Automobile display system

Abstract

A vehicle display lift and rotator includes a base and a platform. A bearing between the base and the platform mounts the platform on the base for rotation about an upright axis. A rotator drive is provided for rotating the platform on the base. The apparatus also includes a base mounting column mounting the base on the ground. The column includes a lifting device for varying the height of the column between a lowered position with the platform substantially at ground level and a raised position with the platform positioned above ground level. With the column lowered, a vehicle may be driven onto the platform, tied down as necessary, lifted to the raised position and rotated for display purposes. This provides a simple drive on-drive off display that is visually very effective, easy to use and unobtrusive when not in use. In preferred embodiments, the platform may be tilted on the base, to provide a view of the vehicle in an inclined orientation.

Embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
         1 . A vehicle rotator comprising: 
 a base having annular first bearing race on a top side thereof;    a mount for mounting the base on the ground;    a platform mounted on the base for rotation about an upright axis and having a second annular bearing race on the bottom side thereof;    an annular array of rolling bearings mounted between the first and second bearing races for supporting the platform on the base; and    tracks on the platform for supporting a vehicle.    
     
     
         2 . A vehicle rotator according to  claim 1  including wheel pads at opposite ends of the tracks for supporting respective ground wheels of a vehicle.  
     
     
         3 . A vehicle rotator according to  claim 2  wherein the tracks are selectively adjustable to vary the spacing between the wheel pads.  
     
     
         4 . A vehicle rotator according to  claim 1  wherein the mount comprises a column.  
     
     
         5 . A vehicle display lift and rotator comprising: 
 a base;    a platform;    a bearing between the base and the platform, mounting the platform on the base for rotation about an upright rotator axis;    a rotator drive for rotating the platform on the base;    a base mounting column mounting the base on the ground, the column including a lift member for varying the height of the column between a lower position with the platform substantially at ground level and a raised position with the platform positioned above ground level.    
     
     
         6 . A display lift and rotator according to  claim 5  wherein the platform includes two spaced apart tracks onto which a vehicle may be driven in the lowered position.  
     
     
         7 . A display lift and rotator according to  claim 6  including wheel pads at opposite ends of each track for supporting ground wheels of the vehicle.  
     
     
         8 . A display lift and rotator according to  claim 7  wherein the tracks are selectively adjustable in length to vary the spacing between the wheel pads.  
     
     
         9 . A display lift and rotator according to  claim 6  wherein the tracks are mounted on the base for a pivotal movement on a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the tracks, and including means for fixing the tracks on the base at a selected tilt angle about the lateral axis.  
     
     
         10 . A display lift and rotator according to  claim 5  wherein the lift mechanism comprises an hydraulic cylinder mounted within the column.  
     
     
         11 . A display lift and rotator according to  claim 10  wherein the lift mechanism includes an hydraulic fluid reservoir and a pump mounted in the column.  
     
     
         12 . A display lift and rotator according to  claim 5  wherein the rotator drive comprises an electric motor mounted on the base and a drive connecting the output of the motor to the platform.  
     
     
         13 . A display lift and rotator according to  claim 5  wherein the column is a telescopically extensible column comprising an outer tube extending vertically into the ground from the ground surface, and an the inner tube slideable vertically in the outer tube and secured at its upper end to the base.  
     
     
         14 . A display lift and rotator according to  claim 4  wherein the bearing comprises an annular rolling bearing with a bottom race on the base, a top race on the platform and an annular array of rollers between the races, oriented radially with respect to the upright rotator axis.