METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MULTI-CAPACITY VEHICLE LIFT SYSTEM

• US 20090078509A1
• Filed: 08/26/2008
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
• Original Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
• Inventors: Olsen, Michael Alf, Gerdes, Michael David, Liebetreu, Peter N.
• Granted Patent: US 8,469,152 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 187/211
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 7/065 Scissor linkages, i.e. X-configuration

Abstract

Methods and systems for a multi-capacity vehicle lift system are provided. The system includes a lift assembly having a plurality of lift capacities and a load platform coupled to the lift assembly. The load platform includes a plurality of lift starting positions, each of the plurality of lift starting positions corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of lift capacities.

Claims

1. A multi-capacity vehicle lift system comprising:

a lift assembly comprising a plurality of lift capacities; and

a load platform coupled to said lift assembly, said load platform having a plurality of lift starting positions, each of the plurality of lift starting positions corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of lift capacities.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a selector configured to receive a lift capacity selection from a user.

3. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said lift assembly comprises at least one of a pair of scissor linkages each connected at a median pivot point and a pair of parallelogram linkages.

4. A multi-capacity lift system comprising:

a load platform;

an expandable linkage assembly mechanically coupled to said load platform to facilitate raising said load platform, said linkage expandable between a first collapsed position and a second expanded position; and

an actuator coupled to said expandable linkage, said actuator positionable at a plurality of selectable positions while the expandable linkage is in the first collapsed position wherein the capacity of the lift system is related to the actuator position.

5. A system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said expandable linkage assembly comprises a pair of scissor linkages each connected at a median pivot point or a pair of parallelogram lift linkages.

6. A system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said actuator further comprises:

a cam comprising a positioning lobe, a positioned lobe, and a pivot point offset from said lobes, said cam coupled to said linkage assembly at said pivot point;

a driving member comprising a first end rotatably coupled to said linkage assembly, said driving member further comprising a second end rotatably coupled to the positioned lobe of said cam; and

a positioning member comprising a first end coupled to said linkage assembly, said positioning member further comprising a second end rotatably coupled to the positioning lobe of said cam.

7. A system in accordance with claim 6 wherein in a first position of said cam, said cam remains on one side of said load platform and wherein in a second position of said cam, said positioned lobe extends at least partially through said load platform.

8. A multi-capacity lift system comprising:

a load platform;

an expandable linkage assembly mechanically coupled to said load platform to facilitate raising said load platform; and

an actuator comprising a driving member positionable to engage the linkage assembly at a plurality of positions;

wherein at a first position of said actuator, said actuator remains below a top surface of said load platform and said first position corresponds to a first lifting capacity of said lift system and wherein at a second position of said actuator, said actuator extends at least partially above the top surface of said load platform and said second position corresponds to a second lifting capacity of said lift system.

9. A system in accordance with claim 8 wherein said actuator comprises a cam that is substantially triangular in cross-section.

10. A system in accordance with claim 8 wherein said expandable linkage assembly comprises a first elongate aperture configured to receive a first pin coupled to said pivot point and a second elongate aperture configured to receive a second pin coupled to said positioning lobe.

11. A system in accordance with claim 8 further comprising a positioning member comprising a first end coupled to said expandable linkage assembly and a second end rotatably coupled to the actuator, said positioning member configured to change the position of the actuator.

12. A system in accordance with claim 8 wherein said expandable linkage assembly comprises a pair of scissor linkages connected at a median pivot point or a pair of parallelogram linkages.

13. A method of increasing the lift capacity of a lift device wherein the lift device includes an expandable linkage coupled to a load platform, the expandable linkage includes an actuator coupled to the expandable linkage and provides a force to the expandable linkage, said method comprising:

selecting a first starting position from a plurality of available starting positions for the actuator wherein each of the available starting positions corresponds to one of a plurality of lifting capacities; and

positioning the actuator in the first starting position wherein the expandable linkage is in a first collapsed position.

14. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein positioning the actuator in a second starting position comprises positioning the actuator in a second starting position such that at least a portion of the actuator extends through the load platform.

15. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein positioning the actuator in a second starting position comprises positioning the actuator in a second starting position such that at least a portion of the actuator extends below the base.

16. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein positioning an actuator in a second starting position comprises positioning the actuator to the second position using a positioning cam.

17. A method in accordance with claim 13 further comprising selecting the first starting position of the actuator or the second starting position of the actuator.

18. A lifting device for a vehicle, the lifting device comprising:

a first and second scissor units, each of which includes a base member and a load platform; and

for each scissor unit, a respective driving member assembly pivotally attached to a lever of the respective scissor unit, said driving member configured to be translated between a first starting position and a second starting position while said scissor units are in an initial collapsed position.

19. A lifting device in accordance with claim 18 wherein said driving member assembly comprises a longitudinal centerline and wherein in the first starting position the longitudinal centerline is oriented at a first angle with respect to said base and in the second starting position the longitudinal centerline is oriented at a second angle with respect to said base wherein the first angle is less than the second angle.

20. A lifting device in accordance with claim 18 wherein in the first starting position said driving member assembly is positioned on a single side of said load platform and in a second starting position at least a portion of said driving member assembly extends to a second opposing side of said load platform.

21. A lifting device in accordance with claim 18 wherein in the first starting position said driving member is capable of providing a first lifting force and in a second starting position said driving member is capable of providing a second lifting force wherein the second lifting force is greater than the first lifting force.