Abstract: A hybrid 3D optical scanning system combining methodologies of active stereo 3D reconstruction and deflectometry to provide accurate 3D surface measurements of an object under inspection. In a preferred embodiment, the present system comprises a calibrated digital camera stereo pair and first digital projector for active stereo 3D reconstruction metrology positioned at selected distance apart on the same horizontal plane facing the inspection object at an optimal incidence angle relative to the object surface. A secondary digital projector for deflectometry is directed to project a pattern sequence across the optical projection path of the first digital projector and onto a nonplanar deflection screen extended between the digital camera and the inspection object at a selected angle relative thereto, the selected angle being chosen so that that the pattern projected onto the deflection screen by the secondary digital projector reflects from the surface of the inspection object towards the digital camera.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating a vehicle lift comprises at least one lifting assembly, a control unit, and a control pendant. The control pendant is configured to remotely control the motion of the vehicle lift through the control unit and to permit the lifting of a vehicle by the push of a single button on the control pendant and/or positioning of lift features in preparation for lifting a particular vehicle by the push of a single button. A menu screen and a plurality of menu buttons may be used together by a user to select one vehicle profile from a plurality of vehicle profiles. The selected vehicle profile may correspond to the vehicle being lifted and provides specific data with respect to how the at least one lifting assembly and/or the lift features should be moved for the particular vehicle being lifted.

Abstract: An environment association system (“EAS”) comprising: a processor and a memory; an object recognition process configured to identify objects within images, the objects including one or more of a vehicle, a vehicle lift, a vehicle repair tool, and an alignment fixture; and an EAS interface configured to communicate with a user device, the user device comprising a camera and a display; wherein the processor is configured to: determine, for at least one object in the set of objects, create a virtual overlay for the image based on the position of the at least one object within the image and a virtual marking associated with the at least one object; and provide the virtual overlay to the user device, wherein the virtual overlay is configured to cause the user device to simultaneously display the image and the virtual overlay via the display. The system provides information about the alignment of lifting points of the object with lifting members.

Abstract: An authentication module may be internally or externally installed on a lift control of a vehicle lift and allows new and updated features to be added to the vehicle lift without requiring a connection to a local or cellular network. The authentication module connects to one or more other electrical components of the lift control to allow for the exchange of data. A module containing software and configurations for enabling a feature may be removably attached to the authentication module, which uses the stored configurations to verify and enable the associated feature. The use of enabled features may be persistently tracked by the authentication module even in the absence of an external power source or network connection, and may be disabled by the authentication module if the feature use expires or is exhausted.

Abstract: A plurality of portable lifts are dynamically configured to form a lift system for raising and lowering of vehicle. Each portable lift is added to the lift system and communicates wirelessly with a centralized control module. Some systems guide the user through a sequenced association of lifts in particular relative positions around the vehicle, while others use automatic position-detection techniques to determine those relative positions without explicit user input. Some systems allow definition of subsystems that can be operated together. Flexible controls may selectively allow operation of individual lifts, pairs or subsystems of lifts, or the full system at once. Controls on each lift may communicate commands for other lifts by way of the centralized control module.

Abstract: An authentication module may be internally or externally installed on a lift control of a vehicle lift and allows new and updated features to be added to the vehicle lift without requiring a connection to a local or cellular network. The authentication module connects to one or more other electrical components of the lift control to allow for the exchange of data. A module containing software and configurations for enabling a feature may be removably attached to the authentication module, which uses the stored configurations to verify and enable the associated feature. The use of enabled features may be persistently tracked by the authentication module even in the absence of an external power source or network connection, and may be disabled by the authentication module if the feature use expires or is exhausted.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating a vehicle lift comprises at least one lifting assembly, a control unit, and a control pendant. The control pendant is configured to remotely control the motion of the vehicle lift through the control unit and to permit the lifting of a vehicle by the push of a single button on the control pendant and/or positioning of lift features in preparation for lifting a particular vehicle by the push of a single button. A menu screen and a plurality of menu buttons may be used together by a user to select one vehicle profile from a plurality of vehicle profiles. The selected vehicle profile may correspond to the vehicle being lifted and provides specific data with respect to how the at least one lifting assembly and/or the lift features should be moved for the particular vehicle being lifted.

Abstract: A concrete pit for housing the below-floor part of a vehicle lift that is at least partially below floor level is constructed of precast concrete pieces. In one embodiment, a trench is dug slightly bigger than the pit that will be installed, and a precast concrete base slab is placed in the hole. Features around the perimeter of the base slab mate with corresponding features around the bottom of a precast concrete hollow rectangle, which is placed on top of the base slab. Additional precast concrete hollow rectangles may be placed on top. A vehicle lift is placed within the concrete pit and in some embodiments fixed thereto using holes, protrusions, or other features built into the concrete pit. In some embodiments, plumbing, wiring conduit, and other passageways are cast into the pieces of the concrete pit to minimize manual installation work that needs to be done in the pit.

Abstract: A pit for containing a vehicle lifting apparatus is constructed from a plurality of precast concrete pieces and assembled in a trench. Conduit, plumbing, heating elements, and the like are cast into the pieces to facilitate safe construction/assembly of the pit. A lift apparatus is assembled or positioned in and at least partly attached to the pit. One or more mounting features are cast into and/or attached to the pit wall to help fix the lifting apparatus relative to the pit and/or to help fix the pit relative to a surrounding building.

Abstract: A vehicle lift assembly includes a base, a vehicle engagement member, an actuation assembly, and a lifting linkage assembly. The vehicle engagement member vertically actuates relative to the base member while interfacing with a vehicle in order to lift the vehicle relative to the base member. The actuation assembly drives the vehicle engagement member relative to the base member. The lifting linkage assembly connects the actuation assembly with the vehicle engagement member. The lifting linkage assembly also includes one or more longitudinally extending links, while one or more reinforcement plates are fixed to each of the longitudinally extending links, wherein each reinforcement plate is shorter than the respective link to which it is attached.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a piston, an input cavity, a first actuating shaft, a first output cavity, and a second output cavity. The housing comprises an input port, a first output port, a second output port, a first end, a second end, a first wide wall having a first internal surface, and a chamber at least partially defined by the first end and the first internal surface. The piston is able to actuate along the first internal surface of the first side wall. The input cavity is in fluid communication with the input port. The first output cavity is in fluid communication with the first output port. The second output cavity is in fluid communication with the second output port. The first actuating shaft is fixed to the piston and helps fluidly isolate the first output port from the second output port.

Abstract: A laser scanner determines the direction and distance of one or more targets by emitting two substantially parallel beams and receiving respective return beams. Components for handling the received beams are affixed to a monolithic block to ensure fixed relative placement. The direction of the target is determined using an optical encoder to reduce the timing window for interpolation to a fraction of the time it takes for the scanner to make a full revolution. A PLL trained by recent segment timing further improves accuracy and precision. A detection algorithm adapts detection thresholds for the different signatures of return signals depending on the distance to the target. Distance calculations are also adjusted for thermal expansion of the scanner components by including a temperature-variant thermometer output signal in the distance calculation algorithm.

Abstract: A plurality of portable lifts are dynamically configured to form a lift system for raising and lowering of vehicle. Each portable lift is added to the lift system and communicates wirelessly with a centralized control module. Some systems guide the user through a sequenced association of lifts in particular relative positions around the vehicle, while others use automatic position-detection techniques to determine those relative positions without explicit user input. Some systems allow definition of subsystems that can be operated together. Flexible controls may selectively allow operation of individual lifts, pairs or subsystems of lifts, or the full system at once. Controls on each lift may communicate commands for other lifts by way of the centralized control module.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a frame, a vehicle engagement assembly, a lift actuation assembly, a locking assembly, and an indicator system. The vehicle engagement assembly is designed to vertically lift a vehicle. The frame comprises at least one slot to provide a predetermined path for the vehicle engagement assembly. The lift assembly provides the force required to lift the vehicle while the locking assembly stabilizes the vehicles without further force required by the lift assembly. The indicator system determines whether the locking assembly or the lift assembly is predominantly keeping the vehicle lifted.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a piston, an input cavity, a first actuating shaft, a first output cavity, and a second output cavity. The housing comprise an input port, a first output port, a second output port, a first end, a second end, a first wide wall having a first internal surface, and a chamber at least partially defined by the first end and the first internal surface. The piston is able to actuate along the first internal surface of the first side wall. The input cavity is in fluid communication with the input port. The first output cavity is in fluid communication with the first output port. The second output cavity is in fluid communication with the second output port. The first actuating shaft is fixed to the piston and helps fluidly isolate the first output port from the second output port.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating a vehicle lift comprises at least one lifting assembly, a control unit, and a control pendant. The control pendant is configured to remotely control the motion of the vehicle lift through the control unit. The control pendant is configured to permit the lifting of a vehicle by the push of a single button on the control pendant. To permit lifting of a vehicle with a single button, the control pendant comprises a menu screen and a plurality of menu buttons. The menu screen and the plurality of menu buttons may be used together by a user to select one vehicle profile of a plurality of vehicle profiles. The selected vehicle profile may correspond to the vehicle being lifted. The selected vehicle profile provides specific data with respect to how the at least one lifting assembly should be moved for the particular vehicle being lifted.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting a vehicle comprises at least two posts, at least two lifting assemblies, at least one actuator, and an overhead assembly. The at least two posts are configured to cooperatively raise a vehicle. Each lifting assembly is associated with a corresponding post. The at least two lifting assemblies are configured to move simultaneously to raise a vehicle. The at least one actuator is in communication with the at least two lifting assemblies. The overhead assembly is secured to each of the at least two posts such that the overhead assembly extends from one post to another post. The overhead assembly is selectively movable relative to the at least two posts between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A vehicle lift includes a vehicle support member, a cylinder, and a controller. A linear transducer—such as a string potentiometer—is (preferably removably) positioned inside the cylinder. The transducer detects the position of the cylinder and sends a corresponding signal to a controller that controls the height of the support member in response to the signal. The cylinder acts on the vehicle support member through a scissor mechanism, parallelogram linkage, or straight vertical hydraulic lifting.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting vehicles includes a runway, a base, an actuation assembly, a first armature assembly, a second armature assembly, and a third armature assembly. The runway is designed to vertically lift a vehicle from a lowered position to a raised position. The runway is connected to the third armature assembly. In turn, the third armature assembly is connected to the actuation assembly, which is pivotally fixed to the base. The first and second armature assemblies also connect the base with the third armature assembly. The actuation assembly is configured to lift the third armature assembly, which is guided by both the first armature assembly and second armature assembly. In response to the actuation assembly, the third armature assembly then forces the runway from the lowered position to the raised position, thereby lifting the vehicle.

Abstract: An automotive lift system includes a plurality of posts and yoke assemblies. The yoke assemblies are slidably coupled to the posts such that the yoke assemblies are vertically moveable between a lowered position and a raised position. A pair of runways are secured between a respective pair of yoke assemblies and are configured to engage an automobile to thereby communicate vertical movement of the yoke assemblies to the automobile. The yoke assemblies include a structural frame and a pair of contact assemblies configured to engage opposing surfaces of the posts. The contact assemblies include an axle assembly having a pair of contact members (e.g., rollers, sliders, etc.) that are configured to engage an interior or exterior surface of the post. The axle assemblies are rotatable and/or articulable about a vertical axis parallel with the posts to thereby maintain proper engagement between the posts and the pairs of contact members.