In-ground lifting system for lifting a vehicle comprising a cover, and method for lifting a vehicle

An in-ground lifting system for lifting a vehicle, comprising:

• one or more lifts comprising at least one moveable lift;
• a support structure for mounting the at least one movable lift in a pit;
• a moving drive configured for moving the at least one movable lift in a longitudinal direction in the pit;
• a lifting drive configured for lifting the one or more lifts for raising and/or lowering the vehicle;
• and
• a cover configured for covering the pit, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of cover elements and a movable support element having at least one loop movable in the longitudinal direction with the at least one movable lift, wherein each of the cover elements extends in a width direction of the pit, and wherein the cover elements are configured to move between a pit covering state wherein the cover elements cover the pit and a lift moving state wherein the cover elements move into the at least one loop such that the at least one moveable lift passes over and/or by the cover elements, wherein the cover elements move from the pit covering state to the lift moving state when the at least one movable lift moving through the pit is approaching,
• wherein the cover further comprises a release mechanism that is configured for allowing the cover elements to move from the pit covering state to the lift moving state, wherein the cover elements are positioned to allow the at least one moveable lift to pass, wherein the release mechanism comprises the moveable support element, and wherein the release mechanism further comprises a spring element.

A method for lifting a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an in-ground lifting system for lifting the vehicle, the in-ground lifting system comprising:
• one or more lifts comprising at least one moveable lift;
• a support structure for mounting the at least one movable lift in a pit;
• a moving drive configured for moving the at least one movable lift in a longitudinal direction in the pit;
• a lifting drive configured for lifting the one or more lifts for raising and/or lowering the vehicle;
• and
• a cover configured for covering the pit, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of cover elements and a movable support element having at least one loop movable in the longitudinal direction with the at least one movable lift, wherein each of the cover elements extends in a width direction of the pit, and wherein the cover elements are configured to move between a pit covering state wherein the cover elements cover the pit and a lift moving state wherein the cover elements move into the at least one loop such that the at least one moveable lift passes over and/or by the cover elements, wherein the cover elements move from the pit covering state to the lift moving state when the at least one movable lift moving through the pit is approaching;
• positioning the at least one movable lift;
• and
• lifting the vehicle.