CA1328858C - Vehicle lift and carrier - Google Patents

Vehicle lift and carrier

Info

Publication number
CA1328858C
CA1328858C CA 592998 CA592998A CA1328858C CA 1328858 C CA1328858 C CA 1328858C CA 592998 CA592998 CA 592998 CA 592998 A CA592998 A CA 592998A CA 1328858 C CA1328858 C CA 1328858C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
platform
carrier
vehicle
rigid
hitch
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
CA 592998
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Paul Frances Beaudoin
Raymond Michael Belanger
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA 592998 priority Critical patent/CA1328858C/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1328858C publication Critical patent/CA1328858C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R9/00Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like
    • B60R9/06Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like at vehicle front or rear

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Handcart (AREA)

Abstract

ABSTRACT

A device for mounting on a motor vehicle to lift and carry another vehicle such as a wheelchair, motor bike or the like and which includes a vertically disposed elongate rigid member having movably mounted thereon a platform. The rigid vertical member has toward its lower end a coupling for detachably mounting the device on a trailer hitch attached to the motor vehicle. The device is so mounted that the vertical member is stabilized relative to the vehicle, and the platform in its movement relative to the rigid vertical member is guided and thereby stabilized during the raising and lowering of the platform. Typically, the platform is adapted to receive a wheeled vehicle, such as a motorized cart for the handicapped. The carrier includes apparatus for retaining the load on the platform when the platform is in a load carrying position. When not in use, the platform can be folded upwardly to lie against the vertical member of the unit and the platform can be positively kept in this collapsed condition.

Description

- 1 3~8858 VEHICLE LIFT AND CARRIER

Field of In ention The present invention relates to a device detachably mountable on a motor vehicle to lift and carry another vehicle such as a wheelchair, motor bike, motorized wheeled cart for the handicapped or the like. The device includes a movable platform that can be lowered to the road surface enabling easy loading of a cart or other wheeled vehicle onto the platform of the device. Once the load has been secured on the platform, the platform including load can be be raised by hoist means to a height suitable for transport. Although the carrier may be adapted for use with a variety of wheeled loads, it is particularly suitable for transporting non~
collapsable motorized carts for the handicapped.

Ba ~ ound of Inv_nti n Various types of wheelchair or other vehicle carriers 3;~ adapted for attachment to a motor vehicle are known. One type i8 particularly suitable for the transport of l; 20 collapsible wheelchairs. One example of such a carrier is ! described and illustrated in U.S. patent no. 4,297,069 to I Worthington. Another example is described and illustrated in ¦~ U.S. patent no. 4,697,9~5 to Lippold. These types of 3~ carriers are suitable for use with a conventional foldable wheelchair or other collapsible vehicle. One disadvantage of carriers such - ~

, .

~ 3?8858 as those described in the Worthington and Lippold patents is that they cannot be used to carry and transport non-collapsible wheelchairs or car~s, such as the increasingly popular motorized wheeled cart used by the physically handicapped. Furthermore, many of the vehicle carriers previously known require the exertion of manual force to either place the vehicle onto the carrier or to move the loaded carrier into position for transport. One disadvantage of carriers of this type is that a physically handicapped person may lack the capability to either place the load on the carrier or move the loaded carrier into position for transport, thus requiring the attendance of a second, non-disabled person to assist in carrying out these tasks.
It is desirable to have a vehicle lift and carrier adapted for attachment to a motor vehicle trailer hitch wherein the vehicle to be carried may be placed on the carrier, and subsequently the load bearing part of the carrier and vehicle raised into position for transport, with a minimum exertion of manual force. It is also desirable to have a lift and carrier which is easily and readily mountable on a motor vehicle, and which is collapsable 50 as to occupy a minimum of space when not in use.

S marY of the Inven_ion:
The present invention relates to a vehicle lift and carrier whlch is easily and readily mountable to a motor 1 ~8~8 vehicle trailer hitch and wh1ch may be used by a physically handîcapped person with the exertion of a minimal amount of physical force.
The present invention is a vehicle lift and carrier comprising a vertically disposed elongate rigid member and a platform movably mounted on the member. The member has, toward its lower end, coupling means for detachably mounting the member on a trailer hitch attached to a motor vehicle and stabilizing the member relative to the vehicle. Connecting the member and platform are hoist means which selectively raise and lower the platform relative to the member.
The platform is pivotally attached to the vertically disposed rigid member such that in its load carrying position it is horizontal, and in its collapsed condition is folded upwardly against the member and maintained in a collapsed condition by latch means.
The platform includes bars spaced apart from one another with plates mounted thereon onto which a wheeled vehicle may be rolled into a selected position and supported and retained in that position.
The platform is selectively raised and lowered by hoist means, which may comprise a winch, or in another aspect of the invention may comprise jacking means. Load retaining means extending from one of the platform and the member may , "-................................................ 1 328~:~g be used to retain the load on the platform after placement of the load thereon.
In another aspect of the :invention, the vertical member and platform are slidably interconnected, and in yet another aspect of the invention, the platform includes at least one vertically disposed element slidably mounted on the vertical member.
The coupling means may comprise a rigid horizontal portion extending outwardly from the member for telescopic co-action with the tube portion of a trailer hitch and means for locking the outwardly extending portion onto the hitch.
In another aspect of the invention, the coupling means -~
comprises a rigid horizontal portion extending outwardly from the member which is adapted to fit onto a ball type trailer hitch and means for locking the outwardly extending portion onto the hitch. In yet another aspect of the invention, the coupling means comprises an opening or recess in the member which is adapted to detachably receive a portion of the trailer hitch and means for locking the vertical member onto ~
the hitch. -.- .
List of Drawings.
The invention, is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings wherein~
Figure 1 is an elevational view of a fir~t embodiment of a lift and carrier of the invention;

,, ., ,.. ,, :.,, ~ 32885~

Figure 2 i5 a top view of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a side view of ~igure 1;
Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating the plat orm in a load carrylng position and broken line showing it in a lowered position;
Figure 5 is a perspective view showing in more detail the preferred coupling means for detachably mounting the device on a motor vehicle trailer hitch;
Figure 6 is an elevational view illustrating the platform folded upwardly against the vertical member and maintained in a collapsed condition; and Figure 7 is a side view illustrating the insertion of the horizontal portion extending outwardly from the base of the vertical member into the tube portion of a trailer hitch. ~

Detailed Descri~tion of Preferred ~mbodiments: -,~
Referring to Figures l, 2 and 3 of the drawings, there is illustrated a vehicle lift and carrier device that includes a vertically disposed rigid member 10 and a pair of parallel hollow members 11 connected thereto by a cross-bar 12. Atop vertical member 10 is mounted hoist means comprising a winch 30 that includes a cable 31. Cable 31 is attached to eyelet 43 on a horizontally disposed lift bar 42.
Lift bar 42, at its opposite ends, is attached to respective ones of a pair of parallel, vertically disposed, platform elements 41. The platform elements 41 are slidably mounted ,--;' ., on the hollow members 11 and, at their lower ends, are pivotally connected at pivot points 70 to respective ones of a pair of platform horizontal base members 40.
The platform is adapted to receive a wheeled motorized cart for the handicapped by mounting onto platform base members 40 a center track plate 45 that extends across the two members, having at one end an inclined ramp part 46 and at the other end a deprèssion 47. Extending laterally from one of platform base members 40 in the direction of ramp part 46 are a spaced apart pair of sloped elements 48.
A load retaining bar 60, which is hinged at hinge .
point 63, i8 pivotally attached as indicated at 61 to protrusion 62 extending from the upper end of one of vertically disposed platform elements 41. Retaining bar 60 is illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 in a load retaining position, and in Figure 6 in a folded condition. - ~ ;
As illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and ~, the vehicle lift and carrying device is detachably mounted onto a trailer : 20 hitch 80 of a motor vehicle by coupling means 50 which includes a rigid horizontal portion 51 connected to and :.
extending outwardly from the base of vertical member 10. The ::~:
rigid portion 51 includes an opening 52 for receiving a ~:
locking pin or other locking means. As illustrated in Figure 5, rigid horizontal portion 51 is a sguare in cross-section shaft, adapted for telescopic co-action with the tube portion of a motor vehicle trailer hitch of corresponding shape.
~, : '~

To illustrate the bperation of the herein described embodiment of the invention, reference may be had to Figure 4, which illustrates the lift and carrier mounted on the 5trailer hitch at the rear of a motor vehicle with the platform in the lowered and raised load carrying conditions, and Figure 6, which illustrates the platform folded upwardly :
and maintained i~ a collapsed condition. ~-Referring to Figure 4, the carrier i8 attached to 10trailer hitch 80 of motor vehicle 90 by coupling means 50.
Commencing with the carrier having the platform in a raised collapsed condition, pivotable notched latch 500 may b~ rotated upwardly away from center track plate 45 enabling platform base members 40 to rotate downwardly by gravity 15about pivot points 70. Once platform base members 40 have assumed a generally horizontal position, winch 30 may be ~--actuated to lower lift bar 42, and consequently base members 40, until sloped elements 48 and depression 47 are resting on the ground or road surface.
: 20During the lowerlng of the platform, the downward ; movement of the platform is guided by the slidable movement of platform element~ 41 within hollow members 11.
With the platform in the above condition, a physically handicapped person may drive his or her wheeled : 25 motorized cart onto the platform until the front wheel of the cart rests in depression 4~ and the rear wheels of the cart are in sloped elements 48. It will be noted that the shape 1 3~8858 of depression 47 and sloped elements 48, as well as their relative spacing to one another, will be such as to accommodate a standard wheeled motorized cart. With ~he cart in place on the platform, the individual may dismount the cart, and grasp retaining bar 60 and swing it from its folded position to its load carrying position to secure the cart on the platform. To place the cart into position for transport, the handicapped person need merely operate the winch 80 as to raise lift bar 42, and thereby the platform base members 40, to a desired height above the road surface suitable for travel. The upward movement of the loaded platform i6 guided ~-by the slidable movement of platform elements 41 within ;
hollow members 11. ~ -As described above, it will be appreciated that -~
loading and readying the carrier for transport requires a minimum of physical exertion, thus enabling a physically handicapped person to transport a wheeled motorized cart from one locat~on to another using a motor vehicle without the assistance of a second person who is not 80 disabled.
As illustrated in Pigures 4 and 7, the carrier may be easily and readily attached to a motor vehicle trailer hitch.
Rigid portion 51 of coupling means 50 is adapted to be inserted into corresponding trailer hitch 80 which is welded or otherwise attached to the frame of the motor vehicle.
After rigid portion 51 i8 inserted into hitch 80, a locking pin or bolt is inserted through collinear aperture 85 in --':

trailer hitch 80 and opening 52 in rigid portion 51, thereby locking the carrier onto the trailer hitch and motor vehicle.
The insertion of rigid portion 51 into trailer hitch 80 and co-action of their corresponding shapes stabil1zes the carrier relative to the motor vehicle.
The present invention is not limited to the features of the embodiments so described and illu~trated, but includes all variations and modifications within the scope of the claims.

s " ~ '

Claims (9)

1. A carrier comprising, a vertically disposed elongate rigid member, said member having toward its lower end coupling means for detachably mounting said member on a trailer hitch attached to a motor vehicle and stabilizing said member relative to said vehicle, a platform movably mounted on said rigid member, hoist means connected to said member and said platform to selectively raise and lower said platform relative to said member, means pivotally attaching said platform to said vertically disposed rigid member wherein in a load carrying position said platform is disposed horizontally and in a collapsed condition is folded upwardly against said member, and latch means to maintain said platform in said collapsed condition, wherein said platform includes bars spaced apart from one another and having plates mounted thereon onto which a wheeled vehicle can be rolled.
2. The carrier claimed in claim 1 wherein said hoist means comprises a winch.
3. The carrier claimed in claim 1 wherein said hoist means comprises jacking means.
4. The carrier claimed in claim 1 wherein said member and said platform are slidably interconnected.
5. The carrier claimed in claim 1 wherein said platform includes at least one vertically disposed element slidably mounted on said member.
6. The carrier claimed in claim 1 including load retaining means extending from one of said platform and said member to said load.
7. The carrier claimed in claim 1, 2 or 6 wherein said coupling means comprises a rigid horizontal portion extending outwardly from said member for telescopic co-action with the tube portion of a trailer hitch and means for locking said outwardly extending portion onto said hitch.
8. The carrier claimed in claim 1, 2 or 6 wherein said coupling means comprises a rigid horizontal portion extending outwardly from said member which is adapted to fit onto a ball type trailer hitch and means for locking said outwardly extending portion onto said hitch.
9. The carrier claimed in claim 1, 2 or 6 wherein said coupling means comprises an opening in said member adapted to detachably receive a portion of the trailer hitch and means for locking said member onto said hitch.
CA 592998 1989-03-07 1989-03-07 Vehicle lift and carrier Expired - Fee Related CA1328858C (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 592998 CA1328858C (en) 1989-03-07 1989-03-07 Vehicle lift and carrier

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 592998 CA1328858C (en) 1989-03-07 1989-03-07 Vehicle lift and carrier

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1328858C true CA1328858C (en) 1994-04-26

Family

ID=4139738

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 592998 Expired - Fee Related CA1328858C (en) 1989-03-07 1989-03-07 Vehicle lift and carrier

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1328858C (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL1023396C2 (en) * 2003-05-12 2004-11-18 Andreas Paulus Maria Van Beers Load rack for e.g. bicycles for securing to vehicle tow hook, includes jack between base and load support parts of rack
DE102012003629A1 (en) 2012-02-24 2012-10-04 Daimler Ag Bicycle transport device mounted to passenger car, has actuating unit that includes lever element and actuates height adjustment mechanism which changes position of fixing unit

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL1023396C2 (en) * 2003-05-12 2004-11-18 Andreas Paulus Maria Van Beers Load rack for e.g. bicycles for securing to vehicle tow hook, includes jack between base and load support parts of rack
DE102012003629A1 (en) 2012-02-24 2012-10-04 Daimler Ag Bicycle transport device mounted to passenger car, has actuating unit that includes lever element and actuates height adjustment mechanism which changes position of fixing unit

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
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