Patent ID: 6619620
Filing Date: 2003-09-16
Classification: B66F

Abstract:
A hoist for a vehicle comprising a chassis member adapted for contact with a substrate upon which the hoist is located and being of a size sufficient to support the vehicle in a stable condition on the substrate when the vehicle is in a raised position, said chassis member including a wheel assembly movable between a first configuration for allowing the wheel assembly to be extended to enable movement of the hoist over the substrate and a second configuration for allowing the wheel assembly to be retracted so that the chassis member is in contact with the substrate thereby preventing unwanted movement of the hoist with respect to the substrate, anda platform member movable between a first position for allowing the hoist to be placed under the vehicle and at least one of a plurality of second positions for supporting the vehicle in one or more raised positions above the substrate, said platform member capable of moving in substantially coplanar relationships to the chassis member to raise or lower the vehicle, wherein, when the wheel assembly is in the first configuration and the platform member is in one of the second positions supporting the vehicle in one of the raised positions, the hoist can be moved from one location to another location over the substrate while maintaining the vehicle on the platform member in a stable condition, and wherein when the wheel assembly is in the second configuration and the platform member is in one of the second positions supporting the vehicle in one of the raised positions, the hoist is prevented from unwanted movement over the substrate, thereby maintaining the vehicle immobile in the raised position, and further wherein the wheel assembly includes at least one retractable wheel connected to the chassis member in such a manner as to allow movement of the hoist in all directions over the substrate, and the hoist further comprising a locking means for maintaining the platform member in at least one of the raised positions with respect to the chassis member.