Jack support apparatus and method of use

A jack support apparatus has an outer tube having an outer tube body with an outwardly-extending outer tube jack cradle and an opposite outer tube opening, an inner tube having an inner tube body with a plurality of spaced-apart inner tube holes and an outwardly-extending inner tube jack cradle, the inner tube body slidably received within the outer tube body through the outer tube opening, the outer and inner tube jack cradles configured to each selectively engage one of the wheel axle and the cup axle of the jack, a tube spring operable between the outer tube body and the inner tube body to bias the outer tube and the inner tube apart, and a pin operable through an outer tube hole for selectively engaging any of the plurality of inner tube holes, the pin being biased inwardly toward the inner tube by a pin spring.

BACKGROUND

The subject of this patent application relates generally to tools and equipment, and more particularly to a jack support apparatus configured for providing mechanical “fail-safe” support to hydraulic floor jacks.

Applicant(s) hereby incorporate herein by reference any and all patents and published patent applications cited or referred to in this application, to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

By way of background, in a variety of contexts but particularly the automotive context, a jack is often needed or employed to lift a portion of the vehicle to change a tire or the oil or to perform other repairs. Most vehicles come equipped with a mechanical scissor-lift jack for jacking up a portion of the vehicle, as by positioning such a jack on the ground under the vehicle with its lift surface adjacent to a frame member or jack point and then actuating the jack as by rotating the lead screw to cause the jack to extend upwardly, make contact with the vehicle, and then lift the vehicle as the jack's lead screw is further rotated. While such scissor-lift jacks, screw-type jacks, and other mechanical jacks are generally effective, they are relatively time consuming to operate, typically have smaller weight capacity than other kinds of jacks, and are relatively less safe due to their relatively small base.

Alternatively and certainly in more common use by auto mechanics in shops and regular do-it-yourselfers at home are hydraulic floor jacks, which have a relatively larger wheeled base and a lift arm that is pivotably installed on the base operably in conjunction with a hydraulic cylinder and piston and related handle that may be used to push or pull the jack into position and then actuated or pumped up and down via its yoke mechanism to operate a valve and push hydraulic fluid into the cylinder and pressurize it, thereby pushing the lifting piston up or out of the cylinder. When the hydraulic jack is thus positioned as desired under a vehicle with its lift cup at the free end of the lift arm adjacent to the lift point on the underside of the vehicle, as the handle is continually pumped, the lifting piston is gradually extended from the cylinder such that its mechanical coupling with the arm causes the arm to pivot upwardly relative to the base and hence to lift the vehicle. When the job is completed and the vehicle is to again be lowered, typically, the handle is simply slowly rotated to open the valve and gradually release pressure in the hydraulic cylinder and thus gradually lower the vehicle. It will be appreciated that the key to safe and effective operation of such hydraulic jacks is creating and maintaining the required pressure in the cylinder and that if such pressure were suddenly lost such as due to a valve, seal or o-ring, or other mechanical failure, the jack would lose all power and no longer be able to support the vehicle, causing the vehicle to suddenly drop, which of course would be extremely dangerous and even deadly.

Oftentimes, whether for safety reasons or because both sides or two portions of a vehicle are to be lifted, one or more jack stands may be employed to support a portion of the vehicle once it is lifted to a sufficient height by a jack. An automotive jack stand is typically formed having flared legs or a somewhat pyramid-shaped base with a central vertical passage in which is slidably installed a shaft having a lift surface at its upper end and horizontal teeth along the shaft that may be selectively engaged by a cross-pin passing through the jack stand base so as to intersect the passage and thus seat against a tooth of the shaft to effectively lock the shaft at a desired vertical position relative to the base and thus become a somewhat rigid weight-bearing structure at a desired pre-set height. Thus, with the jack stand so configured and positioned at a desired location on the ground underneath the vehicle, the employed jack can be slowly lowered until the weight of that portion of the vehicle is on the jack stand rather than the jack, allowing the jack to be removed and, as needed, to be used elsewhere such as to lift another portion of the vehicle.

Accordingly, jack stands have the advantage of supporting the weight of at least a portion of a vehicle with effectively no moving parts, or certainly only mechanical parts that are less likely to fail, while not relying on and tying up a jack at all times while a vehicle is being supported. But even so, such jack stands have a number of shortcomings. For one, due to the structure and the minimum height of a typical jack stand, it cannot be inserted until the vehicle is a minimum height off the ground at the desired location, which can create complexities even if just one side is to be lifted and particularly if both sides of the vehicle must be lifted, requiring that the vehicle be “walked up” by gradually jacking up one side and then the other in alternating fashion while gradually increasing the height setting of each jack stand until both jack stands on opposite sides of the vehicle are safely positioned at the same final height. Further, and perhaps more significantly, it will be appreciated that the locations of a traditional jack stand and of the jack itself must be different. For many older vehicles that have significant areas of the frame or chassis available or lengthwise pinch welds along the length of the chassis or frame to serve as jack points, the jack and jack stand locations being different is not problematic even if still not ideal when it is desired to jack up and then support a vehicle in the same vicinity (e.g., the front left if the driver's side front tire were to be changed). But for many newer vehicles with weight-reduction designs, composite panels, and somewhat hidden frame and chassis features, only a select few jack points are provided by the manufacturer that alone must be used to jack up the vehicle else damage the vehicle or have it fall, such as four total jack points at the respective four “corners” of the vehicle. In such vehicles that have dedicated jack points, which are usually no larger than the jack surface itself, it is thus impossible to both jack up the vehicle at a particular jack point and place a jack stand at that same jack point.

To address such challenges of employing jack stands at dedicated jack points on newer or exotic vehicles or when there is simply not much room to employ a jack and jack stand separately side-by-side, one proposed product is effectively a jack stand that may be assembled and disassembled and thus be employed with a hydraulic floor jack as the vehicle is lifted so that the jack and jack stand can be at the same location. One such product, known as the “RennStand” manufactured and sold by Safe Jack in Pasco, Wash., has a crossbar that may be disassembled from its two opposite legs and positioned on or across the jack surface or floor jack cup, between the jack surface and the vehicle jack point, which crossbar may also accept on its top side various adapters depending on the jack point configuration. By positioning the jack and thus the crossbar and jack surface appropriately under the vehicle and raising the jack until the crossbar or any related adapter is in contact with the vehicle jack point, further actuation of the jack will lift the crossbar and that portion of the vehicle to the desired height or ground clearance. With the jack and vehicle so lifted, height-adjustable legs of the RennStand may be assembled onto opposite ends of the crossbar and adjusted to a desired height at or above the ground via clevis pins and corresponding cross-holes in the crossbar and legs, and then the jack may be lowered until the weight of that portion of the vehicle is on the RennStand and the jack can be removed, the splayed legs of the RennStand effectively straddling the floor jack. As such, while the RennStand is aimed at solving the problem of locating a jack stand at the same jack point at which a vehicle is to be lifted or jacked up, it does so through a system of removable parts and pins that is relatively cumbersome, which separable parts or pins may fail or be lost, rendering the RennStand inoperable, and which assembled RennStand results in a jack “bridge” of sorts that has a wider base or “footprint” than the floor jack itself, a disadvantage for certain automobiles and automotive repairs where tight spaces are involved.

What has been needed and heretofore unavailable is a compact and easy-to-use tool or piece of equipment that effectively converts a hydraulic floor jack into a jack stand, thereby more safely, quickly, and effectively supporting a vehicle especially with limited jack points and limited space. Aspects of the present invention fulfill these needs and provide further related advantages as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY

The present invention solves the problems described above by providing a jack support apparatus for selectively locking a hydraulic floor jack against further downward movement. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an outer tube having an outer tube body comprising an outer tube side wall with an outer tube hole formed in the outer tube side wall, an outer tube end wall and corresponding outwardly-extending outer tube jack cradle, and an outer tube opening opposite the outer tube end wall, the outer tube jack cradle configured to selectively engage one of the wheel axle and the cup axle of the jack, an inner tube having an inner tube body comprising an inner tube side wall with a plurality of spaced-apart inner tube holes formed in the inner tube side wall and an inner tube end wall and corresponding outwardly-extending inner tube jack cradle, the inner tube body slidably received within the outer tube body through the outer tube opening with the inner tube side wall adjacent to and offset from the outer tube side wall, the inner tube jack cradle configured to selectively engage one of the wheel axle and the cup axle of the jack, a tube spring operable between the outer tube body and the inner tube body to bias the outer tube and the inner tube apart, and a pin operable through the outer tube hole for selectively engaging any of the plurality of inner tube holes, the pin being biased inwardly toward the inner tube by a pin spring, wherein selective operation of the pin by shifting the pin away from the inner tube against the biasing effect of the pin spring disengages the pin from any of the plurality of inner tube holes and allows the inner tube to shift relative to the outer tube as by the inner tube body sliding within the outer tube body under the biasing effect of the tube spring, and further wherein selective operation of the pin by shifting the pin toward the inner tube under the biasing effect of the pin spring engages the pin in one of the plurality of inner tube holes as the inner tube shifts relative to the outer tube as by the inner tube body sliding within the outer tube body until the pin enters one of the plurality of inner tube holes to prevent further relative movement between the outer tube and the inner tube, whereby the apparatus is configured to temporarily form a rigid linkage between the wheel and cup axles upon engagement therebetween by the outer tube and inner tube jack cradles to effectively lock the jack against further downward movement.

Other objects, features, and advantages of aspects of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of aspects of the invention.

The above described drawing figures illustrate aspects of the invention in at least one of its exemplary embodiments, which are further defined in detail in the following description. Features, elements, and aspects of the invention that are referenced by the same numerals in different figures represent the same, equivalent, or similar features, elements, or aspects, in accordance with one or more embodiments. More generally, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the drawings are schematic in nature and are not to be taken literally or to scale in terms of material configurations, sizes, thicknesses, and other attributes of an apparatus according to aspects of the present invention and its components or features unless specifically set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the inventive subject matter is susceptible of various modifications and alternative embodiments, certain illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to any specific form disclosed, but on the contrary, the inventive subject matter is to cover all modifications, alternative embodiments, and equivalents falling within the scope of the claims.

Turning now toFIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a jack support apparatus20according to aspects of the present invention. The apparatus20comprises, in the exemplary embodiment, an outer tube30, an inner tube50telescopically or slidably received in the outer tube30, and a handle assembly80and a pin assembly100that cooperate to selectively adjust the overall height of the apparatus20in use. An outer tube jack cradle42at a first end22of the apparatus20and an inner tube jack cradle62at an opposite second end24of the apparatus define the points of mechanical engagement with features of a hydraulic floor jack J (FIGS. 8-11) as explained further below. At a high level, it will be appreciated that the general functional configuration of the jack support apparatus20as shown and described herein is illustrative and non-limiting and such device can take other forms and employ other mechanical means now known or later developed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth herein. For example, while the outer and inner tubes30,50are shown as each having a rectangular profile or cross-section with flat or planar walls, a number of other shapes for such telescoping tubes30,50, including but not limited to annular, are possible according to aspects of the present invention. Similarly, the shape or configuration of the outer and inner tube jack cradles42,62may vary to suit particular applications or contexts, such as different types or styles of jacks and engagement points thereon. And while particular configurations or mechanical arrangements of the handle and pin assemblies80,100are shown and described herein as the means for selectively extending and locking the jack support apparatus20at a desired position or length, it will be appreciated that a variety of other mechanical means may similarly be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Fundamentally, what is shown and described herein in an exemplary embodiment is a new and novel telescoping assembly for selectively mechanically engaging a hydraulic floor jack or the like to effectively convert the jack into a jack stand or effectively prevent the unwanted downward movement or collapse of the jack under load thereby providing a “fail-safe” for the floor jack. Once again, those skilled in the art will appreciate that such can be accomplished by a jack support apparatus20according to aspects of the present invention and other such mechanical arrangements that operate on essentially the same principle of selectively and temporarily providing a structural strut or support member between points on the jack to prevent its unintended collapse and so can take a variety of forms to do so beyond the exemplary embodiment. Even so, a number of functional benefits are derived from the exemplary jack support apparatus20in assembly and use that render it particularly safe, quick, and effective as will be appreciated from the present disclosure.

With continued reference toFIG. 1and now with reference also to the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 2, the exemplary jack support apparatus20again includes the main outer and inner tubes30,50that telescopically slide relative to each other so as to extend or retract, or lengthen or shorten, the overall apparatus20. Once more, as illustrated, both the outer tube body32and the inner tube body52are formed as hollow, substantially rectangular cross-section members that are sized such that the inner tube50is slidably received within the outer tube30in a somewhat net-fit arrangement, at least on three sides, the outer tube body32being formed with or defining an outer tube opening34for receipt of the inner tube body52. Spaced-apart holes68are formed along a side wall56of the inner tube body52configured to be selectively engaged by a pin102of the pin assembly100that is installed on a corresponding side wall36of the outer tube body32so as to lock the inner tube50relative to the outer tube30in a desired position, thereby setting the overall length of the apparatus20, an exemplary intermediate position between fully extended and fully retracted positions being shown. The pin102is biased inwardly by a pin spring120so as to force the pin102toward the inner tube body52and into a corresponding hole68of the inner tube50once aligned such that the default is for the apparatus20to lock in position, more about which is said below, particularly in connection withFIGS. 8-11regarding use of the jack support apparatus20. In order to lift the pin102out of engagement with or in a particular inner tube hole68against the biasing effect of the pin spring120and so enable adjustment of the length of the apparatus20, a handle assembly80is installed on the outer tube body32adjacent to and operably engaged with the pin assembly100. Specifically, a pivotable handle82is configured having a tip88that engages an undercut106of the pin102such that squeezing the handle82to shift the grip86toward the outer tube30alternately lifts the tip88and thus the pin102until it is retracted from the inner tube hole68it was seated in, thereby allowing the inner tube50to slide or move freely relative to the outer tube30, or specifically the inner tube body52relative to the outer tube body32. As also shown, the inner tube50is biased away from the outer tube30axially, or the jack support apparatus20is biased toward its fully-extended position, by an axial or lengthwise tube spring70operably installed within the telescoping assembly of the outer and inner tubes30,50. Specifically, the tube spring70seats at its opposite ends on the respective outer tube and inner tube end walls40,60and thereby exerts an axially outward spring force on or between the outer and inner tubes30,50and is thereby axially compressed as the inner tube50is slid inwardly or toward the outer tube30. To facilitate such seating of the tube spring70and prevent unwanted flexing, kinking, or “walking” of the tube spring70, an outer tube sleeve44extends inwardly and axially from the outer tube end wall40toward the outer tube opening34parallel to the outer tube body32, and a corresponding inner tube rod64extends inwardly and axially from the inner tube end wall60toward an opposite inner tube opening54parallel to the inner tube body52such that the inner tube rod64is slidably or telescopically received within the outer tube sleeve44just as the inner tube body52is slidably or telescopically received within the outer tube body32, with the tube spring70positioned about the outer tube sleeve44and the inner tube rod64so as to be axially stabilized and spatially constrained thereby, in the exemplary embodiment the outer tube sleeve44, inner tube rod64, and tube spring70being substantially annular, and in any case the outer tube sleeve44and inner tube rod64together serving as a spring guide for the tube spring70. It will thus be appreciated that the slidable engagement between the outer and inner tube bodies32,52and the outer tube sleeve44and inner tube rod64cooperate to axially align and facilitate telescopic movement between the outer and inner tubes30,50, which again are biased apart or toward a fully-extended position of the jack support apparatus20by the internally-contained tube spring70. It will also be appreciated that instead of the exemplary arrangement the sleeve could be installed in the inner tube and the rod in the outer tube. As also shown inFIG. 2, an inwardly-projecting outer tube stop46may be formed on a side wall38of the outer tube body32near the outer tube opening34and a corresponding inwardly-projecting inner tube stop66may be formed on a side wall58of the inner tube body52near the inner tube opening54such that the outer and inner tube stops46,66make contact with each other at the fully-extended position of the apparatus20as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7so as to prevent separation of the outer and inner tubes30,50during use. It will also be appreciated that the outer and inner tube stops46,66provide stand-offs between the outer tube side wall38and the inner tube side wall58to effectively set the somewhat net-fit sliding arrangement of the outer and inner tube bodies32,52opposite the first side walls36,56that are immediately adjacent in the exemplary embodiment. As also seen inFIGS. 1 and 2, the outer tube end wall40in part exteriorly forms or defines the outer tube jack cradle42and the inner tube end wall60in part exteriorly forms or defines the inner tube jack cradle62, more about which is said below in connection withFIGS. 8-11regarding the jack support apparatus20in use.

Referring next toFIG. 3, there is shown an enlarged cross-sectional view of the outer tube30of the exemplary jack support apparatus20(FIGS. 1 and 2) according to aspects of the present invention. In the exemplary embodiment, the outer tube30comprises an outer tube body32having one side wall36on which are installed both the handle assembly80and the pin assembly100and an opposite side wall38on which is installed the outer tube stop46near the outer tube opening34. And again, extending inwardly and axially from the outer tube end wall40opposite from and toward the outer tube opening34is the outer tube sleeve44configured for slidable receipt therein of the inner tube rod64(FIGS. 2 and 4) and thereabout of the tube spring70(FIG. 2). The pin assembly100is shown as comprising a hollow pin housing110installed on the outer tube side wall36substantially in or about a corresponding outer tube hole48with the pin102slidably and operably installed within the housing110and hole48. In a bit more detail, the pin housing110is shown as having an annular side wall112and an end wall116opposite the hole48and the pin102as having a cylindrical pin body104, an intermediate circumferential undercut106formed in the pin body104, and a proximal pin head108on which is seated the biasing pin spring120, between the pin102and the pin housing end wall116. The pin102may thus be somewhat of a net fit in slidably operating within the pin housing110, or more particularly, the outside diameter of the pin body104and the inside diameter of the pin housing side wall112may be approximately the same, though with at least a few thousandths of an inch (0.002 in.) clearance depending the materials, smoothness, and other factors, more about which is said below. To prevent any pressure build-up (positive or negative (i.e., vacuum)) within the pin housing110in the area trapped between the sliding pin102and the side and end walls112,116of the housing110, where the pin spring120is positioned and operates, an opening118may be formed in the housing end wall116to allow for air flow in or out. And in order for the tip88of the handle82of the handle assembly80to operably engage the pin undercut106, an opening114is formed in the pin housing side wall112as shown. The handle assembly80is then formed once again as generally comprising a handle82having an elongate handle body84having a proximal grip86and an opposite distal tip88, with an intermediate cross-hole90formed in the handle body84so as to pivotally install the handle82on a handle base92as by passing a bolt or cross-pin94(FIG. 1) through the handle base92and the cross-hole90of the handle body84so that the handle82then pivots on the handle base92about the cross-pin94. Notably, the handle cross-hole90and the handle base92are so positioned that the handle tip88is operably seated within the pin undercut106as shown. By way of further illustration and not limitation, while the handle assembly80, and particularly the base92thereof, is shown as installed on the outer tube body side wall36, it will be appreciated that it may be installed instead or in addition on other portions of the outer tube body32. It will once again be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the handle and pin assemblies80,100may be configured in other ways employing materials and mechanisms now known or later developed so as to selectively engage or lock the outer and inner tubes30,50relative to each other in setting the desired height or position of the jack support apparatus20, such that the exemplary handle and pin assemblies80,100and the overall outer and inner tubes30,50are to be understood as illustrative and non-limiting.

Similarly, inFIG. 4there is shown an enlarged cross-sectional view of the inner tube50of the exemplary jack support apparatus20(FIGS. 1 and 2) according to aspects of the present invention, in the exemplary embodiment the inner tube50comprising an inner tube body52having one side wall56in which are formed the series of spaced-apart holes68configured for selective engagement by the pin102of the outer tube pin assembly100and an opposite side wall58on which is installed the inner tube stop66near the inner tube opening54. And again, extending inwardly and axially from the inner tube end wall60opposite from and toward the inner tube opening54is the inner tube rod64configured for slidable receipt within the outer tube sleeve44(FIGS. 2 and 3) and partially thereabout of the tube spring70(FIG. 2).

Turning toFIG. 5, there is shown a further enlarged partial perspective view of the exemplary jack support apparatus20ofFIGS. 1 and 2, partially cut-away to reveal and further illustrate the handle and pin assemblies80,100and particularly the interaction of the handle82with the pin102. Once more, the handle assembly80is installed on the outer tube30such that the handle tip88is operably positioned as passing through the pin housing side wall opening114and into the pin body undercut106. It will be appreciated that by forming the undercut106circumferentially about the pin body104, no matter how the pin102is rotated within the pin housing110, the same engagement between the handle tip88and the pin undercut106is achieved. In operation, when the handle82is not actuated and the handle grip86is released or not manipulated, the pin102will be pushed toward the inner tube50under the biasing influence of the pin spring120. If the pin body104is not aligned with one of the holes68formed in the side wall56of the inner tube body52, it will be appreciated that the pin body104will stop against the side wall56itself and ride therealong as the inner tube50is slid or shifted relative to the outer tube30until the pin body104is positioned adjacent to or clears an inner tube hole68, at which time, again under the influence of the pin spring120, the pin102will be shifted further toward the inner tube50and the pin body104will enter and seat within the adjacent hole68so as to lock the apparatus20as shown, which is effectively the default or “at rest” configuration of the apparatus20, irrespective of which hole68the pin102is seated within. It is also noted that by virtue of the continual engagement of the handle tip88within the pin undercut106, the travel of the pin102along the pin housing110is limited, on which basis the handle tip88effectively serves as a “keeper” for the pin102within the pin housing110, with the travel of the tip88limited by the handle body84itself as it comes into contact with the outer tube side wall36and/or a portion of the handle base92so as to limit or prevent further travel of the handle82and thus of the pin102. Whereas, when the jack support apparatus20is to be adjusted or set to a different length, the proximal handle grip86is shifted toward the outer tube30, and the outer tube side wall36specifically, via the handle82pivoting about the intermediate cross-pin94, as by pushing on or squeezing the grip86, causing the distal handle tip88opposite the grip86to pivot away from the outer tube30and thereby lift the pin102or shift the pin102away from the outer and inner tubes30,50and out of engagement with the corresponding hole68in the inner tube50. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that by having a length or portion of the handle body84indicated as the grip86extend beyond the handle cross-hole90(FIG. 3) and related handle cross-pin94further than the handle body84extends from the cross-pin94to the handle tip88, there is increased leverage via the handle grip86, and increasingly so the further from the pivot point or cross-pin94, relative to the biasing effect of the pin spring120(FIGS. 2 and 3) acting on the pin102, the handle body84and particularly the grip portion86thereof serving as a mechanical lever for lifting or actuating the locking pin102. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that by so forming the handle assembly80relative to the pin assembly100even a relatively strong spring force of the pin spring120can be overcome by relatively low force applied to the handle grip86during use of the apparatus20as through actuation of the handle82. Moreover, it will be appreciated that a relatively strong spring force of the pin spring120is desirable to produce relatively rapid insertion of the pin body104into the corresponding inner tube hole68and thus relatively rapid locking of the apparatus20in the case of even rapid jack lowering, more about which is said below in connection withFIGS. 8-11. Relatedly, as shown, the inner tube holes68may be formed having a somewhat oval or oblong profile rather than being perfectly round, which it will be appreciated will assist with the spring-forced insertion of the pin body104in such hole68even while the inner tube50is still in motion or sliding relative to the outer tube30.

Briefly referring toFIGS. 6 and 7, there are shown perspective and cross-sectional perspective views of the exemplary jack support apparatus20ofFIGS. 1 and 2now in a second position as by actuating the handle82of the handle assembly80to lift the pin102of the pin assembly100out of engagement with a hole68of the inner tube50, which it will be appreciated from the foregoing is accomplished by shifting or squeezing the grip86of the handle82toward the outer tube30to thereby cause or allow the inner tube50to slide axially relative to the outer tube30under the biasing effect of the tube spring70until the outer tube and inner tube stops46,66make contact as shown, unless the outer and inner tube jack cradles42,62made contact with the structure of a jack or the like before the outer tube and inner tube stops46,66were able to make contact. With the apparatus20so operated with the handle80remaining actuated or “squeezed,” it will be appreciated that the inner tube50can be freely slid against the tube spring70relative to or toward the outer tube30until the relative positions of the outer and inner tubes30,50or the overall length of the apparatus20is as desired, at which point the handle grip86may be released and the pin body104will again enter into an adjacent inner tube hole68based on slight further relative movement between the outer and inner tubes30,50until the pin102effectively “clicks” into place to lock the apparatus20in position or at the desired overall length. It will also be appreciated that at all such positions or lengths of the jack support apparatus20, the outer and inner tubes30,50remain sufficiently engaged for functional integrity under vertical load, with the outer tube sleeve44and inner tube rod64also remaining slidably engaged even at the fully-extended position of the apparatus20, at all times providing lateral stability and serving as a spring guide for the tube spring70as shown.

With reference toFIGS. 1-7, in forming the exemplary jack support apparatus20, and particularly the outer and inner tubes30,50, and the various components thereof, it will be appreciated that any appropriate materials and methods of construction now known or later developed may be employed, including but not limited to metals and metal alloys such as iron, steel, aluminum, and the like and potentially even a variety of sufficiently strong and stiff plastics and composites such as polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”), polyether ether ketone (“PEEK”), polyetherimide (“PEI”), polyamide-imide (“PAI”), polybenzimidazole (“PBI”), polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), polyethylenes such as high density polyethylene (“HDPE”) and low density polyethylene (“LDPE”), polycarbonate, polyurethane, and other such plastics, thermoplastics, thermosetting polymers, and the like, any such components being fabricated or formed as through machining, casting, forging, extrusion, stamping, forming, injection molding, or any other such technique now known or later developed. Relatedly, such components may be formed integrally or may be formed separately and then assembled in any appropriate secondary operation employing any assembly technique now known or later developed, including but not limited to fastening, as through screws or the like, bonding, welding, press-fitting, snapping, over-molding or coining, or any other such technique now known or later developed. Those skilled in the art will fundamentally appreciate that any such materials and methods of construction are encompassed within the scope of the invention, any exemplary materials and methods in connection with any and all embodiments thus being illustrative and non-limiting. In the exemplary embodiment, the outer tube body32, the inner tube body52, the outer and inner tube end walls40,60and associated jack cradles42,62, and the locking pin102are formed of mild steel (e.g.,4130steel), which is to say the load-bearing components of the jack support apparatus20. Other components such as the handle assembly80, including the handle82and handle bracket or base92, the pin housing110, the outer and inner tube stops46,66, and the outer tube sleeve44and inner tube post64may also be made of 4130 or other steel or of aluminum (e.g., 6061 aluminum). Dimensionally, in the exemplary embodiment, the outer tube body32is nominally 1 in.×2 in. on its outer profile and 7.5 in. long, with a wall thickness of 0.12 in., setting its nominal interior dimensions at 0.88 in.×1.88 in., while the inner tube body52is nominally 0.75 in.×1.5 in. on its outer profile and 7.625 in. long, with a wall thickness again of 0.12 in., resulting in a lateral clearance between the outer and inner tube bodies32,52of approximately 0.065 in. ((0.88 in.−0.75 in.)/2). The locking pin102and particularly its body104is 0.48 in. diameter and nominally 1 in. long, with the distal portion of the body104that engages the inner tube holes68being 0.5 in. long, the width of the undercut106being 0.25 in. with a depth of roughly 0.15 in., and the pin head108on which the pin spring120seats being generally 0.25 in. in length along the pin102, with a stepped proximal edge to provide a spring seat and the distal end of the pin body104being chamfered about its circumferential edge for assistance with the pin body104seating within the inner tube locking holes68. The pin housing110is nominally 1.325 in. tall or long and 0.75 in. diameter with a wall thickness of 0.125 in., the inside bore length thus being approximately 1.2 in. and the inside or bore diameter in which the pin102slidably operates thereby being 0.5 in., thus setting a clearance between the pin body104outside diameter and the pin housing110inside diameter of about 0.01 in. ((0.5 in.−0.48 in.)/2), with the pin housing side wall opening114being approximately 0.625 in. tall and approximately 0.275 in. deep for access to and operable engagement with the pin undercut106by the handle tip88. And the locking holes68formed along the inner tube body52are nominally 0.5 in. wide or in diameter and 0.65 in. long, or slightly oval or oblong, allowing for approximately 0.01 in. clearance for the pin body104((0.5 in.−0.48 in.)/2) widthwise and approximately 0.17 in. or about a sixth inch clearance lengthwise to again assist with the pin102seating within a respective locking hole68even while the outer and inner tubes30,50are in relative motion, with the holes68again nominally spaced 1 in. apart, center-to-center, along the inner tube body52, and its side wall56specifically, which would be the furthest a jack J could “fall” before the apparatus20locks in place. Relatedly, with the wall thicknesses of the outer and inner tube bodies32,52being 0.12 in. or nominally an eighth inch and with the diameter of the cylindrical pin body104being nominally a half inch, the effective shear strength of the pin body104at the interface between the outer and inner tube bodies32,52, or specifically the respective adjacent outer and inner tube side walls36,56where the pin body104is seated within a locking hole68, and the compressive load-bearing capacity of the eighth-inch-thick outer and inner tube bodies32,52themselves and of the opposite outer and inner tube jack cradles42,62that are also nominally an eighth inch thick as well, is such that the jack support apparatus20is rated at two (2) tons, with a factor of safety likely of two to six times. The outer tube sleeve44is nominally 0.375 in. outside diameter by 0.25 in. inside diameter and 7.25 in. long, while the inner tube rod64is nominally 0.188 in. diameter and 7.5 in. long, resulting in clearance therebetween of approximately 0.031 in. ((0.25 in.−0.188 in.)/2). The nominal thickness of the outer and inner tube stops46,66is 0.25 in., thus setting a widthwise or front-to-back clearance between the outer and inner tube bodies32,52of approximately 0.13 in. (1.88 in.−1.5 in.−0.25 in.). And finally, regarding the handle82, the body84is nominally 4.25 in. long by 0.5 in. square or round, with the handle cross-hole90located approximately 2.75 in. from the proximal end or grip86and thus approximately 1.5 in. from the handle tip88, which tip88is nominally 0.2 in. thick for seating in the 0.25 in. wide pin undercut106. Staying with the exemplary embodiment, it will be appreciated that the outer and inner tube bodies32,52may be extruded in longer sections and cut to length, with the hole48in the outer tube body32for installation of the pin housing110in forming the pin assembly100as well as any holes such as for installation of the outer tube stop46machined in the outer tube body32and then the pin housing110, the handle base92, and the end wall40defining the outer tube jack cradle42welded on the outer tube body32and the outer tube stop46fastened on the outer tube body32as by screws, with the outer body sleeve44being installed on the outer tube end wall40via welding or a screw-type fastener, and similarly with the pattern of spaced-apart locking holes68machined in the inner tube body52again along with any holes such as for installation of the inner tube stop66, and with the inner tube end wall60defining the inner tube jack cradle62welded on the inner tube body52, the inner tube stop66fastened on the inner tube body52as by screws, and the inner tube rod64being installed on the inner tube end wall60via welding or a screw-type fastener. It will be appreciated that all such fabrication steps may occur first in any appropriate order and then the jack support apparatus20may be assembled as by inserting the pin spring120and pin102into the pin housing110from within the outer tube body32via the hole48, securing the pin102in place by engaging the handle tip88with the pin undercut106through the pin housing side wall opening114, and then pivotally securing the handle82on the handle base92as through an inserted handle bolt or cross-pin94, thereby completing the operable assembly of the handle and pin assemblies80,100on the outer tube30, with all that then remains to complete assembly of the jack support apparatus20being to slide the tube spring70within the outer tube body32over the outer tube sleeve44and then mating the inner tube50with the outer tube30as by squeezing the handle82so as to lift or retract the locking pin102and sliding the inner tube body52within the outer tube body32while simultaneously sliding the inner tube rod64down through the tube spring70and the outer tube sleeve44, and then locking the apparatus20in any position as by releasing the handle82and sliding the inner tube50relative to the outer tube30until the pin body104enters and locks within one of the inner tube locking holes68, with the final step in preventing the inner tube50from disconnecting from the outer tube30under the influence of the tube spring70or otherwise being to secure the outer tube stop46on the outer tube body32. The biasing coil-type tube spring70is formed from 0.041 in. diameter 302 stainless steel wire having a spring rate of about 7.5 lbs./in. at its installed height that ranges from about 8 in. to 13 in., having a nominal length of 20 in. and diameter of 0.44 in., and the biasing pin spring120is formed from 0.045 in. diameter 302 stainless steel wire having a spring rate of about 19 lbs./in. at its installed height that ranges from about 0.3 in. to 0.5 in., having a nominal length of 0.75 in. and diameter of 0.48 in. and 3.3 active coils and 5.3 total coils including the closed ends. Those skilled in the art will again appreciate that a variety of configurations and materials of construction, whether now known or later developed, are possible according to aspects of the present invention, such that any particular configurations and materials employed in the jack support apparatus20and its various components and assemblies are to be understood as illustrative and non-limiting, though it will be further appreciated that in the exemplary hydraulic floor jack automotive context, the disclosed design is the preferred embodiment having attendant benefits in construction and use in such context as set forth herein. Even so, those skilled in the art will also appreciate that, for example, other locking mechanisms now known or later developed beyond the illustrated handle and pin assemblies80,100are possible according to aspects of the present invention, such as ratchet mechanisms and manual cross-pins. Accordingly, the locking pin102should be understood as potentially taking and so encompassing a variety of forms in selectively mechanically coupling the outer and inner tubes30,50so as to prevent their relative movement in temporarily locking or rigidly supporting a floor jack or the like.

Turning now toFIGS. 8-10, there are shown perspective views of the exemplary jack support apparatus20in three operational modes as used in connection with a conventional hydraulic floor jack J such as being rated at 1.5 to 3 tons and having a lift or height range from 3.5 to 14 inches. First, as shown inFIG. 8, the hydraulic floor jack J is operated via its handle H to lift the arms M and thus the lift pad or cup C to a desired height, such as in lifting a vehicle V as shown and described below in connection withFIG. 11. Once the jack J is at the desired position, the jack support apparatus20in a collapsed configuration or, as shown, any intermediate, sufficiently short configuration can be positioned adjacent to or in engagement with the jack J such that either of the jack cradles42,62is in contact with one of the jack axles A1, A2, or such that the entire apparatus20, and particularly the opposite jack cradles42,62, is located between the two jack axles A1, A2. The apparatus20is shown oriented with the outer tube30down and so with the first end22of the apparatus20and thus the outer tube jack cradle42down or toward the axle A1of the axled wheels W1mounted on the jack base B opposite the swivel or castor wheels W2and with the inner tube50up and so with the second end24of the apparatus20and thus the inner tube jack cradle62up or toward the axle A2that pivotally supports the jack lift cup C. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the apparatus20can just as easily be positioned with the first end22and outer tube30up and the second end24or inner tube50down, since the device is spring and not gravity assisted for its operation and the outer and inner tube jack cradles42,62are identical or symmetrical. Notably, once the handle82is squeezed to lift the internal locking pin102(FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 7) out of engagement with the inner tube50, the inner tube50will be free to slide relative to the outer tube30under the biasing effect of the tube spring70(FIGS. 2 and 7), such that it is preferable that the inner tube jack cradle62already be in contact with the appropriate structure of the jack J, the cup axle A2in the illustrated embodiment, so that the inner tube50and its cradle62do not slam into any part of the jack J structure unintentionally. Thus, as illustrated inFIG. 8, the inner tube jack cradle62can first be nested against the jack cup axle A2before the handle82is actuated to unlock the jack support apparatus20. Then, with reference toFIG. 9, when the handle82is squeezed or actuated so as to unseat the locking pin102and unlock the apparatus20so that the outer and inner tubes30,50can slide relative to each other, the apparatus20can be manipulated in a controlled extension as by simply holding the handle82in while also grasping the outer tube30and “stretching” or lengthening the apparatus20as by shifting the outer tube30down until the outer tube jack cradle42seats or nests on the wheel axle A1, it being appreciated that at all times the biasing effect of the internal tube spring70will keep the inner tube jack cradle62nested in contact with the cup axle A2. At that point, with the jack support apparatus20so extended that both the outer and inner tube jack cradles42,62are in contact with the jack J structure, here the respective wheel and cup axles A1, A2, the handle82may be released. It will be appreciated that unless the extended configuration or length of the apparatus20, and thus the particular height or position of the jack J, just so happens to position the locking pin102of the pin assembly100adjacent to one of the inner tube locking holes68(FIGS. 1, 2, and 4-7), the handle82will remain in its actuated position as shown inFIG. 9. Even so, it will also again be appreciated that the outward biasing effect of the tube spring70will keep the outer and inner tubes30,50extended and the outer and inner tube jack cradles42,62nested in contact with the respective wheel and cup axles A1, A2and thus the jack support apparatus20in place on the jack J as shown inFIG. 9, once more, even without the apparatus20yet being “locked” as by pin102clicking into a hole68in the inner tube50. Then, referring now toFIG. 10, with slight twisting of the jack handle H, shown in this example as counterclockwise by the related arrow, the jack arms M and thus the lift cup C and related lift cup axle A2will be slightly and slowly lowered causing the inner tube50to slide toward or inwardly relative to the outer tube30until indeed the locking pin102is aligned with the next closest inner tube locking hole68and snaps into engagement therewith under the biasing effect of the pin spring110(FIGS. 2, 3 and 7), thus locking the jack support apparatus20in place as a mechanical member rigidly supporting the lift cup C and arms M in the event of a hydraulic or other failure of the jack J. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that with the exemplary jack support apparatus20according to aspects of the present invention and its nominal one-inch spacing of the inner tube locking holes68, one inch is effectively the furthest the jack J would have to be lowered or the lift cup C and axle A2would have to travel in order to lock the apparatus20in place and thus provide a “fail-safe” for the hydraulic floor jack J. Relatedly, if an operator even forgot to perform the last step illustrated inFIG. 10of rotating the handle H slightly to lower the jack J until the pin102clicked into a hole68as evidenced by the handle82shifting outwardly to its at-rest, non-actuated position as shown inFIGS. 8 and 10and so locking the jack support apparatus20, thus leaving the jack J and apparatus20in the configuration as illustrated inFIG. 9, it will be appreciated that even so a failure of the jack J would be “caught” by the apparatus20due to the pin102engaging the next locking hole68under the effect of the pin spring120even as the jack J and thus the inner tube50was “falling” relative to the outer tube30, thus still preventing the jack J from moving or collapsing more then basically one inch even if the hydraulic cylinder or related valve of the jack J completely failed and the jack support apparatus20was not previously locked. Thus, it will be appreciated that the jack support apparatus20is a compact and easy-to-use tool that provides a “fail-safe” for a hydraulic floor jack J and thus numerous advantages in use.

Briefly, then, with reference toFIG. 11, there is shown an exemplary jack support apparatus20in use with a hydraulic floor jack J in lifting or supporting at least a portion of a vehicle V. The jack J in a lowered position is first located under the vehicle V as by manipulating or rolling it on its axled and castor wheels W1, W2operably installed on the jack base B employing the jack handle H or otherwise. Once the jack J is in position with the lift cup C adjacent to a jack point P on the underside of the vehicle V, the jack J is operated in conventional fashion as by pumping the handle H to raise the arms M and thus the lift cup C into contact with the jack point P, with continued pumping of the handle H and raising of the jack J and particularly the jack lift cup C thus raising or “jacking up” the vehicle V to a desired height. Then, with the jack J so configured, as shown, and as described above in connection withFIGS. 8-10, the jack support apparatus20is simply configured at an appropriate length to position it between the wheel and cup axles A1, A2of the jack J, its handle82is actuated to allow the apparatus20to extend until the opposite jack cradles42,62are nested against the respective wheel and cup axles A1, A2, the apparatus handle82is released, and as needed the jack handle H is rotated or manipulated to slightly lower the jack J until the apparatus locking pin102seats in a hole68in the apparatus inner tube50so as to lock the apparatus20and thus the jack J, thereby effectively converting such a conventional hydraulic floor jack J into a jack stand, again, whether or not the final step of slightly lowering the jack J to lock the apparatus20is performed, a “fail-safe” is still provided. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the exemplary jack support apparatus20according to aspects of the present invention is configured as a compact and easy-to-use tool that provides rigid mechanical support to a hydraulic floor jack J under load in the event of a failure of the jack J, thereby more safely, quickly, and effectively supporting a vehicle V especially with limited jack points and/or limited space within which to work. Once again, it will be appreciated that the jack support apparatus20can take other forms or configurations or employ other components or mechanisms, materials, and dimensions to suit particular contexts without departing from the spirt and scope of the invention, such that the exemplary apparatus20is to be understood as illustrative and non-limiting.

Aspects of the present specification may also be described as follows:

1. A jack support apparatus for operably engaging and selectively locking a hydraulic floor jack having a wheel axle and a cup axle, the apparatus comprising an outer tube having an outer tube body comprising an outer tube side wall with an outer tube hole formed in the outer tube side wall, an outer tube end wall and corresponding outwardly-extending outer tube jack cradle, and an outer tube opening opposite the outer tube end wall, the outer tube jack cradle configured to selectively engage one of the wheel axle and the cup axle, an inner tube having an inner tube body comprising an inner tube side wall with a plurality of spaced-apart inner tube holes formed in the inner tube side wall and an inner tube end wall and corresponding outwardly-extending inner tube jack cradle, the inner tube body slidably received within the outer tube body through the outer tube opening with the inner tube side wall adjacent to and offset from the outer tube side wall, the inner tube jack cradle configured to selectively engage one of the wheel axle and the cup axle, a tube spring operable between the outer tube body and the inner tube body to bias the outer tube and the inner tube apart, and a pin operable through the outer tube hole for selectively engaging any of the plurality of inner tube holes, the pin being biased inwardly toward the inner tube by a pin spring, wherein selective operation of the pin by shifting the pin away from the inner tube against the biasing effect of the pin spring disengages the pin from any of the plurality of inner tube holes and allows the inner tube to shift relative to the outer tube as by the inner tube body sliding within the outer tube body under the biasing effect of the tube spring, and further wherein selective operation of the pin by shifting the pin toward the inner tube under the biasing effect of the pin spring engages the pin in one of the plurality of inner tube holes as the inner tube shifts relative to the outer tube as by the inner tube body sliding within the outer tube body until the pin enters one of the plurality of inner tube holes to prevent further relative movement between the outer tube and the inner tube, whereby the apparatus is configured to temporarily form a rigid linkage between the wheel and cup axles upon engagement therebetween by the outer tube and inner tube jack cradles to effectively lock the jack against further downward movement.

2. The apparatus of embodiment 1 further comprising a pin assembly having a pin housing located on the outer tube side wall about the outer tube hole, the pin slidably inserted within the pin housing, and the pin spring operably seated within the pin housing so as to bias the pin toward the inner tube through the outer tube side wall.

3. The apparatus of embodiment 1 or embodiment 2 wherein the pin comprises a pin body having an intermediate pin undercut.

4. The apparatus of embodiment 3 wherein the pin body is annular and the pin undercut is circumferential.

5. The apparatus of any of embodiments 2-4 wherein the pin housing is formed having a pin housing side wall opening.

6. The apparatus of embodiment 5 further comprising a handle assembly having a handle pivotally mounted on a handle base located on the outer tube body, the handle having a handle body comprising a handle grip, an opposite handle tip, and an intermediate handle cross-hole for pivotally-mounting the handle on the handle base, the handle tip operably engaging the pin undercut through the pin housing side wall opening, whereby selective actuation of the handle by shifting the handle grip toward the outer tube lifts the handle tip and the pin away from the inner tube against the biasing effect of the pin spring so as to disengage the pin body from any of the plurality of inner tube holes, and further whereby selective release of the handle by releasing the handle grip allows the pin to slidably shift toward the inner tube under the biasing effect of the pin spring so as to engage the pin body in one of the plurality of inner tube holes as the inner tube shifts relative to the outer tube as by the inner tube body sliding within the outer tube body under the biasing effect of the tube spring until the pin body enters one of the plurality of inner tube holes.

7. The apparatus of embodiment 6 wherein the handle is approximately 4.25 inches long from the handle grip to the handle tip.

8. The apparatus of embodiment 6 or embodiment 7 wherein the handle cross-hole is approximately 1.25 inches from the handle tip.

9. The apparatus of any of embodiments 6-8 wherein the distance from the handle cross-hole to the handle tip is no more than 40% of the overall length of the handle from the handle grip to the handle tip.

10. The apparatus of any of embodiments 6-9 wherein a handle cross-pin is inserted through the handle cross-hole to pivotally mount the handle on the handle base.

11. The apparatus of any of embodiments 6-10 wherein the handle tip is approximately 0.2 inch thick.

12. The apparatus of any of embodiments 6-11 wherein the handle is aluminum.

13. The apparatus of any of embodiments 3-12 wherein the pin body is annular having a diameter of approximately 0.5 inch.

14. The apparatus of embodiment 13 wherein the pin body diameter is 0.48 inch.

15. The apparatus of any of embodiments 3-14 wherein the pin undercut is approximately 0.15 inch deep.

16. The apparatus of any of embodiments 3-15 wherein the pin body has a pin head proximal of the pin undercut for engagement with the pin spring.

17. The apparatus of any of embodiments 3-16 wherein the width of the pin body is no more than 85% of the length of the inner tube hole.

18. The apparatus of any of embodiments 2-17 wherein the pin housing comprises a pin housing side wall and a pin housing end wall opposite the outer tube hole, the pin spring seating between the pin and the pin housing end wall.

19. The apparatus of embodiment 18 wherein the pin housing end wall is formed with a pin housing end wall opening.

20. The apparatus of embodiment 18 or embodiment 19 wherein the pin housing end wall and the pin housing side wall are approximately 0.12 inch thick.

21. The apparatus of any of embodiments 2-20 wherein the pin housing is steel.

22. The apparatus of embodiment 21 wherein the pin housing is welded onto the outer tube side wall.

23. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-22 wherein the tube spring is installed within the outer and inner tube bodies operable between the outer tube and inner tube end walls.

24. The apparatus of embodiment 23 further comprising an outer tube sleeve installed on the outer tube end wall so as to extend within the outer tube body toward the outer tube opening, an inner tube opening formed in the inner tube body opposite the inner tube end wall, and an inner tube rod installed on the inner tube end wall so as to extend within the inner tube body toward the inner tube opening, the inner tube rod slidably received within the outer tube sleeve as the inner tube body is slidably received within the outer tube body, wherein the tube spring is installed about the outer tube sleeve and the inner tube rod through the outer tube and inner tube openings, whereby the outer tube sleeve and inner tube rod provide lateral stability for the tube spring.

25. The apparatus of embodiment 24 wherein the outer tube sleeve is approximately 0.25 inch in inside diameter and the inner tube rod is approximately 0.188 inch in outside diameter.

26. The apparatus of embodiment 24 or embodiment 25 wherein the outer tube sleeve and the inner tube rod are approximately 7.5 inches long.

27. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-26 further comprising an outer tube stop installed on the outer tube body proximal the outer tube opening and an inner tube stop installed on the inner tube body proximal an inner tube opening formed in the inner tube body opposite the inner tube end wall, wherein the outer tube and inner tube stops cooperate to prevent the inner tube body from slidably disengaging from the outer tube body under the biasing influence of the tube spring.

28. The apparatus of embodiment 27 wherein the outer tube and inner tube stops are approximately 0.25 inch thick.

29. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-28 wherein the tube spring has a free length of approximately 20 in. and an outside diameter of approximately 0.44 in. and a spring rate of approximately 7.5 lbs./in. at an installed height ranging from approximately 8 to 13 in.

30. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-29 wherein the pin spring has a free length of approximately 0.75 in. and an outside diameter of approximately 0.48 in. and a spring rate of approximately 19 lbs./in. at an installed height ranging from approximately 0.3 to 0.5 in.

31. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-30 wherein the outer and inner tube end walls and the outer and inner tube jack cradles are approximately 0.125 inch thick.

32. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-31 wherein the outer and inner tube end walls and the outer and inner tube jack cradles are integral.

33. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-32 wherein the outer and inner tube end walls and the outer and inner tube jack cradles are welded onto the respective outer and inner tube bodies.

34. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-33 wherein the outer tube body is approximately 1 inch by 2 inch in outer profile with a wall thickness of approximately 0.12 inch, whereby the outer tube body is approximately 0.88 inch by 1.88 inch in inner profile.

35. The apparatus of embodiment 34 wherein the inner tube body is approximately 0.75 inch by 1.5 inch in outer profile with a wall thickness of approximately 0.12 inch, resulting in a lateral clearance between the outer and inner tube bodies of approximately 0.065 inch.

36. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-35 wherein the outer and inner tube bodies are approximately 7.5 inches long.

37. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-36 wherein each of the plurality of inner tube holes has a width of approximately 0.5 inch and a length of approximately 0.65 inch.

38. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-37 wherein the outer and inner tube bodies are steel.

39. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-38 wherein the outer and inner tube bodies have a rectangular profile.

40. A method of employing a jack support apparatus as defined in any one of embodiments 1-39, the method comprising the steps of positioning the apparatus adjacent to the jack between the wheel axle and the cup axle when the jack is in a raised position, shifting the apparatus such that the inner tube jack cradle is in contact with one of the wheel axle and the cup axle, retracting the pin against the biasing effect of the pin spring so as to be disengaged from any inner tube hole to allow relative movement between the outer and inner tube bodies, and sliding the outer tube body relative to the inner tube body under the biasing effect of the tube spring so as to extend the apparatus until the outer tube jack cradle is in contact with one of the wheel axle and the cup axle, wherein the outward biasing effect of the tube spring keeps the outer and inner tubes extended and the outer and inner tube jack cradles in contact with the wheel and cup axles and thus the apparatus in place on the jack.

41. The method of embodiment 40 comprising the further step, prior to the step positioning the apparatus adjacent to the jack, of setting the length of the apparatus shorter than the distance between the wheel axle and the cup axle based on the raised position of the jack.

42. The method of embodiment 41 wherein the step of setting the length of the apparatus comprises retracting the pin so as to be disengaged from any inner tube hole, sliding the inner tube body relative to the outer tube body against the biasing effect of the tube spring, and reinserting the pin into an inner tube hole to lock the apparatus at a desired length.

43. The method of any of embodiments 40-42 wherein the step of retracting the pin comprises squeezing the pivotable handle inwardly to lift the pin outwardly away from the inner tube against the biasing effect of the pin spring.

44. The method of any of embodiments 40-43 comprising the further step, after the step of sliding the outer tube body relative to the inner tube body, of releasing the handle to allow the pin to shift inwardly toward the inner tube under the biasing effect of the pin spring.

45. The method of embodiment 44 comprising the further step, after the step of releasing the handle, of slightly lowering the jack to cause the inner tube body to slide inwardly relative to the outer tube body against the biasing effect of the tube spring until the pin is positioned adjacent to and then enters an inner tube hole under the biasing effect of the pin spring, wherein the apparatus and thereby the jack is locked.

46. A kit comprising a jack support apparatus as defined in any one of embodiments 1-39.

47. The kit of embodiment 46, further comprising instructional material.

48. The kit of embodiment 47, wherein the instructional material provides instructions on how to perform the method as defined in any one of embodiments 40-45.

49. Use of a jack support apparatus as defined in any one of embodiments 1-39 to selectively lock the jack against further downward movement.

50. The use of embodiment 49, wherein the use comprises a method as defined in any one of embodiments 40-45.

In closing, regarding the exemplary embodiments of the present invention as shown and described herein, it will be appreciated that a jack support apparatus is disclosed and configured for selectively locking a hydraulic floor jack against further downward movement. Because the principles of the invention may be practiced in a number of configurations beyond those shown and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not in any way limited by the exemplary embodiments, but may take numerous forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the particular geometries and materials of construction disclosed, but may instead entail other functionally comparable structures or materials, now known or later developed, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of components or ingredients, properties such as dimensions, weight, concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the inventive subject matter are to be understood as being modified in some instances by terms such as “about,” “approximately,” or “roughly.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the inventive subject matter are approximations, the numerical values set forth in any specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the inventive subject matter may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commercially practical values. The recitation of numerical ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value of a numerical range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary.

The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar references used in the context of describing the present invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, ordinal indicators—such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc.—for identified elements are used to distinguish between the elements, and do not indicate or imply a required or limited number of such elements, and do not indicate a particular position or order of such elements unless otherwise specifically stated.

While aspects of the invention have been described with reference to at least one exemplary embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that the inventor(s) believe that the claimed subject matter is the invention.