Modular vehicle service pit

• US 8,646,226 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2010
• Issued: 02/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: New Century Buildings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Peter J. Barram
• Inventors: Barram, Peter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chapman, Jeanette E.
• Application Number:
  US12/914,821
• Publication Number:
  US 20110099922A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,202 Days
• Field of Search: 405 52- 55, 405/36, 521/696, 521/697, 523/021, 524/59, 52/791, 521/74, 521/82, 523/023, 249/DIG.3, 734/31, 738/625.41, 738/62, 137/234.6, 184/1.5
• US Class Current: 52/169.7
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 5/06 Pits or building structures for inspection or services
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3802 With vehicle guide or support, e.g., service station
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An exemplary vehicle service pit includes a first section and a second section abutting each other. A support structure supports the service pit and a joint plate helps hold the first section and the second section in the abutting relationship. Substantially parallel runners are located in the service pit and are secured to the support structure. A glider moveably mounts on the runners. Lights may be included as part of the service pit. An exemplary method for assembling a service pit includes abutting a head section and a foot section and securing a gasket in place over the joint between the head section and the foot section using a joint plate. Optionally, lights are added to the head section, the foot section, or both. Runners of elongate metal with support feet integrally formed are attached to the service pit by bolts, or other suitable fastener.

Claims

1. A vehicle service pit structure comprising:

a pit head section;

a pit foot section positioned end to end with the pit head section and abutting the pit head section to form a seam between the pit foot section and the pit head section;

a support structure underlying the pit head section and the pit foot section;

a first gasket located over at least a portion of the seam;

a joint plate located over the first gasket;

a first plurality of fasteners compressing the first gasket and securing the joint plate to the pit head section and to the pit foot section by engaging the support structure; and

a catch basin formed in at least one of the pit head section or the pit foot section.

3. A vehicle service pit structure according to claim 1, further comprising:

a light rail formed in one of the pit head section or the pit foot section; and

a light mounted in the light rail.

4. A vehicle service pit structure according to claim 1, further comprising:

a pair of substantially parallel tracks secured in the pit structure;

a light rail formed in one of the pit head section or the pit foot section; and

a light mounted in the light rail.

5. A vehicle service pit structure according to claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a concrete basin.

6. A vehicle service pit structure according to claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a lattice-like support.

7. A vehicle service pit structure according to claim 6, wherein the lattice-like support is made from steel.

12. A vehicle service pit structure according to claim 1 further comprising a light rail formed in at least one of the pit head section and the pit foot section.

2. A vehicle service pit structure comprising:

a pit head section;

a pit foot section positioned end to end with the pit head section and abutting the pit head section to form a seam between the pit foot section and the pit head section;

a support structure underlying the pit head section and the pit foot section;

a first gasket located over at least a portion of the seam;

a joint plate located over the first gasket;

a first plurality of fasteners compressing the first gasket and securing the joint plate to the pit head section and to the pit foot section by engaging the support structure;

a pair of substantially parallel tracks secured in the pit head section and in the pit foot section, wherein each track includes a track foot; and

a gasket located between each track foot and the pit structure.

8. A method of constructing a vehicle service pit comprising:

placing a pit head section on a support structure, the pit head section having a first end and a second end;

placing a pit foot section on the support structure, the pit foot section having a first end and a second end wherein a cross-section of the pit foot second end substantially matches a cross-section of the pit head second end, so that the pit head second end abuts the pit foot second end;

placing a first gasket over at least a portion of the pit head section second end and over at least a portion of the pit foot section second end;

placing a joint plate over the first gasket;

securing the joint plate to the pit head section second end and to the support structure; and

securing the joint plate to the pit foot section second end and to the support structure.

9. A method of constructing a vehicle service pit comprising:

placing a pit head section on a support structure, the pit head section having a first end and a second end;

placing a pit foot section on the support structure, the pit foot section having a first end and a second end wherein a cross-section of the pit foot second end substantially matches a cross-section of the pit head second end, so that the pit head second end abuts the pit foot second end;

placing a first gasket over at least a portion of the pit head section second end and over at least a portion of the pit foot section second end;

placing a joint plate over the first gasket;

securing the joint plate to the pit head section second end and to the support structure;

securing the joint plate to the pit foot section second end and to the support structure;

placing a first track having a foot in the pit head section and in the pit foot section;

placing a second track having a foot in the pit head section and in the pit foot section in a substantially parallel relationship with the first track;

placing a second gasket underneath the first track foot;

placing a third gasket underneath the second track foot;

securing the first track foot to the pit head end and the pit foot section and to the support structure;

securing the second track foot to the pit head section and the pit foot section and to the support structure.

10. A kit for constructing a vehicle service pit comprising

a pit head section having and a second end;

a pit foot section having a first end and a second end wherein a cross-section of the pit foot second end substantially matches a cross-section of the pit head second end, so that the pit head second end abuts the pit foot second end;

a first gasket for covering at least a portion of the pit head section and at least a portion of the pit foot section;

a joint plate for covering the first gasket; and

a light rail formed in at least one of the pit head section and the pit foot section.

11. A kit for constructing a vehicle service pit according to claim 10 further comprising a catch basin formed in one of (1) the pit head section, (2) the pit foot section, or (3) both the pit head section and the pit foot section.