Systems and apparatuses for lifting devices

Abstract

An extension device (202, 402, 202a, 202b, 404) for adjusting a height of a jack-up device (100) includes an extension sleeve (210, 210b, 410) and an extension rod (212, 212a, 212b, 412, 432) coupled to the extension sleeve (210, 210b, 410). The extension sleeve (210, 210b, 410) is supported on a piston rod (110) of the device such that extension of the piston rod (110) raises the extension sleeve (210, 210b, 410) and vice versa. The extension rod (212, 212a, 212b, 412, 432) is configured to support the load (50) and / or a device (114) for supporting the load (50). The extension rod (212, 212a, 212b, 412, 432) is length adjustable relative to the extension sleeve (210, 210b, 410) to thereby in use adjust the height of the jack-up device (100). A supporting sleeve assembly (300) includes first (302) and second (304) supporting sleeves configured to be installed on the piston rod (110) above the piston-cylinder (108). The first (302) and second (304) supporting sleeves are configured to mate together such that relative rotation thereof is prevented. A storage rack (150) on the frame (102) is configured to store the extension device (202, 402, 202a, 202b, 404) and the supporting sleeve assembly (300).

Description

SYSTEMS AND APPARATUSES FOR LIFTING DEVICESCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 570,551, filed March 27, 2024, which is presently incorporated herein by reference in entirety.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to devices for lifting a load.BACKGROUND

[0003] This section includes discussion intended to help understand various aspects of the subject matter presently disclosed below. This discussion should not be interpreted as constituting an admission of prior art.

[0004] U.S. Patent No. 10,173,872 is incorporated herein by reference and discloses a lift system including a cylinder having an end surface, a threaded member supported for movement with a piston, and a nut threadedly engaging the threaded member and selectively engageable with the end surface. Engagement of the nut and the end surface limits axial movement of the piston relative to the cylinder in at least one direction. A drive mechanism rotates the nut relative to the threaded member, and a control valve controls movement of the piston relative to the cylinder. A drive control mechanism controls operation of the drive mechanism and rotation of the nut. A nut sensor senses a portion of the nut. The nut sensor is in communication with at least one of the control valve and the drive control mechanism. When the nut sensor detects a portion of the nut, the control valve stops movement of the piston or the drive control mechanism stops rotation of the nut.SUMMARY

[0005] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts which are further described herein below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify keyor essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0006] In non-limiting examples disclosed herein, an extension device is configured for adjusting a height of a lift system having a piston rod that is extendable out of a cylinder to raise a load. The extension device includes an extension sleeve configured to be supported on the piston rod such that extension of the piston rod raises the extension sleeve, and such that retraction of the piston rod lowers the extension sleeve. An extension rod is coupled to the extension sleeve, the extension rod having an upper end configured to support the load and / or a device for supporting the load. The extension rod is adjustable relative to the extension sleeve so as to adjust a length of the extension device and to thereby, in use, adjust the height of the lift system.

[0007] In independent examples, the extension rod is extendable out of the extension sleeve to lengthen the extension device and retractable into the extension sleeve to shorten the extension device.

[0008] In independent examples, the extension rod is infinitely adjustable relative to the extension sleeve between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position.

[0009] In independent examples, the extension rod is adjustable relative to the extension sleeve via a threaded connection configured such that relative rotation between the extension rod and the extension sleeve extends and retracts the extension rod.

[0010] In independent examples, the threaded connection is configured such that a constant number of threads remain engaged throughout movement of the extension rod into and between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position.

[0011] In independent examples, the threaded connection comprises radially inner threads on the extension sleeve and radially outer threads on the extension rod.

[0012] In independent examples, an overall axial length of the radially inner threads on the extension sleeve is less than an overall axial length of the radially outer threads on the extension rod.

[0013] In independent examples, a radial flange is on a lower end of the extension rod and the radial flange is configured to engage with radially inner threads on the extension sleeve to prevent movement of the extension rod past a fully extended position.

[0014] In independent examples, the extension device includes a pedestal that is configured to removably seat the extension sleeve on the piston rod of the lift system.

[0015] In independent examples, the pedestal includes a head that is coupled to the extension sleeve and a stem that is configured to mate with the piston rod so as to resist side load forces on the extension device relative to the piston rod.

[0016] In independent examples, the head is coupled to the extension sleeve via a threaded connection and the stem is mated with the piston rod.

[0017] In independent examples, the head is recessed in the extension sleeve such that, in a position of use, a lower perimeter of the extension sleeve is configured to be supported on the cylinder of the lift system apart from the pedestal.

[0018] In independent examples, the extension device includes a drain in the pedestal for draining liquid from the extension rod.

[0019] In independent examples, the extension device includes a handle on the extension sleeve.

[0020] In independent examples, the extension device includes a pedestal that is configured to removably seat the extension sleeve on the piston rod of the lift system so that the extension device is freely rotatable relative to the piston rod, thereby facilitating rotation of the handle out of a lifting zone for the lift system.

[0021] In independent examples, the extension device includes a supporting flange configured to support a lower end of the extension sleeve relative to the piston rod of the lift system.

[0022] In independent examples, the supporting flange includes radially inner threads for engaging radially outer threads on the piston rod of the lift system.

[0023] In independent examples, the extension device includes a supporting flange on the upper end of the extension rod, the supporting flange being configured to support the load and / or to support a device for supporting the load.

[0024] In independent examples, the supporting flange includes radially inner threads for engaging radially outer threads on the upper end of the extension rod.

[0025] In independent examples, the device for supporting the load includes a load cap coupled to the upper end of the extension rod.

[0026] In independent example, the load cap comprises a head configured to face the load and a body that is mated with the upper end of the extension rod.

[0027] In independent examples, a resilient pad is disposed on the load cap, the resilient pad being configured to provide slip resistance between the load and the load cap.

[0028] In independent examples, the resilient pad includes an outer face having protrusions and / or recesses configured to provide said slip resistance.

[0029] In independent examples, the resilient pad includes a plurality of fingers configured to engage a perimeter of the load cap and retain the resilient pad in position relative to the load cap.

[0030] In independent examples, the extension device includes an extender that is configured to mate with the upper end of the extension rod, the extender including an elongated body and a stem extending from the elongated body and configured to mate with the upper end of the extension rod.

[0031] In independent examples, the device for supporting the load includes a second extension device.

[0032] In independent examples, the second extension device includes a pedestal that is configured to mate with the upper end of the extension rod.

[0033] In independent examples, the extension device includes a pedestal that is configured to removably seat the extension sleeve on the piston rod of the lift system and the second extension device comprises an extension rod that is configured such that the pedestal cannot mate with the extension rod of the second extension device, thereby preventing the extension sleeve from being seated on the second extension device.

[0034] In non-limiting examples disclosed herein, a lift system for lifting a load includes a piston rod that is extendable out of a cylinder to raise a load and an extension device.

[0035] In independent examples, the lift system is part of a wheeled jack-up device.

[0036] In independent examples, the lift system is part of a jack stand device.

[0037] In non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein, a supporting sleeve assembly is for a lift system having a piston rod that is extendable out of a cylinder to raise a load. The supporting sleeve assembly includes a first supporting sleeve configured to be installed on the piston rod above the cylinder and a second supporting sleeve configured to be installed on the piston rod above the cylinder. The first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve are configured to be installed on the piston rod in a first stacked configuration in which the first supporting sleeve is stacked on the second supporting sleeve and in a second stacked configuration in which the second supporting sleeve is stacked on the first supporting sleeve. The first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve are each installable in the first stacked configuration and in the second stacked configuration in an upwardly facing orientation and in a downwardly facing orientationthat is 180 degrees opposed to the upwardly facing orientation. Upon installation in each of said first stacked configuration, said second stacked configuration, said upwardly facing orientation, and said downwardly facing orientation, the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve are configured to mate together such that relative rotation between the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve is prevented.

[0038] In independent examples, a male-female connector apparatus is configured to mate the first supporting sleeve to the second supporting sleeve upon installation on the piston rod.

[0039] In independent examples, the male-female connector apparatus includes a mating protrusion on a first one of the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve and a mating recess on a second one of the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve. The mating protrusion is configured to engage the mating recess upon installation of the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve and thereby prevent said relative rotation.

[0040] In independent examples, the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve each include a set of mating protrusions and recesses. The sets of mating protrusions and recesses configured to mate with each other in each of said first stacked configuration, said second stacked configuration, said upwardly facing orientation, and said downwardly facing orientation.

[0041] In independent examples, each set of mating protrusions and recesses includes an upwardly facing protrusion and an upwardly facing recess and a downwardly facing protrusion and a downwardly facing recess.

[0042] In independent examples, each of the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve include a sleeve body. The upwardly facing protrusion is located on a radially opposite side of the sleeve body relative to the upwardly facing recess and the downwardly facing protrusion is located on a radially opposite side of the sleeve body relative to the downwardly facing recess.

[0043] In independent examples, each of the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve include a sleeve body. The upwardly facing protrusion is located on an axially opposite side of the sleeve body relative to the downwardly facing recess, and the upwardly facing recess is located on an axially opposite side of the sleeve body relative to the downwar dly facing protrusion.

[0044] In independent examples, the upwardly facing protrusion and the downwardly facing protrusion include protrusion side surfaces that converge and the upwardly facing recess and downwardly facing recess comprise recess side surfaces that diverge and are configured to receive and abut the protrusion side surfaces during installation.

[0045] In independent examples, the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve each include a sleeve body having sidewalls that arc configured to support a weight of the load.

[0046] In independent examples, the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve each include a handle extending from the sleeve body.

[0047] In independent examples, the handle of the first supporting sleeve is aligned with the handle of the second supporting sleeve in the first stacked configuration and the second stacked configuration, and when the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve are in the upwardly facing orientation and the downwardly facing orientation.

[0048] In non-limiting examples disclosed herein, a supporting sleeve is part of a supporting sleeve assembly on a lift system, the lift system having a piston rod that is extendable out of a cylinder to raise a load. The supporting sleeve includes a sleeve body configured to receive the piston rod. The sleeve body has sidewalls configured to support a weight of the load, and a set of mating protrusions and recesses configured to mate with a corresponding set of mating protrusions and recesses on another supporting sleeve in the supporting sleeve assembly. The set of mating protrusions and recesses comprise an upwardly facing protrusion and an upwardly facing recess, and a downwardly facing protrusion and a downwardly facing recess.

[0049] In independent examples, the upwardly facing protrusion is located on a radially opposite side of the sleeve body relative to the upwardly facing recess and the downwardly facing protrusion is located on a radially opposite side of the sleeve body relative to the downwardly facing recess.

[0050] In independent examples, the upwardly facing protrusion is located on an axially opposite side of the sleeve body relative to the downwardly facing recess, and the upwardly facing recess is located on an axially opposite side of the sleeve body relative to the downwardly facing protrusion.

[0051] In non-limiting examples disclosed herein, a lift system for lifting a load includes a piston rod that is extendable out of a cylinder to raise a load and a supporting sleeve assembly.

[0052] In independent examples, the lift system is pail of a wheeled jack-up device.

[0053] In independent examples, the lift system is part of a jack stand device.

[0054] In non-limiting examples disclosed herein, a wheeled jack-up device is configured for lifting a load. The wheeled jack-up device includes a frame and a piston-cylinder supported on the frame, the piston-cylinder comprising a piston rod that is movable into an extended position froma cylinder to raise the load. An extension device for the piston rod includes an extension sleeve that is configured be supported on the piston rod and an extension rod that is outwardly extendable from the extension sleeve. A supporting sleeve assembly is configured for supporting the piston rod in the extended position. The supporting sleeve assembly includes a plurality of supporting sleeves that are configured to be stacked on the piston rod above the cylinder. A storage rack is on the frame of the wheeled jack-up device and is configured to store the extension device and the supporting sleeve assembly.

[0055] In independent examples, the storage rack includes a storage rail having an elongated body configured to store at least one of the extension device and the plurality of supporting sleeves when not in use.

[0056] In independent examples, the storage rail includes an outer profile on which the plurality of supporting sleeves is seated.

[0057] In independent examples, the storage rail includes opposing sides that are spaced apart a distance smaller than an inner profile of the plurality of supporting sleeves so that the supporting sleeves are seated on the storage rail in a stored position.

[0058] In independent examples, a plurality of protrusions extend outwardly from the opposing sides of the storage rail, the plurality of protrusions being interdigitated amongst the plurality of supporting sleeves for indexing and retaining the plurality of supporting sleeves in the stored position.

[0059] In independent examples, the storage rail includes a top extending between the opposing sides, and a recess is defined in the top for receiving and retaining the extension device in a stored position.

[0060] In independent examples, the storage rail includes opposing sides and a top extending between the opposing sides, and a recess is defined in the top for receiving and retaining the extension device in a stored position.

[0061] In independent examples, the storage rack includes opposing storage rails that each have an elongated body configured to store at least one of the extension device and the plurality of supporting sleeves when not in use.

[0062] In independent examples, a rear storage rail extends transversely relative to the opposing storage rails. The rear storage rail has an elongated body configured to store at least one of the extension device and the plurality of supporting sleeves when not in use.

[0063] In independent examples, the frame comprises a rear storage rail having an elongated body configured to store at least one of the extension device and the plurality of supporting sleeves when not in use, and wherein the opposing storage rails are supported on the rear storage rail.

[0064] In independent examples, the opposing storage rails are removable coupled to the rear storage rail such that the storage rack is removably coupled to the frame.

[0065] In independent examples, the wheeled jack-up device includes a handlebar for maneuvering the wheeled jack-up device. The handlebar is movable from a use position extending rearwardly from the frame and a stored position over the frame.

[0066] In independent examples, the handlebar is pivotable into and between the use position and the stored position.

[0067] In independent examples, the use position is one of a plurality of use positions extending rearwardly from the frame, and a spring-loaded locking mechanism is configured for automatically locking the handlebar in each of the plurality of use positions.

[0068] In independent examples, the storage rack comprises opposing storage rails each having an elongated body configured to store at least one of the extension device and the plurality of supporting sleeves when not in use. The handlebar is pivotable into and between the use position and the stored position. In the stored position, the handlebar is located between the opposing storage rails.

[0069] In independent examples, the handlebar is pivotable into and between the use position and the stored position.

[0070] In independent examples, the handlebar’ includes a handle having an inner perimeter that is moved over the piston-cylinder when the handlebar is pivoted into the stored position.

[0071] In independent examples, the frame defines slots for receiving forks of a forklift for lifting the wheeled jack-up device.

[0072] In independent examples, the storage rack comprises opposing storage rails each having an elongated body configured to store at least one of the extension device and the plurality of supporting sleeves when not in use, and slots for receiving forks of a forklift extend within or below the opposing storage rails.

[0073] In independent examples, the wheeled jack-up device extends from front to rear in a longitudinal direction, from side to side in a lateral direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and from top to bottom in an axial direction that is perpendicular to thelongitudinal direction and perpendicular to the lateral direction. The storage rack includes opposing storage rails each having a longitudinally elongated body configured to store at least one of the extension device and the plurality of supporting sleeves when not in use.

[0074] In independent examples, a rear storage rail extends transversely relative to the opposing storage rails. The rear' storage rail has an elongated body configured to store at least one of the extension device and the plurality of supporting sleeves when not in use.

[0075] In independent examples, the wheeled jack-up device includes a handlebar for maneuvering the wheeled jack-up device. The handlebar- is movable from a use position extending rearwardly from the frame and a stored position over the frame, wherein the handlebar in the stored position is located between the opposing storage rails and over top of the piston-cylinder.

[0076] In independent examples, the extension device is a first extension device for the piston rod and the heeled jack up device includes a second extension device for the piston rod, wherein the first extension device and the second extension device are configured such that the second extension device can be stacked on the first extension device but the first extension device cannot be stacked on the second extension device.

[0077] In independent examples, the storage rack is removably coupled to the frame.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0078] Embodiments are described with reference to the following drawing figures. The same numbers are used throughout to reference like features and components.

[0079] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a lift system comprising a wheeled jack-up device with a storage rack that stores extension devices and a supporting sleeve assembly.

[0080] FIG. 2 is a real- perspective view of the wheeled jack-up device of FIG. 1.

[0081] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the wheeled jack-up device of FIG. 2.

[0082] FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of an extension device on the piston rod of the wheeled jack-up device of FIG. 3.

[0083] FIG. 5 is a view of section 5-5, taken in FIG. 4.

[0084] FIG. 6 is an exploded section view of the extension device of FIG. 5.

[0085] FIG. 7 is a view of section 5-5, with an extender on the extension device.

[0086] FIG. 8 is a front view of the wheeled jack-up device of FIG. 3 with an extender on the piston rod.

[0087] FIG. 9 is a front view of the wheeled jack-up device of FIG. 8 with an extension device in an extended position on the piston rod.

[0088] FIG. 10 is a front view of the wheeled jack-up device of FIG. 9 with two extension devices stacked in the fully retracted position.

[0089] FIG. 11 is a front view of the wheeled jack-up device of FIG. 10 with the two extension devices stacked in the extended position.

[0090] FIG. 12 is a view of detail 12-12, taken in FIG. 11.

[0091] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of two supporting sleeves from the supporting sleeve assembly of FIG. 3.

[0092] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a supporting sleeve of FIG. 13.

[0093] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a plurality of supporting sleeves installed on the piston rod of the wheeled jack-up device of FIG. 3.

[0094] FIG. 16 is a side view of the plurality of supporting sleeves on the piston rod of the wheeled jack-up device of FIG. 15.

[0095] FIG. 17 is a view of section 17-17, taken in FIG. 3.

[0096] FIG. 18 is a side view of the wheeled jack-up device of FIG. 3 with a handlebar in various use positions.

[0097] FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the wheeled jack-up device and storage rack of FIG. 3.

[0098] FIG. 20 is a rear-bottom perspective view of the wheeled jack-up device and storage rack of FIG. 19 with the forks of a forklift.

[0099] FIG. 21 is a rear-bottom perspective view of the wheeled jack-up device and storage rack of FIG. 20.

[0100] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of other embodiments of extension devices for a wheeled jack-up device.

[0101] FIG. 23 is a view of section 23-23, taken in FIG. 22.

[0102] FIG. 24 is an exploded view of the extension devices of FIG. 23.

[0103] FIG. 25 is a detailed perspective view of an embodiment of a lift system comprising a wheeled jack-up device with a retainer ring for a supporting sleeve.

[0104] FIG. 26 is a detailed perspective view of the supporting sleeve installed on the piston rod of the wheeled jack-up device of FIG. 25.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0105] As used herein, unless otherwise limited or defined, discussion of particular directions is provided by example only, with regard to particular embodiments or relevant illustrations. For example, discussion of “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” and “longitudinal” features and / or relative motion, e.g., movement “up” and “down,” is generally intended as a description only of the orientation of such features relative to a reference frame of a particular example or illustration. Correspondingly, for example, a “top” feature may sometimes be disposed below a “bottom” feature (and so on), in some arrangements or embodiments. Additionally or alternatively, embodiments may be arranged in a different orientation such that “top” and “bottom” features are arranged horizontally relative to each other, for example in a “left- to-right” orientation. Additionally, use of the words “first,” “second”, “third,” etc. is not intended to connote priority, importance, etc., but merely to distinguish one of several similar’ elements from another.

[0106] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an embodiment of a wheeled jack-up device 100 configured for lifting a load (not shown). The illustrated wheeled jack-up device 100 extends from front to rear in a longitudinal direction LO, from side to side in a lateral direction LA that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction LO, and from top to bottom in an axial direction AX that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction LO and perpendicular to the lateral direction LA. The jack-up device 100 includes a frame 102 with wheels 104 on which the jack-up device 100 can be rolled into a desired position, and a piston-cylinder assembly 106 that is supported on the frame 102. The piston-cylinder assembly 106 includes a piston-cylinder 108 and a piston rod 110 that movable within the piston-cylinder 108 along an axis of extension 70 (FIG. 3) from a lowered position to an extended position in order to lift the load. The piston-cylinder assembly 106 is positioned on a lift system base 107 (FIG. 19) of the frame 102, and a cover assembly 103 extends around the piston-cylinder assembly 106 and is configured to prevent debris and / or other objects from being lodged in the lift system base 107 around the piston-cylinder assembly 106, as discussed in further detail below.

[0107] With continued reference to FIGS. 1-3, the frame 102 of the jack-up device 100 includes a rear-facing control panel 101 operable by a user (FIG. 2) and lifting eyes 105 (FIG. 1) for lifting the entire jack-up device 100 off the ground, for example with an overhead crane and / or other lifting device. A load supporting device 114 for supporting the load on the piston rod 110 includes a load cap 116 and a resilient pad 118 (FIG. 3). The load cap 116 is configured to be mounted on the upper end of the piston rod 110 (or the extension device 202 or extender 204), and the resilient pad 118 is disposed on the load cap 116 and configured to provide slip resistance between the load and the load cap 116. A handlebar 130 for maneuvering the jack-up device 100 is pivotably connected to the frame 102 and is movable into and between a plurality of different use positions for the handlebar 130. A storage rack 150 is supported on the frame 102 and configured to store at least one accessory device for use with the jack-up device 100. For example, as discussed in further detail below, the storage rack 150 may be configured with at least one lateral storage rail 152 and / or rear storage rail 154 (FIG. 2) for storing at least one extension device 202 for adjusting a height of the piston rod 110 and / or at least one supporting sleeve 302, 304 for supporting the piston rod 110 in the extended position. Additionally or alternatively, the lateral storage rail(s) 152 and / or the rear’ storage rail 154 may be configured for storing an extension device 402, 404 according to FIGS. 22-24, which are discussed in greater detail below.

[0108] To operate the jack-up device 100 to raise and lower a load, an operator may use the rear-facing control panel 101 on the frame 102 and / or the remote controller 113 (FIG. 1), which may be stored in the controller mount 142 located on the handle 134 of the handlebar 130. Using the control panel 101 and / or the remote controller 113, the piston-cylinder assembly 106 can be actuated to extend the piston rod 110 from the piston-cylinder 108 along the axis of extension 70 defined by the piston-cylinder assembly 106, thereby moving the load supporting device 114 vertically upward and lifting a load supported thereon. Embodiments of a jack-up device 100 may be equipped with hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, mechanical systems, and / or any other conventional system components for actuating a piston rod 110 to extend from a pistoncylinder 108.

[0109] Lift systems, such as the wheeled jack-up device 100 of FIGS. 1-3, may be used for lifting and lowering large and / or heavy loads, for example building materials, structures, heavy machinery, rail cars, and / or other items that must be lifted from the ground. Lift systems that include a piston-cylinder assembly lifting assembly (e.g., the piston-cylinder assembly 106) arecapable of extending a piston rod through an extension range to lift a load from the ground. The piston rod must engage the load at a safe lifting location of the load which can safely support the load on the piston rod. Current lifting systems may include piston rod extensions that increase the length of the piston rod so that the lift system can lift a load with a safe lifting location that is spaced apart from the ground. However, through research and development in the relevant field, the present inventors determined that current lift systems require sets of multiple piston rod extensions in order to lift loads of varying heights from the ground. Current piston rod extensions are heavy, making them difficult to use and transport with the lift system as it is used in the field, thereby reducing the mobility of the lift system as a whole. Lift systems having a piston-cylinder assembly lifting assembly may also be used with piston support members for supporting the load on the piston rod by relieving the forces applied to the piston-cylinder assembly. The present inventors further determined that current lift systems may require a plurality of piston support members to support the load on the piston rod at different extension distances of the piston rod in its extension range. Like the piston rod extensions, piston support members are heavy and reduce the mobility of the lift system.

[0110] Through research and development in the relevant field, the present inventors have also determined that large sets of piston rod extensions and piston support members may be complicated to use, resulting in suboptimal use of the piston rod extensions and piston support members. Piston rod extensions and / or piston support members may be incorrectly installed or installed in an improper order due to this complexity, which may result in damage to the lift system, the piston rod extensions, and / or the piston support members. The present inventors thus have realized a need in the art to provide a lift system with sets of piston rod extensions and / or piston support members that do not affect the mobility of the lift system, and which limit the ways in which the piston rod extensions and / or piston support members may be installed to prevent incorrect modes of using the lift system. The present disclosure is a result of these efforts.

[0111] To facilitate the lifting of loads of varying heights relative to the ground, embodiments of a wheeled jack-up device 100 may be configured with at least one adjustable extension for increasing the effective length of the piston rod 110. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, a jack-up device 100 may be configured with at least one adjustable extension device 202 and / or an extender 204 configured to extend the effective length of the piston rod 110.

[0112] Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the illustrated extension device 202 includes an extension sleeve 210, an extension rod 212 movably coupled to the extension sleeve 210, and a pedestal 214. The pedestal 214 is configured to removably seat and support the extension sleeve 210 on the piston rod 110 of the jack-up device 100 such that extension of the piston rod 110 raises the extension sleeve 210, and such that retraction of the piston rod 110 lowers the extension sleeve 210. The extension rod 212 is adjustable relative to the extension sleeve 210 so as to adjust a length of the extension device 202 and to thereby, in use, adjust the height of the jack-up device 100.

[0113] The extension sleeve 210 has a generally tubular sleeve body 211 that extends axially from an upper end 237 to a lower end 238 thereof. Handles 220 may be positioned on the radially outer surface of the extension sleeve 210 to assist in the lifting, moving, and manipulating of the extension sleeve 210 and the extension device 202 as a whole. In the illustrated embodiments, the extension device 202 includes two handles 220 coupled to radially opposite sides of the sleeve body 211. Some embodiments, however, may include a different number, type, and / or arrangement of handles and / or other lifting features. An axial bore 227 extends through the sleeve body 211 from an upper opening at the upper end 237 to a lower opening at the lower end 238. Proximate the upper end 237, an upper set of radially inner threads 226 are formed on the radially inner surface of the axial bore 227. The upper radially inner threads 226 project inward from the radially inner surface of the axial bore 227 such that the inner diameter of the upper set of radially inner threads 226 is smaller than the inner diameter of the axial bore 227. Proximate the lower end 238 of the extension sleeve 210, a lower set of radially inner threads 240 are formed on the radially inner surface of the axial bore 227. The lower radially inner threads 240 are recessed into the radially inner surface of the axial bore 227. Thus, the inner diameter of the lower set of radially inner threads 240 is the same or greater than the inner diameter of the axial bore 227.

[0114] With continued reference to FIGS. 4-6, the extension rod 212 has a generally tubular body that extends axially from an upper end 222 configured to support the load and / or the load supporting device 114 to a lower end 223. The extension rod 212 has an outer diameter dimensioned so that the extension rod 212 is received in the axial bore 227 of the extension sleeve 210. Radially outer threads 228 are formed around the radially outer surface of the extension rod 212 and are configured to threadedly engage with the upper radially inner threads 226 of the extension sleeve 210. Engagement between the upper radially inner threads 226 of the extensionsleeve 210 and the radially outer threads 228 of the extension rod 212 holds the extension rod 212 in position relative to the extension sleeve 210. However, rotation of the extension rod 212 relative to the extension sleeve 210 causes the extension rod 212 to axially move within the extension sleeve 210. Rotation of the extension rod 212 in a first direction extends the extension rod 212 out of the extension sleeve 210 to lengthen the extension device 202. Rotation of the extension rod 212 in a second direction opposite the first direction retracts the extension rod 212 into the extension sleeve 210 to shorten the extension device 202. The threaded engagement between the extension rod 212 and the extension sleeve 210 advantageously allows the extension rod 212 to be extended or retracted into any position relative to the extension sleeve 210. Thus, the extension rod 212 is infinitely adjustable relative to the extension sleeve 210 into and between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position. Because the axial length of the upper radially inner threads 226 is less than the axial length of the radially outer threads 228 on the extension rod 212, a constant number of threads remain engaged throughout movement of the extension rod 212 into and between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position. This may be useful, for example, to provide a constant engagement force between the extension rod 212 and the extension sleeve so that the lifting capacity of the jack-up device does not change as the piston rod is extended or retracted from the extension sleeve 210.

[0115] The fully extended position of the extension rod 212 and the fully retracted position of the extension rod 212 are respectively defined by a radial flange 224 at the lower end 223 of the extension rod 212 and an extension supporting flange 216 positioned at the upper end 222 of the extension rod 212. The radial flange 224 is dimensioned such that it has a larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of the radially inner threads 226 at the upper end 237 of the extension sleeve 210. Continued extension of the extension rod 212 out of the extension sleeve 210 moves the radial flange 224 into engagement with the lower extent of the upper radially inner threads 226, thereby preventing movement of the extension rod 212 past a fully extended position. The extension supporting flange 216 at the upper end 222 of the extension rod 212 is configured as a separate component that is coupled to the extension rod 212. The illustrated extension supporting flange 216 is generally ring-shaped and includes a textured or knurled outer surface and radially inner threads 248. The radially inner threads 248 are configured to engage a set of recessed radially outer threads 250 formed around the extension rod 212, thereby securing the extension supporting flange 216 to the extension rod 212. When the extension rod 212 is retracted, the extensionsupporting flange 216 moves into abutment with the upper end 237 of the extension sleeve 210, thereby preventing further retraction of the extension rod 212 and defining a fully retracted position thereof. As discussed in further detail below, the extension supporting flange 216 is also configured to support a load, an extender 204, and / or a load supporting device 114 on the upper end 222 of the extension rod 212 (see, e.g., FIG. 12).

[0116] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, as previously mentioned, the extension device 202 includes a pedestal 214 that is configured to removably seat the extension sleeve 210 on the piston rod 110 of the jack-up device 100. The pedestal 214 includes a generally disk-shaped head 232 and a pedestal stem 234 extending axially downward from the head 232. The head 232 of the pedestal 214 is coupled to the extension sleeve 210 via a threaded connection between radially outer threads 236 formed around the body of the head 232 and the lower radially inner threads 240 formed in the axial bore 227 of the extension sleeve 210. The pedestal stem 234 is generally cylindrical and extends into an axial bore 112 formed into the upper end 111 of the piston rod 110, thereby mating the pedestal 214 with the piston rod 110. Reception of the pedestal stem 234 in the piston rod 110 advantageously resist side load forces on the extension device 202 relative to the piston rod 110. The connection between the pedestal stem 234 and the piston rod 110 is unthreaded so that the extension device 202 is freely rotatable relative to the piston rod 110. This may be useful, for example, to facilitate rotation of the extension device 202 on the piston rod 110 to move a handle 220 of the extension device 202 out of a lifting zone for the jack-up device 100.

[0117] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the head 232 of the pedestal 214 is recessed in the extension sleeve 210 such that a lower perimeter 239 of the extension sleeve 210 is supported on a piston supporting flange 218 positioned on the upper end 111 of the piston rod 110. Though not shown in the illustrated embodiment, radially inner threads formed on a radially inner surface 242 (FIG. 4) of the piston supporting flange 218 are configured to engage radially outer threads formed on a radially outer surface 244 at the upper end 111 (FIG. 5) of the piston rod 110. Axial loads applied to the extension device 202 are transferred to the upper end 111 of the piston rod 110 via the piston supporting flange 218, separate from the pedestal 214, such that the pedestal 214 is not substantially load bearing. When the piston rod 110 is fully retracted into the piston-cylinder 108 (see, e.g., FIG. 9), the piston supporting flange 218 may abut an upper end of the piston-cylinder 108 such that the extension device 202 and any load applied thereto is supported on the pistoncylinder 108. In some embodiments, the extension sleeve 210 and the pedestal 214 may beconfigured such that, in a position of use (z.e., the fully retracted position of the piston rod), the lower perimeter 239 of the extension sleeve 210 is supported on the piston-cylinder 108 of the jack-up device 100 apart from the pedestal 214. Additionally or alternatively, some embodiments of an extension device 202 may be configured with a pedestal that includes a drain configured for draining liquid from the extension sleeve 210 and / or the extension rod 212 (see, e.g., drains 415, 435 in FIG. 23).

[0118] As previously mentioned, the jack-up device 100 includes a load supporting device 114 for supporting a load on the piston-cylinder assembly 106, an extension device 202, or an extender 204. Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the load supporting device 114 includes a load cap 116 and a resilient pad 118 disposed on the load cap 116 and configured to provide slip resistance between the load cap 116 and a load supported thereon. The load cap 116 includes a head 120 configured to face the load and a body 122 that is mated with the upper end 222 of the extension rod 212. The body 122 is generally cylindrical and extends downward into the axial bore 230 formed through the extension rod 212. The resilient pad 118 is seated on the head 120 of the load cap 116 and includes an outer face 124 having protrusions and / or recesses 125 (FIG. 4) configured to provide said slip resistance. A plurality of fingers 126 extend downward from the perimeter of the outer face 124 and are configured to engage a perimeter 121 of the load cap 116 to retain the resilient pad 118 in position relative to the load cap 116. When the load supporting device 114 is positioned on the upper end 222 of the extension rod 212, the weight of a load supported on the load supporting device 114 is transferred to the extension rod 212 via the extension supporting flange 216 at the upper end 222 thereof.

[0119] In addition to the load supporting device 114, other components or devices may be secured to the upper end 222 of the extension rod 212. For example, referring to FIG. 7, the upper end 222 of the extension rod 212 is configured to support an extender 204 for non-adjustably extending the length of the extension rod 212. The extender 204 has an elongated body 256 and an extender stem 258 extending downward from the elongated body 256. Like the body 122 of the load cap 116, the extender stem 258 extends into the axial bore 230 in the extension rod 212 to mate the extender 204 with the upper end 222 of the extension rod 212. An axial bore 260 is formed into the top end of the elongated body 256 and is configured for mating a load supporting device with the extender 204 (FIG. 8). Axial flanges 262 are formed around the upper and lower ends ofthe elongated body 256 to support the extender 204 on the extension rod 212 (or on the piston rod 110), and to support additional load supporting devices on the upper end of the extender 204.

[0120] Using at least one extension device 202 and / or extender 204, a user may adjust the height of the jack-up device 100 in order to lift loads of varying heights off of the ground. For example, FIG. 8 illustrates a jack-up device 100 with an extender 204 mated to the upper end of the piston rod 110. In the illustrated configuration with the piston rod 110 in the fully retracted position, the extender stem 258 of the extender 204 extends into the axial bore 112 (FIG. 5) of the piston rod 110 and the lower axial flange 262 is supported on the piston-cylinder 108 via the piston supporting flange 218 on the upper end 111 of the piston rod 110. The extender 204 is configured to support a load on the piston rod 110 via the load supporting device 114, which is mated with the extender 204 via reception of the body 122 of the load cap 116 (FIG. 6) in the axial bore 260 (FIG. 7) of the extender 204.

[0121] Referring to FIG. 9, an extension device 202 may be used to adjustably increase the height of the jack-up device 100. In the illustrated configuration with the piston rod 110 in the fully retracted position, the lower perimeter 239 of the extension sleeve 210 is supported on the piston-cylinder 108 via the lower piston supporting flange 218. The axial length of the extension device 202 may be adjusted to the desired length by extending or retracting the extension rod 212. For example, the extension device 202 can be adjusted by grasping the textured outer surface of the extension supporting flange 216 to rotate the extension rod 212 within the extension sleeve 210 to increase or decrease the length of the extension device 202, and therefore the height of the jack-up device 100. The adjustable nature of the illustrated extension devices 202 allows a user to use a single extension device 202 for different loads with different heights, advantageously enabling the use of a single extension device 202 in the place of multiple piston rod extensions and thereby decreasing overall weight and improving the mobility of the jack-up device 100.

[0122] In some embodiments, the device for supporting a load on the upper end 222 of an extension rod 212 may be a second extension device 202. For example, referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a jack-up device 100 may be used with a first extension device 202a and a second extension device 202b stacked on the first extension device 202a. Use of two independently adjustable extension devices 202a, 202b increases the range of possible heights of the jack-up device 100. In the illustrated configurations, the first extension device 202a is mated with the upper end of the piston rod 110 by the pedestal 214a of said first extension device 202a. The second extensiondevice 202b is positioned on the upper end 222 (FIG. 6) of the first extension rod 212a. A second pedestal 214b of the second extension device 202b is mated with the upper end 222 of the extension rod 212, and the lower perimeter 239b of the second extension sleeve 210b is supported on the extension supporting flange 216a of the first extension device 202a. The load supporting device 114 is mated with the upper end of the second extension rod 212b and is supported thereon via a corresponding extension supporting flange 216b. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the force of any axial load applied to the second extension device 202b is transferred to the first extension device 202a via the first extension supporting flange 216a, for example along the path indicated by arrow 90. Advantageously, this arrangement reduces the load applied to the second pedestal 214b to more securely support said load and prevent damage to the jack-up device 100. Similarly, the axial load applied to the first extension device 202a is transferred to the piston supporting flange 218 coupled to the piston rod 110. Thus, when the piston rod is retracted (FIGS. 10 and 11), the axial load on the first extension device 202a is transferred to the piston-cylinder 108 via piston supporting flange 218 similar to how the axial load on the second extension device 202b is transferred to the first extension device 202a via the first extension supporting flange 216a.

[0123] In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-12, the illustrated extension devices 202 and extender 204 are configured such that any combination of extension device(s) 202 and / or extender 204 may be used with a jack-up device 100 and stacked on the piston rod 110 in any order. Some embodiments, however, may be differently configured. For example, FIGS. 22-24 illustrate embodiments of a first extension device 402 and a second extension device 404 (along with the load supporting device 114 of FIGS. 1-12) which are configured so that they may only be stacked on the piston rod 110 and each other in certain orders and combinations. In particular, the illustrated second extension device 404 can be stacked on the illustrated first extension device 402, but the first extension device 402 cannot be stacked on the second extension device 404, as discussed in detail below.

[0124] Referring to FIGS. 22-24, the first extension device 402 and the second extension device 404 are respectively configured as tall and short extension devices 402, 404 for adjusting the height of a jack-up device 100 by different lengths. Similar to the extension devices 202 of FIGS. 1-12, the extension devices 402, 402 of FIGS. 22-24 each include an extension sleeve 410, 430 with a generally tubular body 411, 431; an extension rod 412, 432 (FIG. 23) received in, and extendable into and out of, the extension sleeve 410, 430; a pedestal 414, 434 forremovably seating the extension device 402, 404 on the piston rod 1 10 and / or another extension device; and a supporting flange 416, 436 coupled to the upper end of the extension rod 412, 432. The first extension device 402 is configured with handles 420, while the second extension device 404 does not include handles 420. In the embodiments of FIGS. 22-24, the extension sleeves 410, 430, the extension rods 412, 432, the pedestals 414, 434, and the supporting flanges 416, 436 of the extension devices 402, 404 are generally the same as those described with respect to the extension devices 202 of FIGS. 1-12 and will not be described in detail again. Similarly, the load supporting device 114, including the load cap 116 and the resilient pad 118, is generally the same as the load supporting device 114 of FIGS. 1-12.

[0125] Referring to FIG. 23, the extension rods 412, 432 of the extension devices 402, 404 each include an axial bore 446 extending between an upper end 440 of the extension rod 412, 432 to a radial flange 442 at the lower end 444 thereof and. The pedestals 414, 434 of the first and second extension devices 402, 404 each include a head 454 that is threadedly engaged with the extension sleeve 410, 430 and a pedestal stem 450, 451 that extends downwardly from the head 454 to a bottom surface 452 of the pedestal stem 450. When a second extension device 404 is stacked on a first extension device 402, the pedestal stem 451 of the second extension device 404 is inserted into the bore 446 formed in the upper end 440 of the extension rod 412 of the first extension device 402.

[0126] The extension rods 412, 432 each include an internal stop surface 448, 449 formed in their respective bores 446. In the illustrated embodiments, for example, the bores 446 formed in the extension rods 412, 432 are counterbored at the upper ends 440 thereof to create the stop surface 448, 449 formed around the radially inner surface of the bores 446. Each stop surface 448 has a depth dimension 418, 438 measured as the axial distance between the upper ends 440 of the extension rods 412, 432 and the stop surfaces 448. The pedestal stems 450, 451 each have an axial length 456, 458 measured as the axial distance between the heads 454 of the pedestals 414, 434 and the bottom surfaces 452 of the pedestal stems 450, 451. In the embodiments of FIGS. 22-24, the pedestals 414, 434 are of the extension devices 402, 404 are configured with drains 415, 435 that extend axially through the pedestal stems 450, 451. This may be useful, for example, so that liquid can drain from the interior of an extension device 402, 404 and / or from any extension device(s) 402, 404 stacked thereon.

[0127] To limit the order and combinations of extension devices 402, 404 that may be stacked on each other, the depth dimensions 418, 438 of the stop surfaces 448, 449 and / or the axial lengths 456, 458 of the pedestal stems 450, 451 may be selected so that some pedestals 414, 434 cannot be seated on the extension rods 412, 432 of other extension devices 402, 404. For example, referring to FIG. 23, the depth dimension 418 of the stop surface 448 of the first extension device 402 is greater than or equal to the axial length 458 of the pedestal stem 451 of the second extension device 404. When inserted, the pedestal stem 451 of the second extension device 404 can be fully received in the counterbored portion of the extension rod 412 of the first extension device 404 without abutting the stop surface 448. Thus, the second extension device 404 can be seated on the extension rod 412 of the first extension device 402. Conversely, the depth dimension 438 of the stop surface 449 of the second extension device 404 is less than the axial length 456 of the pedestal stem 450 of the first extension device 402. If the pedestal stem 450 of the first extension device 402 was inserted into the bore 446 in the extension rod 432 of the second extension device 404, the bottom surface 452 of the pedestal stem 450 will abut the stop surface 449 of the second extension device 404 before the pedestal stem 450 is fully received therein. As a result, the first extension device 402 is prevented from being seated on top of the second extension device 404 because the axial length 456 of the pedestal stem 450 of the first extension device 402 exceeds the maximum possible stem length that can be received in the second extension device 404.

[0128] Thus, any given extension device and / or extender (e.g. , the extension devices 202, 402, 404 or extenders 204) can be prevented from stacking on another extension device or extender by selectively dimensioning the pedestal stems 450, 451 and the stop surfaces 448, 449. Any extension device 402, 404 with a pedestal stem 450, 451 length that is greater than the depth dimension of the stop surface 448, 449 of another extension device 402, 404 cannot be stacked thereon. This may be useful, for example, in order to prevent extension devices 402, 404 from being stacked on each other in a manner that could cause damage to the jack-up device 100 or lead to undesirable modes of operating the jack-up device 100. For example, a set of extension devices 402, 404 may be configured such that a taller extension device (e.g., the first extension device 402) cannot be stacked on a shorter extension device (e.g., the second extension device 404). Limiting which extension devices and / or extenders can be stacked on each other may also help to prevent an extension device and / or extender not intended to be used by a particular jack-up device 100 from being used therewith.

[0129] In the illustrated embodiments, the second extension device 404 can be seated on the first extension device 402, but the first extension device 402 cannot be seated on the second extension device 404. Additionally, the illustrated load supporting device 114 includes a load cap 116 with a body 122 (z.e., the portion received in the bore 446 of an extension rod 412, 432) having an axial length 460 dimensioned such that the load supporting device 114 may be seated on any of the illustrated extension devices 402, 404. Some embodiments, however, may be differently configured. For example, an embodiment of a first extension device 402 may be stackable on a second extension device 404. Some embodiments may be configured with a tall extension device that can be stacked on a shorted extension device. Additionally or alternatively, a load supporting device and / or an extension device may be configured so that said load supporting device cannot be stacked on at least one extension devices.

[0130] As previously mentioned, when used to lift a load, a jack-up device 100 is operated in conjunction with the use of piston support members configured to bear at least a portion of the load applied to the piston rod 110. Once the piston rod 110 has been extended to raise the load to the desired height, one or more piston support members may be installed on the jack-up device 100 to assist in supporting the load. This may be useful, for example, to prevent the supported load from dropping in the event that the piston-cylinder assembly 106 experiences a failure. For example, the jack-up device 100 of FIGS. 1-3, may be configured for use with a supporting sleeve assembly 300 (FIG. 3) including a plurality of supporting sleeves 302, 304 configured to be installed on the piston rod 110 above the piston-cylinder 108 in a stacked configuration in order to provide support for a load on the jack-up device 100. In FIGS. 1-3, the jack-up device 100 is depicted with a supporting sleeve assembly 300 that includes three first supporting sleeves 302 and two second supporting sleeves 304 which are axially shorter that the first supporting sleeves 302. Some embodiments, however, may include a different number of first and / or second supporting sleeves 302, 304. Further still, some embodiments may include at least one supporting sleeve that is a different size than those of the illustrated embodiments. As discussed in further detail below, the supporting sleeves 302, 304 include a male-female connector apparatus 310 (FIGS. 13, 16) configured to mate the first supporting sleeve 302 to the second supporting sleeve 304 upon installation on the piston rod 110.

[0131] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the first supporting sleeves 302 and the second supporting sleeves 304 each include a sleeve body 320 and a handle 330 extending from the sleevebody 320. The sleeve bodies 320 are generally U-shaped and include axially extending sidewalls 322 that arc configured to support the weight of a load when the supporting sleeves 302, 304 arc installed on the piston rod 110. The sidewalls 322 include opposing lateral wall segments 323 that define a gap 324 configured to receive the piston rod 110 between the lateral wall segments 323 (see, e.g., FIG. 15). The handles 330 include opposing arm members 332, which are coupled to outward facing mating surfaces 326 (FIG. 14) of the lateral wall segments 323, and a hand grip 334 supported between the opposing arm members 332. In the illustrated embodiments, the first supporting sleeves 302 are configured as tall supporting sleeves 302 and the second supporting sleeves 304 are configured as short supporting sleeves 304. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the tall supporting sleeves 302 have an axial length 303 that is taller than an axial length 305 of the short supporting sleeves 304. Thus, the tall and short supporting sleeves 302, 304 are generally the same but for the axial lengths 303, 305 of their sleeve bodies 320 and the corresponding sizes of their arm members 332.

[0132] Referring to FIG. 14, the arm members 332 have a planar body 333 that extends from a mounting end 336 to a handle end 338. The handle ends 338 include openings configured to receive pegs on the ends of the hand grip 334 and / or fasteners for securing the hand grip 334 thereto. The arm members 332 each include male and female portions of the male-female connector apparatus 310 formed on the top and bottom edges of their mounting ends 336. Each mating protrusion 312 includes opposing protrusion side surfaces 316 that converge, and each mating recess 314 includes opposing recess side surfaces 318 which diverge to peaks 315 on opposing sides the mating recess 314. As illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, the mating recesses 314 are configured to receive the mating protrusions 312 such that the protrusion side surfaces 316 abut the recess side surfaces 318 to guide the mating protrusions 312 into alignment with the mating recesses 314. The arm members 332 are reversible so that each arm member 332 can be rotated or flipped to switch the orientation of the mating protrusion 312 and mating recess 314.

[0133] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, each arm member 332 includes an upwardly facing mating protrusion 312a or mating recess 314a on the top edge of the mounting end and a downwardly facing mating protrusion 312b or mating recess 314b on the bottom edge thereof. Thus, when the arm members 332 are coupled to the opposing mating surfaces 326 of the sleeve body 320, a first one of the arm members 332 is oriented such that it has an upwardly facing mating protrusion 312a and a downwardly facing mating recess 314b, and so that the second one of thearm members 332 is oriented such that it has an upwardly facing mating recess 314a and a downwardly facing mating protrusion 312b

[0134] When assembled and stacked on the piston rod 110, each of the supporting sleeves 302, 304 includes a set of mating protrusions 312a, 312b and a set of mating recesses 314a, 314b that form a male-female mating apparatus 310 on each of the opposing lateral wall segments 323. Each male-female mating apparatus 310 has a mating protrusion 312 on a first one of the supporting sleeves 302, 304 and a mating recess 314 on a second one of the supporting sleeves 302, 304 that are configured to engage each other upon installation of the first supporting sleeve 302 and the second supporting sleeve 304. While the corresponding mating protrusion 312 and mating recess 314 are engaged, rotation of the first supporting sleeve 302 relative to the second supporting sleeve 304 is prevented The orientations of the arm members 332 on the opposing sides of the sleeve bodies 320 are reversed so that the set of mating protrusions 312a, 312b includes an upwardly facing mating protrusion 312a on a first lateral side of the sleeve body 320 and a downwardly facing mating protrusion 312b on the second lateral side of the sleeve body 320. correspondingly, the set of mating recesses 314a, 314b of each supporting sleeve 302, 304 includes a downwardly facing mating recess 314b on the first lateral side of the sleeve body 320 and an upwardly facing mating recess 314a on the second lateral side.

[0135] As illustrated in FIG. 13, the upwardly facing mating protrusion 312a of each supporting sleeve 302, 304 is located on an axially opposite side of the sleeve body 320 relative to the downwardly facing mating recess 314b, and the upwardly facing mating recess 314a is located on an axially opposite side of the sleeve body 320 relative to the downwardly facing mating protrusion 312b. The upwardly facing mating protrusion 312a of each supporting sleeve 302, 304 is located on a radially opposite side of the sleeve body 320 relative to the upwardly facing mating recess 314a, and the downwardly facing mating protrusion 312b is located on a radially opposite side of the sleeve body 320 relative to the downwardly facing mating recess 314b. As such, the supporting sleeves 302, 304 are reversible and interchangeable so that they may be stacked in any orientation or order in which the mating protrusions 312 are mated with a mating recess 314. For example, two tall supporting sleeves 302 may be stacked on top of each other (FIGS.15 and 16), two short supporting sleeves 304 may be stacked on each other, or tall and short supporting sleeves 302, 304 may be stacked on each other in any order.

[0136] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the first supporting sleeve 302 and the second supporting sleeve 304 may be installed on the piston rod 110 in a first stacked configuration or in in which the first supporting sleeve 302 is stacked on the second supporting sleeve 304 and in a second stacked configuration in which the second supporting sleeve 304 is stacked on the first supporting sleeve 302 (FIGS.15 and 16). In the first and second stacked configurations, the reversible nature of the supporting sleeves 302, 304 allows the first supporting sleeve 302 and the second supporting sleeve to be installed on the piston rod in an upwardly facing orientation or in a downwardly facing orientation that is 180 degrees opposed to the upwardly facing orientation.

[0137] With continued reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the supporting sleeves may be installed on the piston rod 110 above the piston-cylinder 108 and below the piston supporting flange 218 on the top of the piston rod 110 after the piston rod 110 has been extended to raise a load 50 (FIG. 16) the desired height. To install the supporting sleeves 302, 304, a user may control the jack-up device 100 to extend the piston rod 110 to a sleeve-insertion length (FIG. 15) in which the load is lifted is higher than the desired final height of the load 50 (FIG. 16). Once the piston rod 110 is extended to the sleeve-insertion length, the supporting sleeves 302, 304 may be sequentially installed on the piston rod 110 by sliding the supporting sleeves 302, 304 onto the piston rod 110 such that the piston rod 110 is received in the gaps 324 defined by the sleeve bodies 320 and the supporting sleeves 302, 304 are generally coincident with the axis of extension 70 defined by the piston-cylinder assembly 106. When the first supporting sleeve 302 is installed on the piston rod 110, the lower end of its sleeve body 320 rests on the top of the piston-cylinder 108. A retainer ring 340 positioned on the top end 109 of the piston-cylinder 108 retains said supporting sleeve 302, 304 in position on the piston-cylinder 108 and piston rod 110. The supporting sleeves 302, 304 may be installed in any order, and any number of tall supporting sleeves 302 and / or short supporting sleeves 304 may be used. As the supporting sleeves 302, 304 are installed in the first stacked configuration or the second stacked configuration, and in the upwardly facing orientation or downwardly facing orientation of the supporting sleeves 302, 304, the first supporting sleeve 302 and the second supporting sleeve 304 are configured to mate together via their male-female connector apparatus 310 such that the handle 330 of the first supporting sleeve 302 is aligned with the handle 330 of the second supporting sleeve 304 and relative rotation between the first supporting sleeve 302 and the second supporting sleeve 304 is prevented.

[0138] After the requisite number of supporting sleeves 302, 304 has been installed (z.e., the required number of supporting sleeves 302, 304 to support the load 50 at its desired height), the piston rod 110 may be retracted into the piston-cylinder 108. As the piston rod 110 is retracted, the weight of the load 50 is shifted from the piston rod 110 to the supporting sleeves 302, 304. When the load 50 is at the desired height, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the axial force from the weight of the load 50 is transmitted to the piston-cylinder 108 via the piston supporting flange 218 and the supporting sleeve assembly 300. In particular, the weight of the load is transmitted from the load supporting device 114 to the supporting flange 218, from the supporting flange 218 to the sleeve bodies 320 of any supporting sleeves 302, 304 installed on the piston rod 110, and to the upper end of the piston-cylinder 108 from the sleeve bodies 320. Advantageously, the supporting sleeves 302, 304 relieve the forces applied to the piston rod 110, which may prevent damage to the piston-cylinder assembly 106.

[0139] In the embodiments of FIGS. 15 and 16, a retainer ring 340 positioned on the top end 109 of the piston-cylinder 108 retains the supporting sleeve 302, 304 in position on the pistoncylinder 108 and piston rod 110. Some embodiments, however, may be differently configured. For example, FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrate an embodiment of a wheeled jack-up device 100 which includes a retainer ring 500 for retaining a supporting sleeve 302, 304 in position on the top end 109 of the piston-cylinder 108 and around the piston rod 110.

[0140] Referring to FIGS. 25 and 26, the illustrated retainer ring 500 is positioned on the top end 109 of the piston-cylinder 108 has an annular body 501 extending around the piston rod 110. The retainer ring 500 includes opposing retention features 502, 504 positioned on radially opposite sides of the annular body 501. Each retention feature 502, 504 is configured to engage with a downwardly facing mating protrusion 312b or a downwardly facing mating recess 314b to retain the supporting sleeve 302, 304 on the piston rod 110. A first retention feature 502 includes a slot 503 configured to receive a downwardly facing mating protrusion 312b such that the protrusion side surfaces 316 abut the sides of the slot 503 to guide the downwardly facing mating protrusion 312b into the slot 503. A second retention feature 504 is located on a radially opposite side of the retainer ring 500 relative to the first retention feature 502 and is configured to be engaged with a downwardly facing mating recess 314b. The second retention feature 504 includes two slots 505 which are separated by a locating member 506 between the slots 505. The locating member 506 is configured to abut the opposing recess side surfaces 318 to guide the locating member 506 intothe peaks 315 of the downwardly facing mating recess 314b into a corresponding one of the slots 505. Engagement between the first and second retention features 502, 504 and the downwardly facing mating protrusion 312b and downwardly facing mating recess 314b, respectively, restricts radial movement of a supporting sleeve 304 relative to the piston rod 110, thereby retaining said supporting sleeve 302, 304 on the top end 109 of the piston-cylinder 108. In some embodiments, the retainer ring 500 may be rotatably received about the piston rod 110 so that a supporting sleeve 302, 304 engaged therewith may be rotated about the piston rod 110.

[0141] Referring to FIGS. 1, 17 and 18, the jack-up device 100 includes a handlebar' 130 that is configured for maneuvering the wheeled jack-up device 100. The handlebar 130 includes an arm bar 144 that is pivotably coupled to a pivot mount 128 on the frame 102 by a pivot bracket 129. A handle 134 configured to be grasped by the user when maneuvering the jack-up device 100 is positioned at the distal end of the arm bar 144. The handle 134 is formed by a plurality of bar members that define an inner perimeter 136 of the handle 134. In the illustrated embodiments, the handle 134 includes, amongst other bar members, two vertical bar members 140 that may be used to push or pull the jack-up device 100 in the forward and reverse directions and a horizontal bar 138 that may be used to tilt and rotate the jack-up device 100.

[0142] Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, the handlebar 130 is pivotable into and between a plurality of different use positions and includes a spring-loaded locking mechanism 132 for automatically locking the handlebar 130 in each of the plurality of use positions. Referring to FIG. 17, the locking mechanism 132 includes a locking rod 146 that extends through the arm bar 144 from a locking end 145 that extends through the pivot bracket 129 and a knob end 147, which is connected to a knob 148 at the distal end of the arm bar 144. A biasing device, which is configured as a coil spring 143 in the illustrated embodiments, is compressed between the distal end of the arm bar 144 and a sleeve 141 formed around the locking rod 146 proximate the locking end 145 thereof. The coil spring 143 is configured to bias the locking rod 146 away from the distal end of the arm bar 144 and into engagement with one of a plurality of openings 127 formed in the pivot mount 128.

[0143] With continued reference to FIG. 17, engagement between the locking end 145 of the locking rod 146 prevents pivoting motion of the handlebar 130 about the pivot mount 128, thereby locking the handlebar 130 in a position of use. To unlock the handlebar 130 so that it may be pivoted into a different position, a use can pull the knob 148, for example in the direction ofarrow 92, to disengage the locking rod 146 from the pivot mount 128. The handlebar 130 may then be pivoted upwardly or downwardly, for example in the directions of arrow 94, to move it into the desired position of use.

[0144] Referring to FIG. 18, as previously mentioned, the handlebar 130 is pivotable into and between a plurality of different positions. For example, the handlebar’ may be pivoted into and between one of a plurality of different positions of use 190, 191, 192 in which the handlebar 130 extends rearwardly from the frame 102. The handlebar’ 130 may also be pivoted from any of the positions of use 190, 191, 192 to one of the possible storage positions, for example the vertical storage position 196 and the folded storage position 194.

[0145] In the vertical storage position 196, the handlebar’ 130 is oriented such that the arm bar 144 extends vertically upward from the pivot mount 128. This may be useful, for example, to reduce the footprint of the jack-up device 100 by move the handlebar 130 over the frame 102 while a load is supported on the piston rod 110, an extension device 202, an extender 204, and / or the load supporting device 114. In the folded storage position 194, the handlebar 130 is folded over the frame 102 such that the ann bar 144 extends in a generally horizontal direction across the top of the jack-up device 100. In this storage position 194, the inner perimeter 136 (FIGS.l 3) of the handle 134 is aligned with and extends over the piston-cylinder assembly 106 such that the piston rod 110 and any device for supporting a load (e.g., the load supporting device 114) positioned thereon may extend into and through the inner perimeter 136. As discussed in further detail below, in the folded storage position 194, the handlebar 130 extends between opposing lateral storage rails 152 of a storage rack 150 on the frame 102.

[0146] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and 19, the illustrated jack-up device 100 includes a storage rack 150 configured for storing the extension device(s) 202, the extender 204, and the supporting sleeves 302, 304 of the supporting sleeve assembly 300 when they are not in use. The storage rack 150 includes two opposing lateral storage rails 152 and a rear storage rail 154 extending transversely relative to the opposing lateral storage rails 152. Front uprights 174 extend downwardly from the front of the storage rack 150 and are configured to be coupled to the frame 102, for example with mechanical fasteners. The rear storage rail 154 includes a mounting feature 178 (FIG. 19) that, as illustrated in FIG. 21, is configured to engage a lower portion 179 of the pivot mount 128 to support the storage rack 150 on the frame 102. Advantageously, the storagerack 150 may be removable from the frame 102 in order to reduce weight and / or to use a differently configured storage rail based on the current use situation of the wheeled jack-up device 100.

[0147] Referring to FIGS. 19 and 21, the lateral storage rails 152 and the rear- storage rail 154 each include an elongated body 160 configured to store at least one of an extension device 202, an extender 204, and the plurality of supporting sleeves 302, 304 when not in use. The elongated bodies 160 have a generally U-shaped body with opposing sides walls 164 and a top wall 165 extending between the opposing side walls 164. The top wall 195 and side walls 164 define an outer profile 162 of the elongated bodies 160 on which the plurality of supporting sleeves 302, 304 may be seated. In particular, the opposing side walls 164 are spaced apart a distance that is smaller than an inner profile of the plurality of supporting sleeves 302, 304 (z.e., the distance between the lateral wall segments 323 of the sleeve bodies 320) so that the supporting sleeves 302, 304 may be seated on the lateral and rear storage rails 152, 154 in the stored positions. At least one recess 170 is defined in the top wall 165 of each elongated body 160. The recesses 170 are configured for receiving and retaining an extension device 202 or an extender 204 in a stored position. In particular, the recesses 170 are dimensioned to receive the pedestal stem 234 of the pedestal 214 of an extension device 202 or the extender stem 258 of an extender 204 to support the extension device 202 or extender 204 on the elongated body 160.

[0148] As illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20, the elongated bodies 160 of the lateral storage rails 152 include a plurality of protrusions 166 that extend outwar dly from the side walls 164. The plurality of protrusions 166 are configured to be interdigitated amongst the plurality of supporting sleeves 302, 304 for indexing and retaining the plurality of supporting sleeves 302, 304 in the stored position on the lateral storage rails 152. Additionally, end plates 176 at the front and rear ends of the elongated bodies 160 retain the supporting sleeves 302, 304 thereon. In some embodiments, the rear’ storage rail 154 may include at least one protrusion 166 for indexing and retaining at least one supporting sleeve 302, 304 on the rear storage rail 154.

[0149] In some embodiments, the frame 102 of the jack-up device 100 and the storage rack 150 secured thereto define slots 180 for receiving the forks 60 of a forklift in order to lift the wheeled jack-up device 100. For example, referring to FIG. 20, the storage rack 150 includes a generally U-shaped channel members 182 that extends below the lateral storage rails 152 and supports the lateral storage rails 152 on the rear storage rail 154. The channel members 182 are coupled to the rear storage rail 154 via end plates 181 (FIG. 21) at the lateral ends of the rear storage rail 154.The inner profile of the channel members 182 defines a slot 180 that is dimensioned to receive the forks 60 of the forklift from the back side of the jack-up device 100. Thus, when the handlebar 130 is in a storage position, for example the folded storage position in FIG. 20, the jack-up device 100 may be lifted and moved using a forklift by engaging the slots 180 with the forks 60 of the forklift.

[0150] Referring to FIG. 19, as previously mentioned, embodiments of a wheeled jack-up device 100 may include a cover assembly 103 configured to prevent debris and / or other objects from being lodged on the lift system base 107 of the frame 102 that supports the piston-cylinder assembly 106. The illustrated cover assembly 103 is generally symmetric and includes two cover plates 188 that extend around opposing sides of the piston-cylinder assembly 106 and two corresponding cover frames 186 that support the cover plates 188 on the lift system base 107. When installed on the frame 102, the cover plates 188, together, form an angled surface that covers the lift system base 107 area around the piston-cylinder assembly 106, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. Each lateral side of the cover assembly 103 includes a light 197, for example an LED and / or other illumination device, positioned on the angled surface formed by the cover plates 188. With continued reference to FIG. 19, each light 197 is supported in a corresponding recess 199 formed in one of the cover frames 186 and extends through an opening 198 formed in one of the cover plates 188. Advantageously, due to their locations around the piston-cylinder assembly 106, the lights 197 are configured to illuminate the load to assist a user in maneuvering the jack-up device 100 into position so that the piston-cylinder assembly 106 is aligned with the safe lifting location on said load.

[0151] In the embodiment of FIG. 19, the storage rack 150 is configured as a removable storage rack 150 with two lateral storage rails 152 and a rear storage rail 154. Some embodiments, however may be differently configured. For example, some embodiments of a wheeled jack-up device 100 may be configured with a rear storage rail 154 that is integrally formed with the frame 102 of the wheeled jack-up device 100. For example, FIG. 21 illustrates and embodiment of a wheeled jack-up device 100 with a frame 102 including a rear storage rail 154b. The rear storage rail 154b is connected to the frame 102 at a mounting feature 178 that is rigidly secured to a lower portion 179 of the pivot mount 128, for example with a weld and / or a mechanical fastener. The wheeled jack-up device 100 of FIG. 21 may be used with another removable storage rack (not shown) that is similar- to the storage rack 150 of FIGS. 19 and 20 but does not include a rear storage rail. Such a storage rack can be removably attached to the wheeled jack-up device 100 withmechanical fasteners that mate front uprights 174 (FIG. 19) of the storage rack to the frame 102, and / or with mechanical fasteners that mate channel members 182 (FIGS. 19 and 20) to the end plates 181 of the rear storage rail 154b. The integrated rear storage rail 150b of the wheeled jackup device 100 of FIG. 21 includes storage for at least one extension device 202, extender 204, and / or supporting sleeve 302, 304, as previously discussed. This may be useful, for example, so that a removable storage rack can be removed from the wheeled jack-up device 100 to reduce weight when fewer extension devices 202, extenders 204, and / or supporting sleeves 302, 304 are needed. Advantageously the products shown may be sold separately, wherein the purchaser has the option of including the removable storage rack.

[0152] Some embodiments of a wheeled jack-up device 100 may be configured with a different cover arrangement. For example, some embodiments of a cover assembly 103 may include a different number of cover plates and / or cover frame members, at least one of which may be differently shaped and / or sized than those of the illustrated embodiments. Some embodiments may include a different number and / or arrangement of lights on the cover assembly. Additionally or alternatively, some embodiments of a wheeled jack-up device 100 may include at least one illumination device positioned on a different portion of the frame 102 and / or the piston-cylinder assembly 106.

[0153] In the present description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes only and are intended to be broadly construed. The different apparatuses described herein may be used alone or in combination with other apparatuses. Various equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

[0154] The following clauses set out features of the invention which may not be presently claimed but which may form the basis for amendments or future divisional applications.CLAUSES1. An extension device for adjusting a height of a lift system having a piston rod that is extendable out of a cylinder to raise a load, the extension device comprising:an extension sleeve configured to be supported on the piston rod such that extension of the piston rod raises the extension sleeve, and such that retraction of the piston rod lowers the extension sleeve; and an extension rod coupled to the extension sleeve, the extension rod having an upper end configured to support the load and / or a device for supporting the load; wherein the extension rod is adjustable relative to the extension sleeve so as to adjust a length of the extension device and to thereby in use adjust the height of the lift system.2. The extension device according to clause 1, wherein the extension rod is extendable out of the extension sleeve to lengthen the extension device and retractable into the extension sleeve to shorten the extension device.3. The extension device according to clause 1, wherein the extension rod is infinitely adjustable relative to the extension sleeve between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position.4. The extension device according to clause 1, wherein the extension rod is adjustable relative to the extension sleeve via a threaded connection configured such that relative rotation between the extension rod and the extension sleeve extends and retracts the extension rod.5. The extension device according to clause 4, wherein the threaded connection is configured such that a constant number of threads remain engaged throughout movement of the extension rod into and between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position.6. The extension device according to clause 4, wherein the threaded connection comprises radially inner threads on the extension sleeve and radially outer threads on the extension rod.7. The extension device according to clause 6, wherein an overall axial length of the radially inner threads on the extension sleeve is less than an overall axial length of the radially outer threads on the extension rod.8. The extension device according to clause 4, further comprising a radial flange on a lower end of the extension rod, the radial flange being configured to engage with radially inner threads on the extension sleeve to prevent movement of the extension rod past a fully extended position.9. The extension device according to clause 1, further comprising a pedestal that is configured to removably seat the extension sleeve on the piston rod of the lift system.10. The extension device according to clause 9, wherein the pedestal comprises a head that is coupled to the extension sleeve and a stem that configured to mate with the piston rod so as to resist side load forces on the extension device relative to the piston rod.11. The extension device according to clause 10, wherein the head is coupled to the extension sleeve via a threaded connection and wherein the stem is mated with the piston rod.12. The extension device according to clause 10, wherein the head is recessed in the extension sleeve such that, in a position of use, a lower perimeter of the extension sleeve is configured to be supported on the cylinder of the lift system apart from the pedestal.13. The extension device according to clause 9, further comprising a drain in the pedestal for draining liquid from the extension rod.14. The extension device according to clause 1, further comprising a handle on the extension sleeve.15. The extension device according to clause 14, further comprising a pedestal that is configured to removably seat the extension sleeve on the piston rod of the lift system so that the extension device is freely rotatable relative to the piston rod, thereby facilitating rotation of the handle out of a lifting zone for the lift system.16. The extension device according to clause 1, further comprising a supporting flange configured to support a lower end of the extension sleeve relative to the piston rod of the lift system.17. The extension device according to clause 16, wherein the supporting flange comprises radially inner threads for engaging radially outer threads on the piston rod of the lift system.18. The extension device according to clause 1, further comprising a supporting flange on the upper end of the extension rod, the supporting flange being configured to support the load and / or to support a device for supporting the load.19. The extension device according to clause 18, wherein the supporting flange comprises radially inner threads for engaging radially outer threads on the upper end of the extension rod.20. The extension device according to clause 1, wherein the device for supporting the load comprises a load cap coupled to the upper end of the extension rod.21. The extension device according to clause 20, wherein the load cap comprises a head configured to face the load and a body that is mated with the upper end of the extension rod.22. The extension device according to clause 20, further comprising a resilient pad disposed on the load cap, the resilient pad configured to provide slip resistance between the load and the load cap.23. The extension device according to clause 22, wherein the resilient pad comprises an outer face having protrusions and / or recesses configured to provide said slip resistance.24. The extension device according to clause 22, wherein the resilient pad comprises a plurality of fingers configured to engage a perimeter of the load cap and retain the resilient pad in position relative to the load cap.25. The extension device according to clause 1, further comprising an extender that is configured to mate with the upper end of the extension rod, the extender comprising an elongated body and astem extending from the elongated body and configured to mate with the upper end of the extension rod.26. The extension device according to clause 1, wherein the device for supporting the load comprises a second extension device.27. The extension device according to clause 26, wherein the second extension device comprises a pedestal that is configured to mate with the upper end of the extension rod.28. The extension device according to clause 26, further comprising a pedestal that is configured to removably seat the extension sleeve on the piston rod of the lift system, and wherein the second extension device comprises an extension rod that is configured such that the pedestal cannot mate with the extension rod of the second extension device, thereby preventing the extension sleeve from being seated on the second extension device29. A lift system for lifting a load, the lift system comprising a piston rod that is extendable out of a cylinder to raise a load, and the extension device according to clause 1.30. The lift system according to clause 29, wherein the lift system is part of a wheeled jack-up device.31. The lift system according to clause 29, wherein the lift system is pail of a jack stand device.32. A supporting sleeve assembly for a lift system having a piston rod that is extendable out of a cylinder to raise a load, the supporting sleeve assembly comprising: a first supporting sleeve configured to be installed on the piston rod above the cylinder; and a second supporting sleeve configured to be installed on the piston rod above the cylinder; wherein the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve are configured to be installed on the piston rod in a first stacked configuration in which the first supporting sleeve isstacked on the second supporting sleeve and in a second stacked configuration in which the second supporting sleeve is stacked on the first supporting sleeve; wherein the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve are each installable in the first stacked configuration and in the second stacked configuration in an upwardly facing orientation and in a downwardly facing orientation that is 180 degrees opposed to the upwardly facing orientation; and wherein upon installation in each of said first stacked configuration, said second stacked configuration, said upwardly facing orientation, and said downwardly facing orientation, the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve are configured to mate together such that relative rotation between the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve is prevented.33. The supporting sleeve assembly according to clause 32, further comprising a male-female connector apparatus configured to mate the first supporting sleeve to the second supporting sleeve upon installation on the piston rod.34. The supporting sleeve assembly according to clause 33, wherein the male-female connector apparatus comprises a mating protrusion on a first one of the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve and a mating recess on a second one of the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve, the mating protrusion configured to engage the mating recess upon installation of the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve and thereby prevent said relative rotation.35. The supporting sleeve assembly according to clause 32, wherein the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve each comprises a set of mating protrusions and recesses, the sets of mating protrusions and recesses configured to mate with each other in each of said first stacked configuration, said second stacked configuration, said upwardly facing orientation, and said downwardly facing orientation.36. The supporting sleeve assembly according to clause 35, wherein each set of mating protrusions and recesses comprises an upwardly facing protrusion and an upwardly facing recess and a downwardly facing protrusion and a downwardly facing recess.37. The supporting sleeve assembly according to clause 36, wherein each of the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve comprises a sleeve body, and wherein the upwardly facing protrusion is located on a radially opposite side of the sleeve body relative to the upwardly facing recess and the downwardly facing protrusion is located on a radially opposite side of the sleeve body relative to the downwardly facing recess.38. The supporting sleeve assembly according to clause 36, wherein each of the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve comprises a sleeve body, and wherein the upwardly facing protrusion is located on an axially opposite side of the sleeve body relative to the downwardly facing recess, and wherein the upwardly facing recess is located on an axially opposite side of the sleeve body relative to the downwardly facing protrusion.39. The supporting sleeve assembly according to clause 36, wherein the upwardly facing protrusion and the downwardly facing protrusion comprise protrusion side surfaces that converge and wherein the upwardly facing recess and downwardly facing recess comprise recess side surfaces that diverge and are configured to receive and abut the protrusion side surfaces during installation.40. The supporting sleeve assembly according to clause 32, wherein the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve each comprise a sleeve body having sidewalls that are configured to support a weight of the load.41. The supporting sleeve assembly according to clause 40, wherein the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve each comprise a handle extending from the sleeve body.42. The supporting sleeve assembly according to clause 41, wherein the handle of the first supporting sleeve is aligned with the handle of the second supporting sleeve in the first stacked configuration and the second stacked configuration, and when the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve are in the upwardly facing orientation and the downwardly facing orientation.43. A supporting sleeve for a supporting sleeve assembly on a lift system having a piston rod that is extendable out of a cylinder to raise a load, the supporting sleeve comprising: a sleeve body configured to receive the piston rod, the sleeve body having sidewalls configured to support a weight of the load; and a set of mating protrusions and recesses configured to mate with a corresponding set of mating protrusions and recesses on another supporting sleeve in the supporting sleeve assembly, the set of mating protrusions and recesses comprising an upwardly facing protrusion and an upwardly facing recess, and a downwardly facing protrusion and a downwardly facing recess.44. The supporting sleeve according to clause 43, wherein the upwardly facing protrusion is located on a radially opposite side of the sleeve body relative to the upwardly facing recess and the downwardly facing protrusion is located on a radially opposite side of the sleeve body relative to the downwardly facing recess.45. The supporting sleeve according to clause 44, wherein the upwardly facing protrusion is located on an axially opposite side of the sleeve body relative to the downwardly facing recess, and wherein the upwardly facing recess is located on an axially opposite side of the sleeve body relative to the downwardly facing protrusion.46. A lift system for lifting a load, the lift system comprising a piston rod that is extendable out of a cylinder to raise a load, and the supporting sleeve assembly according to clause 32.47. The lift system according to clause 46, wherein the lift system is part of a wheeled jack-up device.48. The lift system according to clause 46, wherein the lift system is part of a jack stand device.49. A wheeled jack-up device for lifting a load, the wheeled jack-up device comprising: a frame;a piston-cylinder supported on the frame, the piston-cylinder comprising a piston rod that is movable into an extended position from a cylinder to raise the load; an extension device for the piston rod, the extension device comprising an extension sleeve that is configured be supported on the piston rod and an extension rod that is outwardly extendable from the extension sleeve; a supporting sleeve assembly for supporting the piston rod in the extended position, the supporting sleeve assembly comprising a plurality of supporting sleeves that are configured to be stacked on the piston rod above the cylinder; and a storage rack on the frame, the storage rack configured to store the extension device and the supporting sleeve assembly.50. The wheeled jack-up device according to clause 49, wherein the storage rack comprises a storage rail having an elongated body configured to store at least one of the extension device and the plurality of supporting sleeves when not in use.51. The wheeled jack-up device according to clause 50, wherein the storage rail comprises an outer profile on which the plurality of supporting sleeves is seated.52. The wheeled jack-up device according to clause 51, wherein the storage rail comprises opposing sides that are spaced apart a distance smaller than an inner profile of the plurality of supporting sleeves so that the supporting sleeves are seated on the storage rail in a stored position.53. The wheeled jack-up device according to clause 52, further comprising a plurality of protrusions that extend outwardly from the opposing sides, the plurality of protrusions being interdigitated amongst the plurality of supporting sleeves for indexing and retaining the plurality of supporting sleeves in the stored position.54. The wheeled jack-up device according to clause 52, wherein the storage rail comprises a top extending between the opposing sides, and a recess is defined in the top for receiving and retaining the extension device in a stored position.55. The wheeled jack-up device according to clause 50, wherein the storage rail comprises opposing sides and a top extending between the opposing sides, and a recess is defined in the top for receiving and retaining the extension device in a stored position.56. The wheeled jack-up device according to clause 49, wherein the storage rack comprises opposing storage rails that each have an elongated body configured to store at least one of the extension device and the plurality of supporting sleeves when not in use.57. The wheeled jack-up device according to clause 56, further comprising a rear storage rail extending transversely relative to the opposing storage rails, the rear storage rail having an elongated body configured to store at least one of the extension device and the plurality of supporting sleeves when not in use.58. The wheeled jack-up device according to clause 56, wherein the frame comprises a rear storage rail having an elongated body configured to store at least one of the extension device and the plurality of supporting sleeves when not in use, and wherein the opposing storage rails are supported on the rear storage rail.59. The wheeled jack-up device according to clause 58, wherein the opposing storage rails are removable coupled to the rear storage rail such that the storage rack is removably coupled to the frame.60. The wheeled jack-up device according to clause 49, further comprising a handlebar for maneuvering the wheeled jack-up device, wherein the handlebar is movable from a use position extending rearwardly from the frame and a stored position over the frame.61. The wheeled jack-up device according to clause 60, wherein the handlebar is pivotable into and between the use position and the stored position.62. The wheeled jack-up device according to clause 60, wherein the use position is one of a plurality of use positions extending rearwardly from the frame, and further comprising a spring-loaded locking mechanism for automatically locking the handlebar in each of the plurality of use positions.63. The wheeled jack-up device according to clause 60, wherein the storage rack comprises opposing storage rails each having an elongated body configured to store at least one of the extension device and the plurality of supporting sleeves when not in use, wherein the handlebar is pivotable into and between the use position and the stored position, and wherein the handlebar in the stored position is located between the opposing storage rails.64. The wheeled jack-up device according to clause 63, wherein the handlebar is pivotable into and between the use position and the stored position.65. The wheeled jack-up device according to clause 64, wherein the handlebar comprises a handle having an inner perimeter that is moved over the piston-cylinder when the handlebar is pivoted into the stored position.66. The wheeled jack-up device according to clause 49, wherein the frame defines slots for receiving forks of a forklift for lifting the wheeled jack-up device.67. The wheeled jack-up device according to clause 66, wherein the storage rack comprises opposing storage rails each having an elongated body configured to store at least one of the extension device and the plurality of supporting sleeves when not in use, and wherein the slots extend within or below the opposing storage rails.68. The wheeled jack-up device according to clause 49, wherein the wheeled jack-up device extends from front to rear in a longitudinal direction, from side to side in a lateral direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and from top to bottom in an axial direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the lateral direction, and wherein the storage rack comprises opposing storage rails each having a longitudinally elongated body configured to store at least one of the extension device and the plurality of supporting sleeves when not in use.69. The wheeled jack-up device according to clause 68, further comprising a rear storage rail extending transversely relative to the opposing storage rails, the rear storage rail having an elongated body configured to store at least one of the extension device and the plurality of supporting sleeves when not in use.70. The wheeled jack-up device according to clause 69, further comprising a handlebar for maneuvering the wheeled jack-up device, wherein the handlebar- is movable from a use position extending rearwardly from the frame and a stored position over the frame, wherein the handlebar in the stored position is located between the opposing storage rails and over top of the pistoncylinder.71. The wheeled jack-up device according to clause 49, wherein the extension device is a first extension device for the piston rod and further comprising a second extension device for the piston rod, wherein the first extension device and the second extension device are configured such that the second extension device can be stacked on the first extension device but the first extension device cannot be stacked on the second extension device.72. The wheeled jack-up device according to clause 49, wherein the storage rack is removably coupled to the frame.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An extension device for adjusting a height of a lift system having a piston rod that is extendable out of a cylinder to raise a load, the extension device comprising: an extension sleeve configured to be supported on the piston rod such that extension of the piston rod raises the extension sleeve, and such that retraction of the piston rod lowers the extension sleeve; and an extension rod coupled to the extension sleeve, the extension rod having an upper end configured to support the load and / or a device for supporting the load; wherein the extension rod is adjustable relative to the extension sleeve so as to adjust a length of the extension device and to thereby in use adjust the height of the lift system.

2. The extension device according to claim 1, wherein the extension rod is extendable out of the extension sleeve to lengthen the extension device and retractable into the extension sleeve to shorten the extension device.

3. The extension device according to claim 1, wherein the extension rod is infinitely adjustable relative to the extension sleeve between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position.

4. The extension device according to claim 1, wherein the extension rod is adjustable relative to the extension sleeve via a threaded connection configured such that relative rotation between the extension rod and the extension sleeve extends and retracts the extension rod.

5. The extension device according to claim 4, wherein the threaded connection is configured such that a constant number of threads remain engaged throughout movement of the extension rod into and between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position.

6. The extension device according to claim 4, wherein the threaded connection comprises radially inner threads on the extension sleeve and radially outer threads on the extension rod.

7. The extension device according to claim 6, wherein an overall axial length of the radially inner threads on the extension sleeve is less than an overall axial length of the radially outer threads on the extension rod.

8. The extension device according to claim 4, further comprising a radial flange on a lower end of the extension rod, the radial flange being configured to engage with radially inner threads on the extension sleeve to prevent movement of the extension rod past a fully extended position.

9. The extension device according to claim 1, further comprising a pedestal that is configured to removably seat the extension sleeve on the piston rod of the lift system.

10. The extension device according to claim 9, wherein the pedestal comprises a head that is coupled to the extension sleeve and a stem that configured to mate with the piston rod so as to resist side load forces on the extension device relative to the piston rod.

11. The extension device according to claim 10, wherein the head is coupled to the extension sleeve via a threaded connection and wherein the stem is mated with the piston rod.

12. The extension device according to claim 10, wherein the head is recessed in the extension sleeve such that, in a position of use, a lower perimeter of the extension sleeve is configured to be supported on the cylinder of the lift system apart from the pedestal.

13. The extension device according to claim 9, further comprising a drain in the pedestal for draining liquid from the extension rod.

14. The extension device according to claim 1, further comprising a handle on the extension sleeve.

15. The extension device according to claim 14, further comprising a pedestal that is configured to removably seat the extension sleeve on the piston rod of the lift system so that the extension device is freely rotatable relative to the piston rod, thereby facilitating rotation of the handle out of a lifting zone for the lift system.

16. The extension device according to claim 1, further comprising a supporting flange configured to support a lower end of the extension sleeve relative to the piston rod of the lift system.

17. The extension device according to claim 16, wherein the supporting flange comprises radially inner threads for engaging radially outer threads on the piston rod of the lift system.

18. The extension device according to claim 1, further comprising a supporting flange on the upper end of the extension rod, the supporting flange being configured to support the load and / or to support a device for supporting the load.

19. The extension device according to claim 18, wherein the supporting flange comprises radially inner threads for engaging radially outer threads on the upper end of the extension rod.

20. The extension device according to claim 1, wherein the device for supporting the load comprises a load cap coupled to the upper end of the extension rod.

21. The extension device according to claim 20, wherein the load cap comprises a head configured to face the load and a body that is mated with the upper end of the extension rod.

22. The extension device according to claim 20, further comprising a resilient pad disposed on the load cap, the resilient pad configured to provide slip resistance between the load and the load cap.

23. The extension device according to claim 22, wherein the resilient pad comprises an outer face having protrusions and / or recesses configured to provide said slip resistance.

24. The extension device according to claim 22, wherein the resilient pad comprises a plurality of fingers configured to engage a perimeter of the load cap and retain the resilient pad in position relative to the load cap.

25. The extension device according to claim 1 , further comprising an extender that is configured to mate with the upper end of the extension rod, the extender comprising an elongated body and a stem extending from the elongated body and configured to mate with the upper end of the extension rod.

26. The extension device according to claim 1, wherein the device for supporting the load comprises a second extension device.

27. The extension device according to claim 26, wherein the second extension device comprises a pedestal that is configured to mate with the upper end of the extension rod.

28. The extension device according to claim 26, further comprising a pedestal that is configured to removably seat the extension sleeve on the piston rod of the lift system, and wherein the second extension device comprises an extension rod that is configured such that the pedestal cannot mate with the extension rod of the second extension device, thereby preventing the extension sleeve from being seated on the second extension device29. A lift system for lifting a load, the lift system comprising a piston rod that is extendable out of a cylinder to raise a load, and the extension device according to claim 1.

30. The lift system according to claim 29, wherein the lift system is part of a wheeled jack-up device.

31. The lift system according to claim 29, wherein the lift system is part of a jack stand device.

32. A supporting sleeve assembly for a lift system having a piston rod that is extendable out of a cylinder to raise a load, the supporting sleeve assembly comprising: a first supporting sleeve configured to be installed on the piston rod above the cylinder; and a second supporting sleeve configured to be installed on the piston rod above the cylinder;wherein the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve are configured to be installed on the piston rod in a first stacked configuration in which the first supporting sleeve is stacked on the second supporting sleeve and in a second stacked configuration in which the second supporting sleeve is stacked on the first supporting sleeve; wherein the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve are each installable in the first stacked configuration and in the second stacked configuration in an upwardly facing orientation and in a downwardly facing orientation that is 180 degrees opposed to the upwardly facing orientation; and wherein upon installation in each of said first stacked configuration, said second stacked configuration, said upwardly facing orientation, and said downwardly facing orientation, the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve are configured to mate together such that relative rotation between the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve is prevented.

33. The supporting sleeve assembly according to claim 32, further comprising a male-female connector apparatus configured to mate the first supporting sleeve to the second supporting sleeve upon installation on the piston rod.

34. The supporting sleeve assembly according to claim 33, wherein the male-female connector apparatus comprises a mating protrusion on a first one of the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve and a mating recess on a second one of the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve, the mating protrusion configured to engage the mating recess upon installation of the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve and thereby prevent said relative rotation.

35. The supporting sleeve assembly according to claim 32, wherein the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve each comprises a set of mating protrusions and recesses, the sets of mating protrusions and recesses configured to mate with each other in each of said first stacked configuration, said second stacked configuration, said upwardly facing orientation, and said downwardly facing orientation.

36. The supporting sleeve assembly according to claim 35, wherein each set of mating protrusions and recesses comprises an upwardly facing protrusion and an upwardly facing recess and a downwardly facing protrusion and a downwardly facing recess.

37. The supporting sleeve assembly according to claim 36, wherein each of the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve comprises a sleeve body, and wherein the upwardly facing protrusion is located on a radially opposite side of the sleeve body relative to the upwardly facing recess and the downwardly facing protrusion is located on a radially opposite side of the sleeve body relative to the downwardly facing recess.

38. The supporting sleeve assembly according to claim 36, wherein each of the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve comprises a sleeve body, and wherein the upwardly facing protrusion is located on an axially opposite side of the sleeve body relative to the downwardly facing recess, and wherein the upwardly facing recess is located on an axially opposite side of the sleeve body relative to the downwardly facing protrusion.

39. The supporting sleeve assembly according to claim 36, wherein the upwardly facing protrusion and the downwardly facing protrusion comprise protrusion side surfaces that converge and wherein the upwardly facing recess and downwardly facing recess comprise recess side surfaces that diverge and are configured to receive and abut the protrusion side surfaces during installation.

40. The supporting sleeve assembly according to claim 32, wherein the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve each comprise a sleeve body having sidewalls that are configured to support a weight of the load.

41. The supporting sleeve assembly according to claim 40, wherein the first supporting sleeve and the second supporting sleeve each comprise a handle extending from the sleeve body.

42. The supporting sleeve assembly according to claim 41, wherein the handle of the first supporting sleeve is aligned with the handle of the second supporting sleeve in the first stacked configuration and the second stacked configuration, and when the first supporting sleeve and thesecond supporting sleeve are in the upwardly facing orientation and the downwardly facing orientation.

43. A supporting sleeve for a supporting sleeve assembly on a lift system having a piston rod that is extendable out of a cylinder to raise a load, the supporting sleeve comprising: a sleeve body configured to receive the piston rod, the sleeve body having sidewalls configured to support a weight of the load; and a set of mating protrusions and recesses configured to mate with a corresponding set of mating protrusions and recesses on another supporting sleeve in the supporting sleeve assembly, the set of mating protrusions and recesses comprising an upwardly facing protrusion and an upwardly facing recess, and a downwardly facing protrusion and a downwardly facing recess.

44. The supporting sleeve according to claim 43, wherein the upwardly facing protrusion is located on a radially opposite side of the sleeve body relative to the upwardly facing recess and the downwardly facing protrusion is located on a radially opposite side of the sleeve body relative to the downwardly facing recess.

45. The supporting sleeve according to claim 44, wherein the upwardly facing protrusion is located on an axially opposite side of the sleeve body relative to the downwardly facing recess, and wherein the upwardly facing recess is located on an axially opposite side of the sleeve body relative to the downwardly facing protrusion.

46. A lift system for lifting a load, the lift system comprising a piston rod that is extendable out of a cylinder to raise a load, and the supporting sleeve assembly according to claim 32.

47. The lift system according to claim 46, wherein the lift system is part of a wheeled jack-up device.

48. The lift system according to claim 46, wherein the lift system is part of a jack stand device.

49. A wheeled jack-up device for lifting a load, the wheeled jack-up device comprising:a frame; a piston-cylinder supported on the frame, the piston-cylinder comprising a piston rod that is movable into an extended position from a cylinder to raise the load; an extension device for the piston rod, the extension device comprising an extension sleeve that is configured be supported on the piston rod and an extension rod that is outwardly extendable from the extension sleeve; a supporting sleeve assembly for supporting the piston rod in the extended position, the supporting sleeve assembly comprising a plurality of supporting sleeves that are configured to be stacked on the piston rod above the cylinder; and a storage rack on the frame, the storage rack configured to store the extension device and the supporting sleeve assembly.

50. The wheeled jack-up device according to claim 49, wherein the storage rack comprises a storage rail having an elongated body configured to store at least one of the extension device and the plurality of supporting sleeves when not in use.

51. The wheeled jack-up device according to claim 50, wherein the storage rail comprises an outer profile on which the plurality of supporting sleeves is seated.

52. The wheeled jack-up device according to claim 51 , wherein the storage rail comprises opposing sides that are spaced apart a distance smaller than an inner profile of the plurality of supporting sleeves so that the supporting sleeves are seated on the storage rail in a stored position.

53. The wheeled jack-up device according to claim 52, further comprising a plurality of protrusions that extend outwardly from the opposing sides, the plurality of protrusions being interdigitated amongst the plurality of supporting sleeves for indexing and retaining the plurality of supporting sleeves in the stored position.

54. The wheeled jack-up device according to claim 52, wherein the storage rail comprises a top extending between the opposing sides, and a recess is defined in the top for receiving and retaining the extension device in a stored position.

55. The wheeled jack-up device according to claim 50, wherein the storage rail comprises opposing sides and a top extending between the opposing sides, and a recess is defined in the top for receiving and retaining the extension device in a stored position.

56. The wheeled jack-up device according to claim 49, wherein the storage rack comprises opposing storage rails that each have an elongated body configured to store at least one of the extension device and the plurality of supporting sleeves when not in use.

57. The wheeled jack-up device according to claim 56, further comprising a rear storage rail extending transversely relative to the opposing storage rails, the rear storage rail having an elongated body configured to store at least one of the extension device and the plurality of supporting sleeves when not in use.

58. The wheeled jack-up device according to claim 56, wherein the frame comprises a rear storage rail having an elongated body configured to store at least one of the extension device and the plurality of supporting sleeves when not in use, and wherein the opposing storage rails are supported on the rear storage rail.

59. The wheeled jack-up device according to claim 58, wherein the opposing storage rails are removable coupled to the rear storage rail such that the storage rack is removably coupled to the frame.

60. The wheeled jack-up device according to claim 49, further comprising a handlebar' for maneuvering the wheeled jack-up device, wherein the handlebar is movable from a use position extending rearwardly from the frame and a stored position over the frame.

61. The wheeled jack-up device according to claim 60, wherein the handlebar is pivotable into and between the use position and the stored position.

62. The wheeled jack-up device according to claim 60, wherein the use position is one of a plurality of use positions extending rcarwardly from the frame, and further comprising a spring-loaded locking mechanism for automatically locking the handlebar in each of the plurality of use positions.

63. The wheeled jack-up device according to claim 60, wherein the storage rack comprises opposing storage rails each having an elongated body configured to store at least one of the extension device and the plurality of supporting sleeves when not in use, wherein the handlebar is pivotable into and between the use position and the stored position, and wherein the handlebar in the stored position is located between the opposing storage rails.

64. The wheeled jack-up device according to claim 63, wherein the handlebar is pivotable into and between the use position and the stored position.

65. The wheeled jack-up device according to claim 64, wherein the handlebar comprises a handle having an inner perimeter that is moved over the piston-cylinder when the handlebar is pivoted into the stored position.

66. The wheeled jack-up device according to claim 49, wherein the frame defines slots for receiving forks of a forklift for lifting the wheeled jack-up device.

67. The wheeled jack-up device according to claim 66, wherein the storage rack comprises opposing storage rails each having an elongated body configured to store at least one of the extension device and the plurality of supporting sleeves when not in use, and wherein the slots extend within or below the opposing storage rails.

68. The wheeled jack-up device according to claim 49, wherein the wheeled jack-up device extends from front to rear in a longitudinal direction, from side to side in a lateral direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and from top to bottom in an axial direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and perpendicular- to the lateral direction, and wherein the storage rack comprises opposing storage rails each having a longitudinally elongated bodyconfigured to store at least one of the extension device and the plurality of supporting sleeves when not in use.

69. The wheeled jack-up device according to claim 68, further comprising a rear storage rail extending transversely relative to the opposing storage rails, the rear’ storage rail having an elongated body configured to store at least one of the extension device and the plurality of supporting sleeves when not in use.

70. The wheeled jack-up device according to claim 69, further comprising a handlebar for maneuvering the wheeled jack-up device, wherein the handlebar is movable from a use position extending rearwardly from the frame and a stored position over the frame, wherein the handlebar in the stored position is located between the opposing storage rails and over top of the pistoncylinder.

71. The wheeled jack-up device according to claim 49, wherein the extension device is a first extension device for the piston rod and further comprising a second extension device for the piston rod, wherein the first extension device and the second extension device are configured such that the second extension device can be stacked on the first extension device but the first extension device cannot be stacked on the second extension device.

72. The wheeled jack-up device according to claim 49, wherein the storage rack is removably coupled to the frame.

Images