Abstract: A flexible protective bellows or boot for the lead screw of a scissors jack which serves as a reservoir for grease and lubricant and which fits over the lead screw to lubricate it and also to protect the user of the jack from getting greasy. The flexible boot makes it feasible to store the jack in locations outside the trunk of the vehicle.

Abstract: An improved scissors jack which has a lead screw that does not extend beyond the confines of the jack when the jack is in the partially raised position so as to reduce the space required for storing the jack. A hollow member is formed with a slot in which the extension of the threaded screw is received so that the end of the screw can slide in the slot when the jack is in the unloaded position to allow the jack to be raised to a mid height condition for storage. Under use, the extending portion of the screw moves to the end of the slot in the hollow member so as to apply tension to the lead screw to thus raise and lower the jack as the lead screw is rotated.A modified form of the invention utilizes an extended hollow trunion which prevents the end of the lead screw from extending beyond the confines of the trunion and a further modification provides for pivotally connecting two portions of the lead screw so that the jack can be moved to a stored condition.

Abstract: Hollow trunnions for a scissors type jack which allows a lighter jack to be produced. The hollow trunnion may be formed into a hollow tube and welded and formed with openings for the lead screw. The hollow trunnion may also be formed from solid tubing. A flatted portion may be formed on the trunnion to provide a bearing surface. A modification provides a U-shaped bracket which attaches to the hollow trunnion and which carries a nut through which the screw extends.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a ratchet wrench which has a pawl and spring arrangement such that the pawl's rotational movement is limited when out of engagement with the ratchet wheel so as to assure that the spring does not become disengaged from the pawl to render the wrench inoperative. The spring is provided with a pivotal action which eliminates loading on the end of the spring and provides more desirable spring action.

Abstract: An improved scissors jack which has a lead screw that does not extend beyond the confines of the jack when the jack is in the partially raised position so as to reduce the space required for storing the jack. A hollow member is formed with a slot in which the extension of the threaded screw is received so that the end of the screw can slide in the slot when the jack is in the unloaded position to allow the jack to be raised to a mid height condition for storage. Under use, the extending portion of the screw moves to the end of the slot in the hollow member so as to apply tension to the lead screw to thus raise and lower the jack as the lead screw is rotated.A modified form of the invention utilizes an extended hollow trunion which prevents the end of the lead screw from extending beyond the confines of the trunion and a further modification provides for pivotally connecting two portions of the lead screw so that the jack can be moved to a stored condition.

Abstract: A method of forming a tapered channel for a jack which uses less material comprising forming curved openings in the center portion of the channel and then stretching the middle portion of the channel so that it is tapered to produce a tapered channel.

Abstract: An improved open end construction for jacks which provides for tabs which extend at right angles to the side surfaces of the channel members so as to allow pivot pins to be received in the open ends after which the tabs are bent so that they lie in the plane of the side surfaces of the channel members so as to lock the pivot pin in the ends of the channel assembly. Also, partial flanges can be formed about the openings in the ends of the channel members so as to provide bearing surfaces for the pivot pins.

Abstract: A jack handle which limits the torque that can be applied to a jack so as to prevent overload and injury. The jack handle has a reduced cross-sectional portion between the handle and the jack engaging portion so that the handle will break off at the reduced cross-sectional portion, thus, preventing overloading of the jack. A portion of the handle which does not break off is provided with a jack engaging portion so that the broken portion of the jack can be removed and the second jack engaging portion can be inserted into the jack to lower it.

Abstract: A folding lug wrench for removing lug nuts and for operating a jack. A hot forged stub socket is pivotally attached to a handle with a yoke which substantially distributes out the torque forces over large areas which results in an increased torque capacity for the wrench. When the wrench is not in use, it can be pivoted and stored in the handle and held by a projection.

Abstract: Scissors jacks which are provided with channels which bend during overload conditions so as to indicate to the user that the jack has been overloaded. One embodiment an accordion structure is used and in the other two embodiments metal straps are used.

Abstract: An improved drive unit for a jack mechanism which is formed from an inexpensive stamping and it can be attached to the control shaft of a jack by staking, welding or other matter and which can be bent into a shape which has an opening to receive a flatted handle for operating the jack and which also has manual extensions which can be used to manually lower and raise the jack.

Abstract: An improved lift cap for a jack which comprises a two-piece lift cap that fit together with tab and slot arrangements and which allow the overall mass of the jack to be substantially reduced by allowing the width of the base and channels to be reduced. The improved lift cap has a raised portion which serves as a stop to align the jack and which also provides additional support to lift a vehicle which is being lifted by the jack.

Abstract: A scissors jack which has improved formed gear teeth which allow a jack to be retracted to a very low profile so that it can be placed under the vehicles. The teeth of the lower pivot arms are formed so as to extend one direction and the teeth of the upper pivot arms are formed so as to extend in the opposite direction from the teeth of the lower pivot arms so that when the jack is in the down position, the gear teeth on the upper and lower pivot arms can pass each other and thus allow the jack to have a very low contour.

Abstract: A drive head for the screw of a scissors jack which is formed in the shape of a wing nut which has a hexagonal socket formed between opposed walls so that a conventional folding lug wrench can be used by inserting its hex tube into the hexagonal socket to drive it. In the event of overload, the lug wrench will slip relative to the wing nut so as to prevent excessive loads and stresses upon the jack.

Abstract: An improved planetary gear box for a heavy duty truck jack which includes a planetary gear box that provides high torque and in-line input and output shafts and a high gear ratio and a compact package which does not require many precision machine parts. The invention uses parts formed by stamping rather than machining and uses a floating ring gear which can move relative to the housing, thus, allowing a stamped ring gear to be utilized. Floating planetary gears are used by providing slotted carriers whic allow the planet gears to float which eliminates concentric problems with the planet gears and the carrier assembly. The invention allows the use of a stamped housing and the rear carrier of the planet gears is staked to the drive pilot of the jack screw. The invention results in an improved and less expensive jack than utilized in the prior art.

Abstract: A scissors jack which has channel link members formed with slots which can be placed over rivets in the jack which have previously been staked in the base or the cap without the channel or link members. The invention relates in an improved jack which can be assembled quicker and easier since holes do not have to be formed in the channel members and the rivets inserted through such holes. The slots formed in the links are such that the links can be placed on the rivets and then rotated and then the free ends of the links are connected together with pivot pins and trunions during which time the links are rotated which locks the links to the rivets in the base and the cap so as to prevent the links from being withdrawn from the base or the cap.