WO1990002667A1

WO1990002667A1 - Lifting apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1990002667A1
Application number: PCT/GB1989/001074
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gunter Waldemar Heinsohn
Original assignee: Gunter Waldemar Heinsohn
Priority date: 1988-09-13
Filing date: 1989-09-13
Publication date: 1990-03-22
Also published as: GB8920704D0; GB2222574A; GB8821455D0

Abstract

Apparatus for use in breakdown recovery comprises front and rear arms (12, 14) mounted at pivot points (16) to swing in a generally horizontal plane. A coupling member (34) causes the arms (12, 14) to swing together between an entry position in which a vehicle wheel may pass into the space (18) between the arms (12, 14), and a lifting position in which the arms are sufficiently closely spaced to engage and lift the vehicle wheel when the apparatus (10) is lifted. The apparatus (10) can be mounted on the lifting mechanism which comprises a movable member guided to cause the initial movement to be at a first inclination, and later movement to be at an alternative inclination.

Description

Lifting Apparatus

The present invention relates to apparatus for use in lifting vehicles, and in particular, to lifting apparatus for use on breakdown recovery vehicles.

There exists a need for apparatus which can quickly and securely be made ready for use in lifting disabled vehicles, and which can be used with any vehicle, regardless of make or type, without damage thereto.

Old techniques involving lifting hooks and cranes have now largely been superseded by apparatus which engages the wheels of the vehicle to be lifted. In one proposal, an open rectangular framework is placed under both front wheels of the vehicle, and lifted to raise the wheels off the ground. It is necessary to roll the wheels into the frames by moving the vehicle to be lifted, and this may be inconvenient or difficult. Alternatively, it would be necessary to assemble the frame around the wheels, but this introduces unnecessary complexity.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for use in lifting a vehicle, comprising first and second elongate

SUBSTITUTE SHEET members spaced from each other and mounted to swing in a generally horizontal plane between an entry position and a lifting position, the elongate members being so oriented in their entry position as to allow a vehicle wheel to pass into the space between them, and to swing upon further movement of the apparatus relative to the vehicle wheel until the elongate members occupy the lifting position, the elongate members being sufficiently closely spaced in the lifting position to engage and lift the vehicle wheel if the apparatus is lifted.

Preferably, the first and second elongate members axe mounted to swing in a common plane. Coupling means may be operable to cause one of the elongate members to swing when the other elongate member swings. The coupling means may comprise a rigid coupling member pivotally attached to both elongate members. Preferably the points of pivotal attachment between the coupling member and the elongate members, and the pivot points about which the elongate members swing are arranged to form an irregular polygon having opposite sides of different length. The coupling member may be attached more closely to the pivot point of one elongate member than to the pivot point of the other elongate member. The coupling member may be attached more closely to the pivot point of the rearmost elongate member. Preferably the distance between the points of pivotal attachment of the coupling member is greater than the distance between the pivot points of the elongate members.

Preferably one of the elongate members is straight. Preferably one of the elongate members comprises two straight portions connected at an elbow. Preferably the elbow is formed in the rearmost elongate member. Preferably the rearmost member turns toward the foremost member at the elbow.

Preferably the portion of the rearmost member between the pivot point and the elbow swings past the line of the pivot points of the elongate members to approach the entry position, the portion between the elbow and the free end lying generally parallel to the line of the said pivot points in the entry position.

Preferably the foremost elongate member lies between the transverse and rearward directions in the entry position.

Preferably the apparatus comprises locking means for retaining the elongate members in the lifting position. The apparatus may comprise biasing means for biasing the elongate members towards the entry position. The elongate members are preferably divergent in the lifting position.

Preferably the apparatus comprises two sets of first and second elongate members as aforesaid, each set projecting to a respective side of the apparatus for engaging corresponding nearside and offside wheels of a vehicle.

The installation of lifting apparatus on a breakdown recovery vehicle is a difficult task, in view of the large forces involved and the need to ensure that the weight of a vehicle being towed does not cause the front axle of the recovery vehicle to be pulled up from the road. Previous proposals using simple pivoting arrangments have suffered either from the disadvantage that the lifting apparatus slopes down to reach under the towed vehicle, in order for the pivot axis to be located over the rear axle of the recovery vehicle, or that the pivot axis is placed behind the rear axis of the recovery vehicle in order to allow the apparatus to reach horizontally under the towed vehicle. Apparatus which slopes down tends to foul spoilers on modern vehicles. Furthermore, the initial lifting action moves the towed vehicle further away from the rear axle of the recovery vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of the front axle being raised. If spoiler problems are avoided by using a horizontal reach, the use of a pivot axis behind the rear axle of the recovery vehicle increases the risk of the front axle being raised.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided lifting apparatus for a breakdown recovery vehicle, comprising means for engaging a vehicle to be recovered, and a lifting mechanism to which the engaging means are attached, the lifting mechanism comprising a movable member, guide means for guiding the movable member as it moves, and means for applying a force to move the movable member, the guide means so guiding the movable member as to cause the initial movement of the movable member to be at a first inclination and later movement to be at an alternative inclination.

Preferably the motion up the inclines moves the vehicle being lifted towards the breakdown recovery vehicle in which the apparatus is fixed.

Preferably the guide means comprises rotating members supporting and defining the path of the movable member. The rotating members may be rollers. The movable member may comprise a channel section in which the rotating members are located.

The force-applying means may comprise a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator located above the guide means.

Preferably the engaging means comprises apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention.

One embodiment of apparatus according to both aspects of the invention will now be described in^* more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a partial plan view, partly in section of one side of the lifting apparatus;

Figs. 2 and 3 are schematic views corresponding to Fig. 1 and showing the lifting position and entry postion, respectively;

Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of the lifting apparatus to which the apparatus of Fig. 1 may be attached. Fig. 1 shows apparatus (10) for use in lifting a vehicle, comprising first and second elongate members in the form of a front arm (12) and a rear arm (14). The arms (12), (14) are spaced from each other and mounted at pivot points (16) to swing in a generally horizontal plane between an entry position, shown in Fig. 3, and a lifting position shown in Fig. 2. The arms (12), (14) are so oriented in their entry position as to allow a vehicle wheel to pass into the space (18) between them until the wheel engages the front arm (12). The arms (12), (14) can continue to swing upon further movement of the apparatus relative to the vehicle wheel until the arms (12), (14) occupy the lifting position. The arms (12), (14) are sufficiently closely spaced in their lifting position to engage and lift the vehicle wheel if the apparatus (10) is lifted.

It is to be understood that the terms front and rear are used throughout this document merely for convenience, because the apparatus will normally be mounted behind the breakdown recovery vehicle, with the arm (14) rearmost. However, the invention is not limited to the use of the apparatus in this orientation.

In more detail, the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 has a centre line (20) about which the apparatus is symmetrical. A base plate (22) extends to either side of the axis (20) and carries a block (24) on which the arms (12), (14) are pivotally mounted.

Two plates (26) attached to the base (22) form a mount for a shaft (28) which is journal mounted in a block (30) carried by a connecting bracket (32). The journal mounting allows the base (22) to rock about the central axis of the shaft (28) to about 8° either side of the horizontal.

The arms -(12), (14) cannot swing independently about their respective pivots (16). They are coupled by a coupling bar (34) pivotally connected at (36) to the front arm (12), and pivotally connected at (37) to the rear arm (14).

It can be seen that the separation of the pivot point (36) from the pivot point (16) of the arm (12) is greater than the separation of the pivot point (37) and the pivot point (16) on the arm (14), and also that the separation of the pivot points (36), (37) is greater than the separation of the pivot points (16). Thus, the four pivot points are arranged to form an irregular polygon in having opposite sides of different length. The foremost arm (12) is straight over its entire length, although part of its length has been omitted from Fig. 1. The rearmost arm (14) consists of two portions which meet at an elbow (38). The arm (14) turns toward the arm (12) at the elbow.

Motion of the arms (12), (14) is limited firstly by a plate (40) against which the arm (12) abuts when in the lifting position, and secondly by a stop (42) against which the arm (12) abuts when in the entry position.

The arm (12) carries locking means (44) for locking the apparatus in the lifting position. The lock (44) has a bolt (46) guided between guides (48) which are carried by the arm (12), so that the bolt (46) may move axially. A spring (50) acts between a fixed member (52) and a pin (54) carried by the bolt (46) to urge the bolt (46) to the locked position shown in Fig. 1. In the locked position, the tip of the bolt 46 abuts the front of the plate 40, to prevent the arm 12 swinging back from the plate 40. A handle (56) allows the lock (46) to be withdrawn against the action of the spring (50). When the bolt (46) is fully withdrawn, the handle (56) may be rotated behind the lip of a plate (58) to lock the bolt (46) in the

SUBSTITUTE SHEET withdrawn position clear of the plate (40), so that the arm (12) can swing rearwardly, away from the lifting position shown. As it does so, the coupling bar (34) causes the arm (14) also to swing rearwardly.

Wheels (60) are provided on the plate (22). These are mounted above the plate, with a portion of the rim projecting below the plate, through a suitable aperture (62). This allows the plate (22) to be located very close to the ground. The wheel (60) and the corresponding wheel on the other side of the axis (20) hold the plate slightly above the ground and at an appropriate angle according to the terrain, any misalignment between the terrain and the breakdown recovery vehicle being taken up by the journal mounting at (28), (30).

The operation and use of the apparatus (10) can best be described with reference particularly to Figs. 2 and 3. In these figures, the arms (12), (14) and the coupling bar (34) are represented by single lines, and pivot points are represented by crosses.

The apparatus will initially be locked in the lifting position, shown in Fig. 2. In order to lift a vehicle, the lock (44) is released. This causes the apparatus to adopt the entry position of Fig. 3, because of the biasing provided by a spring (64) acting between the arm (14) and a fixed point on the base (22). The spring (64) is not shown in Fig. 1, for simplicity. The spring (64) pulls on the arm (14) to swing it backwards. This pulls the arm (12) with the arm (14) until the arm (12) hits the stop (42). The arm (12) does not hit the stop (42) until the portion of the arm (14) between the elbow (38) and the pivot (16) has passed beyond the line (66) of the pivots (16). The portion between the elbow (38) and the free end (68) of the arm (14) is then projecting generally directly rearward of the apparatus. In the entry position, the arm (12) lies approximately mid way between the transverse and longitudial directions of the apparatus (10), that is at approximately 45° to the line (66) .

It can be seen that the separation of the free ends of the arms (12), (14) in Fig. 3 is considerably greater than the separation in Fig. 2. This is a result of the locations and separations of the pivot points (16), (36), (37).

In the entry position, the arm (14) of the other side of the apparatus (10) will lie alongside the arm (14) shown in Fig. 3, both projecting directly backwards of the apparatus. Accordingly, the apparatus can be moved backwardly to pass the arms (14) between an offside and nearside wheel of a vehicle to be lifted, until the wheel, indicated at (70), engages the foremost arms (12). Continued relative movement between the wheel (70) and the apparatus (10), normally by continuing to reverse the apparatus under the vehicle to be lifted, causes the arm (12) and therefore the arm (14) to begin to swing towards the lifting position of Fig. 2. During this movement, the arm (14) swings in behind the wheels until, at the lifting position, the arms (12), (14) of each set lie in front of and behind the corresponding wheel (70), separated by less than the diameter of the wheel, so that if the apparatus (10) is lifted, the arms (12), (14) lift the wheel. The locks (44) should be engaged before doing so.

It can be seen from Fig. 2 that in the lifting position, the arms (12), (14) are divergent. This allows different wheel sizes to be accommodated.

In accordance with the second aspect of the invention, the apparatus (10) can be attached to lifting apparatus shown highly schematically in Fig. 4. The connecting bracket (32) is attached to the foot (80) of a movable member (82) which is guided as it moves by guide means in the form of a series of fixed rollers (84). The leg (86) of the movable member (82) is preferably formed of channel section in which the rollers (84) are located. Three rollers (84) are shown in Fig. 4 and it can be seen that they are not aligned. The lowermost roller and the central roller are aligned on a line of steep inclination; the middle roller and upper roller are aligned at reduced inclination to the horizontal .

The force for raising and lowering the movable member (82) is provided by an actuator (88). This may be hydraulic or pneumatic.

When the apparatus is to be used, the foot (80) is initially lowered almost to the floor, so that the apparatus (10) can be moved to its entry position and the whole arrangement reversed under the vehicle to be recovered, by moving to the left as shown in Fig. 4. When the apparatus (10) has engaged the wheels and been locked in its lifting position, the actuator (88) pulls up on the movable member (82), which initially rises under the guidance of only the lowermost and middle rollers (84). This steep initial movement and the horizontal reach of the apparatus ensure that the spoiler of the vehicle, if it has one, is not damaged. It can also be seen that the movement is bringing the recovered vehicle slightly closer to the recovery vehicle, so reducing the upward force on the front axle of the recovery vehicle.

Just at the point at which the lowermost roller (84) is about to leave the channel section (86), the upper mouth of the channel section engages the uppermost roller (84). Since this is misaligned with the existing line of motion, the leg (86) swings about the middle roller (84) as the uppermost roller is engaged and the leg leaves the lowermost roller. Subsequent motion is along the line of the uppermost and middle rollers (84). This draws the recovered vehicle further towards the recovery vehicle.

Another advantage of the dog leg in the path of the movable member (86) is that the initial lifting force can be applied closely behind the rear axle of the recovery vehicle, while still allowing the final downward force on the recovery vehicle to be directly or almost directly over the rear axle.

It will be understood that various modifications and adaptations of the apparatus described above can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In particular, the dimensions of the arms, the arrangement by which they are pivoted and mounted, and the type of guide means and movable member can all be varied.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use in lifting a vehicle, comprising first and second elongate members spaced from each other and mounted to swing in a generally horizontal plane between an entry position and a lifting position, the elongate members being so oriented in their entry position as to allow a vehicle wheel to pass into the space between them, and to swing upon further movement of the apparatus relative to the vehicle wheel until the elongate members occupy the lifting position, the elongate members being sufficiently closely spaced in the lifting position to engage and lift the vehicle wheel if the apparatus is lifted.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second elongate members are mounted to swing in a common plane.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising coupling means operable to cause one of the elongate members to swing when the other elongate member swings.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the coupling means comprises a rigid coupling member pivotally attached to both elongate members.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the points of pivotal attachment between the coupling member and the elongate members, and the pivot points about which the elongate members swing are arranged to form an irregular polygon having opposite sides of different length.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the coupling member is attached more closely to the pivot point of one elongate member than to the pivot point of the other elongate member.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the coupling member is attached more closely to the pivot point of the rearmost elongate member.

8. Apparatus according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the distance between the points of pivotal attachment of the coupling member is greater than the distance between the pivot points of the elongate members.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein one of the elongate members is straight.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein one of the elongate members comprises two straight portions connected at an elbow.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the elbow is formed in the rearmost elongate member.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the rearmost member turns toward the foremost member at the elbow.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the portion of the rearmost member between the pivot point and the elbow swings past the line of the pivot points of the elongate members to approach the entry position, the portion between the elbow and the free end lying generally parallel to the line of the said pivot points in the entry position.

14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the foremost elongate member lies between the transverse and rearward directions in the entry position.

15. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises locking means for retaining the elongate members in the lifting position.

16. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises biasing means for biasing the elongate members towards the entry position.

17. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongate members are divergent in the lifting position.

18. Apparatus according to any preceding claim and comprising two sets of first and second elongate members as aforesaid, each set projecting to a respective side of the apparatus for respectively engaging nearside and offside wheels of a vehicle.

19. Apparatus for use in lifting a vehicle, substantially as described above in relation to Figs. 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

20. Lifting apparatus for a breakdown recovery vehicle, comprising means for engaging a vehicle to be recovered, and a lifting mechanism to which the engaging means are attached, the lifting mechanism comprising a movable member, guide means for guiding the movable member as it moves, and means for applying a force to move the movable member, the guide means so guiding the movable member as to cause the initial movement of the movable member to be at a first inclination and later movement to be at an alternative inclination.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the initial or later movement moves the vehicle being lifted towards the breakdown recovery vehicle in which the apparatus is fixed.

22. Apparatus according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the guide means comprises rotating members supporting and defining the path of the movable member.

23. Apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the rotating members are rollers.

24. Apparatus according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the movable member comprises a channel section in which the rotating members are located.

25. Apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 24, wherein the force-applying means comprises a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator located above the guide means.

26. Apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 25, wherein preferably the engaging means comprises apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 19.

27. Lifting apparatus substantially as described above with reference to Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings.

28. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.