Apparatus for jacking up and supporting a structure

Abstract

A jacking system includes a wheeled hydraulic power unit having an operating handle, and at least two extendable jack units which are identical. Each jack unit is adapted to rest upon the ground, and the power unit can be wheeled into (or out of) engagement with the jack unit. When engaged with a jack unit, the power unit is capable of extending (or raising) the jack unit; a ratchet on the jack unit then locks it in its extended position. A manual control on the power unit is coupled to the jack unit (when the two units are interengaged) for releasing the ratchet, so that the power unit can then lower the jack stand to its retracted position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A two-part jack system comprising, in combination: an extendible jack stand having a horizontal bottom plate, a horizontal top plate, a pair of vertically disposed telescoping members attached to corresponding ones of said plates, and ratchet means carried by said telescoping members for releasably locking said members in a selected position of longitudinal extension; a power unit having wheel support means and adapted to be selectively moved towards or away from the vicinity of said jack stand, said power unit having expansible lifting means adapted to be inserted between said plates of said jack stand;   power means carried by said power unit for expanding or contracting said expansible lifting means to thereby raise or lower said top plate;   manually operated means carried by said power unit for controlling said power means; and   manually operated means carried by said power unit for releasing said ratchet means when said top plate is to be lowered.   
     
     
       2. A two-part jack system as claimed in claim 1 which further includes alignment means on said power unit, and separate alignment means on said jack stand, said two alignment means cooperating for aligning said two units in a predetermined relative position; and means for releasably securing said two units together in said predetermined relative position.   
     
     
       3. A two-part jack system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said expansible lifting means includes a pair of latch arms adapted to be positioned upon said bottom plate on opposing sides of said telescoping members, and a pair of lifting arms adapted to engage the undersurface of said top plate on opposing sides of said telescoping members. 
     
     
       4. A two-part jack system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said power means includes a single hydraulic cylinder, and means for lifting said pair of lifting arms in unison in response to a driving force provided by said cylinder. 
     
     
       5. A two-part jack system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said releasable securing means cooperates directly with said alignment means in securing said two units together. 
     
     
       6. A two-part jack system as claimed in claim 5 which further includes coupling means cooperatively associated with both said alignment means and said releasable securing means, and coupling said ratchet means of said jack stand with said manually operated means carried by said power unit for releasing said ratchet means. 
     
     
       7. A two-part jack system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said releasable securing means cooperates directly with said alignment means in securing said two units together. 
     
     
       8. A two-part jack system as claimed in claim 7 which further includes coupling means cooperatively associated with both said alignment means and said releasable securing means, and coupling said ratchet means of said jack stand with said manually operated means carried by said power unit for releasing said ratchet means. 
     
     
       9. A two-part jack system as claimed in claim 2 where said expansible lifting means includes a pair of latch arms adapted to be positioned upon said bottom plate on opposing sides of said telescoping members, and a pair of lifting arms adapted to engage the undersurface of said top plate on opposing sides of said telescoping members. 
     
     
       10. A system of apparatus for jacking up and supporting a vehicle or structure, comprising, in combination: a plurality of extendible jack stand units, each having a supporting base adapted to rest upon the ground, a load-bearing seat for engaging and lifting a load, telescoping vertical support members for supporting said seat in a raised position above said supporting base, and means for locking said telescoping members in any selected one of a series of such raised positions;   a power unit adapted to raise or lower a selected one of said jack stand units, said power unit having means for removably latching same to the selected jack stand unit, expansible means adapted to be inserted between said supporting base and said load-bearing seat of the jack stand unit, and power means for causing said expansible means to expand and thereby raise the load-bearing seat of the associated jack stand unit;   means controlled by said power unit and operable when said load-bearing seat is in a raised position for unlocking said telescoping members while concurrently allowing said expansible means to contract; and   all of said jack stand units being identical, whereby said power unit may be used with different ones of them in sequence.   
     
     
       11. The system of apparatus claimed in claim 10 wherein said power unit has wheel support means and is adapted to be selectively moved toward or away from the vicinity of a selected one of said jack stand units. 
     
     
       12. The system of apparatus claimed in claim 10 wherein said power unit includes manually operable means for controlling said power means, and manually operable means for unlocking said telescoping members of the associated jack stand unit. 
     
     
       13. The system of apparatus claimed in claim 10 wherein said power unit includes alignment means, and which further includes separate alignment means on each of said jack stand units, the alignment means of said power unit and the selected jack stand unit cooperating for aligning said two units in a predetermined relative position; said latching means being operable to releasably secure said two unit together in said predetermined relative position. 
     
     
       14. Apparatus for jacking up and supporting a vehicle or structure, comprising, in combination: an extendible jack stand having a supporting base adapted to rest upon the ground, a load-bearing seat for engaging and lifting a load, telescoping vertical support members attached to said supporting base and said seat, respectively, for supporting said seat, and means for locking said telescoping members in an extended position;   a mobile hydraulic power unit having supporting wheels, expansible means adapted to be removably inserted between said load-bearing seat and said supporting base, means for releasably latching said power unit to said jack stand when said expansible means is thus inserted, and power means for causing said expansible means to expand so as to raise said load-bearing seat; and   manually operable control means on said power unit controlling the operation of said power means for raising said load-bearing seat, for selectively releasing said means for locking said telescoping members in an extended position, and for lowering said load-bearing seat after said locking means has been released.   
     
     
       15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said power unit has a handle and said manually operable control means are carried by said handle. 
     
     
       16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said power unit is adapted to transport said jack stand, to position said jack stand underneath a vehicle or structure, to selectively raise said load-bearing seat of said jack stand, to selectively release said locking means of said jack stand, to selectively lower said load-bearing seat of said jack stand, and to retrieve said jack stand when its work has been completed. 
     
     
       17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein said power unit has a handle and said manually operable control means are carried by said handle. 
     
     
       18. A jacking system comprising an extendible jack stand adapted to rest upon the ground, a power unit selectively attachable to said jack stand for raising or lowering said jack stand, ratchet means on said jack stand for automatically maintaining said stand in a raised position, wheeled support means fixedly attached to said power unit, and manual control means carried by said power unit and coupled to said jack stand whenever said power unit is attached thereto for selectively releasing said ratchet means so as to permit said jack stand to be lowered. 
     
     
       19. A jacking system as claimed in claim 18 wherein said extendible jack stand includes first and second vertically telescoping members, one of said members carrying a pair of parallel plates which are spaced apart and each of which has a vertical series of teeth formed thereon; the other of said telescoping members carrying a pair of pivotally supported tooth members adapted to engage the teeth of respective ones of said plates;   said manually controlled means of said power unit being operable for releasing both of said tooth members at the same time.   
     
     
       20. Apparatus for jacking up and supporting a vehicle or structure, comprising, in combination: an extendible jack stand having a supporting base adapted to rest upon the ground, a load-bearing seat for engaging and lifting a load, telescoping vertical support members attached to said supporting base and said seat, respectively, for supporting said seat, and ratchet means for locking said telescoping members in an extended position;   a mobile hydraulic power unit having supporting wheels, expansible means adapted to be removably inserted between said load-bearing seat and said supporting base, means for releasably latching said power unit to said jack stand when said expansible means is thus inserted, and power means for causing said expansible means to expand so as to raise said load-bearing seat; and   manually operable means on said power unit coupled to said jack stand for selectively releasing said ratchet means when said telescoping members are in an extended position, said manually operable means also controlling said power means for supporting said load-bearing seat in a downward movement after said ratchet means has been released. .Iadd.21. A two-part jack apparatus comprising, in combination:   a jack stand having a horizontal bottom plate, a horizontal top plate, a pair of vertically disposed telescoping members attached to corresponding ones of said plates, and ratchet means carried by said telescoping members for releasably locking said members in a selected position of longitudinal extension;   a power unit adapted to be selectively aligned with and releasably attached to said jack stand;   said power unit having expansible lifting means adapted to be inserted between said plates of said jack stand on opposite sides of said telescoping members; and   power means carried by said power unit for expanding or contracting said expansible lifting means to thereby raise or lower said top plate; characterized by the feature that said power unit includes alignment means, said jack stand having separate alignment means;   said two alignment means cooperating for aligning said two units in a predetermined relative position; and manually operated means carried by said power unit and remote from said power unit alignment means, for controlling said power means and for releasing said ratchet means when said top plate is to be lowered. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. A two-part jack apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein said ratchet means includes spring means for automatically locking said telescoping members in an extended position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. A two-part jack apparatus as claimed in claim 21 or 22 which further includes spring latch means cooperating directly with said alignment means for releasably securing   
     
     
        said two units together. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24.  A two-part jack apparatus as claimed in claim 23 wherein said power unit includes a spaced pair of latch arms adapted to slide over said bottom plate of said jack stand on respective sides of said telescoping members, the forward inner ends of said latch arms having said power unit alignment means comprising curved surfaces adapted to align said two units as they are being brought together, said alignment means of said jack stand including a pair of protuberances on respective sides of said telescoping members, and said spring latch means comprising a pair of springs extending in parallel relationship to respective ones of said latch arms for releasably engaging respective ones of said protuberances. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25. A two-part jack apparatus as claimed in claim 23 wherein said expansible lifting means includes a pair of latch arms adapted to be positioned upon said bottom plate, and a pair of lifting arms adapted to engage the undersurface of said top plate. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. A two-part jack apparatus as claimed in claim 25 wherein said latch arms and said lifting arms are part of a scissors mechanism. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. A two-part jack apparatus as claimed in claim 25 wherein said power means includes a single hydraulic 
     
     
        cylinder for actuating said scissors mechanism. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28.  A two-part jack apparatus as claimed in claim 25 wherein one of said telescoping members of said jack stand is a hollow frame attached to said bottom plate and extending upwardly therefrom, and the other of said telescoping members is a vertical shaft attached to said top plate and extending downwardly within said hollow frame; said jack stand also including a vertical series of ratchet teeth carried by said shaft, and a ratchet arm extending vertically upward inside said frame, said ratchet arm having a curved tooth on its upper end and being pivotally mounted near said tooth on the interior wall of said frame so that said tooth may move towards or away from said ratchet teeth. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. A two-part jack apparatus as claimed in claim 28 wherein said hollow frame of said jack stand has an opening formed therein adjacent the lower end of said ratchet arm and at a fixed elevation above said bottom plate, whereby the horizontal movement of a ratchet release member through said opening may effect the unlocking of said ratchet arm. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30. A two-part jack apparatus as claimed in claim 29 wherein said ratchet release member is secured to the lower end of said   
     
     
        ratchet arm. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31.  A two-part jack apparatus as claimed in claim 30 wherein said jack stand includes two such series of ratchet teeth, two such ratchet arms, and said hollow frame has two such openings therein, one for each ratchet arm. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32. A two-part jack apparatus as claimed in claim 31 wherein said manually operated means for controlling said power means, when a lifting action is completed, locks said jack stand in place without any load demands on said power means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.33. A two-part jack apparatus as claimed in claim 31 wherein said power unit includes separate manually operable means for releasing said ratchet means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.34. A two-part jack apparatus as claimed in claim 33 wherein, said separate manually operable means includes cam means for providing a horizontal actuating force against a ratchet arm contained in said ratchet means, for selectively unlocking said telescoping members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.35. A two-part jack apparatus as claimed in claim 34 which includes at least two identical 
     
     
        ones of said jack stands. .Iaddend. .Iadd.36.  A two-part jack apparatus as claimed in claim 35 wherein said power unit is capable of transporting, positioning, raising, locking, unlocking, lowering, and withdrawing a jack stand. .Iaddend. .Iadd.37. A two-part jack apparatus as claimed in claim 36 wherein said power unit is supported on wheels. .Iaddend. .Iadd.38. A two-part jack system comprising, in combination: an extendible jack stand having a horizontal bottom plate, a horizontal top plate, a pair of vertically disposed telescoping members attached to corresponding ones of said plates, and ratchet means carried by said telescoping members for releasably locking said members in a selected position of longitudinal extension; a power unit having support means, adapted to be selectively moved towards or away from the vicinity of said jack stand, said power unit having expansible lifting means adapted to be inserted between said plates of said jack stand;   power means carried by said power unit for expanding or contracting said expansible lifting means to thereby raise or lower said top plate;   manually operated means carried by said power unit for controlling said power means; and   manually operated means carried by said power unit for releasing said   
     
     
        ratchet means when said top plate is to be lowered. .Iaddend. .Iadd.39.  A two-part jack system as claimed in claim 38 which further includes alignment means on said power unit, and separate alignment means on said jack stand, said two alignment means cooperating for aligning said two units in a predetermined relative position; and means for releasably securing said two units together in said predetermined relative position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.40. A two-part jack system as claimed in claim 38 wherein said expansible lifting means includes a pair of latch arms adapted to be positioned upon said bottom plate on opposing sides of said telescoping members, and a pair of lifting arms adapted to engage the undersurface of said top plate on opposing sides of said telescoping members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.41. A two-part jack system as claimed in claim 40 wherein said power means includes a single hydraulic cylinder, and means for lifting said pair of lifting arms in unison in response to a driving force provided by said cylinder. .Iaddend. .Iadd.42. A two-part jack system as claimed in claim 39 wherein said releasable securing means cooperates directly with said alignment means in securing said two units   
     
     
        together. .Iaddend. .Iadd.43.  A two-part jack system as claimed in claim 42 which further includes coupling means cooperatively associated with both said alignment means and said releasable securing means, and coupling said ratchet means of said jack stand with said manually operated means carried by said power unit for releasing said ratchet means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.44. A two-part jack system as claimed in claim 39 wherein said releasable securing means cooperates directly with said alignment means in securing said two units together. .Iaddend. .Iadd.45. A two-part jack system as claimed in claim 44 which further includes coupling means cooperatively associated with both said alignment means and said releasable securing means, and coupling said ratchet means of said jack stand with said manually operated means carried by said power unit for releasing said ratchet means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.46. A two-part jack system as claimed in claim 39 where said expansible lifting means includes a pair of latch arms adapted to be positioned upon said bottom plate on opposing sides of said telescoping members, and a pair of lifting arms adapted to engage the undersurface of said top plate on opposing sides of said 
     
     
        telescoping members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.47.  A system of apparatus for jacking up and supporting a vehicle or structure, comprising, in combination: a plurality of extendible jack stand units, each having a supporting base adapted to rest upon the ground, a load-bearing seat for engaging and lifting a load, telescoping vertical support members for supporting said seat in a raised position above said supporting base, and means for locking said telescoping members in any selected one of a series of such raised positions;   a power unit adapted to raise or lower a selected one of said jack stand units, said power unit having means for aligning and removably latching same to the selected jack stand unit, expansible means adapted to be inserted between said supporting base and said load-bearing seat of the jack stand unit, and power means for causing said expansible means to expand and thereby raise the load-bearing seat of the associated jack stand unit;   means controlled by said power unit and operable when said load-bearing seat is in a raised position for unlocking said telescoping members while concurrently allowing said expansible means to contract; and   all of said jack stand units being identical, whereby said power unit may   
     
     
        be used with different ones of them in sequence. .Iaddend. .Iadd.48.  The system of apparatus claimed in claim 47 wherein said power unit has support means and is adapted to be selectively moved toward or away from the vicinity of a selected one of said jack stand units. .Iaddend. .Iadd.49. The system of apparatus claimed in claim 47 wherein said power unit includes manually operable means for controlling said power means, and manually operable means, remote from said power unit alignment means, for unlocking said telescoping members of the associated jack stand unit. .Iaddend. .Iadd.50. The system of apparatus claimed in claim 47 which further includes separate alignment means on each of said jack stand units, the alignment means of said power unit and the selected jack stand unit cooperating for aligning said two units in a predetermined relative position; said latching means being operable to releasably secure said two units together in said predetermined relative position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.51. Apparatus for jacking up and supporting a vehicle or structure, comprising, in combination: an extendable jack stand having a supporting base adapted to rest upon the ground, a load-bearing seat for engaging and lifting a load, telescoping vertical support members attached to said supporting base and said seat, respectively, for supporting said seat, and means for locking said telescoping members in an extended position;   a mobile hydraulic power unit having supporting means, expansible means adapted to be removably inserted between said load-bearing seat and said supporting base, means for releasably latching said power unit to said jack stand when said expansible means is thus inserted, and power means for causing said expansible means to expand so as to raise said load-bearing seat; and   manually operable control means on said power unit controlling the operation of said power means for raising said load-bearing seat, for selectively releasing said means for locking said telescoping members in an extended position, and for lowering said load-bearing seat after said   
     
     
        locking means has been released. .Iaddend. .Iadd.52.  Apparatus as claimed in claim 51 wherein said power unit has a handle and said manually operable control means are carried by said handle. .Iaddend. .Iadd.53. Apparatus as claimed in claim 51 wherein said power unit is adapted to transport said jack stand, to position said jack stand underneath a vehicle or structure, to selectively raise said load-bearing seat of said jack stand, to selectively release said locking means of said jack stand, to selectively lower said load-bearing seat of said jack stand, and to retrieve said jack stand when its work has been completed. .Iaddend. 
     
     
        .Iadd.4.  Apparatus as claimed in claim 53 wherein said power unit has a handle and said manually operable control means are carried by said handle. .Iaddend. .Iadd.55. A jacking system comprising an extendible jack stand adapted to rest upon the ground, a power unit selectively attachable to said jack stand for raising or lowering said jack stand, ratchet means on said jack stand for automatically maintaining said stand in a raised position, support means fixedly attached to said power unit, and manual control means carried by said power unit and coupled to said jack stand whenever said power unit is attached thereto for selectively releasing said ratchet means so as to permit said jack stand to be lowered. .Iaddend. .Iadd.56. A jacking system as claimed in claim 55 wherein said extendible jack stand includes first and second vertically telescoping members, one of said members carrying a pair of parallel plates which are spaced apart and each of which has a vertical series of teeth formed thereon; the other of said telescoping members carrying a pair of pivotally supported tooth members adapted to engage the teeth of respective ones of said plates;   said manually controlled means of said power unit being operable for releasing both of said tooth members at the same time. .Iaddend.   
     
     
        .Iadd.     Apparatus for jacking up and supporting a vehicle or structure, comprising, in combination: an extendible jack stand having a supporting base adapted to rest upon the ground, a load-bearing seat for engaging and lifting a load, telescoping vertical support members attached to said supporting base and said seat, respectively, for supporting said seat, and ratchet means for locking said telescoping members in an extended position;   a mobile hydraulic power unit having supporting means, expansible means adapted to be removably inserted between said load-bearing seat and said supporting base, means for releasably latching said power unit to said jack stand when said expansible means is thus inserted, and power means for causing said expansible means to expand so as to raise said load-bearing seat; and   manually operable means on said power unit coupled to said jack stand for selectively releasing said ratchet means when said telescoping members are in an extended position, said manually operable means also controlling said power means for supporting said load-bearing seat in a downward movement after said ratchet means has been released. .Iaddend.