GB2417021A

GB2417021A - Passenger service vehicle disabled persons lift

Info

Publication number: GB2417021A
Application number: GB0418205A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Samuel Trevor Erskine
Original assignee: WRIGHTBUS Ltd
Current assignee: WRIGHTBUS Ltd
Priority date: 2004-08-14
Filing date: 2004-08-14
Publication date: 2006-02-15
Also published as: GB0418205D0

Abstract

A passenger service vehicle 2 having an entrance (4, fig 2) with steps 6 for able-bodied passengers and a passenger seating are (10) at a level higher than the entrance, the passenger seating area having a travelling position for a wheelchair 22, wherein the vehicle includes a carriage 26 adapted to support the wheelchair 22, the carriage 26 being directly moveable by means of arms 30 between the wheelchair travelling position in the passenger seating area, and a ground surface position adjacent to the passenger service vehicle. The wheelchair access is via a separate door 4.

Description

241 7021 1 Passenger Service Vehicle 3 This invention relates to

improvements for the 4 loading and carriage of wheelchairs and wheelchair bound passengers in passenger service vehicles, 6 whilst still retaining the maximum seating and 7 luggage capacity.

9 Presently, it is difficult and certainly not practical economically for existing passenger 11 service vehicles such as coaches and buses, in 12 particular high floor buses, to carry wheelchair 13 bound passengers. Most coaches and high-flooer 14 buses have step-up entrances and are generally designed to have at least one or more steps from an 16 entrance area to a raised gangway for higher-level 17 seating, all of which are difficult if not 18 impossible barriers and obstacles for wheelchair 19 bound passengers to negotiate.

21 A solution to the suitable accommodation of a 22 wheelchair in or adjacent the entrance platform area 1 of a passenger service vehicle is suggested in our 2 WO 02/079020.

4 For non-urban (i.e. 'inter-city') coaches in particular, it is generally desirable for the 6 wheelchair-bound passenger to be at the 'high floor' 7 level of the other able-bodied passengers. High 8 floor coaches generally comprise a passenger deck 9 for a passenger seating area which is positioned above the wheels of the vehicle. This provides 11 visibility, and the location of luggage storage 12 compartments thereunder.

14 One arrangement for wheelchair-bound passengers to travel in such vehicles is for a platform-lift, 16 stowed in the underfloor luggage compartment to be 17 activated such that its platform descends vertically 18 to the ground. The wheelchair is then located onto 19 the platform which is then raised vertically to allow the wheelchair to be moved from the platform 21 into a high-level entrance along the side of the 22 coach, and into a suitable area for travelling. The 23 lift platform is then lowered, stowed away, and the 24 entrance sealed by a door.

26 However, such platform lifts generally take up a lot 27 of space in the luggage compartment, reducing the 28 amount of luggage that can be carried. Furthermore, 29 when deployed, such platform lifts can fall foul of street furniture or other infrastructure problems 31 such as pillars in coach stations causing 32 inconvenience for the driver and hazardous 1 situations for other road users. Such lifts also 2 require extensive assembly, securement for setting 3 up and location next to the vehicle, time for the 4 lifting and boarding, which may require at least one able-bodied person to assist, and then time for 6 disassembly and stowage. All these actions take 7 considerable time and effort.

9 As luggage space is at a premium on high floor intercity coaches, it is an object of the present 11 invention to provide a simpler arrangement that 12 maximises the luggage carrying capacity of the 13 vehicle.

Thus, according to one aspect of the present 16 invention, there is provided a passenger service 17 vehicle having an entrance for able-bodied 18 passengers and a passenger seating area at a level 19 higher than the entrance, the passenger seating area having a travelling position for a wheelchair, 21 wherein the vehicle includes a carriage adapted to 22 support a wheelchair, the carriage being directly 23 moveable between the wheelchair travelling position 24 in the passenger seating area, and a ground surface position adjacent to the passenger service vehicle.

27 Because the carriage is directly moveable between 28 the ground surface and the passenger seating area 29 and because the wheelchair can be supported on the carriage already facing in the direction of travel 31 of the vehicle, less time and effort is needed for 32 the complete operation of boarding or alighting the 1 wheelchair-bound passenger into and out of passenger 2 service vehicle, in particular a high floor coach or 3 bus.

The space for the wheelchair may be located at any 6 suitable position in the passenger seating area.

7 One particular position is at or near the front of 8 the passenger seating area, preferably above the 9 front wheel arch.

ll The passenger seating area may be at one or more 12 levels. All levels will generally be based on a 13 passenger 'deck', on which the seats are located, 14 either directly, or on one or more daises (generally raised above the level of the gangway).

17 The space for the travelling position of the 18 wheelchair is preferably wholly or substantially at 19 the same or a similar level to the level of the passenger seating area and/or the floor region 21 between the passenger seats (normally referred to as 22 the gangway). If this wheelchair position is 23 located at or near the front of the passenger 24 seating area, then the wheelchair space may be more conveniently at a level slightly lower than the 26 general level of the passenger seating area, such as 27 not on any raised dais, preferably level with the 28 gangway. This level is nevertheless still above, 29 more preferably considerably above, the level of the general entrance into the vehicle for able-bodied 31 passengers. Such entrances, especially for high 1 floor coaches, generally have a high initial step- 2 in.

4 In one embodiment of the present invention, the passenger service vehicle includes a front chassis 6 assembly portion, and the wheelchair travelling 7 position is located wholly or substantially above 8 the front chassis assembly portion. More 9 preferably, the wheelchair travelling position is Located wholly or substantially above a front wheel 11 or front wheel arch of the vehicle.

13 Preferably, the carriage is moveable by or through a 14 lifting action. More preferably, the carriage is moveable between its positions through one movement 16 or action.

18 Movement of the carriage is preferably carried out 19 by a lifting means. The lifting means may comprise a suitable linkage adapted to move the carriage 21 directly from a ground surface to the position 22 allocated for the wheelchair in the passenger 23 seating area.

The carriage may be of any suitable size, shape and 26 design. In one embodiment, the carriage includes a 27 floor, which floor is wholly or substantially flat, 28 on which a wheelchair can be located. More 29 preferably, the floor has sufficient size to allow a wheelchair to be moveable thereon, such as moveable 31 from facing one direction to face another direction.

1 The carriage may include one or more wall portions, 2 possibly upstanding from its floor, although not 3 limited thereto. The wall portions may be moveable 4 between two or more positions, such as a horizontal ramp position and a vertical position, and/or one or 6 more rest and operable positions.

8 The or each wall portion could assist in providing a 9 form of containment and/or barrier against movement of a wheelchair in the carriage, especially during 11 movement of the carriage between its positions.

13 In a ramp position or other operable position, a 14 wall portion could assist movement of the wheelchair on and off the carriage.

17 The carriage may have one or ramp means, either 18 integrally or separably, to assist movement of the 19 wheelchair on and off the carriage, especially at its ground surface position.

22 The carriage may include one or more securing means, 23 adapted to assist or provide securing of the 24 wheelchair on or in the carriage. Such securing means may be by one or more means known in the art, 26 including belts, buckles, chains, lines, clamps, 27 friction surfaces, magnets, studs, groves, etc. The 28 or each securing means is adapted to ensure securing 29 and/or conjoining of the wheelchair with the carriage during carriage movement.

1 The carriage may also include a frame. The frame 2 preferably includes one or more, preferably two, 3 upstanding portions through which the movement of 4 the carriage is actionable.

6 In one embodiment of the present invention, the 7 carriage has a frame which includes opposing, for 8 example front and rear, and/or side and side, 9 outline frame portions, at least a portion of which is at, near or above the height of a wheelchair on 11 the carriage.

13 Movement of the carriage may be powered by any 14 suitable means, including one or more electric, hydraulic, pneumatic means, or a combination of 16 same. Such means are well known in the art. Such 17 means may include one or more dampers adapted to 18 ensure smooth and/or even movement of the carriage 19 between its positions.

21 The means for moving the carriage may be by any 22 suitable mechanical arrangement able to provide 23 direct movement of the carriage between the ground 24 surface and the travelling position in the passenger seating area. Such means includes at least one arm 26 or other elongate or extended linkage, preferably at 27 least two of, based at one end on or in the 28 passenger service vehicle, and at the other end at 29 or on the carriage.

31 In one embodiment, the invention involves a lifting 32 means having two arms, which arms are directly 1 connected between the service vehicle and the 2 carriage. The arms may be based or located in the 3 passenger service vehicle at any suitable location.

4 Preferably, they are secured to the passenger service vehicle at or near the level of the 6 passenger seating area.

8 According to another embodiment of the present 9 invention, the carriage is moveable between its wheelchair travelling position in the vehicle and a 11 ground surface position by an arcuate movement, 12 generally by rotation of the carriage about one or 13 more axes, although not limited thereto. More 14 preferably, the carriage is rotatable by at least one, preferably two or more, arms pivoted on or in 16 the passenger service vehicle, and about which pivot 17 points the arms rotate to lift the carriage from a 18 ground surface position directly to the wheelchair 19 travelling position in the passenger seating area.

21 The wheelchair travelling position may be a 22 dedicated area for such use only, or be useable for 23 other purposes, such as a stowage area, or the 24 location of moveable or removable seats for able bodied passengers, when not required for a 26 wheelchair passenger.

28 The carriage, when not required for a wheelchair 29 passenger, may be stowable and/or collapsible, either in or around the vehicle, or adapted for 31 other purposes as described above.

1 Preferably, the passenger service vehicle includes 2 one or more doors or door means separate from the 3 able-bodied passenger entrance, through which the 4 carriage and wheelchair can pass when alighting or boarding the vehicle. The door(s) or door means may 6 be any form known in the art, such as leaf, hinged, 7 sliding, overhead, etc. 9 In an embodiment of the present invention, the wheelchair remains on or with the carriage at its 11 travelling position. That is, no movement, or 12 significant movement, of the wheelchair is needed 13 once the carriage has reached the travelling 14 position, reducing the time and effort for boarding and alighting such passengers. The carriage is 16 preferably adapted to provide an ergonomic 17 travelling position for the wheelchair-bound 18 passenger. Alternatively, the wheelchair passenger 19 is then easily moveable to an able-bodied seat for travel, should this be desired.

22 Preferably, the carriage and any means for moving 23 the carriage are integral with the passenger service 24 vehicle, more preferably wholly locatable in the vehicle during its travel. Alternatively, the 26 carriage is separate to the vehicle, and any means 27 for moving the carriage is integral with the 28 vehicle, for attachment to the carriage when 29 required.

31 Thus, according to a second aspect of the present 32 invention, there is provided means for directly 1 moving a wheelchair on a carriage between a ground 2 surface position and a travelLing position in the 3 passenger seating area of a passenger service 4 vehicle, which means includes at least one arm attached to the vehicle and carriage.

7 The means may be integral with the passenger service 8 vehicle, so separately formed and then conjoined 9 with the vehicle to become integral. The means is preferably locatable in the side of the vehicle in a 11 discreet position when not required.

13 According to a third aspect of the present ]4 invention, there is provided a means and a carriage for directly moving a wheelchair between a ground 16 surface position and a travelling position in the 17 passenger seating area of a passenger service 18 vehicle, which means includes at least one arm 19 attached to the vehicle and carriage and adapted to move the carriage between the ground surface 21 position and the wheelchair travelling position.

22 Particular embodiments of the carriage and means for 23 moving the carriage are described hereinbefore.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be 26 described by way of example only, and with reference 27 to the diagrammatic drawings in which: 29 Figure 1 is a forward looking cross-sectional view of a passenger service vehicle according to one 31 embodiment of the present invention, and 1 Figure 2 is a side view of Figure 1, with the 2 carriage and wheelchair located in the wheelchair 3 travelling position of the passenger service 4 vehicle. 5.

6 Referring to the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 show the 7 outline of a passenger service vehicle 2 such as a 8 high floor coach. The vehicle 2 has an able-bodied 9 passenger entrance 4, generally having a door (not shown). From the entrance 4 are a series of steps 6 11 leading to a raised gangway 8 on either side of 12 which is the passenger seating area 10. The gangway 13 8 and deck 14 are provided at a higher level than 14 the entrance 4 to provide improved visibility for the passengers and to provide luggage storage space 16 9 thereunder. Typically, though not necessarily, the 17 deck 14, upon which the passenger seats 16 are 18 mounted, is provided at a higher level than the 19 gangway 8, so as to provide the passengers with further improved visibility during travel.

22 The passenger seating area 10 has an area 20 for a 23 wheelchair 22. The wheelchair 22 will generally be 24 occupied by a wheelchair-bound passenger 24.

26 The vehicle 2 includes a carriage 26 adapted to 27 support the wheelchair 22, and directly moveable 28 between the travelling position of the wheelchair, 29 being the space in the passenger seating area 20, and a ground surface position 28 adjacent to the 31 vehicle 2.

1 The carriage 26 is moveable by two arms 30 secured 2 at one end in the vehicle 2 at a position 32 near 3 the level of the gangway 8. Means for powering the 4 arms 30, well known in the art, are not shown.

Their distal ends are attached to the apex of frame 6 portions 34 of the carriage 26.

8 The arms 30 are shown in Figure 1 in two main 9 positions. Firstly, extending downwardly from the vehicle 2 such that the carriage 26 is located on 11 the ground surface 36 next to the vehicle 2.

13 In use, able-bodied passengers can board and alight 14 the vehicle 2 through the usual step-up entrance 4 and steps 6, in a manner commonly known in the art.

17 The carriage 26 includes a leaf-ramp 38 moveable 18 between a generally 'flat' position which allows a 19 smooth passage for a wheelchair onto the carriage floor, and a raised, generally vertically, position.

21 Whilst the other passengers board the vehicle 2 22 through the entrance 4, a wheelchair 22 and 23 wheelchair-bound passenger 24 can travel onto the 24 carriage 26 via the leaf-ramp 38.

26 Once on the carriage 26, the wheelchair 22 can be 27 manocovred either directly or indirectly so that the 28 wheelchair 22 and its occupant 24 face forwardly 29 relative to the vehicle 2. The wheelchair 22 can then be secured or made fast relative to the 31 carriage 26, following which rotation of the arms 30 32 about their pivotal axes causes arcuate movement of 1 the carriage 26 from the ground surface position 28 2 to the wheelchair space position 20 within the 3 vehicle 2. Figure 1 shows in block form 42 the base 4 (only) of the carriage 26 in a number of its transitory positions between the ground surface 6 position 26 and wheelchair space position 20.

8 Once the carriage 26 is located in the intended 9 travailing position in the space provided in the passenger seating area 10, the carriage 26 could be 11 secured or made fast or otherwise conjoined with the 12 vehicle 2. Generally the surface of the carriage 26 13 in its travelling position is level with the gangway 14 8, to assist securement during motion of the vehicle 2. The occupant 24 could remain in the wheelchair 16 22 during travel, or be moved to a seat 16.

18 Meanwhile, a leaf-door 40 could be closed, either 19 manually or automatically or both, to seal the area of the vehicle side through which the carriage 26 21 has traversed. Whilst a pivoting leaf-door 40 is 22 shown, it is envisaged that a sliding door may be 23 used to close and seal said area.

The wheelchair space 20 is located above the front 26 wheel 44 of the vehicle 2, in a position which does 27 not effect the boarding and alighting of able-bodied 28 passengers, which can occur simultaneously. This 29 provides an important safety factor, whereby the wheelchair does not present an obstacle to escape 31 routes for other passengers in the event of an 32 emergency, such as a fire.

2 Alighting of the carriage 26 and wheelchair 22 and 3 occupant 24 is by the reversal of the above.

By locating the means for moving the carriage 26 6 wholly within the vehicle 2, storage of the means is 7 not problematic. More preferably, no assembly or 8 disassembly of the means is required either before 9 or after boarding or alighting of the wheelchair and its occupant.

12 The present invention provides a simple but 13 effective arrangement for directly moving a 14 wheelchair and its occupant between the ground surface, such as a pavement or the like, and a 16 position in a vehicle suitable for motion and 17 travel. If there is no wheelchair-bound passenger, 18 the space and position therefor could be used 19 practically for other purposes such as stowage or more able-bodied seating.

22 Since the wheelchair carriage and lifting mechanism 23 are located above the front wheel of the vehicle, 24 such components do not intrude into the luggage compartment, this maximising the luggage capacity.

26 Furthermore, the present invention enables the front 27 overhang of the vehicle to be maintained at its 28 normal length whilst still providing sufficient 29 space for the boarding of able bodied passengers and without requiring any substantial reduction in the 31 luggage or seating capacity of the vehicle.

1 The present invention permits the wheelchair to be 2 secured to the carriage in a forward facing position 3 (i.e. facing in the normal direction of travel of 4 the vehicle) whilst at ground level, outside of the vehicle, therefore no manoeuvring space is required 6 once the carriage is within the vehicle, thus 7 minimizing the amount of space required for the 8 carriage within the vehicle and subsequently 9 maximising the seating capacity of the vehicle.

Claims

1 Claims 3 1. A passenger service vehicle having an entrance 4 for

able-bodied passengers and a passenger seating area at a level higher than the entrance, the 6 passenger seating area having a travelling position 7 for a wheelchair, wherein the vehicle includes a 8 carriage adapted to support a wheelchair, the 9 carriage being directly moveable between the wheelchair travelling position in the passenger 11 seating area, and a ground surface position adjacent 12 to the passenger service vehicle.

14 2. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the travelling position for the 16 wheelchair is located at or near the front of the 17 passenger seating area, 19 4. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the travelling position for the 21 wheelchair is located above the front wheel arch.

23 5. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in any 24 preceding claim, wherein the travelling position for the wheelchair is preferably wholly or substantially 26 at the same or a similar level to the level of the 27 passenger seating area and/or the floor region 28 between the passenger seats.

6. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in any 31 preceding claim, wherein the passenger service 32 vehicle includes a front chassis assembly portion, 1 and the wheelchair travelling position is located 2 wholly or substantially above the front chassis 3 assembly portion.

7. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in claim 6 6, wherein the wheelchair travelling position is 7 located wholly or substantially above a front wheel 8 or front wheel arch of the vehicle.

8. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in any 11 preceding claim, wherein the carriage is moveable 12 between its positions through one movement or 13 action.

9. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in any 16 preceding claim, wherein movement of the carriage is 17 carried out by a lifting means.

19 10. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in claim 9, wherein the lifting means comprises a suitable 21 linkage adapted to move the carriage directly from a 22 ground surface to the position allocated for the 23 wheelchair in the passenger seating area.

11. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in any 26 preceding claim, wherein the carriage includes a 27 floor, which floor is wholly or substantially flat, 28 on which a wheelchair can be located.

12. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in claim 31 11, wherein the floor has sufficient size to allow a 1 wheelchair to be moveable thereon, such as moveable 2 from facing one direction to face another direction.

4 13. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the carriage includes one or 6 more wall portions.

8 14. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in claim 9 13, wherein the wall portions are moveable between two or more positions, such as a horizontal ramp 11 position and a vertical position, and/or one or more 12 rest and operable positions.

14 15. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the carriage includes one 16 or ramp means, either integrally or separably, to 17 assist movement of the wheelchair on and off the 18 carriage, especially at its ground surface position.

16. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in any 21 preceding claim, wherein the carriage includes one 22 or more securing means, adapted to assist or provide 23 securing of the wheelchair on or in the carriage.

17. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in any 26 preceding claim, wherein the carriage includes a 27 frame, the frame including one or more upstanding 28 portions through which the movement of the carriage 29 is actionable.

31 18. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in any 32 preceding claim, wherein the carriage has a frame 1 which includes opposing outline frame portions, at 2 least a portion of which is at, near or above the 3 height of a wheelchair on the carriage.

19. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in any 6 preceding claim, wherein movement of the carriage is 7 powered by any suitable means, including one or more 8 electric, hydraulic, pneumatic means, or a 9 combination of same.

11 20. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in claim 12 19, wherein the movement means includes one or more 13 dampers adapted to ensure smooth and/or even 14 movement of the carriage between its positions.

16 21. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in any 17 preceding claim, wherein means for moving the 18 carriage comprises at least one arm or other 19 elongate or extended linkage mounted at one end on or in the passenger service vehicle, and at the 21 other end at or on the carriage.

23 22. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in any 24 preceding claim, comprising a lifting means having two arms, which arms are directly connected between 26 the service vehicle and the carriage.

28 23. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in claim 29 22, wherein the arms are secured to the passenger service vehicle at or near the level of the 31 passenger seating area.

1 24. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in any 2 preceding claim, wherein the carriage is moveable 3 between its wheelchair travelling position in the 4 vehicle and a ground surface position by an arcuate movement.

7 25. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in claim 8 24, wherein the carriage rotates about one or more 9 axes during movement between its wheelchair travelling position in the vehicle and a ground 11 surface position.

13 26. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in claim 14 24 or claim 25, wherein the carriage is rotatable by at least one arm pivoted on or in the passenger 16 service vehicle, and about which pivot point the arm 17 rotates to lift the carriage from a ground surface 18 position directly to the wheelchair travelling 19 position in the passenger seating area.

21 27. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in any 22 preceding claim, wherein the carriage, when not 23 required for a wheelchair passenger, may be stowable 24 and/or collapsible, either in or around the vehicle, or adapted for other purposes.

27 28. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in any 28 preceding claim, including one or more doors or door 29 means separate from the able-bodied passenger entrance, through which the carriage and wheelchair 31 can pass when alighting or boarding the vehicle.

1 29. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in any 2 preceding claim, wherein the wheelchair can remain 3 on or with the carriage at its travelling position.

30. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in any 6 preceding claim, wherein the carriage and any means 7 for moving the carriage are integral with the 8 passenger service vehicle, preferably wholly 9 locatable in the vehicle during its travel.

11 31. A passenger service vehicle as claimed in any 12 of claims 1 to 29, wherein the carriage is separate 13 to the vehicle, and any means for moving the 14 carriage is integral with the vehicle, for attachment to the carriage when required.

17 32. Means for directly moving a wheelchair on a 18 carriage between a ground surface position and a 19 travailing position in the passenger seating area of a passenger service vehicle, which means includes at 21 least one arm attached to the vehicle and carriage.

23 33. A moving means as claimed in claim 32, wherein 24 the means is integral with the passenger service vehicle, preferably locatable in the side of the 26 vehicle in a discreet position when not required.

28 34. A means and a carriage for directly moving a 29 wheelchair between a ground surface position and a travelling position in the passenger seating area of 31 a passenger service vehicle, which means includes at 32 least one arm attached to the vehicle and carriage 1 and adapted to move the carriage between the ground 2 surface position and the wheelchair travelling 3 position.

35. A passenger service vehicle substantially as 6 herein described with reference to the accompanying 7 drawings.

9 36. Means for directly moving a wheelchair on a carriage between a ground surface position and a 11 travelling position in the passenger seating area of 12 a passenger service vehicle, substantially as herein 13 described with reference to the accompanying 14 drawings.