SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LIFTING A VEHICLE

• US 20100123324A1
• Filed: 11/20/2008
• Published: 05/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcoa Incorporated (Howmet Aerospace, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Alcoa Incorporated (Howmet Aerospace, Inc.)
• Inventors: Timko, Edward A., Peer, Gregory L., Shoup, Jeffrey M., Forsythe, L. Edgar
• Granted Patent: US 8,061,747 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 294/74
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 1/20 specially adapted for handling vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 294/904 Vehicle carrier

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for lifting a vehicle. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for lifting a vehicle. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a structure with an integrated cable, strap, chain or the like for the purpose of vehicle lifting.

Claims

1. A system for lifting a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has at least one structural member, comprising:

at least one flexible load carrying material having a first end and a second end;

wherein at least a portion of the flexible load carrying material is disposed within at least a portion of the structural member; and

wherein the first end and the second end of the flexible load carrying material are exposed to the outside of the structural member.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle selected from the group consisting of:

a truck, an automobile, a military vehicle, an SUV.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the flexible load carrying material is selected from the group consisting of:

a cable, a sling, a chain.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the flexible load carrying material is disposed essentially fully within the structural member, with the exception that the first end and the second end of the flexible load carrying material are outside of the structural member.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the flexible load carrying material is disposed essentially fully within the structural member, with the first end and the second end of the flexible load carrying material being inside of the structural member and the first end and the second end of the flexible load carrying material being exposed to the outside of the structural member.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the vehicle has a plurality of structural members;

wherein at least a first flexible load carrying material is disposed at least partially within a first one of the structural members; and

wherein at least a second flexible load carrying material is disposed at least partially within a second one of the structural members.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the structural member runs across a width of the vehicle.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the first structural member runs across a width of the vehicle and wherein the second structural member runs across the width of the vehicle.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first structural member runs across a width of the vehicle at a location adjacent a front of the vehicle and wherein the second structural member runs across the width of the vehicle at a location adjacent a rear of the vehicle.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the structural member runs across a length of the vehicle.

11. The system of claim 6, wherein the first structural member runs across a length of the vehicle and wherein the second structural member runs across the length of the vehicle.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the first structural member runs across a length of the vehicle at a first side of the vehicle and wherein the second structural member runs across the length of the vehicle at a second side of the vehicle.

13. A system for lifting a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has at least one structural member, comprising:

at least one flexible load carrying material having a first end and a second end;

at least one cover element;

wherein at least a portion of the flexible load carrying material is disposed adjacent at least a portion of the structural member;

wherein the cover element at least partially covers the structural member such that the flexible load carrying material is between at least a portion of the cover element and at least a portion of the structural member; and

wherein the first end and the second end of the flexible load carrying material are exposed outside of the structural member and the cover element.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the vehicle selected from the group consisting of:

a truck, an automobile, a military vehicle, an SUV.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the flexible load carrying material is selected from the group consisting of:

a cable, a sling, a chain.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the flexible load carrying material is disposed essentially fully between the structural member and the cover element, with the exception that the first end and the second end of the flexible load carrying material are outside of the structural member and the cover element.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the flexible load carrying material is disposed essentially fully between the structural member and the cover element, with the first end and the second end of the flexible load carrying material being inside of the structural member and the cover element and the first end and the second end of the flexible load carrying material being exposed to the outside of the structural member and the cover element.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein:

the vehicle has a plurality of structural members;

wherein a first flexible load carrying material is disposed at least partially between a first one of the structural members and a first cover element; and

wherein a second flexible load carrying material is disposed at least partially between a second one of the structural members and a second cover element.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the structural member runs across a width of the vehicle.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the first structural member runs across a width of the vehicle and wherein the second structural member runs across the width of the vehicle.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the first structural member runs across a width of the vehicle at a location adjacent a front of the vehicle and wherein the second structural member runs across the width of the vehicle at a location adjacent a rear of the vehicle.

22. The system of claim 13, wherein the structural member runs across a length of the vehicle.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein the first structural member runs across a length of the vehicle and wherein the second structural member runs across the length of the vehicle.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the first structural member runs across a length of the vehicle at a first side of the vehicle and wherein the second structural member runs across the length of the vehicle at a second side of the vehicle.