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: 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.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 1, 2016
Publication date:
February 2, 2017
Applicant:
Vehicle Service Group, LLC
Inventors:
Larry Kendall, Gerry Lauderbaugh, Chuck Luhn, Gregory Buccola, Jonathan J. Westbrook, Jonathan Ross
Abstract: A vehicle lift includes a carrier and a pair of arms. The arms comprise a pair of segments and an adapter pilot slidably disposed in one of the arm segments. The arm segments are slidable relative to each other and define slots to accommodate sliding of the adapter, providing various positions for the adapter along the length collectively defined by the arm segments. The adapter pilot is configured to receive an adapter to engage a vehicle. The arms are pivotable relative to the carrier and present a low profile to provide clearance for low vehicles. The carrier comprises a low profile superstructure. The superstructure includes a pair of substantially horizontal plates with substantially vertical web members extending between the substantially horizontal plates. The superstructure further includes a yoke portion pivotally coupled with the arms.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 29, 2015
Date of Patent:
January 24, 2017
Assignee:
Vehicle Service Group, LLC
Inventors:
John E. Uhl, Kevin A. Brittain, Keith W. Siddall
Abstract: A method of installing an inground vehicle lift includes the steps of excavating an area to create a pit, lowering a housing which encloses the mechanical components of the lift into the pit via a support structure, coupling the housing with a lower rebar system and an upper rebar system via a plurality of anchors and a plurality of angled support members before or after lowering the housing into the pit, leveling the housing, pouring concrete into the pit to a level such that the lower rebar system is sufficiently embedded within the concrete, allowing the concrete to partially cure, detaching the housing from the support structure, backfilling the pit with backfill material, installing insulation within the pit above the backfill material, and pouring concrete into the pit to a level such that the upper rebar system is sufficiently embedded within the concrete.
Abstract: An automotive lift comprises a pair of runway sections. Each runway section comprises a deck portion, two pairs of legs, and a pair of elongate sliding members. The pairs of legs are pivotally coupled with the deck portion. The elongate sliding members are pivotally coupled with the pairs of legs and are slidable relative to the deck portion. A hydraulic cylinder assembly is coupled with the deck portion by a clevis and with the elongate sliding members by a piston and piston block. The hydraulic cylinder assembly is operable to translate the elongate sliding members relative to the deck portion, thereby pivoting the pairs of legs relative to the deck portion to lift the deck portion relative to the ground. A hydraulic system is operable to synchronize lifting of the runway sections. A braking mechanism is configured to restrict descent of the runway sections.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 7, 2011
Date of Patent:
February 9, 2016
Assignee:
Vehicle Service Group, LLC
Inventors:
Jason E. Matthews, Douglas J. Brown, Gerald D. Bowers, Brian E. Kelley, Roger A. Ward, Keith W. Siddall
Abstract: A vehicle lift includes a carrier and a pair of arms. The arms comprise a pair of segments and an adapter pilot slidably disposed in one of the arm segments. The arm segments are slidable relative to each other and define slots to accommodate sliding of the adapter, providing various positions for the adapter along the length collectively defined by the arm segments. The adapter pilot is configured to receive an adapter to engage a vehicle. The arms are pivotable relative to the carrier and present a low profile to provide clearance for low vehicles. The carrier comprises a low profile superstructure. The superstructure includes a pair of substantially horizontal plates with substantially vertical web members extending between the substantially horizontal plates. The superstructure further includes a yoke portion pivotally coupled with the arms.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 11, 2011
Date of Patent:
March 10, 2015
Assignee:
Vehicle Service Group, LLC
Inventors:
John E. Uhl, Kevin A. Brittain, Keith W. Siddall
Abstract: A fixturing system (10) for use with a frame-straightening repair bench (30) that assists in properly positioning fixture bases and providing verification of repairs. The fixturing system includes fixture bases, support assemblies (14), locating members (16), designed to couple with specific control points, and securing mechanisms to secure the vehicle during repair. The alignment targets and verification system provide proof that the fixturing system and replacement parts are properly positioned. If a repair cannot be made by pulling, the damaged areas of the vehicle can be removed and the fixturing system can help position and hold replacement parts until the repair is made substantially permanent, and the alignment targets and verification system provide proof that the repair is accurately made.
Abstract: A lift control interface is operable to control and monitor a lift system. Each lift column in the system has such a lift control interface. The lift control interface allows a user to assign lift columns to a lift system. One or more of the assigned lift columns may be assigned to a column control group. The user may lock the selection of these columns. The status of the assigned, selected, and locked lift columns may appear on every lift control interface in the lift system. The user may govern operation of the selected columns in the column control group from a single control interface, such as any control interface at any of the selected columns. The lift control interfaces may include visual representations showing the relationships between the lift columns and a vehicle, such as with lift column icons being positioned around a vehicle icon.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 16, 2009
Date of Patent:
December 27, 2011
Assignee:
Vehicle Service Group, LLC
Inventors:
Mark A. Bordwell, Robert W. Elliott, David P. Porter, Jason T. Stewart, Michael A. Swartz
Abstract: A tracking attachment (10) adapted and operable to facilitate measuring the alignment characteristics of the rear suspension of a vehicle, including tracking (thrust angle), offset, toe-in and toe-out, and length characteristics. The tracking attachment (10) broadly comprises an adjustment component (12); a bar component (14); one or more target components (16); an alignment component (18); one or more attachment components (20); a centering component (22); and a locking component (24).