Patents by Inventor John G. Atkinson

John G. Atkinson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Infinitely adjustable and constrainable movable structure for a vehicle lift
    Patent number: 8869943
    Abstract: A vehicle lift comprises a lifting mechanism configured to lift a vehicle for servicing, and at least one horizontal platform attached to a top of the lifting mechanism to engage with an underside of the vehicle. Adjustable slide members are movably attached to opposite ends of the horizontal platform and each are configured to move linearly in a horizontal path to align with the lifting points on the vehicle. Each slide member is both pivotally and slidingly engaged with the horizontal platform, and each slide member has a normally horizontal position. When the slide member is horizontal, the slide member is automatically constrained or locked to prevent linear movement of the slide member. When one end of the slide member is lifted to an angular position, the constraint is automatically disengaged and a linear slide bearing is engaged. When the slide member is in the angular position, the slide member can be easily adjusted via the bearings to match with a pick up point on an underside of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Rotary Lift/A Dover Industries Company
    Inventors: Jason E. Matthews, John G. Atkinson
  • Infinitely Adjustable and Constrainable Movable Structure for a Vehicle Lift
    Publication number: 20100051884
    Abstract: A vehicle lift comprises a lifting mechanism configured to lift a vehicle for servicing, and at least one horizontal platform attached to a top of the lifting mechanism to engage with an underside of the vehicle. Adjustable slide members are movably attached to opposite ends of the horizontal platform and each are configured to move linearly in a horizontal path to align with the lifting points on the vehicle. Each slide member is both pivotally and slidingly engaged with the horizontal platform, and each slide member has a normally horizontal position. When the slide member is horizontal, the slide member is automatically constrained or locked to prevent linear movement of the slide member. When one end of the slide member is lifted to an angular position, the constraint is automatically disengaged and a linear slide bearing is engaged. When the slide member is in the angular position, the slide member can be easily adjusted via the bearings to match with a pick up point on an underside of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Rotary Lift/A Dover Industries Company
    Inventors: Jason E. Matthews, John G. Atkinson