초록 ▼

A lift is provided with a low profile lifting mechanism. The lifting mechanism includes a first member pivotally connected to a base, a second member pivotally connected to the first member and a third member pivotally connected to the second member and to the base. When the lifting mechanism is low

A lift is provided with a low profile lifting mechanism. The lifting mechanism includes a first member pivotally connected to a base, a second member pivotally connected to the first member and a third member pivotally connected to the second member and to the base. When the lifting mechanism is lowered into the bottom position, the first, second and third members rest flat instead of stacked on each other. As a result, it is possible for the lifting mechanism to fit within the height of the base when the lift is in the bottom position. Thus, the overall height of the lifting mechanism in the bottom position is no more than required for the height of the base and the rollers.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A lift for a small vehicle, such as a motorcycle or an all-terrain vehicle, comprising:a lifting mechanism movable from a bottom position to a raised position, said lifting mechanism comprising:a base disposed adjacent a floor in both said bottom position and said raised position;a first member p

1. A lift for a small vehicle, such as a motorcycle or an all-terrain vehicle, comprising:a lifting mechanism movable from a bottom position to a raised position, said lifting mechanism comprising:a base disposed adjacent a floor in both said bottom position and said raised position;a first member pivotally connected to said base, said first member being rotatable between said bottom position and said raised position;a second member pivotally connected to said first member, said second member remaining parallel to said base in both said bottom position and said raised position, wherein said second member is adapted to support said small vehicle;a third member pivotally connected to said second member and pivotally connected to said base, said third member being rotatable between said bottom position and said raised position;wherein said first member, said second member and said third member are disposed side-by-side, each of said first member, said second member and said third member being disposed along separate vertical planes; andwherein said first member, said second member and said third member are disposed along the same horizontal plane in said bottom position.2. The lift according to claim 1, wherein said base comprises a channel, said first member being disposed within said channel.3. The lift according to claim 2, wherein said base further comprises a slot extending through a side of said base, said pivotal connection between said first member and said base being disposed within said slot in said bottom position.4. The lift according to claim 1, further comprising a jack and a lift member, said jack being attached at one end to said base and pivotally connected at another end to said lift member, said lift member being further pivotally connected to said third member.5. The lift according to claim 1, further comprising corresponding right and left first members, corresponding right and left second members, and corresponding right and left third members.6. The lift according to claim 5, wherein said second members are formed from tubing with a fully enclosed cross section.7. The lift according to claim 6, further comprising two cross beams rigidly attached to said corresponding second members, top surfaces of said cross beams being flush with top surfaces of said second members.8. The lift according to claim 7, further comprising at least one hole in each of said two cross beams, said vehicle being securable to said holes.9. The lift according to claim 8, further comprising a jack and a lift member, said jack being attached at one end to said base and pivotally connected at another end to said lift member, said lift member being further pivotally connected to said third member; wherein said base comprises a channel, said first member being disposed within said channel, said base further comprising a slot extending through a side of said base, said pivotal connection between said first member and said base being disposed within said slot in said bottom position.10. A lift for a small vehicle, such as a motorcycle or an all-terrain vehicle, comprising:a base comprising a channel facing upwards;a first member pivotally connected to said base, said first member being disposed within said channel;a second member pivotally connected to one side of said first member, said second member and said first member being disposed along separate vertical planes;a third member pivotally connected to one side of said second member and pivotally connected to said base, said third member and said second member being disposed along separate vertical planes;wherein said first member, said second member and said third member are disposed along the same horizontal plane when said lift is in a bottom position.11. The lift according to claim 10, further comprising corresponding right and left first members, corresponding right and left second members, and corresponding right and left third members; wherein said base further comprises slots extending through sides of said base, said pivotal connections between said first members and said base being disposed within said slots in said bottom position.12. The lift according to claim 11, further comprising a jack and a lift member, said jack being attached at one end to said base and pivotally connected at another end to said lift member, said lift member being further pivotally connected to at least one of said third members; wherein said second members are formed from tubing with a fully enclosed cross section.13. A lift for raising a small vehicle, said lift moveable between a bottom position and a raised position, said bottom position adapted for maneuvering said lift under said small vehicle and said raised position adapted to lift said small vehicle above a floor, comprising:a base disposed parallel to a floor;a first member pivotally connected to said base;a second member pivotally connected to said first member, said second member being disposed adjacent an inner side of said first member;a third member pivotally connected to said second member and pivotally connected to said base, said third member being disposed adjacent an inner side of said second member;wherein said first member, said second member and said third member are each disposed along separate vertical planes.14. The lift according to claim 13, further comprising corresponding right and left first members, corresponding right and left second members, and corresponding right and left third members; wherein said base comprises channels, said first members being disposed within said channels, said base further comprising slots extending through sides of said base, said pivotal connections between said first members and said base being disposed within said slots in said bottom position; and further comprising a jack and a lift member, said jack being attached at one end to said base and pivotally connected at another end to said lift member, said lift member being further pivotally connected to at least one of said third members.15. A lift for raising a small vehicle, said lift moveable between a bottom position and a raised position, said bottom position adapted for maneuvering said lift under said small vehicle and said raised position adapted to lift said small vehicle above a floor, comprising:a base member comprising a channel;a first member pivotally connected to said base member, said first member being disposed within said channel;a second member pivotally connected to said first member, said second member being disposed along a side of said first member;a third member pivotally connected to said second member and pivotally connected to said base member, said third member being disposed along a side of said second member;wherein said first member, said second member and said third member are disposed side-by-side, said first member, said second member, said third member and said base member being disposed along the same horizontal plane when said lift is in said bottom position, a height of said first member, said second member and said third member being no higher than a height of said base member, whereby said first member, said second member and said third member rest within said height of said base member when said lift is in said bottom position.16. The lift according to claim 15, wherein said base further comprises a slot extending through a side of said base, said pivotal connection between said first member and said base being disposed within said slot in said bottom position.17. The lift according to claim 16, further comprising corresponding right and left first members, corresponding right and left second members, and corresponding right and left third members.18. The lift according to claim 17, further comprising a jack and a lift member, said jack being attached at one end to said base and pivotally connected at another end to said lift member, said lift member being further pivotally connected to at least one of said third members.19. A lift for raising an object, said lift moveable between a bottom position and a raised position, said bottom position adapted for positioning said object over said lift and said raised position adapted to lift said object above a floor, comprising:a base comprising corresponding base members disposed parallel to a floor;corresponding first members pivotally connected to a middle region of said base members;corresponding second members pivotally connected to forward ends of said first members and extending rearward therefrom, said second members being disposed adjacent inner sides of said first members;corresponding third members pivotally connected to rearward ends of said second members and extending rearward therefrom, said third members being disposed adjacent inner sides of said second members, rearward ends of said third members being pivotally connected to said base;wherein said first members are further characterized by the absence of a cross beam attached between said corresponding first members.20. The lift according to claim 19, further comprising at least one cross beam rigidly attached to said corresponding second members.21. The lift according to claim 20, wherein said base further comprises a rear cross beam rigidly attached to rearward ends of said base members, said rearward ends of said third members being pivotally connected to said rear cross beam.22. The lift according to claim 21, wherein said base further comprises a flat cross beam rigidly attached to a middle region of said base members, said flat cross beam extending along a bottom of said base without extending up from said bottom of said base.23. A lift for raising an object, said lift moveable between a bottom position and a raised position, said bottom position adapted for positioning said object over said lift and said raised position adapted to lift said object above a floor, comprising:a base comprising corresponding base members disposed parallel to a floor and a rear cross beam rigidly attached to rearward ends of said base members;corresponding first members pivotally connected to a middle region of said base members;corresponding second members pivotally connected to forward ends of said first members and extending rearward therefrom, said second members being disposed adjacent inner sides of said first members;corresponding third members pivotally connected to rearward ends of said second members and extending rearward therefrom, said third members being disposed adjacent inner sides of said second members, rearward ends of said third members being pivotally connected to said rear cross beam.24. The lift according to claim 23, further comprising a jack and a lift member, said jack being attached at one end to said base and pivotally connected at another end to said lift member, said lift member being further pivotally connected to at least one of said third members.25. The lift according to claim 24, wherein said base members comprise upward facing channels, said first members being disposed within said channels, said base members further comprising slots extending through side of said base members, said pivotal connections between said first members and said base members being disposed within said slots in said bottom position.26. The lift according to claim 25, wherein said second members are formed from tubing with a fully enclosed cross section; further comprising at least one cross beam rigidly attached to said corresponding second members, said cross beam comprising at least two securing holes; and wherein said first members are further characterized by the absence of a cross beam attached between said corresponding first members.