GB2371287A

GB2371287A - Lifting device/rack particularly for invalid buggies

Info

Publication number: GB2371287A
Application number: GB0115092A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bryan Ware
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-11-28
Filing date: 2001-06-20
Publication date: 2002-07-24
Anticipated expiration: 2021-06-20
Also published as: GB0115092D0; GB2371287B; GB0028981D0

Abstract

A lifting device which can be secured to the rear end of a motor vehicle for lifting, transporting amd lowering a lightweight self-propelled vehicle such as an invalid buggy. The device comprises a first member 12, adapted to be fixed to the body or chassis of the motor vehicle, a platform 18 for receiving and supporting the lightweight vehicle and jacks 22 for supporting the platform 18 from the first supporting member 12, and for moving the platform 18 between a lowered position in which the lightweight vehicle can be driven from ground level onto the platform 18 and a raised position in which the paltofrm 18 and the lightweight vehicle thereon is raised clear of the ground to allow the motor vehicle to be driven. Damping means in the form of an elastomeric block (78, fig 7) are also provided to prevent excess oscillation of the platform while the motor vehicle is in motion.

Description

"Lifting Device/Rack" THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a lifting device adapted to be fitted to a motor vehicle, such as a private motor car and is particularly concerned with a device intended to lift an auxiliary vehicle, such as an electrically powered vehicle or buggy for a disabled person and for supporting such auxiliary vehicle and retaining it reliably on the motor vehicle for transport thereby.

In recent years there have become available lightweight self-powered vehicles, (herein, for convenience, referred to as"buggies") by means of which disabled persons who would otherwise be unable to do so are able to move around areas, such as the interiors of shops or stores, or pedestrian precincts, to which there is normally no access for normal motor vehicles. Whilst such buggies afford a greater range of mobility, both as regards distance and as regards versatility, than conventional wheelchairs, they are necessarily somewhat heavier than the latter and do not generally have the same facility for being folded compactly for stowage and transport. Consequently, many disabled persons who possess such self-propelled buggies as well as motor cars are unable to use their buggies in areas which are too far from their homes to be conveniently reached except by motor car, because they lack facilities for transporting their buggies. Whilst motor vehicles are available which are specially constructed or adapted for operation by disabled persons and which incorporate facilities which would permit a disabled person to load and unload such a self-propelled buggy, such motor vehicles are very expensive and generally quite beyond the means of most disabled people.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a lifting and transporting means which is capable of alleviating this difficulty.

According to the invention there is provided a lifting and carrying device suitable for securing to a motor vehicle for lifting, transporting and lowering a lightweight self-propelled vehicle or other equipment, the device comprising a first member adapted to be fixed to the body or chassis of such motor vehicle, a supporting member comprising a platform or track for receiving and supporting such lightweight self-propelled vehicle or other equipment and means for supporting said supporting member from said first member and for moving said supporting member when the first member is appropriately secured to a motor vehicle, between a lowered position in which such lightweight vehicle or other equipment can be driven from ground level onto said platform or track and a raised position in which such platform or track, and consequently any such lightweight vehicle or other equipment thereon, is raised clear of the ground to allow such motor vehicle to be driven.

An embodiment of the invention is described below, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which : FIGURE 1 is a schematic side elevation view showing the rear end of a motor car and a device in accordance with the invention secured thereto; FIGURE 2 is an end elevation view of the device of Figure 1 (the motor car being omitted for ease of illustration); FIGURE 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 of a variant; FIGURE 4 is a schematic sectional view along the line V-V in Figure 3 of part of the device of Figure 3 to a larger scale than Figure 3; FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a base platform forming part of the device of Figures 1 to 4; FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a bracket forming part of the device which serves to secure the device to a motor vehicle; FIGURE 7 is a schematic side elevation showing additional mounting means to secure the lifting device to a motor vehicle; FIGURE 8 is an end elevation view of part of the device of Figures 1 or 2 showing the additional mounting means of Figure 7; and FIGURE 9 is a view in vertical section of a part of a variant of the embodiment of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, one embodiment of the device according to the invention comprises a base frame 10 adapted to be fixed to the rear of a motor car. In the arrangement I of Figure 1, the base frame 10 is illustrated as comprising a large-diameter (140-150mm) steel tube or beam 12 extending horizontally transversely of the vehicle and a bracket, best shown in Figure 6, comprising a further horizontal steel tube or bar 112 which, when fitted, extends transversely at the rear end of the motor car to which the device is fitted, the tube 112 having welded to each end a respective generally horizontal limb 114 which extends forwards from the tube 112, directly under the under surface of the vehicle body and which is bolted thereto in the same manner as conventional tow brackets are generally secured. Generally L-shaped or

arcuate arms 116 are welded to the tube or bar 112 at the ends of the latter and a further such arm is welded to bar 112 midway between the ends of bar 112. The arms 116 extend, in the example shown, rearwardly, past the rear end of the vehicle, and upwardly, to the tube or beam 12, to which they are secured, for example by bolts, or by welding.

The tube or beam 12 supports, with provision for vertical translational movement, a platform 18 for supporting, in turn, a motorised invalid buggy. In the arrangement illustrated, the platform 18, (shown in Figure 5 disconnected from the remainder of the device), comprises two parallel horizontal members 20,21 e. g. in the form of steel tubes, extending parallel with the beam 12 and spaced apart transversely of one another in the fore and aft direction, the tubes 20,21 being connected at their ends by further steel tubes 119 extending horizontally in the fore and aft direction, and by two rectangular section horizontal steel beams 121 likewise extending fore and aft. A further rectangular section steel beam 122 extends horizontally, transversely between the middle of one tube 119 and the middle of the other tube 119, spanning the fore and aft beams 121. The platform 18 thus takes the form of a rectangular grid, the dimensions of which in the fore and aft direction of the vehicle and in the transverse direction of the vehicle correspond to, respectively, the length and breadth of the buggy to be transported. The spacing, along beam 122, between each tube 119 and the adjoining beam 121 is substantially less than the diameter of the wheels of the buggy to be carried, so that, with the platform 18 at ground level, the buggy can be driven onto the platform along the longitudinal centre line of beam 122 until the front wheels are located between one tube 119 and the adjacent beam 121 whilst the rear wheels are located between the other tube 119 and the beam 121 adjacent that other tube 119. Accordingly, when, as described below, the platform is subsequently raised, the tubes 119 and/or beams 121 engage the buggy's tyres but the wheels of the buggy project partially through the spaces between tubes 119 and beams 121 to locate the buggy securely in place.

Figures 7 and 8 show a variant of the device of Figures 1 to 6 in which the only substantive difference lies in the provision of additional supporting and stabilising structure 72 for the beam 12. The support structure 72 comprises a rod 74 which extends between a bracket 73 on the beam 12 and a point on the rear of the vehicle significantly above the level at which the limbs 112 are bolted to the vehicle, for example 30-50 cm above the last noted level. In the arrangement illustrated, a reinforcing bar 77, of L-shaped cross-section, is positioned within the body of the vehicle, at the rear of the vehicle, and extends horizontally transversely of the vehicle. The bar 77 may be fitted, for example, to a floor or interior wall within the boot space of the vehicle by bolts or welding, or to any other suitable load bearing part of the interior of the vehicle.

The bracket 73 is bolted or welded to beam 12 and has an aperture through which passes a screw threaded portion of the rod 74. The rod extends downwardly and forwards from bracket 73 towards the rear of the motor vehicle. Nuts 81 and 82 fixedly locate the rod 74 with respect to bracket 73 and beam 12. The end of the rod opposite the bracket 73 extends, in turn, through a hole in the vertical flange of the angle section bar 77, through a bore in a block 78 on the side of the bar 77 remote from bracket 73 and terminates in a screw threaded end portion 79 on which a nut 82 is screw-threadedly engaged. The block 78 is preferably made of hard rubber or other elastomeric material, so as to provide a degree of resilience and damping. When the device is mounted on the vehicle and after the limbs 114 have been secured, the nut 82 is screwed up on the rod 74 until it engages, via a washer (not shown), the block 78 and places the rod under some tension and the block 78 under a degree of pre compression against bar 77. Accordingly, the rod 74 adds significantly to the stiffness of the mounting, minimising any up-and-down swinging movement of the device relative to the vehicle, (about the region where the limbs 114 are secured to the vehicle), whilst the block 78 serves to damp any such movement as may occur.

When platform 18 of the device is loaded, for example by a motorised invalid buggy, a portion of the loading weight causes pre-compressed block 78 to be further compressed against bar 77. Thus, the additional support structure provides two functions :- Firstly, it provides an additional point of support for the beam 12 and consequently stabilises base frame 10 upon which platform 18 is supported. Secondly, the rubber or elastomeric block dampens any up-anddown motion of the frame 10 relative to the vehicle, i. e. dampens any "bouncing"motion of platform 18 and beam 12 which results when the motor vehicle passes over an uneven surface.

Referring again to Figures 7 and 8, arms 116 extend from horizontal bar 112 and are bolted to dedicated brackets 124, which may in turn be bolted or welded to beam 12 as desired. This method allows removal of the apparatus from the motor vehicle to removal of beam 12, without having to remove the bracket structure in its entirety. However, it will be appreciated that the lower mounting bracket of Figure 1 may also be used in conjunction with the additional mounting structure 72 of Figure 7, that is to say, arms 116 may simply be bolted or welded directly to beam 12 without the need for dedicated brackets 124.

In a variant of mounting support structure 72 (not shown) it is envisaged that the end of rod 74 opposite the bracket 73 could, alternatively, be fixed rigidly to bar 77 or the like, and the dampening arrangement comprising block 78 and nut 82 could be positioned at the end of the rod adjacent the bracket 73.

In addition, the angle of rod 74 and position of bracket 73 on the exterior surface of beam 12 need not necessarily be that shown in Figure 7 ; in particular, the position of bracket 73 may be anywhere on beam 12 which allows the dampening arrangement comprising bar 77, block 78 and nut 82 to function effectively. Indeed, in a contemplated variant, the bracket 73 may be positioned at a point on the surface of the beam at a similar level to dedicated brackets 124, and rod 74 may accordingly be angled upwards towards bar 77 rather than downwards as is the case in Figure 7. Such an arrangement would result in mounting structure 72 taking a greater portion of the load weight on platform 18, depending on the chosen angle of rod 74, and may be suitable where it is desired to reduce the loading on the connection between limbs 114 and the motor vehicle, or arms 116 and dedicated brackets 124. Equally, the bracket 73 may be positioned, with respect to reinforcing bar 77, so that the rod 74 is substantially horizontal.

It will also be appreciated that the cross-section of bar 77 may be varied so as to provide a variation in the area of the surface against which stop 78 is compressed, consequently providing a change in the damping properties of mounting structure 72 as a whole.

As noted above, the platform 18 is guided for vertical translational movement relative to the beam 12. In the arrangement illustrated in the drawings, such guidance is provided by guide rods 22 connected at their lower ends with beam 20 and extending upwardly from the beam 20 and passing slidably through guides 40 carried by the beam 12, whereby the platform 18 can be slid upwardly and downwardly but is restrained against pivotal movement about a horizontal fore and aft axis and about a vertical axis.

The guides 40 may, for example, comprise housings recessed into and securely welded to the beam 16, and linear roller bearings carried within such housings and cooperating with rods 22. For strength combined with lightness, the beam 12 may take the form of a round-section steel tube of substantial diameter, e. g. 150 mm.

Appropriate means is provided for raising and lowering the platform 18 relative to the beam 12. By way of illustration, in the apparatus of Figure 2, a horizontal shaft 32 is mounted for rotation in bearings 34 mounted in or on the beam 16, the shaft 32 having its axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the beam 16. The shaft 32 provides, or carries, at spaced apart positions therealong, drums 42 for cables 44, e. g. of steel wire, which extend generally vertically from the shaft 32, and are secured at their lower ends to securing locations 46 on the beam 20. The shaft 32 can be driven in either direction about its axis by a reversible electric motor 47 driving the shaft through a reduction gearbox 48, whereby the platform 18 can be raised and lowered.

Subject to considerations of ease of access for assembly or servicing, where the beam 12 is made hollow, the shaft 32, bearings 34 and geared motor 47 may conveniently be accommodated within beam 12, with the cables 44 extending through apertures in the underside of the beam 12.

Other arrangements are of course possible. Thus, as shown in Figure 3, the beam 16 may have pulleys 50,52, joumalled thereon or therein, for rotation about respective axes running fore and aft of the vehicle, and cables 44 may again extend vertically downwardly and be secured to mounting points 46 on horizontal member 20. One cable 44 may extend vertically, from one fixing point 46, over a pulley 50 joumalled in the beam 12, to run horizontally from pulley 50 to a block 55 fixed to the end of a piston rod 33 of a horizontally disposed hydraulic ram 35 carried by the beam 12 and extending longitudinally parallel with the axis of beam 12. The other cable 44, as illustrated, may extend vertically to a pulley 52 joumalled in the beam 12, to pass around pulley 52 and pass horizontally from pulley 52 to the pulley 50 and then pass beneath the pulley 50, the cable reversing itself around pulley 50 and then passing from pulley 50, parallel with the other cable 44, to the block 55. Thus, axial movement of the piston rod 33 of the ram 35 will cause vertical lifting or lowering of the platform 18. The ram may be operated by an electrically driven hydraulic pump (not shown), or by a manually operated pump 53 having an operating handle 56. Again, the beam 12 may be hollow and the pulleys 50,52, block 55, ram 35 and piston rod 33 may be mounted within the beam, with the cables 44 extending through holes in the beam.

In a variant of the arrangement of Figure 3, the cables 44 may be replaced by chains, for example by roller link chains such as are used for driving the rear wheels of bicycles or motorcycles and the pulleys may be replaced by complementary sprockets.

In a further variant, which may in other respects be identical with that described with reference to, and as shown in, Figure 2, the cables 44 and drums 42 are replaced, respectively, by vertical racks, (connected at their lower ends to platform 18) and respective pinions fixed to shaft 32 and meshing with the respective racks. In a refinement of this arrangement, illustrated in part in Figure 7, the guide rods 22 themselves serve as racks and to this end each is formed with gear teeth extending along the side thereof nearer the shaft 32, and respective pinions to fixed to the shaft 32 engage the teeth of each rack or guide rod 22. As illustrated, the guides 40 may surround the respective guide rods 22 in close sliding relationship except over cut-away or recessed regions which are just sufficient in axial and circumferential extent to accommodate the pinions 60. The guides 40 may still, preferably, carry linear roller bearings (not shown) arranged to be clear of the toothed, rack regions of the guide rods 22. Again, for reasons of safety and to retain lubricants and exclude dirt, etc. , the shaft 32, bearings 34 and pinions 60 may all be accommodated within the hollow crossbeam 12.

The portions of the guide rods 22 projecting from the guides 40 may be covered by bellows like rubber boots (not shown) to exclude dirt and moisture, in manner known per se.

In use of the device, once the buggy has been driven onto the platform and the disabled person has dismounted therefrom, then the motor 47 driving shaft 32 (Figure 2) or the ram 35 (Figure 3) is activated, until the platform 18 and the buggy thereon have adequate clearance from the road surface, after which the vehicle may be driven until the buggy is required again or at least until it is to be removed from the vehicle.

It will also be understood that the manner of mounting the platform 18 for vertical movement may be varied, within the scope of the invention, significantly from the arrangement illustrated. For example, whilst a vertical sliding movement is illustrated, it may in practice be preferable to connect the platform with the beam 12 or corresponding fixed structure by way of an appropriate arrangement of pivoted links, for example by a parallelogram linkage or a quasi-parallelogram linkage which may, for example, be arranged to tilt the platform and the buggy thereon slightly towards the car as it is raised, in the interests of security and compactness. Likewise, the manner in which the force is generated for lifting and lowering the buggy may be varied widely. Thus, for example, instead of the pulley arrangements shown, a screw jack arrangement may be utilised.

Whilst the invention has been described in terms of a device for lifting and transporting invalid buggies, a device in accordance with the invention may be provided for lifting and transporting other items, such as motorcycles, skijets or other items not readily lifted into a car boot, for example.

In order to minimise the space occupied by the arrangement when not in use, the platform 18 may be pivotally connected with the lower ends of guides 22 e. g. through the intermediary of hinge blocks 70 at the lower ends of guide rods 22 disposed between respective pairs of plates 71 welded to member 20, the hinge blocks 70 receiving pivot bolts extended horizontally between the plates 71 of each pair. Accordingly, the platform can be swung from its generally horizontal position, about the horizontal axis of the pivotal connections with hinge blocks 70, into a vertical position in which it lies close to the rear end of the vehicle. Appropriate catch means, (not shown) may be provided for securing the frame 18 in this position.

In the present specification "comprise" means "includes or consists of and"comprising"means"including or consisting of'.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A lifting and carrying device suitable for securing to a motor vehicle for lifting, transporting and lowering a lightweight self-propelled vehicle or other equipment, the device comprising a first member adapted to be fixed to the body or chassis of such motor vehicle, a supporting member comprising a platform or track for receiving and supporting such lightweight self-propelled vehicle or other equipment and means for supporting said supporting member from said first member and for moving said supporting member when the first member is appropriately secured to a motor vehicle, between a lowered position in which such lightweight vehicle or other equipment can be driven from ground level onto said platform or track and a raised position in which such platform or track, and consequently any such lightweight vehicle or other equipment thereon, is raised clear of the ground to allow such motor vehicle to be driven.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein said first member includes structure adapted to be extended below the body shell of a motor car and to be secured to tow bar mountings of the motor car.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said first member includes a horizontally extending beam adapted to extend across a rear end of such motor vehicle and said platform is mounted for vertical translational movement relative to said beam.

4. A device according to Claim 1, further comprising means for dampening motion of the first member relative to the motor vehicle. Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A lifting and carrying device suitable for securing to a motor vehicle for lifting, transporting and lowering a lightweight self-propelled vehicle or other equipment, the device comprising a first member adapted to be fixed to the body or chassis of such motor vehicle, a supporting member comprising a platform or track for receiving and supporting such lightweight self-propelled vehicle or other equipment and means for supporting said supporting member from said first member and for moving said supporting member when the first member is appropriately secured to a motor vehicle, between a lowered position in which such lightweight vehicle or other equipment can be driven from ground level onto said platform or track and a raised position in which such platform or track, and consequently any such lightweight vehicle or other equipment thereon, is raised clear of the ground to allow such motor vehicle to be driven.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said first member includes structure adapted to be extended below the body shell of a motor car and to be secured to tow bar mountings of the motor car.
3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said first member includes a horizontally extending beam adapted to extend across a rear end of such motor vehicle and said platform is mounted for vertical translational movement relative to said beam.
4. A device according to Claim 1, further comprising means for damping motion of the first member relative to the motor vehicle.
5. A lifting and carrying device suitable for securing to a motor vehicle for lifting, transporting and lowering a lightweight self-propelled vehicle or other

I equipment, the device comprising a first member adapted to be fixed to the body or chassis of such motor vehicle, a supporting member comprising a platform or track for receiving and supporting such lightweight self-propelled vehicle or other equipment and means for supporting said supporting member from said first member and for moving said supporting member when the first member is appropriately secured to a motor vehicle, between a lowered position in which such lightweight vehicle or other equipment can be driven from ground level onto said platform or track and a raised position in which such platform or track, and consequently any such lightweight vehicle or other equipment thereon, is raised clear of the ground to allow such motor vehicle to be driven, said first member including structure adapted to be extended below the body shell of a motor car and to be secured to the underside of such body shell and providing at the back of such vehicle a plurality of brackets spaced apart transversely of the vehicle, said first member further including a horizontal beam in the form of a tube extending horizontally transversely at the rear of the vehicle, clear of the rear end said supporting member, said tube carrying attachment means for cooperation with said brackets and releasable securing means for detachably securing said attachment means to said brackets to secure the tube and said supporting member detatchably to said structure, said supporting member including guide rods or tubes upstanding from said supporting member and guided for longitudinal movement in said tube or in guides fixed to said tube and wherein said means for moving includes actuating means accommodated within said tube.
6. A device according to Claim 5 wherein said actuating means includes a horizontal shaft extending longitudinally within said tube and mounted for rotation in bearings in said tube, said actuating means further including means carried by said shaft and operatively connected with said supporting member.
7. A device according to Claim 6, wherein said guide rods are in the form of racks with teeth exposed within said tube and wherein said actuating means include pinions secured to said rotatable shaft and meshing with said pinions.
8. A device according to Claim 6, wherein said actuating means include sprockets secured to said shaft and engaging chains extending from said tube to said supporting member.
9. A device according to Claim 6 wherein said actuating means include drums carried on and fixed to said shaft and cables secured to and wound around said drums and extending from said tube to said supporting member.
10. A device according to any of Claims 5 to 9 wherein said structure adapted to be secured to the underside of the body shell of the motor car comprises a rigid unitary frame capable of maintaining said brackets in predetermined positions in relation to one another in the absence of said tube.
11. A device according to any of Claims 5 to 10 comprising means for damping motion of the first member relative to the motor vehicle.
12. A device according to Claim 11 wherein said damping means comprises a damped link extending between a further bracket fixed to said tube at a level above said brackets on said structure and a point on the rear of the vehicle likewise at a level above said brackets on said structure.
13. A lifting and carrying device, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.