US 12,134,549 B2
Restraint spline for pivoting arm of vehicle lift
Steven Taylor, Hanover, IN (US); Robert Elliott, Madison, IN (US); and Bryan Averill, Portland, OR (US)
Assigned to Vehicle Service Group, LLC, Madison, IN (US)
Filed by Vehicle Service Group, LLC, Madison, IN (US)
Filed on May 25, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/323,525.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/346,551, filed on May 27, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0382700 A1, Nov. 30, 2023
Int. Cl. B66F 7/28 (2006.01)
CPC B66F 7/28 (2013.01) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicle engagement assembly attached to a vehicle lift, wherein the vehicle lift is configured to actuate the vehicle engagement assembly between a lowered position and a raised position, the vehicle engagement assembly comprises:
(a) a base frame comprising a first pair of flanges and a web connecting the first pair of flanges, wherein at least one flange of the first pair of flanges defines a base pin hole,
(b) a lift arm comprising a second pair of flanges, wherein at least one flange of the second pair of flanges defines a lift arm pin hole, wherein the lift arm is pivotally attached to the base frame about a pivot axis via a pin extending through both the base pin hole and the lift arm pin hole, and
(c) a pivot restraint mechanism configured to transition between a restrained configuration and an unrestrained configuration, wherein the pivot restraint mechanism in the restrained configuration is configured to inhibit rotation of the lift arm about the pivot axis relative to the base frame, the pivot restraint mechanism comprising:
(i) an arm restraint body associated with the lift arm such that the arm restraint body is configured to pivot with the lift arm relative to the base frame about the pivot axis, wherein the arm restraint body is located at least partially between the first pair of flanges and the second pair of flanges, wherein the pin extends through the arm restraint body,
(ii) a base frame restraint body associated with the base frame, wherein the base frame restraint body comprises a first rotational stopping surface engaged with the web of the base frame, wherein, while the pivot restraint mechanism is in the restrained configuration, the base frame restraint body is configured to receive a rotational load from the arm restraint body and transfer the rotational load onto the web of the base frame via the first rotational stopping surface, and wherein the base frame restraint body is configured to move relative to the base frame in order to transition the pivot restraint mechanism between the restrained configuration and the unrestrained configuration.