CA2180791A1 - Wheelchair lift - Google Patents
Wheelchair liftInfo
- Publication number
- CA2180791A1 CA2180791A1 CA002180791A CA2180791A CA2180791A1 CA 2180791 A1 CA2180791 A1 CA 2180791A1 CA 002180791 A CA002180791 A CA 002180791A CA 2180791 A CA2180791 A CA 2180791A CA 2180791 A1 CA2180791 A1 CA 2180791A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- wheelchair
- upper portion
- support member
- hoist according
- cab
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G3/00—Ambulance aspects of vehicles; Vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances, e.g. for facilitating access of, or for loading, wheelchairs
- A61G3/02—Loading or unloading personal conveyances; Facilitating access of patients or disabled persons to, or exit from, vehicles
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G3/00—Ambulance aspects of vehicles; Vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances, e.g. for facilitating access of, or for loading, wheelchairs
- A61G3/02—Loading or unloading personal conveyances; Facilitating access of patients or disabled persons to, or exit from, vehicles
- A61G3/0209—Loading or unloading personal conveyances; Facilitating access of patients or disabled persons to, or exit from, vehicles with storage means for unused wheelchair or stretcher
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G3/00—Ambulance aspects of vehicles; Vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances, e.g. for facilitating access of, or for loading, wheelchairs
- A61G3/02—Loading or unloading personal conveyances; Facilitating access of patients or disabled persons to, or exit from, vehicles
- A61G3/06—Transfer using ramps, lifts or the like
- A61G3/062—Transfer using ramps, lifts or the like using lifts connected to the vehicle
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
- B60P1/00—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading
- B60P1/54—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading using cranes for self-loading or self-unloading
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention provides a hoist for lifting a wheelchair into a vehicle, particularly of the type which can be operated by the wheelchair user. The wheelchair hoist is for use by a person sitting in the cab of the vehicle. The hoist is located behind the cab of the vehicle and loads a wheelchair into the cargo box of the vehicle from a location beside one of the cab doors. The wheelchair hoist comprises an upright support member, a wheelchair support arm, means for raising and lowering the wheelchair; means for elevating the upper portion of the upright support member; means for pivoting the upper portion of the upright support member about an upright axis for positioning the wheelchair in the cargo box; and control means for controlling the operation of the hoist.
Description
218~791 WHEELCHAIR LIFT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to hoists for lifting wheelchairs into vehicles, particularly of the type which can be operated by the 5 wheelchair user.
BACKGROUND
Some disabled and injured individuals who use wllJ~l~h-! ~ are able to drive vehicles outfitted for driving by hand controls. Such an individual often faces the problem of loading the wheelchair into the vehicle 10 after ~etting into the vehicle his/herself. This problem can often be dealt with by simply foldin~ the wheelchair and manually liftin~ it into a position for storage behind the driver's seat.
This solution although practical for use in vehicles such as cars and vans, where there is space behind the driver's seat that is easily 15 e--os "e, does not work well for vehicles such as pickup trucks. Pickup trucks usually do not have any space behind the back seat where a wheelchair could be stored. Since it is illl~u,cll,licdl for an individual who uses a wheelchair to lift the wheelchair over the side wall of the car~o box and place it into the cargo box while at the same time sitting in the cab of 20 the truck another solution is needed.
SUMMARY
According to the present invention there is provided, in a vehicle having a cab with an access door and a cargo box:
a wheelchair hoist for use by a person sitting in the cab of the 25 vehicle for loading a v."e~ air into the cargo box of the vehicle from a location beside the door of the cab, said wheelchair hoist comprising:
an upright support member having an upper portion and a lower ~ ~18073~
portion, with the lower portion fixed to the cargo box of the vehicle st a location behind the cab of the vehicle and with the upper portion mounted for rotation on the lower portion and for movement on the lower portion between raised and lowered positions;
S a wheelchair support arm secured to the upper portion of the upright support member and extending laterally outwards from the upper portion, said wl,eelclla.. support arm being selectively movable with the upper portion of the support member between a stored position below the top of the cab and behind the cab, and a lifting position above the cab 10 projecting beyond the door of the cab; and means for raising and lowering the wl ,eel~ ;r towards and away from the wheelchair support arm at a position spaced from the support member.
Plt~t~la~ly the means for raising and lowering the wheelchair 15 comprises a suspension means on the support arm at a position spaced from the support member; a reversible winch means; an elongate flexible member extending from the winch means, over the suspension means to a free end;
and connection means for connecting the wheelchair to the free end of the elongate flexible means; and wherein operating the winch in a first mode 20 causes the free end of the elongate flexible member to be drawn upwards towards the support arm thus raising the wl,eelcl,~:.; and wherein operating the winch in a second mode causes the free end of the elongate flexible member to move downwards thus lowering the ~I,eelch2;(.
r,~rl ~ably the upper and lower portions of the upri~ht support 25 member telescope relative to each other and the upper portion is raised by operating the winch.
Prer~,ably the means for pivoting the upper portion of the 218~791 upright support member include a handle fixed at one end to the upper portion of the upright support member extending laterally outwards ll,er~:r,~r". The handle is arranged such that pivoting the handle about the upright axis pivots the upper portion of the upright member about said upright axis thereby allowing for posiLio";"g of the free end of the support arm and the ~t.; ,eelcll~ir. The support is located to make the handle ~r~cess;'~le from the cab, for example through a rear window.
BRiEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accoll" a"ying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invent~on:
Figure 1 is a side view of the wheelchair hoist showing the hoist elevated;
Figure 2 is a side view of the wl,eelcllc,i. hoist showing the hoist lowered;
Figure 3 is a front view of the wheelchair hoist;
Figure 4 is a rear view of the wheelchair hoist; and Figure 5 is a top view of the vehicle and wheelchair hoist showing the hoist in various positions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to Figures 1 and 5 the wheelchair hoist is shown generally at 10. The wheelchair hoist 10 is used for loading a wheelchair 12 into the cargo box 14 of a pick up truck or similar vehicle 16. The wheelchair hoist 10 co",,,)rises an upright support member 26, a wheelchair support arm 35, means for raising and lowering the wheelchair 12; means for elevating the upper portion of the upri~ht support member; means for pivoting the upper portion of the upright support member; and control means 24 (Figure 5) for controlling the operation of the hoist.
~18079~
The upright support member 26 c~",prises an upper portion 28 and a lower portion 30. The lower portion 30 is an upright cylindrical member sized such that when it is in place in the cargo box of the vehicle it does not project above the height of the cab 17. The lower portion 30 is fixed at its bottom end 32 to a base plate 34. The base plate 34 is fixed in turn to the floor 36 of the cargo box 14 of the vehicle 16, thereby securing the upright support 26 in place in the cargo box 14.
The upper portion 28 of the upright support member 26 is a cylindrical tubular member, having a diameter sized to allow it to slide over the lower portion 30. This allows the upper portion 28 to telescope over the lower portion 30, and also to pivot about the lower portion 30.
Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 the upright support member 26 includes a guide collar 31. The guide collar 31 is fixed to the vehicle 16 by a connecting member 33 and is arranged around the upper portion 28 of the upright support member 26 such that the upper portion 28 of the upright support member 26 may slide within the collar 31. This a,~ ",e"l provides lateral support to the upri~ht support member 26 and guides the up and down movement of the upper portion 28.
The ~I,eelclla:. support arm 35 extends laterally outwards from the upper portion 28 of the upright support member 26 to a free end 37.
The support arm 35 includes a upright member 38 arranged adjacent and spaced laterally from the upper portion 28 of the upright support member 26. The upright member 38 is fixed to the upper portion 28 of the upright support member 26 by first and second co,)"e-.lion members 40 and 42.
The first connection member 40 is fixed at one end to the bottom of the upright member 38 and at the other end to the upri~ht support member 26 near the bottom end of the upper portion 28. The second connection 218~79~
member 42 is fixed at one end to the top of the upright member 38 and at the other end to the upright support member 26 near the top end of the upper portion 28.
The wheelchair support arm 35 also includes an arm member 5 44 extending ho,i~unL~. ly and laterally outwards from a first end 46, which is fixed to the upright member 38, to the free end 37. The arm member 44 extends outwards from the upright member 38 from opposite the upper portion 28 of the upright support member 26 such that the arm member 44, the upright member 38, and the upper portion 28 of the upright support 10 member 26 are aligned with one another. A strut member 47 extends from a point near the first end 46 of the arm member 44 to a point near the top end of the upright member 38. The strut member 47 gives support to the arm member 44.
The means for raising and lowering the wheelchair 12 cor"p,i ,es a first pulley 48, a winch 50 cable guides 52 and a connection means 54.
The first pulley 48 is arranged at the free end 37 of the arm member 44 of the wl ,eelcllail support arm 35. The first pulley 48 is mounted by a pair of opposed flanges 49 arranged one on either side of the arm member 44 extending outwards from the free end 37 and Iying in line with the support member 44. The flanges 49 extend past the pulley and are joined together at their ends by a connecting member 51 extending between the flanges 49. The connecting member 51 acts as a stop when raising the cable member 58.
The winch 50 col"p~i~as a cable winch driven by a reversible electric motor 56. The cable member 58 extends upwards from the winch 50 to the arm member 44 of the ~;,eelcl~di, support arm 35. The cable 58 extends along the arm member 44 to the first pulley 48, and then downwards over the first pulley 48 to an Qnd 60 of the cable 58.
The cable guides 52 are spaced apart from one another and are arranged alon~ the top surface 53 of the arm member 44. The cable guides 52 align the cable 58 with the first pulley 48 and guide the movement of the cable 58 over the arm member 44 to the first pulley 48.
The connection means 54 are arranged at the free end 60 of the cable 58 and connect the v.l~eel~.l,a;r 12 to the hoist 10. The connection means 54 is a hook fixed to the end 60 of the cable 58.
The wheelchair 12 may be raised by operating the winch 50 in a first mode which causes the winch 50 to reel in the cable 58 such that the free end 60 of the cable 58 is drawn upwards towards the puiley 48 thus raising the wl)eel~ l,air 12. The wheelchair 12 may be lowered by operating the winch 50 in a second mode which causes the winch 50 to pay out the cable 58 such that the free end 60 of the cable 58 is lowered away from the pulley 48 thus lowering the wheeichair 12.
The means for elevating the upper and lower portion of the upright support member comprise the upper and lower portions 28 and 30 of the upright support member 26 and an elevating ",ecllal,i.,",.
The elevating ",e- l,ar,;;.", co"",ri~es the winch 50 a second pulley 66, and a cable guide 68 fixed to the upper portion 28 of the upright member 26. The second pulley 66 is fixed to the vehicle 16 by a connectin~ member 67 and is arranged at a position above the winch 50 such that it can cooperate with the winch 50. The cable ~uide 68 is fixed to the upper portion 28 of the upright support member 26 adjacent a bottom end of the upper portion 28. The cable guide 68 has an opening 69 for receiving the winch cable 58. The opening 69 is arranged to lie laterally of 218~7~1 the upper portion 28 of the upright support member 26.
The cable 58 is arranged to extend from the winch 50 upwards to the second pulley 66, then downwards to the cable guide 68. The cable passes through the cable guide 68 and upwards to the cable guides 52 on the arm member 44 and finally downwards over the first pulley 48.
To elevate the hoist 10 first the connection means 54 is raised by operating the winch 50 until the conne.,~ioll means 54 is in contact with the connecting member 51 and the first pulley 48. Once this has been done the winch 50 is further operated to elevate the upper portion 28 of the upright support member 26. Since the conne~.lion means 54 is in contact with the conne~.li"g member 51 and the first pulley 48 the end 60 of the cable 58 cannot be reeled in any further, this causes the cable 58 to apply an upwards force to the cable guide 68 on the upper portion 28 of the upri~ht support member 26. The upwards force causes the upper portion 28 to move upwards and thus more cable to be reeled in thereby elevating the wheelchair support arm 35. The connection member 40 is fixed to the upper portion 28 and acts as a stop causing the upward motion of the upper portion 28 to stop when the connection member 40 comes into contact with the collar 31.
The wheelchair hoist 10 includes a locking means 70 for locking the hoist 10 in the elevated position. This allows the hoist to lower the wheelchair 12 when in position in f~ont of a door of the vehicle 16. The wheelchair can then be lowered while keeping the upper portion 28 of the upright support member 26 in the elevated position and clear of the side wall 13 of the cargo box 14. The locking means 70 coi"~,,is~s a threaded hole 72 arranged in the upper portion 28 of the upright support member 26 near the bottom end thereof, and a threaded member 74 extending through _ _ _ _ _ , .
218~791 the threaded hole 72. Turning the threaded member 74 in the hole 72 locks the upper portion 28 in place relativs to the lower portion 30.
The means for pivoting the hoist and w~.~rl~l,3:. 12 include a handle member 76 fixed at one end to the upper portion 28 of the upright S support member 26 extending laterally outwards therefrom. The handle 76 is arranged such that pivoting the handle 76 about the longitudinal axis 78 pivots the upper portion 28 of the upright member 26 about the same longitudinal axis 78. This enables the user to swin~ the arm member 44 thereby l~pO~iLio~, l9 the free end 37 of the arm 44 between a range of lO positions from adjacent the driver's side door of the cab 17 to over the cargo box 14 of the vehicle 16.
The hoist 10 is operated by electrical control means 24 which operate the winch motor 56 from a location remote from the hoist 10. The control means 24 is arranged inside of the pdssen~r co",)a,L"~e"~ of the 15 vehicle 16 within easy reach of an individual sitting in the driver's seat.
To use the wheelchair hoist the individual in the wheelchair 12 maneuvers to a position next to a door in the cab 17 of the vehicle 16 and gets into the cab. The individual then operates the hoist 10 by actuating the control means 24 to elevate the wheelchair support arm 35 from the 20 stored position with the free end below the top of the cab to a position above the cab 17 of the vehicle. The hoist 10 is then locked in the elevated position by turning in the threaded member 74. This allows the connection means 54 to be lowered without causin~ the ~I,eel~ l~; supporting arm 35 to be lowered from the elevated position. Once this is done the upper 25 portion of the hoist 10 is pivoted by grasping the handle 76 and pivoting it about the upright axis 78 until the free end 37 of the arm member 44 lies in a lifting position adjacent the door of the cab 17 and above the wheelchair . , . . ~
218~7~1 g 1 2.
Next, the chair 12 is attached to the hoist 10 using the connection means 54. The vi~.tel~llai( 12 is now raised by actuating the control means 24 causing the winch 50 to raise the connection means and S chair 12. The wheelchair 12 is raised to a height where it clears the side wall 13 of the cargo box 14 of the vehicle 16. The upper portion 28 of the hoist 10 is now pivoted about the upright axis 78 so that the free end 37 and wheelchair 12 is po:,ilio,led over the cargo box 14. Now the locking means 70 is released by turning the threaded member 74 outwards and the 10 winch 50 is reversed to first lower the hoist 10 into the lowered position and then lower the wheelchair 12 on to the floor 36 of the cargo box 14.
The wheelchair 12 is left in this position with the co~lne~.lio~l means 54 stillattached to the chair 12 so that the hoist may be used to lift the wheelchair 12 back out of the cargo box 14 without reattaching the cable 58 to the IS wheelchair 12.
To remove the wheelchair 12 from the cargo box 14 the above method is simply performed in reverse.
After lowering the w''.t~ ' 12 to the ground the hoist 10 is pivoted from the position adjacent a door of the vehicle 16 to a storage 20 position over the cargo box 14, and the hoist 10 is lowered from the elevated position to the lowered position.
The wheelchair hoist and controls may be positioned on either the driver's or passt:"~er side of the vehicle.
Alternative arrangements may have additional t~!e~p l9 25 sections and/or may have the upper portion~s) arranged to telescope into the lower portion(s~ instead of over the lower portion(s~.
While one ~", ~ ,lel,l of the present invention has been , . _ _ . . . _ . , ... .. _ _ _ _ _ _ 2lsa7sl - 1o -described in the fore~oin~, it is to be understood that other embodiments are possible within the scope of th~ invention. The invention is to be conside,~d limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to hoists for lifting wheelchairs into vehicles, particularly of the type which can be operated by the 5 wheelchair user.
BACKGROUND
Some disabled and injured individuals who use wllJ~l~h-! ~ are able to drive vehicles outfitted for driving by hand controls. Such an individual often faces the problem of loading the wheelchair into the vehicle 10 after ~etting into the vehicle his/herself. This problem can often be dealt with by simply foldin~ the wheelchair and manually liftin~ it into a position for storage behind the driver's seat.
This solution although practical for use in vehicles such as cars and vans, where there is space behind the driver's seat that is easily 15 e--os "e, does not work well for vehicles such as pickup trucks. Pickup trucks usually do not have any space behind the back seat where a wheelchair could be stored. Since it is illl~u,cll,licdl for an individual who uses a wheelchair to lift the wheelchair over the side wall of the car~o box and place it into the cargo box while at the same time sitting in the cab of 20 the truck another solution is needed.
SUMMARY
According to the present invention there is provided, in a vehicle having a cab with an access door and a cargo box:
a wheelchair hoist for use by a person sitting in the cab of the 25 vehicle for loading a v."e~ air into the cargo box of the vehicle from a location beside the door of the cab, said wheelchair hoist comprising:
an upright support member having an upper portion and a lower ~ ~18073~
portion, with the lower portion fixed to the cargo box of the vehicle st a location behind the cab of the vehicle and with the upper portion mounted for rotation on the lower portion and for movement on the lower portion between raised and lowered positions;
S a wheelchair support arm secured to the upper portion of the upright support member and extending laterally outwards from the upper portion, said wl,eelclla.. support arm being selectively movable with the upper portion of the support member between a stored position below the top of the cab and behind the cab, and a lifting position above the cab 10 projecting beyond the door of the cab; and means for raising and lowering the wl ,eel~ ;r towards and away from the wheelchair support arm at a position spaced from the support member.
Plt~t~la~ly the means for raising and lowering the wheelchair 15 comprises a suspension means on the support arm at a position spaced from the support member; a reversible winch means; an elongate flexible member extending from the winch means, over the suspension means to a free end;
and connection means for connecting the wheelchair to the free end of the elongate flexible means; and wherein operating the winch in a first mode 20 causes the free end of the elongate flexible member to be drawn upwards towards the support arm thus raising the wl,eelcl,~:.; and wherein operating the winch in a second mode causes the free end of the elongate flexible member to move downwards thus lowering the ~I,eelch2;(.
r,~rl ~ably the upper and lower portions of the upri~ht support 25 member telescope relative to each other and the upper portion is raised by operating the winch.
Prer~,ably the means for pivoting the upper portion of the 218~791 upright support member include a handle fixed at one end to the upper portion of the upright support member extending laterally outwards ll,er~:r,~r". The handle is arranged such that pivoting the handle about the upright axis pivots the upper portion of the upright member about said upright axis thereby allowing for posiLio";"g of the free end of the support arm and the ~t.; ,eelcll~ir. The support is located to make the handle ~r~cess;'~le from the cab, for example through a rear window.
BRiEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accoll" a"ying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invent~on:
Figure 1 is a side view of the wheelchair hoist showing the hoist elevated;
Figure 2 is a side view of the wl,eelcllc,i. hoist showing the hoist lowered;
Figure 3 is a front view of the wheelchair hoist;
Figure 4 is a rear view of the wheelchair hoist; and Figure 5 is a top view of the vehicle and wheelchair hoist showing the hoist in various positions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to Figures 1 and 5 the wheelchair hoist is shown generally at 10. The wheelchair hoist 10 is used for loading a wheelchair 12 into the cargo box 14 of a pick up truck or similar vehicle 16. The wheelchair hoist 10 co",,,)rises an upright support member 26, a wheelchair support arm 35, means for raising and lowering the wheelchair 12; means for elevating the upper portion of the upri~ht support member; means for pivoting the upper portion of the upright support member; and control means 24 (Figure 5) for controlling the operation of the hoist.
~18079~
The upright support member 26 c~",prises an upper portion 28 and a lower portion 30. The lower portion 30 is an upright cylindrical member sized such that when it is in place in the cargo box of the vehicle it does not project above the height of the cab 17. The lower portion 30 is fixed at its bottom end 32 to a base plate 34. The base plate 34 is fixed in turn to the floor 36 of the cargo box 14 of the vehicle 16, thereby securing the upright support 26 in place in the cargo box 14.
The upper portion 28 of the upright support member 26 is a cylindrical tubular member, having a diameter sized to allow it to slide over the lower portion 30. This allows the upper portion 28 to telescope over the lower portion 30, and also to pivot about the lower portion 30.
Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 the upright support member 26 includes a guide collar 31. The guide collar 31 is fixed to the vehicle 16 by a connecting member 33 and is arranged around the upper portion 28 of the upright support member 26 such that the upper portion 28 of the upright support member 26 may slide within the collar 31. This a,~ ",e"l provides lateral support to the upri~ht support member 26 and guides the up and down movement of the upper portion 28.
The ~I,eelclla:. support arm 35 extends laterally outwards from the upper portion 28 of the upright support member 26 to a free end 37.
The support arm 35 includes a upright member 38 arranged adjacent and spaced laterally from the upper portion 28 of the upright support member 26. The upright member 38 is fixed to the upper portion 28 of the upright support member 26 by first and second co,)"e-.lion members 40 and 42.
The first connection member 40 is fixed at one end to the bottom of the upright member 38 and at the other end to the upri~ht support member 26 near the bottom end of the upper portion 28. The second connection 218~79~
member 42 is fixed at one end to the top of the upright member 38 and at the other end to the upright support member 26 near the top end of the upper portion 28.
The wheelchair support arm 35 also includes an arm member 5 44 extending ho,i~unL~. ly and laterally outwards from a first end 46, which is fixed to the upright member 38, to the free end 37. The arm member 44 extends outwards from the upright member 38 from opposite the upper portion 28 of the upright support member 26 such that the arm member 44, the upright member 38, and the upper portion 28 of the upright support 10 member 26 are aligned with one another. A strut member 47 extends from a point near the first end 46 of the arm member 44 to a point near the top end of the upright member 38. The strut member 47 gives support to the arm member 44.
The means for raising and lowering the wheelchair 12 cor"p,i ,es a first pulley 48, a winch 50 cable guides 52 and a connection means 54.
The first pulley 48 is arranged at the free end 37 of the arm member 44 of the wl ,eelcllail support arm 35. The first pulley 48 is mounted by a pair of opposed flanges 49 arranged one on either side of the arm member 44 extending outwards from the free end 37 and Iying in line with the support member 44. The flanges 49 extend past the pulley and are joined together at their ends by a connecting member 51 extending between the flanges 49. The connecting member 51 acts as a stop when raising the cable member 58.
The winch 50 col"p~i~as a cable winch driven by a reversible electric motor 56. The cable member 58 extends upwards from the winch 50 to the arm member 44 of the ~;,eelcl~di, support arm 35. The cable 58 extends along the arm member 44 to the first pulley 48, and then downwards over the first pulley 48 to an Qnd 60 of the cable 58.
The cable guides 52 are spaced apart from one another and are arranged alon~ the top surface 53 of the arm member 44. The cable guides 52 align the cable 58 with the first pulley 48 and guide the movement of the cable 58 over the arm member 44 to the first pulley 48.
The connection means 54 are arranged at the free end 60 of the cable 58 and connect the v.l~eel~.l,a;r 12 to the hoist 10. The connection means 54 is a hook fixed to the end 60 of the cable 58.
The wheelchair 12 may be raised by operating the winch 50 in a first mode which causes the winch 50 to reel in the cable 58 such that the free end 60 of the cable 58 is drawn upwards towards the puiley 48 thus raising the wl)eel~ l,air 12. The wheelchair 12 may be lowered by operating the winch 50 in a second mode which causes the winch 50 to pay out the cable 58 such that the free end 60 of the cable 58 is lowered away from the pulley 48 thus lowering the wheeichair 12.
The means for elevating the upper and lower portion of the upright support member comprise the upper and lower portions 28 and 30 of the upright support member 26 and an elevating ",ecllal,i.,",.
The elevating ",e- l,ar,;;.", co"",ri~es the winch 50 a second pulley 66, and a cable guide 68 fixed to the upper portion 28 of the upright member 26. The second pulley 66 is fixed to the vehicle 16 by a connectin~ member 67 and is arranged at a position above the winch 50 such that it can cooperate with the winch 50. The cable ~uide 68 is fixed to the upper portion 28 of the upright support member 26 adjacent a bottom end of the upper portion 28. The cable guide 68 has an opening 69 for receiving the winch cable 58. The opening 69 is arranged to lie laterally of 218~7~1 the upper portion 28 of the upright support member 26.
The cable 58 is arranged to extend from the winch 50 upwards to the second pulley 66, then downwards to the cable guide 68. The cable passes through the cable guide 68 and upwards to the cable guides 52 on the arm member 44 and finally downwards over the first pulley 48.
To elevate the hoist 10 first the connection means 54 is raised by operating the winch 50 until the conne.,~ioll means 54 is in contact with the connecting member 51 and the first pulley 48. Once this has been done the winch 50 is further operated to elevate the upper portion 28 of the upright support member 26. Since the conne~.lion means 54 is in contact with the conne~.li"g member 51 and the first pulley 48 the end 60 of the cable 58 cannot be reeled in any further, this causes the cable 58 to apply an upwards force to the cable guide 68 on the upper portion 28 of the upri~ht support member 26. The upwards force causes the upper portion 28 to move upwards and thus more cable to be reeled in thereby elevating the wheelchair support arm 35. The connection member 40 is fixed to the upper portion 28 and acts as a stop causing the upward motion of the upper portion 28 to stop when the connection member 40 comes into contact with the collar 31.
The wheelchair hoist 10 includes a locking means 70 for locking the hoist 10 in the elevated position. This allows the hoist to lower the wheelchair 12 when in position in f~ont of a door of the vehicle 16. The wheelchair can then be lowered while keeping the upper portion 28 of the upright support member 26 in the elevated position and clear of the side wall 13 of the cargo box 14. The locking means 70 coi"~,,is~s a threaded hole 72 arranged in the upper portion 28 of the upright support member 26 near the bottom end thereof, and a threaded member 74 extending through _ _ _ _ _ , .
218~791 the threaded hole 72. Turning the threaded member 74 in the hole 72 locks the upper portion 28 in place relativs to the lower portion 30.
The means for pivoting the hoist and w~.~rl~l,3:. 12 include a handle member 76 fixed at one end to the upper portion 28 of the upright S support member 26 extending laterally outwards therefrom. The handle 76 is arranged such that pivoting the handle 76 about the longitudinal axis 78 pivots the upper portion 28 of the upright member 26 about the same longitudinal axis 78. This enables the user to swin~ the arm member 44 thereby l~pO~iLio~, l9 the free end 37 of the arm 44 between a range of lO positions from adjacent the driver's side door of the cab 17 to over the cargo box 14 of the vehicle 16.
The hoist 10 is operated by electrical control means 24 which operate the winch motor 56 from a location remote from the hoist 10. The control means 24 is arranged inside of the pdssen~r co",)a,L"~e"~ of the 15 vehicle 16 within easy reach of an individual sitting in the driver's seat.
To use the wheelchair hoist the individual in the wheelchair 12 maneuvers to a position next to a door in the cab 17 of the vehicle 16 and gets into the cab. The individual then operates the hoist 10 by actuating the control means 24 to elevate the wheelchair support arm 35 from the 20 stored position with the free end below the top of the cab to a position above the cab 17 of the vehicle. The hoist 10 is then locked in the elevated position by turning in the threaded member 74. This allows the connection means 54 to be lowered without causin~ the ~I,eel~ l~; supporting arm 35 to be lowered from the elevated position. Once this is done the upper 25 portion of the hoist 10 is pivoted by grasping the handle 76 and pivoting it about the upright axis 78 until the free end 37 of the arm member 44 lies in a lifting position adjacent the door of the cab 17 and above the wheelchair . , . . ~
218~7~1 g 1 2.
Next, the chair 12 is attached to the hoist 10 using the connection means 54. The vi~.tel~llai( 12 is now raised by actuating the control means 24 causing the winch 50 to raise the connection means and S chair 12. The wheelchair 12 is raised to a height where it clears the side wall 13 of the cargo box 14 of the vehicle 16. The upper portion 28 of the hoist 10 is now pivoted about the upright axis 78 so that the free end 37 and wheelchair 12 is po:,ilio,led over the cargo box 14. Now the locking means 70 is released by turning the threaded member 74 outwards and the 10 winch 50 is reversed to first lower the hoist 10 into the lowered position and then lower the wheelchair 12 on to the floor 36 of the cargo box 14.
The wheelchair 12 is left in this position with the co~lne~.lio~l means 54 stillattached to the chair 12 so that the hoist may be used to lift the wheelchair 12 back out of the cargo box 14 without reattaching the cable 58 to the IS wheelchair 12.
To remove the wheelchair 12 from the cargo box 14 the above method is simply performed in reverse.
After lowering the w''.t~ ' 12 to the ground the hoist 10 is pivoted from the position adjacent a door of the vehicle 16 to a storage 20 position over the cargo box 14, and the hoist 10 is lowered from the elevated position to the lowered position.
The wheelchair hoist and controls may be positioned on either the driver's or passt:"~er side of the vehicle.
Alternative arrangements may have additional t~!e~p l9 25 sections and/or may have the upper portion~s) arranged to telescope into the lower portion(s~ instead of over the lower portion(s~.
While one ~", ~ ,lel,l of the present invention has been , . _ _ . . . _ . , ... .. _ _ _ _ _ _ 2lsa7sl - 1o -described in the fore~oin~, it is to be understood that other embodiments are possible within the scope of th~ invention. The invention is to be conside,~d limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (20)
1. In a vehicle having a cab with an access door and a cargo box:
a wheelchair hoist for use by a person sitting in the cab of the vehicle for loading a wheelchair into the cargo box of the vehicle from a location beside the door of the cab, said wheelchair hoist comprising:
an upright support member having an upper portion and a lower portion, with the lower portion fixed to the cargo box of the vehicle at a location behind the cab of the vehicle and with the upper portion mounted for rotation on the lower portion and for movement on the lower portion between raised and lowered positions;
a wheelchair support arm secured to the upper portion of the upright support member and extending laterally outwards from the upper portion, said wheelchair support arm being selectively movable with the upper portion of the support member between a stored position below the top of the cab and behind the cab, and a lifting position above the cab projecting beyond the door of the cab; and means for raisins and lowering the wheelchair towards and away from the wheelchair support arm at a position spaced from the support member.
a wheelchair hoist for use by a person sitting in the cab of the vehicle for loading a wheelchair into the cargo box of the vehicle from a location beside the door of the cab, said wheelchair hoist comprising:
an upright support member having an upper portion and a lower portion, with the lower portion fixed to the cargo box of the vehicle at a location behind the cab of the vehicle and with the upper portion mounted for rotation on the lower portion and for movement on the lower portion between raised and lowered positions;
a wheelchair support arm secured to the upper portion of the upright support member and extending laterally outwards from the upper portion, said wheelchair support arm being selectively movable with the upper portion of the support member between a stored position below the top of the cab and behind the cab, and a lifting position above the cab projecting beyond the door of the cab; and means for raisins and lowering the wheelchair towards and away from the wheelchair support arm at a position spaced from the support member.
2. A wheelchair hoist according to Claim 1 wherein the means for raising and lowering the wheelchair comprise a suspension means on the support arm at a position spaced from the support member; a reversible winch means; an elongate flexible member extending from the winch means, over the suspension means to a free end; and connection means for connecting the wheelchair to the free end of the elongate flexible means;
and wherein operating the winch in a first mode causes the free end of the elongate flexible member to be drawn upwards thus raising the wheelchair;
and wherein operating the winch in a second mode causes the free end of the elongate flexible member to move downwards thus lowering the wheelchair.
and wherein operating the winch in a first mode causes the free end of the elongate flexible member to be drawn upwards thus raising the wheelchair;
and wherein operating the winch in a second mode causes the free end of the elongate flexible member to move downwards thus lowering the wheelchair.
3. A wheelchair hoist according to Claim 2 wherein the means for raising and lowering the wheelchair include guide means on the support arm for guiding the elongate flexible member along the support arm.
4. A wheelchair hoist according to Claim 2 wherein the suspension means is a pulley.
5. A wheelchair hoist according to Claim 2 wherein the connection means comprises a hook fixed to the end of the elongate flexible member.
6. A wheelchair hoist according to Claim 2 wherein the elongate flexible member comprises a cable.
7. A wheelchair hoist according to Claim 2 wherein the guide means comprise a pair of spaced apart cable guides arranged on a top surface of the support arm.
8. A wheelchair hoist according to Claim 2 wherein the upper and lower portions of the upright support member are arranged such that they may telescope relative to each other.
9. A wheelchair hoist according to Claim 8 including means for elevating the upright support member comprising:
the winch means;
a second flexible member reverser fixed to the vehicle and arranged above the winch means;
a third flexible member reverser fixed to the upper portion of the upright support member having a opening extending laterally therethrough;
the elongate flexible member arranged to extend from the second flexible member reverser, downwards through the third flexible member reverser and then upwards and over the suspension means;
wherein operating the winch means to raise the wheelchair, when the wheelchair has been raised such that the connection means is in contact with the suspension means, causes the elongate flexible member to apply an upward force on the third flexible member reverser thereby causing the upper portion of the upright support member to elevate.
the winch means;
a second flexible member reverser fixed to the vehicle and arranged above the winch means;
a third flexible member reverser fixed to the upper portion of the upright support member having a opening extending laterally therethrough;
the elongate flexible member arranged to extend from the second flexible member reverser, downwards through the third flexible member reverser and then upwards and over the suspension means;
wherein operating the winch means to raise the wheelchair, when the wheelchair has been raised such that the connection means is in contact with the suspension means, causes the elongate flexible member to apply an upward force on the third flexible member reverser thereby causing the upper portion of the upright support member to elevate.
10. A wheelchair hoist according to Claim 9 wherein the wheelchair hoist includes a locking means for locking the upper portion of the upright support member in place when in the elevated position.
11. A wheelchair hoist according to Claim 10 wherein the locking means comprise a threaded hole arranged in the upper portion of the upright support member and a threaded member extending through the hole such that turning the threaded member in the hole locks the upper portion in place relative to the lower portion.
12. A wheelchair hoist according to Claim 9 wherein the second flexible member reverser is a pulley.
13. A wheelchair hoist according to Claim 9 wherein the third flexible member reverser is a cable guide.
14. A wheelchair hoist according to Claim 1 wherein the upright support member includes a guide collar fixed to the vehicle and arranged around a portion of the upper portion of the upright support member such that the upper portion of the upright support member may slide within the collar which provides lateral support and guides the up and down movement of the upper portion of the upright support member.
15. A wheelchair hoist according to Claim 1 wherein the means for pivoting the hoist and wheelchair include a handle member fixed at one end to the upper portion of the upright support member extending laterally outwards therefrom; said handle being arranged such that pivoting the handle about an upright axis pivots the upper portion of the upright member about said upright axis thereby allowing for selectively positioning the free end of the support arm.
16. A wheelchair hoist according to Claim 1 wherein the control means are remote from the hoist.
17. A wheelchair hoist according to Claim 1 wherein the control means are arranged inside of the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
18. A wheelchair hoist according to Claim 1 wherein the winch means comprises a cable winch having a reversible electric motor.
19. A wheelchair hoist according to Claim 10 wherein the locking means is located such that it is accessible from the cab.
20. A wheelchair hoist according to Claim 15 wherein the handle is located such that it is accessible from the cab.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002180791A CA2180791A1 (en) | 1996-07-09 | 1996-07-09 | Wheelchair lift |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002180791A CA2180791A1 (en) | 1996-07-09 | 1996-07-09 | Wheelchair lift |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2180791A1 true CA2180791A1 (en) | 1998-01-10 |
Family
ID=4158570
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002180791A Abandoned CA2180791A1 (en) | 1996-07-09 | 1996-07-09 | Wheelchair lift |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2180791A1 (en) |
-
1996
- 1996-07-09 CA CA002180791A patent/CA2180791A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |