AU697027B2 - Lifting appparatus - Google Patents

Description

1 "LIFTING APPARATUS" This invention relates to lifting apparatus.

This invention has particular but not exclusive application to lifting apparatus for vehicles and for illustrative purposes reference will be made to such application. However, it is to be understood that this invention could be used in other applications where lifting points are not readily accessible.

Generally, vehicles can be lifted by jacking devices positioned beneath a part of the undercarriage of a vehicle such as the axle housing (referred to hereinafter as direct lifting). Alternatively, jacks can be positioned under a designated jacking point of the suspended part of the vehicle body such as the bumper bar (referred to hereinafter as indirect lifting).

In some instances direct lifting is either not possible or extremely difficult. For example, a vehicle may be bogged such that there is insufficient space for a jacking device under the axle housing. Furthermore, in many cases the undercarriage and particularly the axle housing is relatively inaccessible such that a person must crawl or lie under the vehicle in order to place the jacking device in the desired position. This is undesirable for many reasons including the risk of injury and infection.

Whilst a jacking device may be more easily positioned for indirect lifting, in most cases a much greater length of -2lift is required because the suspended body of the vehicle must be lifted to an extent wherein the vehicle's suspension is fully extended before the wheel lifts. Consequently, in circumstances where vehicles are continually becoming bogged, indirect lifting is time consuming, tiresome and dangerous.

The present invention aims to alleviate at least one of the above disadvantages and to provide lifting apparatus which will be reliable and efficient in use.

With the foregoing in view this invention in one aspect resides broadly in lifting apparatus adapted for engagement with a protruding wheel hub of a motor vehicle, including:a sleeve-like member or portion adapted to locate about the protruding hub and to extend laterally of the vehicle beyond the outer end of the hub; first jack mounting means provided in said sleeve-like member or operatively connected to said sleeve-like member for mounting a wallaby jack beyond the outer end of the protruding S wheel hub; said sleeve-like member being adapted to engage with the protruding wheel hub in such manner that a lifting force applied to said first jack mounting means by a wallaby jack or high lift jack is transferred to the protruding hub wherein the vehicle may be lifted by the wallaby jack of high lift jack, and first guide means operatively connected to said sleevelike member or portion and spaced from said jack mounting means for guiding the wallaby jack or high lift jack in such manner that it is prevented or at least substantially -3inhibited from contacting the body of the vehicle when the vehicle is being lifted.

Preferably the engaging means is adapted to engage with different types of jacking devices so as to provide for different lifting circumstances. For example, the engaging means may be a contact surface for contact with a jacking device such as a bottle jack placed thereunder or it may include mounting means such as a spigot or socket for mounting a complementary part of a wallaby jack or high lift jack. Such mounting means may also be adapted to receive lift extension means having engaging means for engaging jacking devices at a location spaced from the engaging means of the lifting apparatus. In a preferred form the mounting means includes engaging means adapted to receive the same jacking devices as the engaging means of the lifting apparatus.

In one form of the invention, the lifting apparatus and jacking device comprise an assembly with the jacking device integral with the lifting apparatus or attached thereto.

In many vehicles, the wheel hubs do not protrude sufficiently ro suitably to receive a lifting apparatus as previously described. This invention in another aspect therefore provides a lifting aid for securement to the wheel assembly of a vehicle, including: securing means for securing the lifting aid to the wheel assembly, and extension means extending laterally from said securing means.

Preferably, the extension means extends sufficiently such that the locating means of a lifting apparatus as previously described may be located thereabout. However, the extension means n. include locating means for locating a jack such as a bottle jack or highlift jack. Such locating means may comprise a socket adapted to receive an extended tongue of a jack or an extension bar adapted to cooperate with a jack. It is also preferred that the extension means extends laterally of the rotational centre of the wheel assembly. Preferably the extension means is of tubular form and is adapted to circumscribe a protruding hub wherein the lifting aid is suitable for vehicles with or without protruding hubs. In such form the lifting aid may also provide protection aga.nst stone damage and the like for protruding hubs.

The securing means may be directly secured to the wheel assembly by the wheel studs and nuts. For this purpose the securing means may include holes which correspond with the wheel studs and thus may be positioned between the wheel and the wheel nuts. Alternatively, the securing means may be clamped between the wheel and the wheel mounting flange wherein it may engage and be centred by the wheel studs or the wheel itself.

The securing means may include centering means such as a plurality of tapered spigots for engagement with corresponding tapered stud holes in the wheel. Furthermore, the securing means may also include complementary centering means such as a plurality of tapered holes for engagement with and centering of the wheel nuts.

The lifting aid may include attachment means for attachment of a guide means for holding a lifting device such as a high lift jack away from the body of the vehicle. For example, the attachment means may comprise a square hole extending laterally through the lateral extension means and adapted to receive a corresponding square bar for attachment to guide means which cooperate with the upstanding member of the jack. Such attachment means preferably is arranged such that the guide means will inhibit radial pivoting of the lifting device such that it is maintained in a stable 1 1 position.

In order that this invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein: Fig. 1 is an elevation of a lifting apparatus according to the invention adapted for use with a vehicle having a protruding hub.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the lifting apparatus of 0 fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of a lifting apparatus adapted for use with a vehicle not having a protruding hub.

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the lifting apparatus of 5 fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a stud extension for attachment of the lifting apparatus of fig. 3 to a protruding wheel stud.

Fig. 6 is an elevation of a lifting apparatus according 0 to the invention in use with a high lift jack and a vehicle having a protruding hub.

Fig. 7 is an elevation of another lifting apparatus according to the invention adapted for use with vehicles having short hubs.

Fig. 8 is an end elevation of the lifting apparatus of fig. 7.

1 r ct Fig. 9 is an elevation of a jacking point extension assembly according to one aspect of the invention.

Figs. 10 and 11 are an elevation and end elevation respectively, illustrating the jacking point extension assembly of Fig. 9 in use.

Fig. 12 is an elevation of a jack clamped in a bracket adapted for use with the apparatus of Figs. 1 to 11.

Fig. 13 is an elevation of a lifting aid according to the invention.

Fig. 14 is an end elevation of a lifting aid according to the invention.

Fig. 15 is a sectional elevation of the lifting aid according to the invention fitted to a vehicle.

Fig. 16 is an end elevation of an alternative lifting aid according to the invention.

Fig. 17 is a sectional elev-tion of an alternative lifting aid according to the invention including engagement means for engagement with a lifting assembly.

Fig. 18 is an end elevation of the embodiment of Fig. 20 The lifting apparatus 10 illustrated in fig.s 1 and 2 includes a rectangular sleeve 11 adapted to circumscribe the protruding hub of a vehicle and extend outwardly beyond the outer end thereof. The sleeve may be secured to the hub by a set bolt 12 which threadedly engages the inner end of the sleeve. A strengthening member 13 is welded to the outer most end portion of the sleeve on its underside to provide a 8 flat lower face for engagement with a bottle jack. An end cap 21 is welded to the outer end of the sleeve 11 across the lower portion to provide a socket 14 mainly above the central longitudinal axis of the sleeve. The socket is adapted to receive the tongue 27 of a highlift jack 28 or wallaby jack as illustrated in the embodiment shown in use in Fig. 6. The positioning of the socket 14 mainly above the axis of the sleeve 11 helps to inhibit pivoting of the adaptor about the protruding hub whist the vehicle is being lifted.

A circular flange 16 is welded to the sleeve 11 at its inner most end. The flange 16 includes an aperture 17 which closely accommodates a protruding hub of a vehicle. The flange also provides additional strength to the sleeve portion 11 to prevent spreading of the sleeve wall. A hub support member 18 is fixed to the inner face of the lower wall of the sleeve portion 11 for engagement with the lower outer end portion of the protruding hub. The hub support member 18 and the wall of the aperture 17 cooperate in use to transfer the a lifting moment produced by an offset lifting 20 device engaging the lifting apparatus at member 13 or socket 14. The sleeve 11 is circumscribed by a ring like strengthening member 19 welded to the sleeve approximately adjacent the outer end of the vehicle hub when in use and a gusset 20 welded to the underside of the sleeve.

A hollow guide member 24a extends outwardly and upwardly from the upper face of the sleeve 11 and telescopically c r a o

I

o receives an inner guide member 24b which terminates in an outwardly facing U-shaped guide housing 26 for engagement with the standing member of the highlift jack or wallaby jack. The inner guide member is adjustable relative to the hollow guide member and can be fixed in position by a pin 24c which is locatable in any one of the holes 24d. The guide member 24a is support-ed near its outer end by a support member 25 extending upwardly from the outer end portion of sleeve 11. The support member 25 includes a socket similar to socket 14 for receiving the tongue of a wallaby jack or highlift jack thereby providing an upper lifting point.

The lifting apparatus 100 illustrated in figs. 3 and 4 includes a plate like locating member 111 adapted for engagement with the outer face of a wheel and a rectangular sleeve 112 extending outwardly therefrom. The locating member 111 includes a rim engaging portion 116 at its upper end and an aperture 117 for connection to the lowermost wheel stud by a stud extension 117a as illustrated in fig. 5. The 20 sleeve 112 includes at its outer end features similar to those illustrated in the embodiment of fig. 1, in particular a strengthening member 113, a socket 114 and an end cap 121 and a guide member 124 terminating in a housing 126.

In use of the embodiment of fig. 1 the sleeve 11 is pushed onto the protruding hub of a vehicle such as a 4-wheel drive vehicle to provide a lifting point laterally of the

SEC

hub. A wallaby jack or highlift jack is engaged with the socket 14 or 15 such that the standing member of the wallaby jack rests within the U shaped housing 26. As the jacc is lifted upwardly, the lifting force from the offset jack is transferred to the protruding hub as a lifting moment by the downwardly facing inner surface of the flange 16 formed by aperture 17 and the upper surface of the hub support 18 or the upper Face of the lower side of the sleeve 11, thereby lifting zhe vehicle.

Alternatively, the vehicle may be lifted by a bottle jack positioned under the strengthening member 13.

The lifting apparatus illustrat3d in fig.s 3 and 4 requires the removal of the lowermost wheel nut from the bogged wheel and the connection to the wheel stud of the extension stud extension 117a. The lifting apparatus 100 is subsequently mounted to the wheel assembly such that the rim engaging portion 116 engages with the inner face of the upper portion of the wheel rim and the hole 117 engages with the stud extension 117a. The lifting apparatus is fixed to the 20 stud extension by a wheel nut. The wallaby jack, highlift jack or bottle jack is then used as previously described.

The lifting moment is transferred to the wheel assembly by the rim engaging portion 117 and the stud extension 117a such that the lifting force is applied by the rim engaging portion 116 directly to the rim and outward pivoting of the lifting apparatus is prevented by the stud extension 117a.

V

P"^N

'V

.1 11 A plurality of holes or slots may be provided for engagement with wheel studs of varying pitch circle diameters. Furthermore, the stud engaging means and the rim engaging means may be arranged to provide for different wheel j sizes. In this manner a versatile lifting apparatus can be provided.

The lifting apparatus 200 illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 is adapted for use with vehicles having short hubs such as an series toyota landcruiser. The apparatus 200 includes a circular inner sleeve 211 which may be secured to the hub by a pair of set bolts 12. The sleeve may be pivoted about the hub wherein the set bolts may be positioned to avoid interference with the wheel studs. An outer sleeve 230 is pivotally received about the inner sleeve and comprises an inner sleeve ring 232 and an outer sleeve ring 233 spaced apart by a connecting member 234. The outer sleeve may be secured to the inner sleeve by a pair of set bolts 236.

Advantageously the inner sleeve may be fixed to the hub avoiding the wheel nuts and the outer sleeve may be pivoted 20 to the upright position and fixed to the inner sleeve prior to the connection of a jack.

The jacking point extension assembly illustrated in Figs

S"

10 and 11 is adapted for use with the lifting apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8 and includes a generally upright an extension member 301 having a laterally extending tongue member 327 for engaging in the socket 14 or 15 of the lifting apparatus 10 fixed thereto near its lower end. An inclined through socket 324a is provided near the upper end of the member 301 for slideably receiving the inner guide member 24b which may be fixed thereto by a pin 24c as described in relation to Fig. 1. A socket 315 corresponding to socket of Fig. 1 is provided between the tongue member 327 and the through socket 324a for receiving the tongue of a jack therein. It will be seen that the assembly 300 provides a lifting point well above the wheel centre and is thereby useful for vehicles which are deeply bogged.

The jack assembly 400 includes a hydraulic jack 401 adapted for use in an upside down configuration which is retained in a clamping member 402. The clamping member 402 includes a tongue portion 402 which is receivable in the socket 414 or 415 of a lifting apparatus. The socket 414 corresponds generally to the socket 14 of Fig.l but includes an upper restraining member 405 and a lower restraining member 404 forming the socket for the tongue portion 403.

The tongue member may be secured in the socket by a through 20 pin 406 adapted to extend through the complementary apertures 407 and 408.

The lifting adapter 510 illustrated in the drawings includes a circular steel flange 511 extending outwardly from a cylindrical shell 513 at one end thereof, The flange includes six holes 514 arranged to correspond with the wheel studs 515 of a vehicle wheel assembly 517 illustrated in fig.

o o fl° o I' 1 13 Of course the siie and number of the holes 514 may be varied to suit the particular vehicle to which the adaptor is to be fitted. The shell 513 is suitably sized to circumscribe a protruding hub of a vehicle if such a hub is included in the wheel assembly. The shell 513 may be strengthened by strengthening members 518 as illustrated in fig. 14. Of ccurse other means of strengthening may be utilised.

The lifting aid 600 illustrated in fig.s 17 and 18 includes a shell 613 and flange 611 similar to those previously described in relation to fig.s 13 and 14 with stud holes 614. The lifting aid 600 further includes an end plate 618 and in intermediate plate 619 welded to the inner face of the shell 613 between the outer end and the flange end. The 15 plates 618 and 619 each include a circular hole 620 and 621 respectively which are adapted to receive the extended tongue of a high lift jack such that a lifting moment may be transferred to the vehicle.

Square holes 622 formed towards the inner end of the 20 shell 613 provide a means of attachment of a guide bar 625 for holding the upper end of a high lift jack away from the vehicle, The bar 625 may include at its outer end a U shaped member (not shown) arranged to encompass the sides of the upstanding member of the jack.

In use, the adapter 510 is secured to the vehicle by mounting the flange 511 between the wheel nuts 515a and the 14 wheel hub 516. The protruding shell 513 thus provides a means of attachment of a lifting apparatus as previously described to the vehicle. A lifting device such as a high lift jack or a bottle jack can be placed under or connected to the lifting apparatus to lift the vehicle.

It will of course be realised that while the above has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad ccope and ambit of this invention as is defined in the appended claims.

t* i C i t 08 ,9i

Claims (5)

1. 2. Lifting apparatus claimed in claim 1 wherein said sleeve member or portion also includes a contact surface adapted for contact with a jacking device placed thereunder. -16-
2. 3. Lifting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said first jack mounting means includes a first socket or recess adapted to receive the lifting tongue of a wallaby jack or high lift jack.
3. 4. Lifting apparatus as claimed in claim 3 and further including a lift extension piece having a tongue or spigot adjacent one end and adapted to engage in said socket or recess and second jack mounting means spaced from said tongue or spigot adapted to receive the lifting tongue of a wallaby jack or high lift jack, said extension piece being so made and S arranged that in use said second jack mounting means is above said first socket or recess.
4. 5. Lifting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said second jack mounting means includes a second socket or recess corresponding to said first socket or recess and said lift extension piece includes securing means for securing said tongue or spigot in said second socket or recess.
5. 6. Lifting apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein said lift extension piece includes second guide means for guiding the upstand of the wallaby jack or high lift jack away from the body of the vehicle. Dated this 14 th day of July, 1998 JOHN EDWIN GULTZOW and STEPHANIE JEAN GULTZOW By their Patent Attorneys II AHEARNS