Abstract:
A vehicle jack adapted to be mounted to a vehicle chassis is provided. In one embodiment, the jack comprises a base member, a guide member, a flexible rod, and an actuator. One end of the rod is fixedly attached to the base member while a second end is slideably disposed within a passageway defined by the guide member. The actuator forces the flexible rod to deform by causing the second end of the rod to move with respect to the passageway. When mounted to a vehicle chassis, the jack is operated by deforming the flexible rod until a support surface, such as the ground, is encountered, and subsequently continuing to deform the rod until the vehicle becomes elevated. A vehicle jacking system incorporating the jacks of the invention is also provided.

Description:
REFERENCE TO PREVIOUS APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/218,493 filed on Jul. 14, 2000. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to vehicle jacks and jacking systems. More particularly, the invention relates to integrated jacks that can be operated from a remote location.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Jacks are frequently used to elevate a motor vehicle from the ground or other support surface. The use of jacks greatly facilitates maintenance and repair activities, such as changing tires, as well as activities related to removing a vehicle from a captive position, such as mud. Many conventional vehicle jacks are cumbersome and awkward to operate, however, in that they must be removed from a stored location, set up in a proper position, and manually operated to elevate the vehicle.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    The present invention provides a vehicle jack that can be fixedly mounted to the vehicle chassis in a position optimized for jacking the vehicles, thereby eliminating the need for removing the jack from storage and positioning the jack prior to use.  
           [0005]    In one embodiment, the jack comprises a base member, a guide member having first and second opposing faces and defining a passageway between the first and second faces, at least one flexible rod attached to the base member and disposed in the passageway, and an actuator adapted to induce deformation of the rod. One end of the rod is fixedly attached to the base member and the second end is capable of slideable movement within the passageway of the guide member. As such, the rod is able to deform in response to a force by the actuator. The jack operates by deforming the rod until it encounters the ground or other surface, and then continuing to deform the rod until the vehicle is elevated to a desired height.  
           [0006]    The jack can be secured to a vehicle chassis such that the jack is stored in an operable position. The position can be optimized for a particular vehicle.  
           [0007]    A controller can be operably connected to the actuator and positioned within a passenger compartment of the vehicle such that an occupant of the vehicle can initiate and control deformation of the rod, thereby controlling deployment of the jack. Alternatively, a remote control device can be utilized to control deployment of the jack.  
           [0008]    The present invention also provides a vehicle jacking system in which a plurality of jacks in accordance with the present invention are secured to a vehicle chassis and are all operably connected to a controller. The controller can be an in-vehicle mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical controller, or can be a remote control unit. The controller allows an occupant of the vehicle or other appropriate individual to control deployment of the jacks.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a vehicle jack in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a vehicle chassis with integrated vehicle jacks in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Panel A shows all jacks in an unactivated state while Panel B shows one jack in an activated state.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a vehicle chassis with integrated vehicle jacks in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Panel A shows all jacks in an unactivated state while Panel B shows one jack in an activated state.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle jacking system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]    The following description of preferred embodiments of the invention provides examples of the present invention. The embodiments discussed herein are merely exemplary in nature, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. Rather, the description of these preferred embodiments serves to enable a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art to make and use the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a vehicle jack  10  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The jack  10  includes a base member  12  and a guide member  14 . One or more flexible rods  16  extend into both the base  12  and guide  14  members. The base  12  and guide  14  members are preferably secured to a surface, such as a vehicle chassis (not illustrated in FIG. 1).  
         [0015]    The base member  12  preferably defines one or more openings  20  that receive and retain a first end  18  of the rods  16 . In the base member  12 , the openings  20  preferably retain the first end  18  such that the rod  16  cannot move within the opening  20 . The first end  18  may be secured in the opening  20  by any of a variety of means, including an adhesive bond between the rod  16  and base member  12 , mechanical attachment, such as crimping or by way of a fastener, and any other suitable attachment means. Alternatively, the rod  16  can be secured to a face of the base member  12 .  
         [0016]    The guide member  14  defines openings  22  that provide a passageway  24  from a first face  26  to an opposing second face  28  of the member  14 . Each opening  22  receives a second end  30  of the rod  16  and allows the second end  30  to move freely within the passageway  24 . Preferably, the second end  30  of the rod  16  extends past the second face  28  so that the rod  16  can be deformed by passing a portion of the second end  30  into the passageway  24 , as will be developed more fully below.  
         [0017]    The rod  16  is preferably flexible in nature. Preferably, the rod  16  comprises a composite material that is sufficiently flexible to allow the rod  16  to extend from a vehicle chassis to the ground, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Composite materials, such as carbon fiber and polymeric materials, provide the desired flexibility when acted upon by an external mechanical force, such as a pushing or pulling action, which will be developed more fully below. As an alternative to composite materials, the rods  16  can comprise any material that possesses the desired flexibility, including flexible metals. Suitable alternative materials include aluminum, steel, alloyed iron, and any other suitable material that possesses the desired flexibility and strength.  
         [0018]    The rod  16  preferably comprises an elongate member having a circular, square, rectangular, or triangular cross-sectional shape. Preferably, the cross-sectional shape provides a flat surface for interacting with the ground, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, which facilitates supporting a vehicle with the jack  10 . Of course, any suitable shape can be utilized. The shape need only be adapted to allow the rod  16  to be secured to the base member  12  and threaded through the passageway(s)  24  of the guide member  14 . An example of a suitable alternative shape is the configuration of the flexible plate described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,291 to Geiger, et al. for a CONTINUOUS MOLDLINE TECHNOLOGY SYSTEM, which is herby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Of course, the shape of the passageway(s)  24  is preferably complimentary to that of the rod  16  such that the desired flexibility can be achieved.  
         [0019]    The jack  10  also preferably includes an actuator  32 . The actuator  32  is a device capable of inducing stretching of the rod  16 . The type of actuator used will depend on the nature of the rod  16 . For example, a mechanical actuator can be utilized to push or pull the rod  16  such that the desired stretching is achieved. The actuator  32  preferably comprises a motor or other device capable of inducing deformation of the rod  16 , either directly or indirectly. Particularly preferred, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the actuator  32  is a motor having a cam  34  or arm that can induce deformation in the rod  16  through a pushing or pulling action. Alternatively, any other suitable actuator that can induce the desired deformation can be utilized, such as actuators employing hydraulic pneumatic, or electrical means of inducing movement.  
         [0020]    The actuator  32  can interact with the jack  10  to achieve the desired stretching in a variety of ways. Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the cam  34  or arm of the actuator  32  can be attached to the second  30  end of the rod  16  such that the actuator  32  can push or pull the rod  16  into or out of the passageways  24 . Alternatively, as will be developed more fully below, the cam  34  can be positioned such that it pushes or pulls the rod at another location along the length of the rod, such that the second end of the rod moves with respect to the guide member and subsequently deforms. Also, it is preferred that the actuator be able to induce stretching in all rods in the jack, if more than one are present. Alternatively, the actuator may induce stretching in only one rod, or a subset of rods.  
         [0021]    As illustrated in FIG. 1, the jack  10  may also include a flexible panel  36  that surrounds the rod  16  and is disposed between the base  12  and the guide  14  members. The flexible panel  16  provides a smooth, continuous surface, which confers an aesthetically pleasing look to the jack  10  and can also provide more surface area for contacting the ground when the jack  10  is activated, thereby providing stability. If present, the flexible panel  16  preferably comprises a flexible polymeric material that surrounds the portion of the rod  16  that lies between the base  12  and guide  14  members. Particularly preferable, the flexible panel  36  comprises an elastomeric material. Alternatively, the flexible panel  36  can comprise any flexible material that is able to stretch or deform to a desired degree and return to its original form. The appropriate degree of ability to deform will depend on the application. For applications of the present invention, the flexible panel  36  is preferably capable of stretching to 150% of its normal length and still be able to return to its original length and form. Examples of suitable materials for use in the flexible panel of the present invention include rubber, silicones, silicone rubbers, polyurethanes, and flexible acrylics.  
         [0022]    If present, the flexible panel  36  defines one or more cavities  38  that receive the rod  16 . Preferably, the number, size and shape of the cavities  38  is complimentary to the number, size and shape of rods  16  present in the jack  10 .  
         [0023]    The support member  60  provides a support base for contacting the ground or other support surface. Preferably, the support member  60  comprises a member having a base  62  with a larger surface area than the section of the flexible rod  16  that would encounter the ground in the absence of the support member  60 .  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 illustrates a first preferred embodiment of a vehicle jacking system  100  in accordance with the present invention. Like reference numbers in FIG. 2 refer to similar features and/or components illustrated in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, panel A illustrates a jacking system  100  in which all jacks  110  are in an unactivated, or non-deformed state, while panel B illustrates one jack  110   a  in an activated state.  
         [0025]    As shown in the figure, the jacking system  100  includes one or more vehicle jacks  110  mounted to a vehicle chassis  150 . The chassis provides a support frame onto which vehicle component can be mounted. The chassis  150  can be any suitable vehicle chassis, including those for use with automobiles, light trucks, sport utility vehicles, and commercial trucks.  
         [0026]    Typical vehicle chassis define an appropriate number of recesses  152  for receiving a wheel  154  of the vehicle  156 . As illustrated in FIG. 2, the jacks  110  of the present invention are preferably mounted near the recesses  152  such that deformation of the rod  116  elevates a wheel  154  mounted within the recess  152 .  
         [0027]    The jacks  110  are individually mounted to the structural supports of the chassis  150 . Preferably, the base  112  and guide  114  members of the jack  1   10  are fixedly attached to the chassis  150 . Any suitable securement means, such as welding and suitable fasteners, can be used to achieve this attachment.  
         [0028]    Also preferable, the base  112  and guide  114  members are positioned such that the rod  116  follows the contours of the chassis  150  when the jack is not activated. This allows the jack  110  to be substantially concealed when in its non-activated state.  
         [0029]    The jacks  110  in the system  100  according to the first preferred embodiment have actuators  132  positioned as shown in FIG. 1. That is, the arm  134  of each actuator is attached to the second end  130  of the appropriate rod  116 . These jacks  110  operate by activating each actuator  132 , either individually or in combination, to push or pull on the respective rod  116  such that the second end  130  moves through the passageway  124 , forcing the rod  116  to deform. Once the deformed rod  116  encounters the ground  158 , continued deformation forces the vehicle  156  to become elevated.  
         [0030]    As illustrated in FIG. 2, vehicle jacks  110  according to the present invention can further include a support member  160  attached to the flexible rod  116 . The support member  160  provides a support base for contacting the ground or other support surface. Preferably, the support member  160  comprises a member having a base  162  with a larger surface area than the section of the flexible rod  116  that would encounter the ground in the absence of the support member  160 . Thus, it is preferred that a width of the support member  160  is greater than the width of the flexible rod  116  at the point at which these two elements are connected. This provides more stability to the vehicle jack  110 . Also preferable, the support member  160  is pivotally attached to the flexible rod  116 . The pivotal relationship between the support member  160  and the rod  116  allows the support member  160  to move into a position in which the base is adjacent the ground as the jack  110  is deployed. Alternatively, the support member  160  can be fixedly secured to the rod  116  in an orientation that ensures stable contact between the base  162  and ground when the jack  110  is deployed.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 3 illustrates a jacking system  200  in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the first preferred embodiment except as detailed below. Like reference numbers in FIG. 3 refer to similar features and/or components of the first preferred embodiment. As in FIG. 2, panel A of FIG. 3 illustrates a jacking system  200  in which all jacks  210  are in an unactivated, or non-deformed state, while panel B illustrates one jack  210   a  in an activated state.  
         [0032]    In this embodiment, the actuator  232  is adapted to interact with the rod  216  at a point between the base  212  and guide  214  members. As illustrated in FIG. 3, an arm  234  of the actuator  232  is directed at the rod  216  at a point between the base  212  and guide  214  members. The arm  234  can be attached to the rod  216 , or a clearance can exist between the arm  234  and these elements. If attached, the arm  234  is preferably adapted to push and pull the rod  216 , thereby inducing deformation of the rod  216 . If a clearance exists between the arm  234  and these elements, the actuator  232  induces deformation of the rod  216  by extending the arm  234  to a point at which it encounters the rod  216  and subsequently pushing on the rod  216 . This arrangement does not allow the actuator  232  to induce deformation by pulling on the rod  216 .  
         [0033]    As illustrated in FIG. 4, the second end  230  of the rod  216  in this embodiment is preferably not attached to the actuator  232 .  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 4 illustrates a vehicle jacking system  300  that incorporates a controller  380 . This embodiment is similar to the first preferred embodiment except as detailed below, and like reference numbers in FIG. 4 refer to similar features and/or components illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.  
         [0035]    In this embodiment, a controller  380  is operably connected to the actuator(s)  332  of the jacks  310  in the system  300 . Preferably, the controller  380  comprises a switch or other manual controller (illustrated at  380 a in the figure) capable of initiating action by one or more actuators  332  of the jacks  310 . Also preferable, the controller  380   a  is in electrical or mechanical communication with the actuator  332 . Further, it is preferred that the controller  380   a  be disposed within a passenger compartment of the vehicle  356 . As illustrated in FIG. 4, the controller  380  is preferably operably connected to the actuator  332  of each jack  310  in the system. Alternatively, the controller  310  can be connected to only a single actuator  332  of a single jack  310 , or to a subset of the jacks  310  present in the system  300 .  
         [0036]    Alternatively, the controller  380  can comprise a remote control unit (illustrated at  380   b  in the figure) that is adapted to remotely activate one or more of the actuators  332  to induce deformation of the rod(s)  316 . Conventional remote control technology is preferably employed to establish the desired operable connection between the remote control unit  380 b and the actuators  332  of the jacks  310 .  
         [0037]    It should be noted that, while the jacking system incorporates jacks according to the first preferred embodiment, the system can also incorporate jacks according to the second preferred embodiment.  
         [0038]    The foregoing disclosure is the best mode devised by the inventors for practicing the invention. It is apparent, however, that several variations in accordance with the present invention may be conceivable to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art. Inasmuch as the foregoing disclosure is intended to enable such person to practice the instant invention, it should not be construed to be limited thereby, but should be construed to include such aforementioned variations. As such, the present invention should be limited only by the spirit and scope of the following claims.