Automobile wheel lift for a tow truck

Claim 2

A mechanical wheel lift for engaging and lifting the wheels of a car for use on a tow truck having a winch and a cable thereon, the combination comprising: a support rigidly coupled in a substantially vertical position on the rear of the truck; means defining a cam follower coupled to said support; a pair of wheel-engaging forks; and lifting means, coupled to said wheel-engaging forks slidably coupled to said support, and coupled to the cable on the winch, for reciprocating said wheel-engaging forks upwardly and downwardly and for pivoting said wheel-engaging forks towards and away from the rear of the truck upon reeling-in and paying-out of the cable, said lifting means including a cam surface slidably engaging said cam follower, said support including a pair of vertical tracks, and said lifting means including a trolley coupled to said tracks for vertical reciprocating movement, said cam surface being planar and being pivotally coupled to said trolley about a horizontal axis, said cam surface extending at an acute angle downwardly and towards said cam follower under the influence of gravity.

Claim 3

A mechanical wheel lift according to claim 1, wherein said trolley includes a pair of wheels rotatably engaging said tracks.

Claim 4

A mechanical wheel lift according to claim 1, wherein said lifting means further includes a pivot member pivotally coupled to said trolley and having said cam surface thereon.

Claim 5

A mechanical wheel lift according to claim 3, wherein said wheel-engaging forks are coupled to said pivot member.

Claim 6

A mechanical wheel lift according to claim 3, wherein said pivot member is coupled to the cable carried by the winch.

Claim 7

A mechanical wheel lift according to claim 3, wherein said cam follower comprises a roller engaging said cam surface.

Claim 8

A mechanical wheel lift according to claim 1, and further comprising a boom pivotally coupled about a horizontal axis to said lifting means and coupled to said wheel-engaging forks.

Claim 9

A mechanical wheel lift according to claim 7, and further comprising a pivot assembly pivotally coupled about a vertical axis to said boom and coupled to said wheel-engaging forks.

Claim 10

A mechanical wheel lift according to claim 1, wherein said wheel-engaging forks lie in a plane oriented at an acute angle to said cam surface.

Claim 11

A mechanical wheel lift for engaging and lifting the wheels of a car for use on a tow truck having a winch and a cable thereon, the combination comprising: a support rigidly coupled in a substantially vertical position on the rear of the truck; a pair of opposed substantially vertical and parallel tracks rigidly coupled to the support; a trolley coupled to said tracks for vertical, reciprocating movement; roller means rotatably coupled to said support; a pivot member pivotally coupled to and extending below said trolley; and a pair of wheel-engaging forks, coupled to and extending from said pivot member, for engaging the wheels of a car, said pivot member being coupled to the cable for vertical, reciprocating movement upon reeling-in and paying-out of the cable, thereby vertically reciprocating said wheel-engaging forks, said pivot member having a cam surface means, slidably engaging said roller means, for pivoting said wheel-engaging forks towards and away from the rear of the truck upon reeling-in and paying-out of the cable.

Claim 12

A mechanical wheel lift for engaging and lifting the wheels of a car for use on a tow truck having a winch and a cable thereon, the combination comprising: a support rigidly coupled in a substantially vertical position on the rear of the truck; a pair of opposed substantially vertical and parallel tracks rigidly coupled to the support; a trolley coupled to said tracks for vertical, reciprocating movement; roller means rotatably coupled to said support; a pivot member pivotally coupled to and extending below said trolley; and a pair of wheel-engaging forks, coupled to and extending from said pivot member, for engaging the wheels of a car, said pivot member being coupled to the cable for vertical, reciprocating movement upon reeling-in and paying-out of the cable, thereby vertically reciprocating said wheel-engaging forks, said pivot member having a cam surface means, slidably engaging said roller means, for pivoting said wheel-engaging forks towards and away from the rear of the truck upon reeling-in and paying-out of the cable.

Claim 13

A mechanical wheel lift according to claim 10, wherein said trolley comprises a plurality of wheels rotatably engaging said tracks.

Claim 14

A mechanical wheel lift according to claim 10, and further comprising a boom pivotally coupled about a horizontal axis to said pivot member and coupled to said wheel-engaging forks.

Claim 15

A mechanical wheel lift according to claim 10, wherein said cam surface means comprises a planar surface oriented at an acute angle to the plane containing said wheel-engaging forks.

Claim 16

A mechanical wheel lift for engaging and lifting the wheels of a car for use on a tow truck also having pair of tow sling arms pivotally coupled on the rear wall of the truck and engaging together at an angle, the combination comprising: a support rigidly coupled on the rear wall of the truck; a trolley coupled to said support for vertical reciprocating movement; a member; first pivot means for pivotally coupling said member to said trolley about a transverse horizontal axis; a boom; second pivot means for pivotally coupling said boom to said member about a second transverse horizontal axis, said second pivot means including means for limiting the pivotal movement of said boom relative to said member to about 90° in one direction and for allowing said boom to pivot towards said member in the other direction; a pair of wheel-engaging forks; means for releasably coupling said pair of wheel-engaging forks to said boom; and power means, coupled to the truck, for reciprocating said trolley, member and boom upwardly and downwardly, thereby vertically reciprocating said wheel-engaging forks, said boom being maneuverable through said tow sling arms, after release of said wheel-engaging forks from said boom, by means of pivoting said member relative to said trolley and said boom relative to and towards said member.

Claim 17

A mechanical wheel lift for engaging and lifting the wheels of a car for use on a tow truck also having pair of tow sling arms pivotally coupled on the rear wall of the truck and engaging together at an angle, the combination comprising: a support rigidly coupled on the rear wall of the truck; a trolley coupled to said support for vertical reciprocating movement; a member; first pivot means for pivotally coupling said member to said trolley about a transverse horizontal axis; a boom; second pivot means for pivotally coupling said boom to said member about a second transverse horizontal axis, said second pivot means including means for limiting the pivotal movement of said boom relative to said member to about 90° in one direction and for allowing said boom to pivot towards said member in the other direction; a pair of wheel-engaging forks; means for releasably coupling said pair of wheel-engaging forks to said boom; and power means, coupled to the truck, for reciprocating said trolley, member and boom upwardly and downwardly, thereby vertically reciprocating said wheel-engaging forks, said boom being maneuverable through said tow sling arms, after release of said wheel-engaging forks from said boom, by means of pivoting said member relative to said trolley and said boom relative to and towards said member.

Claim 18

A mechanical wheel lift according to claim 14, wherein said first pivot means includes means for allowing the pivotal movement of said member relative to said trolley through at least 180°.

Claim 19

A mechanical wheel lift for engaging and lifting the wheels of a car for use on a tow truck also having a pair of tow sling arms pivotally coupled on the rear wall of the truck and engaged together at an angle, the combination comprising: a support rigidly coupled on the rear wall of the truck; a trolley coupled to said support for vertical reciprocating movement; a lifting assembly; pivot means for pivotally coupling said lifting assembly to said trolley; a pair of wheel-engaging forks; means for releasably coupling said pair of wheel-engaging forks to said lifting assembly; and power means, coupled to the truck, for reciprocating said trolley and lifting assembly upwardly and downwardly, thereby vertically reciprocating said wheel-engaging forks, said lifting assembly being maneuverable through said tow sling arms, after release of said wheel-engaging forks from said lifting assembly, by means of pivoting said lifting assembly relative to said trolley, said support including means defining a cam follower, said lifting assembly including a cam surface slidably engaging said cam follower upon vertical reciprocation of said lifting assembly, said cam surface being planar and being pivotally coupled to said trolley about a horizontal axis, said cam surface extending at an acute angle downwardly and towards said cam follower under the influence of gravity.

Claim 20

A mechanical wheel lift for engaging and lifting the wheels of a car for use on a tow truck also having a pair of tow sling arms pivotally coupled on the rear wall of the truck and engaged together at an angle, the combination comprising: a support rigidly coupled on the rear wall of the truck; a trolley coupled to said support for vertical reciprocating movement; a lifting assembly; pivot means for pivotally coupling said lifting assembly to said trolley; a pair of wheel-engaging forks; means for releasably coupling said pair of wheel-engaging forks to said lifting assembly; and power means, coupled to the truck, for reciprocating said trolley and lifting assembly upwardly and downwardly, thereby vertically reciprocating said wheel-engaging forks, said lifting assembly being maneuverable through said tow sling arms, after release of said wheel-engaging forks from said lifting assembly, by means of pivoting said lifting assembly relative to said trolley, said support including means defining a cam follower, said lifting assembly including a cam surface slidably engaging said cam follower upon vertical reciprocation of said lifting assembly, said cam surface being planar and being pivotally coupled to said trolley about a horizontal axis, said cam surface extending at an acute angle downwardly and towards said cam follower under the influence of gravity.

Claim 21

A mechanical wheel lift for engaging and lifting the wheels of a car for use on a tow truck having a winch and a cable thereon, the combination comprising: a support rigidly coupled in a substantially vertical position on the rear of the truck; means defining a cam follower coupled to said support; a pair of wheel-engaging forks; and lifting means, coupled to said wheel-engaging forks, coupled to said support, and coupled to the cable on the winch, for reciprocating said wheel-engaging forks upwardly and downwardly and for pivoting said wheel-engaging forks towards and away from the rear of the truck upon reeling-in and paying-out of the cable, said lifting means including a cam surface slidably engaging said cam follower, said cam surface being planar and being pivotally coupled to said support about a horizontal axis, said cam surface extending at an acute angle downwardly and towards said cam follower under the influence of gravity.

Claim 22

A mechanical wheel lift for engaging and lifting the wheels of a car for use on a tow truck having a winch and a cable thereon, the combination comprising: a support rigidly coupled in a substantially vertical position on the rear of the truck; means defining a cam follower coupled to said support; a pair of wheel-engaging forks; and lifting means, coupled to said wheel-engaging forks, coupled to said support, and coupled to the cable on the winch, for reciprocating said wheel-engaging forks upwardly and downwardly and for pivoting said wheel-engaging forks towards and away from the rear of the truck upon reeling-in and paying-out of the cable, said lifting means including a cam surface slidably engaging said cam follower, said cam surface being planar and being pivotally coupled to said support about a horizontal axis, said cam surface extending at an acute angle downwardly and towards said cam follower under the influence of gravity.

Claim 23

A mechanical wheel lift according to claim 17, wherein said lifting means further includes a pivot member pivotally coupled to said support and having said cam surface thereon.

Claim 24

A mechanical wheel lift according to claim 17, wherein said cam follower comprises a roller engaging said cam surface.

Claim 25

A mechanical wheel lift according to claim 17, wherein said wheel-engaging forks lie in a plane oriented at an acute angle to said cam surface.

Claim 26

A mechanical wheel lift for engaging and lifting the wheels of a car for use on a tow truck also having a pair of tow sling arms pivotally coupled on the rear wall of the truck and engaged together at an angle, the combination comprising: a support rigidly coupled on the rear wall of the truck; a member; first pivot means for pivotally coupling said member to said support about a transverse horizontal axis; a boom; second pivot means for pivotally coupling said boom to said member about a second transverse horizontal axis, said second pivot means including means for limiting the pivotal movement of said boom relative to said member to about 90° in one direction and for allowing said boom to pivot towards said member in the other direction; a pair of wheel-engaging forks; means for releasably coupling said pair of wheel-engaging forks to said boom; and power means, coupled to the truck, for reciprocating said member and boom upwardly and downwardly, thereby vertically reciprocating said wheel-engaging forks, said boom being maneuverable through said tow sling arms, after release of said wheel-engaging forks from said boom, by means of pivoting said member relative to said support and said boom relative to and towards said member.

Claim 27

A mechanical wheel lift for engaging and lifting the wheels of a car for use on a tow truck also having a pair of tow sling arms pivotally coupled on the rear wall of the truck and engaged together at an angle, the combination comprising: a support rigidly coupled on the rear wall of the truck; a member; first pivot means for pivotally coupling said member to said support about a transverse horizontal axis; a boom; second pivot means for pivotally coupling said boom to said member about a second transverse horizontal axis, said second pivot means including means for limiting the pivotal movement of said boom relative to said member to about 90° in one direction and for allowing said boom to pivot towards said member in the other direction; a pair of wheel-engaging forks; means for releasably coupling said pair of wheel-engaging forks to said boom; and power means, coupled to the truck, for reciprocating said member and boom upwardly and downwardly, thereby vertically reciprocating said wheel-engaging forks, said boom being maneuverable through said tow sling arms, after release of said wheel-engaging forks from said boom, by means of pivoting said member relative to said support and said boom relative to and towards said member.

Claim 28

A mechanical wheel lift according to claim 21, wherein said first pivot means includes means for allowing the pivotal movement of said member relative to said support through at least 180°.

Claim 29

A mechanical wheel lift for engaging and lifting the wheels of a car for use on a tow truck also having a pair of tow sling arms pivotally coupled on the rear wall of the truck and engaged together at an angle, the combination comprising: a support rigidly coupled on the rear wall of the truck; a lifting assembly; pivot means for pivotally coupling said lifting assembly to said support; a pair of wheel-engaging forks; means for releasably coupling said pair of wheel-engaging forks to said lifting assembly; and power means, coupled to the truck, for reciprocating said lifting assembly upwardly and downwardly, thereby vertically reciprocating said wheel-engaging forks, said lifting assembly being maneuverable through said tow sling arms, after release of said wheel-engaging forks from said lifting assembly, by means of pivoting said lifting assembly relative to said support, said support including means defining a cam follower, said lifting assembly including a cam surface slidably engaging said cam follower upon vertical reciprocation of said lifting assembly, said cam surface being planar and being pivotally coupled to said support about a horizontal axis, said cam surface extending at an acute angle downwardly and towards said cam follower under the influence of gravity.

Claim 30

A mechanical wheel lift for engaging and lifting the wheels of a car for use on a tow truck also having a pair of tow sling arms pivotally coupled on the rear wall of the truck and engaged together at an angle, the combination comprising: a support rigidly coupled on the rear wall of the truck; a lifting assembly; pivot means for pivotally coupling said lifting assembly to said support; a pair of wheel-engaging forks; means for releasably coupling said pair of wheel-engaging forks to said lifting assembly; and power means, coupled to the truck, for reciprocating said lifting assembly upwardly and downwardly, thereby vertically reciprocating said wheel-engaging forks, said lifting assembly being maneuverable through said tow sling arms, after release of said wheel-engaging forks from said lifting assembly, by means of pivoting said lifting assembly relative to said support, said support including means defining a cam follower, said lifting assembly including a cam surface slidably engaging said cam follower upon vertical reciprocation of said lifting assembly, said cam surface being planar and being pivotally coupled to said support about a horizontal axis, said cam surface extending at an acute angle downwardly and towards said cam follower under the influence of gravity.