Dual post single screw automotive screw lift system

Abstract

An automotive lift system includes an environment-defining enclosure having an upwardly directed mouth positioned substantially at work level of the system, the enclosure defining both a longitudinal and a transverse axis. The lift system also includes an in-ground anchoring of the enclosure relative to reactive forces generated by vehicles during lifting by the system, the anchoring disposed substantially at the work level and about the mouth of the enclosure. A rigid support frame is secured upon inner annular surfaces of the anchoring, defining a rigid horizontal plane at the mouth of the enclosure and co-parallel with it. Vertically-oriented cylindrical collars are secured to opposite longitudinal ends of the support frame. Further, a vertically oriented elongated screw drive having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end including an annular thrust bearing, is positioned at about the level of the support frame. The system further includes a motor for imparting selectable rotation to the screw drive, an output of the motor in mechanical linkage to the thrust bearing of the screw drive. A load nut is screw-threadably and non-rotationally mounted about the screw drive. Further provided is a horizontal cross-beam, which is rigidly mounted upon the load nut, co-parallel with the longitudinal axis of the enclosure. A load nut mounting tube is positioned radially outwardly of the screw drive, the tube having a lower end rigidly mounted upon the load nut.