A VEHICLE LIFTING FRAME FOR LIFTING VEHICLES

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a vehicle lifting frame 1 for lifting vehicles. The vehicle lifting frame 1 comprises a base frame 2, levers 3a,3d, link assemblies 4, and a platform 5. The base frame 2 is connected with the levers 3a,3d. A first pivoting linkage assembly 4a is arranged with a first and second lever 3a,3b. A second pivoting linkage assembly 4b is arranged with a third and fourth lever 3c,3d. The platform 5 comprises two opposite first and second primary sides 6a-b and two opposite first and second secondary sides 7a.7b. The platform 5 is adapted with means for vertical movements 17. A first bar 8a is arranged along the first primary side 6a and a second bar 8b is arranged along the second primary side 6b of the platform 5. A first and a second pivoting supporting member 9a,9b is arranged on the first bar 8a and a first and a second pivoting supporting member 9a,9b is arranged on the second bar 8b.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lifting frame for lifting vehicles with low ground clearance between the vehicle and the ground.

Background of the invention

[0002] A vehicle lifting frame for lifting vehicles from the ground is commonly used to facilitate the work for a technician when doing any kind of services to tires, wheels, brake systems etc on a vehicle. The vehicle is placed above the lifting frame and then the frame is raised in a way that secures a safe and comfortable working environment for the technician that performs work on the elevated vehicle. Some vehicles can be lifted to a desired working height just by being placed on a platform of the lifting frame so the car's frame will be rested on the platform when lifted. Some types of vehicles will not be able to use the platform. Instead, a separated frame is used between the platform and the vehicle. These types of vehicles will need to use support members from the lifting device that are placed just under the correct locations of the vehicle. Therefore, the support members must be movable and positioned in the correct locations. Before the vehicle is lifted, the movable support members are adjusted to the correct position under the vehicle, whereafter the vehicle is lifted to the desired working height and to rest on the movable support members. The supporting members are placed in correct locations under the vehicle, to avoid damage on the vehicle or an accident.

[0003] In known technique the placement of the supporting members on the lifting frame will prohibit the use of the lifting frame for vehicles with a low ground clearance such as for example some sport cars. The combined height of the platform and the supporting members makes it difficult or impossible to place the vehicle over the lifting frame as the vehicle will not pass over the combined parts. The known lifting frames cannot be modified easily and adapted to the type of vehicle that is going to be lifted from the ground.

Summary of the invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a lifting frame for lifting vehicles to overcome the above-mentioned problems.

[0005] In relation to the mentioned object, a further object of the invention is to provide a frame for lifting vehicles which will facilitate assembly and maintenance compared to those of the prior art.

[0006] The objects are achieved with a lifting frame for lifting vehicles according to claim 1.

[0007] The present invention describes a vehicle lifting frame for lifting vehicles. The vehicle lifting frame comprises of a base frame, levers, link assemblies, and a platform. The base frame is connected with the levers. A first pivoting linkage assembly is arranged with a first and second lever. A second pivoting linkage assembly is arranged with a third and fourth lever. The platform comprises two opposite first and second primary sides and two opposite first and second secondary sides. The platform is adapted with means for vertical movements. A first bar is arranged along the first primary side and a second bar is arranged along the second primary side of the platform. A first and a second pivoting supporting member is arranged on the first bar and a first and a second pivoting supporting member is arranged on the second bar. An effect of the vehicle lifting frame is that the arrangement of the bars on the frame determines the vertical position of the pivoting supporting member and thereby either vehicles with low ground clearance or vehicles with high ground clearance between the vehicle and the ground can be placed over the platform. A further effect of the vehicle lifting device is that the arrangement of the bars allows the vehicle lifting device to be installed in different ways in vehicle workshops. The vehicle lifting device installed on the floor with the bars attached on a low vertical position allows vehicles with low ground clearance to be placed over the platform and with the vehicle lifting device installed in the floor with the bars attached on a high vertical position allows vehicles with low ground clearance to be placed over the platform.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the vehicle lifting frame for lifting vehicles, a first and a second connection mean on a first and second end of the first and second bar fixate the first and the second bar on the secondary sides of the platform. An effect of the bars being arranged to the ends of the frame with means for attachment is that the bars can attach and detach from the platform and be arranged in different vertical positions.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the vehicle lifting frame for lifting vehicles, the first and second bars facing the primary sides of the platform, along their sides have a third connection mean to fixate on the primary sides of the platform. An effect of the bars being arranged along the primary sides of the frame with means for attachment is that the bars can attach and detach from the platform and are arranged in different vertical positions.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the vehicle lifting frame for lifting vehicles the first and the second pivoting supporting member are attached on an upper side of the first and second bars. This has the effect that the supporting members are placed at the correct vertical distance in relation to the platform when the bars are attached to the platform. The lifting frame can thereby be adapted to which type of vehicle that is going to be lifted, either vehicles with low ground clearance or vehicles with high ground clearance.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the vehicle lifting frame for lifting vehicles, the first pivoting supporting member is arranged to a first end of the bar. The effect of the placement of the first supporting member is that the placement of the pivoting supporting member supports the vehicle to avoid accidents due to an unbalanced vehicle when the vehicle is lifted from the ground.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the vehicle lifting frame for lifting vehicles, the second of the pivoting supporting members is arranged to a second end of the bar. The effect of the placement of the second supporting member is that the pivoting supporting member must support the vehicle to avoid accidents due to an unbalanced vehicle when the vehicle is lifted from the ground.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the vehicle lifting frame for lifting vehicles, the first and second pivoting supporting members are attached to the first and second bars with a first and second horizontal pivoting means. The effect of attaching the horizontal pivoting means to the pivoting supporting members is to adapt the position of the pivoting supporting members under the vehicle so it is balanced when lifted.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the vehicle lifting frame for lifting vehicles, an upper side of the first and second bars are in an identical horizontal plane as the platform. The effect of when the upper side of the bars are in the same plane as the platform is that the pivoting supporting members rotate over the platform without any obstacles on the platform interrupting the rotation and can be positioned under the vehicle to balance the vehicle when lifted.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the vehicle lifting frame for lifting vehicles, the first and second bar are connected with first, second and third means on the primary and secondary sides to the platform and positioned on a vertical level on the primary and secondary sides of the platform whereby the first and second pivoting supporting members are able to turn horizontally 360 degrees on the plane of the platform. The effect of the placement and the connection of the bars to the platform makes it possible to place vehicles with a normal to high ground clearance between the ground and the bottom of the vehicle over the platform, adjust the pivoting supporting members in the right position and then lift the vehicle from the ground.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the vehicle lifting frame for lifting vehicles, an upper side of the first and second pivoting supporting members are in an identical horizontal plane as the platform. The effect of when the upper side of the pivoting supporting members are in the same plane as the platform is that the pivoting supporting members only can rotate in the same plane as the platform with a limited rotation since on the platform limits the rotation. The pivoting supporting members can be positioned under the vehicle and balance the vehicle when lifted.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the vehicle lifting frame for lifting vehicles, the first and second bar are connected with first, second and third means on the primary and secondary sides to the platform and positioned on a vertical level on the primary and secondary sides of the platform whereby the first and second pivoting supporting members are able to turn horizontally 180 degrees in a parallel plane to the surface of the platform. The effect of the placement and the connection of the bars to the platform makes it possible to place vehicles with a low distance between the ground and the bottom of the vehicle over the platform, adjust the pivoting supporting members in the right position and then lift the vehicle from the ground.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the vehicle lifting frame for lifting vehicles, the first and second bars have a hollow cross section. The effect with a hollow cross section of the bars is that they get lighter than a solid bar and can be adjusted into different vertical positions on the frame by fewer people.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the vehicle lifting frame for lifting vehicles, the first and a second connection mean each are going through a first and a second plate, attached on the first and second end of the first and second bar, and each of the secondary sides of the platform. The effect of the plates at the ends of the bars is that they connect the bars with the platform and can be attached and detached to and from different vertical positions to the secondary sides of the platform.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the vehicle lifting frame for lifting vehicles, the first and second bar on each first and second plate has a C-shaped bracket for an attachable wheelstand. The C-shaped brackets on the plates connects the platform and bars with the wheelstand that supports and directs the vehicle position over the platform when it is placed over the platform of the lifting frame.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the vehicle lifting frame for lifting vehicles, the connection of the first and second bars to the primary sides of the platform comprises a third connection mean going through the first and second bar and the primary sides of the platform. The effect of the connecting means going through the bar and the primary side of the platform is to connect the bars with the platform and be reachable so they can be attached and detached to and from different vertical positions to the secondary sides of the platform.

Brief description of the drawings

[0022] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the appended drawings in which:

Fig 1 is a side view of a lifting frame for lifting vehicles.

Fig 2 is a view of a lifting frame for lifting vehicles according to Fig, 1 from above.

Fig 3 is a detailed view of the bars and the pivoting supporting members for the lifting frame.

Fig 4is a side view of the lifting frame for lifting vehicles and a detached wheelstand.

Detailed description of preferred embodiment of the invention

[0023] Fig 1 illustrates a vehicle lifting frame 1 for lifting vehicles with a low ground clearance between the vehicle and the ground. The lifting frame comprises a base element 2, four levers 3a,3b,3c,3d and a platform 5. The base element 2 is connected to the four levers 3a,3b,3c,3d. The first lever 3a is connected with the second lever 3b with a first link assembly 4a. The third lever 3c is connected with the fourth lever 3d with a second link assembly, not seen in the drawing. Only one link assembly is visible in the figure. The four levers 3a,3b,3c,3d are connected with the platform 5 underneath the platform 5. The platform 5 is with this construction arranged with means for vertical movement 17. This means 17 could be hydraulic, mechanical or arranged in any way that rises or lowers the platform 5 vertically from and to the base element 2. When the platform 5 is in its lowest position on the ground the base element 5 and the four levers 3a,3b,3c,3d are covered by the platform 5. This is to minimise the distance from the ground to the upper surface of the platform 5. The platform 5 comprises two opposite primary sides 6a,6b of same length and two opposite secondary sides 7a,7b of same length. The primary sides 6a,6b are parallel to each other and so are also the two secondary sides 7a,7b. The primary sides 6a,6b are perpendicular to the secondary sides 7a,7b. Along the two primary sides 6a,6b of the platform a first and a second bar 8a,8b are arranged. The first and the second bar 8a,8b are preferably of the same length as the primary sides 6a,6b of the platform 5. On each of these bars 8a,8b are a first and a second pivoting supporting member 9a,9b connected. The pivoting supporting members 9a,9b support a vehicle when it is lifted from the ground and can be used when the platform 5 in itself cannot be used to lift the vehicle. Each bar 8a,8b has a first and a second end 12a,12b. The first end 12a has a first connection mean 10a and the second end 12b has a second connection mean 10b.The means 10a,10b fixate the bars 8a,8b to the secondary sides 7a,7b of the platform. A first plate 14a is connects the first end 12a of the bars 8a,8b with the first secondary side 7a of the platform 5 and a second plate 14b connects the second end 12b of the bars 8a,8b with the second secondary side 7b of the platform 5. The first and second means 10a,10b comprises of bolts separately going through holes on the first and second plates 14a,14b and the secondary sides 7a,7b of the platform and nuts that tighten the bolts. The bolt, nuts and the holes in the secondary sides 7a,7b are not shown in the figure. The holes on the secondary sides 7a,7b of the platform vi are arranged facing the holes on the first and second plates 14a,14b and made in at least two different vertical positions which enables an alternation of the vertical position of the bars 8a,8b. The bars 8a,8b are thereby attachable and detachable in different vertical positions on the platform 5.

[0024] Fig 2 illustrates the lifting frame 1 from above with the pivoting supporting members 9a,9b on the bars 8a,8b. The pivoting supporting members 9a,9b on the bars 8a,8b are placed in different rotated horizontal positions around the platform 5. Depending on the vertical position of the bars 8a,8b along the primary sides 6a,6b of the platform 5 the ability for the pivoting supporting members 9a,9b to rotate are different. Either the attached bars 8a,8b along the primary sides 6a,6b of the platform 5 are in a higher or a lower position in respect to the platform 5. When the pivoting supporting members 9a-b on the bars 8a,8b are positioned in a higher first position they are able to turn over and outside the platform 5 i.e., 360 degrees. When the pivoting supporting members 9a,9b on the bars 8a,8b are positioned in a lower second position, they are only able to turn outside the platform 5 i.e., 180 degrees. In the first position the upper side 11a of the bars 8a-b are in the same horizontal plane as the platform 5, which enables the rotation over the platform for the pivoting supporting members. In the second position the upper side 11b of the pivoting supporting members 9a,9b are in the same horizontal plane as the primary sides 6a,6b of the platform 5, which by the the primary sides 6a,6b only allow a 180 degree turn of the pivoting supporting members 9a,9b.

[0025] Fig 3 illustrates the two bars 8a,8b detached from the platform 5 with the pivoting supporting means 9a,9b and the connection means 10a,10b. The pivoting supporting means 9a,9b are arranged at the first and the second end 12a,12b of the bars 8a-b and are placed in positions under a vehicle to balance it when it is lifted from the ground. At the ends of the bars 12a,12b, the first and second connection means 10a,10b are arranged on the first and second plates 14a, 14b. With these first and second connection means 10a,10b the bars 8a,8b are attachable and detachable in different vertical positions on the secondary sides 7a,7b of the platform 5. The vertical positions on the platform 5 are in a higher or a lower position depending on the desired position of the pivoting supporting members 9a,9b attached to the bars 8a,8b. Along the sides of the bars 8a,8b between the ends of the bars 8a,8b facing the primary sides 6a,6b of the platform is a third connecting mean 10c arranged. The third connecting means 10c fixate the bars 8a,8b to the primary sides 7a,7b of the platform 5 by bolts going through holes on the side of the bars 8a,8b and holes in the primary sides of the platform 5 and nuts to tighten the bolts. The bolt and nuts are not shown in the figure. The holes on the primary sides of the platform are arranged facing the holes on the bars and in at least two different vertical positions which enables an alternation of the vertical position of the bars, The bars 8a,8b are thereby attachable and detachable in different vertical positions on the platform 5.

[0026] Fig 4 illustrates the lifting frame 1 in an elevated position with the wheelstand 16 on the ground. The bars 8a,8b with the pivoting supporting members 9a,9b are attached to the platform 5 in a lower position that allows vehicles with a low ground clearance between the ground and the vehicle to be placed above the platform 5 and then elevated from the ground.

[0027] The platform 5 and the wheelstand 16 can be lifted together by means of a connection between the platform and the wheelstand 16. Fig 1 and 4 shows a first and a second C-shaped bracket 15a, 15b which are provided on the first secondary side 7a of the platform. Not shown locking pins are provided on the wheelstand. When the platform is in its lower position the locking pin can be inserted between the legs of the bracket to connect the wheelstand 16 to the platform. Corresponding connection can be arranged on the opposite second secondary side 7b of the platform.

[0028] Hereinbefore it has been described that the vehicle lifting frame may be related to primarily a vehicle lifting frame for lifting vehicles. It will be appreciated that the principles described above with a vehicle lifting frame for lifting vehicles may be applied to other types of lifting frames.

Reference signs:

[0029] 

1 vehicle lifting frame

2 base frame

3a first lever

3b second lever

3c third lever

3d fourth lever

4a first linkage assembly

4b second linkage assembly

5 platform

6a first primary side

6b second primary side

7 a first secondary side

7b second secondary side

8a first bar

8b second bar

9a first pivoting supporting member

9b second pivoting supporting member

10a first connection mean

10b second connection mean

10c third connection mean

11a upper side of bars

11b upper side of pivoting supporting members

12a first end of bars

12b second end of bars

13a first pivoting mean

13b second pivoting mean

14a first plate

14b second plate

15a first C-shaped bracket

15b second C-shaped bracket

16 wheelstand

17 means for vertical movements

Claims

1. A vehicle lifting frame (1) for lifting vehicles, the vehicle lifting frame (1) comprises of a base frame (2), levers (3a,3d), link assemblies (4), and a platform (5), wherein,

the base frame (2) is connected with the levers (3a,3d)

a first pivoting linkage assembly (4a) is arranged with a first and second lever (3a,3b),

a second pivoting linkage assembly (4b) is arranged with a third and fourth lever (3c,3d),

the platform (5) comprises two opposite first and second primary sides (6a-b) and two opposite first and second secondary sides (7a,7b), and wherein

the platform (5) is adapted with means for vertical movements (17),

characterised in that,

a first bar (8a) is arranged along the first primary side (6a) and a second bar (8b) is arranged along the second primary side (6b) of the platform (5); and in that a first and a second pivoting supporting member (9a,9b) is arranged on the first bar (8a) and a first and a second pivoting supporting member (9a,9b) is arranged on the second bar (8b).

2. A vehicle lifting frame (1) for lifting vehicles according to claim 1, wherein a first and a second connection mean (10a,10b) on a first and second end (12a,12b) of the first and second bar (8a,8b) fixate the first and the second bar (8a,8b) on the first and second secondary sides (7a,7b) of the platform (5).

3. A vehicle lifting frame (1) for lifting vehicles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second bars (8a,8b), facing the primary sides (6a,6b) of the platform (5), along their sides have a third connection mean (10c) to fixate on the first and second primary sides (6a,6b) of the platform (5).

4. A vehicle lifting frame (1) for lifting vehicles according to any of the claims 1-3, wherein the first and the second pivoting supporting member (9a,9b) are attached on an upper side (11a) of the first and second bars (8a,8b).

5. A vehicle lifting frame (1) for lifting vehicles according to any of the claims 1-4, wherein the first pivoting supporting member (9a) is arranged to a first end of the bar (12a).

6. A vehicle lifting frame (1) for lifting vehicles according to any of the claims 1-5, wherein the second pivoting supporting member (9b) is arranged to a second end of the bar (12b).

7. A vehicle lifting frame (1) for lifting vehicles according to any of the claims 1-6, wherein the first and second pivoting supporting members (9a,9b) are attached to the first and second bars (8a,8b) with a first and second horizontal pivoting means (13a,13b).

8. A vehicle lifting frame (1) for lifting vehicles according to any of the claims 1-7, wherein an upper side (11a) of the first and second bars (8a,8b) are in an identical horizontal plane as the platform (5).

9. A vehicle lifting frame (1) for lifting vehicles according to claim 8, wherein the first and second bar (8a,8b) are connected with first, second and third means (10a,10b,10c) on the first and second primary sides (6a-b) and first and second secondary sides (7a,7b) to the platform (5) and positioned on a vertical level on the primary and secondary sides of the platform (5) whereby the first and second pivoting supporting members (9a,9b) are able to turn horizontally 360 degrees on the plane of the platform (5).

10. A vehicle lifting frame (1) for lifting vehicles according to any of the claims 1-7, wherein an upper side (11b) of the first and second pivoting supporting members (9a,9b) are in an identical horizontal plane as the platform (5).

11. A vehicle lifting frame (1) for lifting vehicles according to claim 10, wherein the first and second bar (8a,8b) are connected with first, second and third means (10a,10b,10c) on the first and second primary sides (6a,6b)and first and second secondary sides (7a,7b) to the platform (5) and positioned on a vertical level on the primary and secondary sides of the platform (5) whereby the first and second pivoting supporting members (9a,9b) are able to turn horizontally 180 degrees in a parallel plane to the surface of the platform (5).

12. A vehicle lifting frame (1) for lifting vehicles according to any of the claims 1-11, wherein the first and second bars (8a,8b) have a hollow cross section.

13. A vehicle lifting frame (1) for lifting vehicles according to any of the claims 2-12, wherein the first and a second connection mean (10a,10b) each are going through a first and a second plate (14a,14b), attached on the first and second end (12a,12b) of the first and second bar (8a,8b), and each of the first and second secondary sides (7a,7b) of the platform (5).

14. A vehicle lifting frame (1) for lifting vehicles according to claims 13, wherein the first and second bar (8a,8b) on each first and second plate (14a,14b) has a C-shaped bracket (15a, 15b) for an attachable wheelstand (16).

15. A vehicle lifting frame (1) for lifting vehicles according to any of the claims 3-14, wherein the connection of the first and second bars (8a,8b) to the primary sides (6a,6b) of the platform (5) comprises of a third connection means (10c) going through the first and second bar (8a,8b) and the first and second primary (6a,6b) sides of the platform (5).

Drawing