GB2403203A

GB2403203A - Vehicle lift

Info

Publication number: GB2403203A
Application number: GB0314684A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adam Beck; Paul John Edwards
Original assignee: Passenger Lift Services Ltd
Current assignee: Passenger Lift Services Ltd
Priority date: 2003-06-24
Filing date: 2003-06-24
Publication date: 2004-12-29
Anticipated expiration: 2023-06-24
Also published as: GB0314684D0; GB2403203B

Abstract

A lift and method comprising a load-bearing platform (6) and at least one hand rail (12, 13), said load-bearing platform being in operative engagement with at least two arm members, the or each arm member being in operative engagement with a fixed member located on a surface of a vehicle.

Description

VEHICLE LIFT

This invention relates to lifts, and in particular, though not exclusively, to lifts for use in association with emergency vehicles.

Hitherto, lift assemblies and especially those that are adapted in use to facilitate access of mobility impaired and/or wheel chain bound persons are generally of the underfloor-type.

Underfloor-type lifts are known per se and generally include a stowage box which is fixedly mounted beneath the floor of the vehicle; a load- bearing platform which is mounted on a carriage which can be moved inwardly and outwardly of the stowage box, the platform being stowed away in the box when not in use and being presented for use when out of the box. Movement of the platform is provided by a lifting mechanism which is conveniently operated hydraulically.

Typically the platform is provided, at one or both ends, with a hinged bridging-plate. When the platform is deployed, the bridging-plate extends from the platform to the ground or to the interior of the vehicle (as the case may be).

Currently these lifts are impractical for use on emergency vehicles.

Reasons for this include lack of necessary ground clearance to fit the lift to the underside of the vehicle and the relatively slow deployment time and stowage time due to the entire operation being under precise hydraulic control or the like.

New legislation has directed that all emergency vehicles, especially ambulances, are to be fitted with a passenger lift. Currently no existing lifts adapted to be fitted to vehicles and the like are suitable for such a purpose.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a lift for such a purpose.

Accordingly the present invention provides, in a first aspect, a lift comprising a load-bearing platform and at least one handrail, said loadbearing platform being in operative engagement with at least two arm members, the or each arm member being in operative engagement with a fixed member located on a surface of a vehicle.

The load-bearing platform is preferably of a ladder-type construction to allow for alteration of width and length of said platform.

The handrail is preferably powered from an inoperative condition to an operative condition by means of a hydraulically actuated piston. The handrail is preferably powered from an operative condition to an inoperative condition by means of a hydraulically actuated piston.

Alternatively, the handrail may be powered pneumatically or electronically.

The load-bearing platform is adapted, in use, to be pivotally engaged with each arm member.

The arm members are disposed substantially parallel to each other.

Preferably the arm members are in pivotal engagement with said fixed member. Suitably, the fixed member is located on an underfloor surface of the vehicle.

The arm members suitably engage the fixed underfloor member at a spacedapart distance of between 65mm and 75mm. Preferably they are at a spacedapart distance of 70mm.

The arm members suitably engage the load-bearing platform at a spacedapart distance of between 70mm and 80mm. Preferably the arm members are at a spaced-apart distance of 75mm.

The spaced-apart orientation of the arm members is advantageous as known lifts relied on a substantially wedge shaped load-bearing platform which needed to be deployed to an intermediate condition and subsequently adjusted before being fully deployed to an operative condition; the spaced-apart arms allow for the omission of this intermediate step.

A roll-on ramp may be pivotally attached to the one end of the platform and a bridge-plate to the opposite end of the platform, both in a manner known per se.

The lift is deployed as follows: The underside of the load-bearing platform is provided with one or more keyed portions which, when the lift assembly is in a stowed condition, are in positive meshing engagement with complementary keyed portions located on the vehicle.

The lift is then lowered so as to disengage the keyed portions.

The lift is then deployed manually, for example with the aid of one or more inertia belts located on the underside of the load-bearing platform.

The lift is then presented in an intermediate condition. The lift is secured in this condition by locking means. The locking means preferably comprises a spring-bolt.

The lift is then powered to a fully deployed condition, for example by hydraulic means. Alternatively, pneumatic or electronic means may be used.

When the lift is in a fully deployed condition, the roll-on ramp is concomitantly deployed to allow access for wheelchairs and stretchers and the like on to the platform. The handrail is also deployed into a fully operative condition.

The lift is then powered up to the floor level of the vehicle. When the lift reaches this level the bridge-plate is concomitantly deployed to span the gap between the load-bearing platform and the floor of the vehicle. This allows for access of the wheelchair or stretcher into the vehicle.

The lift can then be stowed by releasing the spring-bolt and manually stowing the load-bearing platform by means of a cable attachment.

The present invention also provides, in a second aspect, a lift in accordance with the first aspect and further comprising means for facilitating the manual deployment of the load-bearing platform to an I intermediate position.

The means preferably comprises at least two gas-struts pivotally engaged at one end to an arm member and pivotally engaged at the opposite end to the underside of the load-bearing platform.

The means preferably also comprises at least one torsion spring. The torsion spring is preferably in operative engagement with the loadbearing platform and a fixed portion of an arm member.

The combination of one or more gas-struts and one or more torsion springs is advantageous during manual deployment as they act to make manual deployment quick and easy.

Alternatively, the gas struts may be replaced by hydraulic or pneumatic means. This enables the load-bearing platform to be powered from a standard condition to a fully deployed condition.

Lift in accordance with the present invention also comprises means for removing the load-bearing platform in a partially or fully deployed condition along a lateral axis of a vehicle. This is advantageous as the load-bearing platform can be adjusted to avoid obstructions at an accident or obstructions in an emergency vehicle e.g. cabinets and medical equipment or the like.

The means preferably comprises a first member in pivotal engagement with the load-bearing platform and a second member in foxed or Remountable engagement with a vehicle.

The first and second members have complementary keyed portions in sliding engagement. The first member is substantially U-shaped and is provided with at least one bearing distal of the keyed portion. The second member is also substantially U-shaped and is provided with hydraulic, pneumatic or electronic means to dispose the first member along a longitudinal axis of the second member. This axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the emergency vehicle. r

The present invention will now be described, merely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a lift in accordance with the invention in a stowed condition on an offside ambulance rear door; Figure 2 shows the lift of Figure 1 in a predeployed condition; Figure 3a is a side view of the lift of Figure 1; Figure 3b is a side view of the lift of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows the operation of the cable attachment of the lift; Figure 5 shows the lift in an intermediate condition; Figure 6 shows the lift of Figure 5 with the handrails in an operative condition; Figure 7 shows the lift of Figure 6 in a fully deployed condition; Figure 8 shows the lift at the floor height of the vehicle with the bridge plate deployed; Figure 9 shows the bridge plate deployment mechanism; Figure 10 shows the means for disposing the load bearing platform laterally.

In the drawings, like numerals denote like parts.

Referring to Figure 1, an ambulance 1 is shown having a lift 2 in accordance with the present invention in a stowed condition against a rear offside door 3. The lift 2 is maintained in this position by meshing engagement of complementary keyed portions located 4, 5 on the loadbearing platform 6 of the lift 2 and the offside door 3.

Figure 2 shows the lift 2 in a pre-deployed condition having been lowered while still in an upstanding position relative to the ground. The lowering of the lift 2 serves to disengage the complementary keyed portions 4, 5.

The lift is maintained in an upstanding condition by means of one or more gas-struts (not shown) and one or more torsion springs (not shown).

Figure 3a is a side view of the lift of Figure 1. The load-bearing platform 6 is in pivotal engagement with a carriage portion 7. The carriage portion 7 is in operative pivotal engagement with arm members 8.

Figure 3b is a side view of the lift of Figure 2. The arm members 8 have been lowered hydraulically so as to disengage the complementary keyed portions 4, 5. The lift is now in a pre-deployed condition.

Figures 4a-d show the cable attachment 10 that controls the retraction of the roll-on ramp 9. In Figure 4a the lift is being moved towards a stowed condition and as this happens the cable is tightened relative to its offset position 11 on the carriage portion 7 of the lift 2. As can be seen from Figures 4b to c, the further the lift is moved towards a stowed condition, the further the roll-on ramp 9 is retracted relative to the load-bearing platform 6.

Figure 5 shows the lift after being manually deployed to an intermediate condition. The handrails 12, 13 are in an inoperative condition within the overall outline of the load-bearing platform 6. The roll-on ramp 9 is in an upstanding position relative to the platform.

Figure 6 shows the lift of Figure 5 having the handrails 12, 13 deployed into an operative condition by hydraulic means (not shown). The offside handrail 13 is elongated with respect to the nearside handrail 12 so as to prevent a paramedic from accessing a patient the side nearest to the road.

Instead the paramedic can only, easily, access the patient from the side farthest from the road.

Figure 7 shows the lift in a fully deployed condition with the roll-on ramp 9 deployed ready to accept a patient onto the load-bearing platform 6.

The roll-on ramp 9 is deployed by the retraction of a metal rod (not shown) . Figure 8 shows the lift in a fixed condition, level with the floor 20 of the vehicle. The roll-on ramp 9 is in an upstanding condition to prevent the stretcher/wheelchair from falling from the load-bearing platform 6. The bridge-plate 30 is automatically deployed when the loadbearing platform 6 is level with the floor 20 of the ambulance. This bridge-plate 30 spans the gap between the load-bearing platform 6 and the floor 20 of the ambulance.

Figure 9 shows the mechanism for the lowering and raising of the bridgeplate 30. The bridge-plate 30 is maintained in an upstanding condition by means of a plunger 40. The plunger 40 is in sliding engagement with an actuation arm 41. A raised portion 42 is located on the uppermost surface 43 of the actuation arm 41. When the lift is raised the raised portion contacts the underside 50 of the ambulance 51. This action causes the downward movement of the plunger 40 and allows the bridge-plate 30 to be deployed into an operative condition in the direct of arrow A. Referring to Figure 10 the means 70 for lateral movement (relative to a vehicle) of a load-bearing platform is shown.

The means 70 comprises first 71 and second 72 members having complementary keyed portions 73, 74. The first member being in pivotal engagement with a load-bearing platform (not shown).

The first member 71 is provided with a bearing 80 in engagement with the second member 72. The second member 72 is provided with a hydraulic cylinder 90. The hydraulic cylinder 90, in use, enables the first member 71 to be disposed along a longitudinal axis of the second member 72.

Claims

1. A lift comprising a load-bearing platform and at least one hand rail, said load-bearing platform being in operative engagement with at least two arm members, the or each arm member being in operative engagement with a fixed member located on a surface of a vehicle.

2. A lift as claimed in Claim 1 in which the load-bearing platform is of a ladder type construction.

3. A lift as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the handrail is powered from an inoperative condition to an operative condition by means of a hydraulically actuated piston.

4. A lift as claimed in Claim 3 in which the handrail is powered from an operative condition to an inoperative condition by means of a hydraulically actuated piston.

5. A lift as claimed in Claim or Claim 4 in which the handrail is powered pneumatically or electronically.

6. A lift as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the loadbearing platform is adapted in use to be pivotally engaged with each arm member.

7 A lift as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the arm members are disposed substantially parallel to each other.

8. A lift as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the arm members are in pivotal engagement with said fixed member.

9. A lift as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the fixed member is located on an underfloor surface of the vehicle.

10. A lift as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the arm members engage the fixed underfloor member at a spaced apart distance of between 65mm and 75mm.

11. A lift as claimed in Claim 10 in which the arm members engage the fixed underfloor member at a spaced apart distance of 70mm.

12 A lift as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the arm members engage the load-bearing platform at a spaced apart distance of between 70mm and 80mm.

13. A lift as claimed in Claim 12 in which the arm members engage the load-bearing platform at a spaced apart distance of 75mm.

14. A lift as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which a rollon ramp is pivotally attached to one end of the platform and a bride plate to the opposite end of the platform.

15. A lift as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the lift is secured in a deployed condition by locking means.

16. A lift as claimed in Claim 15 in which the locking means comprises a spring bolt.

17. A lift as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the lift is powered to a fully deployed condition by hydraulic means.

18. A lift as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 16 in which the lift is powered to a deployed condition by pneumatic or electronic means.

19. A lift as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein when the lift is in a fully deployed condition, the roll-on ramp is concomitantly deployed to allow access for wheelchairs and stretchers and the like onto the platform.

20. A lift as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which when the lift is in a fully deployed condition the handrail is also deployed into a fully operative condition.

21. A lift in accordance with the first aspect of the invention and further comprising means for facilitating the manual deployment of the load-bearing platform to an intermediate position.

22. A lift as claimed in Claim 20 in which the means comprises at least two gas struts pivotally engaged at one end to an arm member and pivotally engaged at the opposite end to the underside of the load- bearing platforms.

23. A lift as claimed in Claim 20 or 21 in which the means also comprises at least one torsion spring.

24. A lift as claimed in any one of Claims 20 to 22 in which the torsion spring is in operative engagement with the load-bearing platform and a fixed portion of an arm member.

25. A lift as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which said lift comprises means for moving the load-bearing platform, in a partially or fully deployed condition, along a lateral axis of a vehicle.

26. A lift as claimed in Claim 24 in which the means comprises a first member in pivotal engagement with the load-bearing platform and a second member in fixed or Remountable engagement with a vehicle.

27. A lift as claimed in Claim 24 or Claim 25 in which the first and second member have complementary keyed portions in sliding engagement.

28. A lift as claimed in any one of Claims 24 to 26 in which the second member is provided with hydraulic means to dispose the first member along a longitudinal axis of said second member.

29. A lift as claimed in any one of Claims 24 to 27 in which the first member is further provided with at least one bearing.

30. A lift substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.