GB2202202A

GB2202202A - A vehicle mounted lift

Info

Publication number: GB2202202A
Application number: GB8706357A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen John Rose; David Graham Delaney
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-03-18
Filing date: 1987-03-18
Publication date: 1988-09-21
Also published as: GB8706357D0; GB2202202B

Abstract

A vehicle mounted lift utilises a loading platform 1 which is stowed horizontally in the vehicle so that the load, which could consist of a wheelchair and occupant, can be secured to the platform and remain thus secured during transit of the vehicle. Clamping arrangements 7 for securing the load to the lifting platform, and hence to the vehicle, can be operated while the platform is extended from the vehicle. This eliminates the difficulty of clamping loads within the restrictive confines of the vehicle. The platform is raised and lowered by a telescopic member 2, extended and retarded for example by a screw and nut system powered by an electric motor 8. The telescopic member is connected to the vehicle by a horizontal arm pivoted - its ends respectively to the vehicle and the other component of the member 2. Horizontal movement of the platform is controlled by a further arm pivoted at its ends between the vehicle and the telescopic member and by a telescopic damper 9. <IMAGE>

Description

A VEHICLE MOUNTED LIFT This invention relates to a lifting device mainly used for conveying goods or persons into or out of a motor vehicle from or to a level which differs from that of the vehicle floor.

Conventional vehicle mounted lifts usually incorporate a flat load platform. When used for loading the vehicle, the platform is extended from the vehicle and raised or lowered to the level of the load. The load is positioned on the platform which is then moved vertically to the level of the vehicle floor. The load is subsequently transferred from the platform and into the vehicle. The platform is then stowed in a fashion which occupies as little floor space as is practicable. Hence loading the vehicle necessitates moving the load onto and off the platform. This may be difficult if the load is particularly heavy or bulky or the vehicle particularly small.

Goods which require restraint during transit must then be secured to the structure of the vehicle.

In the case where the load is bulky and/or heavy as is the case with a person in a wheelchair, the above arrangement requires a relatively large and expensive vehicle. For domestic applications in particular a system suitable for smaller vehicles would be much more attractive.

Similarly, lifting problems can arise in other situations such as buildings where access is limited for any reason.

According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle mounted lift which conveys its load both vertically and horizontally in order to move the load onto or off the vehicle and utilises a load carrying platform which is stowed horizontally inside the vehicle.

One embodiment of the invention is depicted in the following figures Figure 1 shows the lift fitted to and extended from the rear of a vehicle. For clarity the rear door of the vehicle is not shown.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the mechanism which supports the platform.

Figure 3 illustrates, in plan, the path followed by the platform during loading or unloading.

Referring to figure 1, the platform 1 is designed to support a wheelchair and its occupant. The clamps 7 are used for securing the wheelchair to the platform. The platform is connected to a telescopic member 2. The telescopic member contains a screw and nut system which is powered by the motor 8 and is used to raise and lower the platform. In other embodiments the load need not necessarily consist of a wheelchair and the lifting device can be driven by an alternative type of actuator. The horizontal support arm 4 is pivotally connected at both ends: to the outer telescopic member at one end and to the main pivot assembly 6 at the other end. The main pivot assembly is fixed rigidly to the vehicle 3.

Figure 2 shows, in more detail, the system of linking the telescopic member 2 to the main pivot assembly 6. The horizontal support arm 4 forms the main load bearing component of the linkage system. The control arm 10, pivoted as shown at both ends, is used to control the path followed by the platform when moved horizontally. The telescopic damper 9, also pivoted at both ends, is used to control the speed of horizontal movement of the platform.

The geometry of the linkage system can, if desired, be designed to suit each application. In the embodiment described above the linkage system causes the platform to follow the path illustrated in figure 3. In this case the lift has been designed to utilise the tailgate opening of a small van. With the lift fully extended from the back of the vehicle and the vehicle parked close to the nearside pavement, the platform overhangs the pavement. This facilitates loading of the platform particularly when used for carrying a wheelchair. The wheelchair can be rolled directly off the pavement and onto the platform where it can be secured by the clamps 7. At this stage the wheelchair and occupant will face away from the pavement and at rightangles to the road centre line. The lifting mechanisn can now be operated to raise the platform and load to the van floor height.When the platform and load are moved into the vehicle the horizontal support arm turns about the main pivot assembly through approximately 160 degrees while, due to the effect of the control arm, the platform turns through only 90 degrees. The wheelchair occupant will now be facing towards the front of the vehicle. Most of the rotation of the platform occurs outside the van, with the result that, once inside the vehicle, the platform path requires less space.

This permits the use of a smaller vehicle. Other advantages include a) loading the vehicle from the pavement. This is more convenient and less hazardous that loading from the road as is the more usual case.

b) clamping the load to the platform outside the vehicle where access is not limited. Conventional arrangements require loads, particularly wheelchairs, to be secured once inside the vehicle. This can be very awkward especially in small vehicle.

Claims

1 A vehicle mounted lift which conveys its load both vertically and horizontally in order to move the load onto or off the vehicle and utilises a load carrying platform which is stowed horizontally inside the vehicle.

2 A lift as claimed in claim 1 which swivels about two linked vertical axes in order to convey a load through a restricted opening or into a confined space by following a pre-determined path.

3 A lift as claimed in claims 1 and 2 to which the load can be secured and remain thus secured during operation of the lift and transit of the vehicle.

4 A lift as claimed in claims 1 to 3 in which the load includes a person.

5 A lift as claimed in claims 1 to 4 incorporating a damping device to control the speed of movement of the swivelling members.

6 A lift as claimed in claims 1 to 5 in which the method of actuation for the lifting unit can be an electrically driven screw, a manually driven screw or a hydraulically operated piston and cylinder.

7 A lift as claimed in claims 1 to 6 in which the lifting arrangement includes members which slide vertically with respect to one another.

8 A lift as claimed in claims 1 to 7 in which the swivelling members are powered manually or electrically via a screw or hydraulic system.