Support for a vehicle jack

Abstract

A support (10) for a vehicle jack (12) of the type having a base portion (30) and a body portion comprises in a preferred embodiment:—a solid body (17) having an upper surface (18) including a recess (28) and a lower surface (20) adapted to rest on a ground surface (16), the recess (28) being formed by a base (40) and at least one side wall (32, 34, 36, 38), the base portion (30) of the vehicle jack (12) being seated on the base (40) in position on the support, the upper surface (18) of the support (10) having slippage obstruction means to obstruct slippage of the base portion (30) when the vehicle jack (12) is used in jacking at least part of a vehicle (14), the slippage obstruction means comprising the upstanding side wall(s) (32, 34, 36, 38) of the recess (30), the support further including holding means for use in the carriage, storage, positioning for use and/or the removal from a position of use of the support (10), the holding means comprising a rigid integral handle (58) formed by an aperture in the support (10), and drain means in fluid communication with the recess (28) being configured to drain matter therefrom, said drain means preferably comprising channels (42, 44, 46 and 48) providing drain paths extending laterally outward in spaced apart relation from the recess (28) to an edge(s) of the support (10).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to a support for a vehicle jack and, in particular but not limited to, a support with a recess in which a base portion of a vehicle jack of the type including a base portion and a body portion is seated for improved vehicle jack stability relative to the support during use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A vehicle jack is a practical vehicle accessory for use in vehicle maintenance or during tyre changes, serving the purpose of raising a part of the vehicle and supporting the load of the vehicle above a ground surface to facilitate the said maintenance or tyre change.

However, the safe functioning of the vehicle jack during use is dependent on the base portion of the vehicle jack remaining stable whilst the jack is used to raise the vehicle part and support it in its raised position.

The typical manufacturer's supplied vehicle jacks, which are generally provided with vehicles at the time of purchase for storage and use therewith, whilst popular because these are generally designed to be portable, compact, simple in manufacture and usage and relatively inexpensive, are especially susceptible to stability problems. Such problems are particularly exacerbated when the vehicle jack is used on certain ground surfaces, such as wet, rough and uneven or soft ground surfaces, that are commonly encountered during vehicle travel. In particular, the vehicle jack, especially when used on the aforesaid ground surfaces, may be susceptible to lateral/horizontal and/or vertical movement during usage, such as slippage on or sinking into the ground surface. Further still, the ground surface on which the jack base is grounded during use may be damaged, at least superficially, during jack use, thus affecting the utility and/or appearance of the ground surface.

Whilst alternative jack designs to the common manufacturer's supplied vehicle jacks, such as the “air jack” and “high lift jack” varieties, are available on the market and which do not suffer to the same extent the aforesaid stability problems, these have not replaced the manufacturers supplied vehicle jack for various reasons.

The air jack in use works with the vehicle engine turned on so that air from the vehicle exhaust is pumped therefrom by means of a hose into an inflatable bag of the jack to raise the vehicle. However, relative to the manufacturer's supplied vehicle jack, the disadvantages of using the air jack include that usability is dependent on a running vehicle engine and that the air jack is reasonably bulky, complex, expensive and serves a single purpose.

By contrast, the high lift jack is in use positioned under a section of the vehicle having specific points of strength on which the high lift jack can bear so as to raise the vehicle with stability. However, the problems with using the high lift design jack include that it is relatively heavy, bulky, expensive and complex and furthermore requires sturdy points of attachment on the vehicle body underside to contact with so as to avoid causing substantial damage to the vehicle construction and/or surface. In this latter regard, it has been found that even the sturdier vehicle models such as standard four wheel drive vehicles may not have a construction suitable for use with a high lift jack unless fitted with an appropriate though relatively expensive bullbar or strengthened section.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to alleviate to some extent, one or more of the aforementioned problems and preferably to improve the stability and/or safety of vehicle jack use, and especially, but not limited to, use of the manufacturers supplied vehicle jack.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, various embodiments of the present invention are disclosed.

OUTLINE OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect therefore the present invention relates to a support for a vehicle jack of the type having a base portion and a body portion, the support comprising:

• • a body including an upper surface and a lower surface;
  • the upper surface including slippage obstruction means; and
  • the lower surface being adapted to rest on a ground surface;
  • wherein the base portion of the vehicle jack is positionable on the upper surface so that slippage is obstructed by the slippage obstruction means for use of the vehicle jack in jacking at least a part of a vehicle.

Preferably, the base portion of the vehicle jack is reversibly held captive in position on the support by being surrounded by the slippage obstruction means.

The slippage obstruction means preferably:—(i) comprises an upstand, being upstanding relative to the base portion of the vehicle jack positioned on the support; (ii) comprises at least two upstand sections arranged in spaced apart, such as opposed, relationship about the base portion of the vehicle jack in position on the support; (iii) is arranged to surround the base portion of the vehicle jack in position on the support, and/or (iv) most preferably, forms part of a recess in the upper surface of the support in which recess the base portion of the vehicle jack is seated in position on the support.

Preferably, the recess comprises a base and at least one side wall connected to the base, the slippage obstruction means comprising the or each side wall of the recess. Preferably, the base of the recess includes a slip resistive surface, on which lateral movement of the seated base portion of the vehicle jack is resisted, such as a concentrically corrugated or a checked surface. Preferably, the recess is generally centrally located in the upper surface of the support for substantially even load distribution. In a preferred form, the recess is generally centrally located but offset from a marginal edge of the support body which includes a holding means. Preferably, the recess has a depth sized relative to the support body to resist deformation of the support body during use whilst nonetheless being of sufficient depth to obstruct slippage of the base portion of the vehicle jack. Preferably, the depth of the recess is shallow. In one form it is preferred that the recess be dimensioned for non-tight fitting reversible insertion and seating of the base portion of the vehicle jack therein in position on the support. More preferably, there is a small lateral clearance between the recess side wall(s) and the base portion of the positioned vehicle jack which facilitates simple use of the support with potentially a range of different vehicle jack base portion configurations and sizes (including, but not limited to manufacturers supplied vehicle jacks, high lift jacks, etc.) whilst facilitating at most only limited slippage of the jack base portion therein.

In an alternative form, it is preferred that the recess be dimensioned for tight fitting reversible insertion and seating of the base portion of the vehicle jack in the recess in position on the support. More preferably, the recess has a configuration corresponding to the base portion of the vehicle jack, being custom made for optimal use and limitation of slippage of a particularly configured and sized vehicle jack base portion.

Preferably, the support further includes drain means in fluid communication with the recess being configured to drain or at least assist in the removal of matter therefrom. Preferably, the drain means provides at least one drain path extending laterally outward from, rather than to the underside of, the recess. Preferably, the drain means comprises at least one, and more preferably at least two, channel(s) contiguous with the recess in the upper surface. Preferably, where there are at least two channels, these are relatively evenly spaced apart. Preferably, the or each channel extends in a straight configuration from the recess to an edge(s) of the support with a constant depth or, less preferably, an increasing depth. In a preferred form, where the recess has a circular or like configuration, the drain means comprises four circumferentially spaced apart channels extending radially from the recess to the edge(s) of the support. In a more preferred form, wherein the support upper surface and the recess each have a rectangular or square configuration, the drain means comprises four channels extending laterally outward from respective corners of the recess to at least proximal to respective corners of the support.

Preferably, the support further includes holding means for use in the carriage, storage, and most preferably the positioning for use and/or removal from a position of use of the support. Preferably, the holding means comprises a finger grip or a handle. Preferably, the holding means is positioned at a marginal edge of the support body and more preferably medially at the marginal edge. Preferably, the holding means comprises an integral handle defined by an aperture in the support body. It is particularly preferred that the handle be so formed, dimensioned and arranged that it may aide positioning of the support using a steering action to steer the support into operative position. Preferably, the holding means is generally rigid.

Preferably, the support further includes separate securing means, preferably comprising at least one peg, adapted for use in securing the support to a ground surface. Preferably, the at least one peg is inserted in the ground surface at a position(s) outside the support or more preferably down through the holding means.

Preferably, the upper surface of the support provides a generally level surface on which the support is adapted to be rested, preferably for alternate use of the support, namely for use of the lower surface uppermost as a work surface. In a preferred form, the lower surface may be used as a work surface for cutting or preparation thereon (such as preparing and cutting caught fish).

Preferably, the support body has flat configuration with the upper and lower surfaces having a rectangular or less preferably a square, ovular or circular configuration.

Preferably, the support body has a surface area sized proportionally larger than a surface area of the base portion of a vehicle jack so as to distribute the force of the load (i.e. the supported weight of the vehicle jack raising at least part of a vehicle in use) from said base portion to a larger surface area of ground surface on which the support is rested for improved jack stability.

Preferably, the support body is made from a material which can be compact whilst adapted to resist deformation under a loaded weight of a supported vehicle jack positioned on the support in use jacking at least part of a vehicle. Preferred materials of manufacture for the support include plastic, such as high density plastic including polyethylene or polypropylene, nylon and aluminium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views and/or embodiments and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a support for a vehicle jack in use with a vehicle (partially shown) according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the upper surface of the support shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the lower surface of the support shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the support of FIG. 1 in use or to be used with a different vehicle jack.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the upper surface of a support for a vehicle jack according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention in plan and perspective view respectively.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views illustrating the upper and lower surfaces respectively of a support for a vehicle jack according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are perspective views illustrating the upper and lower surfaces respectively of a support for a vehicle jack according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective views illustrating the upper and lower surfaces respectively of a support for a vehicle jack according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are perspective views illustrating the upper and lower surfaces respectively of a support for a vehicle jack according to a sixth preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are perspective views illustrating the upper and lower surfaces respectively of a support for a vehicle jack according to a seventh preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 to 17 illustrate supports for a vehicle jack according to various embodiments of the present invention.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is shown a support 10 for a vehicle jack according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention in use with a vehicle jack, comprising a common type of manufacturer's supplied vehicle jack 12, having a base portion and a body portion, which vehicle jack is shown arranged to hold the weight of at least part of a vehicle 14 (partially shown) to be raised above a ground surface 16 on which the support 10 is rested.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support 10 comprises a solid body 17, manufactured as a single piece from material to resist deformation under a supported weight of the vehicle jack 12 in use, the body 17 having an upper surface 18 and a lower surface 20, the upper and lower surfaces, 18 and 20 respectively, being joined by side surfaces 22, 24 and 26 (one of the side surfaces not being shown).

The upper surface 18 of the support body 17, as shown clearly in FIG. 2, includes slippage obstruction means in the form of a generally centrally located recess 28, sized and arranged in this embodiment to provide a small lateral spacing 29 to receive, in a non-tight fit manner, and seat a base portion 30 of the vehicle jack 12 (as shown in FIG. 1) with limited lateral slippage. The recess 28 is formed by vertically extending side walls 32, 34, 36 and 38 which comprise the slippage obstruction means and extends in depth partly into the body 17 of the support, being connected to a horizontal base wall 40 on which the base portion 30 is seated. The depth of the recess 28 is shallow, having only a sufficient vertical extent to obstruct at least part of the vertical extent of the base portion of the vehicle jack so as to limit actual slippage of the jack whilst not impinging on the structural integrity of the support. The depth of the recess may be adjusted depending on variables such as the type of material of manufacture of the support and the vehicle jack, for example.

The support body 17 further includes drain means in the form of circumferentially spaced apart straight channels 42, 44, 46 and 48 extending laterally and radially outward from the recess 28 to provide drain path(s) for matter entering or, accumulating in said recess 28 to be drained from the support. Each of the channels 42, 44, 46 and 48 are shown to extend from respective corners of the recess 28 to respective proximal edges 50, 52, 54 and 56 of the support body 17.

The lower surface 20 of the support body 17, as shown in FIG. 3, is generally flat and is configured to rest substantially in frictional contact on the ground surface 16. The lower surface 20 has a surface area sized relative to the jack base portion 30 so as to disperse the force of the supported weight of the vehicle jack 12 in use from said base portion 30 to a larger surface area of ground surface compared to vehicle jack 12 use without the support 10, for improved vehicle jack stability wherein lateral and vertical movement of the support 10 and vehicle jack 12 as well as damage to the ground surface is limited. The support has an alternative(s) use in addition to the use of the support with a jack. In particular, as the upper surface 18 of the support 10 provides a generally level surface on which the support 10 is adapted to be rested for use of the lower surface 20 uppermost, the lower surface 20 is suitable for use as a work surface, such as a surface for cutting or preparation of food on.

The support body 17 further includes holding means in the form of an integral handle 58 formed by an aperture extending through the body 17 from the upper surface 18 to lower surface 20 thereof, for use in the carriage, storage, positioning for use and/or removal from position of use of the support. Although not illustrated, the support body 17 can be secured to the ground surface 16 by securing means in the form of a peg hammered or pushed through the aperture of the handle 58 into the ground surface 16 to further limit movement of the support 10 relative thereto.

The preferred dimensions of the support 10 for suitable use with various vehicle jacks presently on the market, including typical manufacturer's vehicle supplied jacks, such as the jack illustrated in FIG. 1, are as follows:—upper surface 18 and lower surface 20—each around 23.5 cm in width×35 cm in length; side surfaces (40, 42 and 44 shown)—around 2.5 cm in height; recess 28—around 13 cm in width×15 cm in length×0.6 cm in depth; lateral spacing 29 provided between recess side wall(s) and base portion of vehicle jack—around 1-2 mm; each channel 42, 44, 46 and 48—around 9 cm in length×1 cm in width×0.6 cm in depth; and holding means 58—around 11 cm in length×3 cm in width. Whilst a support having the aforementioned dimensions has been demonstrated to function suitably when used with a vehicle jack on surfaces including standard bitumen road surfaces, sand, gravel, mud, grass and somewhat uneven surfaces, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the aforesaid set of dimensions is not exhaustive, may require adjustment for use with certain vehicle jacks such as the “high-lift” jack which has a relatively larger base portion compared with a typical manufacturer's vehicle supplied jack, depends on a number of variables including material of manufacture of the support, and could be varied to suit end use requirements with at most minimal experimentation.

FIG. 4 shows the support 10 according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention being used with a different type of manufacturer's supplied vehicle jack 60 to the vehicle jack 12 illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows the positioning of the vehicle jack 60 illustrated in FIG. 4 relative to the support 10. Although not illustrated, the slippage obstruction means in the form of a recess could be configured for a tight fit insertion and seating of the distinct base portion of the vehicle jack therein.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown a support 62 according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the configuration of the recessed section 64 in the upper surface 66 is distinctly circular for use with a vehicle jack having a base portion of similarly circular configuration.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, there is shown a support 68 according to a third embodiment of the invention, wherein the holding means distinctly comprises a finger grip 70 made from an aperture that extends from the upper surface 72 to lower surface 74.

In FIGS. 10 and 11, there is shown a support 76 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, wherein the positioning of the holding means 78 in the support body is distinct.

In FIGS. 12 and 13, there is shown a support 80 according to a fifth embodiment of the invention, wherein the positioning and size of the holding means in the form of a finger grip 82 is distinct again.

In FIGS. 14 and 15, there is shown a support 84 according to a sixth embodiment of the invention, wherein the holding means is distinctly in the form of a cord handle 86 formed by attachment of respective cord ends to a side surface 88 of the support 84.

In FIGS. 16 and 17, there is shown a support 90 according to a seventh embodiment of the invention, wherein the configuration of the upper and lower surfaces (the upper surface 92 only being shown) of the body 94 is distinctly ovular.

Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the present invention many variations and modifications thereto, such as distinct combinations of the various embodiments of the various features of the support, will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention as herein set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A support for a vehicle jack of the type having a base portion and a body portion, the support comprising:

a body including an upper surface and a lower surface;

the upper surface including slippage obstruction means; and

the lower surface being adapted to rest on a ground surface;

wherein the base portion of the vehicle jack is positionable on the upper surface so that slippage is obstructed by the slippage obstruction means for use of the vehicle jack in jacking at least a part of a vehicle.

2. The support for a vehicle jack according to claim 1, wherein the slippage obstruction means includes an upstand, being upstanding relative to the base portion of the vehicle jack positioned on the support.

3. The support for a vehicle jack according to claim 1, wherein the slippage obstruction means comprises at least two upstand sections arranged in spaced apart relationship about the base portion of the vehicle jack in position on the support.

4. The support for a vehicle jack according to claim 1, wherein the slippage obstruction means is arranged to surround the base portion of the vehicle jack in position on the support.

5. The support for a vehicle jack according to claim 1, wherein the slippage obstruction means forms at least part of a recess in the upper surface of the support, in which recess the base portion of the vehicle jack is seated in position on the support.

6. The support for a vehicle jack according to claim 5, wherein the recess comprises a base on which the base portion of the vehicle jack is seated in position on the support and at least one side wall connected to the base, the slippage obstruction means comprising the or each side wall of the recess.

7. The support for a vehicle jack according to claim 6, wherein the base includes a slip resistive surface on which lateral movement of the seated base portion of the vehicle jack is resisted.

8. The support for a vehicle jack according to claim 6, wherein there is a small lateral clearance between the at least one side wall and the base portion of the vehicle jack for non-tight fitting reversible insertion and limited slippage of the base portion of the vehicle jack in the recess in position on the support.

9. The support for a vehicle jack according to claim 5, wherein the recess has a configuration corresponding to the base portion of the vehicle jack, being dimensioned for tight fitting reversible insertion and containment of said base portion in the recess in position on the support.

10. The support for a vehicle jack according to claim 5, wherein the recess is generally centrally located in the upper surface of the support.

11. The support for a vehicle jack according to claim 5, further including drain means in fluid communication with the recess, being configured to drain matter therefrom.

12. The support for a vehicle jack according to claim 11, wherein the drain means provides at least one drain path extending laterally outward from the recess.

13. The support for a vehicle jack according to claim 12, wherein the drain means comprises at least two channels contiguous with the recess in the upper surface, said at least two channels being relatively evenly spaced apart and extending laterally outward from the recess to an edge(s) of the support.

14. The support for a vehicle jack according to claim 13, wherein each channel has an entrance of a depth at least equal to a depth of the recess proximal to the entrance.

15. The support for a vehicle jack according to claim 14, wherein each channel extends in a straight configuration from the recess to an edge(s) of the support with a constant depth.

16. The support for a vehicle jack according to claim 14, wherein each channel extends in a straight configuration from the recess to an edge(s) of the support with an increasing depth.

17. The support for a vehicle jack according to claim 1, further including holding means for one or more of the following:—use in the carriage; storage; positioning for use; and/or removal from a position of use; of the support.

18. The support for a vehicle jack according to claim 17, wherein the holding means comprises an integral handle defined by an aperture formed at a marginal edge of the support body, being generally rigid to facilitate the steering of the support to a position of use.

19. The support for a vehicle jack according to claim 1, including a recess in the upper surface of the support, the recess including a base on which the base portion of the vehicle jack is seated in position on the support and at least one side wall connected to the base, the slippage obstruction means comprising the at least one side wall, the upper surface and lower surface each having a generally rectangular configuration, there being a holding means comprising an integral handle defined by an aperture formed at a marginal edge of the support body, said handle being generally rigid to facilitate the steering of the support to a position of use, wherein the recess is generally centrally located in the body, being offset from the marginal edge including the holding means.

20. The support for a vehicle jack according to claim 1, wherein the support is adapted to be used alternatively with the upper surface positioned lowermost, resting generally flat on a support surface, and the lower surface positioned uppermost to provide a generally level work surface.