Vehicle lift

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle lift (1) with a technical solution for locking / unlocking (51, 52, 53, 54) the support arms (4), the vehicle lift being able to be fixed or mobile, and preferably mobile and movable. [Fig. 1]

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle lift 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 must be effective even without a load on the lifting table, and also during the movement of the lifting table.

[0003] Currently, there are different systems for blocking or locking the carrying 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 oscillating 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 come 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 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:

[0009] - an upper plate of substantially rectangular shape and having a surface upper substantially flat and horizontal, two longitudinal edges and two transverse edges,

[0010] - a supporting structure designed to selectively raise and lower said tray higher than the ground between two predetermined limit positions,

[0011] - at least one substantially horizontal supporting arm with longitudinal axis Z and having a free end and an end hinged to the upper plate, 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 plate, the hinged 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,

[0012] - locking means designed to selectively and automatically lock automatically the supporting arm in the service position,

[0013] the vehicle lift according to the invention being characterized in that the locking means comprise:

[0014] - a fixed locking element fixed to the support element so as to be crossed by the vertical Y axis,

[0015] - a movable locking element capable of translating along the Z axis of the arm carrier and fixed on

[0016] - a pull tab provided with a handle, both movable in translation along the axis Z, the pull tab being arranged inside the support arm and the handle extending the pull tab 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 in taken, towards an unlocking position in which the fixed locking element and the movable locking element are spaced 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.

[0017] The vehicle lift according to the invention may be fixed or mobile, and preferably mobile and movable.

[0018] By mobile, it is meant, within the meaning of the present invention, that the vehicle lift is movable because it is equipped with wheels, rollers, etc., and is in particular designed so as to be moved from one place to another with or without a load.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] The vehicle lift according to the invention provides the following advantages:

[0022] - a locking of the supporting arm(s) without load on the arms;

[0023] - a simple, fully mechanical locking / unlocking by actuation of a zipper;

[0024] - a design allowing easy replacement of parts which can be subject to wear (teeth of locking elements, etc.). The fixed and moving parts for locking can be easily dismantled and replaced. Supporting structure

[0025] Typically, the upper deck 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 determined height from the ground.

[0026] For this purpose, a supporting structure is provided designed to promote the selective lifting or lowering of the upper plate between these two limit positions. As operating means usable in the context of the present invention, operating means comprising:

[0027] - two pairs of scissors parallel and 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 resting on the ground S and an upper end resting under the upper plate,

[0028] - a hydraulic beam connected to a hydraulic group, to operate the die placement of the two pairs of scissors. Supporting arm

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] The free end of the supporting arm(s) may be associated with a mobile 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.

[0032] Preferably, the vehicle lift according to the invention may comprise four carrying arms, the carrying arms each being pivotally mounted on supporting element supports fixed to one of the longitudinal edges of the upper plate. Conventionally, for such an embodiment, the carrying arms and the corresponding pads are equal in number and are equally distributed on each of the edges of the upper plate 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

[0033] 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 and disengaged from each other, the return from the unlocking position to the locking position being achieved by at least one pre-stressed spring cooperating with the pull tab when the handle is released, and preferably by two pre-stressed springs.

[0034] Advantageously, one end of the spring may be in the form of a loop fixed to the pull tab and the other end of the spring may be fixed to the support element.

[0035] Advantageously, the pull tab and said handle may constitute a single folded part comprising a bent portion forming the handle. This folded 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.

[0036] Advantageously, the movable locking element may be fixed to the pull tab using screws passing through oblong-shaped 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.

[0037] Preferably, the number of screws is four, and the same applies to the number of passage 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] Preferably, in this embodiment, the second toothing belonging to the movable locking element may only comprise three teeth.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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 to the examples. Brief description of the figures

[0042] The following examples illustrate the invention, in conjunction with the figures commented on above, without however limiting its scope:

[0043] [Fig-1]: [Fig.l] is a schematic perspective representation of an example vehicle lift according to the invention in high position and in fixed position.

[0044] [Fig.2]: [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective representation of another example of a vehicle lift according to the invention in a mobile and movable position.

[0045] [Fig.3]: [Fig.3] shows two perspective views of a carrying arm of the example vehicle lift shown in Figures 1 and 2, one of the views (A) showing the support arm without the pull rod, and the other view (B) showing the support arm provided with a pull rod and fixed 51 and movable 52 locking elements, the support arm being pivotally mounted on a U-shaped support element fixed to one of the longitudinal edges of the upper plate;

[0046] [Fig.4]: [Fig.4] illustrating schematically and in detail the operating mode locking elements of the carrying arm, part A illustrating the mechanism at rest when the fixed 51 and movable 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 movable 52 locking elements are spaced and disengaged from each other, in a so-called unlocking position;

[0047] [Fig.5]: [Fig.5] shows a top view and a perspective view of the element fixed locking device shown in [Fig.4];

[0048] [Fig.6]: [Fig.6] shows a top view and a perspective view of the element locking mobile shown in [Fig.4];

[0049] [Fig.7]: [Fig.7] shows two perspective views of a bent sheet metal part forming the pull tab with handle, one view of which shows the structure of the bent part as such (lower part) and the other view shows in particular the supporting arm provided with the pull tab cooperating with two prestressed springs (upper part)

[0050] [Fig.8]: [Fig.8] shows different views in which the free end of an arm carrier is associated with a mobile wheel, fixed to a wheel support capable of sliding on the lower part of the carrier arm: part A of [Fig.8] shows the installation of the wheel support, the locking latch is in the raised position, while part B of [Fig.8] shows the wheel support in place at the end of the arm support, and part C of [Fig.8] shows the locking latch at the end of the carrier arm in two positions.

[0051] [Fig.9]: [Fig.9] shows a top view of the carrying arm occupying different positions relative to the longitudinal edge of the upper plate; the pitch of each of the positions of the supporting arm correspond to the angle a, the number of possible positions being equal to the angle of 180° divided by the angle a.

[0052] [Fig. 10]: [Fig. 10] shows a perspective view of the carrying 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

[0053] 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, each having a free end 41 and an articulated end 42 on 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 [Fig.3] illustrating in more detail the structure of a support arm 4), • a supporting 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 operate the movement of the pairs of scissors 31, 32.

[0054] In [Fig. 1], the vehicle lift according to the invention is fixed and placed on the ground S, while in [Fig. 2] the vehicle lift according to the invention is mobile and movable thanks to mobile wheels 8 associated with each support arm 4.

[0055] The supporting arms 4 are illustrated in more detail in Figures 3 (3A and 3B) and in [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 a longitudinal axis Z.

[0056] The upper wall 44 of the carrying 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 carrying arm 4.

[0057] [Fig. 3] (part 3B) shows in particular that each support arm 4 is pivotally mounted on a U-shaped support element 45 fixed to one of the longitudinal edges 22 of the upper plate 2. [Fig. 3] (3B) also shows that the articulated end 42 of said support arm 4 is capable of pivoting about a vertical axis Y (visible in FIG. 3A) passing through the support element 45 so as to be able to rotate selectively between a rest position in which said support 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.

[0058] Figures 3 to 7 show the presence of locking means 51, 52, 53, 54, designed to selectively and automatically lock the carrying arm 4 in the service position. These locking means 51, 52, 53, 54 comprise: - a fixed locking element 51 (see figures 4 and 5) fixed to the support element 45 so as to be crossed by the vertical axis Y (visible in [Fig.3] and 4), - a movable locking element 52 (see figures 4 and 6) capable of translating along the axis Z of the support arm 4, the movable locking element 52 being fixed on - a pull tab 53 (see [Fig.7]) provided with a handle 54, both movable in translation along the Z axis, the pull tab 53 being arranged inside said support arm 4 and the handle 54 extending the pull tab 53 outside the support arm 4.

[0059] The locking and unlocking mechanism of the fixed 51 and mobile 52 elements is schematically illustrated in [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 [Fig.4]; - in use, when a pulling force is exerted on the handle 54 (as illustrated in [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 [Fig. 4] - when all traction effort is stopped, the locking position is returned thanks to two pre-stressed springs 55 cooperating with the pull rod 53.

[0060] [Fig. 7], and to a lesser extent [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 handle 54.

[0061] [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.

[0062] [Fig.6] illustrates more particularly the movable locking element 52, which is also provided with a toothing 52', called 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.

[0063] [Fig.5] shows that the teeth of the first toothing of the fixed worm element The locking elements 52 are spaced at an angle a 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 (see [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.

[0064] [Fig.8] shows that, in the case of a mobile and movable elevator (such as illustrated in [Fig.2]), the supporting arm 4 can be associated with a movable wheel 8. Part A of [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 [Fig.8] shows the wheel support 9 in place at the free end 41 of the supporting arm 4.

[0065] Part C of [Fig.8] shows 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 (low position) by gravity after the insertion of the wheel support 9.

[0066] In practice, the wheel support 9 is put in place by manually lifting the locking latch 48 and keeping 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 level of 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

[0067] 1 vehicle lift

[0068] 2 upper tray

[0069] 21 upper surface of the tray 2

[0070] 22 longitudinal edges of the plate 2

[0071] 23 transverse edges of the plate 2 Means of maneuver

[0072] 3 operating means for raising and lowering the platform 2 (presented especially in the form of scissors)

[0073] 31 external scissors (hydraulic cylinder side)

[0074] 32 interior scissors

[0075] 35 hydraulic beam connected to a hydraulic group Supporting arm

[0076] 4 carrying arms

[0077] 41 free end of the support arm

[0078] 42 end articulated to the upper plate 2 of the support arm (consisting of a pivot of the carrying arm 4)

[0079] 43 lower wall of the support arm 4;

[0080] 44 upper wall of the support arm 4;

[0081] 45 support element; on which the upper surface 21 of the plate 2 is mechanically welded

[0082] 46 free edge at the end of the supporting arm 4

[0083] 47 mechanical stops of the wheel support 9 at the level of the lower wall 43 of the support arm 4.

[0084] 48 locking latch of a wheel support 9

[0085] Z longitudinal axis of the support arm 4 (corresponding to the traction axis of the handle)

[0086] Y pivot axis of the support arm 4 Locking means

[0087] 51 fixed locking element;

[0088] 51' first toothing of the fixed locking element

[0089] 52 movable locking element;

[0090] 52' second toothing of the movable locking element

[0091] 53 pull tab (or actuator)

[0092] 54 handle

[0093] 55 springs

[0094] 56 screws for fixing the movable locking element 52 to the pull tab 53

[0095] 57 oblong-shaped guide holes formed in said lower wall 43 of the support arm 4

[0096] 58 passage holes in the movable locking element 52 by screws 56

[0097] 6 skate

[0098] 7 skate support

[0099] 8 mobile wheel

[0100] 9 wheel support

Claims

1. Claims Vehicle lift (1) 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 longitudinal edges (22) and two transverse edges (23), • a supporting structure (3) designed to selectively raise and lower said upper plate (2) relative to the ground between two predetermined limit positions, • at least one substantially horizontal supporting arm (4) with a longitudinal axis (Z) and having a free end (41) and an articulated end (42) to said upper plate (2), as well as a lower wall (43) and an upper wall (44), said supporting arm (4) being pivotally mounted on a U-shaped supporting element support (45) fixed to one of said longitudinal edges (22) of said upper plate (2), said articulated end (42) of said supporting arm (4) being capable of pivoting about a vertical axis (Y) passing through said supporting element support (45) so as to be able to rotate selectively between a rest position in which said supporting arm (4) is folded along one of the longitudinal edges (22) and a service position, • locking means (51, 52, 53, 54, 55) designed to selectively and automatically lock said carrying arm (4) in the service position, said vehicle lift (1) being characterized in that said locking means (51, 52, 53, 54) comprise: • a fixed locking element (51) fixed to said support element (45) so as to be crossed by said vertical axis (Y), • a movable locking element (52) capable of translating along the axis (Z) of said support arm (4), said movable locking element (52) being fixed on • a pull tab (53) provided with a handle (54) both movable in translation along said axis (Z), said pull tab (53) being arranged inside said carrying arm (4) and said handle (54) extending said pull tab (53) outside said carrying arm (4) so ​​as to be able to move it, by a tensile force exerted on said handle (54) along the Z axis, and therefore 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 and disengaged from each other, the return from the unlocking position to the locking position being achieved by return means (55) cooperating with said pull tab (53) when the handle is released.

2. Vehicle lift (1) according to claim 1, wherein said return means (55) comprise at least one pre-stressed spring (55), and preferably two pre-stressed springs (55).

3. Vehicle lift (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, according to which said pull (53) and said handle (54) constitute a single folded piece comprising a bent portion forming said handle (54).

4. Vehicle lift (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said movable locking element (52) is fixed to said pull rod (53) by means of screws (56) passing through oblong guide holes (57) formed in said 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 said handle (54).

5. Vehicle lift (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said fixed locking element (51) comprises a circular portion whose outer edge is provided with a first toothing (51') and said movable locking element (52) is provided with a second toothing (52') capable of cooperating with said first toothing (51').

6. Vehicle lift (1) according to claim 5, wherein the second toothing (52') of said movable locking element (52) is

7.

8.

9.

10. made up of 3 teeth. Vehicle lift (1) according to any one of claims 5 and 6, wherein the first and second teeth (51', 52') each have an angle α of between 8° and 12° and a tooth thickness of between 6 mm and 12 mm. Vehicle lift (1) according to any one of claims 5 and 6, according to which the first and second teeth (51', 52') each have an angle α of between 8° and 12°, and preferably of the order of 9°. Vehicle lift according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it is mobile and movable. Vehicle lift according to claim 9, wherein said support arm (4) is associated with a movable wheel (8) associated with a wheel support (9) capable of sliding along a free edge (46) of the support arm (4) until reaching a mechanical stop (47), said wheel support (9) cooperating with a latch (48) arranged at the end of the support arm (4), which is held in the raised position as long as said wheel support (9) slides to said stop (47) and is in the low position once said mechanical stop (47) is in contact with said wheel support (9).

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