Automated Rolling-Jack for Drive-on Lifts

A method of automating the operation of a rolling-jack, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a transport mechanism for automatically transporting said rolling-jack laterally between runways of a drive-on lift to an engagement location underneath a vehicle parked on said runways;
• (b) providing an engagement mechanism containing two lift pads at two lateral ends of said rolling-jack, for automatically engaging at lift points underneath said vehicle, said engaging to occur within a prescribed tolerance;
• (c) providing a jacking power mechanism for automatically lifting and lowering said lift pads;
• and
• (d) providing a guidance system utilizing one or more sensors for guiding said transport mechanism, said engagement mechanism and said jacking power mechanism.

A method of automating the operation of a plurality of rolling-jacks, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing each of said plurality of rolling-jacks with a transport mechanism for automatically transporting said each rolling-jack laterally between runways of a drive-on lift to an engagement location underneath a vehicle parked on said runways;
• (b) providing each of said plurality of rolling-jacks with an engagement mechanism containing two lift pads at two lateral ends of said each rolling-jack, for automatically engaging at lift points underneath said vehicle, said engaging to occur within a prescribed tolerance;
• (c) providing each of said plurality of rolling-jacks with a jacking power mechanism for automatically lifting and lowering said lift pads at two lateral ends of said each corresponding rolling-jack;
• and
• (d) providing a guidance system utilizing one or more sensors for guiding said transport mechanism, said engagement mechanism and said jacking power mechanism.