BACKGROUND

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001 ] This invention relates to mobile units for servicing and maintaining vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Regular vehicle servicing and maintenance is critical to ensure a vehicle's safety, reliability, drivability, comfort, and longevity. A complete service history may also add to the resale value of the vehicle.

[0003] Vehicle manufacturers typically recommend a servicing schedule to inspect or test the condition of vehicle subsystems and to service or replace parts and fluids. Following this schedule ensures that a vehicle is maintained in top working order over its lifetime. This schedule may include common maintenance tasks such as checking/replacing engine oil and oil filter, inspecting/replacing windshield wipers, checking/refilling windshield washer fluid, inspecting tires for pressure and wear, tire balancing and rotation, wheel alignment, inspecting/replacing brake pads, checking/flushing brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and the like. Winter car maintenance service schedules may also be recommended in cold weather climates to ensure proper operation of the vehicle under harsher conditions. Winter maintenance requirements may include, for example, checking oil and coolant levels, tire tread and pressure, lights, and battery.

[0004] While most vehicle owners are well-intentioned when it comes to maintaining their vehicles in accordance with the manufacturer's recommended schedule, finding the time needed to actually schedule the appointment, drive to the service location, and wait for service to be completed can be a real inconvenience. This inconvenience may be exacerbated where an emergency service is needed to avoid potential disaster resulting from a worn tire or low oil level, for example.

[0005] In view of the foregoing, what are needed are systems and methods to facilitate a vehicle owner's access to vehicle servicing while minimizing owner inconvenience. Ideally, such systems and methods would allow vehicle servicing at various customizable locations, provide easy and safe vehicle access to service providers, and protect the environment from hazards associated with vehicle servicing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0007] Figure 1 is a side cutaway view of one embodiment of a mobile vehicle servicing center in accordance with the invention;

[0008] Figure 2 is a side cutaway view of the mobile vehicle servicing center of Figure 1 showing the vehicle lift partially raised;

[0009] Figure 3 is a side cutaway view of the mobile vehicle servicing center of Figure 1 showing the vehicle lift in a fully raised position;

[0010] Figure 4 is a top view of one embodiment of a mobile vehicle servicing center in accordance with the invention;

[0011] Figure 5 is a top view of the mobile vehicle servicing center of Figure 4 with the retractable roof partially retracted;

[0012] Figure 6 is a top view of the mobile vehicle servicing center of Figure 4 with the retractable roof fully retracted;

[0013] Figure 7 is a side cutaway view of an embodiment of a mobile vehicle servicing center including optional equipment such as fluid collection reservoirs and storage tanks; and

[0014] Figure 8 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a method for mobile vehicle servicing in accordance with the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Referring to Figure 1 , one example of a mobile vehicle servicing center 100 is illustrated. The automobile servicing and maintenance industry is a billion dollar industry. Traditionally, vehicle owners take their vehicles to brick-and-mortar establishments to have maintenance performed on their vehicles. Such maintenance may include oil changes, fluid check and top-off, tire rotation, emissions and inspections, cleaning and detailing, and the like. These brick-and-mortar establishments are expensive, requiring the purchase or lease of real estate, and the purchase or construction of buildings.

[0016] Meanwhile, the world is becoming more mobile and trending away from traditional brick-and-mortar establishments. Businesses and individuals are demanding their needs be met in a more personalized and customized manner. In many cases, businesses and individuals want service providers to come to them. The mobile vehicle servicing centers 100 disclosed herein may be used to provide this personalized, customized service while reducing costs associated with traditional brick-and-mortar establishments.

[0017] Indeed, such mobile applications may provide a competitive advantage over traditional brick-and-mortar establishments and associated costs. The mobile vehicle servicing center 100 may allow a service provider to travel from location from location and set up shop to provide various services. This may allow services to be provided at locations where they were not otherwise available. This increases the ability of the service provider to reach new customers and augment the services provided to locales that would not justify a permanent brick-and-mortar establishment.

[0018] At the same time, if business is not living up to a service provider's expectations, the service provider can simply move their mobile vehicle servicing center 100 to a new location where business may be better. In some cases, a service provider may utilize the mobile vehicle servicing center 100 to provide service to vehicles at various events such as car shows, car races, and the like.

[0019] In some embodiments, a mobile vehicle servicing center 100 may include a service vehicle 102 having an enclosure 104 to receive a customer vehicle 106 for servicing. The service vehicle 102 may be a heavy-duty industrial or utility vehicle including a cab section 118 attached to an enclosure 104 such as a trailer or other compartment. The enclosure 104 may have dimensions sufficient to accommodate a customer vehicle 106, such as a passenger car, truck, motorcycle, sport utility vehicle, or the like. A full-size vehicle lift 110 may be integrated into or coupled to a floor of the enclosure 104.

[0020] In some embodiments, the vehicle lift 110 may have a raisable platform 112 that assumes an initial position to allow the customer vehicle 106 to drive onto the platform 112, and one or more lift elements 114 configured to raise the customer vehicle 106 to a desirable height. The lift elements 114 may be driven by hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical motors, mechanical elements such as gears, rack-and-pinion mechanisms, or the like. In certain embodiments, the vehicle lift 110 may be a two-post mounted lift, a multi-post runway, a drive-on parallelogram, a scissor lift, a wheel-engaging lift, a low/mid-rise frame engaging lift, or the like. A tailgate portion 116 of the enclosure 104 may be locked in a substantially vertical position to close the rear of the enclosure 104.

[0021] A retractable roof 108 may be integrated into a top of the enclosure 104. In some embodiments, as discussed in more detail with reference to Figures 2 and 3 below, the retractable roof 108 may include multiple independent slats 122 hingedly attached to one another along a length thereof. The slats 122 may be positioned substantially perpendicularly relative to the enclosure 104, and coupled to a mechanical rolling mechanism 120 near a front end thereof. The mechanical rolling mechanism 120 may include a centrally-disposed shaft configured to rotate three hundred sixty degrees (360°). Activation of the mechanical rolling mechanism 120 may roll the slats 122 onto each other around the shaft, thereby retracting the retractable roof 108 toward one end of the service vehicle 102 and creating an opening in the top of the enclosure 104. In other embodiments, the retractable roof 108 may be a unitary or segmented structure adapted to retract in a lateral direction 200 by way of a pulley and cable system, a gear system, guided tracks, or the like.

[0022] Referring now to Figure 2, in operation, the service vehicle 102 may arrive at a desired location or venue and be set to park. In some embodiments, one or more pair of stabilizers 204 may be activated to extend from either side of the service vehicle 102 to stabilize the service vehicle 102, and particularly the enclosure 104, while the mobile vehicle servicing center 100 is in use. In one embodiment, the tailgate portion 116 of the enclosure 104 may be unlatched and pivoted about a hinge. The tailgate portion 116 may thus rotate from a closed to an open position, forming an auxiliary ramp 116. The auxiliary ramp 116 may be disposed at an angle from the floor of the enclosure 104 to the ground to provide customer vehicle 106 access to the interior of the enclosure 104.

[0023] The auxiliary ramp 116 may direct the customer vehicle 106 directly onto a platform 112 or other receiving element of the vehicle lift 110. In certain embodiments, wheel guides or other positioning elements may be implemented in connection with the auxiliary ramp 116 to facilitate proper positioning of the customer vehicle 106 relative to the platform 112 or other receiving elements of the vehicle lift 110. Upon proper positioning, the customer vehicle 106 may be set to park and secured onto the platform 112. The retractable roof 108 may then be activated to create an opening 202 in the top of the enclosure 104. The opening 202 may substantially correspond to the position of the customer vehicle 106. [0024] In certain embodiments, sensors may be integrated into the platform 112 or other receiving element of the vehicle lift 110 to ensure that the vehicle is properly positioned prior to activating the vehicle lift 110. Such sensors may, for example, lock the vehicle lift 110 to prevent accidental or intentional activation of the vehicle lift 110 before the customer vehicle 106 is properly positioned or properly secured, or in any other circumstance where the customer vehicle 106 poses a safety hazard. In other embodiments, such sensors may detect when a customer vehicle 106 has been properly secured to automatically retract the retractable roof 108 and activate the vehicle lift 110. In some embodiments, a single button or other selection mechanism may trigger both retraction of the roof 108 and elevation of the vehicle lift 110. For safety, elevation of the vehicle lift 110 may be at least slightly delayed relative to retraction of the roof 108 to ensure sufficient clearance for the customer vehicle 106 to be raised through the opening.

[0025] In any case, as mentioned previously with reference to Figure 1 , retracting the retractable roof 108 may involve activating a mechanical rolling mechanism 120 to cause individual slats 122 of the roof 108 to move in a lateral direction 200 along a top of the enclosure 104 towards the mechanical rolling mechanism 120. This lateral displacement of the retractable roof 108 may create an opening 202 in the top of the enclosure 104 sufficient to allow the customer vehicle 106 to be raised to a desirable height. Indeed, in this manner, the customer vehicle 106 may be raised to a height otherwise precluded by the height of the roof of the enclosure 104.

[0026] In some embodiments, the length of the opening 202 created by retracting the retractable roof 108 may be selectively or automatically variable to substantially correspond to a horizontal length of the customer vehicle 106. In this way, the retractable roof 108 may continue to provide at least partial shelter to the service provider while the customer vehicle 106 is raised.

[0027] Referring now to Figure 3, retracting the retractable roof 108 may create sufficient clearance to allow the vehicle lift 110 to raise a customer vehicle 106 to a desired height. In some embodiments, the desired height may be pre-set such that the vehicle lift 110 automatically raises the customer vehicle 106 to a pre-determined desired height. In other embodiments, the desired height may be selectively varied.

[0028] In some embodiments, the mobile vehicle servicing center 100 may further include a retractable door 300 to provide increased space and airflow to a service provider. The retractable door 300 may be implemented on one or more lateral sides 302 of the enclosure 104 and may be fully or partially retracted as desired.

[0029] In one embodiment, similar to the embodiment of the retractable roof 108 previously described, the retractable door 300 includes multiple independent slats 122 hingedly connected along their lengths. A topmost slat may be attached to a rolling mechanism 304 configured to rotate a horizontal shaft, thereby causing the slats 122 to roll onto the shaft and on top of one another. In this manner, the rolling mechanism 304 may retract the retractable door 300 from a closed position to an open, or at least partially open, position.

[0030] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, the retractable roof 108 may extend along substantially the entire length of the enclosure 104. In other embodiments, the retractable roof 108 may extend along a portion of the length of the enclosure 104. In any case, guide tracks 400a, 400b may run along either side of the top length of the enclosure 104 to guide the slats 122 of the retractable roof 108 as they move the retractable roof 108 in either lateral direction 200 between closed and open positions. In some embodiments, the guide tracks 400 may continue at a substantially ninety degree (90°) angle relative to the top of the enclosure 104, extending substantially vertically along either side of a rear of the enclosure 104. In this manner, the retractable roof 108 may double as the rear door to the enclosure 104.

[0031] In one embodiment, the retractable roof 108 may be configured to create an opening 202 substantially corresponding to the length of the customer vehicle 106. A shown in Figure 6, this may allow the retractable roof 108 to continue to provide at least some shelter to a service provider or other equipment or supplies during vehicle servicing.

[0032] Similarly, the retractable door 300 described above with reference to Figure 3 may be implemented along the entire length of a lateral side of the enclosure 104, or along a portion thereof. The slats 122 and rolling mechanism 304 of the retractable door 300 may be vertical relative to the lateral side 302 such that the retractable door 300 opens toward the front or rear of the service vehicle 102, or may be horizontal relative to the lateral side 302 such that the retractable door 300 opens toward the top or bottom of the service vehicle 102. In other embodiments, the retractable door 300 may be a substantially unitary or segmented door that opens via hinges, a pulley and cable system, or other mechanical and/or electrical system known to those in the art. The retractable door 300 may be fully or partially retractable according to the service provider's needs and preferences.

[0033] Referring now to Figure 7, some embodiments of a mobile vehicle servicing center 100 may include equipment to facilitate vehicle servicing while minimizing adverse environmental impact from hazardous materials. Vehicle fluids such as oil, radiator fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid and air conditioning coolant, for example, may be necessary for vehicle servicing, but may pose severe environmental hazards if not properly maintained and disposed of. Accordingly, one embodiment of a mobile vehicle servicing center 100 may include one or more fluid reservoirs 700 positioned substantially beneath a floor of the enclosure 104, and/or integrated with the service vehicle 102 chassis. The fluid reservoirs 700 may include one or more vented slots to collect vehicle fluids that may leak or spill during servicing, while maintaining a substantially solid work area underfoot. In some embodiments, the slot openings are angled to facilitate drainage of spilled or leaked fluids into the fluid reservoir 700.

[0034] In other embodiments, a mobile vehicle servicing center 100 may include fluid storage tanks 702 to store vehicle fluids that may be needed during servicing. For example, vehicle fluids such as oil, radiator fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid and air conditioning coolant may be needed to top off or replace a customer vehicle 106 supply. Fluid storage tanks 702 may be removably attached to the service vehicle 102 chassis, or to stationary structures in the enclosure 104 such as the lift elements 114, to minimize a risk of spillage while the mobile vehicle servicing center 100 is in transit. In some embodiments, fluid storage tanks 702 may include lockable wheels or other structural features to facilitate access to the stored fluid during vehicle servicing.

[0035] In certain embodiments, a mobile vehicle servicing center 100 in accordance with the invention may include a marketing kiosk 704 for advertising vehicle services and vehicle service-related businesses and retailers, and for vending vehicle supplies, amenities, and snacks during vehicle servicing. The marketing kiosk 704 may moved from within the enclosure 104 to an external location during vehicle servicing. In this manner, the marketing kiosk 704 may maximize exposure of customers or other bystanders to the marketing and advertising information, and/or products for sale.

[0036] In some embodiments, a mobile vehicle servicing center 100 may exchange vehicle information over the internet with an associated brick-and-mortar establishment, with the vehicle manufacturer, or with the customer or other interested party. In this manner, up- to-date vehicle information such as mileage, type of oil used, time for next service, etc., may be maintained by the customer as well as by all expected service providers.

[0037] Referring now to Figure 8, a method 800 in accordance with the present invention may include providing 802 a mobile vehicle servicing center 100 in a location conducive to servicing a customer vehicle 106. As previously mentioned, the mobile vehicle servicing center 100 may "come to the customer" by driving the service vehicle 102 to any convenient location, such as the customer' s home, place of business, school, church, parking lot, or any other location capable of accommodating the mobile vehicle servicing center 100. Alternatively, the mobile vehicle servicing center 100 may be made available to customers at events or other targeted locations that may be frequented by vehicle owners, such as car race events, car shows, car washes, and the like.

[0038] Once the mobile vehicle servicing center 100 is suitably situated, the method 800 may continue by extending 804 an auxiliary ramp 116 from the rear of the service vehicle 102 to provide customer vehicle 106 access to the interior of the enclosure 104. In some embodiments, extending 804 an auxiliary ramp 116 may include pivoting a tailgate portion 116 of the enclosure 104 such that an interior surface of the tailgate portion 116 becomes the auxiliary ramp 116. In other embodiments, extending 804 an auxiliary ramp 116 may include attaching or extending an independent auxiliary ramp 116 from the rear of the service vehicle 102 to the ground for customer vehicle 106 access. Upon gaining access to the interior of the enclosure 104, the customer vehicle 106 may be positioned 806 within the enclosure 104 as needed for proper service access and safety.

[0039] The method 800 may query 808 whether the vehicle is properly situated on the vehicle lift 110. If not, the vehicle may be re-positioned 806 within the enclosure 104 and on the vehicle lift 110. If yes, stabilizers 204 on either side of the enclosure 104 may be extended 810 to provide additional stability for the service vehicle 102 when the customer vehicle 106 is raised and serviced. The retractable roof 108 may then be manually or automatically retracted 812 to create an opening 202 having dimensions sufficient to accommodate the customer vehicle 106 therethrough. Finally, the vehicle lift 110 may be manually or automatically activated to raise the customer vehicle 106 to a desired height for servicing.

[0040] In the above disclosure, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific implementations in which the disclosure may be practiced. It is understood that other implementations may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. References in the specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0041] Implementations of the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein may comprise or utilize a special purpose or general-purpose computer including computer hardware, such as, for example, one or more processors and system memory, as discussed herein. Implementations within the scope of the present disclosure may also include physical and other computer-readable media for carrying or storing computer-executable instructions and/or data structures. Such computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer system. Computer-readable media that store computer-executable instructions are computer storage media (devices). Computer-readable media that carry computer-executable instructions are transmission media. Thus, by way of example, and not limitation, implementations of the disclosure can comprise at least two distinctly different kinds of computer-readable media: computer storage media (devices) and transmission media.

[0042] Computer storage media (devices) includes RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD- ROM, solid state drives ("SSDs") (e.g., based on RAM), Flash memory, phase-change memory ("PCM"), other types of memory, other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store desired program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer.

[0043] An implementation of the devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein may communicate over a computer network. A "network" is defined as one or more data links that enable the transport of electronic data between computer systems and/or modules and/or other electronic devices. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a computer, the computer properly views the connection as a transmission medium. Transmissions media can include a network and/or data links, which can be used to carry desired program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. [0044] Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which, when executed at a processor, cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing device to perform a certain function or group of functions. The computer executable instructions may be, for example, binaries, intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, or even source code. Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the described features or acts described above. Rather, the described features and acts are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

[0045] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosure may be practiced in network computing environments with many types of computer system configurations, including, an in-dash vehicle computer, personal computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, message processors, hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, mobile telephones, PDAs, tablets, pagers, routers, switches, various storage devices, and the like. The disclosure may also be practiced in distributed system environments where local and remote computer systems, which are linked (either by hardwired data links, wireless data links, or by a combination of hardwired and wireless data links) through a network, both perform tasks. In a distributed system environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

[0046] Further, where appropriate, functions described herein can be performed in one or more of: hardware, software, firmware, digital components, or analog components. For example, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) can be programmed to carry out one or more of the systems and procedures described herein. Certain terms are used throughout the description and claims to refer to particular system components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, components may be referred to by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name, but not function.

[0047] It should be noted that the sensor embodiments discussed above may comprise computer hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof to perform at least a portion of their functions. For example, a sensor may include computer code configured to be executed in one or more processors, and may include hardware logic/electrical circuitry controlled by the computer code. These example devices are provided herein purposes of illustration, and are not intended to be limiting. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in further types of devices, as would be known to persons skilled in the relevant art(s).

[0048] At least some embodiments of the disclosure have been directed to computer program products comprising such logic (e.g., in the form of software) stored on any computer useable medium. Such software, when executed in one or more data processing devices, causes a device to operate as described herein.

[0049] While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. The foregoing description has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Further, it should be noted that any or all of the aforementioned alternate implementations may be used in any combination desired to form additional hybrid implementations of the disclosure.