Abstract: A multiple axle lift system having a column mechanism and a carriage assembly is provided. The column mechanism has a base member with a central support member extending therefrom. The carriage assembly is slidably connected to the column mechanism and includes a centerline, a first lift pad assembly with a first lift pad for engaging a vehicle tire and a second lift pad assembly with a second lift pad for engaging a vehicle tire. The first and second lift pads are configured to face away from the centerline.

Abstract: A compound curved or barrel shaped contact pad for a fork lift jack includes a mounting stem diverging into a wedge-shaped contact head having a contact surface thereon for engagement with a member of a vehicle to be lifted. The contact surface has a convex front-to-back curvature and a convex transverse curvature which enable the contact surface to positively engage the vehicle member in a variety of orientations of a lift arm of a jack. The contact surface has a non-slip surface texture, such as a plurality of transversely extending serrations. The contact pad has positioning notches formed into side surfaces for cooperation with structure on the lift arm to enable the contact pad to be selectively placed in a raised deployed position or a lowered stowed position.

Abstract: A passive energy absorbing strut for dynamic restraint includes a hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic piston rod extending from the cylinder, a rod stem on the end of the rod and having a flange and a stop at opposite ends, a floating piston member sleeved on the stem between the flange and the stop, the piston member having fluid passages therethrough, and a piston spring urging the piston member away from the flange. The flange is sized to restrict the piston passages when the piston member engages the flange. The piston member is driven toward the flange in reaction to initiation of sudden extension of the strut, thereby restricting the piston passages and the flow of hydraulic fluid therethrough. The strut is connected between a piston and cylinder of a pneumatic vehicle end lift to damp sudden extension of the lift in response to loss of the load.

Abstract: A low cost, tiltable vehicle support stand is provided which is inherently stable in use and is designed to develop a righting moment during vehicle setup operations so that a vehicle can be quickly and easily elevated to facilitate work theroen. The preferred support stand includes a relatively wide base having an elongated, transversely extending beam secured thereto; a pair of padded vehicle-engaging members are shiftably mounted on the beam and are spaced apart a distance greater than the effective width of the base. In this manner the center of gravity of a supported vehicle lies in a plane which passes between the lateral side margins of the base, even in the event that the stand or vehicle-engaging members are located asymmetrically relative to the underside of the vehicle.

Abstract: A low cost, tiltable vehicle support stand is provided which is inherently stable in use and is designed to develop a righting moment during vehicle setup operations so that a vehicle can be quickly and easily elevated to facilitate work thereon. The preferred support stand includes a relatively wide base having an elongated, transversely extending beam secured thereto; a pair of padded vehicle-engaging members are shiftably mounted on the beam and are spaced apart a distance greater than the effective width of the base. In this manner the center of gravity of a supported vehicle lies in a plane which passes between the lateral side margins of the base, even in the event that the stand or vehicle-engaging members are located asymmetrically relative to the underside of the vehicle.

Abstract: A jack assembly for side lifting of four wheel vehicles into tilted disposition is disclosed wherein elongated, rectilinear lifting arm means is provided which is of a length to extend substantially across the track dimension of the vehicle when the arm means is inserted under the vehicle from one side thereof. Extensible fluid actuated means is operably connected to the normally outboard end of the lifting arm means for swinging the arm means through an arcuate displacement to engage and lift one side of the car as the arm means pivots about the inboard end thereof which rests on the ground. The jack is especially useful for raising one side of smaller unibody automobiles without damage to the body or operating components.

Abstract: By locking one caster wheel of a four-wheel jack against swivelling without inhibiting its ability to roll freely along a supporting surface, and by then steering an oppositely trailing or leading caster wheel with a tow bar or other suitable handle, the jack can be readily steered into tight places and under low overhanging structures even with relatively heavy loads supported thereon as the two remaining caster wheels become effective "slaves" to their respective, most laterally adjacent locked or steered wheels. The tow bar for the steered wheel and the lock for the locked wheel are readily attached to and removed from their respective wheels without the aid of tools or special fasteners.

Abstract: The flat, load-carrying head of the jack may be adapted through a set of special adapter components for lifting, lowering and transporting irregularly-shaped objects such as heavy, unwieldy truck transmissions, differentials and power dividers notwithstanding their incompatibility with the flat surface of the platform. The components may be independently adjusted in a multiplicity of directions totally by hand and may be arranged in a variety of relationships such as to accommodate virtually any configuration presented by the particular object being handled and to do so relatively quickly without the use of special hand tools, certain of the components being especially suited for providing a low profile to the supporting head and the particular object being supported so as to facilitate manipulation of the jack in close quarters and under low overhead obstructions.

Abstract: Anti-binding structure for jacks is provided which eliminates load-induced binding between an extended jack lift post and the guide structure therefor, so as to facilitate smooth jack operation. The jack of the invention preferably includes a rectangular or sqaure cross section lift post and a plurality of elongated, transversely U-shaped bearing channels respectively disposed between the planar post faces and the upper guide plate of the jack; the channels are each mounted for limited rocking movement about respective axes transverse to the longitudinal axis of the jack post so that any load-induced canting or deflection of the post can be safely accommodated without binding or galling thereof.