Abstract: A compound curved or barrel shaped contact pad for a fork lift jack includes a mounting stem diverging into a wedge-shaped contact head having a contact surface thereon for engagement with a member of a vehicle to be lifted. The contact surface has a convex front-to-back curvature and a convex transverse curvature which enable the contact surface to positively engage the vehicle member in a variety of orientations of a lift arm of a jack. The contact surface has a non-slip surface texture, such as a plurality of transversely extending serrations. The contact pad has positioning notches formed into side surfaces for cooperation with structure on the lift arm to enable the contact pad to be selectively placed in a raised deployed position or a lowered stowed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting and supporting a vehicle relative to the ground includes a base assembly and a relatively shiftable carriage assembly. The base assembly includes a base resting on the ground and an upstanding post, and the cradle assembly is supported on the post for up and down movement. A piston and cylinder assembly is connected between the base assembly and the cradle assembly for moving the cradle up and down, and a pawl and ratchet assembly permits unrestricted upward movement of the cradle assembly while preventing unrestricted downward movement. A locking assembly is provided for locking the cradle assembly in a raised position relative to the base assembly.

Abstract: A short-rise lift apparatus is provided which is convertible between a first construction in which a vehicle is lifted directly by a platform that is raised against the body of the vehicle, and a second construction in which a plurality of lift arms are interposed between the platform and the frame of the vehicle so that the vehicle is lifted by the frame when the platform is raised. The plurality of elongated lift arms are retained on the platform and may be translated longitudinally relative to the platform and pivoted about a vertical axis. Each lift arm is removable from the platform so that when the lift arms are removed and the platform is moved toward the raised position, the platform engages the body of the vehicle and lifts it.