Jackstands

[ABetterJack]

Hello everyone, I'm a new member to this forum, but have been visiting the page for a while now just as a spectator. I am a senior at Kent Island High School and as a capstone project for my engineering course, I am required to invent something, or improve on a current product. I myself am in my garage working on restoring my 1976 Ford Bronco almost every day. Naturally, I wanted to improve on a garage tool, so the first thing that came to my mind was a safer jack stand. The majority of jack stand failure is due to human error, in many cases due to not using wheel chocks.

My design would feature a square base plate, to eliminate the jack sinking on soft surfaces and asphalt. I would do away with the cheap cast ratcheting mechanism, and use a safer screw system similar to those seen on an under hoist safety stand. Lastly, to encourage people to use wheel chocks, the stand would come with one that attaches to the side for safe keeping via a pin. This pin would extend through the screw shaft at the bottom, which prevents it from being raised until the pin is removed, and the wheel chock is, hopefully, installed.

The link for my short survey is below, if you have time, please take it, it will help me determine if this is a viable project. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, feel free to post them or message me.

Thanks everyone.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScRWd0NHrqYqSU5gACraus168rc0fz9bJQzLgqRWR6n9-C_Xg/viewform

 

[APEowner]

Hi. Welcome to the forum. I applaud your initiative and hope that you recognize what a great opportunity you have to take that course while in high school.

I filled out the survey for you.

 

[LX-Markham]

Another high-five for the initiative. I love the integrated wheel chock idea.

Couple of things to consider: to encourage people to use jack stands they have to be convenient and easy to use.

A solid steel baseplate is going to make the stand very heavy and not easy to move around under the vehicle.
And the 'cheap' ratcheting mechanism is way faster and more convenient than a slow screw (that sounded dirty).

 

[ChaseDE]

I like the idea and design, concerns would be weight depending on materials used, and storage/size options.

 

[lilredex]

These are the stands I made, about thirty years ago, copied from those offered at the time, at my local Canadian Tire Store.

They have worked out well and have been used both on asphalt and concrete without incident. I placed an 1/8" steel plate under them when used on soft materials.

 

[Rewind97]

Good luck with your project!!! I don't like the ratcheting style stands myself, just don't trust them as much. I would prefer either a screw type as you are designing or even a pin type like lilredex made. What I like about the screw type is you have much better fine tuning when raising the stand instead of the preset ratchet "teeth" or even the pin hole locations. As someone else mentioned weight is also a concern, it the stand were very heavy I would be less likely to use it. In MHO it would be better to have say a 3" dia disk at each corner instead of a solid plate footing.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

I concur... good initiative. My thoughts, echoed here, are weight and ease of use. I would go for large pads and not 1 large base plate. The screw adjustment, while providing "infinite" adjustment is slow and cumbersome (to ratchet or shear/locking pin). The added safety of the chock/pin is interesting, but I know people are lazy. You'd need to lower the jack back down after every use to put the chock/pin in place.

 

[ChaseDE]

I might get beat up for this but....

Typically we use jack stands on a nice flat concrete floor in the garage. Often I use jack stands in my not so flat asphalt driveway though. with mid bracing the stand can flex just a bit if needed, i wonder if having a solid plate across the whole bottom would introduce stress issues in the design.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Welcome to the group!
I also applaud your initiative and choice of hobbies. You'll go far.

 

[aka Larry]

You might also modified the 'rubber pad' to be something removable like a hockey puck with a slot that can be used to properly place the jack stand under the pinch moldings.

 

[Ign]

I like the idea and design, concerns would be weight depending on materials used, and storage/size options.

More than that, final cost.

But as a machinist, I love the rendering. Looks like a giant screw jack for a mill table!

Properly done threads aren't that slow, look at pipe stands and they're good for at least 2500# per.

OP, have you looked at the aftermarket "plastic" bases intended for using Hi-Lifts in the sand? Might be a way to cut weight and cost, optional accy for your primary stand perhaps.

 

[Ign]

Incidentally, I don't know what "fully welded" means but don't weld the entire base perimeter; you'll only introduce warping & incur extra time & expense with all that bead.

With a proper weld the gusseting shown under the head is completely unnecessary and reduces minimum height considerably. I know it looks cool but it's impractical for function and expense.

 

[moron88]

the wheel chock with retaining pin lockout is a good idea, but i see 2 problems with it in a mass production end user scenario. first, it'll be very annoying trying to get the hole lined up perfectly to put the pin back in. the second makes the first redundant, and that is once that pin is out, well over half will never be put back in. this would likely be exacerbated by the alignment tedium. that said, the CYA lawyers at a company like bendpak/ranger or otc will like you.

also, if viable, i would like to see the ability to use a ratchet or impact to raise and lower it. all it would need is an access hole and a nut on the bottom.

 

[ChaseDE]

good points

what you want to do (are we redesigning this thing now haha) is....

in the threaded collar that spins, put a spring loaded pin there that stays with the collar.

on the base instead of a big long pin that goes through just make a square hole in the chock and a square peg in the base so you can drop the chock there on the base and the pegs slides into the hole.....

knowwhatimean

 

[ABetterJack]

These are some really great suggestions, I am making notes on all of them and you all have come up with some awesome ideas that I really think can improve my design! Thanks again for the responses, I never expected to have this level of feedback.

 

[ABetterJack]

So I definitely agree with the weight issue, and the fact that it would be tedious to return the screw to the exact height to re-insert the wheel chock pin. I think the "disk on each foot" idea would be a great way to save weight and still produce good ground contact area and stability. I will also look into how I could incorporate the ability to raise and lower with a drill, that would be super convenient. ChaseDE, my computer doesn't want to quote you for some reason, so if you see this, could you explain your idea for the spring loaded pin and square peg? I feel like this is a better alternative but I do not fully understand.

 

[ChaseDE]

Maybe this helps

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Your picture reminded Me of the JET 25 Ton house moving jacks I bought for using under semi trucks.. Take a look at their website and see if any ideas or tips come to mind for Your project..

 

[ABetterJack]

Maybe this helps

That cleared everything up, thanks for taking the time to do that, definitely a very strong option for the next design sketch.

 

[catron44]

Hey Guys, my first post after reading for days...I'll go make an introductory post so I don't take away from this discussion.

I personally wouldn't mind having a worm gear set up that I can drive using my drill or impact gun to raise and lower the stand. I would include a locking pin like the newer ratcheting stands. This would allow for one handed raising and lowering. I know I always like to free up a hand when I can.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Hey Guys, my first post after reading for days...I'll go make an introductory post so I don't take away from this discussion.

I personally wouldn't mind having a worm gear set up that I can drive using my drill or impact gun to raise and lower the stand. I would include a locking pin like the newer ratcheting stands. This would allow for one handed raising and lowering. I know I always like to free up a hand when I can.

drill? yes; nice steady torque.

earth shattering impact wrench hammering away on a worm gear? na