• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    The hydraulic lift is provided for carrying structures, such as a motorcycle, snowmobile, etc., in an elevated position behind a motor home. The lift includes a fixed framework having pivotable arms to which any of a plurality of carrying platforms may be engaged. The arms pivot from a ground engaging position to an elevated, locked in place position under action of an hydraulic activation system.
    公开号:US20010001636A1
    申请号:US08/862,203
    申请日:1997-05-23
    公开日:2001-05-24
    发明作者:Eric E. Klinkenberg
    申请人:E&P LIFTS Corp；
    IPC主号:B60R9-06
    专利说明:
    [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0001]
    [0002] The present invention relates to an hydraulic lift for a motor home. More particularly, the hydraulic lift is designed to carry a structure, such as a motorcycle, recreational vehicle, personal water craft, etc. in an elevated position behind a motor home to which the lift is attached. [0002]
    [0003] 2. Prior Art [0003]
    [0004] Heretofore, various lift apparatus have been proposed for use in carrying a structure such as a vehicle behind a motor home in an elevated position. [0004]
    [0005] For instance, the Blomquist et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,754,672 and the Bianchini U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,564 disclose collapsible motorcycle carrier hoists for a vehicle which are raised with a winch and locked in an elevated position. Also, the Eisenberg, et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,400,129 discloses a trunk mounted spring biased pivotable carrier which engages a structure to be carried by means of support forks which, once engaged, are brought upwardly against a rear of the truck under action of the springs. [0005]
    [0006] As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, there has not been proposed an hydraulic lift which is actuated by mere flipping of a switch, which has a locking mechanism thereon separate from the lift mechanism, which accommodates a plurality of embodiments of structures to be carried, which need not be removed from the motor home when not in use, and which allows for a trailer to be engaged therebeneath for towing a following structure in normal fashion. [0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
    [0007] According to the invention there is provided an hydraulic lift for use in lifting and carrying a structure, such as a motorcycle or recreational vehicle, behind a motor home, the lift comprising a fixed framework engaged to a rear end of the motor home and having arms engageable to any of a plurality of structure engaging platforms, the arms being pivotable between a ground engaging position and an elevated, locked in place position, the arms being pivoted by actuation of an hydraulic system functionally engaged to and between the pivotable arms and the fixed framework. [0007] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    [0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fixed framework of the hydraulic lift of the present invention engaged to a rear end of a motor home. [0008]
    [0009] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the lift and motor home showing a first embodiment of a platform for engaging a motorcycle to the framework and showing arms of the lift positioned in an elevated condition, with wheels of a motorcycle shown resting thereon. [0009]
    [0010] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the platform of FIG. 2. [0010]
    [0011] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of a platform. [0011]
    [0012] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a locking mechanism of the lift. [0012]
    [0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the lift framework showing a trailer hitch with ball extending rearwardly from a rear end of the motor home, beneath and between the arms of the lift. [0013] DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
    [0014] Referring now to the drawings in greater detail there is illustrated therein the hydraulic lift of the present invention generally identified by the reference numeral [0014] 10, the lift 10 shown engaged to a rear end 12 of a motor home 14.
    [0015] The lift includes a framework [0015] 16 which comprises a base 18 mounted to the motor home 14 and two arms 21 extending rearwardly outwardly from the base 18. The base 18 is a hollow metal tube 18 which in the preferred embodiment engages to structure (not shown) on the underside of the motor home 14 which typically supports a rear bumper (not shown) of the motor home 14, the bumper being removed prior to engaging the lift base 18 to the bumper mounts.
    [0016] Extending rearwardly away from the motor home [0016] 14, at each end 20 of the base 18, is a mounting bracket 22, each mounting bracket 22 being configured to pivotably engage an arm 21 of the framework 16.
    [0017] Each arm [0017] 21 of the framework 16 includes an upper shaft 26, a lower shaft 28, and a platform engaging bracket 30 engaged to and between the upper and lower shafts 26 and 28, respectively.
    [0018] When viewed from the side, each arm [0018] 21 is configured as a parallelogram, with the brackets 22 and 30 remaining parallel to one another regardless of the position to which the arm 21 is pivoted about its engagement to mounting bracket 22.
    [0019] Engaged to and extending between the upper shafts [0019] 26 of each arm 21 is a support rod or cross brace 32 which maintains the arms 21 parallel. Depending from this rod 32, at a position toward each end 34 thereof, is a downwardly and forwardly angled finger 36. Engaged to and extending between each finger 36 and its corresponding mounting bracket 22 is a hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangement 38, such arrangement 38 being mounted to the mounting bracket 22 in a manner to be pivotable relative thereto, corresponding in pivotability to that of the arms 21 of the framework 16. Each piston and cylinder arrangement 38 is functionally engaged by tubes 39 to a source of hydraulic fluid, (not shown) such source either already existing as a component of the motor home 14 or being provided as a separate entity, as desired.
    [0020] In use of the lift [0020] 10, a piston 40 is seated within a cylinder 42 of each piston and cylinder arrangement 38 when the platform engaging brackets 30 rest on a surface (not shown) subjacent the motor home 14, and the piston 40 is extended by application of pressurized hydraulic fluid into the cylinder 42, when rotational elevation of the arms 21 is desired, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. Also, if desired, a dust sleeve 43 may be provided about the piston and cylinder arrangements 38.
    [0021] The platform engaging brackets [0021] 30 are provided in a configuration which will accommodate engagement of more than one embodiment of a carrying platform 44 thereto.
    [0022] In this respect, FIGS. 2 and 3 disclose a first embodiment of a platform [0022] 44 configured for secure engagement of wheels 46 of a motorcycle (not shown) thereto. A further embodiment of a platform 44′ for secure engagement of a snowmobile, personal water craft, etc. (not shown), is disclosed. Although only two preferred platform embodiments 44 and 44′ are disclosed, this should not be construed as limiting. For instance, a bicycle rack type structure for dependingly engaging at least one bicycle could also be created and engaged to the platform engaging brackets 30.
    [0023] As illustrated in FIG. 2 when the arms [0023] 21 are rotated upwardly about the brackets 22 the platform 44, 44′ is lifted to a position well above a rear bottom end 47 of the motor home 14. A′ pair of motorcycle wheels 46 are shown extending upwardly from the platform 44 and straps 50 and cables 52 are shown for securing the motorcycle wheels 46 to the platform 44 proposed for carrying same.
    [0024] FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of the motorcycle platform [0024] 44. As shown, the platform 44 includes a narrow track 54 having upstanding sidewalls 56 and a ramp 57 at end 58, an opposite end 60 being of closed off configuration, by including an end wall 62, which may be configured to accept a circumferential portion of the motorcycle wheel 46 somewhat snugly therein.
    [0025] Also, a cross member [0025] 66 is situated to extend outwardly of and beneath the platform 44, the cross member 66 being configured to provide structure 68, such as holes, hooks, etc., thereon to which the straps 50 and cables 52 can be easily engaged for securing the motorcycle wheels 46 to the platform 44.
    [0026] In FIG. 4, the second embodiment of the platform [0026] 44′ shows same to be a much wider, planar structure onto which a wider item (not shown), such as a snowmobile, etc., can be easily loaded. A ramp 57′ is provided at one end 58′ for ease in manipulating the item to be transported onto the platform 44′. Also, for maintaining the item within the confines of the platform 44′, a small lip or sidewall 56′ is provided on the platform 44′.
    [0027] In use, arms [0027] 21 are first lowered to ground level by activation of any suitable means for controlling operation of the piston and cylinder arrangement 38, such as for example, engaging an up/down switch 70 located near the lift 10 to bring the arms 21 down. Next, a desired embodiment of the platform 44, 44′, is engaged to the platform engaging brackets 30 by means of suitable connectors (not shown) passing through aligned holes 74 in the platform engaging brackets 30 and cooperating holes 76 in platform brackets 78 positioned on the platform 44, 44′ to engage the platform engaging brackets 30, or cooperating holes created in the platform 44, 44′ itself (not shown).
    [0028] Once the platform [0028] 44, 44′ is engaged to the arms 21, the item to be transported is moved onto the platform 44, 44′ through use of the ramp 57, 57′ and is fixed to the platform 44, 44′ in a suitable manner.
    [0029] One then again activates the switch [0029] 70, producing an upward pivoting of the arms 21, carrying the platform 44, 44′ and item engaged thereon upwardly to a position which allows for engagement of a locking mechanism 80, used to lock the arms 21 in the elevated position, against any potential dropping thereof.
    [0030] As best shown in FIG. 5, the locking mechanism [0030] 80 comprises a latch 82 rotatably engaged to the upper shaft 26 of each arm 21, which latch 82 has a jaw 84 thereon which engages over a pin or nub 86 on the platform engaging bracket 30, the angulation of the jaw 84 being such that, any attempt by the arm 21 to pivot downwardly will be thwarted by compression of the pin 86 against an engaged lip 88 of the jaw 84.
    [0031] Engagement between the jaw [0031] 84 and the pin 86 is achieved manually by rotating the latch 82 into a position where the jaw 84 is above the pin 86 and then dropping the jaw 84 over the pin 86.
    [0032] To disengage the jaw [0032] 84, one merely elevates the arms 21 a bit, decreasing frictional engagement between the downward force exerted by the pin 86 against the lip 88 and the latch 82 bearing the jaw 84 thereon is rotated upwardly, out of engagement over the pin 86.
    [0033] The locking mechanism [0033] 80 preferably includes one jaw 84 and pin 86 engagement on each arm 21, such mechanism 80 functioning effectively due to the parallelogram configuration of the components of each arm 21.
    [0034] As described above, the cross brace [0034] 32 including the depending fingers 36, each of which is engaged to an end of a corresponding piston and cylinder arrangement 38, creates the pivotal motion required for elevation of the arms 21.
    [0035] In this respect, the fingers [0035] 36 are seen to be angled downwardly and forwardly, as related to the motor home 14.
    [0036] When the pistons [0036] 40 are each pushed outwardly of their respective cylinders 42, they produce a rearwardly directed force against the angled fingers 36, since a mounting end 90 of each cylinder 42 is fixed in place. This force is translated along the fingers 36 to produce an upwardly and rearwardly directed force against the upper shaft 26 of each arm 21, causing such upper shaft 26 to rise. Because the upper shaft 26 and lower shaft 28 of each arm 21 are engaged to one another by the platform engaging bracket 30, as the upper shaft 26 rises, it carries the lower shaft 28 with it. Since the piston and cylinder arrangements 38 are pivotable about their point of engagement to the platform engaging bracket 22, continued extension of the piston 40 is possible, and elevation of the arm 21 continues as well.
    [0037] Such activation is produced by engagement of the switch [0037] 70 which, in any known suitable manner, causes filling of the cylinder 42 with pressurized hydraulic fluid, forcing the piston 40 outwardly thereof. Conversely, when the switch 70 is activated to lower the lift arms 21, fluid is allowed to flow back to its source, such reverse flow being caused by retraction of the piston 40 under force of the weight of the item being carried by the lift 10.
    [0038] It will also be understood that the platform engaging brackets [0038] 30 remain vertically oriented at all times, regardless of the position of the arms 21, due to the parallelogram configuration of the arm components as well.
    [0039] Further, as best illustrated in FIG. 6, the lift [0039] 10 when in an elevated position thereof does not preclude use of a trailer hitch 94 of the motor home 14 for engagement to a towable carrier such as a boat trailer, etc. Thus, not only can one desired item be carried on the lift 10, but a second desired item may be trailered therebehind.
    [0040] As described above, the lift [0040] 10 of the present invention provides a number of advantages, some of which are described above and others of which are inherent in the invention. Also, modifications may be proposed to the lift 10 without departing from the teachings herein. Accordingly the scope of the invention is only to be limited as necessitated by the accompanying claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (12)
    [1" id="US-20010001636-A1-CLM-00001] 1. An hydraulic lift for use in lifting and carrying a structure, such as a motorcycle or recreation vehicle, behind a motor home, the lift comprising a fixed framework engaged to a rear end of said motor home and having arms engageable to any of a plurality of structure engaging platforms, the arms being pivotable between a ground engaging position and an elevated, locked in place position, said arms being pivoted by actuation of an hydraulic system functionally engaged to and between said pivotable arms and said fixed framework.
    [2" id="US-20010001636-A1-CLM-00002] 2. The lift of
    claim 1 wherein said arms are configured in parallelogram form.
    [3" id="US-20010001636-A1-CLM-00003] 3. The lift of
    claim 2 wherein each arm includes an upper shaft and a lower shaft, each pivotably engaged at one end to a bracket of said fixed framework and each pivotably engaged at another end to a bracket which further engages said platform.
    [4" id="US-20010001636-A1-CLM-00004] 4. The lift of
    claim 3 wherein a cross brace is provided between the arms.
    [5" id="US-20010001636-A1-CLM-00005] 5. The lift of
    claim 4 wherein said cross brace has two ends and includes a finger at each end, said fingers extending downwardly therefrom and being angled toward said fixed framework bracket.
    [6" id="US-20010001636-A1-CLM-00006] 6. The lift of
    claim 5 wherein each finger pivotably engages a piston of a piston and cylinder arrangement.
    [7" id="US-20010001636-A1-CLM-00007] 7. The lift of
    claim 6 wherein each piston and cylinder arrangement includes a cylinder pivotably engaged to said bracket of said fixed framework.
    [8" id="US-20010001636-A1-CLM-00008] 8. The lift of
    claim 7 wherein said cylinder is functionally engaged to a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid.
    [9" id="US-20010001636-A1-CLM-00009] 9. The lift of
    claim 8 wherein filling of said cylinder with pressurized hydraulic fluid causes extension of said piston.
    [10" id="US-20010001636-A1-CLM-00010] 10. The lift of
    claim 9 wherein extension of said piston creates a force against said finger causing same to move away from said fixed framework bracket, and inherently producing lift for the pivotably arms.
    [11" id="US-20010001636-A1-CLM-00011] 11. The lift of
    claim 10 wherein a locking mechanism is provided for securing said arms in an elevated position thereof.
    [12" id="US-20010001636-A1-CLM-00012] 12. The lift of
    claim 11 wherein said locking mechanism comprises a latch pivotably engaged at one end to the upper shaft of the arm and having a jaw thereon which engages about a cooperating pin on said platform engaging bracket.
    类似技术:
    公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题
    US6364597B2|2002-04-02|Hydraulic lift for motor home
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    US7063494B2|2006-06-20|Truck bed design for automotive and equipment delivery
    US4930799A|1990-06-05|Tiltable trailer for motor vehicles, especially passenger cars
    US5232329A|1993-08-03|Cargo handling apparatus
    US5727920A|1998-03-17|Vertical lift towing dolly including variable, attachable platforms
    RU2005126471A|2006-01-20|METHOD FOR UNLOADING GOODS | AND TROLLEY |
    CA2361592C|2007-07-17|Trailer with non-tilting moveable bed
    US20060182573A1|2006-08-17|Hoist and transport apparatus
    US2809759A|1957-10-15|Fork lift tow bracket
    US4589814A|1986-05-20|Boat and car trailer
    US5468115A|1995-11-21|Bilevel trailer with a lowerable upper deck
    US5857824A|1999-01-12|Dirt bike carrier
    US4557496A|1985-12-10|Vehicle lift device for tow trucks
    US6296290B1|2001-10-02|Portable loading ramp for a pickup truck
    US6846150B2|2005-01-25|Pivoting trailer hitch
    US7153082B2|2006-12-26|Wheel lift with laterally movable, rotatable swivel arm wheel scoops
    US5586856A|1996-12-24|Lift apparatus
    US4904146A|1990-02-27|Wheel retainer blade for wheel lift apparatus
    US20080014068A1|2008-01-17|APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTING MULTIPLE ATVs IN A VEHICLE
    US4697975A|1987-10-06|Wheelchair carrier
    BE1014630A3|2004-02-03|Gear type handling the devil.
    US4859134A|1989-08-22|Foldable ramp extension for wheel lift apparatus
    US20020005423A1|2002-01-17|Hitch-mounted tilting cargo carrier
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    US6364597B2|2002-04-02|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    US20050189526A1|2004-02-28|2005-09-01|Bettencourt Leland A.|Motorcycle lift|
    US20120189415A1|2011-01-26|2012-07-26|Brad Robinson|UTILITY LIFT HAULER CONFIGURED TO TRANSPORT MOTORCYCLES, ATVs AND THE LIKE|
    EP2974906A1|2014-07-15|2016-01-20|Ezio Sassi|Device for lifting and transporting motorcycles at the back of a motor home|
    US20160096482A1|2014-10-06|2016-04-07|Hyundai Motor Company|Bicycle carrier system for vehicle|
    US9381867B2|2014-05-01|2016-07-05|Brad Robinson|Utility lift hauler configured to transport motorcycles, ATVs and the like|
    US20170183774A1|2014-09-19|2017-06-29|Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.|Film formation apparatus and film formation method|US3754672A|1971-06-11|1973-08-28|R Blomquist|Motorcycle carrier hoist for vehicle bumper|
    US4078676A|1976-11-10|1978-03-14|Magline, Inc.|Self storing lift gate assembly|
    US4344508A|1979-08-03|1982-08-17|Alcan Research And Development Limited|Lift mechanism for a vehicle tail-board or other load platform|
    US4400129A|1981-06-24|1983-08-23|Jack Eisenberg|Wheelchair carrier and loading device|
    US4836736A|1987-06-09|1989-06-06|Maxon Industries, Inc.|Level ride liftgate with ramping action platform|
    US4898510A|1988-07-26|1990-02-06|Weber Guenter|Lifting and swiveling device for a loading tailgate of a truck|
    US4909700A|1989-02-03|1990-03-20|Invercan, Inc.|Lift for wheelchairs|
    US5456564A|1994-12-07|1995-10-10|Bianchini; Thomas R.|Winch operated vehicle mounted carrier|
    US5641262A|1996-01-17|1997-06-24|Woodbine Manufacturing|Direct lift|
    US5816763A|1997-05-13|1998-10-06|Mobility Cart Lifts, Llc|Apparatus for transporting mobility devices and method therefor|AU3294202A|2000-10-25|2002-05-06|Lift U Division Hogan Mfg Inc|Wheelchair lift assembly having a lift arm support|
    US6848880B2|2002-05-08|2005-02-01|New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co.|Cargo rack|
    US6685421B1|2003-01-02|2004-02-03|Charles N. Reeves|Hitch-mounted lift assembly|
    US6884018B1|2003-06-18|2005-04-26|Andrew L. Dugan|Combination sport vehicle lift and carrier for motor vehicle|
    US20060062657A1|2004-09-21|2006-03-23|Davis Brenton S|Hitch mounted motorcycle carrier|
    US20060175791A1|2005-02-08|2006-08-10|Startracks Lifts, Inc.|Running board lift assembly|
    US20080085176A1|2006-10-04|2008-04-10|Statkus Sean C|Vehicle accessory hoist|
    US8132997B2|2007-02-14|2012-03-13|Razor Products, Inc.|Lift apparatus mountable on a vehicle|
    US20110049207A1|2009-09-02|2011-03-03|Hufgard John W|Hitch mounted cargo carrier|
    US20110057008A1|2009-09-10|2011-03-10|Softride, Inc.|Spring assist system for vehicle-mounted racks|
    US8534981B1|2010-08-24|2013-09-17|Berry K. Bortz|Truck bed bale loader auxiliary assembly|
    US8540214B2|2010-09-07|2013-09-24|Brad Christian|Vehicle lift|
    US8708634B2|2011-06-17|2014-04-29|Walter B. Mears|Vehicle carrier for motor home|
    US8911195B2|2011-12-09|2014-12-16|VisibleElectronics, Inc.|Tail hauler|
    US9045014B1|2012-03-26|2015-06-02|Oshkosh Defense, Llc|Military vehicle|
    US9403469B2|2012-12-06|2016-08-02|Peter M. Parker|Lift for attachment to vehicles|
    WO2015160720A1|2014-04-15|2015-10-22|Keast Jason Charles|Mobile support and lift system|
    US10017093B1|2017-04-05|2018-07-10|Michael Murphy|Scissor lift platform|
    法律状态:
    1997-06-23| AS| Assignment|Owner name: E&P LIFTS CORPORATION, DELAWARE Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KLINKENBERG, ERIC E,J,;REEL/FRAME:008590/0118 Effective date: 19970501 |
    2002-03-14| STCF| Information on status: patent grant|Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
    2005-09-09| FPAY| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 4 |
    2009-09-28| FPAY| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 8 |
    2011-06-08| AS| Assignment|Owner name: CHRISLIN BUSENESS DEVELOPMENT, CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:E&P LIFTS CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:026411/0856 Effective date: 20110427 |
    2013-11-08| REMI| Maintenance fee reminder mailed|
    2014-04-01| FPAY| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 12 |
    2014-04-01| SULP| Surcharge for late payment|Year of fee payment: 11 |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US08/862,203|US6364597B2|1997-05-23|1997-05-23|Hydraulic lift for motor home|US08/862,203| US6364597B2|1997-05-23|1997-05-23|Hydraulic lift for motor home|
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