Patent Publication Number: US-8109484-B2

Title: Subframe support apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/796,427, filed Apr. 27, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,878,475, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/796,293, filed Apr. 28, 2006, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a subframe support apparatus and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a subframe support apparatus connected to a jack. 
     2. Brief Description of Prior Art 
     A subframe is a structural component of a vehicle that carries and supports certain components of the vehicle such as the engine, drive train or suspension. In the past, pieces of wood or similar materials have been used in combination with a jack, such as a floor jack or transmission jack, to support the subframe of the vehicle when an individual is working on various components supported by the subframe. Alternatively, supports formed of wood or other materials have been used in combination with a floor jack or transmission jack and chains to stabilize the subframe of the vehicle when working underneath the vehicle. 
     While various types or combinations of jacks and supports have heretofore been proposed, problems remain in safely supporting the subframe of a vehicle on a jack when working underneath the vehicle. Therefore, a need exists for a subframe support apparatus which can be secured in a stable, fixed position on a jack, such as transmission jacks or floor jacks, and which can be adjusted to supportingly engage and stabilize a subframe of a vehicle so as to substantially eliminate injury to a person working under the vehicle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a subframe support apparatus adapted to engage and support a subframe of a vehicle when the vehicle is raised on a lift and/or when a mechanic is working on components of the vehicle supported by the subframe of the vehicle. Broadly, the subframe support apparatus includes an elongated housing having a first end, an opposed second end and a passageway extending therebetween. A first subframe engaging assembly is provided with a leg member which is telescopically disposed within the passageway of the elongated housing via the first end thereof. A second frame engaging assembly is provided with a leg member which is telescopically disposed within the passageway of the elongated housing via the second end thereof. 
     A first set screw extends through a threaded opening in the housing near the first end thereof. The threaded opening is adapted to receive a set screw for securing the leg member of the first subframe engaging assembly to the elongated housing, whereby the first subframe engaging assembly is secured in a stable position relative to the elongated housing of the subframe support apparatus. Similarly, a second set screw extends through a threaded opening in the housing near the second end thereof. The threaded opening is adapted to receive a set screw for securing the leg member of the second subframe engaging assembly to the elongated housing, whereby the second subframe engaging assembly is secured in a stable position relative to the elongated housing of the subframe support apparatus. By providing the telescoping adjustment of the leg members of the first and second subframe engaging assemblies relative to the housing, the first and second subframe engaging assemblies can be positioned so as to support and abut oppositely disposed portions of the subframe of the vehicle. 
     The subframe support assembly is supported on a floor jack or a transmission jack to stabilize the subframe apparatus when a mechanic is working on components connected to and supported on the subframe assembly. 
     In another embodiment, a subframe support apparatus includes an elongated support member having a length greater than the distance between oppositely disposed portions of the subframe of the vehicle. A first subframe engaging assembly is slidably disposed on the elongated support member via one end thereof and secured thereto via a set screw. A second subframe engaging assembly is slidably disposed on the elongated support member via the second end thereof and secured thereto via a set screw. Thus, the first and second subframe engaging assemblies can be adjustably positioned along the elongated support member so that, in a connected position, the first subframe engaging assembly engages and supports a portion of a subframe of a vehicle while the second subframe engaging assembly engages and supports an oppositely disposed portion of the subframe of the vehicle. 
     The subframe support apparatus is supported on a floor jack or a transmission jack to stabilize the subframe apparatus when a mechanic is working on components connected to and supported on the subframe of the vehicle. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a subframe support apparatus adapted to engage and support a subframe of a vehicle when the vehicle is raised on a lift and/or when a mechanic is working on the components of the vehicle supported by the subframe of the vehicle. 
     Another object of the present invention, while achieving the before stated object, is to provide a subframe support apparatus which is economical to manufacture and which substantially eliminates risk of injury to a mechanic working under a vehicle on components supported by the subframe. 
     Yet another object of the present invention, while achieving the before stated object, is to provide a subframe support apparatus which can be readily adjusted to enable a mechanic to work on vehicles having different sizes of subframes. 
     Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a fragmental pictorial representation of a subframe of a vehicle wherein the subframe is supported on a subframe support apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention, the subframe support apparatus being connected to a transmission jack. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the subframe support apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a partially cutaway, exploded perspective view of the subframe support apparatus of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a subframe support apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded, perspective view of the support apparatus of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIGS. 1-3 , shown therein is a subframe support apparatus  10  constructed in accordance with the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the subframe support apparatus  10  is mounted on a jack  12 , such as a transmission jack, and the subframe support apparatus  10  is disposed adjacent a subframe  14  of a vehicle  16  for stabilizing the subframe  14  while a mechanic is working on components of the vehicle  16  supported by the subframe  14 . 
     The subframe support apparatus  10  includes an elongated housing  18  having a first end  20 , a second end  22 , and a passageway  24  extending therethrough. The housing  18  is further provided with brackets  26  and  28  for connecting the housing  18  to a support member  30  of the jack  12 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the bracket  26  and  28  are connected to opposite sidewalls  32  and  34  of the housing  18 . The bracket  26  and  28  are similar in construction and are provided with a substantially L-shaped configuration. Further, each of the brackets  26  and  28  have apertures  36  therein so that the brackets  26  and  28  can be bolted or otherwise connected to the support member  30  of the jack  12 . In  FIGS. 2 and 3 , only the bracket  26  is shown as having apertures  36  therein which are adapted to receiving a plurality of bolts  38  so that the bracket  26 , and thus the housing  18  can be connected to the support member  30  of the jack  12 . However, it is to be understood that the bracket  28  is similar in configuration to the bracket  26  and also contains apertures (not shown) which are adapted to receive bolts (also not shown) so that the bracket  28  can also be used to connect the housing  18  to the support member  30  of the jack  12 . 
     While the housing  18  has been shown as being connected to the support member  30  of the jack  12  via the bracket  26  and  28  and the plurality of bolts  38 , it should be understood that the brackets  26  and  28  can be connected to the support member  30  of the jack  12  by any suitable means such as welding, clamping and the like. Further, if desired, the support member  30  of the jack  12  and the housing  18  of the subframe support apparatus  10  can be fabricated of unitary construction. 
     The housing  18  is further provided with a set screw  40  extending through a threaded aperture  42  near the first end  20  of the housing  18 . The housing  18  is also provided with a set screw  44  extended through a threaded aperture  46  near the second end  22  of the housing  18 . 
     The subframe support apparatus  10  further includes a first subframe engaging assembly  48  telescopically connected to the housing  18  via the first end  20  thereof and a second subframe engaging assembly  50  telescopically connected to the housing  18  via the second end  22  thereof. The first subframe assembly  48  includes a leg member  52  which is telescopically disposed within the passageway  24  of the housing  18  via the first end  20  thereof. A substantially inverted L-shaped support member  54  is connected to an outwardly extending end  56  of the leg member  52  such that the substantially inverted L-shaped support member  54  extends upwardly therefrom and provides a support platform  58  for a portion of the subframe  14  of the vehicle  16 . 
     In order to stabilize the first subframe engaging assembly  48  relative to the subframe  14  of the vehicle  16 , and to ensure proper positioning of the support platform  58  of the substantially inverted L-shaped support member  54  in abutting contact with a portion of the subframe  14 , the first subframe engaging assembly  48  is provided with an upwardly extending stabilizer member  60  which is substantially normally disposed relative to the support platform  58  of the substantially inverted L-shaped support member  54 . Thus, when properly positioned, the support platform  58  abuts and engages a lower surface  62  of the subframe  14 , and the upwardly extending stabilizer member  60  is disposed adjacent a portion of an inner surface  64  of the subframe  14 . Once the first subframe engaging assembly  48  is properly positioned relative to the subframe  14 , the set screw  40  is threadably disposed through the threaded aperture  42  so that the set screw  40  engages the leg member  52  of the first subframe engaging assembly  48  and secures the first subframe engaging assembly  48  in a fixed, stable position relative to the housing  18  and a portion of the subframe  14  of the vehicle  16 . 
     As previously stated, the subframe support apparatus  10  includes the second subframe engaging assembly  50  which is telescopically connected to the housing  18  via the second end  22  thereof. The second subframe engaging assembly  50  includes a leg member  66  which is telescopically disposed within the passageway  24  of the housing  18  via the second end  22  thereof. A substantially inverted L-shaped support member  68  is connected to an outwardly extending end  70  of the leg member  66  such that the substantially inverted L-shaped support member  68  extends upwardly therefrom and provides a support platform  72  for a portion of the subframe  14  of the vehicle  16 . 
     In order to stabilize the second subframe engaging assembly  50  relative to the subframe  14  of the vehicle  16 , and to ensure proper positioning of the support platform  72  of the substantially inverted L-shaped support member  68  in abutting contact with a portion of the subframe  14 , the second subframe engaging assembly  50  is provided with an upwardly extending stabilizer member  74  which is substantially normally disposed relative to the support platform  72  of the substantially inverted L-shaped support member  68 . Thus, when properly positioned, the support platform  72  abuts and engages the lower surface  62  of the subframe  14  and the upwardly extending stabilizer member  74  is disposed adjacent a portion of an inner surface  64  of the subframe  14 . Once the second subframe engaging assembly  50  is properly positioned relative to the subframe  14 , the set screw  44  is threadably disposed through the threaded aperture  46  so that the set screw  44  engages the leg member  66  of the second subframe engaging assembly  50  and secures the second subframe engaging assembly  50  in a fixed, stable position relative to the housing  18  and a portion of the subframe  14  of the vehicle  16 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , shown therein is another embodiment of a subframe support apparatus  80  constructed in accordance with the present invention. The subframe support apparatus  80  can be mounted on a jack  12  (not shown) so that the subframe support apparatus  80  is disposable adjacent a subframe  14  of a vehicle  16  for stabilizing the subframe  14  of the vehicle  16  as shown in  FIG. 1 . At the same time, a mechanic is working on components of a vehicle  16  supported by a subframe  14  in the same manner hereinbefore described with reference to the subframe support apparatus  10 . 
     The subframe support apparatus  80  includes an elongated support member  82  having a length greater than the distance between oppositely disposed portions of the subframe  14  of the vehicle  16 . The subframe support apparatus  80  further includes a first subframe engaging assembly  84  slidably disposed on the elongated support member  82  and a second subframe engaging assembly  86  also slidably disposed on the elongated support member  82 , such that the first and second subframe engaging assemblies  84  and  86  can be selectively positioned relative to the subframe  14  of the vehicle  16  as will be described in more detail hereinafter. 
     The elongated support member  82  is provided with a first end  88  and a second end  90 . The elongated support member  82  is shown as being a substantially square-shaped tubular member. However, it should be understood that the elongated support member  82  can be of any cross-sectional configuration as long as the first and second subframe assemblies  84  and  86  can be selectively connected thereto so as to engage and support the subframe  14  of the vehicle  16 . 
     The elongated support member  82  is further provided with brackets  92  and  94  for connecting the elongated support member  82  to a support member  30  of a jack  12 , such as a support member  30  of the jack  12  shown in  FIG. 1 . The brackets  92  and  94  are connected to oppositely disposed sidewalls  96  and  98  of the elongated support member  82 . The brackets  92  and  94  are similar in construction and are provided with a substantially L-shaped configuration. Further, each of the brackets  92  and  94  are provided with apertures  100  therein so that the brackets  92  and  94  can be bolted or otherwise connected to a support member  30  of a jack  12 . 
     In  FIGS. 4 and 5 , only the bracket  92  is shown having apertures  100  therein which are adapted to receive bolts  102  so that the bracket  92  and the elongated support member  82  can be connected to the support member  30  of the jack  12  ( FIG. 1 ). It is to be understood that the bracket  94  is similar in construction to the bracket  92  and also contains apertures (not shown) which are adapted to receive bolts (also not shown) so that the bracket  94  can also be used to connect the elongated support member  82  to the support member  30  of the jack  12  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     While the elongated support member  82  has been shown as being connectable to the support member  30  of the jack  12  via the brackets  92  and  94  and a plurality of bolts, such as bolts  102 , it should be understood that the brackets  92  and  94  can be connected to the support member  30  of the jack  12  by any suitable means such as welding, clamping and the like. Further, if desired, the support member  30  of the jack  12  and the elongated support member  82  of the subframe support apparatus  80  can be fabricated of unitary construction. 
     As previously stated, the subframe support apparatus  80  includes the first subframe engaging assembly  84  and the second subframe engaging assembly  86  which are slidably disposed on the elongated support member  82  so that the first and second subframe engaging assemblies  84  and  86  can be adjustably positioned along the elongated support member  82 . Thus, in a connected position, the first subframe engaging assembly  84  engages and supports a portion of the subframe of the vehicle and the second subframe engaging assembly  86  engages and supports an oppositely disposed portion of the subframe of the vehicle. 
     The first subframe engaging assembly  84  includes a leg member  104  having a first end portion  106  and a second end portion  108 . A collar  110  is connected to a lower surface  112  of the leg member  104  so as to be disposed near the second end portion  108  of the leg member  104 . The collar  110  is sized so as to be slidably disposable on the elongated support member  82  via the first end  88  thereof and secured in a stable position on the elongated support member  82  via a set screw  114  extending through a threaded aperture  116  in the collar  110 . 
     In order to stabilize the first subframe engaging assembly  84  relative to the subframe of the vehicle, and to ensure proper positioning of a support platform or surface  118  of the leg member  104 , the first subframe engaging assembly  84  is further provided with an upwardly extending stabilizer member  120  connected to an inwardly disposed sidewall  122  of the leg member  104 ; so that the upwardly extending stabilizer member  120  is substantially normally disposed to the support platform or upper surface  118  of the leg member  104  substantially as shown. Thus, when the leg member  104  is properly positioned and stabilized on the elongated support member  82  of the subframe support apparatus  80 , the support platform or upper surface  118  of the leg member  104  abuts and engages a lower surface of the subframe of the vehicle. The upwardly extending stabilizer member  120  is disposed adjacent a portion of an inner surface of the subframe  14  of the vehicle  16  in the same manner that the support platform  58  and the stabilizer member  60  of the first subframe engaging assembly  48  of the subframe support apparatus  10  engages the subframe  14  of the vehicle  16  as hereinbefore described with reference to  FIGS. 1-3 . As previously stated, in order to stabilize the first subframe engaging assembly  84  on the elongated support member  82 , the set screw  114  is threadably disposed through the threaded aperture  116  so that the set screw  114  engages the elongated support member  82  and thus secures the first subframe engaging assembly  84  in a fixed, stable position relative to the elongated support member  82  and portion of the subframe of the vehicle. 
     The second subframe engaging assembly  86  is substantially a mirror image of the first subframe engaging assembly  84 . Thus, the second subframe engaging assembly  86  includes a leg member  124  having a first end portion  126  and a second end portion  128 . A collar  130  is connected to a lower surface  132  of the leg member  124  so as to be disposed near the second end portion  128  of the leg member  124 . The collar  130  is sized so as to be slidably disposable on the elongated support member  82  via the second end  90  thereof and secured in a stable position on the elongated support member  82  via a set screw  134  extending through a threaded aperture  136  in the collar  110 . 
     In order to stabilize the second subframe engaging assembly  86  relative to the subframe of the vehicle, and to ensure proper positioning of a support platform or surface  138  of the leg member  124 , the second subframe engaging assembly  86  is further provided with an upwardly extending stabilizer member  140  connected to an inwardly disposed sidewall  142  of the leg member  124  so that the upwardly extending stabilizer member  140  is substantially normally disposed to the support platform or upper surface  138  of the leg member  124  substantially as shown. Thus, when the leg member  124  is properly positioned and stabilized on the elongated support member  82  of the subframe support apparatus  80 , the support platform or upper surface  138  of the leg member  124  abuts and engages a lower surface of the subframe of the vehicle. The upwardly extending stabilizer member  140  is disposed adjacent a portion of an inner surface of the subframe  14  of the vehicle  16  in the same manner that the support platform  72  and the upwardly extending stabilizer member  74  of the second subframe engaging assembly  50  of the subframe support apparatus  10  engages the subframe  14  of the vehicle  16  as hereinbefore described with reference to  FIGS. 1-3 . As previously stated, in order to stabilize the second subframe engaging assembly  86  on the elongated support member  82 , the set screw  134  is threadably disposed through the support member  82  and thus secures the second subframe engaging assembly  86  in a fixed, stable position relative to the elongated support member  82  and portion of the subframe of the vehicle. 
     In order to stabilize a subframe of a vehicle, such as the subframe  14  of the vehicle  16  shown in  FIG. 1 , a subframe support apparatus  10  constructed in accordance with the present invention is operably connected to the jack  12 . When utilizing the subframe support apparatus  10  to stabilize and support components supported by the subframe  14  of the vehicle  16 , the jack  12  is moved to an extended or raised position. The first and second subframe engaging assemblies  48  and  50  are extended outwardly from the housing  18  so that the upwardly extending stabilizer member  60 , supported on the substantially inverted L-shaped support member  54  connected to the leg member  52  of the first subframe engaging assembly  48 , abuttingly engages the inner surface  64  of the subframe  14  of the vehicle  16 . The upwardly extending stabilizer member  74  supported on the substantially inverted L-shaped support member  68  connected to the leg member  66  of the second subframe engaging assembly  50  engages the inner surface  64  of an oppositely disposed portion of the subframe  14  of the vehicle  16 . The jack  12  is then further extended or raised so that the support platform  58  of the substantially inverted L-shaped member  54  of the first subframe engaging assembly  48  abuttingly engages the lower surface  62  of the subframe  14 . The support platform  72  of the substantially inverted L-shaped member  68  of the second subframe engaging assembly  50  abuttingly engages the lower surface  62  of the subframe  14  of the vehicle  16  such that the first and second subframe engaging assemblies  48  and  50  engage oppositely disposed portions of the subframe  14  of the vehicle  16 . 
     Once the subframe support assembly  10  has been properly positioned in an abutting relationship with the subframe  14  of the vehicle  16 , a mechanic can freely work on the components of the vehicle supported by the subframe  14  of the vehicle  16 . 
     The operation of the subframe support apparatus  80  is similar to that hereinbefore described for the subframe support apparatus  10 . Thus, a description of a method of operation of the subframe support apparatus  80  will not be described herein. 
     From the above description, it is clear that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and to attain the advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in the invention. While presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described for purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are accomplished within the spirit of the invention disclosed and claimed.