WO1996026043A1

WO1996026043A1 - Engine and transmission cradle system

Info

Publication number: WO1996026043A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/002177
Authority: WO
Inventors: Douglas Hodges
Original assignee: Douglas Hodges
Priority date: 1995-02-22
Filing date: 1996-02-20
Publication date: 1996-08-29
Also published as: AU4986796A

Abstract

A hoist and cradle system (10) for automotive components is disclosed herein having spaced-apart mounting plates (16), (17) supporting a transverse load bar (15) with at least one support arm (20), (21) extending normal thereof terminating with support foot (24), (25). The load bar, support arm and support foot are of variable adjustable length with the mounting plates and the support foot serving as load-carrying members to transfer applied loads from the load bar (15) and support arm (20), (21) directly into the automotive or vehicle structure. Additional support arms may be included to achieve four-point support of the automotive component being lifted. A slider J bolt (36) arrangement is included for selective positioning on the support arm for best weight distribution.

Description

ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION CRADLE SYSTEM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an automotive component support means, and more particularly to a novel component support system that employs a primary load supporting means to which a variety of accessories may be adapted so as to provide for 3 or 4 point engine support, and which may be employed for transverse engine support as well as transmission support.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

In the past, it has been the conventional practice to employ overhead hoists for lifting and manipulating large and heavy automotive component parts, such as engines and transmissions, so that the components may be worked upon for service and maintenance purposes. Although such overhead hoists have proven to be useful for their intended purpose, they are very expensive and generally require a hydraulic or pneumatic system of operation. Although useful in some applications, such prior devices have encountered problems and difficulties which stem largely from the fact that they are not portable, adjustable and do not have proper load distribution or carrying means. In some instances, the support bends or otherwise distorts which not only adversely affects the use of the device but damages the device and the engine components as well. Also, such prior devices are suitable for handling only a single type of engine having a certain number of support points. For example, one engine may have 3 points while another engine might have 4 supporting points.

Therefore, a long-standing need has existed to provide a novel automotive component hoist and cradle system which will readily mount in the fender wells of a conventional vehicle so as to straddle the automotive component, and which includes adjustable means for accommodating component lift fittings which may differ from component to component. Also, it is preferred that the cradle be composed of load-bearing members which are not only adjustable with respect to one another but which will readily transfer lifting loads to the automotive structure itself without damaging the cradle system or the components. SUMMARY OF TffE INVENTION

Accordingly, the above problems and difficulties are avoided by the present invention which provides a novel hoist and cradle system having a major lift or support which will readily accommodate a variety of adaptors adjustable to the specific situation. In one form of the invention, the inventive system includes a transverse load bar which is supported at its opposite ends by tubular bases and which further includes at least one longitudinal support arm having its opposite ends slidably attached to the load bar at one end and carrying an adjustable foot at its other end. The bases and support arm feet are readily disposed to bridge across the vehicle fender wells so as to straddle the engine component intended to be lifted and which serves as a bridge to support the component during the disassembly or assembly procedure.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of transverse support arms that may be removably coupled to the support arm in order to place attachment hooks at required locations for mating with the pickup points on the automotive component. Also, it is important that the main support arm, load bar and secondary support arms be adjustable so that the location of the support hooks can be selectively positioned with respect to the automotive component. A hoist device, such as a slider ratchet strap, can be carried on either the load bar or support arm^{^}as an assist feature for raising and lowering the component with respect to the attachment hooks. Therefore, it is among the primary objects of the present invention to provide a transverse automotive component support bar which straddles the inner fender wells of a vehicle and acts as a bridge to support the vehicle engine or transmission for service and maintenance purposes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an engine and transmission cradle system having a plurality of adaptors so as to adjust to bridge all vehicle fender wells and to support engines have 3 or 4 point support locations.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable transverse engine support system which includes slider J bolts that can be positioned anywhere on the bar for best weight distribution.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel general purpose automotive component support which is a self-sufficient universal tool that is quick to install and use.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a novel automotive cradle which will eliminate costly labor and which will provide one-man installation and removal, avoiding possible injury or damage such as is encountered when using conventional means to support an engine or transmission. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel engine and transmission cradle system which includes a plurality of load-carrying members that are arranged in sliding as well as telescoping sliding arrangement whereby suitable adjustment of the load-bearing members can be achieved so as to properly locate pickup point supports on a variety of automotive components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood with reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of the novel automotive component cradle system incorporating the present invention illustrated in a fully assembled condition;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of the load-bearing support members as well as the adaptors used in the assembled cradle system shown in FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is an assembled plan view of a modified cradle system employing at least one support arm. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGURE 1 , the novel hoist and cradle apparatus of the present invention is illustrated in the general direction of arrow 10 and the apparatus is illustrated straddling over an engine 11 intended to be worked upon which is carried in the engine compartment of an automobile. The apparatus straddles the inner fender wells and acts as a bridge to support the engine, as an example. The apparatus is adjusted to bridge the vehicle fender well and is supported on opposite sides of the well at support fender points 12 and 13. The fender well also includes a front portion of the vehicle, as indicated by numeral 14, which additionally supports the apparatus when in use.

In the illustration shown in FIGURE 1, a load bar 15 is carried in a transverse fashion above the engine 11 and its opposite ends are supported on the fender locations 12 and 13 by means of rod members 16 and 17. The rod members are formed in a triangular shape so that its base rests on the fender location points, while the apex thereof is welded to elements 18 and 19 respectively. It is to be noted that the load bar 15 is of a box-like configuration and cross-section and is hollow so as to receive the elements 18 and 19 in the opposite ends of the load bar 15. Therefore, a width adjustment is provided depending on the length of the elements 18 or 19. _₈- 602177

It is also noted in FIGURE 1 that a pair of support arms 20 and 21 are provided which are carried normal to the load bar 15 by sliding fittings 22 and 23 respectively. Both the support arms and the fittings are of the box-like cross-sectional configuration so that the fittings 22 and 23 will slide along the external surfaces of the load bar so that the support arms 20 and 21 can be laterally disposed over the engine 11. The support arms 20 and 21 are arranged in two segments with one segment inside the other in telescoping relationship so that the length of each support arm can be adjusted. One end of each support arm is carried on the load bar 15 while its opposite end is carried on a foot identified by numerals 24 and 25 respectively. Each foot is slidably carried within a receptacle. Foot 24 is slidably projected through receptacle 26 while numeral 27 indicates a receptacle for slidably receiving foot 25. When the proper height of the support arm 20 and 21 has been located, a bolt, such as bolt 28, is passed through aligned openings in the receptacle and the foot to effect securement. Each foot 24 and 25 includes a support pad, as indicated by numerals 30 and 31 respectively.

In order to properly connect with locating points on the automotive component to be supported, a strut 32 is placed in sliding relationship on support arm 20 by slider 33 while strut 34 is adjusted with respect to locating points and is carried on support 21 by slider 33. The struts 32 and 33 are attached to the sliders 32 and 33 respectively by means of adjustable wing nuts, such as nut 35. The opposite ends of each strut are provided with apertures for holding hooks or J bolts in a downwardly depending position so that the ends of the hooks may readily connect with the location points, such as eyelets carried on the automotive component. Such a hook is identified by numeral 36 with respect to strut 34, while numeral 37 indicates a hook carried on one end of the strut 32.

As indicated above, the apparatus shown in the direction of arrow 10 is a full system using all of the adaptors so that full support is provided such as when a 4 point support is needed. However, FIGURE 3 illustrates a simplified arrangement of the apparatus wherein only a single support arm 21 is provided and it is unnecessary to employ the strut and slider adaptors 33 and 34 respectively. In the configuration shown in FIGURE 3, the J bolts 36 may easily be inserted through a selected hole aligned through the sections of the support arm 21. Alternately, the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1 may include a single strut and slider adaptation without the necessity of a duplicate. Such arrangement would be suitable for a 3 point attachment to selective engines.

In either of the embodiments shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, a hoist mechanism slider 38 may be employed for the purpose of mounting a ratchet strap, broadly indicated by numeral 40. The ratchet strap may take the form of a J-hook or it may be a conventional ratchet strap with a manually operated handle. However, it is to be understood that the ratchet strap does not form a part of the present invention. The slider 38 may carry a receptacle 41 so as to mount the hook 40 when such a hook is required.

Referring now in detail to FIGURE 2, the various components forming the cradle system of the present invention are illustrated which may be readily combined in a selected manner in order to hoist or support a variety of automotive components. The simplest version of the present invention involves supporting the load bar 15 between the tubular supports 16 and 17 with the hoist slider 38 being selectively positioned between the opposite ends of the load bar. In another version, such as shown in FIGURE 3, the support arm 21 is added to the aforementioned apparatus so that the support arm is perpendicular to the load bar at a selected position between the opposite ends of the load bar. The terminating end of the support arm 21 is supported on the foot 25 and the pad 31. It is to be particularly noted that the support arm 21 includes two components which are identified as sections 42 and 43 which are arranged in telescoping relationship inasmuch as section 42 is of a smaller size so that it will fit inside the hollow interior of the section 43. Once the proper length of support arm 21 has been determined, a proper bolt may be introduced through aligned holes in the sections for releasable securement. The bolt 35 may be used for this purpose with or without the adapter slider 33. Likewise, bolt 28 may be used or if required, a snap pin 44 can be introduced through aligned holes in the side of the foot and the receptacle 27 so that the proper height can be determined for the apparatus. in FIGURE 1 wherein a pair of support arms 20 and 21 are used in parallel spaced-apart relationship and which support the struts 32 and 33 mounted on sliders 33. It is to be understood that the slider 33 and strut 34 may be used in the embodiment shown in FIGURE 3 when necessary. However, whenever the struts are employed, the support hooks 36 can downwardly depend from the opposite ends of the struts. If the hoist slider 38 is also used, the hook 36 may be detachably carried in the receptacle 41 on the slider 38 for attachment to an automotive component location point, such as an eyelet.

In view of the foregoing, it can be seen that the cradle apparatus of the present invention is extremely versatile and by using the variety of adaptors provided, will accommodate many different automotive components having a variety of support location points. The apparatus is designed so that its load-carrying and transferring capabilities exceed any prior art systems and by the use of tubular supports 16 and 17, bending and damage is greatly reduced. Also, by using the extensions 18 and 19 in connection with the support plates 16 and 17, the length of the load bar 15 is adjusted so as to straddle an engine carried within a variety of different sized fender wells. Preferably, the cradle apparatus is composed of all metal parts which are powder coated and by using the multiple apertures on all sides of the various components, quick storage of the apparatus is permitted by way of hanging against any wall surface. Also, the multiple apertures for receiving the connection bolts when aligned between adjacent components of the cradle provide an adjustment means for length and height in order to accommodate mounting of the cradle across the wheel or fender wells.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

WHAT IS LAIMED IS:

1. A support system for holding an automotive component having lift points comprising:

an elongated load bar having opposite ends;

an extension insertably carried on each of said load bars opposite ends;

a base arranged in a triangle by rods so that the apex of said triangle attaches to said extension whereby said load bar bridges across the automotive component.

2. The invention as defined in Claim 1 including:

a slider movably mounted on said load bar between said opposite ends; and

a support hook downwardly depending from said slider to detachably couple with the automotive component.

3. The invention as defined in Claim 2 including:

an elongated support arm having opposite ends disposed normal to said load bar;

a slider movably connecting one of said support arm ends to said load bar for movement between said load bar opposite ends; a foot detachably coupled to said other end of said support bar whereby said support bar and said load bar are substantially level with respect to each other.

4. The invention as defined in Claim 3 including:

hook means downwardly depending from said support bar in detachable engagement with the automotive component.

5. The invention as defined in Claim 3 including:

a strut having opposite ends; at least one hook downwardly depending from each of said strut ends; and

a slider bracket movably supporting said strut on said support bar.

6. The invention as defined in Claim 5 including:

a second support arm movably mounted at one end to said load bar so as to be in parallel spaced- apart relationship with respect to said first mentioned support bar; and

a second strut movably carried on said second support bar with hook means downwardly depending therefrom; and a second foot disposed on said support bar cooperating with said first mentioned foot to maintain said first mentioned support bar and said second support bar level with respect to each other.

7. The invention as defined in Claim 6 including:

removable fastener means securing said sliders to said support bar and said load bar respectively.