Bumper Jack

[del]

Greetings All -

I've got a bumper jack question that I hope to get some help with. I have read enough of the old bumper jack posts to know that I should never actually USE the jack , but I'm trying to confirm that I have all the correct pieces.

From the research I've done, the base, upright and the J hook appear to be the correct ones. My question is about the ratchet mechanism - - It does not look the same as what was pictured in a post here a couple of years back. The mechanism is stamped "A-A" (the first "A" is a little bigger than the second one) and US Pat No 2,962,261. The stampings are on the same side of the mechanism as the Up / Down lever.

The problem I'm having is that the J hook and the mechanism will not mate up properly - they are nearly exactly the same dimensions which prevents the hook from engaging.

All help appreciated.

[JohnG]

hi Don
I have a set of jack parts that I got out of a 1958 that was going to be crushed. They seem to fit together correctly.

The racheting unit has Pat. No.2,731,232 on it. The base has AJ-C stamped on it, as well as an A on the other side.

I can take pictures of any of the pieces if it would help.

Oddly, when I Googled the Patent Number from mine, I come up with a patent for a screw type jack. I can offer no explanation for this (http://www.freepatentsonline.com/2731232.pdf )

On the other hand, if I Goggle your Pat. No. I come up with a racheting jack (http://www.freepatentsonline.com/2962261.pdf)

John

[GTE427]

Del,

I think you have the wrong ratchet. The correct one should measure 1.5" in width where the hook attaches, the very common ratchet circa 1950 & 60 measures 2" in that same spot. I should have pictures comparing the two that highlite the difference. Should be able to post tomorrow when at that computer. EDIT The picture you posted just came thru, your ratchet isn't correct it is 2" wide , so the TBird j-hook won't fit. I'll get the pictures posted tomorrow.

[JohnG]

Ken, does yours have any Pat.No. on it ?

john

[bird 60]

Jack

I checked mine in my '60 & was the same as Johns.

Chris....From the Land of OZ.

[GTE427]

You really don't need to bother with patent numbers or markings. The uniqueness of the TBird ratchet is the tapered width of 1.5" (approx) where the hook attaches and the metal tab instead of a spring to hold the J-Hook.

Many try to pass off the 2" ratchet as a TBird but it's not.

Look at the comparison pictures of ratchets and hooks and you'll easily be able to identify the Squarebird Jack ratchet from photos or at swap meets without looking for patent numbers.

[JohnG]

Great photos and comments, Ken!! That makes it easy!

John

[GTE427]

Thanks John. I wasn't able to to get a clear and intuitive description for identifing the ratchet/stalk of the Squarebird Jack for the longest time. Finally last fall while at a swap meet, a Small Bird vendor had a complete jack for sale at $30. He stated it could be used for the Squarebird but wasn't original to the Squarebird and he didn't know the difference and neither would anyone else (I didn't), honest enough.

Bought it and laid it next to a Squarebird Jack and the uniqueness of the Squarebird jack was very apparent. I'm glad Del asked the question as I took the photos last Fall to post here and it got over-looked.

Hopefully these pic will help in the future when members try to buy Jacks, since last fall I've seen several jacks for sale with 2" wide ratchets that sellers/vendors insist are original to squarebirds, buyers beware.

[del]

Ken, John, Chris - Thanks for the replies! Mystery solved.

Anybody out there have a spare, correct ratchet mechanism for trade or otherwise?

[partsetal]

Ken,
Great clarification of the jacks. Also, John's base AJ-C is correct according to the Master Parts Catalog. I have seen several different height posts. This "Y" style was also used on a chevy as I understand, but a different height. Posts that I have removed from original cars have all been 33 1/2" high. I have been tempted by other heights at swap meets but have passed on them. I'm not sure how critical a minor variation is in height.
Carl

[GTE427]

Carl,
Thanks for the additional info and I'll second it for the two jacks I have. 33.5"

[del]

My ratchet is something that doesn't match either of the 2 specimens previously shown...Althought it IS 1 1/2" wide it has no tab, and has some other differences in that area.

My stalk is 36", not 33 1/2" (...he said with a slight swagger...) so this must probably belong with the ratchet and some other vehicle.

The stampings on the base match up, and the hook appears correct, so that's good.

Here are some more pics...I hope...

[GTE427]

Del,
I can see what I posted may be mis-leading, allow me to clarify. I measured the hook widths at 1.5" & 2", then referred to the ratchets by the same width, once mentioning this to be approx. The ratchets have to be narrower to allow the hooks fit over. You've measured yours and it's smaller by a half inch, leading me to believe I should have annotated the picture with 1.5" and 1" if I had measured them and not the hooks.

What I was trying to illustrate in the captioned pictures is how the ratchet narrows or tapers down on the hook side of the stalk for the Squarebird. Looking at yours, its the same width on either side of the stalk, this won't permit the Squarebird hook to attach as you know. Excuse any confusion, should have measured all pieces before posting, thanks for pointing this out. can't edit the other post, see revised images attached.

[del]

Hi Ken - Thanks, I read you. Maybe my mechanism is some variation of the Ford -type you pictured. del