Abstract:
Disclosed is a pit cover and method of installing the same. The pit cover includes a plate having a hole defining an area. A block having a threaded hole may be affixed to a bottom surface of the plate such that the threaded hole aligns with the area. A support is associated with the foundation and a groove is defined by one of the pit cover or the support. A protrusion is defined by the other one of the pit cover or the support. The groove narrows from a first width towards a second width. The first width is disposed relative to the second width such that insertion of the protrusion into the groove causes an end of the protrusion to pass the first width prior to passing the second width. The protrusion interacts with the groove to align the pit cover at a predetermined position relative to the foundation.
Abstract:
An exemplary vehicle service pit includes a first section and a second section abutting each other. A support structure supports the service pit and a joint plate helps hold the first section and the second section in the abutting relationship. Substantially parallel runners are located in the service pit and are secured to the support structure. A glider moveably mounts on the runners. Lights may be included as part of the service pit. An exemplary method for assembling a service pit includes abutting a head section and a foot section and securing a gasket in place over the joint between the head section and the foot section using a joint plate. Optionally, lights are added to the head section, the foot section, or both. Runners of elongate metal with support feet integrally formed are attached to the service pit by bolts, or other suitable fastener.
Abstract:
A cover device for at least partially closing off a cavity includes at least one cover element for closing off the opening of the cavity, and a support structure in the form of an elongate body for supporting and positioning the cover element in or close to the cavity. The cover element is in the form of a pneumatic mattress equipped with return elements for urging it back into a most compact configuration in which it is rolled up about a free one of its sides and forms a spirally wound roll, the free side being formed by the side of the mattress that is opposite from the connecting side of the mattress via which side the mattress is connected to the support structure. This device includes at least one support arm for supporting the mattress while going from its rolled-up most compact configuration to its rolled-out least compact configuration.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a fold-up scaffold system that includes multiple spaced vertical beams supported at one end on a floor of a building and scaffold sections extending across the vertical beams. The system also includes means at opposite ends of the scaffold sections for pivotally supporting the scaffold sections to the vertical beams and at least two air cylinders for each scaffold section connected between the scaffold sections and the vertical beams. In addition, each of the at least two air cylinders is adapted to be actuated between a lowered and a raised position, the scaffold sections being pivoted away from the vertical beams when the at least two air cylinders are actuated to the lowered position to provide a substantially horizontal surface and is positioned substantially vertically against the beam when the at least two air cylinders are actuated to the raised position.
Abstract:
A retractable cover for an opening of an automotive bay pit wherein the retractable cover is formed by movable and stackable panels. The panels are normally positioned adjacent one another. Each panel includes supporting and spanning edges. Positioned on the supporting edges are slide rails. The slide rails are slidable in two horizontal directions in tracks of the automotive bay pit. The ends of the slide rails are inclined, and abutting ends of the slide rails of adjacent panels are parallel to one another. Because the abutting ends are parallel, an operator's application of a strictly horizontal force to a panel causes the panel to wedge under or slide over an adjacent panel. Therefore, the operator is not required to apply any vertical lifting force to a panel to create an opening in the cover. The operator may move any panel in the cover and move it in either horizontal direction to create the opening in the cover.
Abstract:
A safety cover 10 for automotive service pits 1 is constructed of square cross section hollow support members 11 welded to alternate links of double pitched roller chain segments 15. Cover 10 is divided into two halves wherein each half has support members 11 perpendicularly welded to two lengths of chain 15 at each end of support members 11. Support members 11 are further disposed in parallel spaced relation one to the other. Roller chain segments 15 are longitudinally supported at the top edges of the pit side walls 5 by opposing segments of C-channel 12. U-shaped bends 18 are provided in the lower lip 17 of opposing C-channel segments 12 and are disposed at, at least, one end which is adjacent an end wall 6 of automotive service pit 1. U-shaped bends 18 provide a receiving pocket for receiving the double pitched roller chain 15 and connecting support members 11 when cover 10 is slid into the open position.C-channel 12 and double pitched roller chain 15 are constructed of suitable materials such that the relative coefficient of friction between roller chain 15 and C-channel 12 inhibits sliding of the cover with the addition of any weight, e.g. a person standing on the cover.
Abstract:
A cover for servicing holes in automotive service stations consists of a band of pivotably connected support members, the ends of which are supported on the longitudinal hole edges. The band is displaceable longitudinally in opposite directions by at least one motor drive to open and close the servicing hole. During the opening movement the band is moved downwardly at one front end of the longitudinal hole. In order to avoid a broadening of this region of the hole the support members are telescopically assembled and are compressed to a reduced length in this region than in the covering region of the servicing hole.
Abstract:
A motor vehicle lubricating facility for enabling a workman to perform lubricating functions on an automobile rapidly and efficiently with a minimum of waste time and effort. The facility comprises a building structure with a basement floor and a ground floor supported on columns above the basement floor. In the ground floor are a plurality of rectangular longitudinal openings in parallel relation, each adapted to be straddled by an automobile driven over the ground floor through door openings at the front and back of the building structure. Adjustably supported at a selected one of several heights on the columns between the ground and basement floor and substantially coinciding in area with each of the openings in the ground floor, is a "catwalk" or grilled metal platform, on which a workman may stand to perform lubricating functions with respect to parts of the automobile accessible only from beneath the automobile. The I-beams supporting the ground floor at each side of the openings in the ground floor provide tracks on which runs a mobile dolly of the type carrying a power jack as fully disclosed and claimed in my copending application concurrently filed herewith. A mobile tank operating on the same tracks as the dolly, is provided into which oil may be drained directly from the crank case, differential or transmission of an automobile. A metered hose line is provided by which oil or other lubricants supplied therethrough to the work area is automatically measured. A work shelf is suspended from the columns at one side of the catwalk for holding tools and the like used by the workman.
Abstract:
A pit for containing a vehicle lifting apparatus is constructed from a plurality of precast concrete pieces and assembled in a trench. Conduit, plumbing, heating elements, and the like are cast into the pieces to facilitate safe construction/assembly of the pit. A lift apparatus is assembled or positioned in and at least partly attached to the pit. One or more mounting features are cast into and/or attached to the pit wall to help fix the lifting apparatus relative to the pit and/or to help fix the pit relative to a surrounding building.