Process and structure for servicing a vehicle over a service pit

• US 8,443,940 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2012
• Issued: 05/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Denise C. Kelly, James W. Kelly
• Original Assignee: Denise C. Kelly, James W. Kelly
• Inventors: Kelly, James W., Kelly, Denise C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dondero, William E
• Assistant Examiner(s): RIEGELMAN, MICHAEL A
• Application Number:
  US13/524,633
• Publication Number:
  US 20120247873A1
• Time in Patent Office: 340 Days
• Field of Search: 184/1.5, 108/55.5, 254 88- 90
• US Class Current: 184/1.5
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 31/002 Drain pans
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 31/006 Drip trays

Abstract

A support for a non-automotive vehicle to be placed over a service pit and allow for servicing of the vehicle is disclosed. In addition, a process far servicing the vehicle is also disclosed. The support can include as support surface that has an engine access opening, a rolling mechanism attached to the support surface that affords for the support surface to roll over a surface at a predetermined height and at least one ramp attached to the support surface. The at least one ramp can be movable between a retracted position and an extended position and the support is dimensioned to roll over the service pit and allow for servicing of the non-automotive vehicle engine. In some instances, the support affords for the non-automotive vehicle to have its oil changed.

Claims

1. A process for changing the oil of a motorcycle, the process comprising:

providing a service pit with a top opening having a width;

providing a motorcycle with an engine, the engine having an oil drain plug;

providing a support, the support dimensioned to support the motorcycle and to generally span across the width of the service pit top opening, the support also having an engine access opening;

placing the motorcycle onto the support with the oil drain plug located directly above the engine access opening;

placing the support and the motorcycle over the pit such that the support spans the width of the top opening and supports the motorcycle over the service pit; and

changing the oil of the motorcycle by removing the oil drain plug, draining oil from the engine, the oil flowing through the engine access opening of the support and into the service pit, replacing the oil drain plug and providing additional oil in the engine.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the service pit is located at a quick lube facility.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein the support is selected from the group consisting of a plate, a cart, a dolly, a platform, a hoist and combinations thereof.

4. The process of claim 3, wherein the support is a cart with a support surface, the support surface having the engine access opening.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein the cart has spaced apart wheels that span the width of the service pit and the cart is rolled over the service pit after the motorcycle is placed onto the support surface.

6. The process of claim 5, wherein the cart with wheels has a rear ramp.

7. The process of claim 6, wherein the rear ramp in an extended position provides a surface that aids in rolling the non-automotive motor vehicle onto the support surface.

8. The process of claim 7, further including the cart having a side ramp and the side ramp in a retracted position provides a surface that blocks the engine access opening of the support surface and provides a surface for the motorcycle to roll over or across the engine access opening, and in an extended position unblocks the engine access opening and provides a surface for an individual to step off of the support surface.

9. The process of claim 6, further including the cart having a front ramp and the front ramp in an extended upright position provides a barrier that aids in preventing the non-automotive motor vehicle from rolling off of a front portion of the support surface.

10. The process of claim 9, wherein the front ramp in a down extended position provides a surface that aids in rolling the non-automotive motor vehicle off of the support surface.

11. The process of claim 1, wherein removing the motorcycle from over the service pit includes riding or pushing the motorcycle off of the support.