Abstract:
A novel device and method for positioning a vehicle jack in relation to a vehicle. The device uses a sensor which communicates with an indicator located at the point on the vehicle frame for proper placement of the vehicle jack, or jack point. The sensor detects the indicator&#39;s position when brought into substantial alignment and proximal range with the indicator to determine the proper position of the vehicle jack in alignment with the jack point. Upon detection of the indicator by the sensor, the display of the device provides a visual or auditory signal to the jack operator indicating location of the jack point.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to novel devices and methods for positioning a vehicle jack relative to a vehicle. Particularly, the invention relates to devices for determining the proper location on the vehicle frame for placement of the vehicle jack during operation of the jack.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Vehicle jacks are frequently used to elevate a vehicle to facilitate vehicle maintenance and repair activities, such as changing a tire or inspecting the brakes. Virtually all vehicles require the vehicle jack to be positioned relative to and make contact with the vehicle in an optimal spot, or jack point, to effectuate efficient and safe operation of the jack. The jack point is determined by the vehicle manufacturer based on the features of the vehicle and associated lift equipment, such as vehicle weight, tire size and jack size. The jack point is often described in the vehicle owner&#39;s manual and/or indicated on the vehicle by a recess or depressed area on the underside of the vehicle frame.  
         [0003]     However, on many vehicles, the jack point is difficult to locate and determine with any accuracy. Because the jack point is generally located on the underside of the vehicle frame near the vehicle wheels, the proper position for the jack is often difficult to determine by feel or visual inspection. Additionally, the instructions provided in an owner&#39;s manual are often imprecise or ambiguous. Often jack operators are guided by only their visual inspection of the vehicle frame resulting in an imprecise estimate as to the proper jack point. Further, determination of the proper jack point is particularly difficult when jack operation is conducted in the dark; during inclement weather; on a vehicle frame residing low to the level surface; and/or by an operator having physical or ocular limitations or impairments. Additionally, structural indicators provided on the vehicle frame at the proper jack point can wear away, fade and lose definition, often due to rusting on the underside of the vehicle frame.  
         [0004]     Operation of a jack in an improper position relative to the vehicle can damage the vehicle or cause the vehicle to slip off the jack and expose the operator to physical injury. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a device which can assist the jack operator in determining the proper placement of the vehicle jack relative to the vehicle.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The invention provides devices for positioning a vehicle jack to contact the vehicle at the proper jack point along the vehicle frame prior to operation of the vehicle jack. Particularly, it provides a small battery-operated device adapted to attach to the vehicle jack, the device having a display to indicate to the user by either light, sound or both when the jack is in the correct position. The device comprises a sensor which detects an indicator located on the proper jack point of the vehicle frame when the sensor is brought into sufficient proximity with the indicator. The sensor of the device can attach to the vehicle jack, preferably, at or near the point of the jack which makes contact with the vehicle during operation of the jack. In one embodiment, the sensor is a pad placed on top of the jack. In another embodiment the sensor is made integral with the vehicle jack at the point of the jack which makes contact with the vehicle during operation of the jack. In still another embodiment, the indicator is located on the vehicle jack and the sensor is located on the vehicle at the jack point.  
         [0006]     In one embodiment, the indicator and sensor comprise magnetic elements which communicate magnetically with one ariother. In another embodiment, the indicator comprises a light-producing device, and the sensor comprises a light-detecting device capable of detecting the light produced by the indicator.  
         [0007]     The methods and devices of the invention are useful to assist the jack operator in determining the proper position of the jack and improve vehicle jack efficiency and operator safety. Advantageously, this invention may be used with any type of vehicle jack well-known by those having ordinary skill in the art including, but not limited to, scissor jacks, tripod jacks, and hydraulic jacks. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0008]     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, examples, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a jack positioning device of the present invention depicting the device in operation on a vehicle; and  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a jack positioning device of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The jack positioning devices of the invention employ a sensor to detect an indicator located at the proper point on the vehicle frame for placement of the vehicle jack and to indicate by light, sound, or both when the jack is aligned with the jack point. As used herein, the term “jack point” means the proper location on the vehicle where a vehicle jack is to make contact with the vehicle during operation of the jack and raising of the vehicle. Preferably, the term jack point means the optimal location on the vehicle frame where the jack acts on the vehicle during operation of the jack and raising of the vehicle. More preferably, the term jack point means a position near the vehicle&#39;s tires where a jack makes contact and applies force to raise the vehicle during operation of the jack.  
         [0012]      FIGS. 1 and 2  depict jack positioning device  10  according to the invention. Jack positioning device  10  comprises sensor  20  in communication with display  30 . Sensor  20  is adapted to attach to jack  50  or can be machined integrally with jack  50 . Preferably, sensor  20  is mounted on or within the portion of jack  50  which aligns and makes contact with vehicle  70  during operation of jack  50 . More preferably, sensor  20  is a pad-like structure, i.e. pad  60 , which attaches to the portion of jack  50  which makes contact with vehicle  70  during operation of jack  50 . Preferably, pad  60  is comprised of a material which can withstand the force applied upon contact of jack  50  and the vehicle frame.  
         [0013]     Sensor  20  interacts with indicator  40  located at the jack points of vehicle  70  such that upon placement of sensor  20  in alignment with indicator  40 , sensor  20  and indicator  40  communicate with one another.  
         [0014]     According to the invention, indicator  40  and sensor  20  may comprise any well known communication means with the important consideration being that indicator  40  and sensor  20  communicate with each other when brought into close physical proximity and in substantial alignment. In operation, sensor  20  detects the presence and location of indicator  40  and communicates the detection via display  30 .  
         [0015]     Display  30  includes lights  81  and  82 . Preferably, light  81  is red and is lit when device  10  is in use and does not detect indicator  40  and light  82  is green and is lit upon detection of indicator  40 . It is contemplated that a series of lights may be used on display  30  which indicate a progressive scale or level of alignment wherein the more lights that are lit, the stronger the degree of alignment with or detection of indicator  40  by sensor  20 . In addition to, or instead of lights  81 ,  82 , the detection by sensor  20  of indicator  40  may be communicated in an auditory manner, wherein display  30  includes a sound producing device, including but not limited to, buzzer  90 . Preferably, sensor  20  and display  30  are connected by and communicate via wire  100 .  
         [0016]     The energy source for powering sensor  20 , indicator  40  and display  30  may be provided by any well-known voltage source, including but not limited to, any commercially available battery. In one embodiment, sensor  20  and display  30  would be powered by one or more batteries held in battery compartment  110 . Device  10  includes electrical connections which couple the battery contacts to the electrical contacts of sensor  20  and display  30 . Additionally, device  10  may include an on/off switch which controls the powering of the entire device.  
         [0017]     Alternatively, device  10  may be powered by the vehicle&#39;s battery. In this embodiment, device  10  includes car battery adapter port  120  for mating with the plug of any well-known car battery adapter. In still another embodiment, device  10  may be equipped with both battery compartment  110  for using a commercially available battery and car battery adapter port  120  for using a car battery adapter to connect to the vehicle battery.  
         [0018]     In a preferred embodiment of the current invention, indicator  40  comprises a magnetic device and sensor  20  comprises a corresponding magnetic sensor, including, but not limited to, a magnetic field sensor or a magnetic switch which measures magnetic fields and/or magnetic flux, all of which are commonly known by a person having ordinary skill in the art. For example, the magnetic sensor of sensor  20  detects the potential, current, or resistance change caused by the field strength and direction of indicator  40 . Then, sensor  20  converts the energy stored in the magnetic field to an electrical signal. The electrical signal is passed to a switch controlling the indicating means of display  30 . Preferably, detection of the magnetic field of indicator  40  by the magnetic field sensor of sensor  20  results in the turning off of light  81  and the turning on of light  82  or buzzer  90 , thereby indicating to the user of jack  50  the proper alignment of jack  50  with the jack point.  
         [0019]     It is contemplated that any magnetic based indicator  40  well known by those having ordinary skill in the art may be employed with the important consideration being that indicator  40  comprise a magnetic source capable of communication with and detection by sensor  20 .  
         [0020]     Another embodiment of the current invention includes indicator  40  comprising a light-producing device and sensor  20  comprising a light-detecting device. Any light-producing device and light detecting device well-known by those having ordinary skill in the art may be used in this embodiment with the important consideration being that sensor  20  detects light output by indicator  40  when sensor  20  is substantially aligned with the light beam directed from indicator  40 . Preferably, sensor  20  can detect the light level, light pulses or modulated infrared light produced by indicator  40 . The light-producing device can direct a beam of light along a path wherein when sensor  20  is brought within the path of the light beam it detects the light beam&#39;s presence and indicates the detection via display  30 . In this embodiment, indicator  40  may comprise a compartment for housing a battery for powering the light producing device.  
         [0021]     One example of a light detecting device for use in sensor  20  is a photodiode, which may be used in photocell mode such that the photodiode generates a voltage and current signal when it receives light. The current signal is passed to a switch which controls the indicating means of display  30 .  
         [0022]     In one embodiment, sensor  20  comprises a photoelectric cell or photocell having electrical characteristics (e.g., current, voltage, or resistance) which vary when light is incident upon it. For example, the photocell can consist of two electrodes separated by a light-sensitive semiconductor material. Optionally, a battery or other voltage source may be connected to the electrodes to establish a current even in the absence of light. When light strikes the semiconductor section of the photocell, the current in the circuit increases by an amount proportional to the intensity of the light. The current is used to operate a switch which controls lights  81 ,  82  and/or buzzer  90  of display  30 .  
         [0023]     In an alternative embodiment, a photomultiplier tube is used wherein electrons ejected from a photosensitive cathode by light from sensor  20  are attracted toward and strike a positive electrode, causing showers of secondary electrons drawn to a more positive electrode, producing yet more secondary electrons, through several stages, until a large pulse of current is produced. As described above, this current is used to control a switch or relay which operates lights  81  and  82  and/or buzzer  90  to indicate detection of the jack point to the user via display  30 .  
         [0024]     Still another example of a light sensor which may be employed in the current invention is a photovoltaic type of photoelectric cell, which, when exposed to light, can generate and support an electric current without being attached to any external voltage source. Such a cell typically consists of a semiconductor crystal with two zones composed of dissimilar materials. When light from indicator  40  shines on the crystal, a voltage is set up across the junction between the two zones. A phototransistor, which is a type of photovoltaic cell, can generate a small current that acts like the input current in a conventional transistor and controls a larger current in the output circuit. As described above, the current generated by the photocell is used to control a switch or relay which controls lights  81 , 82  and/or buzzer  90  of display  30 .  
         [0025]     In operation, device  10  is positioned for use with a vehicle and moved until sensor  20  reads or detects indicator  40  located at the proper jack point. If no detection is made, i.e. sensor  20  is not properly aligned with indicator  40 , light  81  on display  30  remains lit. Upon detection of indicator  40 , sensor  20  provides detection information to display  30  for display to the user. Specifically, light  82  of display  30  will light and/or buzzer  90  will produce a sound. Once the proper jack point is located, the user may operate the jack such that primary contact of jack  50  is made with vehicle  70  at the location determined by device  10 .  
         [0026]     It is contemplated that indicator  40  of the current invention may be adapted for placement on jack  50  with sensor  20  located on the jack point of the vehicle. In this embodiment, indicator  40  would activate sensor  20  located at the jack point, as described above.  
         [0027]     Another embodiment includes sensor  20  comprising a display on the sensor itself. In this embodiment upon detection of indicator  40 , sensor would provide an indication of the detection by way of light or sound.  
         [0028]     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments and versions, other versions and embodiments are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the versions and embodiments expressly disclosed herein. The references and disclosure of the Background Section are not admitted to be prior art with respect to the invention.