Electronically controlled vehicle lift and vehicle service system

• US 20020175319A1
• Filed: 10/26/2001
• Published: 11/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vehicle Service Group LLC (Dover Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Rotary Lift
• Inventors: OʼCull, Michael R., OʼCull, Larry D., Brown, Douglas J., Cox, Sarah A., Green, Steven D., Powell, Cory J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,983,196 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 254/45
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 7/04 hydraulically or pneumatically operated
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 7/20 by several jacks with means for maintaining the platforms horizontal during movement
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 7/28 Constructional details, e.g. end stops, pivoting supporting members, sliding runners adjustable to load dimensions

Abstract

A vehicle lift has an electronic control which is functional to control the raising and lowering of the lift and to enable the display of a variety of information regarding the operation of the lift. The electronic control includes control logic which generates an operation fault indication signal based on the application of predetermined criteria to operation conditions, with concomitant display of data indicative of the operation fault indication signal accompanied by inhibiting or altering raising or lowering of the lift. The electronic control also includes maintenance control logic which generates a maintenance condition indication signal to enable generation of maintenance notice data. A vehicle service system includes a network placing controls of such vehicle lifts in communication with each other or a central computer processor.

Claims

1. A vehicle lift comprising:

a. a moveable lift engagement structure; and

b. a control comprising;

i) a first computer processor configured to selectively control raising and lowering said moveable lift engagement structure in response to user input; and

ii) a second computer processor configured to enable display of lift data.

2. The vehicle lift of claim 1 wherein said second computer processor is further configured to enable display of vehicle lift point data.

3. The vehicle lift of claim 2 wherein display of vehicle lift point data is enabled in response to user input.

4. The vehicle lift of claim 1 wherein selection of specific lift data enabled for display is based on user input.

5. The vehicle lift of claim 4 wherein input of user input is menu driven.

6. The vehicle lift of claim 1 wherein said first computer processor comprises control logic which is configured to modify operation of said lift, from the operation called for by said user input, based upon predetermined criteria applied to one or more operation conditions.

7. The vehicle lift of claim 6 wherein said control logic is configured to generate a signal indicative of an operation fault condition based upon predetermined criteria.

8. The vehicle lift of claim 7 wherein display of lift data indicative of said operation fault condition is enabled in response to generation of said signal.

9. The vehicle lift of claim 1 wherein said control is configured to receive a plurality of condition signals, each of said plurality of condition signals being respectively indicative of at least one of a plurality of lift conditions

10. The vehicle lift of claim 9 wherein at least one of said condition signals is generated by a sensor.

11. The vehicle lift of claim 9 wherein said first computer processor is configured to receive said condition signals.

12. The vehicle lift of claim 11 wherein said first computer processor is configured to transmit said condition signals to said second computer processor.

13. The vehicle lift of claim 9 wherein said control further comprises control logic configured to process usage data and generate a signal indicative of a maintenance condition when said predetermined criteria is met by said usage data.

14. The vehicle lift of claim 13 wherein display of lift data indicative of said maintenance condition is enabled in response to generation of said signal.

15. The vehicle lift of claim 13 wherein said control logic is executed independent of said first computer processor.

16. The vehicle lift of claim 1 wherein said lift data is stored in at least one electronic memory.

17. The vehicle lift of claim 16 wherein said electronic memory is a physical storage device.

18. The vehicle lift of claim 16 wherein said electronic memory comprises a memory module.

19. The vehicle lift of claim 18 wherein at least a portion of said lift data is stored in said memory module, and said memory module is carried by a circuit board which does not carry said first computer processor.

20. The vehicle lift of claim 1 further comprising a user interface configured to transmit user input to said control

21. The vehicle lift of claim 20 further comprising a second user interface.

22. The vehicle lift of claim 20 wherein said user interface comprises a key pad.

23. The vehicle lift of claim 22 wherein said key pad is connected to said first computer processor.

24. The vehicle lift of claim 20 wherein said user interface is configured to selectively generate a signal upon certain user input which causes said first computer processor to raise or lower said moveable lift engagement structure in response to said user input transmitted by said user interface to said control.

25. The vehicle lift of claim 20 wherein said user interface is configured to selectively generate a signal in response to said user input transmitted by said user interface to said control, said signal causing said second computer processor to enable display of lift data.

26. The vehicle lift of claim 1 wherein said control further comprises control logic configured to generate a signal indicative of a maintenance condition based upon predetermined criteria.

27. The vehicle lift of claim 26 wherein said predetermined criteria is applied to usage data.

28. The vehicle lift of claim 26 wherein said control is configured to access said predetermined criteria stored in a memory located remote to said vehicle lift through a network.

29. The vehicle lift of claim 26 wherein display of lift data indicative of said maintenance condition is enabled in response to generation of said signal.

30. The vehicle lift of claim 29 wherein said lift data indicative of said maintenance condition comprises maintenance data.

31. The vehicle lift of claim 26 wherein said predetermined criteria is based on the passage of time.

32. The vehicle lift of claim 26 wherein said control logic is executed independent of said first computer processor.

33. The vehicle lift of claim 1 wherein said control further comprises a timer.

34. The vehicle lift of claim 33 wherein said timer is controlled by user input.

35. The vehicle lift of claim 1 wherein said control is configured to communicate lift data through a network to a third computer processor which is disposed remote to said control.

36. The vehicle lift of claim 1 wherein said control is configured to access another computer system through a network.

37. The vehicle lift of claim 1 wherein said control is configured to access service data, said service data being stored in a remote database accessed through a network.

38. The vehicle lift of claim 1 wherein said control is configured to enable display of service data.

40. The vehicle lift of claim 39 wherein said second computer processor is further configured to enable display of vehicle lift point data in response.

41. The vehicle lift of claim 40 wherein display of vehicle lift point data is enabled in response to user input.

42. The vehicle lift of claim 39 wherein selection of specific lift data enabled for display is based on user input.

43. The vehicle lift of claim 42 wherein input of user input is menu driven.

44. The vehicle lift of claim 39 wherein said electronic control comprises control logic which is configured to modify operation of said lift, from the operation called for by said user input, based upon predetermined criteria applied to one or more operation conditions.

45. The vehicle lift of claim 44 wherein said control logic is configured to generate a signal indicative of an operation fault condition based upon predetermined criteria.

46. The vehicle lift of claim 45 wherein display of lift data indicative of said operation fault condition is enabled in response to generation of said signal.

47. The vehicle lift of claim 39 wherein said control is configured to receive a plurality of condition signals, each of said plurality of condition signals being respectively indicative of at least one of a plurality of lift conditions.

48. The vehicle lift of claim 47 wherein at least one of said condition signals is generated by a sensor.

49. The vehicle lift of claim 47 wherein said electronic control further comprises control logic configured to process usage data and generate a signal when said predetermined criteria is met by said usage data.

50. The vehicle lift of claim 49 wherein display of lift data indicative of said maintenance condition is enabled in response to generation of said signal.

51. The vehicle lift of claim 39 wherein said lift data is stored in at least one electronic memory.

52. The vehicle lift of claim 51 wherein said electronic memory is a physical storage device.

53. The vehicle lift of claim 51 wherein said electronic memory comprises a memory module.

54. The vehicle lift of claim 53 wherein said memory module is removable from said electronic control.

55. The vehicle lift of claim 39 further comprising a user interface configured to transmit user input to said electronic control.

56. The vehicle lift of claim 55 further comprising a second user interface configured to transmit user input to said electronic control.

57. The vehicle lift of claim 55 wherein said user interface comprises a key pad.

58. The vehicle lift of claim 55 wherein said user interface is configured to selectively generate a signal which causes said electronic control to raise or lower said moveable lift engagement structure in response to said user input transmitted by said user interface to said electronic control.

59. The vehicle lift of claim 55 wherein said user interface is configured to selectively generate a signal in response to said user input transmitted by said user interface to said electronic control which causes said electronic control to enable display of lift data.

60. The vehicle lift of claim 39 wherein said electronic control further comprises control logic operative to generate a signal indicative of a maintenance condition based upon predetermined criteria.

61. The vehicle lift of claim 60 wherein said predetermined criteria is applied to lift data.

62. The vehicle lift of claim 60 wherein said control is configured to access said predetermined criteria stored in a memory located remote to said vehicle lift through a network.

63. The vehicle lift of claim 60 wherein display of lift data indicative of said maintenance condition is enabled in response to generation of said signal.

64. The vehicle lift of claim 63 wherein said lift data indicative of said maintenance condition comprises maintenance data.

65. The vehicle lift of claim 60 wherein said predetermined criteria is based on the passage of time.

66. The vehicle lift of claim 39 wherein said control further comprises a timer.

67. The vehicle lift of claim 39 wherein said control is configured to communicate lift data through a network to a third computer processor which is disposed remote to said control.

68. The vehicle lift of claim 39 wherein said control is configured to access another computer system through a network.

69. The vehicle lift of claim 39 wherein said control is configured to access service data, said service data being stored in a remote database accessed through a network.

70. The vehicle lift of claim 39 wherein said control is configured to enable display of service data.

39. A vehicle lift comprising:

a. a moveable lift engagement structure; and

b. an electronic control configured to selectively control raising and lowering said moveable lift engagement structure based upon user input and configured to enable display of lift data regarding use of said lift.

71. A vehicle lift comprising:

a. a moveable lift engagement structure; and

b. an electronic control comprising control l ogic operative to generate a signal indicative of a maintenance condition based upon predetermined criteria.

72. The vehicle lift of claim 71 wherein said electronic control is configured to enable display of maintenance data indicative of said maintenance condition in response to generation of said signal.

73. The vehicle lift of claim 71 wherein said predetermined criteria is based on the passage of time.

74. The vehicle lift of claim 71 wherein said control is configured to receive a plurality of condition signals, each of said plurality of condition signals being respectively indicative of at least one of a plurality of lift conditions.

75. The vehicle lift of claim 71 wherein generation of said signal is based upon said predetermined criteria applied to usage data.

76. The vehicle lift of claim 71, wherein said electronic control is configured to inhibit movement of said moveable lift engagement structure if a predetermined maintenance condition exists.

77. The vehicle lift of claim 76, wherein said electronic control is configured to permit movement of said moveable lift structure in response to user input inputted after movement has been inhibited in response to the existence of a predetermined maintenance condition.

78. The vehicle lift of claim 71 wherein said control is configured to access said predetermined criteria stored in a memory located remote to said control through a network.

80. The vehicle lift of claim 79 wherein display of lift data is enabled in response to user input.

81. The vehicle lift of claim 79 wherein said electronic display is further configured to enable display of vehicle lift point data.

82. The vehicle lift of claim 81 wherein display of vehicle lift point data is enabled in response to user input.

83. The vehicle lift of claim 79 wherein said electronic display is further configured to enable display of service data.

79. A vehicle lift for use in servicing a vehicle, said vehicle lift comprising:

a. a moveable lift engagement structure; and

b. an electronic display configured to enable display of lift data.

84. A vehicle lift comprising:

a. a moveable lift engagement structure; and

b. an electronic control comprising control logic configured to control the raising and lowering of said moveable lift engagement structure in response to an operation fault condition determined based on predetermined criteria applied to one or more operation conditions.

85. The vehicle lift of claim 84 wherein said electronic control is configured to generate a signal indicative of said operation fault condition.

86. The vehicle lift of claim 85 wherein said control is configured to display lift data indicative of said operation fault condition in response to generation of said signal.

87. A vehicle lift comprising:

a. a moveable lift engagement structure;

b. a control configured to raise said moveable lift engagement structure in response to a first signal and to lower said moveable lift engagement structure in response to a second signal; and

c. a user interface comprising;

i) a first electric switch configured to enable generation of said first signal;

ii) a second electric switch configured to enable generation of said second signal; and

iii) a third electric switch configured to selectively enable operation of said first and second electric switches.

88. The vehicle lift of claims 87 further comprising:

a. a latch having an engaged position in which said latch prevents lowering of said moveable lift engagement structure, and a disengaged position in which said latch does not prevent lowering of said moveable lift engagement structure; and

b. a fourth electric switch configured to enable generation of said second signal and to generate a third control signal to enable disposing said lift lock in said disengaged position.

89. The vehicle lift of claims 87, wherein said control is configured to enable display of lift data, and said first and second switches are enabled in response to activation of said third switch to control selection of lift data enabled to be displayed.

90. The vehicle lift of claim 89 wherein selection of specific lift data enabled for display is menu driven.

91. The vehicle lift of claims 87 wherein at least one of said first, second and third electric switches comprises locations on a touch screen.

92. A vehicle lift comprising:

a. a moveable lift engagement structure;

b. a control configured to raise said moveable lift engagement structure in response to a first signal and to lower said moveable lift engagement structure in response to a second signal; and

c. a user interface comprising;

i) a first electric switch configured to perform at least a first and second function, said first function being to enable generation of said first signal;

ii) a second electric switch configured to perform at least a first and second function, said first function being to enable generation of said second signal; and

iii) a third electric switch configured to selectively enable said first and second switches to perform said respective first functions.

93. The vehicle lift of claims 92 further comprising:

a. a latch having an engaged position in which said latch prevents lowering of said moveable lift engagement structure, and a disengaged position in which said latch does not prevent lowering of said moveable lift engagement structure; and

b. a fourth electric switch configured to enable generation of said second signal and to generate a third control signal to enable disposing said lift lock in said disengaged position.

94. The vehicle lift of claims 92, wherein said control is configured to enable display of lift data, and said first and second switches are enabled in response to activation of said third switch to control selection of lift data enabled to be displayed.

95. The vehicle lift of claim 94 wherein selection of specific lift data enabled for display is menu driven.

96. The vehicle lift of claims 92 wherein at least one of said first, second and third electric switches comprises locations on a touch screen.

97. A vehicle service system comprising:

a. a central memory containing lift data; and

b. a plurality of vehicle lifts, said lift data pertaining to said plurality of vehicle lifts, each vehicle lift comprising;

i) a moveable lift engagement structure; and

ii) an electronic display networked to said central memory, said electronic display configured to display selected lift data contained in said memory.

98. The vehicle service system of claim 97 further comprising respective electronic controls associated with respective ones of said plurality of vehicle lifts, each said respective electronic control configured to enable display of said selected lift data by the respective electronic display electronic control.

99. The vehicle service system of claim 98 wherein said respective electronic control is configured to selectively control raising and lowering the moveable lift engagement structure of the vehicle lift associated with said respective electronic control based upon user input.

100. The vehicle service system of claim 98 wherein said respective electronic control is configured to receive a plurality of condition signals from said associated vehicle lift, each of said plurality of condition signals being respectively indicative of at least one of a plurality of lift conditions of said associated vehicle lift.

101. The vehicle system of claim 100, wherein said central memory comprises predetermined criteria, said vehicle system further comprising control logic configured to generate respective signals associated with a respective vehicle lift, said respective signals being indicative of respective maintenance conditions of said associated respective vehicle lift based upon said predetermined criteria.

102. The vehicle system of claim 101, wherein said respective electronic control comprises said maintenance control logic.

103. The vehicle lift of claim 97 wherein said respective electronic control is configured to access service data, said service data being stored in a remote database accessed through a network.

104. The vehicle service system of claim 97, further comprising a central computer processor associated with said central memory.

105. The vehicle service system of claim 104, wherein said central computer processor is configured to receive a plurality of condition signals from each respective vehicle lift, each of said plurality of condition signals being respectively indicative of at least one of a plurality of lift conditions of said respective vehicle lift.

106. The vehicle service system of claim 97, further comprising at least one tool suitable for servicing a vehicle, said at least one tool being networked to said central memory.

107. The vehicle service system of claim 106, wherein each of said at least one tool is configured to generate at least one respective signal, each signal being indicative of at least one of a plurality of tool conditions related to operation of said tool, each of said at least one tool being configured to transmit said at least one signal to said central memory.

108. The vehicle lift of claim 97 wherein said electronic display is configured to enable display of service data.

109. A vehicle service system comprising:

a. a computer communication network;

b. a central computer processor connected to said network; and

c. a plurality of vehicle lifts, each vehicle lift comprising;

i) a moveable lift engagement structure; and

ii) an electronic control connected to said network, said electronic control configured to selectively control raising and lowering said moveable lift engagement structure based upon user input.

110. The vehicle service system of claim 109 wherein said electronic control comprises control logic which is configured to modify operation of said lift, from the operation called for by said user input, based upon predetermined criteria applied to one or more operation conditions.

111. The vehicle service system of claim 110 wherein said control logic is configured to generate a signal indicative of an operation fault condition based upon predetermined criteria, and display of lift data indicative of said operation fault condition is enabled in response to generation of said signal.

112. The vehicle service system of claim 110 wherein said predetermined criteria is stored in a memory associated with said central computer processor.

113. The vehicle service system of claim 109 wherein said central computer processor comprises control logic which is configured to modify operation of said lift, from the operation called for by said user input, based upon predetermined criteria applied to one or more operation conditions.

115. The vehicle service system of claim 114, further comprising respective electronic controls associated with respective ones of said plurality of vehicle lifts, each said respective electronic control being connected to said network and configured to enable display of said selected data by the respective electronic display electronic control.

116. The vehicle service system of claim 115 wherein said respective electronic control is configured to selectively control raising and lowering the moveable lift engagement structure of the vehicle lift associated with said respective electronic control based upon user input.

117. The vehicle service system of claim 115 wherein said respective electronic control is configured to receive a plurality of condition signals from said associated vehicle lift, each of said plurality of condition signals being respectively indicative of at least one of a plurality of lift conditions of said associated vehicle lift.

118. The vehicle system of claim 117, wherein said central database comprises predetermined criteria, said vehicle system further comprising control logic configured to generate a signal associated with a respective vehicle lift, said respective signal being indicative of respective maintenance conditions of said associated respective vehicle lift based upon said predetermined criteria.

119. The vehicle system of claim 118, wherein said respective electronic control comprises said control logic.

120. The vehicle lift of claim 115 wherein said respective control is configured to access service data, said service data being stored in a remote database accessed through said network.

121. The vehicle service system of claim 114, further comprising a central computer processor connected to said network.

122. The vehicle service system of claim 121, wherein said central computer processor is configured to receive a plurality of condition signals from each respective vehicle lift, each of said plurality of condition signals being respectively indicative of at least one of a plurality of lift conditions indicative of at least one of a plurality of lift conditions of said respective vehicle lift.

123. The vehicle service system of claim 114, further comprising a plurality of tools suitable for servicing a vehicle, said plurality of tools being connected to said network.

124. The vehicle service system of claim 123, wherein each of said plurality of tools is configured to generate at least one respective signal, each signal being indicative of at least one of a plurality of tool conditions related to operation of said tool, each of said plurality of tools configured to transmit said at least one respective signal to said network.

125. The vehicle lift of claim 114 wherein said display is configured to enable display of service data.

127. The vehicle service system of claim 126 further comprising a central memory, said memory comprising said predetermined criteria.

128. The vehicle service system of claim 126, wherein said central computer processor is configured to receive a plurality of condition signals from at least a respective one of said plurality of vehicle lifts, each of said plurality of condition signals being respectively indicative of at least one of a plurality of lift conditions of said respective one of said plurality of vehicle lifts.

129. The vehicle service system of claim 126 further comprising respective electronic controls associated with respective ones of said plurality of vehicle lifts, each said respective electronic control being connected to said network and configured to selectively control raising and lowering said moveable lift engagement structure of said respective one of said plurality of vehicle lifts based upon user input.

130. The vehicle service system of claim 129 wherein said respective electronic control is configured to receive a plurality of condition signals from said associated vehicle lift, each of said plurality of condition signals being respectively indicative of at least one of a plurality of lift conditions of said associated vehicle lift.

131. The vehicle system of claim 129, wherein said respective electronic control comprises said control logic.

132. The vehicle service system of claim 126, further comprising a respective electronic control associated with a respective one of said plurality of vehicle lifts, each said respective electronic control configured to enable display of selected lift data.

134. The vehicle lift of claim 133 wherein said first control logic is configured to operate independent of said second control logic, such that changes to said second control logic may be made without resulting in any change in said first control logic and without any change in operation of said first control logic.

135. The vehicle lift of claim 133 wherein said first control logic is carried by a circuit board which does not carry said second control logic.

136. The vehicle lift of claim 133 wherein said first control logic is configured to generate a signal indicative of an operation fault condition based upon predetermined criteria.

137. The vehicle lift of claim 136 wherein display of lift data indicative of said operation fault condition is enabled in response to generation of said signal.

138. The vehicle lift of claim 133 wherein said first control logic is configured to modify operation of said lift, from that called for by said user input, based upon predetermined criteria applied to one or more operation conditions.

139. The vehicle lift of claim 133 wherein said second control logic is configured to generate a signal indicative of a maintenance condition based upon predetermined criteria.

140. The vehicle lift of claim 139 wherein said predetermined criteria is applied to lift data.

141. The vehicle lift of claim 140 wherein said lift data consists of usage data.

142. The vehicle lift of claim 139 wherein display of lift data indicative of said maintenance condition is enabled in response to generation of said signal.

143. The vehicle lift of claim 133, wherein said second control logic is configured to inhibit movement of said movable lift engagement structure if a predetermined maintenance condition exists.

144. The vehicle lift of claim 143, wherein said second control logic is configured to permit movement of said movable lift structure in response to user input inputted after movement has been inhibited in response to the existence of a predetermined maintenance condition.

146. The vehicle service system of claim 145 further comprising respective controls associated with respective lifts of said plurality of vehicle lifts, each said respective electronic control configured to cause said first control logic to execute to selectively control raising and lowering each moveable lift engagement structure.

147. The vehicle service system of claim 146 wherein said first control logic is resident in each of said controls.

148. The vehicle service system of claim 145 comprising control logic configured to modify operation of individual lifts of said plurality of lifts, from the operation called for by said user input for that individual lift, based upon predetermined criteria applied to one or more operation conditions of said individual lift.

149. The vehicle service system of claim 145 comprising control logic operative to generate a signal associated with a respective vehicle lift, said respective signal being indicative of respective maintenance conditions based upon said predetermined criteria.

150. The vehicle service system of claim 145 further comprising respective controls associated with respective lifts of said plurality of vehicle lifts, said second control logic being resident on said respective controls.

152. The vehicle lift of claim 151 wherein said enclosure comprises a non-metallic material.

153. The vehicle lift of claim 151 wherein said user interface is connected to said computer processor by a cable.

155. The vehicle lift of claim 154 wherein said enclosure includes an opening which overlies said at least one latch, whereby said at least one latch can be accessed through said opening.

156. The vehicle lift of claim 155 further comprising a panel removably disposed in said opening.

159. The vehicle lift of claim 158 wherein the selection of the language in which said information is displayed is based on user input.

161. The vehicle lift of claim 160 wherein the lift type mode in which said lift is disposed corresponds to the lift type.

114. A vehicle service system comprising:

a. a computer communication network;

b. a central memory containing lift data, said central memory being connected to said network; and

c. a plurality of vehicle lifts, said lift data pertaining to said plurality of vehicle lifts, each vehicle lift comprising;

i) a moveable lift engagement structure; and

ii) an electronic display connected to said network, said electronic display configured to display selected data contained in said data base.

126. A vehicle service system comprising:

a. a computer communication network;

b. a central computer processor connected to said network; and

c. a plurality of vehicle lifts, each vehicle lift comprising a moveable lift engagement structure; and

d. control logic configured to generate respective signals indicative of respective maintenance conditions based upon predetermined criteria.

133. A vehicle lift comprising:

a. movable lift engagement structure;

b. a control comprising;

i) first control logic configured to selectively control raising and lowering said moveable lift engagement structure in response to user input;

ii) second control logic configured to enable display of lift data in response to user input.

145. A vehicle service system comprising:

a. a computer communication network;

b. a central computer processor connected to said network;

c. a plurality of vehicle lifts, each vehicle lift comprising a movable lift engagement structure;

d. first control logic configured to selectively control raising and lowering each moveable lift engagement structure individually in response to user input; and

e. second control logic configured to enable display of lift data pertaining to said plurality of vehicle lifts.

151. A vehicle lift comprising:

a. a moveable lift engagement structure;

b. a computer processor configured to selectively control raising and lowering said moveable lift engagement structure based upon user input;

c. a user interface configured to transmit user input to said computer processor; and

d. a enclosure comprising a plate and an enclosure cover, said enclosure being configured to be carried by said plate, said computer processor being carried by said plate, said user interface being carried by said enclosure.

154. A two post vehicle lift, having first and second posts, said vehicle lift comprising:

a. a moveable lift engagement structure;

b. at least one latch carried respectively by one of said first post or said moveable lift engagement structure;

c. a control configured to selectively control raising and lowering said moveable lift engagement structure, said control being carried by first post; and

d. an enclosure enclosing at least a portion of said control, said enclosure enclosing said at least one latch.

157. A vehicle lift comprising:

a. a frame work;

b. a moveable lift engagement structure moveably supported by said frame work; and

c. a communications port carried by said frame work.

158. A vehicle lift comprising:

a. a moveable lift engagement structure

b. a control configured to control operation of said lift, said control configured to selectively display information in one of a plurality of languages.

160. A vehicle lift comprising:

a. a moveable lift engagement structure; and

b. a control configured to be used on a plurality of different lift types, said control having a plurality of selectable lift type modes, said control being selectively disposable in one of said selectable lift type modes.

162. A vehicle lift comprising:

a. a moveable lift engagement structure;

b. a control configured to control operation of said lift;

c. an enclosure, said control disposed within said enclosure; and

d. a pneumatic connection carried by said enclosure, said pneumatic connection being accessible externally.