Abstract: A lifting jack for raising boats and other objects. It has an inner housing or tube which is supported from a flat base. An outer tube is slidably mounted over the inner tube. A hydraulic jack inside the inner tube raises and lowers the outer tube. Two parallel series of vertical catches are supported on the outside of the outer tube. A selected pair of these catches support a connecting rod which holds a pair of flat support arms in a fixed relationship. The arms support a lifting pad in a plurality of elevations for each pair of vertical catches. A safety latch permits the outer housing to be raised but must be manually released for lowering.

Abstract: A work platform assembly for supporting small vehicles such as garden tractors, riding mowers and the like at a height convenient for a mechanic to perform work on the device. The work platform assembly includes a vehicle support platform that can be lowered to a position wherein it is generally coplanar with an angularly inclined ramp so as to facilitate rolling the vehicle onto the vehicle support platform. First and second hydraulic lifting assemblies are provided for moving the support platform from the angularly inclined loading position to a generally horizontal position and for moving the inclined ramp of the assembly from an inclined position to a substantially vertical position wherein it supports the vehicle support platform when the latter is disposed in the generally horizontal position.

Abstract: A portable surface lift for a vehicle and a pair of manually retractable wheels respectively attached to a mid-portion of opposite sides of the lift for rolling the lift over a garage floor surface when the vehicle is not lifted on the lift. The lift has fixed pads for contact with the undercarriage of the vehicle, and a hydraulic cylinder raises and lowers the vehicle on the lift. Arms are pivotally attached to opposite sides of the lift with a wheel at the end thereof for manual movement between a wheel-retracted position and a wheel-extended position. The wheels remain in the extended position by an over-center pivoting design. Two towing mechanisms are provided for moving the lift: a towing bar that can be attached to a towing bracket on an end of the lift, or a wheeled towing dolly having a clevis and securing pin for attachment to the towing bracket. The lift has a safety locking mechanism for securing the lift in various raised positions.

Abstract: A hydraulic jack movably supported by a plural casters has a vertically extending hydraulic cylinder with telescoping piston rods, has a load supporting frame at an upper end of the innermost piston rod, and has a reservoir partially filled with hydraulic fluid. A single foot pedal is pivotally supported on the jack, and is movable between first and second positions through a center position. A hydraulic valve arrangement is responsive to movement of the actuating member toward its first position for permitting fluid flow from the reservoir to the hydraulic cylinder and is responsive to movement of the actuating member toward its second position for permitting fluid flow from the hydraulic cylinder to the reservoir. A kicker lever supported for pivotal movement about the same axis as the actuating member is operatively coupled to the actuating member for movement therewith by two springs, and can actuate an air valve.

Abstract: A vehicle lifting system includes two pneumatic jacks each equipped with a detachable adapter for engaging a vehicle tire to lift the vehicle by its tires. The adapter has a fork with two arms that support the tire at two points on its circumference, on opposite sides of the tire's axis of rotation. The system also includes an air source connected to the jacks by a T-joint and separate air lines so that the jacks lift in unison. In another embodiment, the adapter is a receptacle for holding an end of a rigid lifter bar. Each jack is positioned on an opposite side of the vehicle with the lifter bar under the vehicle frame and extending between the jacks. The bar is equipped with body clamps to prevent the vehicle body from slipping during lifting.

Abstract: A tri-level parking apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a frame having a pair of spaced apart vertical stanchions. First and second parking platforms are disposed between the stanchions and can be slidably moved up or down along the stanchions. Piston/cylinder assemblies are provided for independently lifting the first parking platform from a lower position, to an intermediate position and ultimately to an uppermost position. Similarly, the piston/cylinder assemblies enable independent lifting of the lower platform from a lowermost position to the intermediate position.

Abstract: A lifting device, for vehicles, has two support platforms. Scissor mechanisms connect these platforms, to bases, and are actuated by hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies. A combiner and divider valve supplies fluid to the two hydraulic cylinders. A single cross brace can be provided between the two support platforms. This ensures the two platforms operate uniformly, even for an uneven load distribution, while giving a clear working space.

Abstract: A vehicle hoist has an inclined column along which a carriage having normally horizontal support members is moved. The carriage is moved by a hydraulic cylinder and engages the column in a ratchet-like fashion allowing upwards movement but preventing the lowering of the carriage unless a release mechanism is actuated simultaneously with the hydraulic valve governing the cylinder. The invention improves safety and provides smooth surfaces about the column.

Abstract: A jack assembly is pivotally mounted to a carriage which is in turn mounted by trolley wheels to a pair of track mounted rails and carries a wheel at its lower end for engagement with the floor as the tracks are lowered, thereby to pivot the jack assembly into a folded-up, generally horizontal position.

Abstract: A hinged retainer barrier along an edge of a lift platform which normally is in its barrier position urged by a spring around the pivot of a secondary lever through links between the lever and the hinged barrier, which barrier is moved against the action of spring into its non-barrier position flat against the surface of the platform when the secondary lever engages the ground.

Abstract: A vehicle hoist includes a wheel lift operable to raise and lower a vehicle by its wheels, and a frame lift operable to raise and lower a vehicle by its frame. Each lift is disposed and operable to raise and lower the same vehicle independently of the other, one of the lifts being permanently mounted on the other to be raised and lowered thereby when the other is operated to raise and lower the vehicle. In its preferred form the lifts are hydraulically operated, the skirt of the lower piston being upwardly extended to form a chamber for the piston of the upper lift.