pivotable load carrier arm mounted to the carriage and
vertically displaceable therewith along the post structure, the arm restraint
comprising: a main bracket mounted to the carriage and vertically displaceable
therewith along the post structure, the main bracket having a locking element
with
a bracket locking surface; and a locking rod mounted to the load-carrier arm
and
having a rod portion with a rod locking surface, the bracket locking surface
and the
rod locking surface extending substantially parallel to one another and being
automatically disengaged from one another by translating the locking element
away from and perpendicularly to the locking rod when the carriage is
positioned in
an arm restraint-disengaged section of the post structure, thereby allowing
relative
displacement of the main bracket and the locking rod and pivoting of the load-
carrier arm; and the bracket locking surface and the rod locking surface being
automatically engaged together by translating the locking element towards and
perpendicularly to the locking rod when the carriage is located outside the
arm
restraint-disengaged section, thereby preventing relative displacement of the
main
bracket and the locking rod and pivoting of the load-carrier arm.
In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided an arm restraint in
combination with a heavy load lift, the heavy load lift comprising a lifting
post
including a post structure extending upwardly, a carriage slidably mounted to
the
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-28
post structure, and a pivotable load-carrier arm mounted to the carriage and
vertically displaceable therewith along the post structure, the arm restraint
comprising a main bracket mounted to the carriage and vertically displaceable
therewith along the post structure; and a locking rod mounted to the load-
carrier
arm and having a rod portion with a rod locking surface including rod teeth; a
locking assembly having a bracket portion provided on the main bracket and a
locking element with a bracket locking surface including bracket teeth
extending
parallel to the rod teeth, the bracket portion further comprises a guide
portion with
two rod-receiving members having a first end mounted to the main bracket and
extending therefrom, being spaced-apart from one another to define a lock-
receiving cavity inbetween and being connected to one another at a second end,
each one of the rod-receiving members having an aperture extending
therethrough
and defining a rod-receiving channel extending substantially parallel to the
main
bracket with the locking rod being insertable therein, the locking rod having
a
longitudinal axis spaced-apart from a longitudinal axis of the main bracket
and
being translatable in the rod-receiving channel in a released configuration of
the
arm restraint, the locking element being received in the lock-receiving
cavity, the
bracket locking surface and the rod locking surface extending substantially
parallel
to one another and being automatically disengaged from one another by
translating
the locking element away from and perpendicularly to the locking rod when the
carriage is positioned in an arm restraint-disengaged section of the post
structure,
thereby allowing relative displacement of the main bracket and the locking rod
and
pivoting of the load-carrier arm; and the bracket locking surface and the rod
locking
surface being automatically engaged together by translating the locking
element
towards and perpendicularly to the locking rod when the carriage is located
outside
the arm restraint-disengaged section, thereby preventing relative displacement
of
the main bracket and the locking rod and pivoting of the load-carrier arm.
In some implementations, the arm restraint further comprises a locking
assembly
having a bracket portion provided on the main bracket and including the
locking
element with the bracket locking surface, with the locking surface of the
bracket
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-28
portion being biased towards the locking surface of the rod portion when the
carriage is located outside the arm restraint-disengaged section.
In some implementations, the main bracket defines a bracket locking end and a
bracket pivoting end opposite the bracket locking end, the bracket pivoting
end
being pivotally mounted to the carriage so as to pivot about a bracket pivot
axis.
In some implementations, the locking rod defines a rod pivoting end and a rod
free
end opposite the rod pivoting end, the rod pivoting end being pivotally
mounted to
the load-carrier arm so as to pivot about a rod pivot axis.
In some implementations, the bracket portion of the locking assembly comprises
a
guide portion protruding from the main bracket and adjacent to the bracket
locking
end, the guide portion defining a rod-receiving channel extending
substantially
parallel to the main bracket with the locking rod being inserted therein, the
locking
rod being translatable in the rod-receiving channel in the released
configuration of
the arm restraint.
In some implementations, the bracket portion of the locking assembly further
comprises a biasing device operatively engaged with the locking element and
biasing the bracket locking surface of the locking element towards the rod
locking
surface when the carriage is located outside the arm restraint-disengaged
section.
In some implementations, the guide portion defines a lock-receiving cavity in
which
the locking element is received and a section of the locking rod extends.
In some implementations, the lifting post comprises a base supporting the
lifting
post on the floor and the main bracket comprises a lever abutting at least one
of
the floor and the base when the carriage is positioned in the arm restraint-
disengaged section along the post structure to configure the arm restraint in
a
released configuration.
In some implementations, the locking assembly further comprises a lock
transmission assembly operatively coupling the locking element to the lever so
as
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-28
to allow the displacement of the locking element between an engaged
configuration and a disengaged configuration in accordance with a
configuration of
the lever with the locking element being configured in the disengaged
configuration
when the lever is abutting at least one of the floor and the base.
In some implementations, the lock transmission assembly comprises: a
transmission link extending between a first end and a second end, the first
end
being operatively coupled to the lever; a locking portion connector coupled to
the
locking element and translating therewith between the engaged and disengaged
configurations; an articulated connection connecting the locking portion
connector
to the transmission link; and the biasing device operatively connected to the
locking portion connector for biasing the locking element into the engaged
configuration when the lever is substantially free of external pressure
applied
thereon.
In some implementations, the lever defines a base-engageable end and a bracket-
connecting end, opposite the base-engageable end, the bracket-connecting end
being pivotally mounted to main bracket and pivotable about a lever pivot
axis.
In some implementations, the first end of the transmission link is pivotally
mounted
to the bracket-connecting end at a lever connection point spaced apart from
the
lever pivot axis.
In some implementations, the main bracket further comprises an articulation
plate
support extending downwardly from a lower surface of the main bracket and the
articulated connection comprises: an articulation plate defining a first
articulation
axis, a second articulation axis and a third articulation axis, the second end
of the
transmission link being pivotally coupled to the articulation plate at the
first
articulation axis, the articulation plate being pivotally mounted and coupled
to the
articulation plate support and pivotable about the second articulation axis;
and a
connector link extending between a first link end and a second link end, the
first
link end being pivotally mounted and coupled to the articulation plate at the
third
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articulation axis, the second link end being pivotally mounted and coupled to
a
lower end of the locking portion connector of the lock transmission assembly.
In some implementations, the biasing device extends between the main bracket
and the locking element when the lever is substantially free of external
pressure
applied thereon, the locking element is pushed towards the locking rod for
engagement of the locking surfaces.
In some implementations, the biasing device is a coiled spring surrounding a
section of the locking portion connector.
In some implementations, the locking portion connector extends through the
main
bracket into a connector channel extending therethrough and adjacent to the
bracket locking end, the locking portion connector being translatably inserted
in the
connector channel with sections of the locking portion connector extending
outwardly of the main bracket at both ends, the locking element being mounted
to
an upper end of the locking portion connector.
In some implementations, a diameter of the connector channel is larger
adjacent to
the locking element to define a biasing device-receiving recess with a portion
of the
biasing device being inserted into the biasing device-receiving recess.
In some implementations, the main bracket defines a longitudinally-extending
segment and a bracket pivoting segment extending upwardly from the
longitudinally-extending segment, wherein a distal end of the bracket pivoting
segment is pivotally mounted to carriage and pivotable about the bracket pivot
axis.
In some implementations, the bracket locking surface and the rod locking
surface
are automatically engaged together when the carriage raised above the arm
restraint-disengaged section, thereby preventing relative displacement of the
main
bracket and the locking rod and pivoting of the load-carrier arm.
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In accordance with a further embodiment, there is provided a method for
lifting a
vehicle with a lift, the method comprising: positioning the vehicle between at
least
two lifting posts with load-carrier arms being located in an arm restraint-
disengaged
section of the at least two lifting posts and therefore being pivotable with
respect to
the at least two lifting posts, with arm restraints of the at least two
lifting posts
abutting at least one of a floor and a base of the at least two lifting posts,
each one
of the arm restraints comprising a locking rod and a main bracket having a
locking
element, the locking element and the locking rod being disengaged and spaced
apart from one another in a released configuration of the arm restraints to
allow
relative displacement of the main bracket and the locking rod; positioning the
load-
carrier arms in a lifting configuration under the vehicle; and raising the
load-carrier
arms along the at least two lifting posts and above the arm restraint-
disengaged
section of the at least two lifting posts, thereby disengaging the arm
restraints from
the at least one of the floor and the base and automatically configuring the
arm
restraints in the locked configuration, wherein the locking element is
simultaneously biased towards the locking rod of the arm restraints by a
translation
of the locking element towards and perpendicularly to the locking rod until
locking
surfaces of the locking element and the locking rod are engaged together to
prevent a pivoting movement of the load-carrier arms with respect to the at
least
two lifting posts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects, advantages and features will become more apparent upon reading
the following non-restrictive description of embodiments thereof, given for
the
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-28
purpose of exemplification only, with reference to the accompanying drawings
in
which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle lift in accordance with an
embodiment;
Figure 2 is a front elevation view of the vehicle lift of Figure 1, where a
vehicle is
shown ready to be lifted as the carriages are being positioned about the
ground
surface;
Figure 3 is a front elevation view of the vehicle lift of Figure 1, where the
vehicle is
shown in its lifted configuration, the carriages being positioned at a vehicle
lifted
level;
Figure 4 is a closed-up perspective view of an arm restraint of the vehicle
lift of
Figure 1, the arm restraint being shown in its released configuration allowing
the
load-carrier arm to pivot;
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-28
20038-2
Figure 5 is a closed-up perspective view of the arm restraint of Figure 3, the
arm
restraint being shown in its locked configuration preventing the load-carrier
arm to
pivot;
Figure 6 is a top perspective view of a main bracket of the arm restraint of
Figures
4 and 5;
Figure 7 is a top perspective view of a lever of the arm restraint of Figures
4 and 5;
Figure 8 is a top perspective view of a locking rod of the arm restraint of
Figures 4
and 5;
Figure 9 is a closed-up perspective view of the arm restraint of Figure 5,
showing
the locking rod being in locking engagement with the main bracket;
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the arm restraint of Figure 9, showing
the
locking rod being in locking engagement with the main bracket; and
Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the arm restraint, showing the locking
rod
being disengaged from the main bracket.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar
elements. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity and clarity, namely so as to
not
unduly burden the figures with several reference numbers, not all figures
contain
references to all the components and features, and references to some
components and features may be found in only one figure, and components and
features of the present disclosure which are illustrated in other figures can
be
easily inferred therefrom. The embodiments, geometrical configurations,
materials
mentioned and/or dimensions shown in the figures or described in the present
disclosure are embodiments only, given solely for exemplification purposes.
Furthermore, in the context of the present description, it will be considered
that all
elongated objects will have an implicit "longitudinal axis" or "centerline",
such as
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20038-2
the longitudinal axis of a shaft for example, or the centerline of a biasing
device
such as a coiled spring, for example, and that expressions such as "connected"
and "connectable", or "mounted" and "mountable", may be interchangeable, in
that
the present vehicle lift or arm restraint also relate to kits with
corresponding
components for assembling a resulting fully-assembled and fully-operational
vehicle lift.
It is appreciated that other heavy loads can be lifted using the present lift
assembly
including but not being limited to vehicles.
Moreover, components of the present vehicle lifts, arm restraints and/or steps
of
the method(s) described herein could be modified, simplified, altered, omitted
and/or interchanged, without departing from the scope of the present
disclosure,
depending on the particular applications which the present lift is intended
for, and
the desired end results, as briefly exemplified herein and as also apparent to
a
person skilled in the art.
In addition, although the embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying
drawings
comprise various components, and although the embodiments of the present
vehicle lift and corresponding portion(s)/part(s)/component(s) as shown
consist of
certain geometrical configurations, as explained and illustrated herein, not
all of
these components and geometries are essential and thus should not be taken in
their restrictive sense, i.e. should not be taken so as to limit the scope of
the
present disclosure. It is to be understood, as also apparent to a person
skilled in
the art, that other suitable components and cooperation thereinbetween, as
well as
other suitable geometrical configurations may be used for the present vehicle
lift
and arm restraint and corresponding portion(s)/part(s)/component(s) according
to
the present vehicle lift and arm restraint, as will be briefly explained
herein and as
can be easily inferred herefrom by a person skilled in the art, without
departing
from the scope of the present disclosure.
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20038-2
To provide a more concise description, some of the quantitative and
qualitative
expressions given herein may be qualified with the terms "about" and
"substantially". It is understood that whether the terms "about" and
"substantially"
are used explicitly or not, every quantity or qualification given herein is
meant to
refer to an actual given value or qualification, and it is also meant to refer
to the
approximation to such given value or qualification that would reasonably be
inferred based on the ordinary skill in the art, including approximations due
to the
experimental and/or measurement conditions for such given value.
The present disclosure describes vehicle lifts, and more particularly arm
restraints,
that are configured so as to prevent a load-carrier arm of the vehicle lift to
pivot
when the vehicle is being lifted above the ground surface, and which, by
virtue of
their designs and components, overcome or at least minimize some of the above-
discussed drawbacks.
Referring now the drawings and more particularly to Figures 1 to 3, there is
shown
a vehicle lift 10 which is configured and adapted to allow lifting of a
vehicle 12
above a ground surface 14 (or above the floor). Vehicle lift or lift 10
includes two
spaced apart lifting posts 16 which are positioned so as to allow a vehicle
12, such
as a car or a truck, to be positioned therebetween. Each lifting post 16
includes a
base 18 (Fig. 4) for resting on ground surface 14, a post structure 20 which
upwardly extends upwardly from base 18 and a carriage 22 which is slidably and
operatively mounted to post structure 20. As shown, base 18 is provided with a
plurality of apertures so it can be secured to ground surface 14 using a
plurality of
suitable mechanical fasteners for example. As best illustrated in Figures 2
and 3,
each carriage 22 is configured so as to slide along a corresponding post
structure
20 between adjacent to ground surface 14 (Figure 2) and a vehicle lifted level
15
(Figure 3), so that vehicle 12 positioned on ground surface 14 between lifting
posts
16 (Figure 2) can be lifted until it reaches vehicle lifted level 15 (Figure
3). For
example, each lifting post 16 can include hydraulically or electrically
operated lifting
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20038-2
actuators (not shown) operatively coupled to carriages 22 for allowing their
vertical
displacement from ground surface 14 and along post structure 20.
Referring to Figures Ito 5, there is shown that each lifting post 16 of
vehicle lift 10
further includes two load-carrier arms 24. Each load-carrier arm 24 is
pivotally
mounted to its corresponding carriage 22 so as to engage with an underside 13
of
vehicle 12 to be lifted. Each load-carrier arm 24 is being pivotable about a
vertical
pivot axis 26, in a plan which is substantially parallel to ground surface 14.
In the embodiment shown, each lifting post 16 of vehicle lift 10 further
includes two
load-carrier arms 24. However, it is appreciated that, in alternative
embodiments
(not shown), each lifting post 16 can include one or more than two load-
carrier
arms 24.
Still referring to Figures 1 to 5, there is shown that an arm restraint 28 is
coupled to
each one of the load-carrier arms 24 and is configured so as to operate
between a
released configuration (Figures 2 and 4), where the load-carrier arm is
located
adjacent to the ground surface and a portion of the arm restraint 28 engages
with
base 18 (or any other suitable surface), thereby allowing load-carrier arm 24
to
pivot about vertical axes 26, and a locked configuration (Figures 3 and 5),
where
carriages 22 and load-carrier arms 24 are located away from ground surface 14,
thereby preventing load-carrier arms 24 to pivot about their respective
vertical axes
26.
Referring to Figures 4 and 5, in the non-limitative embodiment shown, the
carriage
22 includes an extension arm 104, which is defined, in the non-limitative
embodiment shown, by two spaced apart plates 105, 109, with an extension arm
distal end 106. The extension arm 104 translates with the remaining components
of the carriage 22 along the post structure 20. Leg through holes are defined
at
extension arm distal end 106 to receiving a pivot axis of a respective one of
the
arm restraints 28, as will be described in more details below. In other words,
the
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arm restraints 28 are connected to the carriage 22 to be displaceable along
the
post structure 20 through the connection with the extension arm 104.
Since all arm restraints 28 of the vehicle lift 10 are similar, only one will
be
described in the following paragraphs.
Referring now more particularly to Figures 4 to 8, there is shown that arm
restraint
28 includes a main bracket 30 mounted to the carriage 22. Main bracket 30
defines
a bracket locking end 32 and a bracket pivoting end 34, which is found
opposite
bracket locking end 32. Bracket pivoting end 34 is pivotally mounted to
carriage 22
so as to pivot about a bracket pivot axis 36 (vertical axis 36 for example).
Each arm restraint 28 further includes a locking rod 38 mounted to the load-
carrier
arm 24. Locking rod 38 defines a rod pivoting end 40 and a rod free end 42,
which
is found opposite rod pivoting end 40. Rod pivoting end 40 is pivotally
mounted to a
side wall of load-carrier arm 24 so as to pivot about a rod pivot axis 44
(vertical
axis 44 for example). As well illustrated, rod pivot axis 44 is spaced apart
from
bracket pivot axis 36. As it will be described in more details herein, locking
rod 38
is capable of locking engagement with main bracket 30.
In the non-limitative embodiment shown and referring to Figures 5 and 9, the
locking rod 38 of the arm restraint 28 further includes a connecting plate 92
at its
rod pivoting end 40 for allowing pivot of locking rod 38 relatively to a side
wall of
load-carrier arm 24. Arm restraint 28 further includes a pair of spaced-apart
plates
94, 96 secured to and extending laterally from the side wall of load-carrier
arm 24.
Indeed, the two plates 94, 96 are spaced-apart from one another to receive
connecting plate 92 therebetween. Plate through holes 98, 100, 102 are defined
respectively in the plates 94, 96 and the connecting plate 92. The plate
through
holes 98, 100, 102 are aligned and configured, shaped and/or sized so as to
receive a pivoting and connecting rod therein, thereby allowing the connecting
plate 92 to pivot about rod pivot axis 44 (or rod pivot).
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Thus, the arm restraint 28 includes the main bracket 30, mounted to the
carriage
22, and the locking rod 38, mounted to the load-carrier arm 24. Each one
includes,
directly or indirectly, a locking surface, as will be described in more
details below.
The locking surfaces of the main bracket 30 and the locking rod 38 are
engageable
together to configure the arm restraint 28 in the locked configuration and
thereby
prevent relative displacement of the main bracket 30 and the locking rod 38,
thereby preventing load-carrier arm 24 to pivot about its respective vertical
axis 26.
When the locking surfaces of the main bracket 30 and the locking rod 38 are
disengaged from one another, the arm restraint 28 is configured in the
released
configuration and relative displacement of the main bracket 30 and the locking
rod
38 is allowed, thereby allowing load-carrier arm 24 to pivot about its
respective
vertical axis 26.
Still referring to Figures 4 to 8, there is shown that arm restraint 28
further includes
a lever 46. Lever 46 defines a base-engageable end 48 and a bracket-connecting
end 50, found opposite base-engageable end 48. Lever 46 is being pivotally
mounted to main bracket 30 so as to pivot about a lever pivot axis 52
(horizontal
axis 52 for example).
Still referring to Figures 4 to 8, main bracket 30 defines a longitudinally-
extending
segment 53, as well as a bracket pivoting segment 54, which upwardly extends
from longitudinally-extending segment 53. Bracket pivoting segment 54 with a
distal end 56 pivotally mounted to carriage 22 so as to pivot about bracket
pivot
axis 36, as mentioned above. More particularly, bracket pivoting segment 54
has a
bracket pivoting segment through hole 111 (Figure 6) extending therethrough at
bracket segment distal end 56 which is aligned with the leg through holes
defined
at extension arm distal end 106 of the extension arm 104. Therefore, the leg
through holes and the bracket pivot axis 36 (or bracket pivot) and provide a
pivotable connection between the extension arm 104 of the carriage 22 and the
bracket pivoting segment 54 of the respective one of the arm restraints 28.
The
arm restraints 28 are thus pivotally connected to the carriage 22 through the
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extension arm 104 and displaceable along the post structure 20 simultaneously
with the carriage 22.
In the non-limitative embodiment shown, lever 46 comprises two spaced-apart
lever plates 112, 114, extending parallel to one another. Lever 46 includes a
main
bracket receiving portion 116 which is configured, shaped and/or sized so as
to
receive bracket pivoting end 34 to be pivotable thereabout. More particularly,
longitudinally-extending segment 53 of main bracket 30 defines a lever
interfacing
portion 58 which is configured, shaped and/or sized so as to be received
inbetween spaced-apart lever plates 112, 114 about bracket-connecting end 50
of
lever 46.
Arm restraint 28 further includes a locking assembly 60 configured to provide
the
locking engagement between main bracket 30 and locking rod 38 (Figures 4 and
5)
and, thereby, prevent relative translation inbetween. In the non-limitative
embodiment shown, the locking assembly 60 comprises a bracket portion mounted
to or provided on the main bracket 30 and a rod portion mounted to or provided
on
the locking rod 38. Each one of the bracket portion and the rod portion
includes
one of the locking surfaces, which are engageable together to configure the
arm
restraint 28 in the locked configuration.
In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the bracket portion of the locking
assembly 60 includes a guide portion 62 (Figures 4, 5, 6 and 9) which upwardly
extends from longitudinally-extending segment 53 adjacent to bracket locking
end
32. Guide portion 62 defines a rod-receiving channel 63 extending
substantially
parallel to the longitudinally-extending segment 53 of the main bracket 30,
along a
longitudinal axis 64, and into which the locking rod 38 extends. In the
released
configuration, the guide portion 62 is configured for allowing longitudinal
displacement (or translation) of locking rod 38 therein, as it will be
described in
more details herein.
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Referring more particularly to Figures 6 and 9, there is shown that guide
portion 62
includes two rod receiving members 71a, 71b which extend from an upper surface
of main bracket 30. The rod receiving members 71a, 71b are spaced apart from
one another to define a lock-receiving cavity 67 inbetween. Each one of the
rod
receiving members 71a, 71b has an aperture 73a, 73b defined therein. The two
apertures 73a, 73b are aligned and, in some implementations, in register to
define
together the rod-receiving channel 63 in which the locking rod 38 is inserted
and
extends along longitudinal axis 64.
It is appreciated that the guide portion 62 of the locking assembly 60 could
be
provided on or mounted to the locking rod 38 in an alternative embodiment (not
shown).
In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the bracket portion of the locking
assembly 60 further includes a locking element 68 which is capable of
displacement within lock-receiving cavity 67, inbetween the two rod supports
or rod
receiving members 71a, 71b, along a vertical displacement axis 69 (Figure 9).
Locking element 68 defines a bracket locking surface 70, i.e. the locking
surface of
the guiding bracket 30, which faces a complementary or corresponding rod
locking
surface 66 which is defined on the locking rod 38. As shown in Figure 10, the
locking surfaces 66, 70 face each other and are engageable together, as will
be
described in more details below. Even though the locking surfaces 66, 70 are
illustrated as being surfaces with complementary protrusions and grooves (or a
plurality of consecutive teeth), a person skilled in the art to which arm
restraint 28
pertains would understand that any suitable locking assemblies or surfaces may
be
provided to the locking rod 38 and/or the locking element 68, as long as it
prevents
horizontal displacement of locking rod 38 along longitudinal axis 64 and
relatively
to main bracket 30, once locking engagement is provided between locking
element
68 and locking rod 38. For example, one pin or more can extend upwardly from
an
upper surface of locking element 68, while an under surface of locking rod 38
may
be provided with corresponding aperture(s) shaped and sized to receive the
pin(s).
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Locking element 68 is capable of displacement (of vertical displacement for
example) between a locked configuration (Figures 5, 9 and 10), where bracket
locking surface 70 engages with rod locking surface 66, thus preventing
longitudinal displacement of locking rod 38 along longitudinal axis 64, and a
released configuration (Figures 4 and 11), where bracket locking surface 70 is
disengaged from rod locking surface 66, thus allowing longitudinal
displacement of
locking rod 38 along longitudinal axis 64.
It is to be noted that even though guide portion 62 and main bracket 30 are
illustrated as being integrally formed they can be provided as separate
components
which can be connected together using suitable connecting elements.
As shown in Figures 6 and 9, each one of first and second rod receiving
members
71a, 71b has an internal side wall, respectively internal side wall 75a and
internal
side wall 75b. As it vertically travels within lock-receiving cavity 67, side
walls of
locking element 68 interface with internal side walls 75a, 75b of both first
and
second rod receiving members 71a, 71b.
Referring to Figures 4, 5 and 9 to 11, there is shown that locking assembly 60
further comprises a lock transmission assembly 72 which is operatively
coupling
the locking element 68 to the lever 46 so as to allow the displacement of the
locking element 68 between its locked configuration (Figures 5, 9 and 10) and
its
released configuration (Figures 4 and 11) in accordance with the configuration
of
the lever 46. The lock transmission assembly 72 includes a transmission link
74,
an articulated connection 80, a locking portion connector 132, and a biasing
device
86. The articulated connection 80 connects the locking portion connector 132
to
the transmission link 74. The transmission link 74 is operatively coupled to
the
lever 46 while the locking portion connector 132 is coupled to the locking
element
68. The biasing device 86 biases the locking element 68 into the locked
configuration when no external pressure is applied on the lever 46 as will be
described in more details below.
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The transmission link 74 of the lock transmission assembly 72 extends between
a
first end 76 and a second end 78. The first end 76 of the transmission link 74
is
mounted to and coupled to lever 46. More particularly, the first end 76 of the
transmission link 74 is pivotally mounted to bracket-connecting end 50 (at
lever
connection point 90) of the lever 46.
Turning now to Figures 9 and 10, there is shown that the articulated
connection 80
of the lock transmission assembly 72 is composed of a plurality of connected
parts,
which defines a first end 82 and a second end 84 of the articulated connection
80.
The articulated connection 80 includes an articulation plate 118 which defines
a
first articulation axis 120 (a horizontal axis for example), a second
articulation axis
122 (a horizontal axis for example) and a third articulation axis 124 (a
horizontal
axis for example). The second end 78 of the transmission link 74 is being
pivotally
coupled to the first end 82 of the articulated connection 80 and, more
particularly,
pivotally coupled to articulation plate 118 at first articulation axis 120 so
that the
articulation plate 118 and the second end 78 of the transmission link 74 can
pivot
with respect to one another. The articulation plate 118 is pivotally mounted
to and
supported by an articulation plate support 125, which is secured to and
downwardly extends from main bracket 30. Therefore, the articulation plate 118
is
pivotally mounted and coupled to the articulation plate support 125 and
pivotable
about second articulation axis 122. Articulated connection 80 also includes a
connector link 126 extending between a first link end 128 and a second link
end
130. The first link end 128 of the connector link 126 is pivotally mounted to
and
coupled to articulation plate 118 at third articulation axis 124, while second
link end
130 of the connector link 126 is pivotally mounted to and coupled to an end of
the
.. locking portion connector 132 of the lock transmission assembly 72.
The biasing device 86 is operatively connected to the locking portion
connector
132 and biases the locking element 68 into the locked configuration when no
external pressure is applied on the lever 46. In the non-limitative embodiment
shown, the biasing device 86 is embodied by a coiled spring 86 which surrounds
a
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section of the locking portion connector 132. The biasing device 86 extends
between the main bracket 30 and the locking element 68 and when no external
pressure is applied it pushes the locking element 68 towards the locking rod
38 for
engagement of their complementary locking surfaces 66, 70.
The locking portion connector 132 extends through the main bracket 30 into a
connector channel 88 extending therethrough, adjacent to the bracket locking
end
32. The locking portion connector 132 is translatably inserted in the
connector
channel 88 with sections of the locking portion connector 132 extending
outwardly
of the main bracket 30 at both ends. As mentioned above, at a first end, the
locking
portion connector 132 pivotally coupled to second link end 130 of the
connector
link 126. The locking element 68 is mounted to the second end of the locking
portion connector 132.
In the non-limitative embodiment shown, a diameter of the connector channel 88
is
larger adjacent to the locking element 68 to define a biasing device-receiving
recess and a portion of the biasing device 86 is inserted into the biasing
device-
receiving recess. A first end of the biasing device 68 abuts against a lower
surface
of the biasing device-receiving recess while its opposed end abuts against the
locking element 68. The biasing device is configurable between a compacted
configuration (Figures 4 and 11) and a resting (released or expanded)
configuration (Figures 5, 9 and 10). In the resting (released or expanded)
configuration, the locking element 68 is pushed upwardly, towards the locking
rod
38, and their complementary locking surfaces 66, 70 are engaged together to
prevent displacement of locking rod 38 relatively to main bracket 30. On the
contrary, when the locking portion connector 132 is pulled downwardly, the
biasing
device 86 is configured the compacted configuration (Figures 4 and 11) and the
locking element 68, which is mounted to the locking portion connector 132 is
displaced downwardly, spaced-apart from the locking rod 38. Their locking
surfaces 66, 70 are disengaged which allows displacement of locking rod 38
relatively to main bracket 30.
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The biasing device 86 biases the locking portion connector 132 towards the
locking
rod 38, i.e. upwardly in the non-limitative embodiment shown, and, thereby, in
the
locked configuration.
It is to be noted that first end 76 of the transmission link 74 is being
coupled to
lever 46 at a lever connection point 90 which is spaced-apart from lever pivot
axis
52. Indeed, lever connection point 90 is located substantially below lever
pivot axis
52. The functionality of such configuration will be explained in more details
below.
Now referring more particularly to Figures 4, 5 and 7, it is to be noted that
lever 46
is configured to pivot about lever pivot axis 52 between a lever disengaged
configuration (Figure 5) and a lever pivoted (engaged) configuration (Figure
4). The
lever 46 is configured in the lever pivoted configuration (Figure 4) when base-
engageable end 48 of lever 46 interfaces with a surface or when pressure is
applied thereon. In the embodiment shown, when the carriage 22 and the load-
carrier arm 24 mounted thereto are positioned in an arm restraint-disengaged
.. section of the post structure 20, the arm restraint 28 is automatically
configured in
the disengaged configuration wherein the load-carrier arm 24 is pivotable. In
the
embodiment shown, the arm restraint-disengaged section corresponds to a lever
engaged section of the post structure 24, i.e. a section along the post
structure 20
wherein the lever 46 contacts the base 18 of lifting post 16 (or the floor)
and is
automatically configured in the lever pivoted (engaged) configuration, which
corresponds to the disengaged configuration of the arm restraint 28. Thus, the
lever engaged section of the post structure 20 corresponds to a section of the
post
structure 20 wherein the lever 46 is configured in the lever pivoted (engaged)
configuration. However, it is appreciated that, when the carriage 22 and the
load-
carrier arm 24 mounted thereto are positioned in the lever engaged section of
the
post structure 20, the base-engageable end 48 of lever 46 could contact the
floor
or any other suitable surface to be configured into the lever pivoted
configuration,
When the base-engageable end 48 of lever 46 is disengaged from a surface, such
as the base 18 of lifting post 16, or when pressure is relieved therefrom, the
lever
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46 is reconfigured in the lever disengaged configuration. In some
implementations,
it includes a lowest position that the carriage 22/load-carrier arm 24 can
reach
along the post structure 20 and it can also include a section of the post
structure 20
extending upwardly from the lowest position and wherein the lever 46 is still
configured in the lever pivoted (engaged) configuration.
It is to be mentioned that even though vehicle lift 10 is illustrated in the
accompanying drawings as comprising two spaced apart lifting posts 16, where
each one of the lifting posts 16 includes two load-carrier arms 24 so as to
provide a
four-point support to vehicle 12, a person skilled in the art to which vehicle
lift 10
pertains would understand that vehicle lift 10 can include one or more lifting
post(s)
16, while each lifting post 16 can include one or more load-carrier arm(s) 24.
For
example, a person skilled in the art may think of a vehicle lift that includes
only one
lifting post that is provided with two pivotable load-carrier arms or more, or
alternatively, of a vehicle lift that includes four spaced apart lifting
posts, each lifting
post being provided with only one pivotable load-carrier arm. In both
scenarios, a
four-point support will be provided by the load-carrier arm(s) underneath
vehicle 12
for allowing the vehicle to be lifted by the vehicle lift.
Operating the vehicle lift and the arm restraint
Referring now to Figures 2 to 11, in operation, vehicle 12 is displaced on
ground
surface (or floor) 14 so as to be positioned in between spaced apart hydraulic
lifting
posts 16, while load-carrier arms 24 are out of the way (either by being
retracted or
by being pivoted so that they are provided substantially parallel to a vehicle
displacement axis). Each one of the arm restraints 28 is provided in its
released
configuration (Figures 2, 4 and 11) so that the load-carrier arms 24 can be
pivoted
and adjusted beneath vehicle 12.
Released configuration of arm restraint (Figures 2, 4 and 11)
For each one of the lifting posts 16, since carriage 22 is provided about
ground
surface 14, base-engageable end 48 of lever 46 engages base 18 (or ground
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surface 14 or floor for example). Alternatively, pressure can be applied on
the
base-engageable end 48 of lever 46. As best shown in Figure 4, lever 46 is
provided to pivot about lever pivot axis 52 in a counterclockwise rotation R
(Figure
5). Upon pivot of lever 46, transmission link 74, which is linked to lever 46
at lever
connection point 90 found below lever pivot axis 52, is provided to move
inwardly
towards post structure 20, or base 18 for example. Articulation plate 118,
which is
pivotally linked to transmission link 74, and therefore connector link 126 and
locking portion connector 132, are thus provided to move substantially
downwardly,
towards ground surface 14 for example, which causes locking element 68 to be
pulled down, along vertical displacement axis 69 (Figure 9), so as to reach
its
released configuration as the biasing device 86 is being compressed. Thus,
when
the base-engageable end 48 of lever 46 is pivoted upwardly, the locking
portion
connector 132 having the locking element 68 mounted thereto is displaced
downwardly, through the lock transmission assembly 72, thereby being
disengaged
from the locking rod 38, i.e. the locking surfaces 66, 70 are spaced-apart.
Bracket
locking surface 70 is at this point disengaged from rod locking surface 66,
which
allows longitudinal displacement of locking rod 38 within rod-receiving
channel 63
along longitudinal axis 64, thereby providing load-carrier arm 24 to pivot
about
vertical axis 26. Arm restraint 28 is therefore configured, shaped and/or
sized so
that locking assembly 60 is released (locking rod 38 is capable of
longitudinal
displacement relatively to main bracket 30) as carriage 22, but more
particularly
lever 46, approaches ground surface 14, or pressure is applied on the base-
engageable end 48 of lever 46.
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Locked configuration of arm restraint (Figures 3, 5, 9 and 10)
Indeed, as the load carrier arms 24 (in this case providing a four-point
support)
engage with the underside of vehicle 12 (or even prior to contacting the
underside
of the vehicle) by being raised through vertical displacement of the carriage
22,
arms 24 are automatically prevented to pivot relatively to vertical axis 26.
For each one of the lifting posts 16, as carriage 22 slides along post
structure 20 to
reach vehicle lifted level 15, lever base-engageable end 48 disengages from
base
18 (or alternatively from ground surface 14 for example). Base-engageable end
48
of lever 46 is no longer interfacing with base 18 of lifting post 16. As best
shown in
Figure 5, lever 46 is provided to pivot about lever pivot axis 52 in a
clockwise
direction. Upon pivot of lever 46, transmission link 74, which is linked to
lever 46 at
lever connection point 90 found below lever pivot axis 52, is provided to move
outwardly away from post structure 20, or base 18 for example. Articulation
plate
118, which is pivotally linked to transmission link 74, and therefore
connector link
126 and locking portion connector 132, are thus provided to move substantially
upwardly (to reach its initial position), away from ground surface 14 for
example,
which causes locking element 68 to be displaced upwardly, along vertical
displacement axis 69 (Figure 9), so as to reach its locked configuration as
biasing
device 86 is brought back to its initial/resting configuration. Bracket
locking surface
70 is at this point in locking engagement with rod locking surface 66, which
prevents longitudinal displacement of locking rod 38 within rod-receiving
channel
63 along longitudinal axis 64, thereby preventing load-carrier arm 24 to pivot
about
vertical axis 26. Arm restraint 28 is therefore configured, shaped and/or
sized so
that locking assembly 60 is automatically reengaged (locking rod 38 is
prevented
from longitudinally displace relatively to main bracket), as carriage 22, but
more
particularly lever 46, is raised from ground surface 14.
A person skilled in the art to which arm restraint 28 or vehicle lift 10
pertain would
understand that main bracket 30, locking rod 38, lever 46, locking assembly 60
including guide portion 62, locking surfaces 66, 70, locking element 68, lock
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transmission assembly 72 including transmission link 74, articulated
connection 80,
biasing device 86, etc. can take other configurations, shapes and/or sizes, as
long
as it provides disengagement of locking element 68 and locking rod 38 as
carriage
22 or arm restraint 28, but more particularly load carrier arms 24, approaches
ground surface 14, so as to provide longitudinal displacement of locking rod
38
relatively to locking element 68. For example, a person skilled in the art may
think
of other assemblies to space apart the locking element 68 relatively to
locking rod
38 once lever 46 or any suitable part of the arm-restraint 28 has touched the
ground.
In the embodiment shown, the locking element 68 is lowered to be disengaged
from the locking rod 38. However, it is appreciated that, in an alternative
embodiment (not shown), the locking element 68 could be raised to be
disengaged
from the locking rod 38.
In the embodiment shown, the biasing device is embodied by a coiled spring but
it
is appreciated that other biasing devices could be foreseen to return the
locking
element 68 automatically in the engaged/locked configuration once pressure is
released on the lever 46 (or any suitable part of the arm-restraint 28), for
instance,
by spacing apart the lever 46 from the ground or the base 18.
Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of
specific
embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit and
nature of the subject invention defined in the appended claims.
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