Patent Publication Number: US-9415982-B1

Title: Trike lift and the methods of making and using the same

Description:
This United States utility patent application claims priority on and the benefit of provisional application 61/684,060 filed Aug. 16, 2012, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an improved trike lift having a vertical extension for engaging a high point of the trike body bottom, and to the methods of making and using the same. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The present invention is designed for use with a trike  5 . Trikes are a type of three wheeled motorized vehicle, and generally have a front  10 , a rear  11  and sides  12 . Trikes are becoming more popular today and the number of trikes in operation continues to rise. Of course, tikes need service and repair, just as motorcycles need service and repair. Yet, while there are many motorcycle lifts and jacks available, there are very few trike lifts. 
     One reason for this is that trikes  5  have a body bottom  15  that is not conducive to being lifted. This is because the overall weight of the trike  5  is not centered on the center of the body bottom  15 . Trikes do have other components, such as a swing arm, in a bottom high section  16 . Yet, until the present invention, there have not been any attempts to utilize these other portions to gain leverage to lift the trike  5  in a stable manner. 
     None of the known lifts have an extension that is selectably raised and lowered. Specifically, none show a lift that can be positioned under a trike with an extension in a low position, wherein the extension can then be raised to engage a swing arm or other portion of a trike. 
     None show the use of two engagers that provide two lift points that allow the trike to be balanced and stable during the lift. 
     None show a lift with a top arm step that allows the lift to perform its function without interruption from the trike fender. 
     Thus there exists a need for a trike lift and the methods of making and using the same that solves these and other problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an improved trike lift having a vertical extension for engaging a high point of the trike body bottom, and to the methods of making and using the same. The lift has a frame with base arms, lift arms and upper arms that act generally as a parallelogram. One of the upper arms has a pad to engage the body bottom of the trike. The other upper arm has an extension block that can be selectably raised and lowered. In one embodiment, the extension block can be manually raised. In another embodiment, the extension block can be mechanically raised. The lift also has an elevation assembly with a handle having a stepped top arm. 
     According to one advantage of the present invention, the lift has an extension block (or extension) that is selectably raised and lowered. Specifically, the trike lift can be moved into position from the side of a trike with the extension block in a low position. Then, the extension block can be raised to engage a swing arm or other portion of a trike. In one preferred embodiment, the extension block is manually raised from the low position to the high position. This is advantageously accomplished with the use of a J channel, wherein the user manually operates the extension block within the J channel. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the extension block is mechanically moved between high and low positions. This can be advantageously accomplished via a lever that toggles cams between an inactive or down position and an upright or active position. 
     Related, the mechanically moved extension block has redundant safety features. In this regard, the cams have flat tops so that when a vertical load is applied to the lift, the cams are unable to move without first overcoming the vertical load. Second, a pin or other locking device can be used to secure the lever in its position so that the lever cannot be unintentionally used to lower the extension block. 
     According to another advantage of the present invention, the lift uses two engagers that provide two lift points that allow the trike to be balanced and stable during the lift. 
     According to a still further advantage of the present invention, the lift is provided with a top arm step that allows the lift to perform its function without interruption from the trike fender and without the need to first remove the fender before using the lift. 
     Other advantages, benefits, and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the invention and studying the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in the low position. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of an extension block shown in the low position. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view similar to  FIG. 2 , but shows the extension block in a high position. 
         FIG. 4  is similar to  FIG. 1 , but shows the embodiment in an intermediate position. 
         FIG. 5  is similar to  FIG. 1 , but shows the embodiment in a high position. 
         FIG. 6  is a close up view showing the step in the lift top arm clearing the fender of a trike and the engagers engaging the bottom of the trike. 
         FIG. 7  is a rear view showing the lift in position under a trike with the extension block in a low position. 
         FIG. 8  is similar to  FIG. 7 , but shows the extension block in a high position. 
         FIG. 9  is a rear view showing a trike being supported off of the ground by the lift of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention in a low position and showing an alternative extension block in the low position. 
         FIG. 11  is similar to  FIG. 10 , but shows the extension block in a high position. 
         FIG. 12  is a rear view showing the mechanical lever in a first position. 
         FIG. 12A  is similar to  FIG. 12 , but shows the lever in the second position with a safety pin in place. 
         FIG. 13  is a side isolation view showing the cams of the drive system in an inactive or down position. 
         FIG. 13A  is a reverse angle of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 14  shows the cams in an inactive or down position. 
         FIG. 14A  shows the cams in an upright or active position. 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of the cams within the base and extension block in the low position. 
         FIG. 15A  is a reverse view of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of the cams within the base and extension block in the high position. 
         FIG. 16A  is a reverse view of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 17  is an end view of the cams within the base and extension block in the low position. 
         FIG. 17A  is similar to  FIG. 17 , but shows the extension block in the high position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     While the invention will be described in connection with one or more preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 1-9  generally, it is seen that a first preferred embodiment is illustrated. In this regard, it is seen that a lift  20  is provided having ends  23  and  24 , and sides  25  and  26 . The lift  20  has a frame  30  and an elevation assembly  80 . The lift  20  is preferably made of strong materials such as steel. However, it is appreciated that other materials may be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     Frame  30  has base arms  31 , lift arms  35  and upper arms  40 . These three sets of arms preferably act generally as a parallelogram in raising and lowering the upper arms  40  relative the base arms  31 . The lift arms  35  are pivotally connected to the base arms  31  at one end and to the upper arms  40  at the opposite ends, respectively. 
     There are preferably two upper arms. The first upper arm preferably has a body bottom lower section engager  50 . The engager  50  can have a pad  55  comprising a compressible or high friction material so that the trike is stably engaged by the engager. 
     The second upper arm preferably has a body bottom higher section engager  60 . Engager  60  has a base  65  and an extension block  70 . The base  65  has two pins  166  and  167  fixed to the top of the base. The extension block  70  has sides  71  and a top  74 . The top  74  has a pad  75  preferably of the same material as the material of pad  55 . Each side  71  has two J channels  72  and  73 , respectively. 
     The pins  66  and  67  of the first piece extend within the two J channels  72  and  73 , respectively. In this regard, the extension block is raisable and lowerable to the two positions defined by the J channels. In this embodiment, it is preferred that the extension block  70  is extended and compacted manually by the user. In the low position, pad  75  is preferably about two inches higher than pad  55 . However, in the high position, pad  75  is preferably about five inches higher than pad  55 . 
     An elevation assembly  80  is provided. The assembly  80  has a top arm  85  and side arms  87 . The top arm  85  is stepped. In this regard, a section of the top arm is removed in order for the elevation assembly  80  to clear the fender  17  of a trike. Step  86  has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is generally parallel to the side arms, and the second portion is generally perpendicular to the first portion. It is appreciated that the step  86  could have different shapes without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     A handle  90  is further provided, as is a hydraulic lift  100  for providing hydraulic force to raise the lift, a release  105  for releasing the hydraulic force to lower the lift, locks  110  to secure the lift in a high position and floor engagers  115  to prevent movement of the lift. 
     In use, it is appreciated that the lift is inserted under the trike from the side  12  of the trike. The extension block  70  is preferably in the low position whereby it can clear the fender  17  and body bottom sections. Once in position, the extension block is preferably raises so that pad  75  is about five inches higher than pad  55 . Elevation assembly is then used to cause the lift frame  30  to rise. Pad  55  engages the body bottom and pad  75  engages the body bottom high section (preferably the swing arm). In this regard, the weight of the trike is centered on the lift and the lift can lift the trike in a stable manner. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 10-17A , it is seen that a second preferred embodiment of a lift  120  is illustrated. Lift  120  has ends  123  and  124  and sides  125  and  126 . Lift  120  has a lift frame  130  and an elevation assembly  280 . The lift  120  is preferably made of strong materials such as steel. However, it is appreciated that other materials may be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. Frame  130  has base arms  131 , lift arms  135  and upper arms  140 . These three sets of arms preferably act generally as a parallelogram in raising and lowering the upper arms  140  relative the base arms  131 . The lift arms  135  are pivotally connected to the base arms  131  at one end and to the upper arms  140  at the opposite ends, respectively. 
     There are preferably two upper arms. The first upper arm preferably has a body bottom lower section engager  150 . The engager  150  can have a pad  155  comprising a compressible or high friction material so that the trike  5  is engaged by the engager in a stable manner. 
     The second upper arm preferably has a body bottom higher section engager  160 . Engager  160  has a base  165  and an extension block  170 . The base  165  has two pins  166  and  167  fixed to the top of the base  165 . The extension block  170  has sides  171  and a top  174 . The top  174  has a pad  175  preferably of the same material as the material of pad  155 . Each side  171  has vertical slots or channels  172  and  173 , respectively. It is appreciated that while slots are shown to be vertically aligned, that other shapes or orientations may be utilized without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     A channel  176  is formed on the inside of the extension block  170  on the underside of the top  174 . The channel  176  is preferably centrally aligned on the top  174  and spans the entire length of the top  174 . 
     The pins  166  and  167  of the first piece extend within the two channels  172  and  173 , respectively. In this regard, the extension block is raisable and lowerable to the two positions defined by the top and bottom, respectively, of the channels  172  and  173 . In the low position, pad  175  is preferably about two inches higher than pad  155 . However, in the high position, pad  175  is preferably about five inches higher than pad  155 . In this embodiment, it is preferred that the extension block  170  is extended and compacted in a mechanical manner with a drive system  190 . 
     Drive system  190  has a first cable  200  and a second cable  210 . Two cams  220  and  230  are preferably provided. Yet, it is appreciated the more or fewer cams may be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. Cam  220  has a side  221  and a top  222 . A fixed pivot  223  is provided about pin  166 . A cable pivot  224  is further provided. Cable pivot  224  orbits about the fixed pivot  223  when the cam pivots about the fixed pivot  223 . Cam  220  has two positions, an inactive or low position, and a high or active position. The extension block  170  is in the low position when the cam  220  is in the low position. The extension block  170  is in the raised position when the cam  220  is cam is in the high or active position. It is appreciated that the top  222  of cam  220  is flat. In this regard, when a load is applied to the lift when the extension block  170  is in the high position, the cam is stable and in unable to be moved to the low position without overcoming the weight of the load. 
     Cam  230  is similar to cam  220 . Cam  230  has a side  231 , a top  232 , a fixed pivot  233  (about pin  167 ) and a cable pivot  234 . Yet, it is appreciated that cam  230  pivots or rotates in an opposite matter as cam  220 . In this regard, cam  220  and cam  230  preferably operate in tandem, albeit, in opposite rotational manners. Yet, it is appreciated that the cams could operate with the same rotational directions without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     The cams  220  and  230  are received within the channel  176  when they are in the raised or active position. In this regard, the cams are laterally stable as the channel  176  maintains vertical alignment of the cams within the extension block  170 . 
     A lever  240  is provided to selectably pull on cable  200  or  210 . Cable  200  is placed under tension when the lever  240  is in a first position. Cable  210  is placed under tension when lever  240  is in the second position. Pulling on cable  200  causes the cams to move to the low position. Pulling on cable  210  causes the cams to move to a high position. A safety pin  241  can be provided for locking the lever in the second position wherein the cams are held in the high position. 
     The lever  240  is preferably held on the handle  290  of an elevation assembly. The elevation assembly  280  is similar to elevation assembly  80 , and has a top arm  285  with a step  286  and side arms  287 . A hydraulic lift  300 , a release  310 , locks  320  and floor engagers  315  are further provided. 
     In use, it is appreciated that the lift is inserted under the trike from the side  12  of the trike  5 . The extension block  170  is preferably in the low position whereby it can clear the fender  17  and body bottom sections. Once in position, the extension block is preferably raises via the drive assembly  190  so that pad  175  is about five inches higher than pad  155 . Elevation assembly is then used to cause the lift frame  130  to rise. Pad  155  engages the body bottom and pad  175  engages the body bottom high section (preferably the swing arm). In this regard, the weight of the trike  5  is centered on the lift and the lift can lift the trike in a stable manner. 
     Thus it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the invention, for a trike lift and the methods of making and using the same that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages as set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.