U.S. patent application number 08/862203 was filed with the patent office on 2001-05-24 for hydraulic lift for motor home.
Invention is credited to KLINKENBERG, ERIC E..
Application Number | 20010001636 08/862203 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25337919 |
Filed Date | 2001-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010001636 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KLINKENBERG, ERIC E. |
May 24, 2001 |
HYDRAULIC LIFT FOR MOTOR HOME
Abstract
The hydraulic lift is provided for carrying structures, such as
a motorcycle, snowmobile, etc., in an elevated position behind a
motor home. The lift includes a fixed framework having pivotable
arms to which any of a plurality of carrying platforms may be
engaged. The arms pivot from a ground engaging position to an
elevated, locked in place position under action of an hydraulic
activation system.
Inventors: |
KLINKENBERG, ERIC E.;
(HOLLAND, NL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Roland E. Long, Jr.
c/o Young & Thompson
745 South 23rd Street
Suite 200
Arlington
VA
22202
US
|
Family ID: |
25337919 |
Appl. No.: |
08/862203 |
Filed: |
May 23, 1997 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
414/462 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 414/13 20130101;
B60P 1/4414 20130101; B60P 1/4485 20130101; B60R 9/06 20130101;
B60P 3/07 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
414/462 |
International
Class: |
B60P 009/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An hydraulic lift for use in lifting and carrying a structure,
such as a motorcycle or recreation vehicle, behind a motor home,
the lift comprising a fixed framework engaged to a rear end of said
motor home and having arms engageable to any of a plurality of
structure engaging platforms, the arms being pivotable between a
ground engaging position and an elevated, locked in place position,
said arms being pivoted by actuation of an hydraulic system
functionally engaged to and between said pivotable arms and said
fixed framework.
2. The lift of claim 1 wherein said arms are configured in
parallelogram form.
3. The lift of claim 2 wherein each arm includes an upper shaft and
a lower shaft, each pivotably engaged at one end to a bracket of
said fixed framework and each pivotably engaged at another end to a
bracket which further engages said platform.
4. The lift of claim 3 wherein a cross brace is provided between
the arms.
5. The lift of claim 4 wherein said cross brace has two ends and
includes a finger at each end, said fingers extending downwardly
therefrom and being angled toward said fixed framework bracket.
6. The lift of claim 5 wherein each finger pivotably engages a
piston of a piston and cylinder arrangement.
7. The lift of claim 6 wherein each piston and cylinder arrangement
includes a cylinder pivotably engaged to said bracket of said fixed
framework.
8. The lift of claim 7 wherein said cylinder is functionally
engaged to a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid.
9. The lift of claim 8 wherein filling of said cylinder with
pressurized hydraulic fluid causes extension of said piston.
10. The lift of claim 9 wherein extension of said piston creates a
force against said finger causing same to move away from said fixed
framework bracket, and inherently producing lift for the pivotably
arms.
11. The lift of claim 10 wherein a locking mechanism is provided
for securing said arms in an elevated position thereof.
12. The lift of claim 11 wherein said locking mechanism comprises a
latch pivotably engaged at one end to the upper shaft of the arm
and having a jaw thereon which engages about a cooperating pin on
said platform engaging bracket.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an hydraulic lift for a
motor home. More particularly, the hydraulic lift is designed to
carry a structure, such as a motorcycle, recreational vehicle,
personal water craft, etc. in an elevated position behind a motor
home to which the lift is attached.
[0003] 2. Prior Art
[0004] Heretofore, various lift apparatus have been proposed for
use in carrying a structure such as a vehicle behind a motor home
in an elevated position.
[0005] For instance, the Blomquist et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,754,672
and the Bianchini U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,564 disclose collapsible
motorcycle carrier hoists for a vehicle which are raised with a
winch and locked in an elevated position. Also, the Eisenberg, et
al U.S. Pat. No. 4,400,129 discloses a trunk mounted spring biased
pivotable carrier which engages a structure to be carried by means
of support forks which, once engaged, are brought upwardly against
a rear of the truck under action of the springs.
[0006] As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, there
has not been proposed an hydraulic lift which is actuated by mere
flipping of a switch, which has a locking mechanism thereon
separate from the lift mechanism, which accommodates a plurality of
embodiments of structures to be carried, which need not be removed
from the motor home when not in use, and which allows for a trailer
to be engaged therebeneath for towing a following structure in
normal fashion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to the invention there is provided an hydraulic
lift for use in lifting and carrying a structure, such as a
motorcycle or recreational vehicle, behind a motor home, the lift
comprising a fixed framework engaged to a rear end of the motor
home and having arms engageable to any of a plurality of structure
engaging platforms, the arms being pivotable between a ground
engaging position and an elevated, locked in place position, the
arms being pivoted by actuation of an hydraulic system functionally
engaged to and between the pivotable arms and the fixed
framework.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fixed framework of the
hydraulic lift of the present invention engaged to a rear end of a
motor home.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the lift and motor home showing a
first embodiment of a platform for engaging a motorcycle to the
framework and showing arms of the lift positioned in an elevated
condition, with wheels of a motorcycle shown resting thereon.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the platform of FIG. 2.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of a
platform.
[0012] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a locking mechanism of the
lift.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the lift
framework showing a trailer hitch with ball extending rearwardly
from a rear end of the motor home, beneath and between the arms of
the lift.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] Referring now to the drawings in greater detail there is
illustrated therein the hydraulic lift of the present invention
generally identified by the reference numeral 10, the lift 10 shown
engaged to a rear end 12 of a motor home 14.
[0015] The lift includes a framework 16 which comprises a base 18
mounted to the motor home 14 and two arms 21 extending rearwardly
outwardly from the base 18. The base 18 is a hollow metal tube 18
which in the preferred embodiment engages to structure (not shown)
on the underside of the motor home 14 which typically supports a
rear bumper (not shown) of the motor home 14, the bumper being
removed prior to engaging the lift base 18 to the bumper
mounts.
[0016] Extending rearwardly away from the motor home 14, at each
end 20 of the base 18, is a mounting bracket 22, each mounting
bracket 22 being configured to pivotably engage an arm 21 of the
framework 16.
[0017] Each arm 21 of the framework 16 includes an upper shaft 26,
a lower shaft 28, and a platform engaging bracket 30 engaged to and
between the upper and lower shafts 26 and 28, respectively.
[0018] When viewed from the side, each arm 21 is configured as a
parallelogram, with the brackets 22 and 30 remaining parallel to
one another regardless of the position to which the arm 21 is
pivoted about its engagement to mounting bracket 22.
[0019] Engaged to and extending between the upper shafts 26 of each
arm 21 is a support rod or cross brace 32 which maintains the arms
21 parallel. Depending from this rod 32, at a position toward each
end 34 thereof, is a downwardly and forwardly angled finger 36.
Engaged to and extending between each finger 36 and its
corresponding mounting bracket 22 is a hydraulic piston and
cylinder arrangement 38, such arrangement 38 being mounted to the
mounting bracket 22 in a manner to be pivotable relative thereto,
corresponding in pivotability to that of the arms 21 of the
framework 16. Each piston and cylinder arrangement 38 is
functionally engaged by tubes 39 to a source of hydraulic fluid,
(not shown) such source either already existing as a component of
the motor home 14 or being provided as a separate entity, as
desired.
[0020] In use of the lift 10, a piston 40 is seated within a
cylinder 42 of each piston and cylinder arrangement 38 when the
platform engaging brackets 30 rest on a surface (not shown)
subjacent the motor home 14, and the piston 40 is extended by
application of pressurized hydraulic fluid into the cylinder 42,
when rotational elevation of the arms 21 is desired, as will be
described in greater detail hereinafter. Also, if desired, a dust
sleeve 43 may be provided about the piston and cylinder
arrangements 38.
[0021] The platform engaging brackets 30 are provided in a
configuration which will accommodate engagement of more than one
embodiment of a carrying platform 44 thereto.
[0022] In this respect, FIGS. 2 and 3 disclose a first embodiment
of a platform 44 configured for secure engagement of wheels 46 of a
motorcycle (not shown) thereto. A further embodiment of a platform
44' for secure engagement of a snowmobile, personal water craft,
etc. (not shown), is disclosed. Although only two preferred
platform embodiments 44 and 44' are disclosed, this should not be
construed as limiting. For instance, a bicycle rack type structure
for dependingly engaging at least one bicycle could also be created
and engaged to the platform engaging brackets 30.
[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 2 when the arms 21 are rotated
upwardly about the brackets 22 the platform 44, 44' is lifted to a
position well above a rear bottom end 47 of the motor home 14. A'
pair of motorcycle wheels 46 are shown extending upwardly from the
platform 44 and straps 50 and cables 52 are shown for securing the
motorcycle wheels 46 to the platform 44 proposed for carrying
same.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of the motorcycle platform 44.
As shown, the platform 44 includes a narrow track 54 having
upstanding sidewalls 56 and a ramp 57 at end 58, an opposite end 60
being of closed off configuration, by including an end wall 62,
which may be configured to accept a circumferential portion of the
motorcycle wheel 46 somewhat snugly therein.
[0025] Also, a cross member 66 is situated to extend outwardly of
and beneath the platform 44, the cross member 66 being configured
to provide structure 68, such as holes, hooks, etc., thereon to
which the straps 50 and cables 52 can be easily engaged for
securing the motorcycle wheels 46 to the platform 44.
[0026] In FIG. 4, the second embodiment of the platform 44' shows
same to be a much wider, planar structure onto which a wider item
(not shown), such as a snowmobile, etc., can be easily loaded. A
ramp 57' is provided at one end 58' for ease in manipulating the
item to be transported onto the platform 44'. Also, for maintaining
the item within the confines of the platform 44', a small lip or
sidewall 56' is provided on the platform 44'.
[0027] In use, arms 21 are first lowered to ground level by
activation of any suitable means for controlling operation of the
piston and cylinder arrangement 38, such as for example, engaging
an up/down switch 70 located near the lift 10 to bring the arms 21
down. Next, a desired embodiment of the platform 44, 44', is
engaged to the platform engaging brackets 30 by means of suitable
connectors (not shown) passing through aligned holes 74 in the
platform engaging brackets 30 and cooperating holes 76 in platform
brackets 78 positioned on the platform 44, 44' to engage the
platform engaging brackets 30, or cooperating holes created in the
platform 44, 44' itself (not shown).
[0028] Once the platform 44, 44' is engaged to the arms 21, the
item to be transported is moved onto the platform 44, 44' through
use of the ramp 57, 57' and is fixed to the platform 44, 44' in a
suitable manner.
[0029] One then again activates the switch 70, producing an upward
pivoting of the arms 21, carrying the platform 44, 44' and item
engaged thereon upwardly to a position which allows for engagement
of a locking mechanism 80, used to lock the arms 21 in the elevated
position, against any potential dropping thereof.
[0030] As best shown in FIG. 5, the locking mechanism 80 comprises
a latch 82 rotatably engaged to the upper shaft 26 of each arm 21,
which latch 82 has a jaw 84 thereon which engages over a pin or nub
86 on the platform engaging bracket 30, the angulation of the jaw
84 being such that, any attempt by the arm 21 to pivot downwardly
will be thwarted by compression of the pin 86 against an engaged
lip 88 of the jaw 84.
[0031] Engagement between the jaw 84 and the pin 86 is achieved
manually by rotating the latch 82 into a position where the jaw 84
is above the pin 86 and then dropping the jaw 84 over the pin
86.
[0032] To disengage the jaw 84, one merely elevates the arms 21 a
bit, decreasing frictional engagement between the downward force
exerted by the pin 86 against the lip 88 and the latch 82 bearing
the jaw 84 thereon is rotated upwardly, out of engagement over the
pin 86.
[0033] The locking mechanism 80 preferably includes one jaw 84 and
pin 86 engagement on each arm 21, such mechanism 80 functioning
effectively due to the parallelogram configuration of the
components of each arm 21.
[0034] As described above, the cross brace 32 including the
depending fingers 36, each of which is engaged to an end of a
corresponding piston and cylinder arrangement 38, creates the
pivotal motion required for elevation of the arms 21.
[0035] In this respect, the fingers 36 are seen to be angled
downwardly and forwardly, as related to the motor home 14.
[0036] When the pistons 40 are each pushed outwardly of their
respective cylinders 42, they produce a rearwardly directed force
against the angled fingers 36, since a mounting end 90 of each
cylinder 42 is fixed in place. This force is translated along the
fingers 36 to produce an upwardly and rearwardly directed force
against the upper shaft 26 of each arm 21, causing such upper shaft
26 to rise. Because the upper shaft 26 and lower shaft 28 of each
arm 21 are engaged to one another by the platform engaging bracket
30, as the upper shaft 26 rises, it carries the lower shaft 28 with
it. Since the piston and cylinder arrangements 38 are pivotable
about their point of engagement to the platform engaging bracket
22, continued extension of the piston 40 is possible, and elevation
of the arm 21 continues as well.
[0037] Such activation is produced by engagement of the switch 70
which, in any known suitable manner, causes filling of the cylinder
42 with pressurized hydraulic fluid, forcing the piston 40
outwardly thereof. Conversely, when the switch 70 is activated to
lower the lift arms 21, fluid is allowed to flow back to its
source, such reverse flow being caused by retraction of the piston
40 under force of the weight of the item being carried by the lift
10.
[0038] It will also be understood that the platform engaging
brackets 30 remain vertically oriented at all times, regardless of
the position of the arms 21, due to the parallelogram configuration
of the arm components as well.
[0039] Further, as best illustrated in FIG. 6, the lift 10 when in
an elevated position thereof does not preclude use of a trailer
hitch 94 of the motor home 14 for engagement to a towable carrier
such as a boat trailer, etc. Thus, not only can one desired item be
carried on the lift 10, but a second desired item may be trailered
therebehind.
[0040] As described above, the lift 10 of the present invention
provides a number of advantages, some of which are described above
and others of which are inherent in the invention. Also,
modifications may be proposed to the lift 10 without departing from
the teachings herein. Accordingly the scope of the invention is
only to be limited as necessitated by the accompanying claims.
* * * * *