[0001] This invention relates to a jack, in particular for raising vehicles, of the type
known as scissor jacks and Y-jacks, in all of which there is a threaded screw spindle
that goes through a nut, thus generating the raising and/or lowering movement of one
portion of the jack that comes into contact with the bodywork of the vehicle.
[0002] In all these units, nuts are known which are made entirely of synthetic material,
plastics, as well as other nuts manufactured in plastic and metal, properly combined,
with both versions being used indistinctly, depending on the mechanical stresses that
the said nut is going to be subjected to.
[0003] Examples of combined nuts are known in references EP.A. 0320613 and EP.A. 0340551,
in which nuts with synthetic bodies and side support lugs are provided, with these
logs partially receiving metallic parts of other auxiliary parts that combine with
them in order to increase the strength of the said lugs, reducing the amount of friction
between the lugs made of synthetic material and the holes cut in the arms of the jack.
[0004] These known solutions are limited because in spite of the contribution of the metallic
parts to the plastic logs, the strength of the nut is only increased to a certain
degree.
[0005] On the other hand, in this kind of jacks, some are also known which are made of aluminium,
whose aim is to reduce the weight of these units for obvious reasons. Nonetheless,
the disadvantage of these jacks is that they are considerably more expensive than
conventional metal jacks.
[0006] One object of the invention is to provide a jack that has a combined nut, made of
synthetic materials and metal, that provides greater strength than conventional nuts
of this type.
[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a jack with a combined nut which is
very easy to keep inside it.
[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a jack with at least one arm made of
aluminium, which uses a lower amount of material at the start of manufacturing.
[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a jack with at least one arm made of
aluminium, which is more economical than conventional ones.
[0010] In order to put these objectives into practice, the invention claims a nut produced
by means of combining two bodies made of different materials, synthetic and metallic,
of which the metallic body has a general U-shape, with outwardly projecting necks
made on its wings or sides, with these necks duly aligned and through which insertion
of the nut into the wings of the corresponding arm of the jack is carried out.
[0011] This U-shaped part is provided with a centrally-situated hole in its base to allow
the screw spindle to pass through, while between its wings or sides it receives another
part made of synthetic material, generally cylindrical in shape and longitudinally
hollow, with its interior screw threaded for the passage of the above mentioned screw
spindle.
[0012] Both bodies, synthetic and metallic, are provided with the corresponding means both
to control the possible axial movements of the internal synthetic body in relation
to the metallic exterior, and to prevent the turning of the said interior inside the
exterior. As will be explained later, these means can be of diverse types.
[0013] The nut which is so produced is situated in the arm of the jack, fitting firstly
the metallic body, which is inserted at pressure between the wings that the U-shaped
section of the said arm provides, so that the two projecting necks, produced by pressing
or drawing, for instance, become housed in the corresponding holes in the said wings.
[0014] After this, the synthetic part is placed inside the metallic part, fitting one of
its longitudinal ends in the hole in the base of the metallic part.
[0015] As already stated, this synthetic part is controlled between the internal walls of
the wings of the metallic part, so that the synthetic part is prevented from turning.
At the same time, the means provided in the corresponding shape in both parts, metallic
and synthetic, also allow the latter to be controlled in its possible axial movements
inside the metallic part.
[0016] As will be easily deduced, the metallic part is the part of the nut that is submitted
to stresses, although no wear or maladjustment is produced due to the metal contact
between the arm and the said part. The synthetic part of the nut works under compression
inside the metallic part and, for this reason, its working life can be considered
unlimited.
[0017] In order to achieve the other objectives of the invention, it proposes an arm, particularly
one made of aluminium, as stated previously.
[0018] In the same way that in the conventional technique the forward portion of the arm
of the jack turns on the base body, in Y-jacks the forward portion that supports the
holder plate has wings or sides whose height is substantially greater than the greatest
height of the rest of the wings of the arm.
[0019] This make it necessary to start from a metal sheet or strip whose width corresponds
to the sum of the lengths of the base of the U-section and of the heights of the wings
at the point of the arm with the greatest height, which corresponds to the end where
the holder plate is positioned.
[0020] In accordance with the invention, the starting height of this metal sheet or strip
can be reduced, so that a considerable saving of material is obtained, which in practice
means a noticeable reduction in the cost of the raw material, aluminium, a very important
detail that enables the jack to be produced more cheaply.
[0021] To do this, the invention proposes an arm in which the height of the wings at the
end toward the holder plate position is essentially equal to the maximum height of
the wing in the rest of the arm. This is achieved by providing the end of the U-shaped
base, at the end near the holder plate, with an outwardly convex curvature that rises
toward the forward part of the arm at the said end of the holder plate position.
[0022] As will be described later in relation to the accompanying drawings, the outwardly
convex curvature can also reach to the lower edges of the wings at the end of the
arm.
[0023] All these and other details of the invention will be appreciated in greater detail
and clarity by referring to the sheets of drawings which are attached, in which the
following are represented in a non-restrictive manner.
- Figure 1 is an elevation of a Y-type jack that includes the two aspects of the invention.
- Figure 2 is a perspective that shows a preferred solution of the nut, in accordance
with the invention.
- Figures 3, 4 and 5 are three views of the nut shown in Figure 2.
- Figure 6 is a perspective view of a preferred solution for the synthetic part of the
nut, according to the invention.
- Figures 7, 8 and 9 show three views of the synthetic part of the nut shown in Figure
6.
- Figure 10 is a perspective view of the metallic part of the nut, according to the
invention.
- Figures 11, 12 and 13 are three views of the metallic part shown in Figure 10.
- Figures 14 and 15 are an elevation and the top view of the same for a conventional
arm.
- Figure 16 is a development of the conventional arm.
- Figures 17 and 18 are an elevation and a top view of the same for the arm in accordance
with the invention.
- Figure 19 is a development of the arm shown in Figures 17 and 18.
[0024] In accordance with Figure 1, we can observe a Y-jack with a main body (1) articulated
on a support foot (2), an arm (3) articulated to the body (1) by the shaft (9), with
the free end of this arm receiving the holder plate (7), on which the bodywork of
the vehicle is received. A crank winding handle (6) is connected to the threaded screw
spindle (4), which connects the nut (5) in the body (1) and the cross member of the
position (10) in the arm (3). On the arm (3), we can see its outwardly convex curved
area (8) that constitutes one of the objects of the invention.
[0025] Looking now at Figure 2 and also at Figures 3, 4 and 5, we can appreciate the nut
unit, with the external U-shaped metallic part (11) and the internal synthetic part
(12). The wings or sides of the metallic part (11) have the protruding aligned necks
(13), as well as the hole (14) cut in its base to enable the screw spindle (4) to
pass through, and the seating for the synthetic part by means of one of the conical
chamfers (12') of the synthetic part (12).
[0026] As far as the synthetic part (12) is concerned, it has a generally cylindrical shape
and its interior is hollow and screw threaded longitudinally in order to house the
threaded screw spindle.
[0027] In this preferred solution, which is not excluding, the turning of the synthetic
part is controlled by means of the rectangular ledges or ribs (15) that it is provided
with, whose side faces (15A) (Fig. 6) are adjusted to or are close to the internal
sides of the wings of the metallic part, which means that it is impossible for the
synthetic part to rotate once that it has been received inside the metallic part.
[0028] It can also be appreciated how the forward portion of the wings have facing legs
(16) on which one of the external faces (29) of the ledges (15) is supported, thus
preventing the axial movement of this synthetic part.
[0029] It will be understood that there might be innumerable practical solutions, either
to prevent the turning of the synthetic part (12) in the interior of the metallic
part (11) or to prevent the axial movement of the synthetic part in the said interior.
[0030] It is possible to adjust or not the faces or sides (15A) of the rectangular ledges
(15) to the internal surfaces of the wings.
[0031] It would also be possible to make recesses in the internal faces of the wings in
order to receive the oversized end faces (15A), with which the axial control of the
synthetic part (12) would also be carried out.
[0032] Although two ledges (15) are procured on the synthetic part (12), a single ledge
could also be used, etc.
[0033] Technically, any expert can devise solutions to achieve this objective very easily
and it must be well understood that, as stated previously, there might be innumerable
possibilities.
[0034] In the same way, the axial control of the synthetic part (12) in the interior of
the metallic part (11) can be put into practice in accordance with the way described
or by any other means. For example, holes or recesses could be made in the base of
the metallic part, into which protrusions on the synthetic part could be received
by pressure, by clipping together, etc.
[0035] To this effect, it must also be pointed out that any expert can work out mutual corresponding
means between both parts in order to prevent the axial play of the synthetic part.
[0036] From Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9, we can deduce the particular geometry of the synthetic
part (12), whose ends (12') are chamfered or bevelled so that one of them can fit
into the hole in the base of the metallic part. The two rectangular ledges or ribs
(15) are evenly distributed, with their side faces (15A) being responsible for preventing
the part from turning and the other sides (18, 19) being responsible for the axial
control.
[0037] According to Figures 10, 11, 12 and 13, we can appreciate the shape of the metallic
part (11), on which we point out the necks (13) for housing in the wings of the body-arm
(1), the hole (14) to allow the screw spindle (4) to pass through, and the seating
in the chamfered area (12') of the synthetic part (12), as well as the forward lugs
(16) for the axial control of this part
[0038] In accordance with Figures 14 and 15, we can appreciate the elevation of a conventional
arm with its end (9) to establish its rotation on the body (1) and its other end for
placing the holder plate (7) and the point (10) for fixing the cross member.
[0039] According to this known traditional technique, the height between the upper end (20)
and the lower end (21, 22) is considerably greater than the maximum height of the
rest of the arm, determined in this case by the corresponding height between the end
points (A, B) of the wings. All this means that on manufacturing the arm, starting
from a longitudinal metal plate or strip, the plate or strip needed must take in the
development of the arm in Figure 16, according to which the width of this plate or
strip must be at least equal to the distance between the curved areas of the positions
(29) and normally a little more.
[0040] If we observe the scope of the arm of the jack (25) according to the invention, Figure
17, we can appreciate that the lower left end (26) is shaped with an outwardly convex
curved area (26), so that it makes the height of the forward or front end (27), between
its highest point (20) and its lowest point (24) essentially equal to the maximum
height between the two end points (A, B) of the rest of the wing of the arm. Therefore,
if we observe the development of the arm in Figure 19, we can see how the width of
the starting plate or strip is limited by the distance A-B, essentially equal to the
distance existing between the points (20), thus achieving, compared to the development
of the conventional arm, an appreciable saving in material, as the plate or strip
is narrower.
[0041] In practice this means a saving in material corresponding to the width of each longitudinal
end, i.e. with a side length equal to that of the arm, and normally slightly more,
and double. As the starting material used is aluminium, which is considerably expensive,
the saving in material means a considerable economic saving on the arm and consequently
on the jack, which is another of the objectives of this invention.
[0042] Once that the nature and advantages of this invention have been described, it is
important to point out its non-restrictive character, inasmuch as changes in the shape,
materials or dimensions of its constituent parts will not in any way alter its essence,
as long as they do not mean a substantial variation of the whole assembly.
1. Jack, applicable either to scissor type jacks or to Y type jacks, that have a body
(1) mounted on a support foot or base (2) and an arm (3) that pivots on the body,
in which the upper end of the body (1) and the arm (3) are connected by means of a
screw spindle (4) that passes through a nut (5) in the said body and connects to a
cross member in the arm (3), that supports the holder plate, with this nut (5) being
composed of two parts made of different materials, metallic and synthetic, respectively,
which are connected to each other, in that the arm (3), at the holder plate connection
end (20) has a wing dimension or height greater than the greatest average height between
the ends (A) of the wings and their base (B), which is characterised by:
- a nut (5) based on a U-shaped metallic body (11), on whose wings or sides are established
outwardly protruding aligned necks (13) for their insertion into holes in the wings
of the body (1) and a central hole (14) in its base for the passage of the screw spindle
(4), with the hollow interior of this part receiving another part made of synthetic
material (12) which occupies a position perpendicular to the said base and is screw
threaded internally for the passage and connection of the screw spindle,
- corresponding means arranged in the external metallic body (11) and on the internal
synthetic body (12) that control the possible relative axial movements of the body
(12) in relation to the body (11).
- corresponding means in the external metallic body (11) and on the internal synthetic
body (12) to prevent the rotation of the said internal body in relation to the external
one.
- an arm (25) with a U-shaped transversal cross section, in which the greatest height
of the wings, from their base (B) to the free upper end (A) of these wings, in the
portion of the wings starting from their forward or front end, to which the holder
plate (7) is connected, is noticeably equal to the height or maximum dimension (27)
between the lower front end (24) of the base (B) and the upper one (20) on which the
holder plate is fitted, with the base (B) having an outwardly convex curvature area
on its forward portion (8), that extends to the forwards end of the arm.
2. Jack, in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the internal synthetic part
(12) is preferably of a generally cylindrical shape and is provided with at least
one centred ledge or rib (15) of a quadrangular shape, that procures two parallel
faces on its sides (15A) that are vertical and are close, at least, to the internal
side faces of the wings of the external part (11), with the free ends of the cylindrical
portions of the internal part (12) being provided with annular chamfers (12'), one
of which becomes housed in the entrance of the hole (14) in the base of the external
body (11).
3. Jack, in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the means to control the internal
part made of synthetic material (12) in its housing in the external part (11) consist
of a set of facing inwardly protruding lugs (16) formed at the ends of the wings of
the said external part, with the cylindrical portion of the internal part (12) resting
on these lugs, while in turn one of the ledges or ribs (15) of the internal part is
supported on the rear faces of these lugs.
4. Jack, in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the means of axial control
between the external body (11) and the internal body (12) is established between the
ledges or ribs (15) of the said internal body and the side walls of the wings of the
external body.
5. Jack, in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the means of axial control
between the external body (11) and the internal body (12) is established between the
ledges or ribs (15) of the said internal body and the walls of the base of the external
body.