US 5,851,007 A · Engine test stand kit

Abstract

A universal test stand kit for supporting an internal combustion engine during tests includes a pair of side frame members having upper and lower pieces joined together by end pieces and laterally extending tubular stubs. The side frame members are joined together by tubular crosspieces telescopically received in the tubular stubs. A forward engine support assembly is slideably mounted on each side frame member so that the assemblies can be moved longitudinally to accommodate different sizes of engine. Each forward support assembly includes an elongated track which is laterally moveable and provided with apertures for receiving bolts which may be threaded into tapped bores in the engine block from which oil pan bolts have been removed. A rearward engine support assembly is mounted on the side frame members so that the assembly can be aligned with the rear end of the engine to be tested. The test stand may be readily shipped in a standard shipping container in its disassembled condition and can be readily assembled when received at its destination.

Drawings

Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO

Drawings

Claims23

Dependent claims

In a universal engine test stand kit adapted for easy assembly into an engine test stand for supporting an internal combustion engine during tests and having a longitudinal axis, a front end and a rear end, the combination comprising:

a) a pair of side frame members, each side frame member defining a rectangular section lying in a substantially vertical plane parallel to the longitudinal axis in the assembled condition, each side frame member including an upper and a lower horizontal piece joined together by end pieces, each side frame member further including first, second and third tubular lateral stubs extending inwardly and generally at right angles to a plane defined by the side frame member;
b) a pair of forward engine support assemblies adapted to support the front section of an engine during tests, each forward support assembly being slidably mounted on each of the upper and lower tubular pieces of a respective side frame member, whereby the forward engine support assemblies can be moved longitudinally along the side frame members to accommodate different sizes of engines;
c) a tubular crosspiece adapted to be telescopically received in each of the tubular lateral stubs of the side frame members whereby an open parallelepiped frame section is formed in the assembled condition;
and
d) a rearward engine support assembly adapted to be mounted on one of the upper and lower pieces of each of the side frame members, the rearward engine support bracket being arranged to move longitudinally relative to the side frame members in the assembled condition for accommodating different sizes of engines.

2 more elements

In a universal engine test stand kit adapted for ease of shipment in the disassembled condition and for ease of assembly into an engine test stand for supporting a variety of internal combustion engines during operating tests thereon and having a longitudinal axis, a front end and a rear end, the combination comprising:

a) a pair of tubular side frame members, each side frame member defining a rectangular section lying in a substantially vertical plane parallel to the longitudinal axis in the assembled condition, each side from member including an upper and a lower horizontal piece joined by end pieces, each side frame further including first and second tubular lateral stubs extending inwardly from the front corners thereof and at least a third tubular lateral stub spaced rearwardly from the front end of the side frame members and extending inwardly from the lower piece;
b) a tubular crosspiece adapted to be telescopically received in each of the tubular lateral stubs to provide an open parallelepiped structure in the assembled condition;
c) means for securing the tubular crosspieces to the lateral stubs of the side frame members;
d) a pair of front end engine support brackets, each bracket having an upper collar adapted to be slidably received over the upper tubular piece of a side frame member and a lower collar adapted to be slidably received over the lower tubular piece of a side frame member, each engine support bracket further including a tubular stub extending inwardly from the upper collar and a brace extending from the stub to the lower collar, whereby the engine support brackets may be slidably moved along the side frame members;
e) a pair of front end engine bracket arms, each bracket arm including a tubular section having a proximal end adapted to be telescopically received in the tubular stub of one of the engine support brackets and a distal end carrying an elongated track extending at right angles to the tubular section;
f) a pair of engine block engaging members slidably supported on each of the bracket arm tracks, each block engaging member having a vertically oriented opening therein for receiving a bolt adapted to be threadably received in the engine block;
and
g) a rear engine support assembly adapted to be slidably mounted on the lower piece of each side frame member.

5 more elements

In a universal engine test stand kit for supporting a variety of internal combustion having tapped holes in the forward end of the block for receiving pan securing bolts and additional tapped holes in the rearward end of the block, the combination comprising:

a pair of tubular side frame members, each side frame member defining a rectangular section lying in a vertical plane with an upper and a lower end piece, the lower end piece extending longitudinally beyond and rearwardly of the upper end piece and terminating in a rear terminal end;
first, second, and third tubular crosspieces, the first and second crosspieces being connected between the respective front corners of the side frame members, the third crosspiece being connected between the rear terminal ends of the lower end pieces of the side frame members;
a pair of forward support brackets, each bracket having an upper collar slidably received over the upper tubular piece of a respective side frame member and a lower collar slidably received over a lower tubular piece of the side frame member, each bracket further including a tubular stub extending inwardly from the upper collar and generally at right angles to the upper piece of a respective side frame member, and a brace extending from the stub to the lower collar;
a pair of forward engine support arms, each arm including a tubular section having a proximal end adapted to be telescopically received in the tubular stub of a respective forward support bracket and a distal end;
a pair of elongated tracks, each track being supported on the distal end of a respective engine support arm, the track being oriented generally along the longitudinal axis of the test stand;
a pair of engine block engaging members slidably supported on the elongated track, each block engaging member having a vertically oriented opening therein for receiving a bolt adapted to be threadably received in one of the tapped holes in the forward section of the engine block;
and
a rearward engine support assembly slidably mounted on the lower pieces of each of the side frame members so that the support assembly is moveable longitudinally relative to the side frame members for accommodating different sizes of engines.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description3,220 words

Summary924 words

#This invention relates to engine test stands and more particularly to a universal engine test stand kit which in it's disassembled condition may be readily shipped in a standard shipping container and readily assembled when received at its destination, into a sturdy, durable and portable stand for testing a wide variety of internal combustion engines.

#Various types of test stands have been and are currently being used to allow a mechanic to test a new or rebuilt engine before it is installed in a vehicle. Such stands allow the mechanic to insure that the engine is functioning properly, thereby eliminating the time involved in having to remove a malfunctioning engine after installation in the vehicle. Such test stands are generally made up of structural members welded together at or near the testing site. The effort involved in welding one of a kind test stands is considerable and therefore costly for a garage or other engine rebuilding facility.

#Several types of engine stands, some of which are suitable for testing purposes, are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,932,628 ("'628 patent"); 4,461,447; 4,533,127; 2,627,109; 3,381,953; 4,848,717 ("'717 patent"); 4,809,963; 2,825,477 and 1,481,503. The '717 and '628 patents disclose stands arranged to allow an engine to be tested thereon.

Brief description of the drawings10 figures

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an engine test stand kit of the present invention in the assembled condition;

#FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the test stand kit of FIG. 1 with an installed engine;

#FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the test stand kit of FIG. 1 in the disassembled condition;

Detailed description2,077 words

#Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1-3 the universal engine test stand of the present invention includes a pair of side frame members 10 and 12. Each side frame member has an upper and a lower piece designated 14 and 16, respectively. The upper and lower pieces are preferably tubular with a square cross section and are joined together by square tubular end pieces 18 to form a rectangular section lying in a substantially vertical plane parallel to the longitudinal axis x--x of the stand in the assembled condition as is illustrated in FIG. 1.

#The lower piece 16 of each side frame member includes an extension 16a which projects rearwardly beyond the upper piece 14 to support a rearward engine support assembly and to accommodate a tool and instrument tray assembly as will be described in more detail.

#Each side frame member further includes three tubular stubs 20, 22 and 24 extending inwardly and at right angles to the plane of the respective side frame member. As illustrated, the stubs 22 and 24 are joined to the front corners of the side frame members and stub 26 is joined to the terminal end of the lower piece extension 16a. The side frame members are preferably made of steel with the end pieces welded to the respective upper and lower pieces. A fuel tank supporting bracket 27 is suitably secured to the front of the lower pieces of each side frame member for supporting a tank 29 for holding fuel for the engine to be tested as will be explained later.

Facts

Application

08/753,187Filed 21 Nov 1996

Granted

22 Dec 1998

Term ended

21 Nov 2016

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination. Patent term adjustment is unavailable; no adjustment was added.

Classification4 codes

G01M 15/02
Testing of engines: details or accessories of testing apparatus
B25H 1/0007
Work benches; Portable stands or supports for positioning portable tools or work to be operated on thereby: for engines, motor-vehicles or bicycles
G01M
Testing static or dynamic balance of machines or structures
B25H
Workshop equipment

Engine test stand kit

Life of this patent

Engine test stand kit

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims23

Description3,220 words

Drawings

Classification4 codes

Life of this patent

Description3,220 words