Wheel lift system

• US 7,980,804 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Issued: 07/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wheelfloat, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Wheelfloat, Inc.
• Inventors: Fulbright, Thomas G., Snook, Jonathan D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fox; Charles A
• Application Number:
  US11/929,851
• Publication Number:
  US 20080193264A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,358 Days
• Field of Search: 414/426, 414/427, 414/428, 414/429, 254/122
• US Class Current: 414/427
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 29/001 comprising lifting or aligning means B60B29/002 takes precedence

Abstract

A wheel lift system for efficiently lifting and positioning a wheel and tire onto a wheel hub. The wheel lift system includes a first arm and a second arm pivotally attached to one another, a plurality of caster wheels attached to the lower portion of the arms, and a first support and a second support extending from the arms respectively for supporting a wheel and tire. A bias member is preferably attached to the arms for providing a bias force that assists in elevating the wheel and tire. Alternatively, a bias unit may be attached to the arms for providing a bias force that assists in maintaining elevation of a wheel and tire.

Claims

1. A wheel lift system, comprising:

a first arm having a first handle;

a second arm having a second handle, wherein said second arm is pivotally attached to said first arm at a pivot point in a crossing manner;

a first base attached to a lower end of said first arm;

a second base attached to a lower end of said second arm;

a plurality of first wheels attached to said first base;

a plurality of second wheels attached to said second base;

a first support extending from said first arm;

a second support extending from said second arm, wherein said first support and said second support are capable of supporting a wheel and tire; and

a bias unit attached to said first arm and said second arm for providing a contracting biased force to assist in maintaining elevation of said wheel and tire;

wherein said second handle is comprised of a twist grip structure that is connected to said bias unit to selectively lock or release said bias unit.

2. The wheel lift system of claim 1, wherein said first wheels and said second wheels are comprised of caster wheels.

3. The wheel lift system of claim 2, wherein said first wheels and said second wheels consist of a three caster wheel structure.

4. The wheel lift system of claim 1, wherein said bias unit is comprised of a gas spring, wherein said gas spring includes a rod member.

5. The wheel lift system of claim 4, wherein said bias unit is attached to said first arm and said rod member is attached to said second arm, wherein extension or retraction of said rod member respectively pushes or pulls out said second arm, controlling elevation of said wheel lift system.

6. The wheel lift system of claim 4, wherein said gas spring of said bias unit is self-lockable.

7. The wheel lift system of claim 6, wherein said bias unit is attached to a hydraulic hose which includes a release member.

8. The wheel lift system of claim 7, wherein said release member includes a first release member and a second release member.

9. The wheel lift system of claim 7, wherein said release member, when activated, allows gas or oil to flow through said bias unit, allowing said rod member to extend from said bias unit or protrude into said bias unit.

10. The wheel lift system of claim 1, wherein said first arm and said second arm form an X-shaped structure.

11. The wheel lift system of claim 10, wherein said first arm and said second are pivotally attached to a pivot member.

12. The wheel lift system of claim 1, wherein said first support and said second support are substantially parallel to one another.

13. The wheel lift system of claim 12, wherein said first support and said second support extend substantially transversely from said first arm and said second arm respectively.

14. The wheel lift system of claim 1, wherein said first arm is comprised of a first lower segment below said pivot member and a first upper segment above said pivot point, and wherein said second arm is comprised of a second lower segment below said pivot point and a second upper segment above said pivot point.

15. The wheel lift system of claim 1, including a secondary handle attached to said first arm or said second arm, and a secondary lever attached to said secondary handle, wherein said secondary lever is connected to said bias unit to selectively lock or release said bias unit.

16. The wheel lift system of claim 15, wherein said secondary handle is pivotally connected to said first arm or said second arm.

17. The wheel lift system of claim 1, including a foot lever attached to said first arm or said second arm.

18. A wheel lift system, comprising:

a first arm;

a second arm pivotally attached to said first arm at a pivot member in a crossing manner forming an X-shaped structure, wherein said first arm is comprised of a first lower segment and a first upper segment and wherein said second arm is comprised of a second lower segment and a second upper segment;

a first handle extending from said first upper segment;

a first lower handle extending from said first upper segment;

a second handle extending from said second upper segment;

a second lower handle extending from said second upper segment;

a first support extending from said first arm;

a second support extending from said second arm, wherein said first support and said second support are substantially parallel to one another, and wherein said first support and said second support extend substantially transversely from said first arm and said second arm respectively for removably supporting a tire;

a first base attached to a lower end of said first arm;

a second base attached to a lower end of said second arm;

a plurality of first wheels attached to said first base;

a plurality of second wheels attached to said second base, wherein said first wheels and said second wheels are comprised of caster wheels;

a bias unit including a rod member wherein said bias unit is attached to said first arm and said rod member is attached to said second arm for providing a biased force to assist in maintaining elevation of a wheel and tire;

a release system connected to said bias unit for releasing or locking said bias unit by manipulating a pin member extending from said rod member of said bias unit;

wherein said second handle is comprised of a twist grip structure that is connected to said bias unit to selectively lock or release said bias unit;

a secondary handle attached to said first arm or said second arm, and a secondary lever attached to said secondary handle, wherein said secondary lever is connected to said bias unit;

a secondary handle attached to said first arm or said second arm, and a secondary lever attached to said secondary handle, wherein said secondary lever is connected to said bias unit to selectively lock or release said bias unit;

wherein said secondary handle is pivotally connected to said first arm or said second arm; and

a foot lever attached to said first arm or said second arm;

wherein said release system is comprised of a support plate attached to said rod member, a pivot arm pivotally attached to said support plate and capable of engaging said pin member, a first cable attached between said pivot arm and said second handle, and a second cable attached between said pivot arm and said secondary lever.