VEHICLE LIFTING DEVICE

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of bodywork equipment and relates in particular to a vehicle lift (or lifting table) equipped with support arms. The present invention relates more particularly to a vehicle lift with a technical solution for locking / unlocking the support arms, the vehicle lift being able to be fixed or mobile, and preferably mobile and movable. Technical background

[0002] The EN 1493 standard for lifting tables equipped with support arms requires that these arms have a locking system, for safety reasons. This locking system must be effective even without a load on the lifting table, and also during movement of the lifting table.

[0003] Currently, there are different systems for blocking or locking the supporting arms of lifting tables.

[0004] Thus, French patent FR2342240 describes a lifting bridge comprising support arms carrying a pad intended to cooperate with the chassis of the vehicle to be lifted. Each support arm is rotatable between a rest position and a service position in which it extends under the vehicle to be lifted. In FR2342240, the technical solution for locking the arm consists of providing a cleat which, when the arm is rotated, tilts to lock the arm. Means are provided to oppose the tilting of the cleat and thus allow the arm to rotate between its rest position and its service position, or vice versa.

[0005] Furthermore, US patent US 4,715,477 describes a lifting apparatus with tubular swing arms mounted in cylinders and capable of being locked in position by means of pins.

[0006] Finally, European patent application EP3992141 describes a vehicle lifting device, comprising a movable platform equipped with a plurality of arms, one end of which is articulated on the movable platform, and the other free end of which is associated with a pad designed to come into contact with the vehicle to be lifted. Each arm is designed to rotate selectively about a respective substantially vertical articulation axis between an inactive position and an active position in which the pad element comes into contact with the vehicle. Locking means are provided to promote the selective and automatic locking of an arm in the active position. These locking means comprise a rod movable in translation along the table and intended to cooperate with a locking element located at the level of the axis of rotation of the arm.

[0007] However, these prior art arm blocking or locking systems work well for elevators fixed to the ground, but not for mobile and movable elevators with or without load (but in this case, the constraints of standard EN 1493 are generally not respected in the absence of a load). Statement of the invention

[0008] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, the applicant has developed a vehicle lift, preferably mobile and movable, which is designed to be placed on a floor and comprising: an upper plate of substantially rectangular shape and having a substantially flat and horizontal upper surface, two longitudinal edges and two transverse edges, a supporting structure designed to selectively raise and lower said upper plate relative to the ground between two predetermined limit positions, at least one substantially horizontal supporting arm of longitudinal axis Z and having a free end and an end articulated to the upper plate, as well as a lower wall and an upper wall, the supporting arm being pivotally mounted on a U-shaped supporting element support fixed to one of the longitudinal edges of the upper plate, the articulated end of the supporting arm being capable of pivoting about a vertical axis Y passing through the supporting element support so as to be able to rotate selectively between a rest position in which the supporting arm is folded along one of the longitudinal edges and a service position,locking means designed to selectively and automatically lock the support arm in the service position, the vehicle lift according to the invention being characterized in that the locking means comprise: a fixed locking element fixed to the support element so as to be crossed by the vertical axis Y, a movable locking element capable of translating along the Z axis of the support arm and fixed on a pull rod provided with a handle, both movable in translation along the Z axis, the pull rod being arranged inside the support arm and the handle extending the pull rod outside the support arm, so as to be able to move it, by a tensile force exerted on the handle along the Z axis, and therefore to move the movable locking element from a locking position in which the fixed locking element and the movable locking element are in contact and mutually engaged,to an unlocking position in which the fixed locking element and the movable locking element are spaced apart and disengaged from each other, the return from the unlocking position to the locking position being achieved by return means (preferably elastic return means) cooperating with said pull tab when the handle is released.

[0009] The vehicle lift according to the invention may be fixed or mobile, and preferably mobile and movable.

[0010] For the purposes of the present invention, mobile means that the vehicle lift is movable because it is equipped with wheels, rollers, etc., and is in particular designed to be moved from one location to another with or without a load.

[0011] For the purposes of the present invention, movable means that the vehicle lift can perform its function without being fixed to the ground and is designed to be transportable.

[0012] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "pull tab" means an actuator of substantially planar shape capable of translating when a tensile force is exerted on it, in particular via the handle located in the extension of the pull tab.

[0013] The vehicle lift according to the invention provides the following advantages: locking of the supporting arm(s) without load on the arms; simple, entirely mechanical locking / unlocking by operating a pull rod; a design allowing easy replacement of parts that may be subject to wear (teeth of the locking elements, etc.). The fixed and moving parts for locking can be easily dismantled and replaced. Supporting structure

[0014] Typically, the top plate of a vehicle lift is designed to be lowered and raised between a low position in which it is substantially close to the ground, and a high position at a set height from the ground.

[0015] For this purpose, a supporting structure is provided designed to facilitate the selective lifting or lowering of the upper plate between these two limit positions. As operating means usable within the framework of the present invention, operating means comprising: two pairs of parallel scissors arranged in an “X” shape, these pairs of scissors being able to move between a low position where they are substantially horizontal and a high position where they are substantially inclined, these pairs of scissors being broken down into a pair of outer scissors each having a lower end intended to rest on the ground S and an upper end articulated to the upper plate at one of the longitudinal edges of the upper plate, and a pair of inner scissors each having a lower end intended to rest on the ground S and an upper end resting under the upper plate, a hydraulic beam connected to a hydraulic unit, to actuate the movement of the two pairs of scissors. Supporting arm

[0016] In addition to the upper platform and the operating means designed to promote the selective lifting or lowering of the upper platform, the vehicle lift according to the invention also comprises at least one substantially horizontal support arm with a longitudinal axis Z and having a free end and an end articulated to the upper platform, as well as a lower wall and an upper wall, the support arm being pivotally mounted on a U-shaped support element fixed to one of the longitudinal edges of the upper platform, the articulated end of the support arm being able to pivot about a vertical axis Y passing through the support element so as to be able to rotate selectively between a rest position in which the support arm is folded along one of the longitudinal edges and a service position in which it forms a non-zero angle with respect to this edge.

[0017] The upper wall of the support arm, or, where appropriate, of the carrying arms, may be associated with a pad (particularly made of rubber) intended to come into contact with the gripping points under the body of the vehicle to be lifted, the pad being fixed to a pad support sliding on the carrying arm.

[0018] The free end of the supporting arm(s) may be associated with a movable wheel, fixed to a wheel support capable of sliding along a free edge of the supporting arm (4) until it reaches a mechanical stop, said wheel support cooperating with a latch arranged at the end of the supporting arm, which is held in the raised position as long as said wheel support slides to said stop and is in the low position once said mechanical stop is in contact with said wheel support.

[0019] Preferably, the vehicle lift according to the invention may comprise four support arms, the support arms each being pivotally mounted on support element supports fixed to one of the longitudinal edges of the upper platform. Conventionally, for such an embodiment, the support arms and the corresponding pads are equal in number and are equally distributed on each of the edges of the upper platform to promote uniform distribution of the weight of the vehicle to be lifted on the structure of the lift according to the invention. Locking means

[0020] In the context of the present invention, the locking means comprise on the one hand the fixed locking element fixed to the support element and the movable locking element fixed to the pull tab, and on the other hand the pull tab provided with the handle cooperating with at least one spring. When an axial tensile force is exerted on the handle, the movable locking element moves from a locking position in which it is in contact and mutually engaged with the fixed locking element to an unlocking position in which the two aforementioned locking elements are spaced apart and disengaged from each other, the return from the unlocking position to the locking position being achieved by at least one prestressed spring cooperating with the pull tab when the handle is released, and preferably by two prestressed springs.

[0021] Advantageously, one end of the spring may be in the form of a loop attached to the pull tab and the other end of the spring may be attached to the support element.

[0022] Advantageously, the pull tab and said handle may constitute a single folded part comprising a bent portion forming the handle. This bent part with bend may advantageously be made of sheet metal. This particular shape with bend allows a user of the vehicle lift according to the invention, when the upper platform is in the low position, at ground level, to be able to place a foot under the handle, so as to comply with the requirements of standard EN 1493.

[0023] Advantageously, the movable locking element may be fixed to the pull rod using screws passing through oblong guide holes formed in the lower wall of the support arm, so as to allow the movement of the movable fixing element to be guided when a tensile force is exerted on the handle.

[0024] Preferably, the number of screws is four, and the same applies to the number of through holes formed in the lower wall of the support arm with which the screws cooperate. This number of screws and guide holes allows better guidance of the locking element when it translates.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment of the vehicle lift according to the invention, the fixed locking element may comprise a circular portion whose outer edge is provided with a first toothing and the movable locking element may also be provided with a second toothing capable of cooperating with the first toothing of the fixed locking element.

[0026] Preferably, in this embodiment, the second toothing belonging to the movable locking element may comprise only three teeth.

[0027] Preferably, in this embodiment, the first and second teeth may each have an angle α of between 8° and 12°, and better of the order of 9°, and a tooth thickness of between 6 mm and 12 mm.

[0028] Other advantages and particularities of the present invention will result from the description which follows, given by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended figures and examples. Brief description of the figures

[0029] The following examples illustrate the invention, in conjunction with the figures commented on above, without however limiting its scope: [ Fig. 1 ] : There [ Fig. 1 ] is a schematic perspective representation of an example of a vehicle lift according to the invention in the high position and in the fixed position. [ Fig.2 ] : There [ Fig.2 ] is a schematic perspective representation of another example of a vehicle lift according to the invention in a mobile and movable position. [ Fig.3 ] : there [ Fig.3 ] shows two perspective views of a supporting arm of the example vehicle lift shown in the Figures 1 and 2, one of the views (A) showing the carrying arm without the pull tab, and the other view (B) showing the carrying arm provided with a pull tab and the fixed 51 and movable 52 locking elements, the carrying arm being pivotally mounted on a U-shaped carrying element support fixed to one of the longitudinal edges of the upper plate; [ Fig.4 ] : there [ Fig.4 ] illustrating schematically and in detail the mode of operation of the locking elements of the carrying arm, part A illustrating the mechanism at rest when the fixed 51 and mobile 52 elements are in contact and mutually engaged, which corresponds to a so-called locking position, while part B illustrates the mechanism in service when the fixed 51 and mobile 52 locking elements are spaced apart and disengaged from each other, in a so-called unlocking position; [ Fig.5 ] : there [ Fig.5 ] shows a top view and a perspective view of the fixed locking fixed element shown in the [ Fig.4 ] ; [ Fig.6 ] : there [ Fig.6 ] shows a top view and a perspective view of the movable locking element shown in [ Fig.4 ] ; [ Fig.7 ] : there [ Fig.7 ] shows two perspective views of a bent sheet metal part forming the pull with handle, one of the views showing the structure of the bent part as such (lower part) and the other view showing in particular the supporting arm provided with the pull cooperating with two prestressed springs (upper part); [ Fig.8 ] : there [ Fig.8 ] shows different views in which the free end of a support arm is associated with a movable wheel, fixed to a wheel support capable of sliding on the lower part of the support arm: part A of the [ Fig.8 ] shows the installation of the wheel support, the locking latch is in the raised position, while part B of the [ Fig.8] shows the wheel support in place at the end of the arm support, and part C of the [ Fig.8 ] presents the locking latch at the end of the support arm in two positions. [ Fig.9 ] : there [ Fig.9 ] shows a top view of the support arm occupying different positions relative to the longitudinal edge of the upper plate; the pitch of each of the positions of the support arm corresponds to the angle α, the number of possible positions being equal to the angle of 180° divided by the angle α. [ Fig. 10 ] : there [ Fig. 10 ] shows a perspective view of the support arm with the locking elements in the unlocked position, and when a user's hand pulls the handle to position the pad (particularly rubber) under the vehicle's gripping point. Detailed description of the invention

[0030] THE Figures 1 and 2 schematically illustrate an example of a vehicle lift according to the invention designed to be placed on a floor and comprising: an upper plate 2 of substantially rectangular shape and having a substantially flat and horizontal upper surface 21, two parallel longitudinal edges 22 and two transverse edges 23, four substantially horizontal support arms 4 and each having a free end 41 and an articulated end 42 to the upper plate 2, each support arm 4 being pivotally mounted on a U-shaped support element 45 fixed to a longitudinal edge 22 of the upper plate 2 (see also the [ Fig.3] illustrating in more detail the structure of a carrying arm 4), a carrying structure 3 designed to selectively raise and lower the upper platform 2 relative to the ground between two predetermined limit positions, these maneuvering means comprising two pairs of scissors 31, 32, parallel and arranged in an “X” shape, the pairs of scissors 31, 32, being able to move between a low position where they are substantially horizontal and a high position where they are inclined, and a hydraulic beam 35 connected to a hydraulic group, to actuate the movement of the pairs of scissors 31, 32.

[0031] On the [ Fig. 1 ], the vehicle lift according to the invention is fixed and placed on the ground S, while on the [ Fig.2 ] the vehicle lift according to the invention is mobile and movable thanks to mobile wheels 8 associated with each supporting arm 4.

[0032] The support arms 4 are illustrated in more detail on the Figures 3 (3A and 3B ) and on the [ Fig.7 ]. They are substantially horizontal with a lower wall 43 parallel to the ground and an upper wall 44 opposite and parallel to the lower wall, and have an elongated rectangular shape with longitudinal axis Z.

[0033] The upper wall 44 of the supporting arms 4 is associated with a pad 6 (in particular made of rubber) intended to come into contact with the gripping points under the body of the vehicle to be lifted, the pad 6 being fixed on a pad support 7 sliding on the supporting arm 4.

[0034] There [ Fig.3 ] (part 3B) shows in particular that each supporting arm 4 is pivotally mounted on a U-shaped supporting element support 45 fixed to one of the longitudinal edges 22 of the upper plate 2. The [ Fig.3 ] (3B) also shows that the articulated end 42 of said carrying arm 4 is able to pivot around a vertical axis Y (visible on the Figure 3A) passing through the carrier element support 45 so as to be able to rotate selectively between a rest position in which said carrier arm 4 is folded along one of the longitudinal edges 22 and a service position, in which it forms a non-zero angle with respect to this edge.

[0035] THE figures 3 to 7 show the presence of locking means 51, 52, 53, 54, designed to selectively and automatically lock the support arm 4 in the service position. These locking means 51, 52, 53, 54 comprise: a fixed locking element 51 (cf. Figures 4 and 5 ) fixed to the support element 45 so as to be crossed by the vertical axis Y (visible on the [ Fig.3 ] And 4 ), a movable locking element 52 (cf. figures 4 And 6 ) capable of translating along the Z axis of the carrying arm 4, the movable locking element 52 being fixed on a pull rod 53 (cf. [ Fig.7]) provided with a handle 54, both movable in translation along the Z axis, the pull 53 being arranged inside said carrying arm 4 and the handle 54 extending the pull 53 outside the carrying arm 4.

[0036] The locking and unlocking mechanism of the fixed 51 and mobile 52 elements is schematically illustrated in the [ Fig.4 ] : at rest (when no tensile force is exerted on the handle 54), fixed 51 and mobile 52 elements are in contact and mutually engaged, which corresponds to a so-called locking position: part A of the [ Fig.4 ] ; in use, when a pulling force is exerted on the handle 54 (as illustrated in the [ Fig. 10 ]), the movable locking element 52 is moved so that the fixed 51 and movable 52 elements are spaced apart and disengaged from each other, in a so-called unlocking position: part B of the [ Fig.4] ; when all traction force is stopped, the locking position is returned thanks to two pre-stressed springs 55 cooperating with the pull rod 53.

[0037] There [ Fig.7 ], and to a lesser extent the [ Fig.3 ], show that the pull tab 53 and the handle 54 constitute a single folded piece comprising a bent part forming the handle 54. These figures show that the movable locking element 52 is fixed to the pull tab 53 using screws 56 passing through oblong guide holes 57 formed in the lower wall 43 of the support arm 4 so as to allow the guiding of the movement of said movable fixing element 52 when a tensile force is exerted on the handle 54.

[0038] There [ Fig.5] illustrates more particularly the fixed locking element 51: this comprises a cylindrical portion (corresponding substantially to a semicircle), the outer edge of which is provided with a first toothing 51', called the first toothing.

[0039] There [ Fig.6 ] illustrates more particularly the movable locking element 52, which is also provided with a toothing 52', called the second toothing, designed to cooperate with said first toothing 51'. The extent of the second toothing 52' is smaller than the first toothing 51' because it only has 3 teeth, which are sufficient to block the locking position when there is no tensile force exerted on the handle 54.

[0040] There [ Fig.5] shows that the teeth of the first toothing of the fixed locking element are spaced at an angle α of between 8° and 12°, and better still 9° allowing the pads to overlap between each position and the next, as required by standard EN 1493 (see [ Fig.9 ]). The implementation of three teeth on the movable locking element 52 (cf. [ Fig.6 ]) is sufficient to ensure locking of the arm in position. The movable locking element 52 thus has four fixing holes 58 ensuring reliable engagement with the fixed locking element 51.

[0041] There [ Fig.8 ] shows that, in the case of a mobile and movable elevator (as illustrated in the [ Fig.2 ]), the carrying arm 4 can be associated with a mobile wheel 8. Part A of the [ Fig.8 ] shows the installation of a wheel support 9, provided with a locking latch 48 which is in the raised position, while part B of the [ Fig.8] shows the wheel support 9 in place at the free end 41 of the carrying arm 4.

[0042] Part C of the [ Fig.8 ] presents the locking latch 48 at the end of the supporting arm 4 in two positions: the raised position of the latch 48, which is the unlocked position allowing the insertion of the wheel support 9 and the locked position of the latch 48 when the latter has fallen back (lower position) by gravity after the insertion of the wheel support 9.

[0043] In practice, the wheel support 9 is positioned by manually lifting the locking latch 48 and holding it in the raised position (see 8A). The wheel support 9 is presented in the Z axis of the support arm 4 and sliding it along the free edge 46 until it touches a mechanical stop 47, which is located at the lower wall 43 of the support arm 4. Automatically after the wheel support 9 has passed, and if the latch 48 is not kept raised, it falls back under the action of its mass and gravity allowing the wheel support 9 to be securely locked into place at the end of the support arm 4. The operation of the latch 48 at the end of the support arm 41 is shown in the unlocked and locked position in [ Fig.8 ] C. References

[0044] 1 vehicle lift 2 upper platform 21 upper surface of platform 2 22 longitudinal edges of platform 2 23 transverse edges of platform 2 Means of maneuver

[0045] 3 operating means for raising and lowering the platform 2 (in particular in the form of scissors) 31 external scissors (hydraulic cylinder side) 32 internal scissors 35 hydraulic beam connected to a hydraulic unit Supporting arm

[0046] 4 support arm 41 free end of the support arm 42 end articulated to the upper plate 2 of the support arm (consisting of a pivot of the support arm 4) 43 lower wall of the support arm 4; 44 upper wall of the support arm 4; 45 support element; on which the upper surface 21 of the plate 2 is mechanically welded 46 free edge at the end of the support arm 4 47 mechanical stops of the wheel support 9 at the lower wall 43 of the support arm 4. 48 locking latch of a wheel support 9 Z longitudinal axis of the support arm 4 (corresponding to the traction axis of the handle) Y pivot axis of the support arm 4 Locking means

[0047] 51 fixed locking element; 51' first toothing of the fixed locking element 52 movable locking element; 52' second toothing of the movable locking element 53 pull rod (or actuator) 54 handle 55 springs 56 screws for fixing the movable locking element 52 to the pull rod 53 57 oblong guide holes formed in said lower wall 43 of the support arm 4 58 through holes in the movable locking element 52 by screws 56 6 pad 7 pad support 8 movable wheel 9 wheel support

Claims

1. A vehicle lift (1) designed to be arranged on a floor and including: • an upper platform (2) that is substantially rectangular in shape and that has a substantially flat and horizontal upper surface (21), two longitudinal edges (22) and two transverse edges (23), • a supporting structure (3) designed to selectively raise and lower said upper platform (2) relative to the floor between two predetermined limit positions, • at least one substantially horizontal supporting arm (4) with a longitudinal axis (Z), which has a free end (41) and an end (42) connected in an articulated manner to said upper platform (2), as well as a lower face (43) and an upper face (44), wherein said supporting arm (4) is mounted in a pivotable manner on a U-shaped supporting-element support (45) fixed to one of said longitudinal edges (22) of said upper platform (2), wherein said articulated end (42) of said supporting arm (4) is able to pivot about a vertical axis (Y) that runs through said supporting-element support (45) so as to be able to turn selectively between a rest position in which said supporting arm (4) is folded against one of the longitudinal edges (22) and a position of use, • locking means (51, 52, 53, 54, 55) designed to lock selectively and automatically said supporting arm (4) in a position of use, said vehicle lift (1) being characterized in that said locking means (51, 52, 53, 54) include: • a fixed locking element (51) fixed to said support element (45) so as to be traversed by said vertical axis (Y), • a movable locking element (52) that can translate along the axis (Z) of said supporting arm (4), wherein said movable locking element (52) is fixed to • a pull strip (53) provided with a handle (54), which are both movable in translation along said axis (Z), wherein said pull strip (53) is arranged inside said supporting arm (4) and said handle (54) extends said pull strip (53) outside said supporting arm (4) so as to be able to move said pull strip (53), by a pulling effort exerted on said handle (54) along the axis Z, and thus to move said movable locking element (52) from a locking position, in which said fixed locking element (51) and said movable locking element (52) are in contact and mutually engaged, to an unlocking position, in which said fixed locking element (51) and said movable locking element (52) are spaced apart and disengaged with respect to each other, wherein the return from the unlocking position to the locking position is effected by return means (55) that cooperate with said pull strip (53) when the handle is released.

2. The vehicle lift (1) according to claim 1, wherein said return means (55) include at least one prestressed spring (55), and preferably two prestressed springs (55).

3. The vehicle lift (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein said pull strip (53) and said handle (54) constitute a single and same bent piece including an angled part that forms said handle (54).

4. The vehicle lift (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said movable locking element (52) is fixed to said pull strip (53) by means of screws (56) that run through oblong guiding openings (57) formed in said lower face (43) of the supporting arm (4) so as to enable the guidance of the movement of said mobile fixing element (52) when a pulling force is exerted on said handle (54).

5. The vehicle lift (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said fixed locking element (51) includes a circular portion whose outer edge is provided with a first set of teeth (51') and said movable locking element (52) is provided with a second set of teeth (52') designed to cooperate with said first set of teeth (51').

6. The vehicle lift (1) according to claim 5, wherein the second set of teeth (52') of said movable locking element (52) consists of 3 teeth.

7. The vehicle lift (1) according to any one of claims 5 and 6, wherein the first and second sets of teeth (51', 52') each have an angle α between 8° and 12° and a tooth thickness between 6 mm and 12 mm.

8. The vehicle lift (1) according to any one of claims 5 and 6, wherein the first and second sets of teeth (51', 52') each have an angle α between 8° and 12°, preferably in the order of 9°.

9. The vehicle lift (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it is mobile and moveable.

10. The vehicle lift (1) according to claim 9, wherein said supporting arm (4) is associated with a mobile wheel (8) associated with a wheel support (9) able to slide along a free edge (46) of the supporting arm (4) until it reaches a mechanical stop (47), wherein said wheel support (9) cooperates with a latch (48) arranged at the end of the supporting arm (4), which is held in a raised position for the time it takes said wheel support (9) to slide to said stop (47) and is in a lowered position once said mechanical stop (47) is in contact with said wheel support (9).