Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 INNOVATION PATENT SPECIFICATION (ORIGINAL) Name of Applicant: Automobility Pty Ltd of 5 McLellan Street, Bayswater, Victoria 3153, Australia Actual Inventor: Jeffery Duncan WATTERS Address for Service: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, 1 Nicholson Street, Melbourne 3000, Victoria, Australia Innovation Patent specification for the invention entitled: "A method of converting a vehicle for accessability" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: C:NRPonbDCCEJLI109239 .DOC.I11l20 10 A METHOD OF CONVERTING A VEHICLE FOR ACCESSIBILITY Field of the Invention 5 This invention relates to a method of converting a vehicle for improved accessibility, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a method of converting a vehicle for enabling or improving wheelchair accessibility to the vehicle. Background of the Invention 10 It has been previously proposed to convert standard vehicles for wheelchair accessibility. Such conversions can be made by improving clearance within the vehicle by raising the ceiling of the vehicle and/or by lowering a floor of the vehicle. In some previous conversions, where the vehicle has independent rear suspension the floor has been 15 lowered to provide a flat aisle between the rear suspension mountings, and where the vehicle has non-independent rear suspension the floor has been lowered either side of the rear axle to provide an aisle with a hump to accommodate the axle. In an improvement conceived by the applicant, a vehicle with non-independent 20 suspension is converted for improved wheelchair accessibility by removing non independent rear suspension mountings, and by replacing those mountings with independent rear suspension mountings so as to avoid having a rear beam axle. Without the rear beam axle, the floor of the vehicle is able to be lowered to provide a flat aisle between the suspension mountings, which previously was not possible with vehicles 25 having non-independent suspension. This is advantageous as it broadens the range of vehicles able to be converted to have a flat aisle for improved rear wheelchair accessibility, to include non-independent suspension vehicles which are in many instances less expensive than vehicles having independent suspension. 30 However, with the release of the VQ Kia Carnival vehicle having multi-link rear suspension, it became apparent to the applicant that there exists a difficulty in converting C ~r C If0~l?M.3_L.t3OC-I3:IMff|l -2 the vehicle for improved rear wheelchair access as the multi-link rear suspension does not provide space for lowering the floor between the suspension mountings, and the chassis rails diverge outwardly toward the rear of the vehicle creating a difficulty in suspending a lowered floor between the rails. 5 Examples of the present invention seek to provide an improved method of converting a vehicle for accessibility which overcomes or at least alleviates one or more disadvantages associated with previous conversions. 10 Summary of the Invention In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of mounting a lowered floor section between chassis rails of a vehicle, the rails having straight elongate sections lengthwise of the vehicle and diverging sections angled 15 outwardly from adjacent a rear suspension location, the method including the steps of: removing original rear-wheel suspension mountings from the vehicle; fixing straight support beams to the chassis to extend in-line with the straight sections of the rails, between the diverging sections, to support the lowered floor section therebetween; fitting an independent rear-wheel trailing arm suspension mounting on each side of the lowered 20 floor section; providing an adaptor bracket at a trailing end of each of the trailing arm suspension mountings; removing original rear wheel and brake assemblies from the original suspension mountings; and fitting the original rear wheel and brake assemblies to the adaptor brackets. 25 Preferably, the method further includes the step of directly attaching a frame of the lowered floor section to the straight support beams. More preferably, the lowered floor section has substantially parallel straight sidewalls. In a preferred example, rear end portions of the straight support beams are braced 30 to the rear of the diverging sections.
C:\NRPor1bflCC\EiLui 43_1OC-IUIWl2I -3 Preferably, the method further includes the step of removing an original floor section from between the chassis rails prior to fixing the straight support beams to the chassis. 5 In an example, the lowered floor section is for carrying a wheelchair from a rear of the vehicle into the vehicle. Preferably, the method is for converting the vehicle for wheelchair access, and the lowered floor section is in the form of a wheelchair access ramp. 10 Preferably, the step of fixing the support beams to the chassis includes fixing the support beams in mutually substantially parallel relationship for supporting the frame of the lowered floor section having substantially parallel straight sidewalls arranged in line with the support beams, 15 There is also disclosed a method of converting a vehicle having multi-link rear suspension for rear access, including the steps of removing original rear-wheel multi-link suspension mountings from the vehicle; and fitting an independent rear-wheel trailing arm suspension mounting to a bracket on each side of the vehicle, whereby to widen a distance between the suspension mountings so as to facilitate lowering of a portion of a floor of the 20 vehicle between the suspension mountings for providing access at a rear of the vehicle. Preferably, the step of removing the original rear-wheel multi-link suspension mountings from the vehicle includes the steps of removing a transverse lower arm of the multi-link suspension, and removing an axis substantially longitudinal of the vehicle about 25 which axis the lower arm is arranged to pivot. More preferably, the step of fitting an independent rear-wheel trailing arm suspension mounting to a bracket on each side of the vehicle includes the steps of fitting a substantially transverse axis to the bracket; and C:V4RPonbl\DCC\EJL\2821453_1 DOC-3O/03/20I10 -4 coupling a longitudinal arm of the rear-wheel trailing arm suspension mounting to the transverse axis to pivot about the transverse axis. Preferably, the method includes the steps of removing a floor section from between 5 chassis rails of the vehicle; fixing straight support beams to the chassis rails so as to provide support for a lowered floor section for wheelchair access from the rear of the vehicle; and attaching a frame of a lowered floor section to depend from the support beams; wherein the brackets to which the rear-wheel trailing arm suspension mountings are fitted are formed as part of the frame of the lowered floor section. 10 In a preferred form, the step of fixing the support beams to the chassis rails includes fixing the support beams to the chassis rails at a forward portion thereof such that at a rearward diverging section where the chassis rails divert outwardly the support beams extend within the chassis rails in spaced relationship to the chassis rails to support the 15 frame of the lowered floor section at locations intermediate the diverging sections of the chassis rails. Preferably, the method further includes the steps of providing an adaptor bracket at a trailing end of each of the trailing arm suspension mountings; removing original rear 20 wheel and brake assemblies from the multi-link suspension mountings; and fitting the original rear wheel and brake assemblies to the adaptors. In one example, there is provided a vehicle converted for improved accessibility by mounting a lowered floor section between chassis rails of the vehicle, wherein the chassis 25 rails have elongate sections lengthwise of the vehicle and diverging sections angled outwardly from adjacent a rear suspension location, and wherein the vehicle has been converted by fixing straight support beams to the chassis to extend in-line with the straight sections of the rails, between the diverging sections, to support the lowered floor section therebetween.
CINRPanbI\DCC\EJL0 11743 1 .DOC-Mi/Iif 2 n111 - 4A There is also disclosed a vehicle converted for improved rear accessibility wherein the vehicle has independent rear-wheel trailing arm suspension mountings fitted on each side of the vehicle in place of original rear-wheel multi-link suspension mountings to widen a distance between the suspension mountings, and wherein a lowered floor section 5 is mounted between the independent rear-wheel trailing arm suspension mountings. Brief Description of the Drawings The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to 10 the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an underside perspective view of a rear wheel suspension mounting of a vehicle having multi-link suspension, shown prior to conversion; C:NRPonbl\DCCE .IA\l80X239 j.DOC-131Ir2010 -5 Figure 2 is a rear underside perspective view of the vehicle of Figure 1, shown prior to conversion; Figure 3 is a rear underside perspective view of the vehicle of Figures 1 and 2, 5 shown during conversion; Figure 4 is a front underside perspective view of the vehicle of Figures 1 to 3, shown during conversion; 10 Figure 5 is an underside view of a rear portion of the vehicle of Figures 1 to 4, shown during conversion; Figure 6 is a rear underside view of the vehicle of Figures 1 to 5, shown with a lowered floor section between chassis rails of the vehicle; 15 Figure 7 is a front side perspective view of an independent rear suspension mounting of the vehicle of Figures 1 to 6; Figure 8 is a rear side perspective view of the independent rear suspension 20 mounting of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a rear perspective view of a lowered floor section of the converted vehicle; 25 Figure 10 is an underside perspective view of a rear suspension mounting of the converted vehicle; Figure 11 is a top perspective view of a frame of the lowered floor section, shown prior to fitment; 30 C:\NRPorbl\DCC\EJLI I KOK2 1._ I DOC-1l,11i2Io0 -6 Figure 12 is an upper perspective view of a rear suspension trailing arm component; Figure 13 is a rear outside perspective view of the rear suspension component of 5 Figure 12; and Figure 14 is a lower inside perspective view of a rear trailing arm suspension component shown fitted to the converted vehicle. 10 Detailed Description A method of mounting a lowered floor section 10 between chassis rails 12 of a vehicle 14 in accordance with an example of the invention is illustrated in Figures 1 to 14 of the drawings. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a rear suspension layout of the vehicle 15 14 is shown prior to conversion. The original rear-wheel suspension mountings 16 are in the form of multi-link rear suspension mountings 16, each of which has a transverse lower arm 18 which pivots about an axis 20 oriented substantially longitudinally of the vehicle. The original rear-wheel suspension mountings 16 include longitudinal suspension locating arms 22 which are connected between the brake assembly 24 and the structure of the 20 vehicle 14 for locating the rear wheels. All components of the original rear-wheel suspension mountings 16 are removed during the conversion process, and the vehicle is stripped back to expose a chassis 26 of the vehicle 14, as shown in Figures 3 to 5. As can be seen, the chassis rails 12 have 25 elongated sections 30 forward of rear coil spring mounting locations 32 which sections extend lengthwise of the vehicle 14, and diverging sections 34 which are angled outwardly from adjacent the rear coil spring mounting locations 32. The applicant has conceived a method of mounting a lowered floor section 10 (see Figure 6) between the chassis rails 12 by fixing straight support beams 36 to the chassis 26 to extend in-line with the straight 30 sections of the rails 12, between the diverging sections 34, to support the lowered floor section 10 therebetween.
C\NRPonb\DCCELAI 808219 LDOC. I 3/)1/2) 10 -7 The fixing of the straight support beams 36 to the chassis 26 may be achieved by welding and/or by other means of fixing such as by use of adhesive, bolts, etc. As seen most clearly in Figure 3, the straight support beams 36 are fixed to the elongate sections 30 5 of the chassis rails 12 along the length of the elongate sections 30, and extend inwardly of the diverging sections 34 rearwardly of the rear suspension locations and, more particularly, the rear coil spring mounting locations 32 (in the example shown). Removable guide frames 38 may be used in combination with one or more clamps 40 to locate the straight support beams 36 correctly during fixing. As can be seen with reference 10 to Figure 5, the straight support beams 36 create points in space to which a frame 42 of the lowered floor section 10 can be securely attached. Rear end portions of the straight support beams 36 may be braced to the rear of the diverging sections 34 by way of a bracing skirt 44, as shown. 15 The straight support beams 36 are fixed to the chassis 26 in mutually substantially parallel relationship for supporting the frame 42 of the lowered floor section 10 having substantially parallel straight sidewalls 46 arranged in line with the support beams 36. With reference to Figure 6, the substantially parallel straight sidewalls 46 of the lowered floor section 10 are shown as mounted to the converted vehicle, supported by the straight 20 support beams 36 between the diverging sections 34 of the chassis rails 12. Accordingly, the lowered floor section 10 forms a wheelchair access ramp for improving wheelchair access from the rear of the vehicle 14. Advantageously, as the multi-link rear-wheel suspension mountings 16 are removed from the vehicle 14, the lowered floor section 10 is able to be formed with a flat floor, as the need to create a hump in the floor over rear 25 suspension components extending across the vehicle 14 is obviated by replacement of the original rear-wheel suspension mountings 16 with independent rear-wheel trailing arm suspension mountings 48 (as shown in Figures 6 to 10). The frame 42 of the lowered floor section 10 is pre-assembled prior to direct 30 attachment to the straight support beams 36, and is shown in Figure I I prior to attachment. The frame 42 has substantially parallel straight sidewalls which correspond to the straight C:\NRPortb\DCCEJAIl)M2391 DOC-13/l/2T10 -8 sidewalls 46 of the lowered floor section 10, and a flat floor frame section 50 between the sidewalls. Side beams 52 extend along the sides of the frame 42 to facilitate direct attachment to the straight support beams 36, as depicted in Figure 9. The side beams 52 have outer recesses 54 to accommodate coil springs 56 of the independent rear-wheel 5 trailing arm suspension mountings 48. Brackets 58 extend to either side of the side beams 52 for fitment of the independent rear-wheel trailing arm suspension mountings 48 on each side of the lowered floor section 10. The independent rear-wheel trailing arm suspension mountings 48 are fitted to the 10 brackets 58 by coupling a longitudinal arm component 60 of the independent suspension mountings 48 to rotate about a transverse axis supported at an outer end by the bracket 58, and at an inside end by a respective one of the side beams 52. Such an arrangement provides compact rear suspension operation. Through widening the distance between the suspension mountings by removal of the original rear-wheel suspension mountings 16 and 15 fitting the independent rear-wheel trailing arm suspension mountings 48, lowering of a portion of the floor of the vehicle 14 between the suspension mountings is facilitated. With reference to Figures 12 to 14, each longitudinal arm component 60 is provided with an adaptor bracket 62 at a trailing end, such that the original rear wheels and 20 brake assemblies are able to be removed from the original suspension mountings 16 and fitted to the adaptor brackets 62. The adaptor bracket 62 has two apertures 64, 66 which are used for bolting the brake assembly 24 thereto, as shown in Figure 8. A further attachment point 68 may be welded to the longitudinal arm component 60 part way along its length for securing of the brake assembly 24 at a third location, as shown in Figure 10. 25 Advantageously, examples of the present invention provide a method of converting a vehicle for improved accessibility, whereby the converted vehicle is economical and of high quality construction. 30 While an example of the present invention has been described above, it should be understood that it has been presented by way of example only, and not by way of C:NRPonbhDCC\EJL\iM8219 DOC-13101/21M -9 limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by the above described example. 5 For example, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although the method described in the specification is for converting a vehicle for wheelchair access by way of forming the lowered floor section as a wheelchair access ramp, similar conversions may be made for other purposes without departing from the spirit and scope of the 10 invention. The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or 15 information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and 20 "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.