EP0700862A1 - Lifting platform to raise cars by engaging the chassis or the wheels - Google Patents

Abstract

The vehicle lift consists of a support (2) and a lifting system, with the support made from two separate structures (4,5), one of which enables a vehicle to be lifted by its chassis or the underside of its body, while the other enables it to be raised by its wheels. The two structures can be joined together and/or with the lifting system (1) in a detachable arrangement. The support consists of two lengthwise plates or bars (8), attached to the upper end of the lifting system and extending at least partially beneath the lower sides of the vehicle body or chassis between the front and rear wheels, plus two or four panels (9) situated beneath the vehicle's wheels. These are capable of assembly with the lengthwise plates or bars or with the upper ends of the lifting system by means of sliding connectors (10).

Description

The present invention relates to handling devices, in particular load lifting systems, and relates to a lifting platform for vehicles, more particularly for automobiles, with wheeled or under body socket.

Currently, vehicle lifts for existing vehicles generally belong to one of the following two groups: under-wheel drive or under-body or chassis drive.

However, many vehicle repair or maintenance operations successively require the elevation and support of the vehicle according to the two aforementioned modes, in particular when the mechanic must intervene simultaneously or successively at the level of the vehicle body and at the level of the wheels or of their mounting accessories.

Thus, the garage owner must, on the one hand, have two different lifting lifts, one from each of the two aforementioned groups, and, on the other hand, move the vehicle from one bridge to the other depending on the type of operations. planned repairs or maintenance.

In an attempt to remedy this situation, lift lifts have been proposed which integrate two lifting devices, each of which is surmounted by a specific support support, each carrying out one of the two aforementioned lifting modes. There are in particular such lifts with mixed grips constituted by a first lifting device / support support under wheels assembly, in which is mounted a second lifting device / support support under body, which can emerge therefrom telescopic.

However, the constitution and structure of such existing composite bridges are complex, due in particular to the presence of two independent lifting devices and their control accessories, which in particular results in a high cost price and tedious maintenance.

The object of the present invention is in particular to overcome all of the aforementioned drawbacks, by proposing a lift having only one lifting device but allowing the two lifting modes.

For this purpose, it relates to a vehicle lift, essentially comprising a lifting device and a support support, mounted on said lifting device and intended to support the vehicle to be lifted, characterized in that the support support is composed of two separate structural support sets, one of which allows the vehicle to be raised with support at the body or chassis and the other which allows the vehicle to be raised with support at the wheels, both structural support assemblies which can be secured together and / or with the lifting device in a removable manner.

• la figure 1 est une vue en élévation latérale d'un pont élévateur conforme à l'invention, en position déployée pour une prise sous châssis, comportant un dispositif de soulèvement à ciseaux;
• les figures 2A et 2B sont des vues en élévation latérale et partiellement en coupe du support d'appui configuré, respectivement, pour un soulèvement avec appui ou prise sous caisse ou sous châssis et pour un soulèvement avec appui ou prise sous roues;
• les figures 3A et 3B sont des vues de dessous respectivement des supports d'appui représentés aux figures 2A et 2B;
• les figures 4A et 4B sont respectivement des vues en élévation latérale et frontale des segments de solidarisation et de l'organe d'entraînement faisant partie du support d'appui représenté aux figures 2A et 2B;
• les figures 5A à 5D représentent le pont élévateur de la figure 1 portant un véhicule, respectivement, en position basse, dans une position de soulèvement intermédiaire avec prise sous caisse, en position déployée avec prise sous caisse et en position déployée avec prise ou appui sous roues;
• les figures 6A et 6B représentent un pont élévateur selon l'invention, respectivement en configuration prise sous caisse et prise sous roues, muni d'un dispositif de soulèvement à colonnes et,
• la figure 7 est une vue de dessus du support d'appui selon un mode de réalisation préférentiel de l'invention.

The invention will be better understood from the description below, which relates to preferred embodiments, given by way of nonlimiting examples, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a lift in accordance with the invention, in the deployed position for a grip under chassis, comprising a scissor lifting device;
• FIGS. 2A and 2B are views in side elevation and partially in section of the support support configured, respectively, for an uplift with support or taken under body or under chassis and for an uplift with support or taken under wheels;
• Figures 3A and 3B are bottom views respectively of the support supports shown in Figures 2A and 2B;
• FIGS. 4A and 4B are respectively side and front elevation views of the securing segments and of the drive member forming part of the support support shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B;
• FIGS. 5A to 5D represent the lift of FIG. 1 carrying a vehicle, respectively, in the low position, in an intermediate lifting position with socket under body, in the deployed position with socket under body and in the deployed position with socket or support under wheels;
• FIGS. 6A and 6B represent a lift according to the invention, respectively in configuration taken under body and taken under wheels, provided with a lifting device with columns and,
• Figure 7 is a top view of the support support according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6 of the appended drawings, the vehicle lift essentially comprises a lifting device 1 and a support support 2, mounted on said lifting device 1 and intended to support the vehicle 3.

According to the invention, the support support is composed of two separate structural support assemblies 4 and 5, one of which 4 allows the lifting of the vehicle 3 with support at the level of the body 6 or the chassis and of which the another 5 allows the lifting of the vehicle 3 with support at the level of the wheels 7, the two structural support assemblies 4 and 5 being able to be joined together and / or with the lifting device 1 in a removable manner.

According to a first characteristic of the invention, shown in particular in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings, the support support 2 is advantageously constituted, on the one hand, by two elongated plates 8 or two bars, fixed on the ends upper parts of the lifting device 1 and extending at least partially under the lower lateral edges of the body 6 or of the chassis, located between the front and rear wheels 7, of a vehicle 3 disposed on said lift and, on the other part, by two or four plate portions 9 located at the locations of the front and rear wheels 7 of the vehicle 3 disposed on said lift and which can be assembled, in a removable manner, with said elongated plates 8 or bars or with the upper ends of the device of lifting by means of sliding securing segments 10.

By the term "plate" is meant in the present invention flat and rigid supports, namely, both solid supports or trays, as openwork supports or in the form of gratings.

Although the first structural support assembly 4 may be in the form of bars or rails, which can be positioned by adjustment directly under the side rails of the underbody of the vehicle 3 to be lifted, or even in the form of a single plate extending substantially over the entire surface of the underbody of vehicles 3, it is preferred that said first structural assembly 4 consists of two elongated plates 8 having a large bearing surface (adaptation to vehicles of different widths without adjustment), while providing a central opening allowing access to the underbody when the vehicle 3 is raised (Figure 7).

Similarly, the second structural support assembly 5 can consist of two plate portions, one for each pair of wheels 7 (front and rear), or four plate portions 9, one for each wheel 7, the latter arrangement allowing to provide an opening to access the parts of the vehicle 3 located between said wheels (Figure 7).

In order to unify the second structural support assembly 5, the four plate portions present are advantageously rigidly connected together, two by two, on the one hand, longitudinally by means of longitudinal members 11 extending under the elongated plates 8 or bars forming the first structural assembly 4 of the support support 2 and, on the other hand, transversely, two by two, by one or more crosspieces 12, so as to constitute a second structural assembly 5, of the support support 2, in one piece.

As shown more particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the appended drawings, the sliding securing segments 10, preferably at least one for each plate portion 9, are guided in slides 13 fixed under the plate portions 9 intended to support the wheels 7 or on the side members 11 connecting said plate portions 9 together, in pairs, and can be moved, alternatively, from a retracted position, corresponding to a non-use of the second structural support assembly 5, towards a deployed position in which they partially engage in slides or over supports 14 mounted under the elongated plates 8 or on the bars of the first structural support assembly 4.

In order to avoid in particular any untimely or involuntary separation of the second structural support assembly 5 from the first structural support assembly 4, in the deployed position or during a movement of the lift, it is advantageously provided that the displacement of the sliding fastening segments 10 can only be carried out in the low or fully folded position of said lift, the actuating means or means 15 provided for this purpose being mechanically separated and separated from the drive members 16 of said segments joining 10 during deployment of the lifting device 1 and the lifting of the support support 2, that is to say of the first structural support assembly 4 alone or of the first and second structural support assemblies 4 and 5 simultaneously (Figures 1 and 5 of the accompanying drawings).

Thus, the choice of lifting mode is made when the lift is in the low position, the assembly between first and second structural support assemblies 4 and 5 being locked and blocked, when it is effective, due to the action of the weight of said second structural assembly 5 and, if necessary, of the vehicle 3 raised on the slide links 13 / securing segments 10 / supports 14.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the actuation means consist of at least one jack 15 mounted on the lower part or on the base of the lifting device 1 and of which the rod 15 ′ carries a connector end piece 17 and, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 of the appended drawings, the drive members 16 comprise at least one attachment member 18 which can come into engagement, each with at least one end piece connector 17 for the transmission of the translational movement of the rod 15 ′ of the jack 15 corresponding to the securing segment (s) 10 connected to said drive members 16, the engagement and disengagement of each member hooking 18 with the corresponding connector end piece 17 being effected by simple vertical displacement, generated during raising or lowering of the lift.

The securing segments 10, preferably in the form of portions of bars of rectangular section provided with a lower beveled front edge, can each be actuated by own actuation means by means of as many organs suitable drive or optionally in pairs, in particular in opposite pairs, each of which can be connected to a jack for the purpose of moving said fastening segments, from the plate portions considered towards the elongated plates or vice versa.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and in particular 4 of the accompanying drawings, the securing segments 10 are housed in slides 13 fixed on the side members 11 connecting the plate portions 9 between they, two by two, and can extend, in the assembly position of the two structural assemblies 4 and 5 of the support support 3, over the supports 14 provided on the underside of the elongated plates 8 of the first structural assembly d 'support 4, said securing segments 10 being interconnected longitudinally, two by two, by rods 19. In addition, there may be provided, on the one hand, a single drive member 16, transversely connecting two of the segments of attachment 10 and provided with a fastening member 18 consisting of a vertical plate provided with a notch-shaped cutout 18 'and, on the other part, a single actuating means, for the displacement of said securing segments 10, in the form of a jack 15 mounted on the lower part or on the base of the lifting device 1, can only be actuated in position bottom of the lift and comprising a connector end piece 17 with two stops 17 'on its rod 15' so that the vertical plate 18 forming a hooking member can engage between the two stops 17 'and the middle part 17'' of the nozzle 17 insert into the notch 18 'of said vertical plate 18 when said lift reaches the low position.

According to a first embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 6A and 6B of the accompanying drawings, the lifting device 1 may consist of a set of two lateral columns 20 whose sliding support bearings 20 'are integral with the elongated plates 8 or bars of the first structural support unit 4.

According to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, and as shown in Figures 1 and 5 of the accompanying drawings, the lifting device 1 is constituted by an articulated structure deformable in double scissors or in double pantographs, which can each be deployed under the action of a corresponding power jack 21, actuated together in a complementary manner, so as to obtain a symmetrical and balanced deployment of the two scissors or pantographs.

The structure and operation of these are known as such to those skilled in the art and are evident from Figures 1 and 5 of the accompanying drawings, no further explanation is therefore necessary for their understanding.

It may however be noted that in the case of the scissor bridge shown in said Figures 1 and 5, the connections between the lifting device and the ground, on the one hand, or the support support, on the other part, is done via a pivot link and a raceway / roller link, cooperating with each other.

In accordance with another characteristic of the invention, shown in particular in FIGS. 1 and 5 of the accompanying drawings, the second structural support assembly 5 is, in the event of non-attachment to the first structural support assembly 4, and during deployment of said lift, raised up to and maintained in an intermediate position by means of support points 22, 23 mounted on the lower parts of the arms 1 'of the scissors or pantographs forming the lifting device 1.

This arrangement makes it possible to proceed, in the case of a configuration of the support support 2 for a lifting with grip or support under the body or shell of the vehicle 3, to initiate the lifting with support of the wheels 7 on the plate portions 9 (FIG. 5A), then, when the elongated plates 8 or the rubber wedges placed on the latter come into contact with the bottom of the body of the vehicle 3, gradually take off said vehicle from its support on the plate portions 9 and bring it to the maximum lifting position, resting entirely on the first structural support assembly 4.

Thus, the lifting of the vehicle 3 with grip or support under the body or the chassis of the latter, is done gradually during the lifting movement, due to the differential speed of climb between the first 4 and the second 5 together structural support and not at the start of lifting and suddenly or suddenly.

In addition, the plate portions 9 constitute, in their intermediate lifting position, tables or worktops at mid-height allowing the deposition of tools, devices, dismantled parts of the vehicle, spare parts or analogues (Fig. 1 and 5C).

As shown in Figures 1 and 3B of the accompanying drawings, the support points 22, 23 may advantageously consist of a on the one hand, in two concave open bearings 22 receiving a transverse axis or two lugs 24, integral with the side members 11 or plate portions 9 for a removable pivot connection by lifting, and, on the other hand, in two rollers 23 on which are supported corresponding raceways 25 integral with the side members 11 connecting the plate portions 9 to each other, said bearings 22 and rollers 23 being installed at similar locations on opposite arms 1 ′ of the same chisel 1 or pantograph.

This link, removable by lifting, between the second structural support assembly 5 and the lifting device 1 allows said structural assembly 5 to be lifted and supported by the latter, without however this articulated attachment interfering with the folding or the spacing of the arms 1 'of scissors or pantographs.

In addition and advantageously, it can be provided that, in the lower position of said lift, the first and second structural support assemblies 4 and 5 rest on ground supports 26 or on the base of the lifting device 1 and the slides 13 guiding the securing segments 10 are aligned with the corresponding slides or supports 14 of the first structural assembly 4 so that said securing segments 10 can be engaged or disengaged relative to said slides or said supports 14 by the intermediate the drive members 16 controlled by the actuating means 15, even in the presence of a vehicle 3 on said lift, said actuating means 15 being blocked when the latter leaves said low position (FIG. 1 and 5A).

In accordance with an additional characteristic of the invention, not shown in the accompanying drawings, the lift can also comprise, on the one hand, one or more position detectors or limit switches 11 not authorizing the operation of the actuating means 15 with a view to moving the securing segments 10 only in the low or folded position of the lift, and, on the other hand, one or more position detectors or limit switches preventing any movement of the lifting device 1 when the securing segments 10 are not disposed in a position of engagement or total clearance relative to the slides or to the corresponding supports 14 forming part of the first structural support assembly 4.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements, or by substitution of technical equivalents, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims (13)

Lift for vehicles, essentially comprising a lifting device and a support support, mounted on said lifting device and intended to support the vehicle to be lifted, characterized in that the support support (2) is composed of two sets separate support structures (4 and 5), one of which (4) allows the lifting of the vehicle (3) with support at the level of the body (6) or of the chassis and the other (5) of which allows the lifting of the vehicle (3) with support at the wheels (7), the two structural support assemblies (4 and 5) being able to be joined together and / or with the lifting device (1) in a removable manner. Lift according to claim 1, characterized in that the support support (2) consists, on the one hand, of two elongated plates (8) or two bars, fixed on the upper ends of the lifting device (1) and extending at least partially under the lower lateral edges of the body (6) or of the chassis, situated between the front and rear wheels (7), of a vehicle (3) disposed on said lift and, on the other part, by two or four plate portions (9) located at the locations of the wheels (7) front and rear of the vehicle (3) disposed on said lift and can be removably assembled with said elongated plates (8) or bars or with the upper ends of the lifting device by means of sliding securing segments (10). Lift according to claim 2, characterized in that the four plate portions (9) are rigidly connected together, two by two, on the one hand, longitudinally, by means of longitudinal members (11) extending under the elongated plates (8) or bars forming the first structural assembly (4) of the support support (2) and, on the other hand, transversely, two by two, by one or more crosspieces (12), so as to constitute a second assembly structural (5), support support (2), in one piece. Lift according to either of Claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the sliding securing segments (10), preferably at least one for each plate portion (9), are guided in slides (13) fixed under the plate portions (9) intended to support the wheels (7) or on the side members (11) connecting said plate portions (9) together, two by two, and can be moved, alternatively, by a retracted position, corresponding to a non-use of the second structural support assembly (5), towards a deployed position in which they partially engage in slides or over supports (14) mounted under the elongated plates (8) or on the bars of the first structural support assembly (4). Lift according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the displacement of the sliding fastening segments (10) can only be carried out in the low or fully folded position of said lift, the actuating means or (15) provided for this purpose being mechanically separated and separated from the drive members (16) of said securing segments (10) during the deployment of the lifting device (1) and the lifting of the support support (2). Lift according to claim 5, characterized in that the actuating means or means consist of at least one jack (15) mounted on the lower part or on the base of the lifting device (1) and whose rod (15 ') carries a connector end piece (17) and in that the drive members (16) comprise at least one latching member (18) which can come into engagement, each with at least one connector end piece (17) for the transmission of the translational movement of the rod (15 ′) of the actuator (15) corresponding to the securing segment (s) (10) connected to said drive members (16), the engagement and the disengagement of each attachment member (18) with the corresponding connector end piece (17) being effected by simple vertical displacement. Lift according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the securing segments (10) are housed in slides (13) fixed on the side members (11) connecting the plate portions (9) to each other, two by two, and can extend, in the assembly position of the two structural assemblies (4 and 5) of the support support (2), over the supports (14) provided on the underside of the elongated plates (8 ) of support of the first structural assembly (4) of support, said securing segments (10) being interconnected longitudinally, two by two, by rods (19) and in that it is provided with a part, a single drive member (16), transversely connecting two of the securing segments (10) and provided with a hooking member (18) consisting of a vertical plate provided with a notch-shaped cutout ( 18 ') and, on the other hand, a single actuating means (15), for the displacement of said solidaris segments ation (10), in the form of a jack mounted on the lower part or on the base of the lifting device (1), which can only be actuated in the lower position of the lift and comprising a connector end piece (17) with two stops (17 ') on its rod (15'), so that the vertical plate (18) forming a hooking member can engage between the two stops (17 ') and the middle part (17 ") of the nozzle (17) insert into the notch (18 ') of said vertical plate (18) when said lift reaches the low position. Lift according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lifting device (1) consists of a set of two lateral columns (20) whose sliding support bearings (20 ') are integral with the elongated plates ( 8) or bars of the first structural support assembly (4). Lift according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lifting device (1) consists of an articulated structure deformable in double scissors or in double pantographs, which can each be deployed under the action of a corresponding power cylinder (21), actuated together in a complementary manner. Lift according to claim 9, characterized in that the second structural support assembly (5) is, in the event of non-attachment to the first structural support assembly (4) and when the said lift is deployed, raised up to to and maintained in an intermediate position by means of support points (22, 23) mounted on the lower parts of the arms (1 ') of the scissors or pantographs forming the lifting device (1). Lift according to claim 10, characterized in that the support points consist, on the one hand, of two concave open bearings (22) receiving a transverse axis or two lugs (24), integral with the side members (11) or portions of plate (9) for a removable pivot connection by lifting, and, on the other hand, in two rollers (23) on which bear corresponding raceways (25) integral with the side members (11) connecting the plate portions (9 ) between them, said bearings (22) and rollers (23) being installed at similar locations on opposite arms (1 ') of the same chisel (1) or pantograph. Lift according to any one of Claims 5 to 11, characterized in that, in the lower position of said lift, the first and second structural support assemblies (4 and 5) rest on ground supports (26) or on the base of the lifting device (1) and the slides (13) guiding the securing segments (10) are aligned with the corresponding slides or supports (14) of the first structural assembly (4) so that said segments fastening (10) can be engaged or disengaged with respect to said slides or said supports (14) by means of the drive members (16) controlled by the actuating means (15), even in the presence of 'a vehicle (3) on said lift, said actuating means (15) being blocked when the latter leaves said low position. Lift according to any one of claims 4 to 12, characterized in that it comprises, on the one hand, one or more position detectors or limit switches (11) not authorizing the operation of the actuating means ( 15) for the movement of the securing segments (10) in the low or folded position of the lift, and, on the other hand, one or more position or limit switches preventing movement of the lifting device (1 ) when the securing segments (10) are not disposed in a position of total engagement or disengagement relative to the corresponding slides or supports (14) forming part of the first structural support assembly (4).

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