Vehicle lifting system and method

• US 4,553,719 A
• Filed: 04/01/1985
• Issued: 11/19/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David Ott
• Original Assignee: David Ott
• Inventors: Ott, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Barefoot, Galen L.
• Application Number:
  US06/717,644
• Time in Patent Office: 232 Days
• Field of Search: 244/137 R, 244/118.1, 244/137 A, 294/67.33, 294/67.31, 294/81.51, 294/81.54, 294/81.21, 294/81.52, 294/82 AH, 294/904, 187/8.43, 187/8.59, 187/8.67, 414/458-461
• US Class Current: 244/118.1
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 9/00 Equipment for handling freight; Equipment for facilitating passenger embarkation or the like emergency equipment B64D17/00, B64D19/00, B64D25/00; structures integral with fuselage to facilitate loading, fuselage floors specially adapted for freight, steps mounted on and retractable within aircraft B64C; ground installations B64F
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 294/904 Vehicle carrier

Abstract

An improved carrying assembly is provided for using with, and controlled from, a helicopter to seize and lift immobilized vehicles from freeways and other limited access highways. The carrying assembly may be composed of an integrated and framework having four selectively adjustable vertical leg members, each horizontally positionable one to another, for seizing and supporting the vehicle at appropriate points on its chassis whereby the carrying assembly can engage vehicles of many different sizes and configurations. Control and actuation of each of the different segments of the framework is preferably achieved from within the helicopter, whereby the vehicle targeted from removal can be directly approached from overhead, and whereby the vehicle can be securely seized and lifted without assistance from personnel on the ground.

Claims

1. Apparatus for seizing and lifting a motor vehicle and the like, comprising

a first plurality of spaced-apart extensible frame members,

a second plurality of spaced-apart extensible frame members each interconnected across adjacent ends of said first extensible frame members,

a plurality of first suspension members each interconnected at one end of a selected one of said second plurality of frame members and each adapted at the other end to movably interconnect with the skid of a helicopter and the like,

a plurality of second suspension members each interconnected with and selectively extensible from one of the ends of one of said second plurality of frame members to and about a portion of said vehicle,

a plurality of hydraulically-actuated selectively extensible jacking means each disposed at the lower end of one of said second suspension members and being adapated to engage the chasis of the motor vehicle, and

a plurality of rotating members each fixedly mounted on the lower end of one of said second suspension members for swinging the jacking means in and out from under the motor vehicle.

2. The apparatus described in claim 1, wherein said first plurality of extensible frame members comprises

a pair of spaced-apart outer sleeve members alignable longitudinally of said vehicle,

a pair of inner sleeve members each slidably disposed within adjacent ones of the ends of said outer sleeve members, and

a pair of hydraulically-actuated drive mechanisms each disposed within one of said sleeve members for selectively moving its respective inner sleeve member.

3. The apparatus described in claim 2 further comprising a plurality of foot members each interconnected between the lower end of one of said second suspension members and a corresponding one of said jacking means.

4. The apparatus described in claim 3 wherein each of said rotating members is disposed at right angles of the corresponding one of said foot members.

5. The apparatus described in claim 4, wherein each of said rotating members is arranged and adapted to accurately revolve its corresponding foot member within a plane substantially perpendicular of the longitudinal axis of the second suspension member to which said rotating member is affixed.

6. The apparatus described in claim 5, wherein each of said rotating members is further arranged and adapted to revolve said corresponding foot member through an angle of substantially 90 degrees within said perpendicular plane.

7. The apparatus described in claim 6, wherein each of said foot members is longitudinally extendable and retractable within said plane and from and to said lower end of the corresponding one of said second suspension member.

8. The apparatus described in claim 7, further including

a source of hydraulic pressure,

a control unit interconnected with said pressure source for providing electrical control signals,

a first hydraulic valve means responsive to said control signals for extending and retracting said first plurality of extensible frame members,

a second hydraulic valve means responsive to said control signals for extending and retracting said second plurality of extensible frame members, and

a third hydraulic valve means responsive to said control signals for extending and retracting said second suspension members.

9. Apparatus as described in claim 9, further comprising a fourth hydraulic valve means responsive to said control signals for extending and retracting said second suspension members.

10. Apparatus for seizing and lifting a motor vehicle and the like, comprising

a first plurality of spaced-apart extensible frame members,

a second plurality of spaced-apart extensible frame members each interconnected across adjacent ends of said first extensible frame members,

a plurality of first suspension members each interconnected at one end of a selected one of said second plurality of frame members and each adapted at the other end to movably interconnect with the skid of a helicopter and the like,

a plurality of second suspension members each interconnected with and selectively extensible from one of the ends of one of said second plurality of frame members to and about a portion of said vehicle,

a plurality of hydraulically-actuated selectively extensible jacking means each disposed at the lower end of one of said second suspension members and being adapted to engage the chasis of the motor vehicle,

a plurality of rotating members each fixedly mounted on the lower end of one of said second suspension members for swinging the jacking means in and out from under the motor vehicle, and

a plurality of hydraulically-actuated selectively extensible foot members each interconnected between the lower end of one of said second suspension members and a corresponding one of said jacking means.

11. Apparatus for seizing and lifting a motor vehicle and the like, comprising a first plurality of spaced-apart extensible frame members, a second plurality of spaced-apart extensible frame members each interconnected across adjacent ends of said first extensible frame members, a plurality of first suspension members each interconnected at one end of a selected one of said second plurality of frame members and each adapted at the other end to movably interconnect with the skid of a helicopter and the like, a plurality of second suspension members of each interconnected with and selectively extensible from one of the ends of one of said second plurality of frame members to and about a portion of said vehicle, a plurality of hydraulically-actuated selectively extensible jacking means each disposed at the lower end of one of said second suspension members and being adapted to engage the chasis of the motor vehicle, a plurality of rotating members each fixedly mounted on the lower end of one of said second suspension members for swinging the jacking means in and out from under the motor vehicle, said first plurality of extensible frame members being a pair of spaced-apart outer sleeve members alignable longitudinally of said vehicle, a pair of inner sleeve members each slidably disposed within adjacent ones of the ends of said outer sleeve members, a pair of hydraulically-actuated drive mechanisms each disposed within one of said sleeve members for selectively moving its respective inner sleeve member, a plurality of foot members each interconnected between the lower end of one of said second suspension members and a corresponding one of said jacking means, each of said rotating members being disposed at right angles of the corresponding one of said foot members, each of said rotating members being arranged and adapted to accurately revolve its corresponding foot member within a plane substantially perpendicular of the longitudinal axis of the second suspension member to which said rotating member is affixed, each of said rotating members being further arranged and adapted to revolve said corresponding foot member throughout an angle of substantially 90 degrees within said perpendicular plane, each of said foot members being longitudinally extendable and retractable within said plane and from and to said lower end of the corresponding one of said second suspension members, a source of hydraulic pressure, a control unit interconnected with said pressure source for providing electrical control signals, a first hydraulic valve means responsive to said control signals for extending and retracting said first plurality of extensible frame members, a second hydraulic valve means responsive to said control signals for extending and retracting said second plurality of extensible frame members, a third hydraulic valve means responsive to said control signals for extending and retracting said second suspension members, and a fourth hydraulic valve means responsive to said control signals for extending and retracting said second suspension members.