US 5,211,264 A · Lifting apparatus

Abstract

Lifting apparatus for lifting equipment such as utility vehicles (e.g., three-wheeled commercial mowers, four-wheeled vehicles, outdooor power equipment, etc.) for inspection, servicing and repair purposes. The lifting apparatus includes spaced-apart tool bars and wheel lift device carried by the tool bars. The wheel lift device is movable along the tool bars and preferably are also movable transversely of the tool bars and are able to engage the wheels of the vehicle even when the vehicle is not aligned parallel to the tool bars. When the tool bars are raised, the wheel lift device causes the vehicle to be lifted. The underside of the vehicle is unobstructed to enable access to all portions of the vehicle or its components (e.g., cutting blades, etc.). The lifting apparatus preferably includes releasable locking members for preventing the tool bars from moving downwardly.

Claims33

Dependent claims

Lifting apparatus for lifting a three-wheeled vehicle of the type having two side wheels and a third wheel, said apparatus providing an unobstructed entryway and lifting means to readily adapt to said vehicle so that said vehicle can be quickly and conveniently driven into the lifting apparatus, so that the apparatus can readily adapt to vehicles of different sizes, and so that the apparatus can readily adapt to a vehicle misaligned with respect to the longitudinal axis of said lifting apparatus;

wherein said apparatus comprises:
(a) two generally horizontal tool bar members which are transversely spaced apart to provide an unobstructed entryway for said vehicle between said tool bar members;
(b) two side wheel lift means, each of which is readily attached to one of said tool bar members, for engaging a side wheel of said vehicle forwardly and rearwardly of the foot print of said side wheel;
wherein said side wheel lift means is longitudinally movable along said tool bar member to readily adapt to different size vehicles and to a vehicle misaligned with respect to the longitudinal axis of said lifting apparatus;
(c) third wheel lift means for engaging and lifting said third wheel;
and
(d) lifting means for lifting said two members and said third wheel lift means to raise said three-wheeled vehicle.

4 more elements

Lifting apparatus for lifting a vehicle of the type having at least three wheels, wherein said apparatus comprises:

(a) first and second spaced-apart upright support members;
(b) first and second spaced-apart tool bar members;
wherein said first tool bar member is disposed adjacent said first upright support member and said second tool bar member is disposed adjacent said second upright support member;
(c) lifting means for lifting said tool bar members;
wherein said lifting means is supported by said upright support members;
and
(d) at least one lift fork means carried by each said tool bar member, said lift fork means being movable along said tool bar members, and said lift fork means being transversely movable with respect to said tool bar members;
wherein each said lift fork means is adapted to engage one of said wheels of said vehicle;
wherein each said lift fork means comprises (1) hanger means, and (2) a fork member which includes an elongated shank member;
wherein said hanger means is attachable to one of said tool bar members;
and wherein said shank member is slidably received and retained in said hanger means.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Lifting apparatus

Life of this patent

Lifting apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims33