Floor Jack Assembly for Removing Auto Differentials

The present invention pertains generally to floor jacks of the type used in the automotive field.

A significant problem exists for auto mechanics involved in the removal of heavy drive line components such as differentials and transmissions. The prior art includes modified floor jacks directed toward solving the problem of supporting a heavy drive line component during the removal of same from an elevated automobile. Such known jacks do not provide for the limited clearance usually encountered as access to the differential or transmission is often hindered by other portions of the auto.

The various arrangements used to remove a differential or transmission often incur the risk of injury to the mechanic. While modifications or attachments to floor jacks are known to be in the prior art such equipment has not found wide acceptance in the industry for one reason or another and presently differential and transmission removal is commonly done in a haphazard manner.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,269,394; 4,166,608; 3,559,981; 3,040,908; 3,012,311 and 2,747,837 disclose attempts to remedy the above problems.

The present invention is embodied in a floor jack mounted assembly for convenient attachment to a drive line component regardless of limited working space encountered in removal of such a component.

The present jack incorporates known floor jack construction to provide a positionable base on which the present assembly is carried for positioning subjacent the component being removed.

A platform of the present apparatus has an upright plate thereon on which are mounted adjustable arms which are adapted at their upper ends for inserted engagement with the differential carrier in a positive manner. Modified curves arms accommodate carriers of other than symetrical shape.

The opposite end of the component is supportable within a rest which is positionable both horizontally and vertically to accommodate a wide range of components being removed from the auto drive line. The rest includes a hold-down to secure the component on the rest. The rest is slidably mounted on a rail which may move about a vertical axis to locate the rest below the reduced end of the component regardless of same being laterally offset from a component centerline.

Important objectives include the provision of a jack arrangement for use by auto mechanics which may be coupled to a wide range of automotive differentials in a rapid and convenient manner; the provision of an automotive jack which utilizes post carried at the ends of adjustable arms which posts engage openings in the flange of the differential carrier; the provision of a jack for removing heavy drive line components from autos, trucks, etc., which supports the forward or reduced end of the carrier in a rest positionable within multiple planes to accommodate a wide array of carrier configurations.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the present jack;

FIG. 2 is a left hand elevational view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical elevational view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but broken away along a verticle centerline and showing a modified arm of the present jack; and

FIG. 5 is a vertical elevational view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 4.

With continuing attention to the drawing wherein reference numerals indicate parts similarly hereinafter identified, the reference numeral 1 indicates generally a drive line component such as the differential unit shown. The differential carrier is a cast housing the configuration and size of which will vary considerably between vehicle makes and models.

The differential is shown with its cover removed leaving cover bolt openings at 2 exposed. Said openings are spaced about a carrier flange at 3. A ring gear is at 4. A reduced forward end 5 of the carrier houses a pinion front bearing.

With attention now to the present jack, a floor jack component is indicated generally at 10 having the usual parallelogram arms 11 which support a base 12 with a lifting surface 12A.

In combination with the floor jack base 12 is a platform 13 suitably mounted on the base in a secure manner. Platform 13 includes an upright flange 14 having slotted openings 15 for adjustable support of arm means at 16. Flange 14 is additionally provided with a projection 18 on which carrier flange 13 may be supported.

The above noted arm means comprises a pair of arms 16 with each arm having a post 19 at the arm upper end which projects horizontally to extend through a bolt receiving opening 2 in carrier flange 3. As such openings are not threaded, no risk of thread damage is encountered. The arm upper ends are somewhat tapered to assure proper clearance with the carrier exterior. The arms define elongate openings and receive fastener assemblies at 17 which also pass through openings 15 in platform flange 14. Accordingly, a wide range of arm positions is possible to permit use of the present jack with a substantial number of differential vehicle makes and models.

The forward end 5 of the differential is characteristically of reduced size and must be supported in a manner permitting downward removal of the differential unit in a horizontal position. A support assembly generally at 19 includes a rest 20 serves to confine component forward end 5 in place by reason of downwardly sloped converging edges 20A. A hold-down is provided in a chain segment 21 having an adjustable end 22 carried by a hook 23 in threaded engagement with a tube 20B on the rest 20 with a lock nut at 24. A collar 25 of the rest is telescopically engaged with a post 26 with a set screw at 27 maintaining the collar and post in the desired relationship. Post 26 is adapted for horizontal positioning by reason of being mounted on a shoe 29 which, in turn, is slidably carried by a T-shaped rail 28. Said rail is positionable about an upright axis A which is coaxial with a locking member 33 in engagement at its lower end 33A with platform 13. Accordingly, tightening of locking member 33 secures rail 28 in an adjusted position about axis A with the lower edge of the rail in abutment with the platform. This adjustable feature is practical when the differential carrier or other drive line component has a forward end 5 laterally offset from longitudinal axis of the component.

In use the floor jack is positioned below a raised vehicle. The arms 16 are manually positionable to permit the posts 19 thereon to be aligned with the differential flange openings 2 whereupon the jack is advanced to seat the posts within the openings. The rim of the flange is in rested engagement with projection 18. Subsequently the rest 20 is moved into upward abutment with the forward end of the differential and locked in place and the hold-down tightened over said forward end. The coupling of the jack to the differential is readily accomplished regardless of restricted working spaced and limited clearance between the differential carrier and other vehicle components.

In FIGS. 4 and 5 a modified arm means is shown at 16' in which each arm is of curved configuration having a slot 16A' therein through which a fastener assembly 17' extends. The arm includes a post 30 positionable within a bolt receiving opening 2' in a carrier flange 3'. The unseen arm in FIG. 4 would be a mirror image to that shown. The modified arms are of curvilinear shape to circumvent various carrier appendages. The posts 30 are in threaded engagement with the arm ends by reason of a threaded stud 31 receiving a nut element 32. The post 30 has different diameters at 30A and 30B for different sized openings 2'. Flats 30C are provided for wrenching purposes.

While I have shown but one embodiment of the invention it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied still otherwise without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be secured in Letters Patent is: