Jack having alternate hydraulic lifting and air pump functions using a common drive motor

A hydraulic jack adapted to provide an auxiliary air pumping function is disclosed. The jack has a hydraulically-actuated lifting mechanism, an air pump and a reversible electric motor having a drive shaft. A first clutch means operatively couples the drive shaft to the lifting mechanism. A second clutch means operatively couples the drive shaft to the air pump. Each of said clutch means are independently operable and are oppositely configured to one another, such that at any given time the drive shaft drives only one of either the lifting mechanism or the air pump respectively. Means are also provided for supplying power to the motor and for reversing operational driving direction of the motor. In a preferred embodiment, the clutch means are one-way clutch means.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to jacks having separate pneumatic lifting 
and air pumping functions which are operated using a common drive motor 
and, more particularly to jacks having separate pneumatic jack lifting 
functions for raising and lowering an article such as a motor vehicle and 
air pumping functions for the inflating of tires wherein said functions 
are alternatively activated using a common drive motor. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
In jacks of which I am aware, that have separate pneumatic lifting and air 
pumping functions activated using a common drive motor, either both 
functions must be operated simultaneously or complicated gearing is 
required in order to be able to alternatively carry out said functions. 
The former case has the disadvantage of requiring both systems to be 
simultaneously operable at all times during use thereof. This often 
results in an undesired function occurring when only one function is 
desired. Such a disadvantage is, at best, bothersome and wasteful of motor 
power and, at worst, could result in damage to either the article (the 
vehicle) being worked upon or to the jack itself. The latter case has the 
disadvantage of requiring the use of complicated gearing which is not only 
expensive and hard to maintain, but which also takes up excessive space. 
Thus, it will be appreciated that there remains a need for a jack having 
separate pneumatic lifting functions for raising and lowering an article 
such as a motor vehicle, and air pumping functions for the inflation of 
tires and the like, wherein both separate functions are without the need 
of complicated gearing, capable of being alternately activated using a 
common drive motor. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is the primary objective of the present invention to 
alleviate the disadvantages and deficiencies of the prior art by providing 
a jack having separate pneumatic jack lifting and air pumping functions 
wherein both separate functions may be alternately activated and operated 
using a common reversible drive motor. 
It is a further objective to provide such a jack that is operative without 
the need for use of complicated gearing. 
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a hydraulic jack 
is provided. This hydraulic jack is adapted to provide an auxiliary air 
pumping function. This jack includes a hydraulically-activated lifting 
mechanism, an air pump, and a reversible electric motor having a shaft. A 
first clutch means is provided for coupling the shaft to the lifting 
mechanism. A second clutch means is provided for coupling the shaft to the 
air pump. The first and second clutch means are both independently 
operable and oppositely configured such that at any given time the shaft 
drives only one of the lifting mechanism and air pump respectively. Also, 
means is provided for reversing the motor. 
In one embodiment, the means for reversing the motor is an electric switch. 
In a second embodiment, the first clutch means is a one-way clutch and the 
second clutch means is also a one-way clutch. In a further embodiment, the 
first clutch means is a ratchet and a pawl mechanism, and the second 
clutch means is also a ratchet and pawl mechanism. In still another 
embodiment, the shaft has one end portion projecting from the motor. 
In further accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a 
hydraulic jack is provided. This jack is adapted to provide an auxiliary 
air pumping function. This jack includes a hydraulically-actuator lifting 
mechanism, an air pump, and a reversible electric motor. A double-end 
drive shaft is carried by the motor. Said shaft has respective end 
portions projecting therefrom. A first clutch means is provided for 
coupling the lifting mechanism to one of the end portions of the shaft. A 
second clutch means is provided for coupling the air pump to the other 
opposite end portion of the shaft. The first and second clutch means are 
both independently operable and oppositely configured, such that at any 
given time the shaft drives only one of the lifting mechanisms and air 
pump respectively. Also, means is provided for reversing the motor. 
In one embodiment, the means for reversing the motor is an electric switch. 
In a second embodiment, the first clutch means is a one-way clutch and the 
second clutch means is also a one-way clutch. In a further embodiment, the 
first clutch means is a ratchet and pawl mechanism and the second clutch 
means is also a ratchet and pawl mechanism. 
In still further accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a 
hydraulic jack for lifting and lowering an article is provided. This jack 
has a frame. A main body is positioned on the frame. A reversible drive 
motor is positioned in the body. An elongated motor drive shaft is carried 
by the motor and is projecting therefrom. Said drive shaft is rotatably 
driven by the motor in one of either the first direction or the second 
opposite direction. An air pump having a piston is positioned in the body. 
A second, one-way clutch means is provided for operatively connecting the 
piston and the motor drive shaft. An oil pump is carried by the frame. A 
lifting means is provided which includes a stand shaft driven by the oil 
pump and a top block which is driven by the stand shaft for lifting the 
article. Also, drain control means are provided for the air pump and the 
oil pump, respectively. A first one-way clutch means is provided for 
operatively connecting the oil pump and the motor drive shaft. Said second 
one-way clutch means and said first one-way clutch means are both 
independently operable and oppositely configured, such that at any given 
time the drive shaft drives only one of either the air pump or the oil 
pump, respectively. Also, a switch means is provided for switching the 
operation of the drive motor for driving the shaft between its first 
direction and its second opposite direction. 
In one embodiment, the first one-way clutch means is a ratchet-and-pawl 
mechanism, and the second one-way clutch means is also a ratchet-and-pawl 
mechanism. In a second embodiment, the shaft has one end portion 
projecting from the motor. In another embodiment, the reversible drive 
motor is a direct circuit motor. In yet another embodiment, means is 
provided for electrically connecting the drive motor to an outlet carried 
by a motor vehicle having an electrical system, whereby electric power 
supplied by the electrical system of the motor vehicle is provided to the 
motor for the operation thereof. 
In yet further accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a 
hydraulic jack for lifting and lowering an article is provided. This jack 
has a frame. A main body is positioned on the frame. A reversible drive 
motor is positioned in the body. An elongated double-ended motor drive 
shaft is carried by the motor. This shaft has respective end portions 
projecting from the motor. Said drive shaft is rotatably driven by the 
motor in one of either the first direction and the second opposite 
direction. An air pump is provided. This air pump has a piston positioned 
in the body. A second clutch means is provided for operatively connecting 
the piston to one end of the motor drive shaft. An oil pump is carried by 
the frame. A lifting means is provided which includes a stand shaft driven 
by the oil pump and a top block which is driven by the stand shaft for 
lifting the article. Drain control means are provided for the air pump and 
the oil pump, respectively. A first clutch means provides for operatively 
connecting the oil pump and the other opposite end of the motor drive 
shaft. Said second clutch means and said first clutch means are both 
independently operable and are oppositely configured such that, at any 
given time, the drive shaft drives only one of either the air pump or the 
oil pump, respectively. Also, a switch means is provided for switching the 
operation of the drive motor for driving the shaft between its first 
direction and its second opposite direction. 
In one embodiment the first clutch means is a one-way clutch and the second 
clutch means is also a one-way clutch. In a second embodiment, the first 
one-way clutch is a ratchet and pawl mechanism, and the second one-way 
clutch is also a ratchet and pawl mechanism. In another embodiment, the 
reversible drive motor is a direct current motor. In this embodiment, 
there is also means provided for electrically connecting the drive motor 
to an outlet carried by a motor vehicle, having an electrical system, 
whereby electric power supplied by the electrical system of the motor 
vehicle is provided to the motor for the operation thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates the arrangement of the 
present invention wherein a power source 100 provides power to a 
reversible motor 101 which carries a drive shaft 102 having respective end 
portions emerging therefrom. The drive shaft 102 is rotatably carried by 
the motor 101 for movement in either a first or a second opposite 
direction, as indicated by the arrows 102a. Positioned on both respective 
ends of shaft 102 are first clutch means 103 and second clutch means 104. 
Finally, the hydraulic pumping system (hydraulically-activated lifting 
mechanism) 105 and the pneumatic pumping system (air pump) 106 are 
operatively coupled by pistons to the shaft 102 by clutch means 103 and 
104, respectively. As shown by arrows 105a and 106a respectively, clutch 
means 103 and 104 are independently operable and are oppositely 
configured, such that at any given time the shaft 102 drives only one of 
either the lifting mechanism 105 or the air pump 106. 
Referring now to FIG. 2, if desired, the present invention may also be 
arranged so that a power source 100 provides power to a reversible motor 
101 which carries a drive shaft 102 having only one end portion emerging 
therefrom. Once again, the drive shaft 102 is rotatably carried by the 
motor 101 for movement in both a first and a second opposite direction as 
indicated by arrows 102a. Positioned on shaft 102 are first clutch means 
103 and second clutch means 104. A hydraulic pumping system (a 
hydraulically-activated lifting mechanism) 105 and a pneumatic pumping 
system (an air pump) 106 are operatively coupled to the shaft 102 by 
clutch means 103 and 104, respectively. As shown by arrows 105a and 106a 
respectively, clutch means 103 and 104 are independently operable and are 
oppositely configured, such that at any given time the shaft drives only 
one of either the lifting mechanism 105 or the air pump 106. 
With reference now to FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 the system that controls the 
functions of hydraulic lifting and lowering as well as the system that 
controls the functions of pneumatic air pumping are illustrated both as 
removed from the jack (FIGS. 3 and 4) and as they are disposed within the 
jack (FIGS. 5 and 6). The jack 107 is of the wheeled-carriage type having 
a frame 108. Secured to the frame 108, and carried thereby, is an electric 
reversible drive motor 101. Said motor may be of the type which is 
operable on either a.c. power or d.c. power, although as will be 
understood by those skilled in the art, and as illustrated, the d.c. motor 
is preferred. 
Carried by the motor 101 is motor drive shaft 102. As illustrated, motor 
drive shaft 102 is rotatably mounted (by any suitable means) in and is 
driven by the motor 101 in one of a first direction or a second opposite 
direction. As illustrated, said drive shaft 102 is a double-ended shaft 
having respective end portions projecting from the motor 101. However, as 
will be understood by those skilled in the art, the shaft 102 may also be 
a single ended shaft having only one end portion projecting from the motor 
101 (FIG. 2). 
Also positioned on the frame 108 is an air pump (pneumatic pumping system) 
105 having a piston 110 disposed therein. The piston 110 is suitably 
secured to an eccentrical motion translation mechanism 111, so that 
operative rotational movement of the shaft 102 will be translated into the 
pumping action necessary to operate the piston 110. Finally, the piston 
110 is operatively connected, via mechanism 111 to the motor drive shaft 
102 by second one-way clutch means 104. While illustrated as a one-way 
clutch means, it shall be understood by those skilled in the art, that any 
suitable clutch means may be utilized. Air pressure produced by the 
operative action of piston 110 is then pumped out of the piston 110 and is 
carried by air hose 112 to the point of usage. In this manner, air for, 
inter alia, the inflation of flat tires is provided. 
A lifting means 113 is also provided for the raising and lowering of an 
article such as a motor vehicle or the like. Lifting means 113 is operated 
by an oil pump (hydraulic pumping system) 105 being operatively connected 
to the drive shaft 102 by a first one-way clutch means 103. Said lifting 
means is comprised of a hydraulic cylinder 114 having a piston (not shown) 
disposed therein, means 115 for actuating the piston, a stand shaft 116 
driven by the piston and a top block 117 carried by the stand shaft 116. 
As will be understood by those skilled in the art, when disposed in the 
jack 107, it is possible that, if desired, the top block may not be 
carried by, or directly driven by, the stand shaft 116. Rather, the stand 
shaft 116 may drive a lever 118 which translates its motion via link 119 
to a lift 120 which carries the top block (saddle) 117 thereon. (See FIGS. 
5 and 6). 
Separate drain control means 121 are also provided for the air pump and the 
oil pump respectively. 
While clutch means 103 has been illustrated and described as a one-way 
clutch means, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, any 
suitable clutch means may be employed. 
It should be noted that the first and the second clutch means (103 and 104, 
respectively) are both operable independent of each other and are 
oppositely configured, such that at any given time, the drive shaft 102 
drives only one of either the air pump or the oil pump. 
The direction of operation of the motor 101 and means for reversing said 
direction of operation is controlled by a switch means 122. Switch means 
122 is electrically connected to the motor 101 via electrical wires 123 
and 124, although any suitable means may be employed. Connected thusly, 
switch means 122 provides for changing the operation of the drive motor so 
that the shaft may be driven between its first direction and its second 
opposite direction. 
Finally, the motor 101 is electrically connected to an external power 
source 100 through a plug means 125 and switch means 122, respectively. 
Plug means 125 is electrically connected to switch means 122 via 
electrical wires 126. Connected thusly, power supplied from an external 
power source 100 (such as the electrical system of a motor vehicle) is 
provided to the motor 101 via plug 125, wires 126, switch means 122 and 
wires 123 and 124, respectively, for the operation thereof. 
Any number of clutch means, and in particular one-way clutch means, may be 
employed consonant with the teachings of the present invention. 
Preferably, such clutch means can be any one of a number of ratchet and 
pawl mechanisms available. With reference now to FIGS. 7-10, such 
mechanisms all include a clutch housing 127 having a centrally positioned 
shaft 128 integral therewith. Positioned within said housing 127 is a 
ratchet wheel 129 having ratchet teeth 130 spaced about the periphery 
thereof. Said ratchet wheel 129 is rotatably connected to a second 
centrally positioned shaft 131 for rotational movement therewith. Carried 
by housing 127 is a pawl mechanism 132 which provides the clutch with its 
one-way action. Said pawl mechanism 131 may be of the ball-spring detent 
variety (FIGS. 7, 9 and 10), of the resiliently-biased pivotably-mounted 
hooking member variety (FIG. 8) or of any other suitable variety. 
Obviously, many modifications may be made without departing from the basic 
spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it will be appreciated by 
those skilled in the art that within the scope of the appended claims, the 
invention may be practiced other than has been specifically described 
herein.