# US 8,783,638 B2 · Apparatus for supporting a wheel of a vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,783,638 B2 - Document ID: US8783638B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/063,149 - Filed: 2013-10-25 - Published: 2014-02-20 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2009-09-14 - Assignees: Snap-on Tools of Canada, Ltd. - Applicants: Snap-On Tools of Canada, Ltd. - Inventors: Roy J. Dantas; Alexandru P. Mustata - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783638B2 ## CPC - B66F 7/28: Constructional details, e.g. end stops, pivoting supporting members, sliding runners adjustable to load dimensions - G01M 17/0074: {Details, e.g. roller construction, vehicle restraining devices} - B66F: HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD ({invalid lifting devices A61G7/10; } mounting artificial islands on piles or like supports E02B17/00; scaffolding combined with lifting devices E04G1/22; lifting devices for sliding forms E04G11/24; lifting of buildings E04G23/06; shores or struts E04G25/00; lifts or other hoisting devices on ladders E06C7/12; props for mining E21D15/00) - G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A first apparatus for supporting a wheel of a vehicle includes a support structure and a support movably mounted on the support structure. At least one locating member and clamping mechanism are mounted to the support structure and the support. The clamping mechanism engages the locating member so that the support is held in a predetermined position relative to the support structure. A second apparatus for supporting a wheel of a vehicle includes a bearing surface and a support movably mounted on the bearing surface. A first locating member is positioned underneath the bearing surface, and a shaft is mounted to the underside of the support and extends through the bearing surface and the locating member. When an actuator is retracted, the first locating member bears against the bearing surface so that the support is held in a predetermined position relative to the bearing surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for supporting a wheel of a vehicle, comprising: a) a base; b) a support movably mounted over the base, the support comprising a topside for supporting the wheel of the vehicle and an underside; c) a first locating member positioned underneath the base; and d) an actuator coupled to the support and configured to move the first locating member relative to the base so that when the actuator is in a first position the support is movable relative to the base, and when the actuator is in a second position the first locating member bears upwardly against the base thereby holding the support in a predetermined position relative to the base. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, in the second position, the first locating member is seated with the base so that the support is held in the predetermined position relative to the base. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second locating member mounted underneath the base, and, in the second position, the first locating member is seated with the second locating member so that the support is held in the predetermined position relative to the base. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first locating member comprises an upper surface and the second locating member comprises a lower surface, and the upper and lower surfaces are configured for complementary engagement. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein each of the first and second locating members is generally annular in shape. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the upper and lower surfaces are generally frustoconical in shape. ### Claim 7 An apparatus for supporting a wheel of a vehicle, comprising: a base; a support for supporting the wheel of the vehicle, the support movably mounted to the base; a first locating member positioned underneath the base; and an actuator coupled to the support and configured to selectively move the first locating member upwardly to bear against the base so that the support is held in a predetermined position relative to the base. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a second locating member mounted underneath the base, and the first locating member is seated with the second locating member to hold the support in the predetermined position relative to the base. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first locating member comprises an upper surface, and the second locating member comprises a lower surface for complementary engagement with the upper surface of the first locating member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each of the first and second locating members is generally annular in shape, and the upper and lower surfaces are generally frustoconical in shape. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a shaft mounted to an underside of the support, the shaft extending downwardly through the base and the first and second locating members, and the actuator is assembled with a lower end of the shaft. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the actuator comprises a linear cylinder unit having a cylinder rod arranged generally vertically in a cylinder housing, and the lower end of the shaft is assembled with an upper end of the cylinder rod, and the first locating member is assembled with the cylinder housing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the actuator selectively moves between a first position in which the cylinder rod is at least partially extended upwardly relative to the cylinder housing, and a second position in which the cylinder rod is at least partially retracted into the cylinder housing. ### Claim 14 An apparatus for supporting a wheel of a vehicle, comprising: a) a base; b) a support plate movably mounted to the base, the support plate comprising a topside for supporting the wheel of the vehicle, and an underside; c) a shaft mounted to the underside of the support plate; d) a first locating member positioned underneath the base, the first locating member comprising an upper surface; e) a second locating member mounted underneath the base, the second locating member comprising a lower surface for complementary engagement with the upper surface of the first locating member; and f) an actuator assembled with the shaft and the first locating member, wherein the actuator selectively moves between first and second positions, wherein, in the first position, the support plate is moveable relative to the base, and wherein, in the second position, the first locating member is urged upwardly so that the upper surface of the first locating member is seated with the lower surface of the second locating member thereby holding the support plate in a predetermined position relative to the base. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each of the first and second locating members is generally annular in shape. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the upper and lower surfaces are generally frustoconical in shape. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the shaft extends downwardly through the base and the first and second locating members, and the actuator is assembled with a lower end of the shaft. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the actuator comprises a linear cylinder unit having a cylinder rod arranged generally vertically in a cylinder housing, and the lower end of the shaft is assembled with an upper end of the cylinder rod, and the first locating member is assembled with the cylinder housing. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The apparatus of claim 18, wherein, in the first position, the cylinder rod is at least partially extended upwardly relative to the cylinder housing, and, in the second position, the cylinder rod is at least partially retracted into the cylinder housing.