GB2244471A

GB2244471A - Vehicle jacking system

Info

Publication number: GB2244471A
Application number: GB9111727A
Authority: GB
Inventors: De Agustin Jose Antonio Ortiz; Cortes Antonia Heredia
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-05-31
Filing date: 1991-05-31
Publication date: 1991-12-04
Also published as: FR2662656A1; ITMI911504A1; FR2662656B3; ES1014261U; GB9111727D0; JPH06321074A; DE4119266A1; ITMI911504A0

Abstract

Vehicle jacking system comprises one or more jacks integrated into the vehicle's structure, as by attachment to axles. The jacks may be operated by means of mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic power and the latter may be produced by electric motor means, independent from the vehicle's own engine, or directly from the vehicle engine. A common pressure circuit may be employed where appropriate. Manual operation by means of a crank handle or the like is retained for emergencies where the engine or electric power cannot be used. <IMAGE>

Description

2 Sil -9. -1 17 1- Title: Improvements in and relating to the jacking of

motor vehicles

Field of Invention

The present invention refers to improvementhin jack systems for motor vehicles Background to the Invention

Essentially a jack-type mechanism, is an apparatus for lifting a load by means of a vertical displacement, obtained by the application of electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic or mechanical energy to cause a lifting element to elevate the load.

The automobile industry presents a clearly mature picture in the development of its products and motor vehicles have been developed to meet every conceivable market demand.

In practice, the result of this strategy is the existence of models with mechanical and auxiliary characteristics that cover almost all the user's possible requirements.

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However breakdowns still happen that cannot be avoided.

One of the most common breakdowns is a puncture resulting in a flat tyre. The vehicle has to be stopped while the tyre is changed, since it is impossible to drive safely with a deflated tyre.

In order to change the tyre, it is necessary to raise th e vehicle so that the wheel can be removed and another substituted.

To this end the vehicle is usually lifted by means of a jack or lifting device, which raises the vehicle by means of a crank handle. However this lifting has to be carried out with the vehicle body- tilted over due to the deflated tyre. Often the jack will not work and sometimes it is impossible for the driver to replace the wheel or the replacement leads to accidents due to the jack slipping causing the vehicle to fall. In addition, in some circumstances, such as driving on uneven ground, a vehicle can become stuck in such a way that it is necessary to call upon external traction to free it, which sometimes could be avoided if the vehicle could be jacked up readily to regain traction.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a safer and more readily usable jacking system for motor vehicles.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention a jacking system is incorporated into a motor vehicle comprising at least eerie jack operable to lift the vehicle body and therefore at least one wheel clear of the ground.

If four such jacks are employed, the car can be kept up on the integrated jacks during prolonged immobilization periods with the improvemement in conditions that this represents.

In one embodiment the or each jack is similar to a conventional jack or lifting device, the body member of which is integrated in or secured to the vehicle body.

The jacking device may be of a conventional type, in so far as its operation is concerned. In other words, vertical movement is achieved by means of mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic piocedures. The power may be derived from one or more electric motors which are independent from the automobile's main engine. The jack or jacks may by connected and interconnected by means of a pressure circuit for transmitting hydraulic or pneumatic fluid to the jacking device.

Conveniently manual operation of the jacking system is retained to enable their operation under all conditions.

An important advantage of the invention is the wide scope of installation possibilities. This allows, for example the placing of one jack per axle, or per wheel which, in any case, offers a great versatility of use, and it can be used to completely lift one side of the vehicle or the whole vehicle, off the ground.

The size of modern jacking devices, particularly hydraulically powered devices permits their installation within the confines of a motor vehicle body without reducing space within the vehicle. The control of the jacking system can be integrated into the vehicle control panel, or in any other place with easy access.

The invention also envisages that the jacking system of the invention may be operated using the vehicles' own engine or as stated above may be operated normally, with the manual crank handle, thus guaranteeing operation under all circumstances.

The invention will now be disclosed by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in Which:- Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a hydraulic jack, and Figure 2 shows how another jack can raise a vehicle wheel.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a jack operated hydraulically, wherein -1- indicates the anchoring points to the vehicle, and -2- a piston which, if moved downwards towards the ground so as to rest on the foot -3- will lift a vehicle. Valves -4- which operate the unit are also shown.

Figure 2 shows another jack fitted to a vehicle in an extended position which keeps the vehicle raised, by means of leg -5- that travels downwards, powered by a motor, so as to rest with its foot -6- on the ground. The totally lifted wheel -7- and the drive unit -8- which produces downward movement of the leg 5 are also visible.

The drawings are merely illustrative of the possible jacking systems which can be used, depending on the type L.

of power available, and the number of jacks required in a vehicle. No limitation is intended to be implied by the choice of jack shown.

The number of jacks instal-led may be chosen depending on the vehicle size. therefore, in small vehicles one jack at the front and one at the back may be sufficient to enable the front or rear of the vehicle to be raised. As 11 2 the vehicle's size and weight increases, it may be advisable to attach a jack to each of the wheels, so that it is feasible to lift the complete side of the car, with the car resting on the ground on the other two wheels or merely to lift one wheel and leave the vehicle resting on its other three Wheels. When two wheels are jacked up simultaneously this permits work to be done on both wheels simultaneously or will permit the underside of the vehicle to be reached for carrying out repairs. The jack may be powered by compressed pneumatic or hydraulic fluid pressurized by a pump (not shown) operated by the vehicle engine or by an electric motor (not shown) or by manual means.

Alternatively the jacks may be mechanically operated by means of a crank arm and/or nut and screw which may be driven electrically or from the engine or manually.

The invention also lies in a vehicle when fitted with a jacking system as aforeaid.

It must also be borne in mind that applying an integrated jacking system according to the invention to heavy vehicles will enormously simplify the complicated task of changing wheels on such vehicles, which hitherto has required the use of special lifting equipment.

C88/0

Claims

Claims:

1. A jacking system for a motor vehicle comprising at least one extensible jacking device mounted integrally in or secured to the vehicle body and operable to elevate at least one of the vehicle wheels.

2. A jacking system as claimed in claim 1 comprising two jacking devices one at the front and one at the rear of the vehicle select ively operable to raise the front of tor the rear thereof clear of the ground.

3. A jacking system as claimed in claim 1 comprising four jacking devices one associated with each vehicle wheel to permit selected wheels or combinations of wheels to be lifted clear of the ground.

4. A jacking system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 whithin the vehicle.

5. A jacking system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 vlierein the jack or jacks are powered by pressurised hydraulic or pneumatic fluid pressurised by pump means driven either by electric motor means and/or from the vehicle engine and/or manually.

6. A jacking system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the jack or jacks are powered by mechanical means driven by electric motor means and/or by the vehicle 1.

engine and/or manually.

7. A jacking system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 when fitted to a motor vehicle.

8. A jacking device constructed and arranged to operated substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

Published 1991 at The Patent Office, Concept House, Cardiff Road. Newport, Gwent NP9 I RH. Further copies may be obtained from Sales Branch. Unit 6. Nine Mile Point. Cwmfelinfach. Cross Keys, Newport, NP I 7HZ. Printed by Multiplex techniques lid. St Mary Cray. Kent.