| 摘要 |
A wheel lift system capable of performing an electronically synchronized lift using two or more individual lifts. In one embodiment, the wheel lift system is pneumatically powered via an external source of compressed air, and the system is electronically controlled from a common control station/module. The common control station/module can include a moveable cart and/or a wireless handheld control module. In one embodiment, each lift of the wheel lift system is connected to a common movable cart and a user control interface is also connected, either physically or wirelessly, to the movable cart. |
| 主权项 |
1. A wheel-engaging pneumatic lift system for lifting a vehicle relative to the ground using compressed air from an external source, said lift system comprising:
a first pair of pneumatic lifts, each comprising—
a base assembly for supporting said pneumatic lift on the ground,a cradle assembly for engaging a wheel of said vehicle,a pneumatic system comprising a pneumatically powered actuator for selectively raising said cradle assembly relative to said base assembly, andan electronic control system comprising a position indicator for providing an indication of the vertical position of said cradle assembly and a wireless communication devicea mechanical downstop system for selectively inhibiting unrestricted downward movement of said cradle assembly relative to said base assembly, wherein said mechanical downstop system includes—
a pivoting support member configured to pivot relative to said cradle assembly,a pawl fixed to said support member and configured to selectively engage at least a portion of said base assembly,an automatic pivot arm coupled with said support member, such that translation of said automatic pivot arm is configured to actuate said pawl into and out of engagement with said base assembly,a downstop actuator coupled with said cradle assembly and connected to said pivot arm via a linkage member, wherein said downstop actuator is configured to automatically translate said automatic pivot arm,a manual pivot arm coupled with said support member, such that translation of said manual pivot arm is configured to actuate said pawl into and out of engagement with said base assembly,a handle coupled to said manual pivot arm, wherein said handle is configured to manually translate said manual pivot arm,a spring coupled to said manual pivot arm, wherein said spring is configured to bias said manual pivot arm such that said pawl is biased into engagement with said base assembly; and a wireless handheld control module configured for two-way wireless communication with said wireless communication devices of said pneumatic lifts, wherein said wireless handheld control module is configured to wirelessly control raising and lowering of said pneumatic lifts remotely from said lifts, wherein said wireless handheld control module comprises at least one processor programmed to (i) receive vertical position information communicated to said wireless handheld control module by each of said lifts and (ii) automatically maintain said cradle assemblies of said pneumatic lifts at substantially similar heights during raising of said cradle assemblies. |
