1. Background of the invention.

A. Field of the invention.

The embodiments of the present invention relate to a prime mover, and more particularly, the embodiments of the present invention relate to a portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement for receiving, and thereby motorizing, a conventional and pre-existing mechanical bottle jack or a conventional pre-existing scissor jack and for being so stabilized and so balanced so as to be readily insertable under a vehicle requiring lifting off a generally horizontal surface while remaining in full contact with the generally horizontal surface during positioning under, and lifting or lowering, the vehicle.

B. Description of the prior art.

Numerous innovations for motor-driven jacks have been provided in the prior art, which will be described below in chronological order to show advancement in the art, and which are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference thereto. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, nevertheless, they differ from the present invention in that they do not teach a portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement for receiving, and thereby motorizing, a conventional and pre-existing mechanical bottle jack or a conventional pre-existing scissor jack and for being so stabilized and so balanced so as to be readily insertable under a vehicle requiring lifting off a generally horizontal surface while remaining in full contact with the generally horizontal surface during positioning under, and lifting or lowering, the vehicle.

(1) United States Patent Number 1, 764,988 to Schwerin.

United States Patent Number 1,764,988— issued to Schwerin on June 17, 1930— teaches a jack including a housing frame forming a base and standard provided with a nut, and a lifting member. A lifting screw that coacts with the nut. A worm-wheel is on the lower portion of the screw. A worm meshes the worm-wheel. An air motor is mounted on the base of the jack directly over the worm, and has a horizontal crank-shaft parallel with the worm. A power- multiplying gearing is between the crank-shaft and the worm shaft. The motor and gearing have a housing joining with the main jack housing. The motor with part of the gearing, on the one hand, and the remainder of the jack, including the worm wheel and worm and the remainder of the gearing, on the other hand, are separable as units on a plane of cleavage cutting the housing between the horizontal shafts. Apparatus rigidly units the units together.

(2) United States Patent Number 2, 993, 670 to Zollinger.

United States Patent Number 2,993,670— issued to Zollinger on July 25, 1961 in U.S. class 248 and subclass 58— teaches a motor-operated hanger for supporting a load subject to movement within a limited range of movement. The hanger includes a supporting member adapted to be secured to a fixed structure, a movable member movable with regard to the supporting member and adapted to be secured to the load, and a jack connected to the supporting member and to the movable member. The jack when actuated moves the movable member with respect to the supporting member. The hanger further includes a motor, a connecting apparatus connecting the motor to the jack. The motor when turned on actuating the jack through the connecting apparatus. The hanger further includes sensing apparatus for sensing changes on the load and for actuating the motor in response to the changes. The sensing means is located between the jack and the supporting member and has a portion movable with respect to the supporting member with changes in load in a substantially straight line. A portion of the jack engages the movable portion and causes movement thereof with changes in the load. The connecting apparatus connects the motor to the jack and has at least a portion movable with the movement of the movable sensing apparatus portion. (3) United States Patent Number 4, 653, 727 to Chang et al.

United States Patent Number 4,653,727— issued to Chang et al. on March 31 , 1987 in U.S. class 254 and subclass 1— teaches motor driven scissors jacks for automobiles, and is driven by the electric power source from the cigarette lighting socket of any automobile. Its DC motor is driven through a deceleration gear box for rotating a screw rod clockwise or counter-clockwise in order to provide for the raising of the frames of scissors jacks with automatic raising of vehicles, and for the higher raising and lower collapsing functions, and a more powerful raising capability. It is also provided with one ultimate switch for peak and low bottom points in order to limit its raising and collapsing operation to fixed points, and an automatic stop for safe raising operations and for preventing damage to the motor. (4) United States Patent Number 5,085,407 to Lonon.

United States Patent Number 5,085,407— issued to Lonon on February 4, 1992 in U.S. class 254 and subclass 103— teaches a motorized jack assemblage for vehicles. This takes the form of a kit containing a motor and reduction gear linkage adapted to be energized from the cigarette lighter or other source of electrical power in the vehicle. The gear linkage is adapted to drive mechanical coupling apparatus that keys into and operates a lift jack, which in one case is part of the standard equipment for the vehicle, and in another case is a jack with a specialized base that is part of the kit.

(5) United States Patent Number 6,685,169 to Shim.

United States Patent Number 6,685, 169— issued to Shim on February 3, 2004 in U.S. class 254 and subclass 103— teaches a motor-operated jack for vehicles, which includes a lifting unit that includes a spiral lifting ram having an internal thread limitedly formed at a lower portion of the spiral lifting ram, and a pin held in a horizontal groove formed at the top end of a primary screw. The pin is slightly projected into two longitudinal holes symmetrically formed at the top portion of a secondary screw. There is also a coil spring, a spring cover, and a snap ring sequentially laid on the top of the pin. There is also a support ram having a top support and an external thread, movably fitted in a gap between the secondary screw and the spiral lifting ram while engaging with an internal thread of the spiral lifting ram at the external thread, thus allowing a user to control the moving stroke of the lifting unit as desired.

(6) United States Patent Number 6, 695,289 to Mckael.

United States Patent Number 6,695,289— issued to Mickael on February 24, 2004 in

U.S. class 254 and subclass 122— teaches a motorized scissor jack including upper and lower limit switches. The motor is connected with a drive assembly that extends and retracts the jack through a displacement screw. The motor has two speeds. The jack is connectable to a vehicular or standard alternating current power source. The upper and lower limit switches limit the extension and retraction of the jack to defined peak and bottom points. The jack is configured for operation in inclement weather.

(7) United States Patent Application Publication Number 2005/0109996 to Razzaghi.

United States Patent Application Publication Number 2005/0109996— published to Razzaghi on May 26, 2005 in U.S. class 254 and subclass 126— teaches an apparatus and method for an electric jack. An electrically powered jack is provided for at least partially raising and lowering an automobile off a ground surface. The electric jack may be utilized in conjunction with a conventional portable car jack. The jack includes a power drill, a rod, and a plurality of jack adapters. Each jack adapter is specifically designed to attach to a particular type of car jack, thus providing an apparatus that may be utilized with an assortment of car jacks.

(8) United States Patent Number 6, 910,677 to Miller et al

United States Patent Number 6,910,677— issued to Miller et al. on June 28, 2005 in U.S. class 254 and subclass 126— teaches a battery driven reversible motor and speed reduction gear assembly coupled to a worm-screw scissor jack, all mounted on a flat, stable platform (base plate) for use in raising and lowering the comer of a vehicle. The device can be powered from a rechargeable battery pack or from the vehicle's battery. A controller unit extended by way of a cable is used to raise and lower the vehicle while the user stands out-of-the-way in safe location. The device also has a light for illuminating the work area for nighttime application. In use, the lift plate on top of the scissor-jack is placed under the frame or axle of the vehicle close to the flat tire and the power switch is turned ON. The user then walks away from the vehicle, with the controller unit in his/her hand, to a safe distance. The UP button on the controller unit is pressed to enable the motor and gear drive so that the drive shaft, which is coupled to the worn-screw of the scissor-jack, turns slowly lifting the corner of the vehicle up until the flat tire is off the ground. This process is reversed to lower the vehicle once the flat tire has been changed.

(9) United States Patent Application Publication Number 2007/0256526 to Razzaghi.

United States Patent Application Publication Number 2007/0256526 published to

Razzaghi on November 8, 2007 in U.S. class 81 and subclass 176.15 teaches an apparatus and method for an electric jack. An electrically powered jack is provided for at least partially raising and lowering an automobile off a ground surface. The apparatus may be utilized in conjunction with a conventional portable car jack. The apparatus includes a power drill, a rod, and a plurality of jack adapters. Each jack adapter is specifically designed to attach to a particular type of car jack, thus providing an apparatus that may be utilized with an assortment of car jacks.

It is apparent that numerous innovations for motor-driven jacks have been provided in the prior art, which are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, nevertheless, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the embodiments of the present invention as heretofore described, namely, portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement for receiving, and thereby motorizing, a conventional and pre-existing mechanical bottle jack or a conventional preexisting scissor jack and for being so stabilized and so balanced so as to be readily insertable under a vehicle requiring lifting off a generally horizontal surface while remaining in full contact with the generally horizontal surface during positioning under, and lifting or lowering, the vehicle.

2. Summary of the invention.

Thus, an object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement for receiving, and thereby motorizing, a conventional and pre-existing mechanical bottle jack or a conventional pre-existing scissor jack and for being so stabilized and so balanced so as to be readily insertable under a vehicle requiring lifting off a generally horizontal surface while remaining in full contact with the generally horizontal surface during positioning under, and lifting or lowering, the vehicle, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

Briefly stated, another object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement receiving, and thereby motorizing, either a conventional and pre-existing mechanical bottle jack or a conventional and pre-existing scissor jack and being so stabilized and so balanced so as to be readily insertable under a vehicle requiring lifting off a generally horizontal surface while remaining in full contact with the generally horizontal surface during positioning under, and lifting or lowering, the vehicle. The arrangement includes a base, an electric motor, a gear box, a coupler, and a handle. The base is positioned on the generally horizontal surface and is so stabilized and so balanced so as to be readily insertable under the vehicle requiring lifting off the generally horizontal surface while remaining in full contact with the generally horizontal surface during positioning under, and lifting or lowering, the vehicle. The electric motor is positioned on the base. The gear box is positioned on the base and is operatively connected to the electric motor. The coupler is positioned on the base, is operatively connected to the gear box, receives, and thereby motorizes, either the conventional and pre-existing mechanical bottle jack or the conventional and preexisting scissor jack. The handle is replaceably attached to the base and readily inserts the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement under the vehicle or readily removes the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement from under the vehicle.

The novel features considered characteristic of the embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The embodiments of the present invention themselves, however, both as to their construction and to their method of operation together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying figures of the drawing. Brief description of the figures of the drawing.

The figures of the drawing are briefly described as follows:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement of the embodiments of the present invention receiving, and thereby motorizing, a conventional and pre-existing mechanical bottle jack;

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement being so stabilized and so balanced so as to be readily insertable under a vehicle requiring lifting off a generally horizontal surface;

FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement remaining in full contact with the generally horizontal surface during positioning under, and lifting or lowering, the vehicle; FIGURE 4 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement identified by ARROW 4 in FIGURES 1-3;

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a storage case that is closed and in which the first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement is stored when not in use;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the area generally

enclosed by the dotted circle identified by ARROW 6 in FIGURE 5 of a zipper of the storage case of the first embodiment of the portable and self- contained prime mover arrangement; FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the storage case shown in FIGURE

5 that is partially opened and in which the first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement has been removed for use; FIGURE 8 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the storage case shown in FIGURE 7 that is completely opened wherein a portion thereof forms a kneeling pad for a user to kneel on when the first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement has been removed and ready for use:

FIGURE 8A is an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along LINE 8A- 8A in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 8B is an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along LINE 8B- 8B in FIGURE 8; FIGURE 9 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of an articulated handle of the first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement identified by ARROW 9 in FIGURE 4 in a folded state;

FIGURE 10 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of one side of the articulated

handle of the first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement shown in FIGURE 9 in an extended state;

FIGURE 1 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the other side of the articulated handle of the first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement shown in FIGURE 9 in an extended state;

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the area generally

enclosed by the dotted circle identified by ARROW 12 in FIGURE 4 of a cigarette lighter plug adapter of the first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement in the process of being inserted into a cigarette lighter of the vehicle;

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the area generally

enclosed by the dotted circle identified by ARROW 13 in FIGURE 4 of a controller of the first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement; FIGURE 14 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a second embodiment of the

portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement of the embodiments of the present invention receiving, and thereby motorizing, a conventional pre-existing scissor jack; FIGURE 15 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the second embodiment of the

portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement being so stabilized and so balanced so as to be readily insertable under a vehicle requiring lifting off a generally horizontal surface;

FIGURE 16 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the second embodiment of the

portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement remaining in full contact with the generally horizontal surface during positioning under, and lifting or lowering, the vehicle;

FIGURE 17 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the second embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement identified by ARROW 17 in FIGURES 14-16;

FIGURE 18 is an enlarged diagrammatic side elevational view taken generally in the direction of ARROW 18 in FIGURE 17 of the scissor jack;

FIGURE 18A is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the area generally

enclosed by the dotted curve identified by ARROW 18A in FIGURE 17 of the articulated handle of the second embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement shown in FIGURE 17 being used for pushing;

FIGURE 18B is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the area generally

enclosed by the dotted curve identified by ARROW 18B in FIGURE 17 of the articulated handle of the second embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement shown in FIGURE 17 being used for pulling;

FIGURE 19 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a storage case that is closed and in which the second embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement is stored when not in use; FIGURE 20 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the area generally

enclosed by the dotted circle identified by ARROW 20 in FIGURE 19 of a zipper of the storage case of the second embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement; FIGURE 21 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the storage case shown in FIGURE

19 that is partially opened and in which the second embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement has been removed for use;

FIGURE 22 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the storage case shown in FIGURE

21 that is completely opened wherein a portion thereof forms a kneeling pad for a user to kneel on when the second embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement has been removed and ready for use;

FIGURE 22A is an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along LINE 22A- 22 A in FIGURE 21;

FIGURE 22B is an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along LINE 22 B- 22B in FIGURE 22; and

FIGURE 23 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the area generally

enclosed by the dotted circle identified by ARROW 23 in FIGURE 17 of a cigarette lighter plug adapter of the second embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement in the process of being inserted into a cigarette lighter of the vehicle.

4. List of reference numerals utilized in the figures of the drawing.

A. Introductory.

30 portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement of first embodiment of present invention for receiving, and thereby motorizing, conventional and pre-existing mechanical bottle jack 32 and for being so stabilized and so balanced so as to be readily insertable under vehicle 34 requiring lifting oif generally horizontal surface 36 while remaining in full contact with generally horizontal surface 36 during positioning under, and lifting or lowering vehicle 34

32 conventional and pre-existing mechanical bottle jack

33 base of conventional and pre-existing mechanical bottle jack 32

34 vehicle

36 generally horizontal surface

B. Overall configuration of first embodiment of portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement 30.

38 base for being positioned on generally horizontal surface 36 and for being so stabilized and so balanced so as to be readily insertable under vehicle 34 requiring lifting off generally horizontal surface 36 while remaining in full contact with generally horizontal surface 36 during positioning under, and lifting or lowering, vehicle 34

40 electric motor

42 gear box

44 coupler for receiving, and thereby motorizing, conventional and pre-existing mechanical bottle jack 32

45 controller

46 handle for readily inserting portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement 30 under vehicle 34 or for readily removing portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement 30 from under vehicle 34

47 power source interface

C. Specific configuration of base 38, electric motor 40, gear box 42, and coupler 44.

(1) Base 38.

48 plate of base 38

50 four-sided periphery of plate 48 of base 38

52 through slot 50 of plate 48 of base 38

54 one side of four-sided periphery 50 of plate 48 of base 38

55 opening in one side 54 of four-sided periphery 50 of plate 48 of base 38

56 opposite side of four-sided periphery 50 of plate 48 of base 38

58 remaining two sides of four-sided periphery 50 of plate 48 of base 38 59 Vs" high density polyuretihane plastic plate of plate 48 of base 38

60 wall of base 38 for raising plate 48 of base 38 off generally horizontal surface 36 62 pair of inverted and opposing shoulders of wall 60 of base 38

(2) Electric motor 40.

64 12 volt D.C. fractional horsepower electric motor of electric motor 40

(3) Gear box 42.

66 right angle reducing gear box of gear box 42

(4) Coupler 44.

68 nylon/plastic insert adapting coupler of coupler 44

70 male drive pin of nylon/plastic insert adapting coupler 68 of coupler 44

72 cup-aluminum shaft adapter of nylon/plastic insert adapting coupler 68 of coupler 44

74 drive slot of conventional and pre-existing mechanical bottle jack 32

D. Specific configuration of handle 46.

76 double-notched clip of handle 46

78 folding rod of handle 46

80 plurality of sections of folding rod 78 of handle 46

82 hinges of folding rod 78 of handle 46

84 proximal end of folding rod 78 of handle 46

86 distal end of folding rod 78 of handle 46

88 hand grip of proximal end 84 of folding rod 78 of handle 46

90 pair of aligned pins of distal end 86 of folding rod 78 of handle 46

E. Specific configuration of power source interface 47.

92 12 volt cigarette lighter plug adapter of power source interface 47 for selectively

engaging in cigarette lighter port 96 of vehicle 34

94 power cable of power source interface 47

96 cigarette lighter port of vehicle 34

F. Specific configuration of controller 45.

98 handheld two button key pad of controller 45 for selectively raising and lowering vehicle

34

100 control cable of controller 45

102 up button of handheld two button key pad 98 of controller 45

104 down button of handheld two button key pad 98 of controller 45 G. Specific configuration of storage case 106.

106 storage case

108 receptacle portion of storage case 106

110 lid of storage case 106

112 hinge of storage case 106

114 zipper of storage case 106

116 fold-out panel of lid 110 of storage case 106

120 cushioned kneeling pad of storage case 106

H. Alternate embodiment of portable and self-contained prime mover

arrangement 230 - Introductory.

230 portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement of second embodiment of present invention for receiving, and thereby motorizing, conventional and pre-existing scissor jack 232 having base 233 and for being so stabilized and so balanced so as to be readily insertable under vehicle 234 requiring lifting off generally horizontal surface 236 while remaining in full contact with generally horizontal surface 236 during positioning under, and lifting or lowering, vehicle 234

232 conventional and pre-existing scissor jack

233 base of conventional and pre-existing scissor jack 232

234 vehicle

236 generally horizontal surface

I. Overall configuration of second embodiment of portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement 230.

238 base for being positioned on generally horizontal surface 236 and for being so stabilized and so balanced so as to be readily insertable under vehicle 234 requiring lifting off generally horizontal surface 236 while remaining in fiill contact with generally horizontal surface 236 during positioning under, and lifting or lowering, vehicle 234

240 electric motor

242 gear box

244 coupler for receiving, and thereby motorizing, conventional and pre-existing scissor jack

232

245 controller

246 handle for readily inserting portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement 230 under vehicle 234 or for removing portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement 230 from under vehicle 234

247 power source interface J. Specific configuration of base 238, electric motor 240, gear box 242, and coupler 244.

(1) Base 238.

248 plate of base 238

250 four-sided periphery of plate 248 of base 238

252 through slot 250 of plate 248 of base 238

254 one side of four-sided periphery 250 of plate 248 of base 238

255 opening in one side 254 of four-sided periphery 250 of plate 248 of base 238

256 opposite side of four-sided periphery 250 of plate 248 of base 238

258 remaining two sides of four-sided periphery 250 of plate 248 of base 238

259 ½" high density polyurethane plastic plate of plate 248 of base 238

260 wall of base 238 for raising plate 248 of base 238 off generally horizontal surface 236 262 pair of inverted and opposing shoulders 262 of wall 260 of base 238

(2) Electric motor 240.

264 12 volt D.C. fractional horsepower electric motor of electric motor 240

(3) Gear box 242.

266 right angle reducing gear box of gear box 242

(4) Coupler 244.

268 nylon/plastic insert adapting coupler of coupler 244

270 female drive bore of nylon/plastic insert adapting coupler 268 of coupler 244

274 drive pin of conventional and pre-existing scissor jack 232

K. Specific configuration of handle 246.

276 double-notched clip of handle 246

278 folding rod of handle 246

280 plurality of sections of folding rod 278 of handle 246

282 hinges of plurality of sections 280 of folding rod 278 of handle 246

284 proximal end of folding rod 278 of handle 246

286 distal end of folding rod 278 of handle 246

288 hand grip of proximal end 284 of folding rod 278 of handle 246

290 pair of aligned pins of distal end 286 of folding rod 278 of handle 246

L. Specific configuration of power source interface 247.

292 12 volt cigarette lighter plug adapter of power source interface 247 for selectively engaging in cigarette lighter port 296 of vehicle 234 294 power cable of power source interface 247

296 cigarette lighter port of vehicle 234

M. Specific configuration of controller 245.

298 handheld two button key pad of controller 245 for selectively raising and lowering vehicle 234

300 control cable of controller 245

302 up button of handheld two button key pad 298 of controller 245

304 down button of handheld two button key pad 298 of controller 245

N. Specific configuration of storage case 306.

306 storage case

308 receptacle portion of storage case 306

310 lid of storage case 306

312 hinge of storage case 306

314 zipper of storage case 306

316 fold-out panel of lid 310 of storage case 306

320 cushioned kneeling pad of storage case 306

5. Detailed description of the p referred embodim ents.

A. Introductory.

Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIGURES 1-3, which are, respectively, a diagrammatic perspective view of a first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement of the embodiments of the present invention receiving, and thereby motorizing, a conventional and pre-existing mechanical bottle jack, diagrammatic perspective view of the first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement being so stabilized and so balanced so as to be readily insertable under a vehicle requiring lifting off a generally horizontal surface, and a diagrammatic perspective view of the first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement remaining in full contact with the generally horizontal surface during positioning under, and lifting or lowering, the vehicle, the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement of a first embodiment of the present invention is shown generally at 30 for receiving, and thereby motorizing, a conventional and pre-existing mechanical bottle jack 32 having a base 33 (FIG. 1) and for being so stabilized and so balanced so as to be readily insertable under a vehicle 34 requiring lifting off a generally horizontal surface 36 (FIG. 2) while remaining in full contact with the generally horizontal surface 36 during positioning under (FIG. 2), and lifting or lowering (FIG. 3), the vehicle 34.

B. Overall configuration of a first embodiment of the portable and self- contained prime mover arrangement 30.

The overall configuration of a first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement 30 can best bee seen in FIGURE 4, which is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement identified by ARROW 4 in FIGURES 1-3, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement 30 comprises a base 38, an electric motor 40, a gear box 42, a coupler 44, and a handle 46.

The base 38 is for being positioned on the generally horizontal surface 36 and for being so stabilized and so balanced so as to be readily insertable under the vehicle 34 requiring lifting off the generally horizontal surface 36 while remaining in full contact with the generally horizontal surface 36 during positioning under, and lifting or lowering, the vehicle 34. The electric motor 40 is positioned on the base 38. The gear box 42 is positioned on the base 38, and is operatively connected to the electric motor 40. The coupler 44 is positioned on the base 38, is operatively connected to the gear box 42, and is for receiving, and thereby motorizing, the conventional and pre-existing mechanical bottle jack 32. The handle 46 is replaceably attached to the base 38, and is for readily inserting the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement 30 under the vehicle 34 or for removing the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement 30 from under the vehicle 34.

The portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement 30 further comprises a controller 45 and a power source interface 47.

The controller 45 is in electrical communication with, and controls direction of rotation of, the electric motor 40.

The power source interlace 47 is in electrical communication with the controller 45 and a power source to power the electric motor 40.

C. Specific configuration of the base 38, the electric motor 40, the gear box 42, and the coupler 44.

The specific configuration of the base 38, the electric motor 40, the gear box 42, and the coupler 44 can best be seen in FIGURE 4, which is again an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement identified by ARROW 4 in FIGURES 1-3, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto. (1) The base 38.

The base 38 comprises a plate 48. The plate 48 of the base 38 is generally rectangular- shaped, and as such, has a four-sided periphery 50.

The plate 48 of the base 38 further has a through slot 52. The through slot 50 of the plate 48 of the base 38 is generally rectangular-shaped, and extends from, and opens into, one side 54 of the four-sided periphery 50 of the plate 48 of the base 38, so as to provide an opening 55 in the one side 54 of the four-sided periphery 50 of the plate 48 of the base 38, to short of an opposite side 56 of the four-sided periphery 50 of the plate 48 of the base 38, and is generally parallel to a remaining two sides 58 of the four-sided periphery 50 of the plate 48 of the base 38.

The plate 48 of the base 38 is a Ve" high density polyurethane plastic plate 59.

The base 38 further comprises a wall 60. The wall 60 of the base 38 depends from the four-sided periphery 50 of the plate 48 of the base 38, except at the opening 55 in the one side 54 of the four-sided periphery 50 of the plate 48 of the base 38, and is for raising the plate 48 of the base 38 off the generally horizontal surface 36 .

The wall 60 of the base 38 has a pair of inverted and opposing shoulders 62. The pair of inverted and opposing shoulders 62 of the wall 60 of the base 38 extend along the through slot

50 of the plate 48 of the base 38, and define the opening 55 in the one side 54 of the four-sided periphery 50 of the plate 48 of the base 38, so as to allow the conventional and pre-existing mechanical bottle jack 32 to be slid into the through slot 50 of the plate 48 of the base 38, with the base 33 of the conventional and pre-existing mechanical bottle jack 32 being captured by the pair of inverted and opposing shoulders 62 of the wall 60 of the base 38. (2) The electric motor 40.

The electric motor 40 is a 12 volt D.C. fractional horsepower electric motor 64.

(3) The gear box 42.

The gear box 42 is a right angle reducing gear box 66. (4) The coupler 44.

The coupler 44 is a nylon/plastic insert adapting coupler 68. The nylon/plastic insert adapting coupler 68 of the coupler 44 has a male drive pin 70. The male drive pin 70 of the nylon/plastic insert adapting coupler 68 of the coupler 44 extends through a cup-aluminum shaft adapter 72, engages in, and rotates with, a drive slot 74 of the conventional and pre-existing mechanical bottle jack 32.

D. Specific configuration of the handle 46.

The specific configuration of the handle 46 can best be seen in FIGURES 4 and 9-11, which are, respectively, again an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement identified by ARROW 4 in FIGURES 1-3, a diagrammatic side elevational view of an articulated handle of the first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement identified by ARROW 9 in FIGURE 4 in a folded state, a diagrammatic side elevational view of one side of the articulated handle of the first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement shown in FIGURE 9 in an extended state, and a diagrammatic side elevational view of the other side of the articulated handle of the first embodiment of the portable and self- contained prime mover arrangement shown in FIGURE 9 in an extended state, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The handle 46 comprises a double-notched clip 76. The double-notched clip 76 of the handle 46 is mounted to the plate 48 of the base 38, in proximity to the opening 55 of the one side 54 of the four-sided periphery 50 of the plate 48 of the base 38.

The handle 46 further comprises a folding rod 78. The folding rod 78 of the handle 46 is slender, elongated, and comprises a plurality of sections 80. The plurality of sections 80 of the folding rod 78 of the handle 46 are hingedly attached to each other end-to-end by hinges 82.

The folding rod 78 of the handle 46 has a proximal end 84 and a distal end 86. The proximal end 84 of the folding rod 78 of the handle 46 has a hand grip 88 thereon, while the distal end 86 of the folding rod 78 of the handle 46 has a pair of aligned pins 90 extending perpendicularly outwardly from opposing sides thereof.

The pair of aligned pins 90 of the distal end 86 of the folding rod 78 of the handle 46 selectively engage in a respective notch of the double-notched clip 76 of the handle 46,

depending upon if the folding rod 78 of the handle 46 is to push the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement 30 under the vehicle 34 or to pull the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement 30 out from under the vehicle 34.

E. Specific configuration of the power source interface 47.

The specific configuration of the power source interface 47 can best be seen in

FIGURES 4 and 12, which are, respectively, again an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement identified by ARROW 4 in FIGURES 1-3, and an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted circle identified by ARROW 12 in FIGURE 4 of a cigarette lighter plug adapter of the first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement in the process of being inserted into a cigarette lighter of the vehicle, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The power source interface 47 comprises a 12 volt cigarette lighter plug adapter 92 and a power cable 94. The 12 volt cigarette lighter plug adapter 92 of the power source interface 47 is in electrical communication with the controller 45 via the power cable 94 of the power source interface 47, and is for selectively engaging in a cigarette lighter port 96 of the vehicle 34.

F. Specific configuration of the controller 45.

The specific configuration of the controller 45 can best be seen in FIGURES 4 and 13, which are, respectively, again an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement identified by ARROW 4 in FIGURES 1-3, and an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted circle identified by ARROW 13 in FIGURE 4 of a controller of the first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The controller 45 comprises a handheld two button key pad 98 and a control cable 100. The handheld two button key pad 98 of the controller 45 comprises an up button 102 and a down button 104, is in electrical communication with the electric motor 40 via the control cable 100 of the controller 45, is in electrical communication with the 12 volt cigarette lighter plug adapter 92 of the power source interface 47 via the power cable 94 of the power source interface 45, and is for selectively raising and lowering the vehicle 34. G. Specific configuration of a storage case 106.

The portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement 30 further comprises a storage case 106.

The specific configuration of the storage case 106 can best be seen in FIGURES 5, 6, 7, 8, 8A, and 8B, which are, respectively, a diagrammatic perspective view of a storage case that is closed and in which the first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement is stored when not in use, an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted circle identified by ARROW 6 in FIGURE 5 of a zipper of the storage case of the first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover

arrangement, a diagrammatic perspective view of the storage case shown in FIGURE 5 that is partially opened and in which the first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement has been removed for use, a diagrammatic perspective view of the storage case shown in FIGURE 7 that is completely opened wherein a portion thereof forms a kneeling pad for a user to kneel on when the first embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement has been removed and ready for use, an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along LINE 8A-8A in FIGURE 7, and an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along LINE 8B-8B in FIGURE 8, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The storage case 106 is generally rectangular parallelepiped-shaped, and comprises a receptacle portion 108 and a lid 110.

The lid 110 of the storage case 106 is hingedly attached to the receptacle portion 108 of the storage case 106 by a hinge 112, and is selectively closed by a zipper 114.

The lid 110 of the storage case 106 comprises a fold-out panel 116. The fold-out panel 116 of the lid 110 of the storage case 106 is cushioned so when the receptacle portion 108 of the storage case 106 is turned up-side-down on the generally horizontal surface 36 and the fold-out panel 116 of the lid 110 of the storage case 106 is folded out of, and lies coplanarally with, the lid 110 of the storage case 106 on the generally horizontal surface 36, the fold-out panel 116 of the lid 110 of the storage case 106 and the lid 110 of the storage case 106 form a cushioned kneeling pad 120.

H. Alternate embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover

arrangement 230.

Referring now to FIGURES 14-16, which are, respectively, a diagrammatic perspective view of a second embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement of the embodiments of the present invention receiving, and thereby motorizing, a conventional and preexisting scissor jack, a diagrammatic perspective view of the second embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement being so stabilized and so balanced so as to be readily insertable under a vehicle requiring lifting off a generally horizontal surface, and a diagrammatic perspective view of the second embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement remaining in full contact with the generally horizontal surface during positioning under, and lifting or lowering, the vehicle, the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement of a second embodiment of the present invention is shown generally at 230 for receiving, and thereby motorizing, a conventional and pre-existing scissor jack 232 having a base 233 (FIG. 14) and for being so stabilized and so balanced so as to be readily insertable under a vehicle 234 requiring lifting off a generally horizontal surface 236 (FIG. 15) while remaining in full contact with the generally horizontal surface 236 during positioning under (FIG. 15), and lifting or lowering (FIG. 16), the vehicle 234.

I. Overall configuration of the second embodiment of the portable and self- contained prime mover arrangement 230.

The overall configuration of the second embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement 230 can best bee seen in FIGURES 17 and 18, which are, respectively, an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the second embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement identified by ARROW 17 in FIGURES 14-16, and an enlarged diagrammatic side elevational view taken generally in the direction of

ARROW 18 in FIGURE 17 of the scissor jack, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement 230 comprises a base 238, an electric motor 240, a gear box 242, a coupler244, and a handle 246.

The base 238 is for being positioned on the generally horizontal surface 236 and for being so stabilized and so balanced so as to be readily insertable under the vehicle 234 requiring lifting off the generally horizontal surface 236 while remaining in fiill contact with the generally horizontal surface 236 during positioning under, and lifting or lowering, the vehicle 234. The electric motor 240 is positioned on the base 238. The gear box 242 is positioned on the base 238, and is operatively connected to the electric motor 240. The coupler 244 is positioned on the base 238, is operatively connected to the gear box 242, and is for receiving, and thereby motorizing, the conventional and pre-existing scissor jack 232. The handle 246 is replaceably attached to the base 238, and is for readily inserting the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement 230 under the vehicle 234 or for removing the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement 230 from under the vehicle 234.

The portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement 230 further comprises a controller 245 and a power source interface 247.

The controller 245 is in electrical communication with, and controls direction of rotation of, the electric motor 240.

The power source interface 247 is in electrical communication with the controller 245 and a power source to power the electric motor 240.

J. Specific configuration of the base 238, the electric motor 240, the gear box

242, and the coupler 244.

The specific configuration of the base 238, the electric motor 240, the gear box 242, and the coupler 244 can best be seen in FIGURES 17 and 18, which are, respectively, again an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the second embodiment of the portable and self- contained prime mover arrangement identified by ARROW 17 in FIGURES 14-16, and an enlarged diagrammatic side elevational view taken generally in the direction of ARROW 18 in FIGURE 17 of the scissor jack, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

(1) The base 238.

The base 238 comprises a plate 248. The plate 248 of the base 238 is generally rectangular-shaped, and as such, has a four-sided periphery 250.

The plate 248 of the base 238 further has a through slot 252. The through slot 250 of the plate 248 of the base 238 is generally rectangular-shaped, and extends from, and opens into, one side 254 of the four-sided periphery 250 of the plate 248 of the base 238, so as to provide an opening 255 in the one side 254 of the four-sided periphery 250 of the plate 248 of the base 238, to short of an opposite side 256 of the four-sided periphery 250 of the plate 248 of the base 238, and is generally parallel to a remaining two sides 258 of the four-sided periphery 250 of the plate 248 of the base 238.

The plate 248 of the base 238 is a Va" high density polyurethane plastic plate 259.

The base 238 further comprises a wall 260. The wall 260 of the base 238 depends from the four-sided periphery 250 of the plate 248 of the base 238, except at the opening 255 in the one side 254 of the four-sided periphery 250 of the plate 248 of the base 238, and is for raising the plate 248 of the base 238 off the generally horizontal surface 236.

The wall 260 of the base 238 has a pair of inverted and opposing shoulders 262. The pair of inverted and opposing shoulders 262 of the wall 260 of the base 238 extend along the through slot 250 of the plate 248 of the base 238, and define the opening 255 in the one side 254 of the four-sided periphery 250 of the plate 248 of the base 238, so as to allow the conventional and pre-existing scissor jack 232 to be slid into the through slot 250 of the plate 248 of the base 238, with the base 233 of the conventional and pre-existing scissor jack 232 being captured by the pair of inverted and opposing shoulders 262 of the wall 260 of the base 238.

(2) The electric motor 240.

The electric motor 240 is a 12 volt D.C. fractional horsepower electric motor 264.

(3) The gear box 242.

The gear box 242 is a right angle reducing gear box 266. (4) The coupler 244.

The coupler 244 is a nylon/plastic insert adapting coupler 268. The nylon/plastic insert adapting coupler 268 of the coupler 244 has a female drive bore 270. The female drive bore 270 of the nylon/plastic insert adapting coupler 268 of the coupler 244 engages in, and rotates with, a drive pin 274 of the conventional and pre-existing scissor jack 232. K. Specific configuration of the handle 246.

The specific configuration of the handle 246 can best be seen in FIGURES 17, 18A, and 18B, which are, respectively, again an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the second embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement identified by ARROW 17 in FIGURES 14-16, an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified by ARROW 18A in FIGURE 17 of the articulated handle of the second embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement shown in FIGURE 17 being used for pushing, and an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified by ARROW 18B in FIGURE 17 of the articulated handle of the second embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement shown in FIGURE 17 being used for pulling, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The handle 246 comprises a double-notched clip 276. The double-notched clip 276 of the handle 246 is mounted to the plate 248 of the base 238, in proximity to the opening 255 of the one side 254 of the four-sided periphery 250 of the plate 248 of the base 238.

The handle 246 further comprises a folding rod 278. The folding rod 278 of the handle 246 is slender, elongated, and comprises a plurality of sections 280. The plurality of sections 280 of the folding rod 278 of the handle 246 are hingedly attached to each other end-to-end by hinges 282.

The folding rod 278 of the handle 246 has a proximal end 284 and a distal end 286. The proximal end 284 of the folding rod 278 of the handle 246 has a hand grip 288 thereon, while the distal end 286 of the folding rod 278 of the handle 246 has a pair of aligned pins 290 extending perpendicularly outwardly from opposing sides thereof.

The pair of aligned pins 290 of the distal end 286 of the folding rod 278 of the handle 246 selectively engage in a respective notch of the double-notched clip 276 of the handle 246, depending upon if the folding rod 278 of the handle 246 is to push the portable and self- contained prime mover arrangement 230 under the vehicle 234 or to pull the portable and self- contained prime mover arrangement 230 out from under the vehicle 234.

L. Specific configuration of the power source interface 247.

The specific configuration of the power source interface 247 can best be seen in

FIGURES 17 and 23, which are, respectively, again an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the second embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement identified by ARROW 17 in FIGURES 14-16, and an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted circle identified by ARROW 23 in FIGURE 17 of a cigarette lighter plug adapter of the second embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement in the process of being inserted into a cigarette lighter of the vehicle, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto. The power source interlace 247 comprises a 12 volt cigarette lighter plug adapter 292 and a power cable 294. The 12 volt cigarette lighter plug adapter 292 of the power source interface 247 is in electrical communication with the controller 245 via the power cable 294 of the power source interface 247, and is for selectively engaging in a cigarette lighter port 296 of the vehicle 234.

M. Specific configuration of the controller 245.

The specific configuration of the controller 245 can best be seen in FIGURE 17, which is again an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the second embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement identified by ARROW 17 in FIGURES 14-16, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The controller 245 comprises a handheld two button key pad 298 and a control cable 300. The handheld two button key pad 298 of the controller 245 comprises an up button 302 and a down button 304, is in electrical communication with the electric motor 240 via the control cable 300 of the controller 245, is in electrical communication with the 12 volt cigarette lighter plug adapter 292 of the power source interface 247 via the power cable 294 of the power source interface 247, and is for selectively raising and lowering the vehicle 234.

N. Specific configuration of a storage case 306.

The portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement 230 further comprises a storage case 306.

The specific configuration of the storage case 306 can best be seen in FIGURES 19, 20.

21, 22, 22 A, and 22B, which are, respectively, a diagrammatic perspective view of a storage case that is closed and in which the second embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement is stored when not in use, an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted circle identified by ARROW 20 in FIGURE 19 of a zipper of the storage case of the second embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement, a diagrammatic perspective view of the storage case shown in FIGURE 19 that is partially opened and in which the second embodiment of the portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement has been removed for use, a diagrammatic perspective view of the storage case shown in FIGURE 21 that is completely opened wherein a portion thereof forms a kneeling pad for a user to kneel on when the second embodiment of the portable and self- contained prime mover arrangement has been removed and ready for use, an enlarged

diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along LINE 22A-22A in FIGURE 21, and an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along LINE 22B-22B in FIGURE 22, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The storage case 306 is generally rectangular parallelepiped-shaped, and comprises a receptacle portion 308 and a lid 310. The lid 310 of the storage case 306 is hingedly attached to the receptacle portion 308 of the storage case 306 by a hinge 312, and is selectively closed by a zipper 314.

The lid 310 of the storage case 306 comprises a fold-out panel 316. The fold-out panel 316 of the lid 310 of the storage case 306 is cushioned so when the receptacle portion 308 of the storage case 306 is turned up-side-down on the generally horizontal surface 236 and the fold-out panel 316 of the lid 310 of the storage case 306 is folded out of, and lies coplanarally with, the lid 310 of the storage case 306 on the generally horizontal surface 236, the fold-out panel 316 of the lid 310 of the storage case 306 and the lid 310 of the storage case 306 form a cushioned kneeling pad 320. O. Impressions.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described as embodied in a portable and self-contained prime mover arrangement for receiving, and thereby motorizing, a conventional and pre-existing mechanical bottle jack or a conventional and preexisting scissor jack and for being so stabilized and so balanced so as to be readily insertable under a vehicle requiring lifting off a generally horizontal surface while remaining in full contact with the generally horizontal surface during positioning under, and lifting or lowering, the vehicle, however, they are not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions, and changes in the forms and details of the embodiments of the present invention illustrated and their operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the embodiments of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the embodiments of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt them for various applications without omitting features that from the standpoint of prior art fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of the embodiments of the present invention.