VEHICLE JACK ASSEMBLY

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a PCT International Application of United States Patent Application No. 12/001 ,368 filed on December 11 , 2007, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/927,654 filed on May 4, 2007. The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to jack assemblies used in motor vehicles, and a method for retaining the same in a stored position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Jack assemblies are commonly used when performing various types of repair work on motor vehicles. A jack is used for supporting a portion of the weight of a vehicle, while one or more of the vehicle wheels are lifted from a ground surface, allowing access to replace tires, brakes, or other vehicle components. Many vehicles store a vehicle jack in a spare-tire well or the like for the purpose of replacement of a tire if the vehicle tire is damaged.

One problem that commonly occurs with jacks used in the replacement of vehicle components is that their use can be cumbersome and unsafe. For example, a manually rotated rod for actuating the lifting components of the jack often times engages the jack in an undesirable location, or the rod is an insufficient length to accommodate comfortable and safe operation of the jack. In addition, current jacks often lack structural integrity and strengthening features to ensure safe operation of the jack.

Another problem common with jacks is that an additional or separate attachment component is needed to retain the jack in a stored position when the jack is not in use. These additional attachment components are an additional cost to vehicle manufacturers and consumers; the attachment components can also become lost throughout the life of the vehicle which

necessitates replacement parts, or results in an undesirable lack of storage capability.

Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved jack assembly which overcomes the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a jack assembly having a first upper bracket pivotally connected to a support member, a second upper bracket pivotally connected to the support member, a first lower bracket pivotally connected to the first upper bracket using a trunnion and a bearing at one end. A second end of the first lower bracket is pivotally connected to a base. Preferably, at least one bracket is tapered to provide added strength and rigidity to the jack. The invention also includes a second lower bracket pivotally connected to the second upper bracket using a second trunnion at one end, and a second end of the second lower bracket is pivotally connected to the base. A threaded rod extends through the first trunnion and bearing, and the second trunnion.

When the threaded rod is rotated in a first direction, the trunnion will translate along the threaded rod toward the first trunnion, causing the first upper bracket to pivot relative to the support member and the first lower bracket, the second upper bracket to pivot relative to the support member and the second lower bracket, and the support member to move vertically away from the base.

When the threaded rod is rotated in a second direction, the second trunnion will translate along the threaded rod away from the first trunnion, causing the first upper bracket to pivot relative to the support member and the first lower bracket, the second upper bracket to pivot relative to the support member and the second lower bracket, and the support member to move vertically toward the base. To store the jack when not in use, a vehicle screw or bolt with an enlarged head and a narrower shaft is inserted through an enlarged opening of a fully enclosed keyhole orifice disposed in the base. The base is moved parallel to the vehicle until the narrower shaft is positioned fully within a narrower locking portion of the enclosed keyhole orifice.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a jack assembly; according to the present invention;

Figure 2a is a perspective view of a first upper bracket used in a jack assembly, according to the present invention; Figure 2b is a perspective view of a second upper bracket used in a jack assembly, according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a support member used in a jack assembly, according to the present invention;

Figure 4a is a perspective view of a first lower bracket used in a jack assembly, according to the present invention;

Figure 4b is a perspective view of a second lower bracket used in a jack assembly, according to the present invention;

Figure 5a is a side view of a trunnion used in a jack assembly, according to the present invention; Figure 5b is a perspective view of a threaded trunnion used in a jack assembly, according to the present invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a lead screw used in a jack assembly, according to the present invention;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a clip used in a jack assembly, according to the present invention;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a bearing used in a jack assembly, according to the present invention;

Figure 9 is a bottom view of a jack assembly when in a collapsed position, according to the present invention; and

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a base used in a jack assembly, according to the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. Referring to the figures generally, and specifically to Figures 1-3, there is shown a jack assembly according to the present invention, generally at 10. The jack 10 includes a first and second upper bracket 12,14 respectively which are connected to a support member 16. The first and second upper brackets 12,14 include a first and second set of flanges 18,20 respectively, shown in Figure 2a and 2b, which are generally "u" shaped in cross-section. A first aperture 22,22 is surrounded by each of the flanges 18,18a, which are connected by a connecting wall 19. A second aperture 24,24 is surrounded by each of the flanges 20,20a, which are connected by a connecting wall 21. A first set and second set of receiving apertures 26,28 are located on opposing walls of the support member 16, shown in Figure 3. The first upper bracket 12 is pivotally connected to the support member 16 by extending a first upper pin 30 through each first aperture 22 and second set of receiving apertures 28. The second upper bracket 14 is pivotally connected to the support member 16 by extending a second upper pin 32 through each second aperture 24 and first set of receiving apertures 26. In addition, the first and second upper brackets 12,14 each have a tapered shape, along the connecting walls 19 and 21 , which is narrower at the end connected to the support member 16 and wider at the opposite hinged end which are connected to lower brackets 44 and 46. This functions to improve the strength of the jack assembly 10.

Referring to the figures generally, and specifically to Figures 1-2b, the first and second upper brackets 12,14 have a plurality of teeth 34 located toward an end of the upper brackets 12,14. The plurality of teeth 34 of the

first upper bracket 12 are in mesh (not illustrated) with the plurality of teeth 34 of the second upper bracket 14 to simultaneously pivot the upper brackets 12,14 relative to the support member 16. The first upper bracket 12 also includes a third set of flanges 36 with one of the flanges 36 surrounding a large aperture 38 and an opposing flange 38 surrounding a small aperture 40. The second upper bracket 14 also includes a fourth set of flanges 42 with one of the flanges 42 having a large aperture 38, and another of the opposing flanges 42 having a small aperture 40.

Referring to the figures generally, and specifically to Figures 1-2b and 4a-5b, the flanges 36,42 of the first and second upper bracket 12,14 respectively are pivotally connected to a first and second lower bracket 44,46 respectively, which are generally "u" shaped in cross-section. The first and second lower brackets 44,46 each have a tapered shape, along connecting walls 45 and 47 which is wide at the connections to the base 88 and narrower at the connection to the upper brackets 12, 14, which functions to improve the strength of the jack assembly 10. The first lower bracket 44 has a fifth set of flanges 48, 48a wherein one of the flanges 48 surrounds a large aperture 38, and another of the opposing flanges 48 surrounds a small aperture 40. Extending through the third set of flanges 36 and the fifth set of flanges 48 is a first side pin in the form of a trunnion 50 having a stub 52 and a cap 54. The stub 52 extends through the small aperture 40 of both the third set of flanges 36 and the fifth set of flanges 48, and the cap 54 sits in the large aperture 38 of the third set of flanges 36 and the fifth set of flanges 48. The trunnion 50 is not threaded and provides a pivot connection between the first upper bracket 12 and the first lower bracket 44.

The second lower bracket 46 includes a sixth set of flanges 56, 56a with one of the flanges 56 surrounding a large aperture 38 and an opposing flange 56 surrounding a small aperture 40. Extending through the sixth set of flanges 56 and the fourth set of flanges 42 is a second side pin in the form of a threaded trunnion 58 having a stub 52 and a cap 54. The stub 52 extends through the small aperture 40 of both the sixth set of flanges 56 and the fourth set of flanges 42, and the cap 54 sits in the large aperture 38 of sixth set of flanges 56 and the fourth set of flanges 42. The threaded trunnion 58

provides a pivot connection between the second upper bracket 14 and the second lower bracket 46.

Referring to the figures generally, and specifically to Figures 1 and 5a- 8, the threaded trunnion 58 has a threaded aperture 60 adapted to receive and be threaded with a threaded rod or lead screw 62. The trunnion 50 has a non-threaded aperture 64 located through a flat portion 66 of two opposing sides of the trunnion 50, and the aperture 64 is also adapted to receive the threaded rod or lead screw 62. One flat portion 66 of the outermost side of the trunnion 50 may be disposed against a bearing 76, while the opposing flat portion 66 is disposed against a retaining clip 74.

The lead screw 62 has a threaded portion 68, and a non-threaded portion 70 which is separated by a recess 72. The retaining clip 74 can be received by the recess 72 and aligned with the one flat portion 66 of the trunnion 50. The bearing 76 contacts a flange 78 that is located at an end of the non-threaded portion 70 of the lead screw 62 such that the bearing 76 is disposed between the flange 78 and the other flat portion 66 of the trunnion 50. The bearing 76, a ball bearing for example (Shown in Figure 8), is also adapted to receive the lead screw 62 and at least partly supports an axial and radial load with respect to the lead screw 62. The clip 74 can maintains the position of the trunnion 50 and the bearing 76 between the flange 78 and the recess 72 on the non-threaded portion 70 of the lead screw 62. The non- threaded portion 70 and the bearing 76 are operably associated to facilitate rotation of the lead screw 62 relative to the trunnion 50.

Referring to the generally to Figures 1-10, the first lower bracket 44 has a seventh set of flanges 80 which have a set of lower bracket apertures 82. The second lower bracket 46 has an eighth set of flanges 84, each of which has a second bracket aperture 86. The first and second lower brackets 44, 46 are connected to a base 88 which rests on a ground surface during use. The base 88 has a third set of receiving apertures 90 and a fourth set of receiving apertures 92. The lower bracket apertures 82 on the seventh set of flanges 80 are aligned with the third set of receiving apertures 90 and receive a first lower pin 94, allowing the first lower bracket 44 to pivot relative to the base 88. The second bracket apertures 86 of the eighth set of flanges 84

aligns with the fourth set of receiving apertures 92, and receive a second lower pin 96, allowing the second lower bracket 46 to pivot relative to the base 88. Both the first lower bracket 44 and the second lower bracket 46 having teeth 98 which are in mesh (not illustrated) to simultaneously pivot the first and second lower brackets 44,46 relative to the base 88.

In operation, a handle (not shown) is selectively connected to the flange 78. The handle can comprise a rod with a detachable hook assembly for engaging the flange 78. An extension rod can also be connected to the handle to elongate the handle to improve operator comfort and safety during operation of the vehicle jack 10. Both the detachable hook and extension rod can be connected to the handle by a pin, snap in release, and the like. The handle is manually articulated to selectively rotate the flange 78 and lead screw 62 in one of two directions. When the handle is rotated in a first direction, the threaded trunnion 58 will translate along the lead screw 62 toward the trunnion 50. This will cause the first upper bracket 12 to pivot relative to the first lower bracket 44, and cause the second upper bracket 14 to pivot relative to the second lower bracket 46 such that the support member 16 moves vertically upward along an axis perpendicular to the lead screw 62, extending away from the ground surface and the base 88. Operating the jack assembly 10 in this manner will allow the support member 16 to contact the vehicle and allow the jack assembly 10 to partly support the weight of a vehicle.

When the handle is rotated in a second direction, the threaded trunnion 58 will translate along the lead screw 62 away from the trunnion 50. This will cause the first upper bracket 12 to pivot relative to the first lower bracket 44, and the second upper bracket 14 to pivot relative to the second lower bracket 46 such that the support member 16 moves vertically downward along an axis extending vertical to the base 88. This operation is performed when weight support from the jack assembly 10 is no longer necessary and when storage of the jack assembly 10 is desired.

The teeth 34 of the first and second upper brackets 12,14 and the teeth 98 of the first and second lower brackets 44,46 allow the base 88 and the support member 16 to remain parallel to each other while the support member

16 is raised or lowered. When the jack assembly 10 is not in use, a protective case or bag (not shown) can be used to store tools such as the handle and extension rod.

Referring to the figures generally, and specifically to Figures 1 and 9- 10, the base 88 comprises a fully enclosed keyhole orifice 100 which includes an enlarged opening portion 100a at one end of the enclosed keyhole orifice 100 and a narrower locking feature portion 100b extending the remainder of the enclosed keyhole orifice 100. The enclosed keyhole orifice 100 can be formed during metal stamping of the base 88 for example. For storage purposes, a vehicle (not shown) is provided with a screw bolt or stud mounting structure including an enlarged head at the end of a narrower shaft. To store the jack assembly 10, the mounting structure's enlarged head and a portion of the narrower shaft is inserted through the enlarged opening portion 100a of the enclosed keyhole orifice 100. The base 88 is then slid along the mounting structure such that the diameter of the narrower shaft portion becomes positioned fully inside the narrower locking feature 100b, whereby the base 88 is held in place via friction. The narrower locking feature 100b retains the jack assembly 10 in the stored position, however, it is understood that a thumb screw or the like (not shown) can also be used to further secure the base 88 to the vehicle.

The jack assembly 10 includes additional features for improving strength. The first is a strengthening flange 102 which is formed into the outer edge of the first and second lower brackets 44,46. The strengthening flanges 102 extend substantially the entire length of the first and second lower brackets 44,46, and can also form the teeth 98 on the first and second lower brackets 44,46. The strengthening flanges 102 improve the strength of the first and second lower brackets 44,46. The second is strengthening beads 104 having rolled edges 106 located on an outermost surface of the first and second upper brackets 12,14. The strengthening beads 104 and rolled edges 106 improve the strength of the first and second upper brackets 12,14.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.