Patent US3685128A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3685128A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Machine and method for removing engines from vehicles
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-10-05
•
Granted: 1972-08-22
•
Expires: 1990-10-05
Abstract
Abstract The disclosed machines and method are utilized to expeditiously remove the engines, and the transmissions connected thereto, from junked vehicles, such as automobiles, trucks, and the like and are particularly adapted to remove engines-transmissions that are mounted in engine compartments, in which one end of the enginestransmissions extends beyond one end of the engine compartments. The machines include a pair of hydraulically actuated tongs which are adapted to grip the sides of the engine to be removed while the engine is mounted in the engine compartment of the vehicle. The tongs are constructed so as to permit limited, relative pivotal movement between the engine and tongs. The tongs are pivotally mounted on one end of a vertically movable boom structure which, in turn, is mounted on a portable frame adapted to be positioned adjacent to the engine compartment of the vehicle while the engine is being pulled from the engine compartment. The machines also include hold-down members which are used to restrain vertical movement of the vehicle while the engine is being removed and control means for permitting one person to control the entire operation of the machines. During the operation of the improved machines in accordance with the improved method, the engine to be removed is gripped by the tongs and is moved vertically so that the other end of the engine is pulled from its engine mounts. The engine is then pulled, at an angle with respect to the vertical, so that the one end of the engine, and the transmission, are removed from the engine compartment along a substantially straight path. In one of the disclosed machines, the one end of the boom structure is extendable, with respect to the rest of the boom structure, and a pair of forks are mounted on the extendible end of the boom structure adjacent to the tongs so that the machine may also be utilized as a fork lift. In this machine, the tongs and hold-down members are both movable to positions where they do not interfere with the operation of the machine as a fork lift. In the other disclosed machine, the frame may be permanently mounted on a chassis or may be selectively carried by a fork lift truck or the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Allen B Sharp
- 👤 Richard A Hull
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:13
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66F; B66F9/00; B66F9/06; B66F9/065; B66F9/0655; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49751; Y10T29/49755; Y10T29/49815; Y10T29/49822; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53796; Y10T29/5383
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
An improved machine for removing engines mounted in vehicles, such as automobiles and trucks, which are to be scrapped, comprising: frame means; means for securely gripping an engine mounted in a vehicle, the gripping means including means for permitting relative, pivotal movement between the gripping means and the engine while the gripping means grips the engine; first control means for selectively causing the gripping means to grip the engine; pulling means mounted on the frame means and connected with the gripping means for pulling the engine from the vehicle, the pulling means having sufficient power to pull the engine from its mountings in the vehicle; second control means for controlling the operation of the pulling means; and hold-down means for restraining at least the portion of the body of the vehicle, adjacent to the engine, from moving generally in the direction in which the engine is being pulled by the pulling means while the engine is being removed from the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
An improved machine for removing engines mounted in vehicles, such as automobiles and trucks, which are to be scrapped, comprising: frame means; means for securely gripping an engine mounted in a vehicle, the gripping means including means for permitting relative, pivotal movement between the gripping means and the engine while the gripping means grips the engine; first control means for selectively causing the gripping means to grip the engine; pulling means mounted on the frame means and connected with the gripping means for pulling the engine from the vehicle, the pulling means having sufficient power to pull the engine from its mountings in the vehicle; second control means for controlling the operation of the pulling means; and hold-down means for restraining at least the portion of the body of the vehicle, adjacent to the engine, from moving generally in the direction in which the engine is being pulled by the pulling means while the engine is being removed from the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
An improved machine as described in claim 1 wherein the engine to be removed is mounted in an engine compartment in the vehicle; wherein the vehicle is initially positioned so that access to the engine in the engine compartment may be had from above the vehicle; and wherein initially, at least a portion of the gripping means extends intO the engine compartment and grips the engine while the engine is still in the engine compartment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
An improved machine as described in claim 2 wherein the pulling means is arranged with respect to the vehicle so as to pull the engine vertically and at an angle with respect to the vertical.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An improved machine as described in claim 2 wherein the gripping means grips the sides of the engine in the engine compartment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The improved machine as described in claim 2 wherein the frame means is carried on wheeled carriage means for facile movement of the frame means with respect to the vehicle; and wherein during removal of engine from the vehicle, the frame means is positioned adjacent to the engine compartment of the vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
85 words
An improved machine as described in claim 2 wherein the engine compartment is defined by a front end, a rear end, and sides; wherein the engine has a transmission connected to one end thereof and is arranged in the engine compartment so that the transmission extends beyond one end of the engine compartment; and wherein the pulling means is arranged with respect to the vehicle so as to be able to pull at least a portion of the transmission from the vehicle with the engine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
156 words
An improved machine as described in claim 6 wherein the engine compartment is adjacent to the front end of the vehicle; wherein the engine has a transmission connected to the rear end thereof and is arranged in the engine compartment so that the transmission extends beyond the rear end of the engine compartment; and wherein the pulling means initially moves the front end of the engine upwardly along a first, substantially vertical path so as to pull the front end of the engine free from the engine mountings adjacent to the front end of the engine and then moves the engine along a second path, generally disposed at an angle with respect to the vertical, so as to pull the rear end of the engine free from the engine mountings adjacent to the rear end of the engine whereby the engine and at least a portion of the transmission can be removed from the engine compartment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
159 words
An improved machine as described in claim 7 wherein the rear end of the engine compartment is at least in part defined by a fire wall separating the engine compartment from the rest of the vehicle; wherein at least a part of the transmission extends beneath the fire wall; wherein the frame means is positioned adjacent to the front end of the engine compartment while the engine is being removed from the engine compartment of the vehicle; wherein the pulling means initially moves the front end of the engine vertically along the first path until the bottom portion of the front end of the engine is above the upper edge of the front end of the engine compartment and then pulls the engine along the second path, which is substantially straight and which extends away from the rear end of the engine compartment, at least until the engine is clear of the ends and sides of the engine compartment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
95 words
An improved machine as described in claim 4 wherein the gripping means includes a backing member and first and second tongs, with each of the tongs having one end mounted on the backing member for pivotal movement relative to the backing member, so that the tongs may be moved between a first, engine gripping position wherein the other ends of the tongs are positioned so as to be able to grip the engine to be pulled from the vehicle and a second position wherein the other ends of the tongs are spaced from one another.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
74 words
An improved machine as described in claim 9 wherein means for permitting relative pivotal movement between the gripping means and the engine includes a relatively pointed tip on the other, engine gripping ends of each of the first and second tongs, which pointed tips are arranged so as to provide substantially point-contact between the other, engine gripping ends of the tongs and the sides of the engine when the gripping means grips the engine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
140 words
An improved machine as describeD in claim 10 wherein the axes about which the tongs pivot are parallel; wherein the tongs are disposed in and move in a common plane; wherein the tongs have a relatively narrow cross-section so that the other ends of the tongs may be fit down between the sides of the engine compartment and the sides of the engine so as to enable the tongs to be inserted between the sides of the engine and the sides of the engine compartment while the engine is mounted in the engine compartment; wherein hydraulic cylinder means are connected between the backing member and the tongs and are arranged to move the tongs between their first and second positions upon actuation of the hydraulic cylinder means; and wherein the control means controls the operation of the hydraulic cylinder means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
102 words
An improved machine as described in claim 9 wherein the pulling means includes at least one boom pivotally mounted at one end on the frame means and pivotally connected at its other end with the gripping means; wherein a first hydraulic cylinder means is positioned between the frame means and the boom so as to pivotally move the boom vertically about its one end; wherein the gripping means is carried by the boom; and wherein a second hydraulic cylinder means is connected with and carried by the boom and arranged so as to move the gripping means with respect to the boom.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
An improved machine as described in claim 12 wherein the other end of the boom is telescopically received on the central portion of the boom; wherein a third hydraulic cylinder means is positioned on the boom between the central portion thereof and the other end and is arranged to move the other end of the boom between retracted and extended positions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
An improved machine as described in claim 12 wherein the frame means is mounted on a wheeled, motor-driven carriage for facile movement of the frame means, and wherein the control means is mounted on the carriage and controls the operation of the first and second hydraulic cylinder means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
87 words
An improved machine as described in claim 12 wherein the boom is arranged so that the gripping means is positioned generally adjacent to one end of the frame means; wherein the point of pivotal connection between one end of the boom and the frame means is spaced generally between the midpoint of the frame means and the other end thereof and above the horizontal plane of the engine to be removed; and wherein the other end of the boom has a pair of fork members attached thereto.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
An improved machine as described in claim 2 wherein the hold-down means includes at least one beam mounted so as to extend over the portion of the vehicle adjacent to the engine compartment while the engine is being removed from the engine compartment and thereby prevent the vehicle from moving vertically.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
70 words
An improved machine as described in claim 16 wherein the hold-down means are selectively movable from a first substantially horizontal position wherein the beam is adapted to extend over the portion of the vehicle adjacent to the engine compartment to a second, substantially vertical position; and wherein hydraulic cylinder means are positioned between the frame and the hold-down means to move the hold-down means between its first and second positions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
195 words
An improved machine as described in claim 8 wherein the gripping means includes a backing member and first and second tongs; wherein each of the first and second tongs is mounted, adjacent to one end, on the backing member for pivotal movement, relative to the backing member, between a first, engine gripping position wherein the other ends of the tongs are positioned adjacent to each other so as to be able to grip the sides of the engine to be pulled from the vehicle and a second position wherein the other ends of the tongs are spaced from one another; wherein the pulling means includes at least one boom pivotally mounted, at one end, on the frame means and pivotally connected at its other end to the backing member; wherein a first hydraulic cylinder meAns is positioned between the frame means and the boom so as to pivotally move the boom vertically about its one end; and wherein a second hydraulic cylinder means is positioned between the boom and the backing member and arranged so as to move the backing member with respect to the other end of the boom about a substantially horizontal axis.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
181 words
An improved machine as described in claim 18 wherein the axes about which the tongs pivot are parallel; wherein the tongs are disposed in and move in a common plane; wherein the tongs are constructed so that the tongs can fit about the engine; wherein the tongs have a relatively narrow cross-section so that the other ends of the tongs may be fit down between the sides of the engine compartment and the sides of the engine so as to enable the tongs to be inserted between the sides of the engine and the sides of the engine compartment while the engine is mounted in the engine compartment; and wherein the hold-down means includes a pair of beams which are mounted at one end adjacent to one end of the frame means and which are adapted to have their other ends extend over the portion of the vehicle adjacent to the sides of the engine compartment while the engine is being removed from the engine compartment so as to prevent the vehicle from moving vertically with respect to the frame means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
70 words
An improved machine as described in claim 18 wherein means for permitting relative pivotal movement between the gripping means and the engine includes a relatively pointed tip on the other ends of each of the first and second tongs, which pointed tips are arranged so as to provide substantially point-contact between the other ends of the tongs and the sides of the engine when the gripping means grips the engine.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
174 words
An improved machine as described in claim 19 wherein the second hydraulic cylinder means pivotally moves the backing member about a substantially horizontal axis wherein means for permitting relative pivotal movement between the gripping means and the engine includes a relatively pointed tip on the other ends of each of the first and second tongs, which pointed tips are arranged so as to provide substantially point-contact between the other ends of the tongs and the sides of the engine when the gripping means grips the engine; wherein the boom is arranged so that the backing member is positioned adjacent to one end of the frame means; wherein the one end of the boom is pivotally connected to the frame means at a point spaced from the one end of the frame means; and wherein the point of pivotal connection between one end of the boom and the frame means is spaced between the mid-point of the frame means and the other end thereof and above the horizontal plane of the engine to be removed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
70 words
An improved machine as described by claim 21 wherein the frame means is carried on wheeled carriage means for facile movement of the frame means with respect to the vehicle; and wherein during removal of engine from the vehicle, the frame means is positioned adjacent to the engine compartment of the vehicle; wherein the control means is carried by the carriage and controls the operation of the hydraulic cylinder means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
159 words
An improved machine as described in claim 22 wherein the backing member has a pair of fork members attached thereto, which fork members project from the backing member in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the tongs are disposed; wherein each of the fork members is generally L-shaped and includes a first portion which projects from the backing member and which is disposed in a plan substantially perpendicular to the plane of the backing member and adjacent to the lower edge of the backing member, and a second portion which is disposed adjacent to the backing member and which is attached, at its upper ends, to the backing member so as to permit each of the fork members to pivotally move upwardly with respect to the backing member; and wherein when the tongs are in their second position, the otheR ends of the tongs are located above the plane in which the fork members are disposed.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
272 words
An improved machine as described in claim 23 wherein each of the fork members is generally L-shaped and includes a first portion which projects from the backing member and which is disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the backing member and adjacent to the lower edge of the backing member, and a second portion which is disposed adjacent to the backing member and which is attached at its upper ends, to the backing member so as to permit each of the fork members to pivotally move with respect to the backing member; wherein when the tongs are in their second position, the other ends of the tongs are located above the plane in which the fork members are disposed; wherein the other end of the boom is telescopically received on the central portion of the boom; wherein a third hydraulic cylinder means is positioned on the boom between the central portion thereof and the other end and is arranged to move the other end of the boom between retracted and extended positions; wherein fourth hydraulic cylinder means are positioned between the frame and the hold-down means to move the hold-down means between its first and second positions; and wherein the one end of the engine compartment is at least in part defined by a fire wall separating the engine compartment from the rest of the vehicle; wherein at least a part of the transmission extends beneath the fire wall; and wherein the frame means is positioned adjacent to the other end of the engine compartment while the engine is being removed from the engine compartment of the vehicle.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
256 words
An improved method of removing an engine from the engine compartment of a vehicle, such as an automobile or truck, which is to be scrapped and which has the engine compartment located adjacent to the front end of the vehicle, wherein the engine compartment is defined by a front end, a rear end and side walls and is arranged so as to permit access to the engine from above the vehicle, wherein the engine has a transmission attached to the rear end of the engine and extends beyond the rear end of the engine compartment and wherein the means used to grip the engine permits relative pivotal movement between the gripping means and the engine while gripping means is gripping the engine, comprising the steps of: gripping the sides of the engine securely between the ends thereof; pulling the engine so as to move the front end of the engine upwardly along a first substantially vertical path so that the bottom of the engine, adjacent to the front end, is moved above the front end of the engine compartment; and so that the front end of the engine becomes broken free from its mountings; and then pulling the engine and at least a portion of the transmission out of engine compartment along a second path, disposed at an angle with respect to the vertical so that the engine and at least a portion of the transmission is moved out over the front end of the engine compartment until the engine is removed from the engine compartment.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
256 words
An improved method of removing an engine from the engine compartment of a vehicle, such as an automobile or truck, which is to be scrapped and which has the engine compartment located adjacent to the front end of the vehicle, wherein the engine compartment is defined by a front end, a rear end and side walls and is arranged so as to permit access to the engine from above the vehicle, wherein the engine has a transmission attached to the rear end of the engine and extends beyond the rear end of the engine compartment and wherein the means used to grip the engine permits relative pivotal movement between the gripping means and the engine while gripping means is gripping the engine, comprising the steps of: gripping the sides of the engine securely between the ends thereof; pulling the engine so as to move the front end of the engine upwardly along a first substantially vertical path so that the bottom of the engine, adjacent to the front end, is moved above the front end of the engine compartment; and so that the front end of the engine becomes broken free from its mountings; and then pulling the engine and at least a portion of the transmission out of engine compartment along a second path, disposed at an angle with respect to the vertical so that the engine and at least a portion of the transmission is moved out over the front end of the engine compartment until the engine is removed from the engine compartment.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-22 | 1976-02-21 | 1976-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-22 | 1980-02-21 | 1980-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-22 | 1984-02-21 | 1984-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |