Back to results
US 2025/0129629 A1Published application
Retractable Cover for Automobile Service Pit with Oil Change Mechanism, Detent Pin and Method of Use
OwnerBen Keith Rice, Sr., Benjamin Keith Rice, Jr. +1inventors
InventorsBen Keith Rice, Sr., Benjamin Keith Rice, Jr., Janise L. Rice
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A retractable cover for an automotive service pit allowing an auto technician to utilize a retractable cover and mobile oil drain attachment to successfully collect oil from an automotive oil pan as well as provide repair and replacement of vehicle parts while providing a protective cover over an open automotive pit. Too, the present invention allows for a quick release mechanism, in the form of a detent pin, internal or external to said service pit, which allows an automotive technician to quickly and easily release the present pit cover when in need of a rapid service pit cover release for service person's entrance or egress.
Claims16
A flexible covering device and detent pin securement for an automotive service pit, said pit having a generally rectangular floor opening, wherein said flexible covering for said rectangular floor opening comprises:
- said generally rectangular floor opening exhibiting a length greater than its width;
- said rectangular opening exhibiting C-channel rails running coextensive with said rectangular floor opening length and within said rectangular opening's interior sides for engaging a plurality of flexible covering device anchor members along said covering device's length;
- said C-channel having interned upper and lower flanges;
- said upper flange largely flush with the top of said rectangular opening;
- said flexible covering device exhibiting a length greater than its width;
- said flexible covering device comprising a web net formed of a fabric material and including a plurality of spaced transverse web strips connected to a plurality of spaced longitudinal web strips at right angles;
- said each transverse web strips connected to a plurality of spaced longitudinal web strips each having looped ends;
- said flexible covering device supported by a pair of transverse support members along said flexible covering device's width at either terminal end of said covering device;
- said pair of transverse support members at either terminal end being fixed into looped longitudinal column ends;
- said plurality of anchor members having a T-bar anchor wherein a first end is held within selected looped opposite ends of each transverse web strip and a second end that is perpendicular to said first end;
- said second end exteriorly threaded and bolted, capped or otherwise exhibiting a mated, interiorly threaded bolt;
- said bolt fixable and exhibiting a washer engaged within said C-channel within the interior of said rectangular floor opening;
- said anchor member bolt and washer mounted supporting said transverse web support members and engaged within said C-channels for manual sliding movement within said C-channels along C-channel interior;
- said bolt and washer adjustable on said anchor members for adjusting the depth of said anchor members' washer in said C-channel rails in relation to said threaded exterior to provide an adjustable depth within C-channel and desired tautness to said selected transverse web strips;
- said anchor members allowing translocation of said flexible cover to positions between a covered, partially covered and uncovered positions of said floor opening;
- said C-channel rail adapted to receive said transverse support member at flexible covering device terminal ends and at each C-channel rail end which are secured by insertion of detent pins perpendicular to each C-channel flange for secured placement;
- a means for reversibly securing one end of said cover to at least one end of rectangular floor opening by securing and release of transverse support members via insertion and removal of one to a plurality of detent pins;
- and
- said detent pins insertable and removable at either terminal end of said C-channel rails for securing and releasing said transverse support members at one or both pit ends.
16 more elements
Apparatus for covering a generally rectangular floor opening of an automotive services pit comprising:
- a pair of fixed longitudinally extending tire guide rails for extending alongside said rectangular opening for guiding the inner surfaces of tires of an automotive vehicle over the floor opening for servicing of the vehicle;
- a pair of longitudinally extending cover support guides fixed to said guide rails and guides extending alongside said guide rails over said rectangular opening;
- a rigid longitudinal guide mounted on each tire guide rail along each side of said rectangular opening;
- a flexible cover for said opening of a rectangular shape generally similar to the shape of said generally rectangular opening of said pit and having a width less than the width of said opening;
- said cover including a plurality of spaced columns of flexible material and a plurality of spaced transverse rows of flexible material;
- a plurality of anchor bolts mounted on opposed ends of selected transverse rows of said flexible material;
- adjustable means on said bolts connected to said guides for adjustment to provide a desired tautness to said selected rows;
- means at one end of said opening for anchoring one end of said cover thereat;
- and releasable detent pins at the either end of said cover to permit manual securement with insertion and horizontal movement of said cover upon release thereof along said guide rails toward said one end for retracting or removing said cover from said opening.
6 more elements
Apparatus for covering a generally rectangular floor opening in a foundation of an automotive service pit comprising:
- cable support members for mounting on said foundation in a fixed relation;
- a pair of longitudinally extending parallel cable members extending along opposite sides of said rectangular floor opening;
- a flexible cover for said rectangular opening comprising a web net formed of flat webbing material, said web net including a plurality of transverse rows of spaced flat transverse webs and a plurality of columns of spaced flat longitudinal webs secured to each other;
- anchor members secured to the ends of selected transverse rows and mounted on said cable members for sliding movement;
- and
- means to adjust the length of said anchor members to provide a desired tautness to said selected transverse webs.
3 more elements
For an automotive service pit having a generally rectangular floor opening;
- an improved covering device for covering the rectangular floor opening comprising:
- a pair of longitudinally extending cover support members comprising flexible cables for securement along said rectangular opening;
- a flexible cover for said rectangular opening of a width less than the width of said rectangular opening and supported on said pair of support members;
- said cover comprising a web net formed of a fabric material and including a plurality of spaced transverse webs connected to a plurality of spaced longitudinal webs;
- a plurality of anchor members having an outer end mounted on said cover support members for sliding movement along said cover support members, said anchor members having inner ends thereof mounted on selected transverse webs for supporting said cover for manual sliding movement along said cover support members;
- adjustable means on said anchor members to adjust the length of said anchor members to provide a desired tautness to said selected transverse webs;
- and
- means for removably securing one end of said cover to permit movement of said anchor members and cover between covered and uncovered positions of said floor opening.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.