GB2110997A - Improvements in motorcars for invalids - Google Patents

Improvements in motorcars for invalids Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2110997A
GB2110997A GB08232191A GB8232191A GB2110997A GB 2110997 A GB2110997 A GB 2110997A GB 08232191 A GB08232191 A GB 08232191A GB 8232191 A GB8232191 A GB 8232191A GB 2110997 A GB2110997 A GB 2110997A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
vehicle
ramp
struts
wheelchair
suspension
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB08232191A
Other versions
GB2110997B (en
Inventor
Raymond Reginald John
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.)
ELSWICK SPECIAL VEHICLES LIMIT
Original Assignee
ELSWICK SPECIAL VEHICLES LIMIT
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 ELSWICK SPECIAL VEHICLES LIMIT filed Critical ELSWICK SPECIAL VEHICLES LIMIT
Priority to GB08232191A priority Critical patent/GB2110997B/en
Publication of GB2110997A publication Critical patent/GB2110997A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2110997B publication Critical patent/GB2110997B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D31/00—Superstructures for passenger vehicles
    • B62D31/003—Superstructures for passenger vehicles compact cars, e.g. city cars
    • 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
    • A61G3/061—Transfer using ramps, lifts or the like using ramps
    • 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
    • A61G3/065—Transfer using ramps, lifts or the like using an adjustable suspension lowering device for the whole vehicle
    • 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
    • A61G2220/00—Adaptations of particular transporting means
    • A61G2220/14—Cars
    • A61G2220/145—Cars driven by a patient sitting in a wheelchair

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)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)

Abstract

The motor car has a rear opening door 14 and a ramp 16 so that a wheelchair can be driven up the ramp, through the door and into the vehicle, and the vehicle can then be driven by the wheelchair occupant without leaving the wheelchair. An adjustable rear suspension 18 lowers the bodywork so as to reduce the angle of the ramp for ingress or egress. The ramp and suspension are controllable from a point 20 at the rear of the vehicle and from a point 22 at the driving position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in motorcars for invalids This invention relates to motorcars for invalids or disabled persons of the kind described for example in Patent 1462767 wherein the car has a rear door enabling an invalidwheelchairto be moved through the door and along the floor of the vehicle so as to be positioned behind the steering wheel and other controls whereby the wheelchair occupant can drive the vehicle without leaving the wheelchair. To these ends, said prior patent proposes a ramp located at the rear of the floor which can be swung between a downwardly inclined and ground engaging position on the one hand, and for example an upwardly inclined and stowed position on the other hand.
In practice it is found that when the vehicle has an adequate ground clearance, particularly if the vehicle is constructed using available mass produced and relatively inexpensive components from ordinary (and non-special-purpose vehicles) the ramp becomes unsatisfactorily steep. Whilst in theory the steepness can be reduced by increasing the length of the ramp, other problems are then encountered and the vehicle length is increased unnecessarily, with attendant disadvantages in cost, manoeuvreability and parkability.
The object of the invention is to solve this problem.
According to the invention we provide a special purpose vehicle which is characterised by the combination of a ramp enabling a wheelchair to be driven up it and into the vehicle (or down it and out of the vehicle) and a rear suspension for the vehicle located in the vicinity of the ramp including telescopically lengthwise adjustable struts which can be contracted to lower the vehicle floor and extended to raise the same to the normal position for driving, both the ramp and the strut adjustment being controllable from the rear of the vehicle and also (alternatively) from the driving position.
Preferably the struts are hydraulic cylinders and an electric pump is provided for displacing hydraulic fluid from a reservoir into the cylinders so as to extend them.
Conveniently the rear suspension is of the solid rubber block type with one side of the block contacting the unsprung portion of the rear axle and the other side connected to one end of the struts, the opposite end of the struts being connected to the vehicle body. Both struts, that is one at each side of the vehicle may be connected in a common circuitto a pump and hydraulic reservoir.
Conveniently a switch and control panel is provided at the rear of the vehicle and externally of the same, so that the user, approaching in the wheelchair may first operate a switch to exhaust the cylinders so as to lower the suspension to the minimum height position (assuming that this has not already been done) and then lower the ramp.
The ramp may be displaced by a simple mechanical linkage from a hand operated lever. When this has been done, the vehicle user may open the rear door of the vehicle, and then drive the wheelchair up the ramp and into the vehicle. Preferably the wheelchair is locked in the driving position on the vehicle floor, and the user may then operate duplicate controls from the driving position to close the rear door, pump the struts to the full height so as to restore the vehicle floor to the normal position, and raise the ramp to the driving position.
Similarly, when the user is to leave the vehicle, the controls operated from the driving position may be used to open the door, lower the ramp, and lower the suspension, whilst the controls on the rear of the vehicle may be used to raise the ramp and close the door, and if desired also re-extend the struts.
Where the struts are located forwardly of the hinge point of the ramp, the movement of the struts is magnified and it is found possible to effect a considerable improvement in the slope of the ramp whilst using struts having only a relatively short contraction and expansion movement.
The invention is more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation showing the vehicle with the suspension in the normal driving position; and Figure 2 is a similar view but showing the suspension in the lowered position.
Referring to the drawings, the wheelchair is indicated by the reference numeral 10, and the complete motorcar by the reference numeral 12. The rear door 40 is shown in both closed and part open positions in Figure 1, and fully open in Figure 2. The ramp 16 is shown in the up and body closing position in Figure 1 and also in a steep downward position in the same Figure. In Figure 2 the ramp is shown at a shallow angle in the down position, ready for the wheelchair to leave the vehicle, or enter the vehicle as the case maybe.
The rear suspension struts are indicated by the reference numeral 18, being shown in the full length position for normal driving of the vehicle in Figure 1, and in the contracted position for wheelchair access in Figure 2. A switch, in an electric circuit controlling the pump for causing contraction or extension of the struts 18 is shown at the rear of the vehicle with the reference 20, and duplicated near the steering wheel with the reference 22. Desirably the switch 20 is key actuated, in similar fashion to a vehicle ignition switch, so as to prevent interference by unauthorised persons.
1. A special purpose vehicle characterised by the combination of a ramp enabling the wheelchair to be driven up it and into the vehicle (or down it and out of the vehicle) and a rear suspension for the vehicle located in the vicinity of the ramp including telescopically lengthwise adjustable struts which can be contracted to lower the vehicle floor and extended to raise the same to the normal position for driving, both the ramp and the strut adjustment being controllable from the rear of the vehicle and also (alternatively) from the driving position.
2. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the struts are hydraulic cylinders and an electric pump is
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (1)

  1. **WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.
    SPECIFICATION Improvements in motorcars for invalids This invention relates to motorcars for invalids or disabled persons of the kind described for example in Patent 1462767 wherein the car has a rear door enabling an invalidwheelchairto be moved through the door and along the floor of the vehicle so as to be positioned behind the steering wheel and other controls whereby the wheelchair occupant can drive the vehicle without leaving the wheelchair. To these ends, said prior patent proposes a ramp located at the rear of the floor which can be swung between a downwardly inclined and ground engaging position on the one hand, and for example an upwardly inclined and stowed position on the other hand.
    In practice it is found that when the vehicle has an adequate ground clearance, particularly if the vehicle is constructed using available mass produced and relatively inexpensive components from ordinary (and non-special-purpose vehicles) the ramp becomes unsatisfactorily steep. Whilst in theory the steepness can be reduced by increasing the length of the ramp, other problems are then encountered and the vehicle length is increased unnecessarily, with attendant disadvantages in cost, manoeuvreability and parkability.
    The object of the invention is to solve this problem.
    According to the invention we provide a special purpose vehicle which is characterised by the combination of a ramp enabling a wheelchair to be driven up it and into the vehicle (or down it and out of the vehicle) and a rear suspension for the vehicle located in the vicinity of the ramp including telescopically lengthwise adjustable struts which can be contracted to lower the vehicle floor and extended to raise the same to the normal position for driving, both the ramp and the strut adjustment being controllable from the rear of the vehicle and also (alternatively) from the driving position.
    Preferably the struts are hydraulic cylinders and an electric pump is provided for displacing hydraulic fluid from a reservoir into the cylinders so as to extend them.
    Conveniently the rear suspension is of the solid rubber block type with one side of the block contacting the unsprung portion of the rear axle and the other side connected to one end of the struts, the opposite end of the struts being connected to the vehicle body. Both struts, that is one at each side of the vehicle may be connected in a common circuitto a pump and hydraulic reservoir.
    Conveniently a switch and control panel is provided at the rear of the vehicle and externally of the same, so that the user, approaching in the wheelchair may first operate a switch to exhaust the cylinders so as to lower the suspension to the minimum height position (assuming that this has not already been done) and then lower the ramp.
    The ramp may be displaced by a simple mechanical linkage from a hand operated lever. When this has been done, the vehicle user may open the rear door of the vehicle, and then drive the wheelchair up the ramp and into the vehicle. Preferably the wheelchair is locked in the driving position on the vehicle floor, and the user may then operate duplicate controls from the driving position to close the rear door, pump the struts to the full height so as to restore the vehicle floor to the normal position, and raise the ramp to the driving position.
    Similarly, when the user is to leave the vehicle, the controls operated from the driving position may be used to open the door, lower the ramp, and lower the suspension, whilst the controls on the rear of the vehicle may be used to raise the ramp and close the door, and if desired also re-extend the struts.
    Where the struts are located forwardly of the hinge point of the ramp, the movement of the struts is magnified and it is found possible to effect a considerable improvement in the slope of the ramp whilst using struts having only a relatively short contraction and expansion movement.
    The invention is more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation showing the vehicle with the suspension in the normal driving position; and Figure 2 is a similar view but showing the suspension in the lowered position.
    Referring to the drawings, the wheelchair is indicated by the reference numeral 10, and the complete motorcar by the reference numeral 12. The rear door 40 is shown in both closed and part open positions in Figure 1, and fully open in Figure 2. The ramp 16 is shown in the up and body closing position in Figure 1 and also in a steep downward position in the same Figure. In Figure 2 the ramp is shown at a shallow angle in the down position, ready for the wheelchair to leave the vehicle, or enter the vehicle as the case maybe.
    The rear suspension struts are indicated by the reference numeral 18, being shown in the full length position for normal driving of the vehicle in Figure 1, and in the contracted position for wheelchair access in Figure 2. A switch, in an electric circuit controlling the pump for causing contraction or extension of the struts 18 is shown at the rear of the vehicle with the reference 20, and duplicated near the steering wheel with the reference 22. Desirably the switch 20 is key actuated, in similar fashion to a vehicle ignition switch, so as to prevent interference by unauthorised persons.
    1. A special purpose vehicle characterised by the combination of a ramp enabling the wheelchair to be driven up it and into the vehicle (or down it and out of the vehicle) and a rear suspension for the vehicle located in the vicinity of the ramp including telescopically lengthwise adjustable struts which can be contracted to lower the vehicle floor and extended to raise the same to the normal position for driving, both the ramp and the strut adjustment being controllable from the rear of the vehicle and also (alternatively) from the driving position.
    2. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the struts are hydraulic cylinders and an electric pump is provided for displacing hydraulic fluid from a reservoir into the cylinders so as to extend them.
    3. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the rear suspension is of the solid rubber block type with one side of the block contacting the unsprung portion of the rear axle and the other side connected to one end of the struts, the opposite end of the struts being connected to the vehicle body.
    4. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 2 wherein both struts, one at each side of the vehicle, are connected in a common circuit to the pump and hydraulic reservoir.
    5. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 4 wherein a switch and control panel are provided at the rear of the vehicle and externally of the same for causing lowering of the suspension to the minimum height position.
    6. A vehicle as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the ramp is displaced by a mechanical linkage from a hand operated lever.
    7. A vehicle substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
    New claims or amendments to claims filed on 2 Mar 1983.
    Superseded claim 1 New or amended claims:
    1. A special purpose vehicle for use by an invalid or disabled person comprising a vehiclefloorfor supporting an invalid wheelchair in a position in which the occupant of said wheelchair may drive the vehicle, a ramp at the rear of the floor, means for lowering the ramp to engage the ground behind the vehicle so that the wheelchair can be driven up or down the ramp into or out of the vehicle, and means for raising the ramp when not in use, and a rear suspension for the vehicle located in the vicinity of the ramp including telescopically lengthwise adjustable struts which can be contracted to lower the vehicle floor and extended to raise the same to the normal position for driving, both the ramp and the strut adjustment being controllable from the rear of the vehicle or from the driving position according to the location of the wheelchair.
GB08232191A 1981-11-14 1982-11-11 Improvements in motorcars for invalids Expired GB2110997B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08232191A GB2110997B (en) 1981-11-14 1982-11-11 Improvements in motorcars for invalids

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8134382 1981-11-14
GB08232191A GB2110997B (en) 1981-11-14 1982-11-11 Improvements in motorcars for invalids

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2110997A true GB2110997A (en) 1983-06-29
GB2110997B GB2110997B (en) 1985-01-30

Family

ID=26281270

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08232191A Expired GB2110997B (en) 1981-11-14 1982-11-11 Improvements in motorcars for invalids

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2110997B (en)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2521500A1 (en) * 1982-02-15 1983-08-19 Colbert Lycee D Etat Motor vehicle allowing disabled drivers access - uses rear entry cabin with floor raised or lowered by electrically driven mechanism
FR2552036A1 (en) * 1983-09-15 1985-03-22 Gateau Eugene IMPROVED VEHICLE, WHICH CAN BE USED ESPECIALLY BY A PERSON WITH DISABILITIES
EP0390431A2 (en) * 1989-03-31 1990-10-03 Rodney John Brotherwood Improvements in passenger carrying vehicles
EP0526933A1 (en) * 1991-08-05 1993-02-10 Alexander Antonius Aloysius Van Dooren Wheelchair shuttle
EP0825411A3 (en) * 1996-08-20 1998-07-29 Wegmann & Co. GmbH Armoured land vehicle with rear door and diesel electric propulsion
WO1999014105A1 (en) * 1997-09-16 1999-03-25 Hillel Hillel Lift transit vehicle
AT408312B (en) * 1998-08-06 2001-10-25 Stangl Brachnik Christian Self-drive vehicle for receiving a wheelchair
GB2375589B (en) * 2001-03-14 2004-09-08 Ordnance Dev And Engineering C Lightweight mobile artillery system having retractable wheels
WO2008062240A2 (en) * 2006-11-23 2008-05-29 Pannon Befektetési Kft. Vehicle for persons using a wheelchair, especially for disabled persons
FR2969062A1 (en) * 2010-12-15 2012-06-22 Paul Joseph Soulard Device for enabling caravan to be used by mobility handicapped person, has power unit electrically connected with gear motors of semi-suspension systems, and permitting simultaneous raising/lowering of front and rear portions of caravan
RU180264U1 (en) * 2016-03-09 2018-06-07 федеральное государственное автономное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Казанский (Приволжский) федеральный университет" (ФГАОУ ВО КФУ) Hand-operated car device for the disabled

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2521500A1 (en) * 1982-02-15 1983-08-19 Colbert Lycee D Etat Motor vehicle allowing disabled drivers access - uses rear entry cabin with floor raised or lowered by electrically driven mechanism
FR2552036A1 (en) * 1983-09-15 1985-03-22 Gateau Eugene IMPROVED VEHICLE, WHICH CAN BE USED ESPECIALLY BY A PERSON WITH DISABILITIES
US4671730A (en) * 1983-09-15 1987-06-09 Eugene Gateau Vehicle of use in particular to a disabled person
EP0390431A2 (en) * 1989-03-31 1990-10-03 Rodney John Brotherwood Improvements in passenger carrying vehicles
EP0390431A3 (en) * 1989-03-31 1991-05-08 Rodney John Brotherwood Improvements in passenger carrying vehicles
EP0526933A1 (en) * 1991-08-05 1993-02-10 Alexander Antonius Aloysius Van Dooren Wheelchair shuttle
US5305845A (en) * 1991-08-05 1994-04-26 Freewiel Techniek Wheelchair shuttle
EP0825411A3 (en) * 1996-08-20 1998-07-29 Wegmann & Co. GmbH Armoured land vehicle with rear door and diesel electric propulsion
WO1999014105A1 (en) * 1997-09-16 1999-03-25 Hillel Hillel Lift transit vehicle
US6325168B1 (en) 1997-09-16 2001-12-04 Hillel Hillel Lift transit vehicle
AT408312B (en) * 1998-08-06 2001-10-25 Stangl Brachnik Christian Self-drive vehicle for receiving a wheelchair
GB2375589B (en) * 2001-03-14 2004-09-08 Ordnance Dev And Engineering C Lightweight mobile artillery system having retractable wheels
WO2008062240A2 (en) * 2006-11-23 2008-05-29 Pannon Befektetési Kft. Vehicle for persons using a wheelchair, especially for disabled persons
WO2008062240A3 (en) * 2006-11-23 2008-12-04 Pannon Befektetesi Kft Vehicle for persons using a wheelchair, especially for disabled persons
FR2969062A1 (en) * 2010-12-15 2012-06-22 Paul Joseph Soulard Device for enabling caravan to be used by mobility handicapped person, has power unit electrically connected with gear motors of semi-suspension systems, and permitting simultaneous raising/lowering of front and rear portions of caravan
RU180264U1 (en) * 2016-03-09 2018-06-07 федеральное государственное автономное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Казанский (Приволжский) федеральный университет" (ФГАОУ ВО КФУ) Hand-operated car device for the disabled

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2110997B (en) 1985-01-30

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5540539A (en) Transfer apparatus for moving a person from a wheelchair into an automobile
CA1082654A (en) Automatic lift assembly
US8998558B2 (en) Vehicle wheelchair lift
US4222449A (en) Step-climbing wheel chair
US5746563A (en) Car and a device for inserting and taking out a wheel chair from a luggage compartment
CN211765908U (en) Vehicle with a steering wheel
US5746465A (en) Method and apparatus for moving a physically disabled person to and from a driving position within a vehicle
GB2110997A (en) Improvements in motorcars for invalids
US9827153B2 (en) Personal wheelchair motorized vehicle system
CA2081026A1 (en) Wheelchair Lift for Transit Vehicles Having Elevated Passenger Compartment Floor
US5110252A (en) Wheelchair lift for transit vehicles having elevated passenger compartment floor
JPH11508848A (en) Wheelchair transport vehicle
US5096361A (en) Device for loading a folded wheelchair inside a motor vehicle
US20070207020A1 (en) Vehicle and method of modification thereof
GB2116940A (en) Collapsible ramp
GB2276592A (en) Transporting wheelchairs in road vehicles
US4299528A (en) Combination wheelchair lift and steps for vehicle doorways
US7735839B1 (en) Vehicle air suspension providing integral wheelchair lift
US4475861A (en) Automobile occupant hoist
JP3969568B2 (en) Warning light lifting device
GB2202202A (en) A vehicle mounted lift
RU2314226C1 (en) Wheeled vehicle for invalid in chair
JPS6130661Y2 (en)
AU2008202212A1 (en) Vehicle mounted, wheelchair boarding apparatus
GB2270885A (en) A vehicle having a deployable access ramp

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee