Abstract: The present invention provides a lift used for automobile maintenance, which has a novel link mechanism consisting of a smaller number of parts required to have significantly high precision, and is manufactured at a relatively low cost. The lift allows a mechanic to check and repair a lower portion of a vehicle in a standing attitude. The link mechanism of the invention has a smaller number of joints, thus effectively preventing excessive looseness of the lift even after long-term use. The lift of the invention includes a pair of base elements placed in a pair of pits, a pair of tables for supporting a lower body frame of a vehicle other than four wheels, and a pair of link mechanisms where a long arm crosses and is fixed to a short arm at a position in the middle of the long arm via a center shaft. Each short arm is integrally fixed at a first end thereof to a connection shaft, which is rotatably attached to one side of the base elements.

Abstract: The invention provides a movable one-post lift used for maintenance of a vehicle including: a base with transport wheels which are drawn up to and taken out of the base; an upright support post mounted on the rear end of the base; a driving mechanism disposed in the support post; a cantilever beam ascending and descending along the support post by the driving mechanism; a pair of parallel drive-on-plates fixed to the cantilever beam for supporting the body of the vehicle; and a stopper attached to a suitable position of the base for fixing the base at a predetermined location on the floor. This structure allows efficient car maintenance in a limited space as well as smooth transport and space-saving storage of the lift. The lift also includes riding plates which are connected to both ends of the drive-on-plate and pivotally moved downward when the drive-on-plate is lifted up from the floor level.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed which automatically locks and unlocks a lever including (i) a link connected pivotally to an fixed object and having opposed plates and (ii) a rod with a lower portion located between the opposed plates and with a lower end pivotally connected to the link. The locking mechanism comprises two stopper means fixed between the opposed plates and so located as to allow the rod to make a pivotal movement for a predetermined angle relative to the link, a hook connected pivotally to the link, a lock pin projecting from the fixed object and so located as to engage with the hook to lock the lever when the lever is located in a position predetermined relative to the fixed object, means for urging the hook toward the lower end of the rod, and an unlock pin projecting from the hook and so located as to engage with the rod to disengage the hook from the lock pin against the action of the urging means, when the rod is turned toward one of the stopper means, thereby unlocking the lever.

Abstract: A device for raising and lowering a transfer step provided at one end of a vertically movable table in a lift includes a lug projecting from the step and an axially movable rod extending along the table and having one end linked to the lug. The rod has a laterally projecting pin near the other end thereof located remotely from the step. A handlebar is rotatably supported near the other end of the rod. A pin driving member is connected to the handlebar rotatably therewith and has a slot in which the pin is slidably fitted. The slot extends radially of the axis of rotation of the pin driving member. When the handlebar is rotated to rotate the pin driving member, the pin slides along the slot to cause the axial movement of the rod to rotate the step from one of its raised and lowered positions to the other.

Abstract: A vehicle lifting system includes a pair of parallel posts upstanding from a horizontal base and each having a rectangular cross section. A carriage is vertically movably supported on each post. Two swing arms, i.e. a long arm and a short arm, are horizontally rotatably supported on each carriage. Each arm has one end connected to the carriage, while the other end thereof is provided with a vehicle support. The posts define therebetween an open space in which a vehicle can be received to rest on the vehicle supports. Each carriage is supported on that side of the corresponding post which faces one side of the system through which the vehicle is moved forward thereinto, so that the open space and hence the system may have an effective width which is equal to the distance between the posts.

Abstract: A lift which can, for example, be used for lifting a container onto a truck, or for lowering it, includes a horizontal base equipped with wheels and capable of being raised above a floor and thereby supported on the wheels so that the lift as a whole may be moved, while the base can otherwise rest on the floor. A horizontal frame is mounted on the base and has a horizontally projecting portion, and a scissors jack is provided on the frame. A horizontal container-carrying table is supported vertically movably on the jack and has a horizontally projecting portion lying above the projecting portion of the frame. The table is provided along a pair of longitudinal edges with a pair of wheel guide grooves. The lift includes a mechanism associated with the base and the wheels for raising and lowering the base, and a mechanism connected between the jack and the table for opening and closing the jack to move the table vertically.

Abstract: A system for lifting a vehicle for repair thereof includes at least a pair of opposed posts each having a carriage connected thereto and having an inner space wherein a vertical cylinder with a piston rod is disposed. A deflecting member is connected to the top of the piston rod. The carriage is interconnected to the piston rod by device of a connecting means which has one end fixed to the carriage and another end fixed to the inner surface of the post and also has a portion fitted on the deflecting member. In the inner space of the post, a rack is connected to the piston rod in parallel therewith. A locking member is connected to a horizontal shaft extending through and rotatably supported by a bracket which is fixed to the outside of the post. The locking member projects into the post through an opening which is made through the wall of the post, and engages the rack. A lever is interconnected to the locking member for disengaging the locking member from the rack.

Abstract: A system for lifting an automobile for repair thereof includes a pair of opposed posts. Each post is provided with a vertically movable carriage having arms installing section which projects in a direction parallel to the direction from which an automobile is driven into the system. A pair of swing arms are pivotally connected, at their inner ends, to each installing section. A lock gear is connected to the inner end of each arm. A disk normally engages the gear to fix the arms in their horizontal positions. The disk is connected to a vertical rod extending through a mount connected to the installing section. The rod is vertically movable. When the carriage is lowered and the rod comes into contact with a floor, the arms are unfixed.