Abstract:
A compact air compressor and vehicle jack comprises a case, an air bladder, and an air compressor. The case comprises a durable two-piece construction further comprising a plurality of latches and a carrying handle. The air bladder comprises a durable inflatable vessel located internally within the case. The bladder is capable of withstanding the weight of a car. An internal electric air compressor inflates the air bladder. Power to the air compressor is provided via a cigarette lighter adapter. In use, a user would undo the latches, place the case beneath the vehicle, supply power to the air compressor using an external switch, and inflate the bladder until the vehicle achieves a desired height.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/390,770 filed on Oct. 7, 2010, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to an air compressor operated vehicle jack, and in particular, to an air compressor operated vehicle jack having a compactable construction. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Roadside vehicle repairs, such as tire changing, are an all too common occurrence. Quite often, the remedy for these situations involves accessing the underside of the vehicle or lifting the vehicle in order to remedy the situation. Usually this is accomplished via a car jack included in most vehicles. 
     Car jacks involve the use of physical exertion through a lever or screw system to develop the power necessary to raise the vehicle. Often, the physical exertion required is beyond that which is capable by the operator, and thus the service of a tow truck is required to perform the necessary repairs or to tow the vehicle to somewhere where the proper equipment is available. These same problems exist while raising the vehicle to change oil or for other maintenance or repairs. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide alternate methods for lifting a vehicle in order to perform repairs. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents, including U.S. Pat. No. 2,495,092; U.S. Pat. No. 3,565,398; U.S. Pat. No. 3,695,582; U.S. Pat. No. 4,560,145; U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,086; U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,708; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,877,200. 
     However, none of these designs are similar to the present invention. While these apparatuses fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more disadvantages. Many such apparatuses are not easy to transport or move manually. Many such apparatuses require fairly complicated setup in order to use. Many such apparatuses are not conveniently compactable for storage between uses. Many such apparatuses require maintenance of power supplies. Many such apparatuses are complicated or physically demanding to operate and adjust. Accordingly, there exists a need for a vehicle lifting apparatus with a compact configuration and simple and easy means of operation. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a vehicle jack which is electrically-operated in a simple manner and adapted for simple manual transport and compact storage. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide a compact air compressor and vehicle jack for lifting an end portion of a vehicle for various repairs that can be utilized in a portable manner. The apparatus comprises a base, a lid, an air bladder, and an air compressor. 
     Another object of the present invention is to comprise the base and lid portions of rectangular half-portions of a metal carrying case, similar to a briefcase, which provide containment for the air bladder and air compressor. The base and lid further comprise a plurality of joining latches and a carrying handle which provide convenient compact configuration and transportation of the apparatus. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to lift the vehicle utilizing the integral air bladder. The air bladder comprises a heavy-duty inflatable pressure vessel affixed both the base and lid portions. The air bladder can be inflated with a volume of compressed air is supplied by the internal air compressor and powered via connection to a standard 12-volt cigarette lighter power adapter of the vehicle. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the lid portion of the apparatus with a flat anti-skid surface to stabilize the vehicle and the apparatus during use. The anti-skid surface provides a high-friction interface upon contact with a bottom surface of the vehicle. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to comprise a plurality of rubber or plastic cylindrical foot pads along a bottom surface of the base to provide additional stability of the vehicle and the apparatus upon a ground surface or a paved surface. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide simple actuation of the apparatus using a power switch that automatically inflates the bladder. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide an air compressor housing that provides protection for the air compressor during and between uses. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the base with a “C”-shaped spring storage clip affixed to a front surface for secure retention of a power cord and adapter of the apparatus between uses. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to comprise the air bladder of a heavy-duty inflatable rubber pressure vessel of sufficient strength to support a motor vehicle. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to comprise a first port and a second port providing pneumatic communication in fluid communication with a pressure relief valve and the compressor, respectively. The first port and second port enable deflation and inflation of the apparatus. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to comprise a cord recoil mechanism providing a compact means to store a length of cord between the power adapter and the air compressor. The recoil mechanism provides a slight tension upon the cord such that after the power adapter is detached from the cigarette lighter, the recoil mechanism subsequently winds up and stores the cord. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of procuring the apparatus, placing the apparatus under a side of a vehicle, plugging the power adapter into a cigarette lighter, initiating the air compressor to inflate the bladder by pressing the switch to an “ON” position, filling the bladder to a desired height, pressing the switch to an “OFF” position, performing needed tasks while the vehicle is jacked off the ground surface, lowering and removing the apparatus, and benefiting from reduced effort and increased safety afforded a user of the present invention. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a compact air compressor and vehicle jack  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   a  is a perspective view of a compact air compressor and vehicle jack  10  depicting a collapsed and stowed state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   b  is a perspective view of a compact air compressor and vehicle jack  10  depicting an inflated state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a section view of the compact air compressor and vehicle jack  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 2   b ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 4  is an electrical block diagram of the compact air compressor and vehicle jack  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  compact air compressor and vehicle jack 
               20  base 
               22  latch 
               23  keeper 
               24  handle 
               30  lid 
               32  anti-skid surface 
               33  foot pad 
               34  pressure relief valve 
               36  first port 
               40  bladder 
               45  switch 
               50  power adapter 
               52  cord 
               53  recoil mechanism 
               54  storage clip 
               60  air compressor housing 
               62  air compressor 
               64  second port 
               66  air inlet port 
               100  vehicle 
               102  fastener 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental view of a compact air compressor and vehicle jack (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a base  20 , a lid  30 , an air bladder  40 , an air compressor  62 , and a power adapter  50 . The base  20  and lid  30  portions comprise rectangular half-portions of a metal carrying case which provide containment of said air bladder  40  and air compressor  62  within. Said base  20  and lid  30  comprise a strong construction capable of supporting a weight associated with lifting an end portion of a vehicle  100  to change a tire or make various repairs. Said base  20  and lid  30  further comprise a plurality of joining latches  22  and a carrying handle  24  which provide convenient compact configuration and transportation of the apparatus  10 . 
     The air bladder  40  comprises a heavy-duty inflatable pressure vessel affixed to and positioned between said base  20  and lid  30  portions. Once the apparatus  10  is positioned under the vehicle  100 , a volume of compressed air is supplied by the internal air compressor  62  to inflate the bladder  40 , thereby lifting said vehicle  100  (see  FIG. 3 ). Power is provided to the compressor  62  via a standard 12-volt cigarette lighter power adapter  50  and a cord  52  allowing a user to utilize a battery portion of the vehicle  100  to power the apparatus  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , perspective views of the apparatus  10  depicting collapsed and inflated states, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a plurality of latches  22 , corresponding latch keepers  23 , a pressure relief valve  34 , an activation switch  45 , and a power adapter  50 . When the bladder  40  is deflated, the apparatus  10  provides a compact form similar to a briefcase via attachment of the base  20  and a lid  30  portions using the latches  22 . Said latches  22  permanently attached to the base  20  being arranged along front and rear upper edge portions. Said latches  22  are envisioned to comprise commercially available units which work in conjunction with hook-shaped latch keepers  23  being correspondingly positioned along a lower mating edge portion of the lid  30 . 
     The lid portion  30  of the apparatus  10  comprises a flat upper surface comprising an anti-skid surface  32  to stabilize said vehicle  100  and the apparatus  10  during jacking. Said anti-skid surface  32  comprises an adhesively bonded rubber sheet material which provides a high-friction interface upon contact with a bottom surface of the vehicle  100 . Furthermore, the apparatus  10  is envisioned to comprise a plurality of rubber or plastic cylindrical foot pads  33  along a bottom surface of the base  20  preferably being located at corner areas to provide additional stability of the vehicle  100  and the apparatus  10  upon a ground surface or a paved surface. Said foot pads  33  are envisioned to be securely fastened to the base  20  using common fasteners  102  such as rivets, screws, or the like. 
     In use, a user places the apparatus  10  beneath a vehicle  100 , usually adjacent to a tire portion, and presses the power switch  45  to an “ON” position, thus inflating the bladder  40  and causing a corner portion of the vehicle  100  to be lifted. The vehicle  100  is now in a position to change a flat tire or perform similar tasks. The power switch  45  is preferably a two-position toggle switch device; however, it is understood that various switch types may be utilized such as button switches, sliding switches, and the like, with equal benefit. Inflation of the bladder  40  is accomplished by plumbing a volume of compressed air  66  produced by the air compressor  62  into said bladder via a second port  64  (see  FIG. 3 ). The compressor  62  is protectively housed within an air compressor housing  60  preferably comprising a rectangular metal or plastic enclosure being sized so as to fit between the base  20  and lid  30  portions when latched together. Said air compressor  62  provides a means to pressurize ambient air which is in turn delivered into the bladder  40 , thereby causing said bladder  40  to increase in height to approximately eight (8) to twelve (12) inches being sufficient to lift a tire portion of the vehicle  100  off a ground or paved surface. Following inflation of the bladder  40  and servicing of the vehicle  100 , said bladder  40  may be deflated quickly and easily via a pressure relief valve  34  located along a front surface of the lid  30 . Said pressure relief valve  34  is in pneumatic communication with said bladder  40  and preferably comprises a common digit-operated “poppet” valve or equivalent air regulating device. Upon complete deflation of the bladder  40 , the latches  22  and keepers  23  may be secured, thereby returning the apparatus  10  to a stowed and/or transportable state. 
     The apparatus  10  is envisioned to receive 12-volt DC power from an existing electrical system of the vehicle  100  via a power adapter  50  and corresponding cord  52 . Said cord  52  is to be of sufficient length so as to extend from the apparatus  10  while positioned under the vehicle  100 , to a cigarette lighter portion of the vehicle  100  located on a dashboard portion. The base  20  provides a means to securely store said adapter  50  when not in use, via a “C”-shaped spring storage clip  54  which is affixed to a front surface of the base  20  (also see  FIG. 3 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a section view of the compact air compressor and vehicle jack  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 2   b ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The air bladder  40  comprises a heavy-duty inflatable rubber pressure vessel affixed to the base  20  and lid  30  portions preferably using industrial adhesives. The bladder  40  further comprises an integral first port  36  and second port  64 . Said first port  36  provides pneumatic communication with the aforementioned pressure relief valve  34  to deflate the bladder. The second port  64  provides pneumatic communication with the compressor  62  to inflate the bladder  40 . The air compressor  62  is preferably a miniature diaphragm-type 12-volt DC unit which internally plumbs supply output air to the second port portion  64  of the air bladder  40  and also comprises an air inlet port  66  mounted upon the air compressor housing  60 . The base  20  provides an attachment means to a cord recoil mechanism  53  along a bottom inner surface. Said recoil mechanism  53  is envisioned to be of a coil-spring-type and provides a compact means to store a length of cord  52  between the power adapter  50  and the air compressor  62 . The recoil mechanism  53  is envisioned to provide a slight tension upon said cord  52  while said cord  52  is extended and the power adapter portion  50  is plugged into the cigarette lighter portion of the vehicle  100 . After normal use of the apparatus  10  the power adapter  50  is detached from the cigarette lighter and the recoil mechanism  53  subsequently winds up and stores the cord  52  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an electrical block diagram of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a simple 12-volt DC circuit comprising the power adapter  50 , the cord  52 , a switch  45 , and the motor portion of the air compressor  62 . Power from the battery portion of the vehicle  100  is conducted through a cigarette lighter within the vehicle  100  to the removably attachable power adapter  50  and cord  52  portions. A common “ON-OFF” switch  45  controls a flow of current to the motor portion of the air compressor  62  to initiate inflation of the bladder portion  40  of the apparatus  10 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring the apparatus  10 ; storing the apparatus  10  in a trunk portion of a vehicle  100  until needed to perform tasks requiring jacking of a vehicle  100  such as changing a flat tire, inspecting a vehicle undercarriage, or the like; removing the apparatus  10  from a trunk portion of the vehicle  100  when needed; placing the apparatus  10  under a corner or side portion of the vehicle  100  such as under a rocker panel, bumper, or the like; manually releasing the power adapter  50  from the storage clip  54 ; extending the power adapter  50  and the retractable cord  52  outwardly a sufficient length; plugging the power adapter  50  into a cigarette lighter socket portion of the vehicle  100 ; releasing the latches  22  from the keepers  23  to release the base  20  from the lid  30 , thereby allowing the bladder  40  to expand during inflation; initiating the air compressor  62  to inflate the bladder  40  by pressing the switch  45  to an “ON” position; allowing a period of time for the bladder  40  to fill with compressed air  66  and lift the vehicle  100  to a desired height; pressing the switch  45  to an “OFF” position, thereby ceasing lifting of the vehicle  100 ; performing needed tasks while the vehicle  100  is jacked off the ground surface; and, benefiting from reduced effort and increased safety afforded a user of the present invention  10 . 
     The method of lowering and removing the apparatus  10  from the vehicle  100  may be achieved by performing the following steps: lowering the vehicle  100  by pressing the pressure relief valve  34  to allow the compressed air  66  to escape from the bladder  40  until said bladder  40  deflates completely and the vehicle  100  is lowered to the ground surface; fastening the latches  22  and keepers  23  to secure the apparatus  10  in a closed state; detaching the power adapter  50  from the cigarette lighter; allowing the recoil mechanism  53  to wind and contain the cord  52 ; storing the power adapter  50  within the storage clip  52 ; and, storing the apparatus  10  in a trunk portion of the vehicle  100  until needed again. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit to the precise forms disclosed and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles and practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.