US3173660A

US3173660A - Horizontal type lifting jacks

Info

Publication number: US3173660A
Application number: US162087A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ulm Russell Keith
Original assignee: Universal Tool and Stamping Co Inc
Current assignee: Universal Tool and Stamping Co Inc
Priority date: 1961-12-26
Filing date: 1961-12-26
Publication date: 1965-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 1982-03-16

Description

March 16, 1965 R. K. ULM 3,173,660

HORIZONTAL TYPE LIFTING JACKS Filed Dec. 26. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nw m q N AQ ATTORNEY! March 16, 1965 R, K, ULM

HORIZONTAL TYPE LIFTING JACKS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 26, 1961 March 16, 1965 R. K. ULM 3,173,660

HORIZONTAL TYPE LIFTING JACKS Filed Deo. 26, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 fil/1.7111.

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`umlmmmmmmm INVENTOR March 16, 1965 R, K, ULM

HORIZONTAL TYPE LIFTING JACxs 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 26, 1961 /IZ/ /f 73 1NVENT0R /PUSSELL K. (/M

ATTORNEW United States Patent O 3,173,6ss HORIZNTAL TYPE LIFTING JACKS Russell Keith Ulm, Butler, Ind., assigner to Universal Tool & Stamping Company, Ine., Butler, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Filed Dec. 26, 1961, Ser. No. 162,087 Claims. (Cl. 25d- 110) This invention relates to improvements in horizontal type lifting jacks.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of a fast action lift type horizontal jack adapted `for use with low-type cars, such as compacts.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a ruggedly constructed jack adapted to be used in connection with the lifting of vehicles, the same preferably being adapted to side lift compact vehicles, and to that end being of very low height when collapsed, with a fast action lift mechanism.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved rack bar structure for horizontal type lifting jacks.

A further object of this invention is the provision or" an improved load lifting assemblage for use on horizontal type rack bars.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

FIGURE l is a plan View of the improved jack in collapsible position.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the improved horizontal type jack `in collapsed position.

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken through the jack in collapsed position.

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation of the improved jack in elevated load lifting position.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modiiied form of vehicle engaging head for jacks, the same differing from the head shown in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 2, showing more particularly an anti-friction means for supporting the slide carriage of the jack structure upon an improved rack bar.

FIGURE 7 is `a fragmentary cross sectional view taken centrally through the rack bar at the front end thereof.

FIGURE 8 is a transverse cross sectional view taken through the rack bar and base, substantially on the line 8--8 of FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 9 is a transverse cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 9-9 of FIGURE 2, and more particularly showing the connection of a lift seat upon the vehicle elevating beam of the jack.

FIGURE 10 is a plan view of the rack structure of the jack showing its base mountings, with the load lifting structure of the jack removed.

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of the slide carriage of the jack and its pawl mechanism, showing the same detached from the rack bar.

FIGURE 12 is an end elevation of the slide carriage taken substantially on the line 12-12 of FIGURE 4, showing the same mounted in the rack bar.

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of an improved leg structure for the jack. It carries substantially the entire load during lifting of a vehicle.

FIGURE 14 is a perspective View of an improved type of lift beam which is very ruggedly constructed to withstand load lifting forces.

FIGURE l5 is a cross sectional view taken through the collapsed jack structure, substantially on the line 15-15 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 16 is a cross sectional View taken through the carriage mechanism shown in FIGURE 11, the view being taken substantially on line 16-16 of FIGURE 3, without showing the rack bar.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the letter A may generally designate the improved jack. It includes a rack bar and base structure B, and load lifting assemblage C.

The assemblage B preferably includes a rack bar 20 of one-piece construction, which is formed of rolled steel, shaped to provide a wide horizontal bottom wall 21 having upstanding side

vertical walls

22 and 23, the latter of which at the upper ends thereof are provided with inturned horizontal flanges 24, lying in the saine plane. Thus, the rack bar may be said to have a polygonal or rather rectangular shaped cross section. The iianges 24 form an important part in the mounting of the slide carriage of the load lifting assemblage C to be subsequently described. They terminate `at their facing edges to provide a longitudinal opening Z5 extending the length of the rack bar 2i), through which extends the details of the load lifting assemblage C, to be subsequently described. These flanges 24 and the bottom wall and side walls of the bar, in elect, provide facing channels. The bottom wall 21 centrally thereof and facing `and lying below the opening 25 is provided with a series of teeth 3G. The wall 21 at each side of the row of teeth 30 defines smooth -trackways for receiving certain guide portions of the pawl casing.

The rack bar 2l) is rolled and bent to form in a rolling mill as described in my co-pending application Serial No. 156,398, filed December 1, 1961, -although it is of a different shape than the rack bar of that application. The teeth 3G are formed identically the same as the teeth of the rack bar shown in said co-pending application. As will be noted yfrom FIGURE 10 these teeth are visible through the opening 25 in the top of the rack bar and they extend throughout the entire length of the rack bar.

Further referring to the rack bar and base structure B, the rack bar anges 24 are downturned as shown at 35 in FIGURES 7 and 10 of the drawings, for a short distance, whereby to provide stops 36 which limit the forward movement of a slide carriage of the assemblage C.

The base structure for the rack bar preferably consists of a front base piece 40 and a rear base piece 41. The former is quite wide, being slightly less than three times the width of the rack bar 20, and comprises a ground engaging wall 42 the front end of which may be transversely raised as at 43 for strengthening the same. The rear edge 44 is quite thin, since this portion of the base is intended to act as a shovel for clearing ground in order to operate the jack beneath a vehicle should such be necessary.

The sides of the base 4t) are flanged vertically as at 45 substantially throughout their lengths, although the flanges stop short of the front edge 44, and the front portions of these flanges are parallel for the purpose of pivotally attaching a leg portion of the load lifting assemblage C thereto, as will be subsequently described. The large base 46 is designed as to width and length for giving stability both fore and aft and sidewise, and such increases tremendously the buoyancy of the jack in soft ground.

The bottom Wall 21 of the rack bar at the front end overlies for a short distance the bottom wall 42. of the front base piece 4i) and is riveted thereto at 46, at each side of the row of teeth 30. The bottom wall 42 is recessed at this area at 47 to receive the rear teeth 30 of the rack bar as shown in FIGURE 3.

At its rear end the rack bar 20 is provided with thebase piece 41. It consists of a bottom wall 50 which may be `riveted or .bolted at 51 to .the rack bar bottom wall; an endf wall 52 being vertically positioned on the rear margin of the bottom wall 50 to close the channel of the rack bar. It is overflangedfand llaterally flanged at 53 yupon the rack bar, as shown in the drawings.

The load lifting assemblage C preferably comprises la main lifting legr65; beam 66,- pawl supporting slide carriage 67 and a lift head 68. In this/general arrangement the leg 65 is pivoted to the front base 40 and intermediate Y its ends the beam 66 is pivoted tothe other end ofthe leg. The liftyhe'ad 68 is mounted ori the outer Vend of the beam l 66, and the carriage 67 is vpivoted to the lower end ofthe beam 66 and` slides within the passageway of the rack bar Referring to the details of the leg structure 65, the same as shown in perspective in FIGURE 13, comprises a rather trapez'oidally shaped b ody wall 70 provided at the sides thereof with vertically disposed or upstanding wall anges l 71 and 72 whichfexte'nd at the front of the leg structure beyond the edge 73 of the body 7i) andare there apertured at 74 for receiving a hinge shaft 75 pivoted to the parallel portions of the opstanding flanges 45 of the base member 40, ascan be seen from vFIYGUREI of the drawings. The upstanding leg flanges 71 and 72" at the upper edges thereof are outwardly hanged at 76, and the rear endsv of the leg flanges 71 extend beyond the lateral flanges 76 and vare there vapertured `at78 lfor receiving a hinge pini79` mounted upon the beam fintermediate the ends of the sign ofthe beam 66 V and the legstructure 65. It will be notedthat the legstructure 65 is of one-piece formation,

as is also. the beam 66; The Z-.shaped formation Where the le'gs 71fa'rd 72` lconnect with the body -70 and the flanges-76gi`ve great strengthtotheleg l65. The body 70 of the lglvstvructur 6 5 `is preferably provided with an opening 82 therein Awhich receives the front end .of Vthe racklbarwhenthe jaclgiscollapsed. The-body rearwardly of the' opening 82` is upwardly bulged at 83 so as to lie' in substantially'hor-izontal position as shown in FIG- URE 3, and in this `position the bottom wall 80`of the beam 66Erests ushjthereonas shown in FIGURE 3 when collapsed to low position.v Thus, there is only one thick- .ness` of metal difference between the top surface of the rack bar and the beam section 66, ,at .this location. Y

Due to the upwardly opening channel beam 66, a very strong structure has been provided; the flanges 81 being under tension when load lifting, and the bottom wall'` 80 plied to. enable detachment of the carriage for repair of the pawl or the carriage mechanism, if so desired.

The carriage 67 is of unique construction, and intended to slide entirely withinthe passageway of the rack bar B. No part of it protrudes either-laterally or beneath the rack Ibar -to provide an obstruction to ground Contact, as the carriage'moves along the bar..y

Thercarria'ge 67 preferably comprises a .casing or housing -which isshown in perspective in FIGURE 1l and in various elevations andcross sectional views. lt includes sidewalls 91 tand 92 in parallelism, connected `forwardly and 'rearwardlyV by bottom cross barsr 93 and 94 respectively, best shown in cross section in vFIGURE 3.

YMidway of theirheightsrthe walls .91 and 92" are forwardfly connected and bracedby inturned shallow arm portions 95 which Iare spot welded Vat 95.. Below these arm portions 96 the walls 9.1 and 92 are rearwardly extendedand then laterally angled ,at 100 in divergent relation; these portions 100 being radapted ,to ride intheside channels of the rack bar between the bottom` wall 21 of the rack barl (laterally ofthe teeth 30) and the topfflan'ges 24, as is shown in FIGURE 12. Thus, the flanges 100 provide extensions which are slidable inthe channels and on the trackways of the rack bar to nprevent tilting of the pawl mechanismas the latter is moved along the rack bar. In lieuof-these-lateral slide a'nges 100 anti-friction guide means may be substituted, s'uch asis shown in my above identified co-pending-application for sliding along a rack bar, or rollers may be substituted. AAtthe front end of the casing 90 rollers arel provided yat 104 on theouter endsof a pin.88, which roll along the trackway channels provided at the sides of the rack bar outwardly of the row of teeth and between the. wall 21 land the flanges 24, as can be noted from FIGURES 6 .and l2.

The carriage casing 90 supports a pawl mechanism, which is largely conventional.V The same includes apawl actuating member which is socketed at '111"=to re- Vceive a handle 110e' and pivoted on a detachable pin113 mounted on the sidewalls of casing '90. Furthermore, the pawl mechanism includesa short pawl 112 pivoted on pin 113 mounted on the sidewalls of, casing l9i) and adapted to act upon the rack teeth of the rack bar B. AA longerpawl 11,4 is pivotedt0n the actuatingy member 110 rearwardly and slightly upwardly lof the. pawl 112, upon a'pin 115 carried by side walls 91y and 92 and likewise yadapted to act on the rack teeth ofthe bar v20. A looped steel spring 116'is provided in the case 90 connectedrat one end at 117 with Ithe free end of the longer pawl 114 and Vat its oppositeend being connectedv at 118 to the free end of the

yshorter pawl

1,12. T he function of j this spring is to urge the free ends of fhte pawl into enbeing under compression. Thus there is no likelihood :of

buckling of the beam.

Aswill be-noted from yFIGURE 14 the flanges 81 are apertured at 79a to receive the hinge pin 79,'` and at its outer end, beam 66 is further apertured at 85 to receive a lift head pin 86, shown in `FIGURE 4. At its lower end the beam 66 has the flanges 81 extending beyond the wall 80, as will be noted from FIGUREv 3 to provide attach- Y prevent its detachmentk except whenV the carriage is re- Ymovedjfrom the rack bar. It can be mentioned at this point that instead o f rivets 46 and 51 bolts may be supgagement with the rack teeth 30. A trip lever 120 is pivoted at 121 upon'the `case .9G having an inturned end 12()a for engagement with the intermediate or bight portion of the4 'spring .116. When in the position Vshown in FIGURE Sthespring rinduces a compressive force .large enough to Overcome both the tensile and compressive forces introduced into the spring by the alternate up and down movement ofthe longer pawl. When the trip lever 120 is lowered out of operation the up and down movement of thevhandle ofthe jack and the member 110 willx result in the jack retracting along the horizontalrack bar. The shorter pawl 112 will Vengage the teeth 30 of the rack bar and the load will be transferred from the

short pawl

11,2 to the long pawl114. The jack lifting` assemblage moves forwardly along the rack barV when the handle is movedv downwardly and whenthehandle is rotated upwardly the `longer pawl is pulled upwardly into the next tooth -of the-rack bar in accordance with well known operation of such pawl mechanism.

The lifting head 68y is of inverted U-shapedcrosssection and is pivoted at 86 on the upper end of the beam 66. It is pivoted .thereon to seek its ownlevel in resting beneath the frame of the vehicle to be lifted, and an antifrictionipad v may be placed .on the top thereof. As an alternate a rigid lift head 132 may be riveted or secured at 133 to the upper end of the beam 66a, as shown in FIGURE 5. This :bal-l type of head 132 is adapted to socket in the underside of the frame or car body provided for it.

It should be mentioned that the case structure 90 does not carry any of the load except a reactionary force to push the beam forwardly or let it come backward as the car is raised or lowered.

All parts of the rack bar, base structure, leg, beam, carriage and pawl mechanism are preferably constructed of durable metal, such as steel.

It should also be noted that the anti-friction rollers or slide extensions or members provided on the case 90 are contained, so to speak, upwardly and downwardly within the side channels of the rack bar and are adapted to contact the top anges 24 or the bottom wall Z1.

Various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be made to the form of invention herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the claims.

I claim:

l. In a jack structure, the combination of a rack bar of polygonal cross section including a bottom wall, upstanding side walls and relatively spaced ilanges mounted on the upper margins of the side walis overhanging the bottom wall to define at each side of the rack bar an inwardly facing channel, the rack bar having teeth longitudinally thereof between said channels and facing the space between said overhanging iianges, a carriage longitudinally slidable upon the rack bar having means extending laterally lof the teeth and located beneath said tianges in said channels for guiding the movement of the carriage Within the interior of the rack bar, pawl means carried by the carriage for cooperation with said teeth in order to advance the carriage along the rack bar, a leg movably connected .to the rack bar at an end portion thereof, a beam pivotally connected at one end to the carriage and having the end of the leg remote from its pivot connection with the rack bar and pivotally connected intermediate the ends thereof.

2. In a jack structure the combination of a rack bar of Digi-d material which is polygonal in cross section and includes an elongated bottom wall having upstanding elongated side walls in right angled 4relation therefrom said side walls at the upper margins thereof having relatively spaced inturned flanges thereon partially overhanging the bot-tom wall along each side margin thereof, said flanges lying in the same plane and being relatively spaced to deiine at each side of the rack bar an inwardly facing channel, the rack bar having teeth longitudinally thereof lying between said channels and kfacing the space between said overhanging flanges, a carriage slidable upon the rack bar having retaining means extending laterally of the teeth and located beneath said tianges and disposed in said channels for guiding the movement of the carriage within the interior of the rack bar, pawl means carried by the carriage for cooperation with the teeth of the rack bar `for the purpose of advancing the carriage along the rack bar, and collapsible beam and leg supporting means connected to said carriage and the rack bar for jack lifting purposes.

3. A jack structure as dened in claim 2 in which the beam and leg supporting structure comprises a one-piece supporting leg pivotally connected to the rack bar at an end thereof, and a beam pivotally connected to said carriage and inter-mediate its ends `pivotally connected to the outer end of said leg, said beam being of channelshaped cross section and of a width to collapse into the rack bar in the space between said overhanging anges when the jack structure is collapsed.

4. The jack s-tructure of claim 2 in which the carriage comprises a casing structure provided with side walls spaced to move in the space between said facing edges of said overhanging lianges and in which said side walls at one end of the carriage are provided with laterally projecting portions extending into said channels as a guide and the opposite ends of said side walls being provided with anti-friction rollers bearing on the bottom wall of the rack bar and beneath said overhanging anges.

5. in a jack structure the combination of an elongated rack bar of rigid material which is polygonal in cross section and includes an elongated bottom wall having upstanding elongated side walls in upstanding angled relation therewith, the rack bar bottom wall having teeth in a row longitudinally thereof spaced from said side walls to define smooth trackways at each side of the row of teeth, a carriage slidable upon the rack bar having retaining means extending laterally of the teeth and located as a guide for movement along said trackways, pawl means carried by lthe carriage for cooperation with the teeth of the rack bar for the purpose of advancing the carriage along the rack bar, collapsible beam and leg supporting means connected to said carriage and the rack bar for jack lifting purposes, and means mounted on said rack bar to prevent tilting of the carriage longitudinally thereon during sliding movement incident to pawl operation.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 265,034 9/82 De Weese 74-577 595,556 12/97 Butum 74--577 686,817 11/01 Macphail 189--41 X 810,001 1/06 Sullivan 189-41 811,003 1/06 Tudor 189-41 1,068,960 7/13 Ashliman 81-134 1,295,838 3/19 Barrett 81-134 1,508,044 9/24 Bate 254-109 1,978,451 10/ 34 Eason et al. 2,361,690 10/44 Hunz 254-110 2,463,771 3/49 Hunz 254--110 2,463,772 3/49 Hunz 254-110 2,487,553 1l/49 Hunz 74--575 2,587,067 2/52 Sachtleber. 2,629,583 2/ 5 3 Mueller. 3,124,014 3/64 Cheskin 74-575 WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Examiner.

Claims

5. IN A JACK STRUCTURE COMBINATION OF AN ELONGATED RACK BAR OF RIGID MATERIAL WHICH IS POLYGONAL IN CROSS SECTION AND INCLUDES AN ELONGATED BOTTOM WALL HAVING UPSTANDING ELONGATED SIDE WALLS IN UPSTANDING ANGLED RELATION THEREWITH, THE RACK BAR BOTTOM WALL HAVING TEETH IN A ROW LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF SPACED FROM SAID SIDE WALLS TO DEFINE SMOOTH TRACKWAYS AT EACH SIDE OF THE ROW OF TEETH, A CARRIAGE SLIDABLE UPON THE RACK BAR HAVING RETAINING MEANS EXTENDING LATERALLY OF THE TEETH AND LOCATED AS A GUIDE FOR MOVEMENT ALONG SAID TRACKWAYS, PAWL MEANS CARRIED BY THE CARRIAGE FOR COOPERATION WITH THE TEETH OF THE RACK BAR FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADVANCING THE CARRIAGE ALONG THE RACK BAR, COLLAPSIBLE BEAM AND LEG SUPPORTING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID CARRIAGE AND THE RACK BAR FOR JACK LIFTING PURPOSES, AND MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID RACK BAR TO PREVENT TILTING OF THE CARRIAGE LONGITUDINALLY THERETO DURING SLIDING MOVEMENT INCIDENT TO PAWL OPERATION.