Abstract:
The present invention shows a portable elevated vehicle display that may be lowered for a vehicle to be loaded on a display platform. By extension of a hydraulic cylinder in a parallelogram structure, the display platform and the vehicle may be raised into the air. Thereafter, the display platform and vehicle may be rotated and displayed. A slidable frame inside a portable base allows the display platform to be lowered very close to the ground for placement of the vehicle thereon prior to being raised into the air. Leveling jacks level the portable base in which the slidable frame is located. Outriggers and cables provide horizontal support in all directions.

Description:
Applicant claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/460,261, filed Apr. 4, 2003. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a platform for displaying an automobile and, more particularly, to a portable elevated vehicle display that (a) is moveable, (2) will raise a vehicle up in the air, and (3) will rotate the vehicle. 
   BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
   A common way for dealerships to attract customers is to feature a particularly attractive vehicle in front of the dealership. The selected vehicle many times is raised above other surrounding vehicles by a berm or some other structure in front of the dealership. The objective is to have the selected vehicle so that it can be easily seen by passing motorists that may be in the market for an automobile. 
   Such displays do not normally provide for movement of the vehicle while being displayed. The vehicle is in a stationary position and the passing motorist may or may not be at a good angle to get a good view of the vehicle being featured by the dealership. To alleviate this problem, at least one inventor has a display for a vehicle that is on an incline and rotates. Such an invention is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,852,978 to Daschel. However, the Daschel invention has a number of disadvantages, including it does not lift the vehicle up into the air so it can be seen from a distance by passing motorists. While there will be some raising of the vehicle when displayed with the Daschel invention, it will not be that much. In other words, a passing motorist will not be able to see the selected vehicle being displayed from a long distance if the Daschel invention is utilized. Also, the Daschel invention does not have the feature of portability. Once the Daschel display is put into place, it is difficult to move to another location. 
   Another vehicle display stand is shown in European Patent Office Publication No. 0 465 497 B1 by Kankaanpaa. The Kankaanpaa invention has some of the same disadvantages as the Daschel invention. While it will raise the vehicle slightly and the vehicle can be turned, the Kankaanpaa invention does not raise the vehicle any significant distance in the air. Also, the Kankaanpaa invention is not portable. 
   The present invention solves these and other problems by providing a parallelogram structure that will lower to the ground on which a vehicle can be loaded. After loading, the parallelogram structure will raise the vehicle up into the air. A display platform on top of the parallelogram structure may spin around and spin the vehicle that is on the display platform. In that manner, passing motorists can see the vehicle selected for display from a distance. Each time the motorists pass, the selected vehicle, which is continually turning, can be seen from different angles. In that manner, the passing motorists can get a good view of the entire vehicle being displayed and hopefully be enticed into the dealership to investigate buying a similar or like branded vehicle. 
   Also, the portable elevated vehicle display is constructed in a manner so it is very stable once the vehicle is raised up into the air, stability being provided in all four directions. In case the ground is not level, leveling devices can also be included to level the portable elevated vehicle display. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable elevated vehicle display. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle display that may be movable from one automobile dealership to another. 
   It is still another object of the present invention to provide a display that can be lowered to the ground, an automobile loaded thereon and subsequently raised up into the air with the automobile being visible from a long distance. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a portable frame on which an elevated vehicle display may be mounted. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide an elevated portable vehicle display on which a vehicle may be continuously turned while being displayed in an elevated position. 
   It is even another object of the present invention to provide lateral support for supporting the vehicle and the portable elevated vehicle display when raised in an elevated position. 
   In the present invention, a portable base is provided to which wheels are attached for portability. Each corner of the portable base has leveling jacks to ensure the portable base is perfectly level. On the sides, the portable base has outriggers with leveling jacks on the end thereof to provide side support for the portable base. 
   Inside of the portable base is a slidable frame. The slidable frame is designed with wheels on either end thereof so it will move inside of the portable base. Pivotally mounted on top of the slidable frame is a parallelogram structure. Hydraulic cylinders extend from one side of the parallelogram structure to the other side of the parallelogram structure. If the hydraulic cylinders are retracted, the two sides of the parallelogram come together with the top portion being lowered. Simultaneously, the slidable frame moves to the rear of the portable frame. On the top of the parallelogram structure is located a display platform. The display platform rests on a bearing plate so it may turn when in the raised position. 
   In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the display platform is lowered by retracting the hydraulic cylinders. When the platform is fully lowered, a vehicle can be loaded on the display platform. Then the hydraulic cylinders are extended causing the parallelogram to separate and the display platform located on the top thereof to be raised. This raises the automobile up into the air. Cables attached to the display platform provide front-to-back support. Lateral support for the display platform is provided by outriggers from the portable frame. The slidable frame may be pinned into position inside of the portable base once the vehicle is in the elevated position in the air. A motor and gear continually turn the automobile on the display platform so the automobile may be viewed by the passing public. 
   These and other objects of the invention are possible when considering the invention in the preferred embodiment described hereinbelow. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the portable elevated vehicle display showing an automobile being displayed thereon. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the portable elevated vehicle display. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the portable elevated vehicle display in its lowered position. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the portable elevated vehicle display in a partially raised position. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the portable elevated vehicle display in its fully elevated position. 
       FIG. 6  is a partial sectional view of the portable frame and slidable frame mounted therein as shown in section lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 7  is a partial sectional view of  FIG. 6  along section lines  7 - 7 . 
       FIG. 8A  is a top view of the display platform and rotating structure. 
       FIG. 8B  is a side view of the display platform and rotating structure. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1  in combination with  FIG. 2 , a description of the preferred embodiment of the portable elevated vehicle display will be provided hereinbelow. A portable elevated vehicle display represented generally by reference numeral  10  is shown in use in  FIG. 1  and in an exploded view in  FIG. 2 . A portable base  12  is provided for the portable elevated vehicle display  10 . Mounted within the portable base  12  is a slidable frame  14 . Connected above the slidable frame  14  is a parallelogram structure  16  that may be raised and lowered by extending hydraulic cylinders  18 . Connected on the opposite end of the parallelogram structure  16  from the slidable frame  14  is located a platform support  20 . Located above the platform support  20  is the display platform  22 . 
   Referring now to the portable base  12 , the portable base  12  will be described in more detail in conjunction with  FIGS. 1 and 2 . On the front of the portable base  12  is a vehicle tow bar  24  that connects to side I-beams  26  on one end thereof. The opposite end of the vehicle tow bar  24  has a trailer hitch  28  so that the vehicle tow bar  24  can be attached to the trailer hitch of a vehicle, so that the entire portable elevated vehicle display  10  may be moved from one location to another. 
   Near the rear of the portable base  12  are wheels  30  connected on the opposite ends of axles  32  that extend under the side I-beams  26 . The space between the side I-beams  26  is maintained a constant distance by end beam  34  and spacing plate  36 . Both the end beam  34  and spacing plate  36  ensure the side I-beams  26  are maintained a uniform distance apart. On each side of side I-beams  26  are pivotally connected outriggers  38 . Outriggers  38  connect through plates  40  and pivot pins  42  to each respective side of the side I-beams  26 . When the portable elevated vehicle display  10  is being moved from one location to another, outriggers  38  are folded into the side I-beams  26 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7  in combination with  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the slidable frame  14  will be explained in further detail. Referring specifically to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the slidable frame  14  has tubular steel sides  44  and tubular steel cross braces  46 . Connected on the ends of the tubular steel sides  44  are wheel mounting plates  48  and wheels  50  on the ends thereof. The portable frame  12  is designed so the wheels  50  ride inside of the side I-beams  26 . The side I-beams  26  are spaced a sufficient distance apart so that the slidable frame  14  is received therein with wheels  50  riding inside of the side I-beams  26 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2  with  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the parallelogram structure  16  will be explained in further detail. A pair of front lifting braces  52  are pivotally connected on the lower end thereof to pivot points  54  by pivot pins (not shown). The parallelogram structure  16  also has a pair of rear lifting braces  56  that are pivotally connected on the lower ends thereof to pivot point  58 . Pivot points  58  are raised above pivot point  54  on the slidable frame  14  by lower extension  60 . 
   The upper end of the parallelogram structure  16  pivotally connects to platform support  20 . Platform support  20  has a downward extension  62  on each forward  4  corner thereof (see  FIGS. 2 and 8B  in combination). The downward extension  62  connects on the upper end thereof to a platform support frame  64 . On the lower end of downward extension  62  is a pivot point  66  to which is pivotally connected the upper end of front lifting braces  52  by pivot pins (not shown). On the rear of platform support  20  and platform support frame  64  are located pivot points  68  to which is pivotally connected the upper end of the rear lifting braces  56 . On top of the platform support  20  is a lower bearing support plate  70 . 
   Located above lower bearing support plate  70  is upper bearing support plate  72 . Upper bearing support plate  72  is connected to the lower side of display platform  22 . The display platform  22  has two wheel channels  74  connected on opposite sides of platform frame  76 . The upper bearing support plate  72  is connected to the underside of platform frame  76 . Located between the lower bearing support plate  70  and upper bearing support plate  72  are bearings  78 . A typical bearing  78  may be Model No. SRB-129.8-0.88-104T48 made by Gear Products, Inc. in Tulsa, Okla. 
   Located below the platform support frame  64 , but mounted thereto, is an electric motor  80 . On the upper end of the shaft extending from the electric motor  80  is mounted a motor gear  82 , which mates with the teeth of platform gear  84  connected to upper bearing support plate  72 . By applying voltage to electric motor  80 , electric motor  80  turns motor gear  82 , which in turn will turn platform gear  84 . Platform gear  84 , being connected to upper bearing support plate  70 , will cause the entire display platform  22  to rotate. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the operation of the hydraulic cylinders  18  will be explained in more detail. The hydraulic cylinders  18  are connected to a hydraulic pump (not shown) and a source of hydraulic fluid (not shown), both of which may be supplied as part of the portable elevated vehicle display, or independently provided. 
   The lower end of the hydraulic cylinders  18  are connected to lower hydraulic cylinder pivot points  86  (see  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). The upper ends of hydraulic cylinders  18  are connected to upper hydraulic cylinder pivot points  88  (see  FIG. 2 ). Because the hydraulic cylinders  18  would exert too much force on rear lifting braces  56  and would cause them to flex or bend, the upper hydraulic cylinder pivot points  88  are connected to support frame  90 . Support frame  90  extends perpendicular to rear lifting braces  56  to which it connects. Support frame  90  has on either side thereof reinforcement rods  92  and  94 . The purpose of reinforcement rods  92  and  94  connected through support frame  90  is to ensure the rear lifting braces  56  do not flex to the extent they bend or break when the hydraulic cylinders are extended. 
   Referring again to the portable base  12 , each corner thereof has leveling jacks  96 . The leveling jacks  96  may be adjusted to ensure the portable base  12  is perfectly level. Also, the outriggers  38  have outrigger leveling jacks  98  to ensure the outriggers are also level. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5  in combination, the present invention will be explained in further detail. Referring first to  FIG. 3 , the portable elevated vehicle display  10  is shown in its lowest position. The display platform  22  is lowered by retracting hydraulic cylinders  18 , which brings the parallelogram structure  16  closer together. Meanwhile, slidable frame  14  has moved to the rear of the side I-beams  26 . In case of movement of the portable elevated vehicle display to a new location, or upon loading a vehicle thereon, the slidable frame is locked into position by a bolt (not shown) extending through hole  105  in side I-beams  26  and slidable frame  14 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , hydraulic cylinder  18  is starting to extend. The extension of hydraulic cylinder  18  causes display platform  22  to move upward from the portable base  12 . At this point, the slidable frame  14  is still in the rear of the side I-beams  26 . Parallelogram structure  16  and its respective front lifting braces  52  and rear lifting braces  56  begin to move apart. Once the hydraulic cylinder  18  extends to a certain point, rear cable  102  will become taut. Hydraulic cylinder  18  can only extend further by movement of slidable frame  14  forward within side I-beams  26 . By further expansion of the hydraulic cylinders  18 , the slidable frame  14  moves forward and the parallelogram structure  16  formed by front lifting brace  52  and rear lifting brace  56  will move to the full upright position as shown in  FIG. 5 , thereby raising display platform  22  into the air. At this point, slidable frame  14  will have moved forward within the side I-beams  26 . Also, cable  102  will have become taut. Once cables  100  and  102  are taut, forward movement of slidable frame  14  will end. At that point, a bolt (not shown) is extended through holes  104  in slidable frame  14  and holes  106  in the side I-beams  26 . The insertion of the bolt through the holes  104  and  106  locks slidable frame  14  into position. Cables  100  and  102  provide support from front to back of the portable base  16 . Outriggers  38  provide the side-to-side support for the portable base  12 . 
   In a preferred method of operation, display platform  22  is lowered to its lowermost position as shown in  FIG. 3 . After a vehicle is loaded on display platform  22 , hydraulic cylinders  18  are extended to raise display platform  22  and the vehicle displayed thereon as shown in the sequential views as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5 . Once hydraulic cylinder  18  is fully extended and cables  100  and  102  are taut, slidable frame  14  is bolted into position inside of the side I-beams  26 . If everything is still level, including the outriggers  38 , then power can be applied to electric motor  80 , which will cause display platform  22  to rotate. In this manner, if the portable elevated vehicle display  10  is located in front of an automobile dealership, the vehicle selected for display will now be up in the air on display platform  22  and rotated so it can be observed by all that pass by. In the preferred embodiment, the display platform  22  and vehicle located thereon is raised to a height of between 10 to 25 feet into the air. 
   Once a particular dealer is through with the portable elevated vehicle display  10 , after turning off electric motor  80 , hydraulic cylinder  18  can be retracted and the vehicle lowered and removed from display platform  22 . By retracting the leveling jacks  96  and the outrigger leveling jacks  98 , and pivoting the outriggers  38  into the side I-beams  26 , the portable elevated vehicle display  10  is ready for movement to its new location once the slidable frame  14  has been bolted into position. If one person owns multiple dealerships, he can rotate the portable elevated vehicle display  10  from dealership to dealership for display of selected vehicles at each dealership.