Illuminated jack stand

Abstract

A vehicle jack stand, having: a support body; a vertically moveable post received within the support body; and a light source mounted in the support body.

1 . A vehicle jack stand, comprising: 
 a generally pyramidal shaped support body;    a vertically moveable post received within the support body; and    a light source mounted in the support body co-planar with one of the sides of the generally pyramidal shaped support body.    
     
     
         2 . The vehicle jack stand of  claim 1 , wherein the light source is mounted in the support body to illuminate at an upward angle.  
     
     
         3 . The vehicle jack stand of  claim 2 , wherein the upward angle is from about 20 to 70 degrees from the horizontal.  
     
     
         4 . The vehicle jack stand of  claim 2 , wherein the upward angle is from about 40 to 60 degrees from the horizontal.  
     
     
         5 . (canceled)  
     
     
         6 . (canceled)  
     
     
         7 . The vehicle jack stand of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an adjustable dimmer switch for controlling the intensity of the light source.    
     
     
         8 . The vehicle jack stand of  claim 7 , wherein the adjustable dimmer switch is mounted in the support body.  
     
     
         9 . The vehicle jack stand of  claim 7 , wherein the adjustable dimmer switch is remote from the support body.  
     
     
         10 . The vehicle jack stand of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a motion sensor for turning on and off light source.    
     
     
         11 . The vehicle jack stand of  claim 1 , wherein the light source is mounted in the support body such that the angle of the light source to the support body is adjustable.  
     
     
         12 . The vehicle jack stand of  claim 1 , wherein the light source is a halogen lamp.  
     
     
         13 . The vehicle jack stand of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a power inlet mounted to the support body; and    a power outlet mounted to the support body.    
     
     
         14 . The vehicle jack stand of  claim 1 , a mechanism for controlling the vertical height of the vertically moveable post with respect to the support body.  
     
     
         15 . The vehicle jack stand of  claim 14 , wherein the mechanism for controlling the vertical height of the vertically moveable post is a ratchet.  
     
     
         16 . A method of providing illumination under a vehicle, comprising: 
 supporting a vehicle on a plurality of illuminated jack stands, wherein each of the jack stands have a light source, a power inlet and a power outlet mounted therein, and wherein a power outlet from a first jack stand is connected to a power inlet from a second jack stand.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein different jack stands have their light sources directed at different angles to the horizontal.  
     
     
         18 . A kit comprising: 
 an illuminated jack stand as set forth in  claim 1;  and    instructions for use setting forth the method of  claim 16.