Abstract: An automation system uses cameras and sensors to identify a set of vehicle wheels within a lift area, then virtualizes the position and orientation of the vehicle relative to the lift posts. Lift arms extending from the lift posts are moved to a first position that places a profile camera near the predicted position of lift points, and image analysis is used to positively identify the lift points. The lift arms are then moved to a second position that places an adapter camera below the identified lift points, and image analysis is used to confirm safe positioning below the lift point. Captured images and feedback from image analysis are used to improve and refine the system's ability to identify wheels, profile view lift points, and plan view lift points. The system may be integrated with lift arms allowing for automated rotation, extension, and elevation of lift adapters.

Abstract: Conventional vehicle lifts typically operate at a standard speed that is statically configured for the system, which may result in vehicles that are below the weight rating for the lift being raised at the standard speed while the lift motor is capable of safely raising at greater speeds. A set of lift controls may be configured to determine the load on the motor by a vehicle of an unknown weight during operation at a standard lift speed and use such information to determine a potential speed that the motor may raise the vehicle at while staying within safe operational levels for the motor. One or more of a magnitude of electrical power drawn, a pressure generated by a hydraulic lifting, or a sensed vehicle weight may be used to provide an indication of load on the motor and/or a higher potential speed.

Abstract: An automation system uses cameras and sensors to identify a set of vehicle wheels within a lift area, then virtualizes the position and orientation of the vehicle relative to the lift posts. Lift arms extending from the lift posts are moved to a first position that places a profile camera near the predicted position of lift points, and image analysis is used to positively identify the lift points. The lift arms are then moved to a second position that places an adapter camera below the identified lift points, and image analysis is used to confirm safe positioning below the lift point. Captured images and feedback from image analysis are used to improve and refine the system's ability to identify wheels, profile view lift points, and plan view lift points. The system may be integrated with lift arms allowing for automated rotation, extension, and elevation of lift adapters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of use for supporting a fuel unit, the apparatus including: a frame including an attachment portion and a coupling portion, the attachment portion being configured to engage the fuel unit to thereby prevent lateral movement of the fuel unit relative to the frame, the coupling portion being configured to engage a lift table to thereby prevent lateral movement of the frame relative to the lift table; and a plurality of legs rotatably secured to the frame, each leg of the plurality of legs being configured to transition between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, wherein the extended configuration is configured to allow a foot of a respective leg to contact a floor, wherein the retracted configuration is configured to prevent the foot of the respective leg from contacting the floor.

Abstract: Conventional vehicle lifts typically operate at a standard speed that is statically configured for the system, which may result in vehicles that are below the weight rating for the lift being raised at the standard speed while the lift motor is capable of safely raising at greater speeds. A set of lift controls may be configured to determine the load on the motor by a vehicle of an unknown weight during operation at a standard lift speed and use such information to determine a potential speed that the motor may raise the vehicle at while staying within safe operational levels for the motor. One or more of a magnitude of electrical power drawn, a pressure generated by a hydraulic lifting, or a sensed vehicle weight may be used to provide an indication of load on the motor and/or a higher potential speed.

Abstract: A vehicle lift system includes a plurality of mobile lift columns each including a wireless communication system for sending and receiving wireless signals, each of the plurality of mobile lift columns further including an inclinometer for detecting an amount of tilt of the plurality of mobile lift columns. A remote control unit includes a wireless communication system capable of transmitting wireless control signals to the plurality of mobile lift columns. A control unit is associated with the plurality of lift columns for controlling operation of the plurality of lift columns, the control unit further receiving a signal indicative of the amount of tilt of the plurality of mobile lift columns and providing a warning signal if any mobile lift column has an amount of tilt exceeding a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An automation system uses cameras (134) and sensors (136) to identify a set of vehicle wheels within a lift area (118), then virtualizes the position and orientation of the vehicle relative to the lift posts (122, 130). Lift arms (124, 132) extending from the lift posts are moved to a first position that places a profile camera near the predicted position of lift points, and image analysis is used to positively identify the lift points. The lift arms are then moved to a second position that places an adapter camera below the identified lift points, and image analysis is used to confirm safe positioning below the lift point. Captured images and feedback from image analysis are used to improve and refine the system's ability to identify wheels, profile view lift points, and plan view lift points. The system may be integrated with lift arms allowing for automated rotation, extension, and elevation of lift adapters.

Abstract: A set of lift controls may be configured to determine the load on the motor (112) by a vehicle of an unknown weight during operation at a standard lift speed and use such information to determine a potential speed that the motor may raise the vehicle at while staying within safe operational levels for the motor. One or more of a magnitude of electrical power drawn, a pressure generating by a hydraulic lifting, or a sensed vehicle weight may be used to provide an indication of load on the motor and/or a higher potential speed.

Abstract: A method of use for supporting a fuel unit. The method includes attaching a support structure having a plurality of legs on a tabletop assembly of a mobile lift table and positioning the support structure under an elevated vehicle having a fuel unit. The method includes removing the fuel unit from the elevated vehicle such that the support structure operatively supports the fuel unit. The method includes moving the fuel unit away from the elevated vehicle and actuating the plurality of legs from a retracted position to an extended downward position. The method further includes lowering the tabletop assembly which carries the support structure with the fuel unit such that the plurality of legs engages a floor. The method further includes detaching and removing the support structure from the tabletop assembly such that the tabletop assembly is no longer supporting the support structure of the fuel unit.

Abstract: A vehicle engagement assembly includes a base frame, a lift arm pivotally coupled to the base frame, and a pivot restraint mechanism that can inhibit rotation of the lift arm relative to the base frame about a pivot axis while the pivot restraint mechanism is in a restrained configuration. The base frame includes a first pair of flanges and a web connecting the first pair of flanges. The pivot restraint mechanism includes an arm restraint body and a base frame restraint body. The arm restraint body is associated with the lift arm such that the arm restraint body pivots with the lift arm relative to the base frame. The base frame restraint body is associated with the base frame and includes a rotational stopping surface that engages with the web to thereby transfer a rotational load from the lift arm onto the web in the restrained configuration.

Abstract: A vehicle engagement assembly is attached to a vehicle lift, wherein the vehicle lift is configured to actuate the engagement assembly between lowered and raised positions, and the vehicle engagement assembly includes: a first arm including a first notch, a second arm including a second notch, an adapter coupling arm including a coupling portion, and an adapter that couples with the coupling portion. The second arm can transition between a first extended configuration and a first retracted configuration relative to the first arm. The adapter fits within the first notch when both the second arm is in the first retracted configuration and the adapter coupling arm is in the second retracted configuration. The adapter coupling arm is configured to transition between a second extended configuration and a second retracted configuration relative to the second arm.

Abstract: A lift assembly including a lifting structure, a lifting arm, a yoke structure fixed to the lifting structure, a pin pivotally coupling the lifting arm with the yoke structure, and an integrated anti-rotational assembly associated with both the yoke structure and the pin. The lifting structure can actuate relative to the ground between a lowered position and a raised position. The lifting arm is configured to actuate with the lifting structure between the lowered position and the raised position. The integrated anti-rotational assembly can inhibit rotation of the pin relative to the yoke structure about the longitudinal axis of the pin.

Abstract: A mobile lift column includes a controller comprising at least one processor and at least one memory. The column includes a base with a pair of support members, each of which includes a support actuator operable to extend and retract an inner portion of the support member. A lift post is coupled to and extends upwards from the base and includes a movable portion and a lift post driver operable to raise and lower the movable portion vertically along the lift post. A lift assembly is coupled to the movable portion. The lift assembly includes an adapter plate with one or more slots, one or more extension assemblies that pass horizontally through the slots of the adapter plate, and a set of extension actuators operable to extend and retract the one or more extension assemblies along a first axis.

Abstract: A vehicle engagement assembly includes a base frame having a pair of flanges, each defining a respective base pin hole, a lift arm having an upper flange defining an arm pin hole and a lower flange, and a pivot restraint mechanism. The pivot restraint mechanism is able to inhibit rotation of the lift arm relative to the base frame about a pivot axis. The pivot restraint mechanism includes an arm restraint body, a base frame restraint body, and a rotational stopping surface. The arm restraint body and base frame restraint body are located between the upper flange and lower flange of the lift arm with the pin extending through each. The rotational stopping surface can abut against a surface of either the base frame restraint body or the arm restraint body to rotationally fix either to the respective base frame or lift arm about the pivot axis.

Abstract: Conventional vehicle lifts typically operate at a standard speed that is statically configured for the system, which may result in vehicles that are below the weight rating for the lift being raised at the standard speed while the lift motor is capable of safely raising at greater speeds. A set of lift controls may be configured to determine the load on the motor by a vehicle of an unknown weight during operation at a standard lift speed and use such information to determine a potential speed that the motor may raise the vehicle at while staying within safe operational levels for the motor. One or more of a magnitude of electrical power drawn, a pressure generated by a hydraulic lifting, or a sensed vehicle weight may be used to provide an indication of load on the motor and/or a higher potential speed.

Abstract: A mobile lift column (200) is configured to automatically position itself with respect to a vehicle (112) to be lifted. A proximity and object sensor is used to identify a location of a vehicle and navigate obstructions while advancing to the vehicle. The column includes a set of automatically driven Mecanum wheels (222, 224) that can be variably controlled to provide precise movement in any direction without rotating the column. A camera (244) positioned on the column identifies a wheel of the vehicle, and an alignment beam is projected onto the wheel to verify centering on the wheel. Once positioned, the column may operate one of several lift members, including a pair of removable fork adapters (216, 218), to extend underneath the vehicle and contact the vehicle lifting points. With at least two columns properly positioned, each mobile column can simultaneously raise its lift member(s) to lift the vehicle to a desired height.

Abstract: Methods, devices, apparatus, systems and computer-readable storage media for assessing damages on vehicles are provided. In one aspect, a method includes: accessing an image of a vehicle showing shapes each indicating at least one damage area on the vehicle; providing the image as input to a first model to identify the shapes in the image and obtaining shape data describing a position of each shape identified in the image; providing the image as input to a second model to identify one or more panels of the vehicle and obtaining panel data describing a position of each panel identified in the image; automatically correlating the one or more shapes and the one or more panels based on the shape data and the panel data to determine a number of shapes present on each panel; and generating a damage assessment report describing the number of shapes present on each panel.

Abstract: A vehicle lift system includes a plurality of lift groups, each lift group including a plurality of lift columns configured to lift a vehicle and a control device. The system further includes a linker module comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory is encoded with programming instructions executable by the processor to receive at least one user command from the control device of at least one of the plurality of lift groups, poll the control device of each lift group in the plurality of lift groups, determine, based on the polling, whether the received command can be executed, responsive to determining that the received command can be executed, send a custom instruction to each lift group to execute the received command, and responsive to determining that the received command cannot be executed, provide a notification to the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of use for supporting a fuel unit, the apparatus including: a frame including an attachment portion and a coupling portion, the attachment portion being configured to engage the fuel unit to thereby prevent lateral movement of the fuel unit relative to the frame, the coupling portion being configured to engage a lift table to thereby prevent lateral movement of the frame relative to the lift table; and a plurality of legs rotatably secured to the frame, each leg of the plurality of legs being configured to transition between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, wherein the extended configuration is configured to allow a foot of a respective leg to contact a floor, wherein the retracted configuration is configured to prevent the foot of the respective leg from contacting the floor.

Abstract: A lift assembly including a lifting structure, a lifting arm, a yoke structure fixed to the lifting structure, a pin pivotally coupling the lifting arm with the yoke structure, and an integrated anti-rotational assembly associated with both the yoke structure and the pin. The lifting structure can actuate relative to the ground between a lowered position and a raised position. The lifting arm is configured to actuate with the lifting structure between the lowered position and the raised position. The integrated anti-rotational assembly can inhibit rotation of the pin relative to the yoke structure about the longitudinal axis of the pin.