An in-line jack includes a body, an extendable shaft, drive mechanics, and a motor. The body has first and second distal ends. The extendable shaft is movably disposed within the body and has a distal end extending out of the second distal end of the body. The drive mechanics are disposed within the body and are adapted to move the extendable shaft with respect to the body. The motor is mounted at the first distal end of the body and is adapted to selectively drive the drive mechanics. A coupling mechanism can be provided to selectively alternately couple: (i) a planetary gear system associated with the motor to a drive shaft of a jack screw assembly and (ii) a manual crankshaft to the drive shaft to operate the jack manually. The body and the motor each has a generally cylindrical outer surface with an outer diameter equal to or less than about three inches. The body, the jack screw assembly, the coupling mechanism, the planetary gear system, and the motor are substantially axially aligned with each other.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to a jack, and more particularly to an in-line jack for a vehicle or towing device, for example.

BACKGROUND

Tubular jacks have been used for many years, such as for use on trailers or pick-up truck campers, which have no wheels and must be lifted on and off a truck for transport to a campsite. Typical pick-up truck campers that rely on jacks to raise and lower the camper have included external jacks mounted to the outside of the camper. The external jacks project from the outside walls of the camper. Such an arrangement can be unsightly. Additionally, because the external jacks are mounted outside of the camper, they are more susceptible to damage from impact with other objects during normal use of the camper. The external jacks are also susceptible to damage from the elements such as, for, example rusting. External jacks have been attached to the campers by a variety of attachment means. The external jacks can also be removable and may only be attached to the campers when needed. This arrangement presents an inconvenience to the user of the camper as attaching and removing the external jacks is time consuming and laborious.

Furthermore, typical tubular jacks have crank mechanisms (either manual or powered) that extend radially outwardly from the tube of the jack during use. Accordingly, additional clearance space must be provided when locating such a tubular jack in order to allow it to be operated to extend and retract the jack.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides, in one aspect, a jack including a body, an extendable shaft, drive mechanics adapted to move the extendable shaft with respect to the body, and a motor adapted to selectively drive the drive mechanics. The body has first and second distal ends. The extendable shaft is movably disposed within the body and has a distal end extending out of the second distal end of the body. The drive mechanics are disposed within the body and are adapted to move the extendable shaft with respect to the body. The drive mechanics include a planetary gear system. The motor is mounted at the first distal end of the body and is adapted to selectively drive the drive mechanics. The body and the motor each has a generally cylindrical outer surface with an outer diameter equal to or less than about three inches. The body, the planetary gear system, and the motor are substantially axially aligned with each other.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, an in-line jack includes a tubular body with first and second ends, an extendable shaft disposed within the body, and a drive assembly mounted to the first end of the body. The tubular body extends along a longitudinal axis. The shaft is reciprocally movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the body. The drive assembly extends substantially along the longitudinal axis. The drive assembly is adapted to selectively move the shaft with respect to the body over a range of travel between a retracted position, in which a distal end of the shaft is disposed a first distance from the first end of the body along the longitudinal axis, and an extended position, in which the distal end of the shaft is disposed a second distance from the first end of the body along the longitudinal axis. The second distance is greater than the first distance.

The drive assembly includes a jack screw assembly, a drive shaft, a planetary gear system, and a motor. The jack screw assembly is attached to both the tubular body and the shaft and is adapted to selectively move the shaft relative to the body along the longitudinal axis in a retracting direction so that the shaft moves toward the retracted position and an extending direction so that the shaft moves toward the extended position. The drive shaft is operably arranged with the jack screw assembly to move the jackscrew assembly. The planetary gear system is adapted to rotate the drive shaft. The motor is operably arranged with the planetary gear system and is adapted to selectively drive the planetary gear system to rotate the drive shaft. The motor, the planetary gear system, and the drive shaft are adapted to selectively move the jack screw assembly such that the extendable shaft is selectively movable with respect to the tubular body in the extending direction and the retracting direction. The jack screw assembly, the drive shaft, the planetary gear system, and the motor are concentrically arranged about the longitudinal axis.

In still another aspect of the present disclosure, an in-line jack includes a jack post and an in-line drive assembly. The jack post includes a tubular body and an extendable shaft. The body includes first and second ends defining respective openings in communication with an interior cavity. The shaft is movably disposed within the interior cavity of the body and has a distal end extending out of the opening at the second end of the body.

The in-line drive assembly includes a jackscrew assembly, a drive shaft operably arranged with the jackscrew assembly, and a planetary gear and motor assembly operably arranged with the drive shaft. The jackscrew assembly is mounted to the body and the shaft of the jack post and is adapted to move the shaft relative to the body over a range of travel between a retracted position and an extended position. The jackscrew assembly includes a threaded screw defining a longitudinal axis. The drive shaft is operably arranged with the jackscrew assembly to turn the screw in a first direction to move the shaft relative to the body in an extending direction along the longitudinal axis toward the extended position and in a second direction, opposing the first direction, to move the shaft relative to the body in a retracting direction along the longitudinal axis toward the retracted position. The planetary gear and motor assembly is mounted to the body and is operably arranged with the drive shaft to selectively turn the screw in the first direction and the second direction. The planetary gear and motor assembly is substantially axially aligned with the body and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the threaded screw.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIG. 1, an embodiment of a pick-up truck camper100can be configured to mount onto a vehicle102such as, for example, a pick-up truck. The camper100may rest in the flat bed of the truck102and include an overhang104that extends over the cabin106of the truck102. The camper100may include a first jack110, a second jack112, a third jack114, and a fourth jack116. The jacks110,112,114,116may be used to raise the camper100off of the truck102so that the truck102may drive out from underneath the camper100. The jacks110,112,114,116may also be used to lower the camper100onto the truck102, when the truck102is positioned below the camper100. Once the camper100is properly mounted on the truck102, the jacks110,112,114,116may be retracted so that the truck102may maneuver with the camper100securely mounted on the truck102, as shown inFIG. 1.

Referring toFIG. 1, the pick-up truck camper100further comprises a first sidewall120, a second sidewall122, a front wall124, and a rear wall126covering a frame140(seeFIG. 2). The camper100may also include a top wall128and a bottom wall130. The walls120,122,124,126,128,130define the exterior134of the camper100. Referring toFIG. 2, the walls can be mounted to the frame140of the camper100. The frame140can be located inside the exterior of the camper100.

Referring toFIG. 3, the first sidewall120may have a double-walled construction and may be comprised of an outer wall142, which constitutes the exterior134of the camper100, and an inner wall144. The outer wall142and the inner wall144may be substantially planar to each other. The frame140may also be disposed between the outer wall142and the inner wall142of the first sidewall120. The second sidewall, the front wall, the rear wall, the top wall, and the bottom wall may be similarly constructed as the first sidewall120. Accordingly, the second sidewall, the front wall, the rear wall, the top wall, and the bottom wall may also all have a double wall construction including an inner wall and outer wall. The frame may be disposed between the inner walls and the outer walls of all the camper walls.

Referring toFIG. 1, the first jack110may be disposed inside the first sidewall120. The second jack112may be disposed inside the second sidewall122. The third jack114and the fourth jack116may be disposed inside the first and second sidewalls120,122, respectively. The sidewalls120,122may be substantially planar such that the internal and external walls of the sidewalls120,122do not bulge in order to accommodate the jacks110,112,114,116. In other embodiments, the internal walls of the sidewalls120,122can include a bulged area or an unevenness to accommodate one or more of the jacks110,112,114,116. In embodiments where the sidewalls120,122do not have a double-walled construction, the jacks110,112,114,116can be completely or partially exposed such that they are visible from the interior of the camper.

Referring toFIG. 9, the first and second jacks110,112may be disposed at the front146of the camper100and the third and fourth jacks114,116may be disposed at the rear148of the camper100. The frame100may include a first corner post150, a second corner post152, a third corner post154, and a fourth corner post156. The first, second, third, and fourth jacks110,112,114,116may be mounted to the first, second, third, and fourth corner posts150,152,154,156, respectively.

The first, second, third, and fourth jacks110,112,114,116may all be similarly configured and similarly mounted to the camper100. Accordingly, only the first jack110will be described in detail. Referring toFIG. 2, the first jack110may be mounted to the frame140at the first corner post150. Referring toFIG. 3, the first corner post150and a first lower bar158of the frame140may be disposed between the inner wall144and the outer wall142of the first sidewall120. The jack110can be hidden from view except for those portions extending below the first sidewall120.

Referring toFIG. 3, the jack110may have a tubular body160with first and second distal ends162,164. The jack110may include an extendable shaft166disposed within the body160and extending out of the second distal end164of the body160. A foot168may be located at a lower distal end170of the shaft166. Referring toFIG. 4, the jack110may include drive mechanics176internal to the body160. The internal mechanics176operate to extend and retract the extendable shaft164out of and into the body160. The jack110may include an electric motor178mounted at the first distal end162of the body160wherein the electric motor178drives the mechanics176. The mechanics176may include gearing such as, for example, planetary gears, that translate the rotary motion of the motor's drive shaft180into linear motion of the extendable shaft164. The operator can operate the jack110from inside and/or outside the camper.

The mechanics176of the jack110may also be driven manually by a crankshaft. The jack110includes a crankshaft port184for receiving the operating end of a crankshaft. Referring toFIG. 3, the crankshaft port184may extend through the outer wall142of the first sidewall120so that an operator may operate the jack110from outside the camper with a crankshaft. The jack110can be adapted such that the operator can operate the jack110with a crankshaft from either inside or outside the camper.

Referring toFIG. 4, the jack has a diameter188that is sufficiently small so that the jack110may be disposed within the first sidewall120. The jack110may have a diameter188of 2.25 inches (6.67 cm). In another embodiment, the jack may have a diameter188of between 1.75 inches (4.45 cm) and 3.00 inches (7.62 cm).

Referring toFIG. 6, the first jack110may be attached to the corner post150by a strap190with a first end192and a second end194. The strap190may wrap around the jack110while the first end192and the second end194may be bolted to the corner post150, thereby securing the jack110to the corner post150. The strap190may mount the first jack110to the corner post150by tightly surrounding the jack110. The strap190may be a two inch wide band of 16 gauge steel. The first jack110may also be mounted to the frame140at a lower bar158of the frame140. The lower bar158may have a hole196that passes therethrough. The jack110may pass through the hole196in the bar158. The jack110may include a mounting plate200welded to the jack110below the lower bar158. The mounting plate200may be bolted to the underside of the lower bar158, thereby securing the jack110to the lower bar158. Referring toFIG. 7, the mounting plate200may include a center hole202through which the jack passes. The mounting plate200may further include four bolt holes202,204,206, and208that pass therethrough. Referring toFIG. 6, the bolt holes may receive bolts212,214,216,218to secure the jack110to the underside of the lower bar158.

Referring toFIG. 10, there is shown the frame250of another embodiment of a pick-up truck camper252. The third jack254and the fourth jack256are disposed inside the rear wall such that they are aligned between the third corner post260and the fourth corner post264.

Referring toFIG. 11, there is shown another embodiment of a pick-up truck camper300. The camper300may comprise a first sidewall302, a second sidewall304, a front wall306, a rear wall308, a top wall310, and a bottom wall312, wherein the walls cover a frame. Each wall302,304,306,308,310,312of the camper may have an inner wall and an outer wall. The camper may include a first jack320and a second jack322located at the front324of the camper300. The camper300may further include a third jack326and a fourth jack328located at the rear330of the camper300.

Referring toFIG. 11, the first jack320may be a pull-out jack. The first jack320may be movable between a first position, shown inFIG. 11, in which the jack320is disposed inside the first sidewall302and a second position, shown inFIG. 13, in which the jack320extends out from the first sidewall302. The second jack322may also be a pull-out jack movable between a first position, shown inFIG. 12, in which the jack is disposed inside the second sidewall304and a second position, shown inFIG. 14, in which the jack322extends out from the second sidewall304. The first and second jacks322,324may extend out in order to accommodate the rear end of a pick-up truck that may be wider than the distance334between the first and second jacks320,322when the jacks320,322are in their respective first positions. The first and second jacks320,322may extend out to separate by a distance336. Accordingly, the camper300may posses the advantageous qualities of a camper300with first and second jacks320,322that are internal to the sidewalls302,304of the camper300, while being compatible to use with trucks of various widths, including those with large widths. Referring toFIGS. 12 and 14, the distance336between the first and second jacks320,322may be at least eight inches greater when the jacks320,322are both in their respective second positions than the distance334between the jacks320,322when the jacks320,322are in their respective first positions. In other embodiments, the distance336between the first and second jacks320,322may be at least twelve inches greater when the jacks320,322are both in their respective second positions than the distance334between the jacks320,322when the jacks320,322are in their respective first positions.

The first jack and the second jack320,322may be similarly configured and similarly mounted to the pick-up truck camper. Accordingly, only the first jack320will be described in detail. Referring toFIG. 15, the first jack320may be similarly configured to the first jack110ofFIG. 3, but the jack320may include a different mounting and additional components. The jack320may include a wall portion340on the outer side of the jack320. The first sidewall302of the camper300may include a recess342which is configured to receive the first jack320when the jack320is in the first position. The wall portion340may be consistent with the outer wall344of the first sidewall302such that when the jack320is in the first position inside the recess342, the wall portion340will be flush with and blend in with the first sidewall302of the camper300, as shown inFIG. 11.

Referring toFIG. 15, the first jack320may also include a flange346disposed on the inner side of the jack320. The flange346may be attached to the first distal end348of an extension arm350. The first distal end348of the extension arm350may comprise a vertical bar352to which the flange346may be bolted. The extension arm350may be slidably engaged with a channeled member356, the channeled member356being disposed proximate the recess342within the camper300.

Referring toFIG. 16, the channeled member356may generally be a walled housing including a passageway358, the passageway358extending from a first opening360to a second opening362. The body portion364of the extension arm350may pass through the passageway358such that the first distal end348of the extension arm350is located on a first side366of the channeled member356and a second distal end370of the extension arm350is located on a second side368of the channeled member356. The second distal end370of the extension arm350may include a plate372. The vertical bar352and the plate372of the extension arm350may each be larger than the first and second openings360,362, respectively, in at least one dimension. Accordingly, the vertical bar352and the extension plate372may be physically prevented from entering the channeled member356, thereby retaining the extension bar350in the passageway358.

Referring toFIG. 20, the channeled member356may include a first pair374of ribs376,378on an upper wall380and a second pair382of ribs384,386on a lower wall388. There is a first gap390between the first pair374of ribs376,378and a second gap392between the second pair382of ribs384,386. The first and second gaps390,392may align to form a channel394for receiving the extension arm350, as shown inFIG. 16. Referring toFIG. 20, the channeled member356may be mounted on an I-beam member400. The I-beam member400may include a plurality of bolt holes402,404,406,408to receive bolts. Referring toFIG. 15, the bolts may bolt the I-beam to an internal surface410of the camper.

Referring toFIG. 18, the extension arm350may be slidably disposed within the channel394of the channeled member356. Accordingly, the jack320may travel between the first position and the second channel depending upon where the extension350is along its path of travel within the channeled member356. When the vertical bar352is disposed against the first side366of the channeled member356, as shown by the dotted lines inFIG. 18, the jack320may be within its first position wherein the wall portion340is aligned with the exterior344of the camper320. When the plate370of the extension arm350is disposed against the second side368of the channeled member356, as shown by the solid lines ofFIG. 18, the jack320may be in the second position with the jack320fully extended out from camper300. The extension arm350may travel within the channeled member356to position the jack320to any point between the first and second position.

Referring toFIG. 15, the wall portion340of the jack320may include a handle420. An operator may use the handle420to move the jack320between the first position and the second position. This is possible because the channel394of the channeled member356is configured to permit the sliding of the extension arm350relative to the channeled member. The channeled member may be configured such that there is minimal friction between the extension arm350and the channel394.

Referring toFIGS. 18 and 19, the channel394may be narrow enough to ensure that the extension arm350travels a straight path relative to the channel394, wherein the roll, yaw, and pitch is restricted by the fit of the extension arm350within the channel394. The path of travel of the extension arm350may also be substantially perpendicular to the outer wall320of the camper300. Accordingly, the jack320can consistently leave from and return to the recess342as it is moved between the first and second positions. In other embodiments the jack may be moved between the first position and the second position by other means such as, for example, hydraulics or an electrical motor.

Referring toFIG. 17, the second jack322may be mounted to the camper in a mirror image of the first jack320. Accordingly, the jacks320,322may be moved towards and away from each other in order to manipulate the distance between the first and second jacks320,322. The first jack320and the second jack322may be mounted independently from one another so that the positionings of the first jack320and the second jack322are independent of each other. In other embodiments, the first and second jacks may be mounted to the camper by a common mounting system. In one embodiment, the positioning of the first and second jacks may be correlated. In another embodiment, the first and second jacks can be mounted on a pivot to swing out away from the camper side to increase the distance between the jacks to define a wider pickup truck entry.

Referring toFIG. 25, another embodiment of an in-line jack410is shown. The jack410includes a jack post412and an in-line drive assembly414. The jack post412includes a body416in the form of an outer tube and an extendable shaft or lift tube418in the form of an inner tube disposed within the body416. The jack post412and the in-line drive assembly414define a longitudinal axis420of the in-line jack410.

The outer tubular body416includes first and second ends424,425. The body can416can include a mounting flange426having a plurality of mounting holes427adapted to receive a respective fastener therethrough to secure the body416to a structure (such as a wheel-less camper for example). With the structure mounted to the body416, the in-line jack410can be used to raise and lower the structure relative to a supporting surface upon which the lift tube rests via movement of the lift tube418.

The extendable shaft418has a lower distal end430that extends out of an opening432at the second end425of the outer tube416. A foot434is located at the distal end430of the lift tube418. The extendable shaft418is reciprocally movable along the longitudinal axis420relative to the body416over a range of travel between a retracted position (FIG. 25), in which the distal end430of the extendable shaft418is disposed a first distance437from the first end424of the body416along the longitudinal axis420, and an extended position (FIG. 26), in which the distal end430of the extendable shaft418is disposed a second distance438from the first end424of the body416along the longitudinal axis420. The second distance438is greater than the first distance437.

Referring toFIG. 25, the in-line drive assembly414is mounted to the first end424of the body416and is adapted to selectively move the extendable shaft or lift tube418with respect to the tubular body416such that the extendable shaft or lift tube418can be moved out of and into the body416over a range of travel between the extended position (FIG. 26) and the retracted position (FIG. 25). The in-line drive assembly414is substantially aligned with the body416along the longitudinal axis420of the in-line jack410such that the drive assembly414extends substantially along the longitudinal axis420.

The in-line drive assembly414includes a motor440operably arranged with drive mechanics to selectively move the extendable shaft or lift tube418relative to the body416in an extending direction444(FIG. 25) along the longitudinal axis420and in a retracting direction444(FIG. 26) along the longitudinal axis420. The drive mechanics are housed in a planetary gearbox450, a manual crank box452, and the jack post412. The manual crank box452is mounted adjacent the first end424of the body416and also houses a coupler/de-coupler mechanism. The planetary gearbox450is disposed between the motor440and the manual crank box452. A mounting collar455is provided to secure elements of the drive assembly414to the jack post412.

In some embodiments, the body416and the planetary gear and motor assembly466each have a generally cylindrical outer surface. In some embodiments, the motor440, the planetary gearbox450, the manual crank box452, the body416, and the extendable shaft418each has a generally cylindrical outer surface with an outer diameter equal to or less than about three inches. In some embodiments, each element of the jack410(except for the mounting collar455and the foot434, in some embodiments) is confined to a cylindrical space no greater than about three inches in diameter. In some embodiments, the motor440, the planetary gearbox450, the manual crank box452, and the body416and the extendable shaft418of the jack post412are confined to a cylindrical space no greater than about three inches in diameter.

In still other embodiments, the motor440, the planetary gearbox450, the manual crank box452, and the body416and the extendable shaft418of the jack post412are substantially aligned with each other and are confined within a transverse cross-sectional area taken along a plane457perpendicular to the longitudinal axis420of the in-line jack410that does not exceed about nine square inches. For example, in some embodiments, the motor440, the planetary gearbox450, the manual crank box452, and the body416and the lift tube418of the jack post412are disposed within a square-shaped cross-sectional area having a side equal to about three inches. In still other embodiments, the size and shape of the elements of the in-line jack410can be varied.

Referring toFIG. 27, the motor440can be any suitable motor, such as a reversible electrical motor. In one embodiment, the motor is a 6000 rpm, 12 volt DC, reversing motor. In some embodiments, an electric circuit breaker clutch458can be provided. In one embodiment, the circuit breaker clutch is a 30 amp electric circuit breaker clutch.

The drive mechanics of the in-line drive assembly414include a jackscrew assembly460, a drive shaft462, a planetary gear system464of a planetary gear and motor assembly466, a crankshaft468, and a coupling mechanism470. The drive shaft462is operably arranged with the jackscrew assembly460. The planetary gear system464is operably arranged with the drive shaft462. The crankshaft468is adapted to manually operate the jackscrew assembly460via selective interaction with the drive shaft462. The coupling mechanism470is adapted to selectively alternately couple the planetary gear system464with the drive shaft462and the crankshaft468with the drive shaft462. The planetary gear system466is housed in the planetary gearbox450. The coupling mechanism470and the crankshaft468are housed in the manual crank box452.

Referring toFIG. 27, the first and second ends424,425of the body416of the jack post412define respective openings474,475in communication with an interior cavity477. The extendable shaft418is movably disposed within the interior cavity477of the outer tube416. The extendable shaft418telescopes in the tubular body416via the jackscrew assembly460.

The jackscrew assembly460is disposed within the interior cavity477of the tubular body416and an interior cavity479of the extendable shaft or lift tube418. The jackscrew assembly460is operably arranged with the body416and the extendable shaft418to selectively move the extendable shaft466with respect to the body416. The jackscrew assembly460is attached to both the body416and the extendable shaft418. The jackscrew assembly460is adapted to selectively move the extendable shaft418relative to the body416over a range of travel between the extended position (FIG. 26) and the retracted position (FIG. 25). The jackscrew assembly460is adapted to move the extendable shaft418relative to the outer body416along the longitudinal axis420in the retracting direction446so that the shaft418moves toward the retracted position and along the longitudinal axis420in the extending direction444so that the shaft418moves toward the extended position.

The jackscrew assembly460includes a threaded screw490, which is supported by the body416and extends along the longitudinal axis420, and a nut492, which is secured to the extendable shaft418. The screw490is threadingly engaged with the nut492.

The screw490is centrally located axially with respect to the body416and the extendable shaft418and extends along the longitudinal axis420within the interior cavity477of the body416from a mounting plate494disposed adjacent the first end424of the body416. The mounting plate494is fixedly connected to the body416by any suitable means, such as by being welded thereto, for example. The screw490is rotatably movable about its longitudinal axis with respect to the mounting plate494by means of a bearing496. The bearing496is mounted to the mounting plate494and is fixedly disposed within the interior cavity477of the body416along the longitudinal axis420. The screw490extends through the bearing496. The screw490interacts with the bearing496such that the screw490is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and constrained from translating along its longitudinal axis with respect to the bearing496.

The screw490includes a drive connector498which is adapted to engagingly receive a distal output end500of the drive shaft462such that rotation of the drive shaft462in one direction rotates the screw490in the same direction. The drive connector498is connected to an upper end portion502of the screw490which extends through the mounting plate494.

The screw490is threadingly engaged with the nut492which is mounted to the extendable shaft418. In some embodiments, the nut492is suitably supported at an upper end510of the extendable shaft418on an indented portion512so that the nut492is constrained from rotating and translating with respect to the extendable shaft418(seeFIG. 34also). In some embodiments, a screw or other fastener can be secured to the upper end510of the extendable shaft418and the nut492through an anti-rotation bore513to rotatively couple the nut492to the extendable shaft418such that relative rotation therebetween is constrained.

The nut492is threadingly engaged with the screw490such that rotation of the screw490in a first direction514about the longitudinal axis420moves the extendable shaft418in the extending direction444away from the first end474of the body416and such that rotation of the screw490in a second direction515moves the shaft in the retracting direction446toward the first end474of the body416. In the illustrated embodiment, the screw490is turned in a clockwise direction to move the extendable shaft or lift tube418with respect to the body416in the extending direction444. The screw490is turned in a counterclockwise direction to move the extendable shaft or lift tube418with respect to the body416in the retracting direction446.

The drive shaft462includes an input end520that is selectively operably arranged with the planetary gear system464and the distal output end500which is engaged with the drive connector498of the screw490of the jackscrew assembly460. The planetary gear and motor assembly466acts upon the input end520of the drive shaft462to turn the drive shaft462which in turn acts upon the screw490of the jackscrew assembly460. The drive shaft462is operably arranged with the jackscrew assembly460to turn the screw490in the first direction (clockwise)514and the second direction (counterclockwise)515. When the drive shaft462turns in the first direction (clockwise)514, the screw490also turns in the first direction (clockwise)514and the extendable shaft418moves in the extending direction444toward the extended position. When the drive shaft462turns in the second direction (counterclockwise)515, the screw490also turns in the second direction (counterclockwise)515and the extendable shaft418moves in the retracting direction446toward the retracted position.

The planetary gear and motor assembly466includes the motor440and the planetary gear system464. The planetary gear and motor assembly466is mounted to the body416via the manual crank box452and the mounting collar455in the illustrated embodiment. In other embodiments, the planetary gear and motor assembly466can be mounted to the body416by other means. The planetary gear and motor assembly466is substantially axially aligned with the body416. The planetary gear and motor assembly466is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis420.

The planetary gear system464is adapted to selectively rotate the drive shaft462. The motor440is operably arranged with the planetary gear system464and is adapted to selectively drive the planetary gear system464to rotate the drive shaft462in either the first direction514or the second direction515, which opposes the first direction514, about the longitudinal axis420. The planetary gear system464, which is shown in schematic form inFIG. 27, can be any suitable gear system, such as one having a 30:1 gear ratio.

The motor440, the planetary gear system464, and the drive shaft462are adapted to selectively move the jackscrew assembly460such that the extendable shaft418is selectively movable with respect to the body416in the extending direction444and the retracting direction446. The planetary gear and motor assembly466is operably arranged with the drive shaft462to selectively turn the screw490in the first direction (e.g., clockwise)514about the longitudinal axis420to extend the lift tube or extendable shaft418in the extending direction444relative to the body416and in the second direction515, which opposes the first direction (e.g., counterclockwise), about the longitudinal axis420to retract the lift tube or extendable shaft418in the retracting direction446relative to the outer tube.

The components of the in-line drive assembly414and the jack post412are substantially aligned with each other. The illustrated jackscrew assembly460, the drive shaft462, the planetary gear system464, and the motor440are concentrically arranged about the longitudinal axis420. The body416and the planetary gear and motor assembly466are aligned such that those components of the in-line jack410have an outer diameter equal to or less than about three inches.

The manual crank box452is adjacent the first end424of the body416. The manual crank box452is disposed between the planetary gearbox450and the jackscrew assembly460. The manual crank box452houses the crankshaft468which is adapted to manually selectively drive the jackscrew assembly460via interaction with the drive shaft462. The manual crank box452includes a crankshaft port530through which the crankshaft468extends.

An input end or crank drive stub532of the crankshaft468is disposed outside the manual crank box452and has a hexagonal shape suitable for being driven by a conventional tool, such as a lug wrench, socket wrench, pliers, drill, etc. The crankshaft468includes a drive gear534mounted to a distal end536thereof and disposed within the manual crank box452. The drive gear534of the crankshaft468comprises a bevel gear.

The manual crank box452also houses the coupling mechanism470which is adapted to selectively disengage the drive shaft462from the planetary gear system464and engage the crankshaft468with the jackscrew assembly460via the drive shaft462. The coupling mechanism470includes a decoupling rod540, a driven gear542disposed concentrically about the drive shaft462and movably disposed with respect to the drive gear534of the crankshaft468, and a spring544disposed about the drive shaft462and adapted to bias the driven gear542of the drive shaft462to move out of engaging relationship with the drive gear534of the crankshaft468.

The coupling mechanism470is movable over a range of travel between a coupled position and a decoupled position. When the coupling mechanism470is in the coupled position (as inFIGS. 27 and 29), the planetary gear system464and the drive shaft462are in operable arrangement with each other such that movement of the gears of the planetary gear system464via the motor440moves the drive shaft462. When the coupling mechanism470is in the coupled position (as inFIGS. 27 and 29), the driven gear542of the drive shaft462is disengaged from the drive gear534of the crankshaft468.

The decoupling rod540includes an operating end546disposed outside of the manual crank box452, a straight body segment548, and a decoupling end550disposed within the manual crank box452. The decoupling rod540extends through a coupling mechanism port552in the manual crank box452. The operating end546and the decoupling end550can comprise bent segments that are in non-parallel relationship with the straight body segment548. The operating end546is adapted to be gripped by a user to rotate the decoupling rod540to move the coupling mechanism470between the coupled position and the decoupled position. The decoupling end550is adapted to engage the driven gear542disposed about the drive shaft462. When the coupling mechanism470is in the decoupled position, the decoupling end550engages the driven gear542such that the driven gear542of the drive shaft462is moved into enmeshing engagement with the drive gear534of the crankshaft468. In other embodiments, the coupling mechanism470can implement a different design and/or structure which is adapted to selectively alternately couple the planetary gear system464with the drive shaft462and the crankshaft468with the drive shaft462.

The crankshaft468and the drive shaft462are in non-parallel relationship with each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the crankshaft468and the drive shaft462are substantially perpendicular to each other. The driven gear542of the drive shaft462comprises a bevel gear which is configured to enmeshingly engage with the drive gear534of the crankshaft. In other embodiments, the crankshaft468and the drive shaft462can have a different orientation with respect to each other and the drive gear534and the driven gear542can have different complementary configurations.

The spring544is disposed about the drive shaft462between the driven gear542of the drive shaft462and a bearing560disposed about the drive shaft462. The drive shaft462interacts with the bearing560such that the drive shaft462is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and constrained from translating along its longitudinal axis with respect to the bearing560. The bearing560is suitably supported by the manual crank box452or other structure such that the bearing560is constrained from translating along the longitudinal axis420of the in-line jack410with respect to the planetary gear system464. The spring544is adapted to bias the coupling mechanism470to the coupled position wherein the drive gear534of the crankshaft468and the driven gear542of the drive shaft462are disengaged.

Referring toFIG. 30, when the coupling mechanism470is moved to the decoupled position (as inFIG. 30), the coupling mechanism470disengages the drive shaft462from the planetary gear system464and moves the driven gear542of the drive shaft462into engaging relationship with the drive gear534of the crankshaft468. In this position, the crankshaft468can be rotated using conventional tools, for example, in a first direction564and an opposing second direction565to turn the drive shaft in the first direction514and the second direction515, respectively, about the longitudinal axis420of the in-line jack410. When the crankshaft468is turned, the drive gear534rotates in the corresponding direction. The enmeshed driven gear542turns in response to the movement of the drive gear534. The driven gear542is rotatively coupled with the drive shaft462such that rotating the driven gear542rotates the drive shaft462. In the illustrated embodiment, the crankshaft468can be turned in the counterclockwise direction (facing the input end of the crankshaft)564to turn the drive shaft in the first (clockwise) direction514and turned in the clockwise direction (facing the input end of the crankshaft)565to turn the drive shaft in the second (counterclockwise) direction515.

Referring toFIG. 30, a bearing570is disposed about the decoupling rod540. The decoupling rod540interacts with the bearing570such that the decoupling rod540is rotatable about a longitudinal axis defined by the straight body segment548of the decoupling rod540and constrained from translating along its longitudinal axis with respect to the bearing570.

The driven gear542can include a collar572that is adapted to engagingly couple with an output end575of the planetary gear system464. The driven gear542and the collar572provide a generally T-shaped profile. The collar572and the output end575of the planetary gear system464can have complementary shapes such that the output end575is rotatively coupled with the collar572of the driven gear542when the coupling mechanism470is in the coupled position.

The input end520of the drive shaft462and at least some interior portion of the driven gear542can be configured such that they have complementary shapes so that the drive shaft462is rotatively coupled to the planetary gear system464when the coupling mechanism470is in the coupled position and in the decoupled position. In one arrangement, when the coupling mechanism470is in the coupled position, the output end575of the planetary gear system464is rotatively coupled with the collar572of the driven gear542and a portion of an interior surface of the driven gear542(including the collar572in some embodiments) is rotatively coupled with the drive shaft462such that rotation of the planetary gear system464rotates the drive shaft462.

Referring toFIGS. 27 and 30, in use, the user turns the operating end546of the decoupling rod540to move the coupling mechanism470to the decoupled position (as inFIG. 30). Turning the operating end546of the decoupling rod540rotates the decoupling end550of the decoupling rod540which in turn acts upon the driven gear542of the drive shaft462such that the driven gear542of the drive shaft462moves along the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft462relative to and toward the drive gear534of the crankshaft468and relative to and away from the planetary gear system464. The operating end546of the decoupling rod540can be so turned until the coupling mechanism470is moved to the decoupled position wherein the driven gear542of the drive shaft462is meshingly engaged with the drive gear534of the crankshaft468and the output end575of the planetary gear system464is disengaged from the input end520of the drive shaft462(seeFIG. 30). In particular, the collar572of the driven gear542is disengaged from the output end575of the planetary gear system464.

The user maintains the operating end546of the decoupling rod540in position so that the coupling mechanism470is in the decoupled position. The user can rotate the crankshaft468using conventional tools in either the first direction564or the opposing second direction565to turn the drive shaft462through the interaction of the enmeshed drive gear534and the driven gear542, which is rotatively coupled with the drive shaft462. The drive shaft462, in turn, rotates in the first direction514and the second direction515, respectively, about the longitudinal axis420of the in-line jack410.

Once the user releases the operating end546of the decoupling rod540, the spring544acts upon the driven gear542about the drive shaft462and urges it to move along the longitudinal axis420relative to and away from the drive gear534of the crankshaft468such that the coupling mechanism470returns to the coupled position (as inFIG. 29) in which the planetary gear system464is operably arranged with the drive shaft462to turn the drive shaft462when the planetary gear system464rotates and the drive gear534of the crankshaft468is disengaged from the driven gear542of the drive shaft462. In this position, the collar572of the driven gear542is rotatively coupled with the output end of the planetary gear system464to rotatively couple the planetary gear system464with the drive shaft462.

Referring toFIG. 28, the mounting collar455is mounted to the manual crank box452, such as, by being welded thereto, for example. The mounting collar455defines an internal chamber580. The mounting collar455is adapted to be removably mounted to the tubular body416. The mounting collar455includes a plurality of mounting holes582through which a respective fastener can extend to secure the mounting collar455to the body416of the jack post412.

The distal output end500of the drive shaft462is disposed within and adjacent the internal chamber580of the mounting collar455. The distal output end500of the drive shaft462includes a pin586projecting outwardly from opposing sides of the drive shaft462(seeFIG. 34also). The drive connector498of the screw490of the jackscrew assembly460defines a socket588adapted to receive the distal output end500of the drive shaft462therein. The drive connector498can include a slotted end590that is adapted to receive therein the pin586projecting from the drive shaft462. The inter-engagement of the pin586and the slotted end500of the drive connector498of the screw provide a positive connection therebetween such that the drive shaft462and the screw490of the jackscrew assembly460are rotatively coupled together.

Referring toFIGS. 32-34, another embodiment of components of an in-line drive assembly614is shown. The in-line drive assembly614includes a drive shaft662, a planetary gear and motor assembly666, a crankshaft668, and a coupling mechanism670. The crankshaft668and the coupling mechanism670are housed in a manual crank box652. A mounting collar655is attached to the manual crank box.

The drive shaft662of the in-line drive assembly614inFIG. 32is similar to the drive shaft462of the in-line drive414inFIGS. 25-27with respect to its construction and function. The planetary gear and motor assembly666includes a motor640with an electric circuit breaker clutch658, a planetary gear system housed in a planetary gearbox650, and a mounting plate673disposed between the motor640and the planetary gearbox650to facilitate the assembly of the in-line drive assembly614.

The mounting plate673includes a plurality of mounting holes676through which a respective fastener can extend to secure the manual crank box652to the planetary gear box650. The mounting plate673has a generally square shape. In some embodiments, the length of the sides of the mounting plate673is equal to or less than three inches. The planetary gear and motor assembly666of the in-line drive assembly614inFIG. 32is similar in other respects to the planetary gear and motor assembly466of the in-line drive414inFIGS. 25-27with respect to its construction and function.

The manual crank box652includes a crankshaft port730through which the crankshaft668extends and a coupling mechanism port752through which a decoupling rod740of the coupling mechanism670extends. The manual crank box652is generally cube-shaped and includes a top end plate681and a bottom end plate683that are substantially square-shaped. Fasteners can be secured to the mounting plate673of the planetary gear and motor assembly666and the top end plate681of the manual crank box652to attach the manual crank box652to the planetary gear and motor assembly666.

The top and bottom end plates681,683of the manual crank box652are substantially the same shape and size as the mounting plate673of the planetary gear and motor assembly666. In some embodiments, the length of the sides of the top and bottom end plates of the manual crank box is equal to or less than three inches. The crankshaft668and the coupling mechanism670of the in-line drive assembly614inFIG. 32are similar in other respects to the crankshaft468and the coupling mechanism470of the in-line drive414inFIGS. 25-27,29, and30with respect to its construction and function.

The mounting collar655is generally cylindrical and is adapted to be secured to a suitable jack post have a jackscrew assembly therein adapted to be drivingly engaged with a distal output end700of the drive shaft662. In some embodiments, the diameter of the mounting collar655is equal to or less than three inches. The mounting collar655includes a plurality of mounting holes782adapted to receive a respective fastener therethrough which connects the collar655to a body of a suitable jack post.

Referring toFIG. 33, the motor640includes a pair of lead wires791,792adapted to electrically connect the motor640to an electrical power source. An operating end746of the decoupling rod740extends outwardly beyond an input end or crank drive stub732of the crankshaft668. Referring toFIGS. 33 and 34, the drive shaft662includes a includes a pin786adjacent the distal output end700of the drive shaft662. The pin786projects radially outwardly from opposing sides of the drive shaft662. The pin786can be adapted to be engaged with a slotted end of a suitable drive connector of a screw of a jackscrew assembly to provide a positive connection between the drive shaft662and the screw of the jackscrew assembly.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the jacks and their respective mountings and components, such as the coupling mechanism, for example, which have been described herein are merely exemplary embodiments. The desired features and functions of the above described jacks may be realized by various other embodiments that employ different jack features, fastening means, mounting assemblies, motion control systems, or mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems and components.