GB2099785A

GB2099785A - Wheelchair lifting apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2099785A
Application number: GB8117162A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: HENSHAW REGINALD; HENSHAW THOMAS
Current assignee: HENSHAW REGINALD; HENSHAW THOMAS
Priority date: 1981-06-04
Filing date: 1981-06-04
Publication date: 1982-12-15

Abstract

The apparatus comprises vertical guides (25) for guiding a platform (32) for holding a wheelchair. The platform can be raised and lowered by a winch (43) and is hingedly movable to a vertical stowed position. The guides (25) are supported on a carriage (22) which is movable horizontally on a frame (23) between stowed and operative positions. A control circuit is provided having limit and safety switches for controlling the winch and a safety catch. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Wheelchair lifting apparatus This invention relates to wheelchair lifting apparatus for use in assisting handicapped people and their wheelchairs into coaches or other vehicles.

It is usual for such apparatus to be built into the vehicle, so that it is necessary for a wheelchair to be moved onto a platform within the vehicle, the platform then being hydraulically raised. This arrangement is expensive, permanent and reduces considerably the seating capacity of the vehicle.

The present invention provides wheelchair lifting apparatus comprising a platform for supporting a wheelchair, upright guides for guiding movement of the platform and powered means for raising and lowering the platform, wherein the guides are supported by a sub-frame mounted for generally horizontal movement on a main frame, and means for effecting the generally horizontal movement.

By this arrangement, it is possible for the main frame to be mounted within the vehicle adjacent a doorway and for the sub-frame to be movable from a position in which the guides are within the vehicle to a position in which the guides extend outside the vehicle for operation. The platforffi is preferably pivotally mounted to permit movement to an upright stowed position, but could be removable.

This arrangement also permits the apparatus to be constructed as a removable fitment only requiring securance of the main frame within the vehicle.

It is preferred that the power means is a winch attached to the platform. The guide means, preferably, comprises upright channels with members therein, the members or channels supporting the platform, the members being substantially accommodated within the channels, in the raised position of the platform, and extending downwardly from the channels, in the lowered position of the platform.

The means for moving the sub-frame relative to the main frame may be a manually operable nut and screw arrangement.

The winch is, preferably, electrically driven and control switches are provided operable by movable parts of the apparatus for controlling movement of the platform. A solenoid controlled safety bolt may be provided for halting the platform in the event of failure of the winch.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a side elevation of apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the apparatus; Figure 3 is a plan view of the apparatus with parts removed for clarity; and Figure 4 is a circuit diagram.

The apparatus comprises a main frame 11, which is secured, in use, inside an opening into a vehicle. The main frame may comprise blocks of wood, (not shown), which are bolted on the vehicle floor by means of brackets secured to the vehicle chassis, and rails 1 2 clamped to the blocks of wood. A sub-frame 13 is slidably mounted on the rails 1 2 for horizontal movement and nylon rollers 14 facilitate relative movement.

The main frame has a cross-strut 16, which carries a nut 1 7 within the frame. A screw 19 is mounted in bearings at 18 and 20 on the subframe 13 and engages with the nut and a handle 21 is provided for turning of the screw. Such turning effects movement of the sub-frame 13 along the rails 12 and permits movement of the sub-frame from a stowed position, within the vehicle, to an operative position in which the subframe extends to the exterior of the vehicle. The sub-frame carries a fixed platform 22 with a hinged portion 23 permitting reduction of the size of the apparatus in the stowed position.

The sub-frame carries upright guide channels 25 supported by braces 26. T-section rail members 27 are slidably received in the channels with bearing wheels 28, 29, 30 facilitating sliding movement. The rail members are joined together below the channels by a crosspiece 31, which hingedly carries a raisable platform 32. In its horizontal position, the platform is held by chains 33. The platform can be raised to a vertical position and held there by engagement of a rod 35, extending across the platform, with 26 spring clips 36 on the rail members.

The cross-piece 31 has lugs 40 rotatably mounting a pulley wheel 42. The sub-frame mounts, beneath the fixed platform 22, an electrically driven winch 43, a wire rope 44 from which passes over a pulley wheel 45 on the subframe. From there, the wire passes over the pulley wheel 42 and has its free end fixed to the subframe. Operation of the winch, therefor, raises and lowers the rail members 27 and hence the hinged platform 32.

In use, the platform 32 is lowered and a wheelchair is positioned on the platform located between the rod 35 and the rails 27. The winch is operated to raise the platform to position aligned with the fixed platform 22. The wheel-chair is moved inside the vehicle. For stowage, the hinged platform is hinged upwardly and the sub-frame 13 is moved into the vehicle by turning the handle 21 on the screw 19.

Several safety devices are provided in association with an electrical circuit including the power supply to the winch 43. The circuit diagram of Figure 4 shows a 12 volt supply to the winch 43 via a master switch 50, a thermal overload switch 51 and a solenoid control board 52. The solenoids are controlled by several switches connected through a junction box 53. In addition, there is a main switch 54, which is normally "off", but is switched on when the subframe reaches the operative position. This switch 54 is mounted on the sub-frame to engage a stop in the operative position. In the "on" position, lights 55 are switched on (see also Figure 2) both as an indication and to improve illumination.

These lights are mounted on a cross-member 56 between the channels.

The winch is controlled by a control switch 60 having separate push-buttons 60a, 60h for controlling upward and downward movement of the rail members and the hinged platform. The switch is lockable to an inoperative state to make it tamperproof.

Over-run in the lowering direction is prevented by a limit switch 62 which is actuated by an actuator on one of the rail members 27. This switch does not usually operate, there being provided a tension limit switch 63, which switches off the winch when the wire rope is slack. This happens when the platform 32 hits an obstruction, including when the platform reaches floor level. The switch 63 is carried by a bracket 70 on the sub-frame (Figure 3). The wire rope 44 bears on the switch-63, which operates when tension in the rope reduces.

The bracket 70 also carries a limit switch 65 provided with an arm 65a. The arm bears on the rope 44 and operates when released by the rope, e.g. if the latter breaks. This switch operates a safety catch, which arrests the platform.

The safety catch 80 comprises a solenoid operated bolt, which is mounted on the sub-frame 1 3. One of the rail members 27 has a series of holes, any one of which can receive the bolt to arrest the platform. The safety catch is also operated by failure of the electricity supply to the winch.

A limit switch 61 is also provided to limit upward movement of the hinged platform when the latter is aligned with the fixed platform. In addition a further limit switch 69 operates simultaneously with switch 61 to deactivate the safety catch 80, whose bolt engages in the safety position.

A further safety provision is openable doors 75 on the rail members 27, which have to be in the closed position. These prevent injury by the wire rope 44. The doors open inwardly of the vehicle, i.e. over the fixed platform, so that, if the apparatus is operated, the rope becomes slack and the tension limit switch 63 is actuated.

Claims (Filed 2/6/82) 1. Wheelchair lifting apparatus comprising a platform for supporting a wheelchair, upright guides for guiding movement of the platform and powered means for raising and lowering the platform, wherein the guides are supported by a carriage mounted on a frame for generally horizontal movement between stowed and operative positions, and means for effecting such movement of the carriage.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the guides comprise upright channels with members engaged therein and relatively movable therealong, the platform being carried by said members (or said channels), the members being substantially accommodated within the channels in the raised position of the platform and the members (or channels) extending downwardly from the channels (or members) in the lowered position of the platform.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the means for moving the sub-frame relative to the main frame is a manually operable nut and screw arrangement.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the powered means comprises a winch having a rope attached to the platform.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein the winch is secured to the frame.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising an electrical control circuit including said powered means, and switch means actuable by movement of the carriage to said operative position, whereby the powered means is inoperative in other positions of said carriage.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, including limit switches in said circuit actuable to switch off the electrical supply to the powered means when the platform reaches upper and lower predetermined limits of movement.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 6 or 7 as appendant to claim 4, including a tension limit switch in the circuit, biased to a position in which the winch is inoperative and engaged by the winch rope which acts against said bias.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 6, 7 or 8 as appendant to claim 4 including a safety catch associated with said upright guides for locking the platform against movement in any one of a plurality of positions, and switch means biased to apposition in which the catch is operative and engaged by the winch rope, which acts against said bias.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the platform is hingedly mounted and movable between a horizontal position and a stowed vertical position.

11. Wheelchair lifting apparatus constructed substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. These lights are mounted on a cross-member 56 between the channels. The winch is controlled by a control switch 60 having separate push-buttons 60a, 60h for controlling upward and downward movement of the rail members and the hinged platform. The switch is lockable to an inoperative state to make it tamperproof. Over-run in the lowering direction is prevented by a limit switch 62 which is actuated by an actuator on one of the rail members 27. This switch does not usually operate, there being provided a tension limit switch 63, which switches off the winch when the wire rope is slack. This happens when the platform 32 hits an obstruction, including when the platform reaches floor level. The switch 63 is carried by a bracket 70 on the sub-frame (Figure 3). The wire rope 44 bears on the switch-63, which operates when tension in the rope reduces. The bracket 70 also carries a limit switch 65 provided with an arm 65a. The arm bears on the rope 44 and operates when released by the rope, e.g. if the latter breaks. This switch operates a safety catch, which arrests the platform. The safety catch 80 comprises a solenoid operated bolt, which is mounted on the sub-frame 1 3. One of the rail members 27 has a series of holes, any one of which can receive the bolt to arrest the platform. The safety catch is also operated by failure of the electricity supply to the winch. A limit switch 61 is also provided to limit upward movement of the hinged platform when the latter is aligned with the fixed platform. In addition a further limit switch 69 operates simultaneously with switch 61 to deactivate the safety catch 80, whose bolt engages in the safety position. A further safety provision is openable doors 75 on the rail members 27, which have to be in the closed position. These prevent injury by the wire rope 44. The doors open inwardly of the vehicle, i.e. over the fixed platform, so that, if the apparatus is operated, the rope becomes slack and the tension limit switch 63 is actuated. Claims (Filed 2/6/82)

1. Wheelchair lifting apparatus comprising a platform for supporting a wheelchair, upright guides for guiding movement of the platform and powered means for raising and lowering the platform, wherein the guides are supported by a carriage mounted on a frame for generally horizontal movement between stowed and operative positions, and means for effecting such movement of the carriage.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein the winch is secured to the frame.