Abstract:
An improved vehicle jack and jack stand is provided, used separately or in combination, where the both the vehicle jack and jack stand are adapted to receive and support a cup means that also supports a block. The block is able to be interchanged with other blocks to accommodate virtually any type of vehicle. A single jack is able to be used with multiple jack stands, since each jack stand is able to provide support at the identical location as the jack does. This is extremely useful on vehicles with uni-body construction. The jack stand defines an adjustable head, where the head is able to fit between side members of the jack stand, so that both the jack and jack stand are able to be concurrently positioned beneath the cup and block means. The jack stand also provides a removable cross support, which allows the jack stand to be moved in or out of position while the jack is being used to elevate an automobile. The support is replaced prior to the time that the vehicle is lowered onto the jack stand.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Automobile jack safety is a concern with any person using such a device. This invention is specifically directed toward the incorporation of a floor jack with a jack stand, and allows a jack stand to replace the floor jack to provide a steady and secure support means for an automobile, or other contrivance elevated off of the ground. 
     When hydraulic jacks are used, there exists an ongoing potential for failure of the jack during operation. Since the jack has moving parts, each moving part is subject to wear. The hydraulic system used is subject to deterioration in the cylinder, the valves, and any other parts of said jack that are directly used to support the vehicle during lifting. Large hydraulic jack systems have been able to take advantage of braking systems, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,783,983 (McNally et. all). Floor jacks are generally not intended to be used as a sole support means for items such as automobiles, but generally require jack stands for continuous support, or a braking device incorporated into a floor jack. 
     Floor jack safety devices have been utilized, in which manual braking systems have been incorporated, such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,902 (Chou). Chou discloses a hydraulic stem shaft having coupling grooves which allow a locking mechanism to engage within a desired groove, thus locking the position of a floor jack. One of the major problems with this jack, as compared with present invention, is that the jack in Chou only allows it to be used to raise a vehicle at a single point of contact. The usefulness of the safety mechanism is diminished if an entire front end of a vehicle needs to be raised and worked on for a lengthy period of time. Using the Chou jack, at least two such jacks would be necessary to raise the front end of an automobile off of the ground, and maintain it in that position for a period of time. If an entire vehicle needed to be raised off of the ground, as many as four jacks would be necessary. 
     A similar idea was described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,073 (Shockley), in which various notches were provided along the length of opposing side plates, with the safety means brace able to fit within specific notches, and provide a support to the lifting arm of the floor jack if the floor jack hydraulic means failed. This particular invention was only able to provide a safety means to maintain the support of the vehicle at a specific point, and was not readily usable with a floor jack in any manner other than that had previously been known. 
     Another jack safety device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,618,029 (Chung), which provided a catch mechanism located at the front end of the floor jack, in which a safety hook was used to maintain the position of the support arm. 
     A subsequent safety means was incorporated into a floor jack in U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,996 (Chung). In this invention, a ratchet and a pawl were used to maintain position of the support arm in an elevated position. This patent provided a different type of locking means, but the overall usefulness of this invention with a floor jack was no different than any of the other floor jacks that had preceded it. 
     Additional variations on the concept of making a floor jack stable under stress includes the placement of a block underneath the lifting arm, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,270 (Hussaini et al.). Again, this safety device requires that a single jack be used at a single location, and is not readily incorporated with the use of a floor jack. 
     Jack stands are intended to replace floor jacks that have previously raised the object to a desired height. With older model automobiles, the person would simply jack up a portion of the automobile using the frame as a contact point, and place the desired jack stands underneath the frame of the automobile. As uni-body construction has become more prevalent on automobiles, there are now fewer points with which jack stands can be used. The typical uni-body automobile provides specific locations for the use of a floor jack. For example, on many automobiles, only a single point of contact is defined along the side of many uni-body automobile designs, which also have a specific contact structure that fits within the parameters of the vehicle contact point. 
     Adjustable jack stands are used to replace jacks, in which a single jack may be used to elevate an automobile at multiple points, with each point able to be supported on a jack stand after the vehicle is lowered onto it, with a floor jack then removed. The jack stand is intended to be a nonmoving support structure, with little risk involved as to failure. These stands have involved modifications regarding the adjustability as to height, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,360 (Wensman), which allow for multiple adjustable means for height included into a single jack stand. 
     The utility of jack stands is also shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,935 (Lai), in which a height adjustable jack stand is shown, in which the structural design allows for the jack stand to fold up for easier storage. The prior art regarding jack stands deal with the adjustable features regarding use with an automobile or other object after it has been lowered onto the jack stand by a separate floor jack. In the prior art, floor jacks provide an upward force on the automobile at a different point than the jack stand provides support. The main reason for this is that the base of both the floor jack and the jack stand have been unable to concurrently share the same space underneath the automobile or other object desired to be lifted. 
     The present invention has modified both the floor jack and jack stand so that they work in combination with each other and are both able to occupy the same area beneath the automobile or other object being supported. This is especially important when dealing with uni-body construction, where only a single area along one side of an automobile may be provided for purposes of jacking the automobile upward. 
     It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an integrated floor jack and jack stand that are able to be used to concurrently with a single structural position on an automobile or other object desired to be lifted. 
     Is a further object of this invention to provide a floor jack and jack stand that can be used with a uni-body automobile. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide a means whereby a single floor jack may be used on specific structural positions on an object with the same specific structural positions used by the jack stand. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel method of elevating an automobile having a uni-body construction. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A typical floor jack has a lifting arm which is comprised of a major and a minor lever, which work in unison to keep the peripheral ends of the lever arms oriented so that they provide a continuous horizontal connection point. This connection point is generally defined as a cup or other flat-surfaced member that is intended to directly contact the vehicle which is desired to be lifted. 
     The connection point is replaced by two side members which are pivotally attached to the peripheral ends of the lifting arms, and where the side members have a straight line end which follows a horizontal direction and defines a platform notch. As the arms pivot upward and downward, the straight line ends of the side members remain horizontal throughout the lifting and lowering process. 
     A platform has a ½ bar defined on its underneath side, which protrudes outward. The ½ bar may be an actual portion of a rod, where the rod has been cut in half to form two equal halves, or the ½ bar may also comprise a protrusion that projects outward from the platform. In either case, the protrusion or ½ bar is intended to be capable of being positioned into a pair of receiving notches defined on the top portion of the side members of the floor jack. The protrusion or ½ bar is continuous across the underneath side of the platform. For purposes of further discussion in this section, the term protrusion and ½ bar will be consolidated into the single term “½ bar.” 
     The platform is placed on top of the straight line ends of the side members, and a support block is placed on top of the platform. The platform preferably has lower and upper side wall extensions. The lower side wall extensions, and the protrusions or ½ bar prevent the platform from moving or sliding off of the floor jack side members. Likewise, the upper side wall extensions provide a tray assembly, so that a block placed on the top portion of the support means will also not slide horizontally off of the support means. 
     The floor jack, having the side members with the platform means and block, is placed underneath the vehicle or object desired to be elevated. The floor jack is operated so that the lifting arms pivot upwards, until the support block engages the desired location of the automobile or object desired to be lifted. The support block may define a support slot, into which the flange or portion of the automobile designated as a lifting point fits within said slot. 
     As the floor jack is operated, the lifting arms move the side members upward, urging the platform and support block upward against the underneath side of the vehicle or object desired to be lifted. The vehicle or object is elevated to a desired height, and a jack stand is situated directly beneath the point of contact between the support block and the vehicle or object being lifted. 
     The space between the side members is sufficient to accommodate the width of a jack stand extension arm. The jack stand extension arm is positioned between the floor jack side members, with the jack stand extension arm having a top end that provides a horizontal surface with a platform groove, that allows the platform and ½ bar to rest within said platform groove. 
     The jack stand may have a horizontal leg support removed, so that the jack stand can be placed around the floor jack. The removable horizontal support is then put back into position so that the supporting legs do not spread out when weight or masses are applied downward to the jack stand. 
     Once the jack stand is in position, with the jack stand extension arm positioned between the floor jack side members, immediately below the raised platform, the floor jack is lowered until the platform comes to rest and is supported completely by the jack stand extension arm. The floor jack is lowered until the entire floor jack assembly is able to be rolled out from underneath the jack stand. The jack stand provides the necessary support to the object, by providing an unyielding support beneath the platform which in turn supports the block which is in direct contact with the vehicle or object being elevated. 
     The block is preferably formed out of polyurethane, or may be out of any suitable material that can withstand application of mass to it without significant deformation. The use of multiple jack stands is available, with a single floor jack being used to elevate the vehicle or object at multiple points. 
     The utility of this invention is clear where a uni-body automobile is being elevated, where the automobile only provides a single notch or position along its side that is designated as the contact point for lifting. Use of this modified floor jack and modified jack stand allow that single contact point to be used for raising, as well as for stationary long-term support, which reduces the chance of injury in the event of a floor jack failure. 
     All portions of this invention are reusable. Modified blocks may be substituted, allowing the block to be placed underneath an axle, or other support member, which may be available with older style vehicles, or object having some type of frame assembly. 
     Removing the vehicle or object from the jack stand comprises reversing the process previously described, where the floor jack is positioned underneath the jack stand, with the wheels directly under the jack stand extension arm, and the side members immediately beneath the supported platform, with the jack stand extension arm situated between the side members. By actuating the floor jack causing it to move the lifting arms upward, a platform will be raised off of the stationary jack stand, to the point where the platform ½ bar is raised out of the jack stand end notch. The jack stand is then able to be removed from underneath the vehicle or object, and the floor jack may safely lower the vehicle or object back down to its former level. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the floor jack and improved jack stand, where the floor jack is shown in an elevated and lowered position. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the floor jack, shown in an elevated position in which the cup and engagement block are positioned above the head of the jack stand, and where the angle of the view in  FIG. 10  is indicated. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the floor jack and jack stand, in which the engagement block had been placed on the jack stand head, and where the floor jack has been rolled away from the jack stand, leaving the jack stand to support the vehicle. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the floor jack shown in the act of elevating a vehicle using the engagement block, prior to use of the jack stand for stable support. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of an improved jack stand, showing the removable support, the cup and engagement block, that are able to rest on top of the jack stand head. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective exploded view of the engagement block and supporting cup, as seen from beneath said items. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective exploded view of the supporting cup and engagement block as seen from above said items. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the upper portion of the floor jack showing the side members, and the cup on top of said side members, with the relative angle of the side members shown as a constant angle, regardless of the raised and lowered position of the elevating members. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of an alternative engagement block, that is intended for use with vehicle frames and axles as the point of contact, rather than vehicles having a unibody construction. 
         FIG. 10  is an end view of the side members, cup and engagement block, shown in position immediately above the jack stand head. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a floor jack  10  is shown with the jack  10  placed adjacent to an improved jack stand  50 . Floor jack  10  is comprised of a base  11  with forward mounted wheels  12 . Floor jack  10  has a lifting means comprised of a top elevating member  13  and a bottom elevating member  14 . The peripheral ends of members  13  and  14  rotate upward and downward in unison, as is commonly known and understood in the art of floor jacks. The top member pivot pin  15  is shown with the pivot pin  15 ′ for the bottom elevating member  14  also shown. 
     As  FIG. 1  shows, members  13  and  14  are attached to the base  11  on one end, and support a pair of spaced side members  17 . Said side members  17  comprise generally flat panels of rigid material, such as steel plates, that define pivot points on their top and bottom ends. It is commonly known and understood in the art that the movement of top member  13  and bottom member  14  in relation to each other will orient the top pivot pins  15  and  15 ′ so that pivot pins  15  and  15 ′ have the same relationship in position to each other as determined from a vertical and/or horizontal axis. This will cause side members  17  to remain in the same angled position, regardless of the operating elevation of members  13  and  14 . A further example of this is shown in  FIG. 8 , in which the angled position of side members  17  remained constant, so that the top edge  21  of the side members  17  remains horizontal whether or not said side members  17  are in a raised or lowered position. The relative angle on the elevating members  13  and  14 , as compared to the side members  17  may vary, but the relative position and angled inclination of the pivot points  15  and  15 ′ remains constant regardless of the elevation of the members  13  and  14 . 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 3 , the side members  17  define a top flat edge  21 , which maintains its horizontal angle regardless of the angle of elevating members  13  and  14 . As  FIG. 1  also shows, when the elevating members  13  and  14  are lowered to position  20 , side members  17  will remain in the same angular position, as shown in the raised or elevated position. 
       FIG. 8  shows a side view of the side members  17  which comprise polygon shapes, having two generally parallel sides  72  and  73 , with a top angled side  21  and a bottom angled side  74 .  FIG. 8  depicts the side members  17  in relation to the elevating members  13  and  14 , when said elevating members  13  and  14  have been raised to their maximum height.  FIG. 8  also depicts the relationship and orientation of elevating members  13  and  14  that have been lowered, with side members  17  oriented in relation to elevating members  13  and  14 . 
     The flat edge  21  of each side member  17  defines a support platform receiving notch  22 . Said notch  22  generally comprises a hemispherical configuration, that would allow stable positioning of a ½ rod or ½ circular rod  33 , having a radius less than the maximum radius of the notch  22 , when the rod or circular member is disposed within said notch  22 . It should be understood that the term ½ rod should include a complete section of a ½ rod that extends across the width of the cup  30 . Likewise, the term ½ bar  33  should also be considered to comprise a protrusion that has characteristics similar to that shown for the ½ bar  33 . The protrusion should have a radius less than the notch  22 , so that the protrusion or ½ bar is capable of being contained within said notch  22 . The protrusion described shall extend across the bottom surface of the cup  30 . 
     While side members  17  are shown as polygons having two generally parallel sides  72  and  73 , with angled sides  74  and top horizontal side  21 , this configuration is shown as the preferred embodiment, but is not required for operation of this invention. What is required, regarding the shape and configuration of said side members  17 , is that they be able to define pivot points  15  and  15 ′, while maintaining a proper horizontally configured top edge  21  so that edge  21  remains horizontal in relation to the angled relationship of the operation of the jack  10 . 
     Side members  17  are spaced apart, defining a gap between them, which must be of sufficient width between them to allow the placement of a jack stand extension arm  57  and head  60  between said spaced apart members  17 . Side members  17  are generally spaced apart by pivot pins. The gap between said side members  17  is preferably uniform, with side members  17  being parallel to each other, and parallel to the orientation of the elevating members  13  and  14 , so as to provide maximum support without shear stress on the members  17 , or pivot pins  15  and  15 ′. 
     The floor jack  10 , supports a cup  30  that is placed on top of the horizontal portions of the side members  17 . Referring now also to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the cup  30  defines a flat plate surface having a top side  35  and a bottom side  34 , with the peripheral edges of the plate defining vertical side flanges  31  and  32 , where said flanges  31  and  32  project upwards above the top surface  35 , and where bottom flanges  31  project downward below bottom surface  34 , forming a gap between the downward projecting flanges  31 . 
     As  FIG. 7  shows, the top surface  35  provides a surface that is able to receive and support an engagement block  40 , with the bottom side  45  of said block  40  engaging and being supported by surface  35 . Side flanges  31  and  32  provide a peripheral edge restraining wall that limits lateral movement of the engagement block  40  when it is so disposed within the cavity defined on the top side of the cup  30 . 
     Referring now also specifically to  FIG. 6 , the underside of the cup  30  comprises a bottom surface  34  in which opposing downward projecting side flanges  31  provide a gap, and where said opposing side flanges  31  support a ½ bar  33 . The ½ bar  33  is defined across the bottom surface  34  of the cup  30 . The ½ bar  33  is contained within the underside cavity defined by the bottom surface  34  and side flanges  31 . It should be understood that the ½ bar  33  may comprise any other shape or configuration, that is able to be received into the defined notch  22  on the top edge  21  of the side members  17 . For example, the ½ bar may be a protrusion or ridge defined on the bottom surface  34  itself. The figures depict the ½ bar  33  as being an independent ½ bar of rigid material that is supported by the downward projecting portion of flanges  31 , with the ½ bar  33  being supported on its ends by said flanges  31 . 
     As is also shown in  FIG. 8 , the engagement block  40  is supported by the cup  30 , which in turn rests on the top edges  21  of side members  17 . As is shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8 , flanges  31  extend downward and are spaced apart to define a gap greater than that defined by the parallel side members  17 . Therefore, flanges  31  are intended to extend downward adjacent to and parallel to the outer top sides of side members  17 . This prevents any lateral movement from side to side, as the flanges  31  will contact the outer sides of side members  17 , as also shown in  FIG. 10 . Movement backward and forward is prevented by use of the ½ bar  33  which is able to fit within notch  22 , as defined by side members  17 . The cup  30 , so situated on top of side members  17  is unable to move in any direction horizontally, and provides a stable support surface for the engagement block  40 . 
     The support block  40  is comprised of any resilient material that resists crushing or deformation under stress. Support block  40  is comprised of a bottom surface  45  that is able to rest on top surface  35  of cup  30 . The sidewalls  43  and  44  of the engagement block  40  define a shape that has dimensions which allow it to fit within the defined dimensions of the flanges  31  and  32 , defined on the cup  30 . 
     The support block  40  typically has a groove  42  that extends all the way across the top surface  41  of the support block  40 . As is also shown in  FIG. 4 , the floor jack  10  has side members  17  that support a cup  30 , with an engagement block  40  having a groove  42 , and which are positioned below the desirable support contact point of the uni-body vehicle  38 , in which such contact support point comprises a downward facing flange  58 . Said flange  58  is disposed within the groove  42  of support block  40 . The floor jack  10  raises up the cup  30  and engagement block  40  to the point where the vehicle is elevated, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     An improved jack stand  50  is shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2   3  and  5 , in which the base supports an extension arm  57 . The base portion of said stand  50  has four support legs  51 , which support a top cover  53 . An extension housing  54  is defined above the top cover, in which an extension arm  57  is disposed. The extension arm  57  is able to move upward and downward, with the relative height of the extension arm  57  fixed in position to the base portion of the jack stand  50 . Typically, a lever  56  will actuate a rachet, to adjust and set the height of the extension arm  57 . 
     The jack stand  50  has cross supports, which prevent the angled legs  51  from spreading out or deforming when supporting significant mass. Two adjacent legs  51  have a removable support  25 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , in which said removable support  25  comprises a cross bar, having a length greater than the distance from the outer edges of the support legs  51  at their terminating ends. The cross bar  26  has upwardly projecting prongs  27 , which have an interior surface  28 , where the distance between the opposing interior surfaces  28  of prongs  27  are slightly greater than the distance between the outer surface of the legs  51  of the jack stand  50 . 
     The removable support  25  is positioned underneath the legs  51  of the stand  50 , with the inner surfaces  28  again restricting any spreading of the stand legs  51 . In this way, the prongs  27  will prevent the stand legs  51  from spreading out in an undesirable manner under loads. The removable feature allows a jack stand  50  to be placed around the jack  10  without any impedance. 
     Once the vehicle  38  is elevated by the jack  10 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , the mass of a portion of the vehicle  38  will be channeled and supported by the jack  10 . Referring now also to  FIG. 1 , the stand  50 , with the removable support  25  taken out, is moved underneath the cup  30  and block  40 , so that the extension arm  57 , and the head  60  and groove  61  of said arm  57  are positioned immediately below the cup  30  and block  40 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The jack stand  50  could not be moved underneath the block  40  and cup  30 , if a cross support member existed between the two legs  51  that are positioned on either side of the jack  10 . The weight of the vehicle  38  applies a downward force on the jack  10 , which is also supported by the wheels  12 . Since the wheels  12  cannot be raised while so supporting the vehicle  38 , this prevents any cross support  52  from being able to be moved underneath the wheels  12  of the jack  10  while said jack  10  is supporting a vehicle. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 10 , once jack stand  50  has been moved into position, so that the extension arm  57  and head  60  are positioned between the side members  17 , the extension arm  57  is raised so that the head  60  is positioned immediately below the cup  30 . The removable support  25  is slid underneath the appropriate legs  51  of jack stand  50 , so that the upwardly protruding prongs  27  will prevent said legs  51  from spreading outward under stress. The jack  10  is lowered, so that the cup  30  moves downward onto the head  60  of arm  57 . 
     Extension arm head  60  defines a receiving groove  61 , that is able to receive the ½ bar  33  of the cup  30 . The top surface of the head  60  impacts against the bottom surface  34  of said cup  30 , and lateral movement of the cup is prevented by the cup&#39;s ½ bar  33  being positioned within the groove  61  of the head  60 , and the flanges  31  of the cup  30  that are oriented downward, further prevent lateral movement, as a result of the head portion  60  of the extension arm  57  being completely positioned within the area defined by the downward projecting prongs  31 . 
     As is also shown in  FIG. 10 , the extension arm head  60  has a width less than the gap between side members  17 , and is able to be positioned between said side members  17 , with the load supported by the cup  30  and block  40  positioned above said head  60 . 
     Once the vehicle  38  is raised to the desired height, the jack stand  50  is placed around the jack  10 , and the cross bar  25  is placed under support legs  51 . The extension arm  57  and  60  can then be raised into position just below the ½ bar  33  and cup  30 , with notch  61  immediately below the ½ bar  33 . The jack stand  50  is able to be moved into position by virtue of the removable support  25 , and allows the jack stand  50  to be moved over the base of the jack  10 . 
     Once the jack  10  is lowered, the cup  30  and ½ bar  33  will move into position with the jack head  60 , with the ½ bar  33  moving into the groove  61  of the head  60 . As the jack  10  continues to lower, the cup  30  will be prevented from moving downward by the head  60 . Further downward movement of the jack  10  will result in the side members  17  lowering down with the cup  30  remaining elevated on the jack head  60 . 
     As the jack  10  continues to lower, the weight of the vehicle  38  will be transferred from the side members  17  to the head  60  and extension arm  57  of stand  50 . Once the jack  10  has lowered enough, the jack  10  is able to be rolled out from underneath the stand  50 . The removable support  25  presents no significant barrier to the jack  10  being removed, as there is not longer any weight borne by said jack  10 . Once the jack  10  is removed, it can be used again at alternative locations on the vehicle  38 , with additional jack stands  50 , so that a single jack  10  can be used to elevate a vehicle  38  at multiple points, with each point able to be supported by a jack stand  50 . 
     Alternative support blocks  62  may be used, such as shown in  FIG. 9 . The support block  62  in  FIG. 9  has a base side  65 , that is able to fit within the top cavity portion of the cup  30 , but which defines a broader top surface  68 , that would be useable with frames on older model vehicles. Also shown in  FIG. 9  is a larger hemispherical groove  67 , that would be usable with the larger diameter of vehicle axles. The top surface  68  may further define upward projections  66  on opposing top sides of the support block  62 , which are useful to prevent lateral movement of the vehicle frame in relation to the block  62 . 
     The procedure to lower the vehicle  38 , and remove the jack stand  50  is a reverse process of that described above. The jack  10  is maneuvered into position and rolled under the jack stand  50 , with extension arm  57  of the stand  50  positioned between the side members  17  of the jack  10 . Side members  17  are raised so that they contact the underside of the cup  30 , with the side members  17  being disposed within the gap defined by the opposing side flanges  31  of the cup  30 , and where the side members  17  are elevated so that the cup ½ bar  33  is positioned with the notch  22  of the side members. 
     Once the side members  17  have been moved into the cup  30  and have the ½ bar  33  positioned in the side member notches  22 , the jack  10  is actuated so as to raise the side members  17  upward, elevating the cup  30  and block  40  upward from the stand  50 . Once the cup  30  and block  40  have been elevated sufficiently to allow the extension arm  57  to be lowered, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the stand&#39;s removable support  25  is taken off of the stand  50 , and the stand is pulled out from under the vehicle  38 . The jack  10  is then able to lower the vehicle back to its ground level position. 
     From the foregoing statements, summary, and description in accordance with the present invention, it is understood that the same are not limited thereto, but are susceptible to various changes and modifications as known to those skilled in the art and we therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described herein, but intend to cover all such changes and modifications which would be encompassed by the scope of the appended claims.