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EP 2 444 358 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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13.11.2013 Bulletin 2013/46 |
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Date of filing: 28.09.2011 |
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International Patent Classification (IPC):
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Lift for motorbikes and quads
Hubvorrichtung für Motorräder und Quads
dispositif de levage pour motos et quads
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Designated Contracting States: |
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AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL
NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
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Priority: |
20.10.2010 IT PR20100075
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Date of publication of application: |
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25.04.2012 Bulletin 2012/17 |
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Proprietor: Bike-Lift S.r.l. |
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43012 Fontanellato (PR) (IT) |
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Inventor: |
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- BARIGAZZI, Pier Paolo
43012 FONTANELLATO (PARMA) (IT)
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Representative: Benelli, Cristian et al |
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Ing. Dallaglio S.R.L.
Via Mazzini N. 2 43121 Parma 43121 Parma (IT) |
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References cited: :
DE-U1- 29 724 267 FR-A1- 2 823 735 US-A1- 2004 149 520
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FR-A1- 2 711 635 FR-A1- 2 882 352
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| Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention refers to the field of the lifts for small vehicles such as
for examples motorbikes and particularly quads.
STATE OF THE ART
[0002] As it is known, for servicing vehicles scissor-like lifts, pantograph-like lifts
or lifts with four columns, with an hydraulic or pneumatic pump are used. Such a lift
can be seen in document
DE 29724267.
[0003] Said lifts are substantially formed by a single structure formed by:
- a flat element, that is an horizontal surface, on which the vehicles are located by
rise/descent ramps;
- a lifting unit, centrally located below the flat element, comprising hydraulic or
pneumatic cylinders and at least two pairs of levers wherein a stationary lever is
articulated to another freely sliding lever;
- a frame on which the lifting unit is fixed.
[0004] The flat element can be in one piece, or is formed by a plurality of parts.
[0005] As an example, patent
EP1851160, describes a scissor-like lift, comprising a single structure with a lifting unit
centrally located below the flat element.
[0006] It is to be noted that the scissor-like arrangement is preferred when an operator
wants to work at an height greater than the ones of the other kinds of lifts but with
a decidedly smaller size.
[0007] Said flat element is movable and is provided with rise/descent ramps and with containment
stops and can be divided by translating on suitable guides. It is to be observed that,
as a function of the vehicle to be positioned, the flat element can take different
arrangements, such as for example:
- closed, for motorbikes;
- divided in two parts for four wheels vehicles;
- divided in three parts for three wheels vehicles. Unfortunately, the lifts of the
prior art, since they comprise a single structure with a single central lifting unit,
and therefore schematically just one support point, are unstable. In fact, once a
four wheels vehicle, such as a quad, has been positioned, the cantilevered structure
can be unstable during the rising and descending steps.
[0008] Moreover, it is to be noted that since these lifts have a lifting unit centrally
located with respect to said single structure, the servicing operations of the central
part below the positioned vehicle are more difficult and limited.
DISCLOSURE AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The object of the present invention consists of solving the above-mentioned problems
by providing a further lift, such as a scissor-like lift, formed by at least two structures
which in turn are each formed by a flat element, a lifting unit and a frame acting
as a base. Sliding means adapted to slide the structures on guiding tracks are fixed
to said frames.
[0010] A first advantage of the invention is due to the fact that, since the structures
translate along the guiding tracks, it is possible to easily perform the servicing
operations of four wheels vehicles because it is possible to stay centrally under
them and not at the side, as it occurs with the car lifts.
[0011] Another advantage consists in the fact that said invention is more stable both during
the servicing step and during the rise and descent steps of the flat element.
[0012] Said objects and advantages are all met by the lift for motorbikes and quads, object
of the present invention, which is characterized by the attached claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] This and other characteristics will be better understood by the following description
of a preferred embodiment shown in a non limiting exemplifying way in the attached
drawings.
- Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Particularly referring to figure, 1 generally indicates a lift, particularly a known
scissor-type.
[0015] Said lift 1 comprises at least two structures 2, 2' each having a lifting unit 3,
3'.
[0016] Since said structures 2, 2' are completely identical, in the following, for the sake
of simplicity, we will refer just to one of the two.
[0017] A structure 2 comprises:
- a flat element 9, on which vehicles can be positioned, supported by:
- a lifting unit 3 located below the flat element 9;
- a frame 6, located below the lifting unit 3, acting as a base for the structure 2,
2'; said frame 6 and said flat element 9 are parallelly located one to the other with
respect to the centerline of the flat element 9.
[0018] At least one of the two short sides of the flat element 9 is provided with a vehicle
rise/descent ramp 10.
[0019] Said structures 2, 2' are characterized by the fact that they can be reciprocally
moved closed or away by sliding means 11 integral to the frame 6 of each structure
2, 2' and engaging corresponding guiding tracks 16.
[0020] Said sliding means 11 can slide along guiding tracks 16 by friction, using runners,
or by rolling by means of a plurality of wheels 14 mounted to one of plates 12 fixed
by slots 13 to the short sides of the frame 6, as shown in the figure.
[0021] The lifting unit 3 is formed by:
- at least two levers 4 articulated in a pin 5, one 4a of these pins can freely slide
inside the frame 6, the other lever 4b is hinged to the bottom end of the frame 6
itself;
- at least a cylinder 7, for example an hydraulic one, acting as a motion transmission
member, fixed at one of its ends to the frame 6, and to the other end to the levers
4 by a sector 8.
[0022] An example of embodiment provides that the guiding tracks 16 are integral to a platform
17 making the lift 1 easily transportable and locatable.
[0023] The sliding means 11, and consequently the structures 2, 2', can be engaged/disengaged
from the corresponding guiding tracks 16 by means of an engaging/disengaging system
15, comprising an hydraulic cylinder and a group of leverages.
[0024] Operatively, during a motorbike servicing, the structures 2, 2' have a closed arrangement,
that is they are close one to the other, the flat elements 9, 9' being longitudinally
adjacent.
[0025] Instead, when it is desired to position a four wheels vehicle, for example a quad,
the structures 2, 2' translate along the guiding tracks 16 by the sliding means 11,
and finally take an opened arrangement.
[0026] In the shown solution, in this position, by the engaging/disengaging system 15, the
wheels 14 can be raised so that the frames 6, 6' directly abut the platform 17, stopping
the structures 2, 2' in the desired position.
[0027] It is to be noted that the two cylinders 7, 7' are driven by a single driving unit
and therefore, for example, by a known hydraulic system, which causes, by the adjustment
of a service fluid flow rate, the raising of the stems and in turn of the structures
2, 2'.
1. Lift for motorbikes and quads comprising at least two structures (2 and 2'), each
of them comprising:
a. a flat element (9), on which vehicles are located, said flat element being supported
by:
b. a lifting unit (3) located below the flat element (9);
c. a frame (6) located below the lifting unit (3) and acting as base for the structure
(2, 2') ; said frame (6) and flat element (9) are parallel to each other with respect
to longitudinal centre line of the flat element (9),
characterized by the fact that said structures (2, 2') can be reciprocally moved close or away by
sliding means (11) integral with the frame (6) of each structures (2, 2') and engaging
corresponding guiding tracks (16).
2. Lift, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact said flat elements (9) are height adjustable by a single drive assembly
adapted to simultaneously drive both the lifting units (3).
3. Lift, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact said sliding means (11) slide on said guiding tracks (16).
4. Lift, according to claims 1, characterized by the fact said sliding means (11) roll on said guiding tracks (16).
5. Lift, according to claim 1 and 4, characterized by the fact said sliding means (11) comprise a plurality of wheels (14) fixed to the
short side of the frame (6).
6. Lift, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact said sliding means (11) and consequently also the structures (2, 2') can
be engaged/disengaged in/from corresponding guiding tracks (16) by means of an engaging/disengaging
system (15) comprising an hydraulic cylinder and group of leverages.
7. Lift, according to claim 6, characterized by the fact said guiding tracks (16) are integral with a platform (17) making the lift
easily transportable and locatable.
8. Lift, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact said lifting unit (3) is of the pantograph-, scissors-, or column-type.
9. Lift, according to claims 2 and 8,
characterized by the fact said lifting unit (3) is of the scissors-type, and comprising:
a. at least two levers (4) articulated in a pin (5), one (4a) of said levers (4) can
freely move in the frame (6), the other (4b) is hinged in the bottom end of the frame
(6);
b. at least a cylinder (7), one its bases is fixed to the frame (6), the other base
is fixed to the levers (4) by a sector (8).
1. Heber für Motorräder und Quads, mindestens zwei Strukturen (2 und 2') umfassend, von
denen jede umfasst:
a. ein flaches Element (9), auf dem Fahrzeuge angeordnet sind, wobei das besagte flaches
Element unterstützt wird wie folgt:
b. eine Hebeeinheit (3), die unterhalb des flachen Elementes (9) angeordnet ist;
c. einen Rahmen (6), der unterhalb der Hebeeinheit (3) angeordnet ist und als eine
Basis für die Struktur (2, 2') wirkt;
wobei der besagte Rahmen (6) und das flache Element (9) parallel zueinander in Bezug
auf die Längsmittellinie des flachen Elementes (9)
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die besagten Strukturen (2, 2') wechselseitig in der Nähe oder weit durch Gleitmittel
bewegt werden können, die mit dem Rahmen (6) jeder Struktur (2, 2') integriert sind
und in entsprechenden Führungsschienen (16) greifen.
2. Heber nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die besagten flache Elemente (9) höhenverstellbar mittels einer einzigen Steuervorrichtung
sind, die derart angepasst ist, dass sie gleichzeitig die beiden Hebeeinheiten (3)
steuert.
3. Heber nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die besagten Gleitmittel (11) auf die besagten Führungsschienen (16) gleiten.
4. Heber nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die besagten Gleitmittel (11) auf die besagten Führungsschienen (16) abrollen.
5. Heber nach Anspruch 1 und 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die besagten Gleitmittel (11) eine Mehrheit von Rädern (14) umfassen, die auf der
kurzen Seite des Rahmens (6) befestigt sind.
6. Heber nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die besagten Gleitmittel (11) und entsprechend auch die Strukturen (2, 2') mit/von
entsprechenden Führungsschienen (16) mittels eines Kopplung/Entkopplungssystems (15)
gekoppelt/entkoppelt werden können, das einen Hydraulikzylinder und Gruppen von Hebeln
umfasst.
7. Heber nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die besagten Führungsschienen (16) mit einer Plattform (17) integriert sind, die
den Heber leicht zu transportieren und platzieren machen.
8. Heber nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die besagte Hebeeinheit (3) nach Art eines Pantographs, einer Schere oder einer Säule
gefertigt ist.
9. Heber nach Anspruch 2 und 8,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die besagte Hebeeinheit (3) nach Art einer Schere gefertigt ist, und umfasst:
a. mindestens zwei in einem Stift (5) eingelenkte Hebel (4), wobei einer (4a) der
besagten Hebel (4) frei im Rahmen (6) bewegen kann, und der andere (4b) bei dem unteren
Ende des Rahmens (6) eingehängt ist;
b. mindestens einen Zylinder 87), wobei eine seiner Grundflächen auf dem Rahmen (6)
befestigt ist, und die andere mit den Hebeln (4) mittels eines Sektors (8) befestigt
ist.
1. Dispositif de levage pour motos et quads comprenant au moins deux structures (2 et
2'), chacune desquelles comprend :
a. un élément plat, sur lequel sont situés les véhicules, ledit élément plat étant
supporté par :
b. une unité de levage (3) située au dessous de l'élément plat (9) ;
c. un cadre (6) situé au dessous de l'unité de levage (3) et servant de base pour
la structure (2, 2') ; ledit cadre (6) et l'élément plat (9) étant parallèles un à
l'autre en relation à l'axe central longitudinal de l'élément plat (9),
caractérisé en ce que lesdites structures (2, 2') peuvent se déplacer alternativement soit près ou de loin
par des moyens de coulissement (11) intégrés avec le cadre (6) de chaque structure
(2, 2'), de manière à s'accoupler avec des correspondants rails de guidage (16).
2. Dispositif de levage selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits éléments plats (9) peuvent être réglés en hauteur par un single groupe moteur
adapté pour actionner simultanément les deux unités de levage (3).
3. Dispositif de levage selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de coulissement (11) roulent sur lesdits rails (16) de guidage.
4. Dispositif de levage selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de coulissement (11) roulent sur lesdits rails de guidage (16).
5. Dispositif de levage selon la revendication 1 et 4, caractérisé en ce lesdits moyens
de coulissement (11) comprennent une pluralité de roues (14) fixées au côté court
du cadre (6).
6. Dispositif de levage selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de coulissement (11) et par conséquent aussi les structures (2, 2')
peuvent être engagées/dégagées dans/par des rails de guidage (16) correspondants par
un système d'engagement/dégagement (15) comprenant un cylindre hydraulique et un group
de leviers.
7. Dispositif de levage selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que lesdits rails de guidage (16) sont intégrés avec une plate-forme (17) qui forme le
dispositif de levage dans une manière simple à transporter et à placer.
8. Dispositif de levage selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ladite unité de levage (3) est du type à pantographe, à ciseaux ou à colonne.
9. Dispositif de levage selon les revendications 2 et 6,
caractérisé en ce que ladite unité de levage (3) est du type à ciseaux, et comprend :
a. au moins deux leviers (4) articulés dans un pivot (5), un (4a) desdits leviers
(4) pouvant se déplacer librement dans le châssis (6), et l'autre (4b) étant articulé
a l'extrémité de fond du châssis (6) ;
b. au moins un cylindre (7), une de ses bases étant fixée au cadre (6), et l'autre
base étant fixée au leviers (4) par un secteur (8).

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only.
It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has
been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and
the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description