Patent Description:
Lifting systems are generally used to allow mechanical/maintenance jobs on the underside of the vehicle.

Lifting systems allow the vehicle to be raised off the ground, via its wheels, so that an operator can access the underside thereof.

The lifting systems of known type comprise a pair of lifting platforms adapted to hold the vehicle through its pair of wheels (or more, in the case of larger vehicles, such as trucks or the like).

The known lifting systems also comprise a pair of lifting assemblies, which can be associated with the ground and connected to each of the lifting platforms.

The lifting assemblies are movable between a retracted position, wherein the lifting platform is placed in the proximity of the ground, and an extended position, wherein the lifting platform is raised above the ground to allow the vehicle to be lifted.

In particular, in lifting systems of known type, the lifting assemblies comprise a lifting structure of the "half scissor" type or the like, which supports the lifting platform and an actuator which allows it to be moved.

In the lifting systems of known type, the lifting assemblies are connected to the lifting platform through sliding means, such as e.g. systems consisting of wheels or skids and runways.

Alternatively, the lifting assembly may be connected in a sliding manner to the ground by means of similar sliding means.

The lifting systems of known type do, however, have some drawbacks.

In particular, these drawbacks are mainly linked to the high probability of wear of the aforementioned sliding means. The lifting systems, in fact, are subjected to very high loads and the mutual sliding of the parts, while the vehicle is loaded on the lifting platform, can lead to operational complications, such as, e.g., sliding difficulties, disengagement of the wheels from the runways, and so on.

In addition, the systems of known type do have a high structural complexity which results in laborious assembly operations and consequently longer lead times.

This last drawback is even more evident when the lifting system has runways built in the ground; in this case, in fact, it is necessary to structurally intervene also on the installation site.

In view of these drawbacks, it is clear that the lifting systems for vehicles are in need of further improvement.

The main aim of the present invention is to devise a lifting system for vehicles which allows reducing wear and tear caused by prolonged use and related operational complications.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a lifting system for vehicles which is characterized by greater structural simplicity than known solutions and which allows simple and rapid assembly between the parts and at the installation site.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a lifting system for vehicles which allows the mentioned drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome within a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as affordable solution.

The aforementioned objects are achieved by the present lifting system for vehicles having the characteristics of claim <NUM>.

Document <CIT> discloses a vehicle transports bodywork comprising a movement unit, a receiving device and a raising and lowering device having rigid structural elements pivoted to each other. This document discloses the preamble of claim <NUM>.

Document <CIT> discloses a lift for motor vehicles, of the type comprising two parallel platforms for supporting the vehicle wheels, each platform being provided with a device for lifting the platform itself.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a lifting system for vehicles, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example, in the accompanying tables of drawings wherein:.

With particular reference to such figures, reference numeral <NUM> globally indicates a lifting system for vehicles.

The lifting system <NUM> comprises at least one lifting platform <NUM> adapted to support a vehicle V.

In the context of the present disclosure, "vehicle" means a means of transport provided with at least two sets of wheels arranged parallel to each other with respect to a direction of travel.

For example, in the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the vehicle V is represented by a truck. It cannot, however, be ruled out that the present lifting system <NUM> may also be used for different vehicles V, such as passenger cars, buses, rail wagons or the like.

In particular, in the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the lifting system comprises a pair of lifting platforms <NUM>, each connected to at least one lifting assembly <NUM>, in order to effectively support the vehicle V through the respective wheel sets. The lifting system <NUM> is intended to lift the vehicle V with respect to the ground to allow access to the underside by an operator, in order to perform mechanical/maintenance operations to the underside of the vehicle itself.

The lifting system <NUM> comprises at least one lifting assembly <NUM> associable with a supporting surface S and associated with the lifting platform <NUM>.

The supporting surface S lies on a substantially horizontal plane. Preferably, the supporting surface S coincides with the ground.

A first embodiment of the present invention is shown in the figures, wherein the lifting system <NUM> comprises at least two lifting assemblies <NUM>, each arranged at a respective end of the lifting platform <NUM>.

It cannot however be ruled out that, depending on the type of vehicle V and the extension in length of the lifting platforms <NUM>, the lifting system <NUM> may also comprise more than two lifting assemblies <NUM> associated with each lifting platform <NUM>.

The two lifting assemblies <NUM> are substantially similar and arranged symmetrically with respect to a transverse plane passing through the centre of the lifting platform <NUM>.

Each lifting assembly <NUM> is movable between a retracted position, wherein the lifting platform <NUM> is arranged in the proximity of the supporting surface S, and an extended position, wherein the lifting platform <NUM> is raised with respect to the supporting surface S to allow the lifting of the vehicle V.

Substantially, with the lifting assembly <NUM> in the retracted position, the lifting system <NUM> allows positioning the vehicle V above the lifting platforms <NUM> and its moving away at the end of the operations, while with the lifting assembly <NUM> in the extended position, the vehicle V is positioned at a higher height with respect to the ground to allow access to the underside of the same.

According to the invention, the lifting assembly <NUM> comprises:.

The lifting structure <NUM> and the actuator system <NUM> are associated rotatable with the lifting platform <NUM> around at least one operational axis A1, A2.

Substantially, the lifting structure <NUM> is connected to the lifting platform <NUM> at just one point.

Advantageously, the lifting structure <NUM> is associated rotatable with the lifting platform <NUM> around a first operational axis A1 and the actuator system <NUM> is associated rotatable with the lifting platform <NUM> around a second operational axis A2, separate from the first operational axis A1.

This solution provides greater stability to the lifting assembly <NUM> and allows better load distribution.

Also according to the invention, the lifting structure <NUM> comprises:.

The term "pantograph structure" means a structure formed by a plurality of elements hinged together to define a deformable parallelogram.

More in detail, as shown in the figures, the lifting structure <NUM> comprises a pair of pantograph structures <NUM> and a pair of lifting rods <NUM> arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to a longitudinal plane.

This embodiment allows the lifting assembly <NUM> to adapt to the width of the lifting platform <NUM> and to support the latter very effectively.

The special geometrical conformation of the lifting structure <NUM> allows a rotatable connection between the lifting assembly <NUM> and the lifting platform <NUM>, thus avoiding the use of sliding connections between the parts.

Each of the pantograph structures <NUM> comprises:.

As shown in <FIG>, the supporting rods <NUM>, <NUM> are substantially parallel to each other between the extended position and the retracted position. In other words, the supporting rods <NUM>, <NUM> are always equidistant, at any point, at whatever height the lifting assembly <NUM> is intended to be positioned.

As explained above, this contributes to the high stability of the lifting structure <NUM> and avoids the use of sliding elements between the parts.

Moreover, the pantograph structure <NUM>, in the retracted position, gives great compactness to the lifting assembly <NUM>. The supporting rods <NUM>, <NUM>, in fact, are substantially overlapped in such position and this allows the lifting platform <NUM> to move considerably close to the supporting surface S, thus facilitating the positioning of the vehicle V.

In particular, the pair of supporting rods <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a first rod <NUM> and a second rod <NUM>.

Advantageously, the linking means <NUM> comprise:.

In more detail, the first rod <NUM> is associated rotatable with the connecting element <NUM> around a substantially horizontal first hinging axis R1.

The lifting rod <NUM> is associated rotatable with the connecting element <NUM> around a second hinging axis R2, separate from the first hinging axis R1 and substantially parallel thereto.

As shown in <FIG>, the connecting element <NUM> is, also, adapted to connect the first rod <NUM> to the second rod <NUM> and to keep them parallel during the movement of the lifting assembly <NUM>.

Specifically, the second rod <NUM> is associated rotatable with the connecting element <NUM> around a third hinging axis R3.

The second hinging axis R2 and the third hinging axis R3 are substantially parallel to each other and lie in the same substantially vertical plane.

The connecting rod element <NUM> has the function of connecting the ends of the lifting rod <NUM> to the second rod <NUM> and allowing them to mutually rotate and shift. In particular, the lifting rod <NUM> is connected to the connecting rod element <NUM> around a fourth hinging axis R4, which is substantially horizontal and parallel to the second hinging axis R2.

The second rod <NUM> is connected to the connecting rod element <NUM> around a fifth hinging axis R5.

The arrangement of the hinging axes R1-R5 allows vertical movement of the lifting assembly <NUM> and optimum load distribution.

Basically, as also shown in <FIG>, between the retracted position and the extended position, the lifting assembly <NUM> extends along a substantially vertical direction D.

Furthermore, in the retracted position, the connecting rod element <NUM> allows the lifting rod <NUM> to overlap the supporting rods <NUM>, <NUM> and contributes to giving compactness to the lifting assembly <NUM>.

The lifting structure <NUM> is moved thanks to the actuator system <NUM>.

Conveniently, the actuator system <NUM> comprises at least one actuator device <NUM> operatively positioned between the second rod <NUM> and the lifting platform <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the actuator device <NUM> is, e.g., of the type of a hydraulic cylinder.

It cannot however be ruled out that the actuator device <NUM> is of a different type. The actuator device <NUM> comprises a fixed portion <NUM> and a movable portion <NUM>. The fixed portion <NUM> is associated rotatable with the second rod <NUM> at the connecting element <NUM>.

The movable portion <NUM>, on the other hand, is associated rotatable with the lifting platform <NUM>.

In more detail, the movable portion <NUM> is associated rotatable with the lifting platform <NUM> at the second operational axis A2.

Advantageously, the actuator system <NUM> comprises at least one safety device <NUM> associated with the actuator device <NUM> and operable to stop the movement of the lifting assembly <NUM> towards the retracted position.

As shown in the figures, the safety device <NUM> comprises a pair of toothed rods <NUM>, <NUM> mutually engaging via a ratchet mechanism.

The ratchet mechanism is familiar to the technician in the field and allows movement in just one direction while preventing it in the opposite direction.

In other words, the toothed rods <NUM>, <NUM> are made to allow the movement of the lifting structure <NUM> from the retracted position towards the extended position, but they prevent the opposite movement thereof.

In particular, the toothed rods <NUM>, <NUM> comprise a lower rod <NUM> associated with the fixed portion <NUM> and an upper rod <NUM> associated with the movable portion <NUM>.

In more detail, the upper rod <NUM> is associated rotatable with the movable portion <NUM> around the second operational axis A2.

During the movement towards the extended position, the upper rod <NUM> may shift on the lower rod <NUM>, thus remaining engaged therewith.

The safety device <NUM> also comprises a release element <NUM> associated with the toothed rods <NUM>, <NUM>.

The release element <NUM> is associated with the upper rod <NUM> at the fixed portion <NUM> of the actuator device <NUM>.

Conveniently, the release element <NUM> is operable to partly rotate the upper rod <NUM>, disengaging it from the lower rod <NUM> and allowing the movement of the lifting structure <NUM> towards the retracted position.

The release element <NUM> is of the type, e.g., of a pin operable by means of compressed air.

In more detail, as shown in <FIG>, when the release element <NUM> is actuated, it abuts against the actuator device <NUM> and, by levering thereon, makes the upper rod <NUM> rotate.

Advantageously, the lifting system <NUM> comprises a connecting unit <NUM> positioned between the lifting platform <NUM> and the lifting assembly <NUM>.

wherein the first pivot <NUM> and the second pivot <NUM> are substantially parallel to each other.

The second pivot <NUM> also supports the upper rod <NUM> of the safety device <NUM>. The connecting unit <NUM> also comprises a housing element <NUM> of the pivots <NUM>, <NUM>, associable with the lifting platform <NUM> by means of removable assembly means, such as, e.g., screws or the like.

The removable assembly means allow for a simple and quick installation of the lifting system <NUM>. This also allows facilitating the transport and delivery operations to the customer. The lifting system <NUM> can, in fact, be delivered to the customer with the lifting assembly <NUM> already assembled, i.e. with all components correctly connected to each other, and can simply be bolted to the lifting platform <NUM> when it is at the installation site.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, at least one of the connecting units <NUM> comprises at least one compensation element <NUM> supporting the pivots <NUM>, <NUM> and adapted to compensate a deformation of the lifting platform <NUM> during use. In particular, during use, any deformation of the lifting platform <NUM> leads to a bending of the platform itself and to a mutual approach of the ends thereof. This deformation, even if minimal, could excessively stress the lifting assemblies <NUM> and lead to damages of the entire lifting system <NUM>.

Thus, the compensation element <NUM> allows the deformation of the lifting platform <NUM> without affecting the lifting assemblies <NUM>.

In detail, as shown in <FIG>, the compensation element <NUM> defines a slot 25a inside which the housing element <NUM> is arranged and which allows a substantially horizontal shift movement thereof.

Again with reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, the lifting system <NUM> also comprises at least one operating device <NUM> operatively connected to each of the actuator systems <NUM> and adapted to allow a synchronous movement of the lifting assemblies <NUM>.

The operating device <NUM>, e.g. of the compressed air type, can also be connected to the respective safety devices <NUM>, so that the release elements <NUM> are operated synchronously.

It cannot however be ruled out that the lifting system <NUM> comprises a separate operating device <NUM> for each lifting assembly <NUM>.

The operation of the present lifting system <NUM> is as follows.

With the lifting assemblies <NUM> in the retracted position, the lifting platforms <NUM> are moved close to the supporting surface S to allow the vehicle V to be loaded thereon.

By means of the operating device <NUM>, the lifting assemblies <NUM> are moved to the extended position.

During such movement, the lifting structure <NUM> extends along the direction D, substantially vertically. The upper rod <NUM> of the safety device <NUM> slides on the lower rod <NUM> and, after the desired height has been reached, blocks the movement of the lifting assembly <NUM> back to the retracted position.

After the operations on the vehicle V have been completed, the lifting platforms <NUM> are moved back towards the supporting surface S to allow the vehicle itself to be moved away.

For this purpose, the release element <NUM> is operated and the actuator device <NUM> moves the lifting assemblies <NUM> back to the retracted position.

In a second embodiment, not shown in detail in the figures, the lifting system <NUM> comprises just one lifting assembly <NUM> associated with each of the lifting platforms <NUM>.

In particular, this embodiment envisages that the lifting assembly <NUM> is associated with the lifting platform <NUM> substantially at the centre of the latter.

The lifting assembly <NUM>, according to the present embodiment, differs from what described above by the fact that the lifting structure <NUM> also comprises at least one sustaining rod, operatively positioned between the pantograph structure <NUM> and the lifting platform <NUM>.

The sustaining rod is associated rotatable with the lifting platform <NUM> around a third operational axis, separate from the first operational axis A1.

Furthermore, the sustaining rod and the lifting rod <NUM> are substantially parallel to each other between the extended position and the retracted position.

In other words, in this second embodiment, the lifting assembly comprises a double pantograph structure which allows, therefore, the lifting platform <NUM> to be moved by means of just one lifting assembly <NUM>.

It has, in practice, been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects and, in particular, the fact has been emphasized that the special geometric conformation of the lifting structure allows the present lifting system for vehicles to be extremely resistant and less subject to wear phenomena than known solutions.

Claim 1:
Lifting system (<NUM>) for vehicles, comprising:
- at least one lifting platform (<NUM>) adapted to support a vehicle (V);
- at least one lifting assembly (<NUM>) associable with a supporting surface (S) and associated with said lifting platform (<NUM>), movable between a retracted position, wherein said lifting platform (<NUM>) is arranged in the proximity of said supporting surface (S), and an extended position, wherein said lifting platform (<NUM>) is raised with respect to said supporting surface (S) to allow the lifting of said vehicle (V);
wherein said lifting assembly (<NUM>) comprises:
- at least one lifting structure (<NUM>), intended to be fastened to said supporting surface (S) and associated rotatable with said lifting platform (<NUM>) and comprising at least one pantograph structure (<NUM>) associable with said supporting surface (S);
characterized in that said lifting structure (<NUM>) comprises:
- at least one lifting rod (<NUM>) operatively positioned between said pantograph structure (<NUM>) and said lifting platform (<NUM>); and
- linking means (<NUM>) between said pantograph structure (<NUM>) and said lifting rod (<NUM>);
and said lifting assembly (<NUM>) comprises at least one actuator system (<NUM>) operatively positioned between said lifting structure (<NUM>) and said lifting platform (<NUM>);
wherein said lifting structure (<NUM>) and said actuator system (<NUM>) are associated rotatable with said lifting platform (<NUM>) around at least one operational axis (A1, A2).