Vehicle lift

The present invention is a vehicle lift. In particular, the present invention is directed to a vehicle lift that has an adjustable vehicle receiver mount that is vertically adjustable and horizontally adjustable. The vehicle receiver mount has two lifting arms and two support arms pivotally attached. The lifting arms are each pivotally attached to a platform shoe and the support arms are attached to vertical rotation cups. The extruded aluminum vehicle platform is pivotally mounted on four pivot arms. The pivot arms are pivotally attached to the platform. The lift is attached to the vehicle receiver mount and is also attached to a crossbar mounted between the two lifting arms. The drive is preferably a single unit hydraulic drive. The vehicle receiver mount also has a towing receiver. The vehicle platform preferably has two channels with tethering and anchoring hardware, a vehicle stop and entrance ramp mounted on the channels.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is a vehicle lift. In particular, the present invention is directed to a vehicle lift that can be mounted to the rear of a vehicle, such as a passenger vehicle, truck, or recreational vehicle to lift vehicles such as mobility scooters, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and scooters. The present application incorporates U.S. Pat. No. 8,540,214 by reference. Said patent application and patent are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND ART

A number of different vehicle lifts exist. However, these lifts often are heavy and difficult to operate and require significant space for operation extending behind a master vehicle, such as an RV or truck. Said lifts need sizable power plants to lift vehicles. Many lifts are either cable or light duty gear driven that are either not powerful enough to lift heavier loads or do not allow for a variety of cargo. These lifts also require complex locking mechanisms to secure the lifted vehicles in place. Accordingly, a vehicle lift is needed that is lockable, operates in a more confined space and makes an efficient use of lifting power.

Over that past few years larger size mobility scooters have become available as well as the demand for carrying smaller ATV's and motorcycles have also increased. In the past, there were mainly two categories of cargo carrying lifts for the consumer recreational market. The first category was a small and lightweight lift that was designed to lift and carry a small mobility scooter that could be installed on a passenger car such as those shown in, inter alia, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,007,290 and 6,887,027. However, the prior art in this category was designed for smaller cargo and smaller carrying vehicle and have difficulty carrying larger or heavier cargo. The second category of cargo carrying lifts is larger, heavier lifting systems that were designed to carry large motorcycles, ATV's and other heavy cargo. Examples of this category of lifts are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,456,564; 6,884,018 and 8,540,214. These lifts provided much more lifting and carrying capacity than the first category. However, the larger capacity cargo carrying lifts have disadvantages as well. For example, this category of lifts is larger and heavier and requires a larger and heavier vehicle to support the weight of the lift and its cargo. This category of prior art lifts is typically installed on larger motor homes and cannot be installed on smaller vehicles such as passenger cars, pickup trucks and Class B and C mini-motorhomes.

The mid-size and mini motor home market has grown faster than any other recreational vehicle segment of the market. However, these smaller, lighter chassis vehicles are not ideal for either of the two categories of cargo carrying lifts described above. The first category of small and light weight lifts are generally too small for larger mobility scooters, motorcycles and other cargo that have become increasingly popular and the first category of lifts offer no towing apparatus to tow a second vehicle with the first cargo-carrying vehicle. The second category of lifts referenced above can offer the lifting and carrying capacity to carry larger and heavier cargo and can offer a towing apparatus to tow a second vehicle. However, the lifts from this category are too large and heavy to be installed on smaller vehicles such as class “C & B” (e.g. mini motor home) chassis. Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved lift for smaller vehicles that can tow a second vehicle and that has a larger platform that can accommodate mobility scooters, motorcycles and other cargo.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a vehicle lift. In particular, the present invention is directed to a vehicle lift that has an adjustable vehicle receiver mount that is vertically adjustable and horizontally adjustable. The vehicle receiver mount has two lifting arms and two support arms pivotally attached. The lifting arms are each pivotally attached to a platform shoe and the support arms are attached to vertical rotation cups. The extruded aluminum vehicle platform is pivotally mounted on four pivot arms. The pivot arms are pivotally attached to the platform. The lift is attached to the vehicle receiver mount and is also attached to a crossbar mounted between the two lifting arms. The drive is preferably a single unit hydraulic drive. The vehicle receiver mount also has a towing receiver. The vehicle platform preferably has two channels with tethering and anchoring hardware, a vehicle stop and entrance ramp mounted on the channels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now toFIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the vehicle lift200is shown attached to a vehicle100. The vehicle lift200shown inFIG. 1is in a lowered position, preferably so that a vehicle can be loaded onto the lift. A vehicle platform18is shown mounted on a first platform base mount16and second platform base mount17. The vehicle platform18shown is preferably wide enough for a motorcycle or mobility scooter or ATV (not shown) to rest on the platform18. The platform18also preferably comprises a tire stop22to hold a front tire for a mobility scooter, motorcycle or other vehicle to be carried and an entrance ramped edge21to more easily roll a vehicle tire or hand cart aboard the platform18.FIGS. 12a, 12b, 12cand 12dshow the tire stop22and entrance ramped edge21in more detail. Preferably, each part21,22is identical in configuration and need only be reversed for installation on one side of platform18or the other. The platform18is preferably made from extruded aluminum (though other materials such as steel could be used). The use of extruded aluminum for the platform18reduces the weight of the platform18and allows channels to be built into the platform. Preferably, the platform18has channels33built into the bottom surface of the platform18to accommodate an anchoring system25to secure the platform18to the platform base mounts16,17and channels32built into the top surface of the platform18to accommodate an anchoring system19,20to secure carried vehicles and/or cargo in addition to accommodating the mounting of the tire stop22and entrance ramped edge21and other accessories (not shown) that may be added to the vehicle cargo carrying lift200(refer toFIG. 4for a more detailed view).

Referring now toFIG. 4, the first and second platform base mount16,17shown are pivotally attached to four pivoting arms15that are pivotally attached to platform shoes14. The platform shoes14are pivotally attached to vertical rotation cups13a,13band lifting arms08,09(shown inFIG. 1). The vertical rotation cups13a,13bare also pivotally connected to the first and second support arms06,07(shown inFIG. 7.) The lifting arms08,09and support arms06,07are pivotally attached to a mount frame01. As shown inFIG. 1, a reinforcing crossbar10is attached between the first and second lifting arms08,09and one end of a hydraulic actuator11is pivotally connected to an upper drive mount23on the reinforcing crossbar10and the other end of the hydraulic actuator11is pivotally attached to a lower drive mount24located on the mount frame01. Furthermore, the platform base mounts16,17have a pivot mount34welded or bolted to the outer side of platform base mounts16,17. The platform base mounts16,17are pivotally connected to first and second pulling arm mounts36,37that are connected to the support arms06,07by pulling arms12(as shown inFIGS. 2 and 4) at pivot mounts34.

Referring now toFIG. 2, a side view of a preferred embodiment of the lift200is shown. The vehicle lift200is shown in the lowered position and mounted to a vehicle100. (SeeFIG. 7for details on mounting). The vehicle platform18is shown mounted on the second platform base mount17. The vehicle platform18is shown without the tire stop22to show the installed position of the cargo anchoring system19,20. As shown inFIG. 2, the first end of the pulling arm12is pivotally attached to the second platform base mount17and the second end of the pulling arm12is pivotally attached to the second pulling arm mount37that is connected to the second support arm07. As show inFIG. 2, a trailer hitch towing receiver40is attached to the main frame body01.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a preferred embodiment of the vehicle lift200is shown in a raised position. The vehicle lift200is preferably raised by a hydraulic actuator drive11. The drive11shown is a hydraulic actuator with piston and cylinder configurations, hydraulic pump, hydraulic oil reservoir and motor control built into a single unit. An example of such a unit is a Parker Hydraulics Electro Hydraulic Actuator EC7LN-BEA-8B4810-CCEN. However, the lift200can utilize electric actuators or equivalent devices. The drive11is preferably operated by a12vbattery source (not shown). The drive11is preferably pivotally attached at a lower drive mount24mounted to the main frame body01and at an upper drive mount23attached to the reinforced crossbar10and lifting arms08,09shown inFIG. 1. The drive11preferably raises the vehicle platform18and its cargo, if any, by extending a drive rod26that pushes on the upper drive mount23and drives the lifting arms08,09upward. Because the lifting arms08,09are pivotally connected to the vertical rotation cups13a,13b, this causes the support arms06,07connected to pulling arm mounts36,37to raise at the same rate. As the pulling arm mounts36,37rise, the mounts36,37pivot backwards causing a pulling force on the connected pulling arms12which, in turn, cause the four pivot arms15to raise and pivot backward by pulling on the first and second platform mount base16,17. The platform shoes14are pivotally mounted to the first and second lifting arm08,09and the vertical rotation cups13a,13bthus causing the platform shoes14to remain in consistent relationship to the first and second lifting arms08,09during operation.

In general, the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises two separate parallelogram apparatuses. Referring now toFIGS. 10 and 11, preferred embodiments of first (or lower)400and second (or upper)300parallelogram apparatuses are shown. The two separate parallelogram apparatuses allow for more fluid and adjustable lifting of the platform18. The first or lower parallelogram structure400and hydraulic apparatus11move the lifting arms8,9and support arms6,7up and down. At the same time, the upper or second parallelogram structure300is in a pivoting engagement with the lower parallelogram structure400while the lifting arms8,9are moved between the ground and a designated cargo carrying height. The upper parallelogram structure300also is provided with platform mounts16,17attached to pivoting arms15that engage the platform18in a pivoting motion such that movement of the lower parallelogram300acts to raise and lower the pivoting arms15and platform18in unison while maintaining a horizontal orientation of the platform18for supporting cargo. The advantage of the double parallelogram mechanism structure is that while other carrying lifts cantilever the cargo behind the lifting structure the new invention platform cargo is pivotally raised over the lifting arms and the new invention's frame structure. This provides more carrying capacity, stability and ground clearance.

Referring now toFIG. 4, a preferred embodiment of a second parallelogram apparatus400is shown in an exploded view. As discussed above, the platform18is designed with channels33built into the bottom surface of the platform18. The channels33accommodate an anchoring system19,20to secure carried vehicles and/or cargo; accommodate mounting of the tire stop22and entrance ramped edge21; and, allow attachment of the platform18to the platform base mounts16,17using anchoring sliders25,19. The anchoring sliders25,19slide into channels32,33and are preferably connected with bolts63to the platform base mount16,17. As the bolts63are tightened, the anchoring system slider25clamps down on the channel33making a secure non-slip connection between the platform base mounts16,17and the platform18. The first and second platform base mounts16,17shown are preferably pivotally attached to four pivoting arms15that are, in turn, pivotally attached to a set of platform shoes14. The vertical rotation cups13a,13bare pivotally attached to the first and second support arms06,07, the first and second lifting arms08,09not shown and the platform shoes14. The rotation cups13a,13bkeep the support arms08,09and the lifting arms06,07pivoting together simultaneously and keep the platform shoes14parallel to the ground as the lift200raises and lowers. The platform shoes14are connected to the first and second pulling arm mounts36,37by the pulling arms12.

Referring now toFIG. 5,FIG. 5is a top view of the platform18that is made transparent to show the connections that would be otherwise hidden by the platform18. TheFIG. 5view shows the anchoring slider25inserted into the platform channel33. The platform base mount17is connected to the platform18using the anchoring slider25. The pivoting arms15are pivotally connected to the second platform base mount17and to the platform shoe14. The pulling arm12is pivotally attached to the second platform base mount17and second pulling arm mount37.

Referring now toFIG. 6, a front view of the second platform base mount17and the platform shoe14in the lowered position is shown. When the second parallelogram apparatus400is in the lowered position, the second platform base mount17lays flat and encompasses the platform shoe14with the pivoting arms15folded flat in between the second platform base mount17and the platform shoe14. This configuration lowers the height of the platform assembly for easier ground level loading and unloading.

Referring now toFIG. 7, a bottom view of a preferred embodiment of the vehicle lift200and its platform assembly18is shown in a folded storage position with the two platform shoes14and platform18locked in a vertical position. Built into the platform shoe14and the vertically rotation cups13a,13bis a set of pin mounts43,44such that, when the platform18is raised vertically, the pin mounts43,44align and can be locked together with a automatic snapping pin or manually with a pin and clip. The platform shoe14is pivotally mounted to the vertical rotation cups13a,13band the pulling arms12. As the platform18is raised to the vertically stored position, the platform shoes14rotate vertically from the vertical rotation cups13a,13bwhile simultaneously, the platform base mount16,17rotates vertically from pulling arm12causing the platform18to raise vertically. When the platform18is completely vertical, the pin mounts43,44are aligned and secured to hold the platform18in place. This is best shown inFIGS. 8aand8b.

Referring now toFIG. 9, a side view of a preferred embodiment of the lift200and stabilizing/mounting system is shown in a partially exploded view. The lift200preferably installs to an existing trailer hitch towing receiver on vehicle100using an adjustable receiver mount03that is horizontally adjustable along the row of holes45. This allows the lift200to be installed on a wide range of vehicles and different receiver configurations. The adjustable receiver mount03is also adjustable vertically along row of holes46. This allows a user to adjust the installed height of the lift200to the ground and, when installed to the adjusting plate02, the level of the lift platform18can be adjusted to the desired level. The adjusting plate02is attached to the lift200at mounting frame plate41. The level of platform18can also be changed by using a shim/washer and bolt67to raise/lower the outboard side of platform18relative to the ground. The upper mounting hole28of adjusting plate02is fixed by bolting (not shown) to the adjustable receiver mount03while the lower mounting hole is pivotally adjustable with a slotted hole29. By fixing the upper point of the adjusting plate02and making the lower point of adjusting plate02pivotable, the surface of the adjusting plate02changes the pitch of the lift frame body01that is bolted to the adjustable plate02. To provide additional stability and increase the strength of the installation, two outboard adjustable tether arms04are installed to the frame body01(at frame mounts39) and that connect to a set of adjustable tether anchors05that have adjustable plates42made part of the adjusting tether anchors05. The tether anchors05are adjustable for the height of the vehicle100's frame or trailer hitch receiver (not shown) making it possible to adapt the outside receiver parts to a wide range of vehicle configurations. The tether anchors05are made as a bolt-on easy installation with no welding or professional installation required.

Referring now toFIG. 13, a side view of a preferred embodiment of a locking system for the present invention is shown. The portion of the present invention shown is in the raised and locked position. The locking arm47is in the locked position. Referring toFIG. 14a, a lock arm mount48is attached to the second lifting arm09and the locking arm47is pivotally mounted to the lock arm mount48. An end of lock return spring49is attached to the lock arm47and the opposing end of lock return spring49is attached to the lock arm mount48.FIG. 14bis a side view of the preferred embodiment locking system. InFIG. 14b, the side plate of the pulling arm mount37is removed to show that the lock arm47preferably engages the lower side of the pulling arm mount37. As the lift rises, the lock arm47engages the lower surface of the pulling arm mount37and secures the lift in the “up” or raised position until it is mechanically released.

Thus, an improved vehicle lift is described above that can tow a second vehicle and that has a larger platform that can accommodate mobility scooters, motorcycles and other cargo while installed on a smaller vehicle. In each of the above embodiments, the different positions and structures of the present invention are described separately in each of the embodiments. However, it is the full intention of the inventors of the present invention that the separate aspects of each embodiment described herein may be combined with the other embodiments described herein. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Various modifications and alterations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is defined by the accompanying claims. It should be noted that steps recited in any method claims below do not necessarily need to be performed in the order that they are recited. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize variations in performing the steps from the order in which they are recited. In addition, the lack of mention or discussion of a feature, step, or component provides the basis for claims where the absent feature or component is excluded by way of a proviso or similar claim language.

As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives may be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.