Auto tug

• US 8,870,197 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2011
• Issued: 10/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sekora John
• Original Assignee: Sekora John
• Inventors: John, Sekora
• Primary Examiner(s): Shriver, II, J. Allen
• Assistant Examiner(s): JOHNS, HILARY LYNN
• Application Number:
  US13/308,488
• Publication Number:
  US 20130134685A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,063 Days
• Field of Search: 280/79.4, 414/429, 414/444, 414/463
• US Class Current: 280/79.4
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 13/00 Vehicle-manoeuvring devices separate from the vehicle vehicle lifting , e.g. liftable turntables or pushing devices B66F; workshop equipment B25H
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 13/02 Turntables; Traversers incorporated in vehicle-storing garages E04H ; rotary display stands A47F5/02

Abstract

An apparatus for lifting and moving an inoperative vehicle is disclosed. The invention includes a horizontal rigid platform having a front side, a back side, a left side, a right side, a top surface and a bottom surface. The apparatus includes a first tire roller supported on a left protruded portion extending from the front side and a second tire roller supported on a right protruded portion extending from an adjustable lower plate. The electric motor is operated using a controller to lift a vehicle wheel off the ground. The apparatus utilizes a plurality of casters attached to the horizontal rigid platform to move the vehicle in desired direction.

Claims

1. A portable apparatus for moving a vehicle across an area of ground comprising:

a. a horizontal rigid platform having a front side, a back side, a left side, a right side, a top surface and a bottom surface;

b. a lower plate placed under the horizontal rigid platform;

c. a first tire roller having a first end and a second end rotatably supported on a left protruded portion extending from a left end of the front side;

d. a second tire roller having a first end and a second end rotatably supported on a right protruded portion extending from the lower plate;

e. a plurality of fixing means placed on the top surface to rotatably hold a first elongated shaft and a second elongated shaft;

f. an electric power supply device for powering an electric motor coupled with the apparatus;

g. a gear means interconnecting the electric motor and the first elongated shaft;

h. a coupling means for connecting the first and elongated shaft to the second elongated shaft;

i. a first joining means connecting the coupling means to a second joining means;

j. a tension adjustment handle pivotally fixed to the horizontal rigid platform;

k. wherein the electric motor is configured to rotate the first tire roller and the second tire roller resulting in lifting of the vehicle thereafter moving the vehicle;

I. the horizontal rigid platform is supported by a plurality of casters;

m. the lower plate is adjustable to move along the horizontal rigid platform;

n. the first tire roller supported on the left protruded portion has a coarse grit on the outer surface;

o. the second tire roller with the coarse grit on the outer surface is supported on the right protruded portion;

p. the first tire roller and the second tire roller include a wheel guide on the first end and the second end;

q. the first tire roller and second tire roller have a cylindrical body;

r. the first tire roller and the second tire roller rotate about an axis passing through a center of the cylindrical body;

s. the apparatus is configured to move the vehicle through rotation of a single tire of the vehicle;

t. movement of the vehicle is accomplished when the apparatus is positioned so that the first and second tire rollers straddle the single tire of the vehicle;

u. the electric motor powers rotation of the tire rollers in a desired direction thereby rotating the tire in the desired direction along the ground;

v. the single tire remains in contact with the ground throughout the movement of the vehicle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gear means comprises a worm gear drive comprising the threaded shaft and a worm wheel.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first elongated shaft passes through a center of the worm wheel.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the coupling means comprises a sprocket.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the sprocket comprises a first gear wheel, a second gear wheel and a chain.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the sprocket rotates the first elongated shaft and the second elongated shaft.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first joining means comprises a sliding slip joint.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the sliding slip joint transfers rotation from the sprocket to the second coupling means.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the joining means comprises a universal joint.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the universal joint is connected to the second elongated shaft.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tension adjustment handle is configured to slide the lower plate.

12. A method of moving an inoperative vehicle utilizing an apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

a. providing the apparatus of claim 1;

b. rolling the apparatus to a position wherein a first tire roller and a second tire roller come in contact with a vehicle wheel;

c. adjusting the second tire roller by moving a tension adjustment handle to fit the vehicle wheel between the first tire roller and the second tire roller;

d. operating an electric motor to lift the vehicle wheel; and

e. moving the vehicle to a desired location utilizing a plurality of casters.