Mobile service apparatus

• US 4,981,318 A
• Filed: 03/05/1990
• Issued: 01/01/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lube Crew Limited
• Original Assignee: Lube Crew Limited
• Inventors: Doane, Frederick G., Doane, Kenneth F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Focarino, Margaret A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pike, Andrew C.
• Application Number:
  US07/488,631
• Time in Patent Office: 302 Days
• Field of Search: 296/24.1, 296/26, 296/181
• US Class Current: 296/182.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/14 the object being a workshop for servicing, for maintenance, or for carrying workmen during work lifting devices for movable platforms or cabins for workmen B66F11/04

Abstract

Mobile service apparatus for movement from a first location to a second location includes a frame. The frame includes a floor upon which a vehicle to be serviced can be moved with the frame having a forward end, a rearward end, and spaced sides extending between the ends. A roof is provided supported by the frame and overlying the floor, and the apparatus has at least one corner post assembly positioned adjacent one end of the frame and adjacent one side of the frame for maintaining the roof space above the floor. The corner post assembly includes a generally horizontally extending upper arm movably held by the roof, a generally horizontally extending lower arm movably held by the frame and underlying the upper arm, and a spacer joining the upper and lower arms. The corner post assembly is movable between a closed position in which the spacer is located between the frame sides, and an open position in which the spacer is located outwardly of the one frame side so that, with the assembly in its open position, a vehicle extending beyond the frame one side can be moved onto the floor without interference from the corner post assembly.

Claims

1. Mobile service apparatus which may be moved from a first location to a second location, said apparatus comprising:

a frame including a floor onto which a vehicle to be serviced can be moved, said frame having a forward end, a rearward end, and two spaced sides extending between said ends;

a roof supported by said frame and overlying said floor; and

at least one roof support assembly positioned adjacent one end of said frame and adjacent one side of said frame for maintaining said roof spaced above said floor, said roof support assembly including a horizontally extending upper arm movably held by said roof, a horizontally extending lower arm movably held by said frame and underlying said upper arm, and a spacer joining said upper and lower arms, said roof support assembly being movable between a closed position wherein said spacer is disposed between said frame sides and an open position in which said spacer is located outwardly of said one frame side whereby, with said assembly in the open position thereof, a vehicle extending beyond said one frame side can be moved onto said floor without interference from said roof support assembly.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said apparatus is a mobile service trailer, wherein said frame is supported on wheels, and wherein said roof support assembly is a corner post assembly.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further comprising another said corner post assembly positioned adjacent said one end of said frame and adjacent the other side of said frame.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said trailer has side walls, each of said side walls having a cutout portion extending from said one end of said frame whereby, with said corner post assemblies in the open positions thereof, a vehicle extending beyond both frame sides can be moved onto said floor.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said upper arm includes a distal end pivotally connected to said roof, said lower arm includes a distal end pivotally connected to said frame, and said spacer joins proximal ends of said arms.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said corner post assembly comprises a shield extending away from said frame when said corner post assembly is in the open position thereof.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said shield includes a generally horizontally disposed plate extending from said upper arm, and a generally vertically disposed plate extending from said spacer.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said corner post assembly comprises a strengthening fillet joining said upper arm and said spacer.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said corner post assembly comprises a strengthening fillet joining said lower arm and said spacer.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a generally L-shaped catwalk assembly including a walkway portion having a first side and a second side and a railing portion extending away from said walkway portion adjacent the second side thereof, said walkway portion first side being pivotally connected to said frame adjacent said one side thereof, said catwalk assembly being swingable between a closed position thereof wherein it is disposed between said frame sides and an open position thereof wherein it extends beyond said one frame side.

11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 further comprising a cover for placement over said railing portion.

12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said railing portion includes a railing base, a railing bar, and a plurality of spaced extendable supports connecting said railing base and said railing bar.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said upper arm includes a distal end slidably connected to said roof, said lower arm includes a distal end slidably connected to said frame, and said spacer joins proximal ends of said arms.

14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said trailer has side walls, and wherein said roof carries a depending track adjacent said one end of said frame and extending intermediate said side walls.

15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said upper arm carries a flange for being held and slidably guided by said track.

16. A mobile service vehicle adapted for movement from a first location to a second location, said vehicle comprising:

a frame supported on wheels, said frame including a floor onto which a vehicle to be serviced can be moved, said frame having a forward end, a rearward end, and spaced sides extending between said ends;

a roof supported by said frame and overlying said floor; and

at least one corner post assembly positioned adjacent one end of said frame and adjacent one side of said frame for maintaining said roof spaced above said floor, said corner post assembly including a horizontally extending upper arm movably held by said roof, a horizontally extending lower arm movably held by said frame and underlying said upper arm, and a spacer joining said upper and lower arms, said corner post assembly being movable between a closed position wherein said spacer is disposed between said frame sides and an open position in which said spacer is located outwardly of said one frame side whereby, with said assembly in its open position, a vehicle extending beyond said one frame side can be moved onto said floor without interference from said corner post assembly.

17. A vehicle as set forth in claim 16 including four of said corner post assemblies.

18. A vehicle as set forth in claim 16 wherein said one end of said frame is said forward end.

19. A mobile service trailer which may be pulled by a tow vehicle from a first location to a second location, said trailer comprising:

a frame supported on wheels, said frame including a floor onto which a vehicle to be serviced can be moved, said frame having a forward end, a rearward end, and two spaced sides extending between said ends;

a roof supported by said frame and overlying said floor;

a pair of corner post assemblies positioned adjacent one end of said frame with one assembly positioned adjacent each side of said frame for maintaining said roof spaced above said floor, each corner post assembly including a horizontally extending upper arm movably held by said roof, a horizontally extending lower arm movably held by said frame and underlying said upper arm, and a spacer joining said upper and lower arms, each said corner post assembly being movable between a closed position wherein said spacer is disposed between said frame sides and an open position in which said spacer is located outwardly of the frame sides; and

a generally L-shaped catwalk assembly including a walkway portion having a first side and a second side and a railing portion extending away from said walkway portion adjacent the second side thereof, said walkway portion first side being pivotally connected to said frame intermediate said frame ends and adjacent one side thereof, said catwalk assembly being swingable between a closed position thereof wherein it is disposed between said frame sides and an open position thereof wherein it extends beyond said one frame side.

20. A mobile service trailer as set forth in claim 19 further comprising means enclosing said catwalk assembly whereby an interior of said trailer can be heated.