GB2547027A - Vehicle with access opening closure apparatus - Google Patents

Vehicle with access opening closure apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2547027A
GB2547027A GB1602097.6A GB201602097A GB2547027A GB 2547027 A GB2547027 A GB 2547027A GB 201602097 A GB201602097 A GB 201602097A GB 2547027 A GB2547027 A GB 2547027A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
door
edge
vehicle body
access opening
track
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1602097.6A
Other versions
GB201602097D0 (en
Inventor
Linton Wesley
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.)
S Cartwright & Sons (coachbuilders) Ltd
S Cartwright & Sons (coachbuilders) Ltd
Original Assignee
S Cartwright & Sons (coachbuilders) Ltd
S Cartwright & Sons (coachbuilders) Ltd
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 S Cartwright & Sons (coachbuilders) Ltd, S Cartwright & Sons (coachbuilders) Ltd filed Critical S Cartwright & Sons (coachbuilders) Ltd
Priority to GB1602097.6A priority Critical patent/GB2547027A/en
Publication of GB201602097D0 publication Critical patent/GB201602097D0/en
Publication of GB2547027A publication Critical patent/GB2547027A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
    • B60J5/00—Doors
    • B60J5/10—Doors arranged at the vehicle rear
    • B60J5/101—Doors arranged at the vehicle rear for non-load transporting vehicles, i.e. family cars including vans
    • B60J5/105—Doors arranged at the vehicle rear for non-load transporting vehicles, i.e. family cars including vans comprising door or part of door being pivotable about vertical axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
    • B60J5/00—Doors
    • B60J5/04—Doors arranged at the vehicle sides
    • B60J5/06—Doors arranged at the vehicle sides slidable; foldable
    • 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
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
    • B60J5/00—Doors
    • B60J5/10—Doors arranged at the vehicle rear
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
    • B60J5/00—Doors
    • B60J5/10—Doors arranged at the vehicle rear
    • B60J5/12—Doors arranged at the vehicle rear slidable; foldable
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
    • B60J5/00—Doors
    • B60J5/10—Doors arranged at the vehicle rear
    • B60J5/12—Doors arranged at the vehicle rear slidable; foldable
    • B60J5/125—Doors arranged at the vehicle rear slidable; foldable for utility vehicles or public transport
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
    • B60P1/00—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading
    • B60P1/43—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading using a loading ramp mounted on the vehicle
    • B60P1/435—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading using a loading ramp mounted on the vehicle the ramp being attached to or making part of the side- or tailboards of the vehicle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
    • B60P1/00—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading
    • B60P1/44—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading having a loading platform thereon raising the load to the level of the load-transporting element
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G69/00—Auxiliary measures taken, or devices used, in connection with loading or unloading
    • B65G69/28—Loading ramps; Loading docks
    • B65G69/2805—Loading ramps; Loading docks permanently installed on the dock
    • B65G69/2811—Loading ramps; Loading docks permanently installed on the dock pivoting 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
    • A61G3/062—Transfer using ramps, lifts or the like using lifts connected to the vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle body 10 having an access opening 12 which provides access to the interior of the vehicle body, a lift platform 14 which is horizontally hinged and rotatable between a generally vertical position and a generally horizontal position, a door 16 and a door opening apparatus which is operable to move the door between a closed position in which the door at least partially closes the access opening, and an open position in which the door does not close the access opening, the door having a generally vertical first edge 16a which is located adjacent a generally vertical first edge of the access opening 12a when the door is in its closed position, and a generally vertical second edge 16b which is spaced from the first edge of the access opening when the door is in its closed position, wherein the door opening apparatus is configured such that, during movement of the door from its closed position to its open position, the first edge of the door moves away from the first edge of the access opening whilst the second edge of the door moves towards the first edge of the access opening.

Description

Title: Vehicle with Access Opening Closure Apparatus Description of Invention
This invention relates to a vehicle with an access opening closure apparatus, particularly, but not exclusively to an emergency vehicle such as an ambulance.
Emergency vehicles such as ambulances typically have an access opening by means of which paramedics may load a wheeled patient transporter such as a trolley cot, stretcher, or wheel chair, bearing a patient into the ambulance.
This access opening is typically at the rear of the ambulance.
In a conventional ambulance, the rear access opening is closed by two doors which are each mounted on hinges on a vertical edge of the ambulance surrounding the rear access opening, each on an opposite edge to the other. The doors generally pivot outwardly of the ambulance when moving to an open position in which the ambulance crew can enter the interior via the rear access opening. An automatic lift platform may also be provided to assist in loading the wheeled patient transporter into the ambulance through the rear access opening.
In an emergency situation, paramedics may be required to load a patient into the ambulance with the shortest possible time, to achieve a rapid transfer of the patient to hospital. GB2372482A shows a configuration of ambulance comprising a hydraulically operated lift platform which is horizontally hinged so that it can be stored in a vertical position so as to close the rear access opening, but can be pivoted outwards to a second position in which the platform is accessible to allow a load such as a stretcher or wheeled trolley cot to be moved onto the platform, and can then be moved to a third position in which the platform engages the ground. The platform may be lowered horizontally to the ground or alternatively be pivoted so as to form a ramp. In the arrangement illustrated in this document, when in its vertical position, the lift platform partially closes the access opening and forms part of the rear inner wall of the vehicle. A conventional vertically hinged door is provided next to the lift platform to complete the closure of the access opening.
The present invention relates to an alternative configuration of vehicle.
According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a vehicle body having an access opening which provides access to the interior of the vehicle body, a lift platform which is horizontally hinged and rotatable between a generally vertical position and a generally horizontal position, a door and a door opening apparatus which is operable to move the door between a closed position in which the door at least partially closes the access opening, and an open position in which the door does not close the access opening, the door having a generally vertical first edge which is located adjacent a generally vertical first edge of the access opening when the door is in its closed position, and a generally vertical second edge which is spaced from the first edge of the access opening when the door is in its closed position, wherein the door opening apparatus is configured such that, during movement of the door from its closed position to its open position, the first edge of the door moves away from the first edge of the access opening whilst the second edge of the door moves towards the first edge of the access opening.
The vehicle may further comprise a further door which is movable between a closed position in which it partially closes the access opening, and an open position in which it does not close the access opening, the further door having a generally vertical first edge which is located adjacent to a generally vertical second edge of the access opening and a generally vertical second edge which is spaced from the second edge of the access opening when the further door is in its closed position. The further door may be connected to the second edge of the access opening by at least one hinge, and pivot about the hinge when moving between its open and closed positions.
When the door and further door are in their closed positions, the second edge of the door and further door may be in contact or directly adjacent to one another so that the door and further door together close the access opening.
The door opening apparatus may comprise a support arm which has a first end of which is pivotally mounted on the vehicle body at or in the vicinity of the first edge of the access opening for rotation about a first axis of rotation, and a second end which is pivotally mounted on the door. The support arm may be secured to (or integral with) a generally vertical pole which is pivotally mounted on the vehicle body at or in the vicinity of the first edge of the access opening, the pole having a longitudinal axis about which it can rotate. A first end of the pole may be pivotally connected to a ceiling of the vehicle body, whilst a second, opposite, end of the pole is pivotally connected to a floor of the vehicle body.
The door opening mechanism may comprise a motor which is operable to rotate the support arm about the first axis of rotation.
The door opening apparatus may further include a track which extends along a generally horizontal edge of the access opening, the door being provided with a corresponding runner which engages with the track and which moves along the track when the door moves between its closed position and open position. The runner may be located at or adjacent the second edge of the door.
The door opening apparatus may further include a first track which extends along a generally horizontal upper edge of the access opening, and a second track which extends along a generally horizontal lower edge of the access opening, the door being provided with a first runner which engages with the first track and a second runner which engages with the second track, the runners moving along the tracks as the door moves between its closed position and its open position.
The or each track may be configured to retain its respective runner in engagement with the track so that the runner can move along the track but cannot move away from the track.
The door opening mechanism may comprise a motor which is operable to drive the or each runner along its respective track.
The lift platform may be pivotally connected to a lower generally horizontal edge of the access opening adjacent to a lowermost generally horizontal edge of the door when the door is in its closed position. The lift platform, when in its generally vertical position, may lie against or directly adjacent to the door when the door is in its closed position. Advantageously, the lift platform is located outside the door when the door is in its closed position, so that the door forms part of an inner wall of the vehicle body.
According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a vehicle having a vehicle body according to the first aspect of the invention. The vehicle may be an ambulance.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of which, FIGURE 1 is an illustration of a vehicle body according to the invention, in which the access opening at the rear of the vehicle body is closed and the lift platform is in its generally vertical position, FIGURE 2 is an illustration of the vehicle body illustrated in Figure 1 with a portion of its ceiling cut away so that the interior of the vehicle body can be seen, the access opening open and the lift platform in its horizontal position, FIGURE 3 is an illustration of the rear face of the vehicle body illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 (without the lift platform for clarity) in which the door is partially open, FIGURE 4 is an illustration of the rear face of the vehicle body as illustrated in Figure 3 but with the door open slightly further, FIGURE 5 is an illustration of the rear face of the vehicle body as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 but with the door almost fully open, FIGURE 6 is an illustration of the rear face of the vehicle body as illustrated in Figures 3 to 5 with the door fully open, FIGURE 7 is an illustration of the rear face of the vehicle body illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 (without the lift platform for clarity) in which the door is closed whilst the further door is open, FIGURE 8 is an illustration of the rear face of the vehicle body illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 (without the lift platform for clarity) in which both the door and further door are fully open, FIGURE 9 is an illustration of the detail of the door opening apparatus used in the vehicle body illustrated in Figures 1 - 8, FIGURE 10 is a further illustration of the detail of the door opening apparatus used in the vehicle body illustrated in Figures 1 - 8, FIGURE 11 is an illustration of the rear of the vehicle body illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 as if viewed from inside the vehicle body with the door partially open, the further door fully open and the lift platform in its horizontal position, FIGURE 12 is an illustration of the rear of the vehicle body illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 as if viewed from above with the door fully open and lines provided to illustrate the position of the door at various points as it moves from its closed position to its fully open position.
Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a vehicle body 10 of a vehicle such as an ambulance. In this embodiment the vehicle body 10 is mounted on a single axle with a pair of wheels. It will be appreciated that the vehicle would also include, at a front end 10a thereof, a driver’s cab containing an engine and mounted on a further axle with a further pair of wheels. These have been omitted from the Figures accompanying this application for clarity.
The vehicle body 10 has a rear end 10b in which is provided an access opening 12 which provides access to the interior of the vehicle body 10, and a lift platform 14 which is horizontally hinged and rotatable between a generally vertical position and a generally horizontal position. The vehicle is also provided with a door 16 and a door opening apparatus (not visible in Figures 1 and 2) which is operable to move the door 16 between a closed position in which the door 16 partially closes the access opening 12 (as illustrated in Figure 1), and an open position in which the door 16 does not close the access opening 16 (as illustrated in Figure 2).
The door 16 has a generally vertical first edge 16a which is located adjacent a generally vertical first edge 12a of the access opening 12 when the door 16 is in its closed position, and a generally vertical second edge 16b which is spaced from the first edge 12a of the access opening 12 when the door 16 is in its closed position. In this example, when the door 16 is in its closed position, its second edge 16b lies generally in the middle of the access opening 12, approximately centrally between the first edge 12a and a generally vertical second edge 12b of the access opening 12.
In this example, the vehicle comprise a further door 18 which is movable between a closed position in which it partially closes the access opening 12, and an open position in which is does not close the access opening 12. The further door 18 in this embodiment is a conventionally vertically hinged door, and, as such, has a generally vertical first edge 18a which is located adjacent to the second edge 12b of the access opening 12 and a generally vertical second edge 18b which is spaced from the second edge 12a of the access opening 12 when the further door is in its closed position. In this example, the second edge 18b of the further door 18 lies generally in the middle of the access opening 12, approximately centrally between the first edge 12a and a generally vertical second edge 12b of the access opening 12. As such, when the door 16 and further door 18 are in their closed positions, the second edges 16b, 18b of the door 16 and further door 18 are in contact or directly adjacent to one another so that the door 16 and further door 18 together close the access opening 12.
The further door 18 is connected to the second edge 12b of the access opening 12 at least one hinge (in this example a pair of hinges 20 - visible in Figures 7 and 8), and pivot about the hinge(s) 20 when moving between its open and closed positions.
The further door 18 can be opened whilst the door 16 is closed to partially open the access opening 12, as illustrated in Figure 7, or both doors 16, 18 can be opened simultaneously, so that the access opening 12 is completely open, as illustrated in Figure 8.
The lift platform 14 is pivotally connected to a lower generally horizontal edge 12c of the access opening 12 adjacent to a lowermost generally horizontal edge 16c of the door 16 when the door 16c is in its closed position. The lift platform 14, when in its generally vertical position, lies against or directly adjacent to the door 16 when the door 16 is in its closed position. In this embodiment, the lift platform 14 is located outside the door 16 when the door 16 is in its closed position, so that the door 16 forms part of an inner wall of the rear of the vehicle body 10.
The lift platform 14 is provided with an operating apparatus which is operable to move the lift platform 14 between its vertical position and its horizontal position. The operating apparatus may also be operable to move the lift platform downwardly when horizontal, so that it rests on the ground. Paramedics may then move a wheeled patient transport onto the lift platform. The operating apparatus can then be operated to move the lift platform upwardly, whilst remaining horizontal, to its original position in which it is generally level with the floor of the interior of the vehicle body. The paramedics may then wheel the patient into the vehicle body. Such lift platforms are standard fittings in vehicles such as ambulances. An example of such a lift platform is described in more detail in GB2372482.
The door opening apparatus is configured such that, during movement of the door 16 from its closed position to its open position, the first edge 16a of the door 16 moves away from the first edge 12a of the access opening 12 whilst the second edge 16b of the door 16 moves towards the first edge 12a of the access opening 12. This process is illustrated in Figures 3 to 6. It will be appreciated that in order to open the door 16, it is necessary first to move the lift platform 14 from its vertical position to its horizontal position. By operating the door 16 in this way, the opening of the door 16 can be commenced before the lift platform 14 is completely horizontal. In this way, the time taken to fully open the access opening 12 and to get the vehicle ready to load a patient into the vehicle body 10 may be reduced.
In this embodiment, the door opening apparatus comprises a support arm 22 which has a first end 22a which is pivotally mounted on the vehicle body 10 in the vicinity of the first edge 12a of the access opening 12 for rotation about a first axis of rotation A, and a second end 22b which is pivotally mounted on the door 16 for rotation relative to the door 16 about a second axis of rotation B. The first axis of rotation A is generally parallel to the second B. The second end of the support arm 22 is connected to the door 16 at a point generally centrally between its first 16a and second 16b generally vertical edges.
Although not essential, in this example, for strength and stability of the connection between the door 16 and vehicle body 10, a pair of support arms 22 are provided. The second end 22b of each support arm 22 is connected to a side of the door 16 which faces inwardly of the vehicle body 10 when the door 16 is closed via a mounting apparatus which lies generally centrally between the first 16a and second 16b edges of the door 16.
In this example, each support arm 22 is secured to (or integral with) a generally vertical pole 24 which is pivotally mounted on the vehicle body 10 in the vicinity of the first edge 12a of the access opening 12, the pole 24 having a longitudinal axis A about which it can rotate. A first end 24a of the pole 24 is pivotally connected to a ceiling 10c of the vehicle body 10, whilst a second, opposite, end 24b of the pole 24 is pivotally connected to a floor 10d of the vehicle body 10. The support arms 22 extend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the pole 24.
As best illustrated in Figure 9, in this example, the door opening apparatus further includes a track 26 which extends along a generally horizontal upper edge 12d of the access opening, the door being provided with a corresponding runner 28 which engages with the track 26 and which moves along the track 26 when the door 16 moves between its closed position and open position.
The runner 28 is, in this example, located at the second edge 16b of the door 16.
The track 26 is configured to retain the runner 28 in engagement with the track 26 so that the runner 28 can move along the track 26 but cannot move away from the track 26. In this example, the track 26 has two generally parallel walls, and the runner 28 comprises a roller which is mounted on an end of a support extending from the second edge 16b of the door so that the roller is located between the two walls. Preferably the roller engages with one of the walls of the tracks and is mounted for rotation on the support so that it rotates as it moves along the track 26.
Whilst in this example, the door opening apparatus includes only a single track and runner arrangement, it will be appreciated that it may include two - a first track which extends along a generally horizontal upper edge of the access opening, and a second track which extends along a generally horizontal lower edge of the access opening, the door being provided with a first runner which engages with the first track and a second runner which engages with the second track, the runners moving along the tracks as the door moves between its closed position and its open position.
The door opening mechanism comprises a motor (not shown) which is operable to rotate the support arms 22 about the first axis of rotation A.
In one example, the motor is connected to the pole 24 so that operation of the motor causes the pole 24 to rotate about its longitudinal axis. The motor may, for example, be an electric motor such as a stepper motor with an output shaft which is connected to the pole 24 by means of a toothed belt, a gear or plurality of gears or a drive chain. Rotation could, alternatively be driven by a hydraulically or pneumatically, for example using a piston and cylinder which is connected to the support arm 22 using a crank, or any other conventional arrangement for converting translational movement into rotation.
The motor is, in this example, mounted in or on the ceiling 10c of the vehicle body 10, and is connected to the first end 24a of the pole 24.
Alternatively or additionally, the door opening mechanism may comprise a motor which is operable to drive the or each runner 28 along its respective track 26. Again, the motor could be an electrical motor such as a stepper motor, or could hydraulically or pneumatically operated.
It will be appreciated that the support arms 22 described above differ from a conventional hinge in that, by virtue of the pivotal connection of the second end 22b of the support arm 22 to the door in addition to the pivotal connection of the first end 22a of the support arm 22 to the vehicle body 10, rotation of the door 16 relative to the vehicle body 10 about two separate, but parallel, axes of rotation A, B is permitted. In contrast, in a conventional hinged arrangement, only the first end of the hinge is pivotally connected to the vehicle body whilst the second end of the hinge is fixed relative to the door.
The combination of the provision of the two parallel axes of rotation A, B with the guiding of the movement of the second edge 16b of the door 16 ensures that, as the door 16 moves from its closed position to its open position, its second edge 16b moves towards the first edge 12a of the access opening 12, whilst its first edge 16a moves away from the first edge 12a of the access opening 12. This is illustrated in Figures 3-6 and also in Figure 12, which shows in dashed lines the line of the door 16 at various points between its closed position and the open position illustrated in this figure. As can be seen, the second edge 16b of the door 16 slides along the plane of the access opening 12 from its original position generally centrally between the first edge 12a and second edge 12b of the access opening 12 to point directly adjacent to the first edge 12a of the access opening 12. At this point, the door 16 is fully open and extends along a plane generally perpendicular to the access opening 12.
This arrangement means that the initial movement of the door 16 from its closed position to its open position takes place in a smaller volume directly adjacent to the plane of the access opening 12 than if the door 16 were vertically hinged in a conventional manner. As such, as mentioned above, it may be possible to commence the opening of the door 16 before the lift platform 14 is completely horizontal. In this way, the time taken to fully open the access opening 12 and to get the vehicle ready to load a patient into the vehicle body 10 may be reduced.
In this embodiment, when in its open position, the door 16 extends outwardly of the vehicle body 10. The door 16 and door opening apparatus could, of course, be arranged so that the door 16 moves into the vehicle body 10 as it opens (to do this it would be necessary to connect the second end 22b of the support arms 22 the other side of the door 16), but this would not be preferred. It is advantageous for the door 16 to extend outwardly of the vehicle body 10 when open so that the door 16 does not interfere with equipment, furniture etc inside the vehicle body 10, but also so that the door 16 acts as a privacy screen, partially shielding a patient view as he/she is loaded into the ambulance via the lift platform.
When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.
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 (20)

1. A vehicle body having an access opening which provides access to the interior of the vehicle body, a lift platform which is horizontally hinged and rotatable between a generally vertical position and a generally horizontal position, a door and a door opening apparatus which is operable to move the door between a closed position in which the door at least partially closes the access opening, and an open position in which the door does not close the access opening, the door having a generally vertical first edge which is located adjacent a generally vertical first edge of the access opening when the door is in its closed position, and a generally vertical second edge which is spaced from the first edge of the access opening when the door is in its closed position, wherein the door opening apparatus is configured such that, during movement of the door from its closed position to its open position, the first edge of the door moves away from the first edge of the access opening whilst the second edge of the door moves towards the first edge of the access opening.
2. A vehicle body according to claim 1 further comprising a further door which is movable between a closed position in which it partially closes the access opening, and an open position in which it does not close the access opening, the further door having a generally vertical first edge which is located adjacent to a generally vertical second edge of the access opening and a generally vertical second edge which is spaced from the second edge of the access opening when the further door is in its closed position.
3. A vehicle body according to claim 2 wherein the further door is connected to the second edge of the access opening by at least one hinge, and pivots about the hinge when moving between its open and closed positions.
4. A vehicle body according to claim 2 or 3 wherein when the door and further door are in their closed positions, the second edge of the door and further door are in contact or directly adjacent to one another so that the door and further door together close the access opening.
5. A vehicle body according to any preceding claim wherein the door opening apparatus comprises a support arm which has a first end which is pivotally mounted on the vehicle body at or in the vicinity of the first edge of the access opening for rotation about a first axis of rotation, and a second end which is pivotally mounted on the door.
6. A vehicle body according to claim 5 wherein the support arm is secured to or integral with a generally vertical pole which is pivotally mounted on the vehicle body at or in the vicinity of the first edge of the access opening, the pole having a longitudinal axis about which it can rotate.
7. A vehicle body according to claim 6 wherein a first end of the pole is pivotally connected to a ceiling of the vehicle body, whilst a second, opposite, end of the pole is pivotally connected to a floor of the vehicle body.
8. A vehicle body according to any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the door opening mechanism comprises a motor which is operable to rotate the support arm about the first axis of rotation.
9. A vehicle body according to any preceding claim wherein the door opening apparatus includes a track which extends along a generally horizontal edge of the access opening, the door being provided with a corresponding runner which engages with the track and which moves along the track when the door moves between its closed position and open position.
10. A vehicle body according to claim 9 wherein the runner is located at or adjacent the second edge of the door.
11. A vehicle body according to claim according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the door opening apparatus includes a first track which extends along a generally horizontal upper edge of the access opening, and a second track which extends along a generally horizontal lower edge of the access opening, the door being provided with a first runner which engages with the first track and a second runner which engages with the second track, the runners moving along the tracks as the door moves between its closed position and its open position.
12. A vehicle body according to any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein the or each track is configured to retain its respective runner in engagement with the track so that the runner can move along the track but cannot move away from the track.
13. A vehicle body according to any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein the door opening mechanism comprises a motor which is operable to drive the or each runner along its respective track.
14. A vehicle body according to any preceding claim wherein the lift platform is pivotally connected to a lower generally horizontal edge of the access opening adjacent to a lowermost generally horizontal edge of the door when the door is in its closed position.
15. A vehicle body according to claim 14 wherein the lift platform, when in its generally vertical position, lies against or directly adjacent to the door when the door is in its closed position.
16. A vehicle body according to claim 15 wherein the lift platform is located outside the door when the door is in its closed position, so that the door forms part of an inner wall of the vehicle body.
17. A vehicle including a vehicle body in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.
18. An ambulance including a vehicle body in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.
19. A vehicle body substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
20. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.
GB1602097.6A 2016-02-05 2016-02-05 Vehicle with access opening closure apparatus Withdrawn GB2547027A (en)

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GB2547027A true GB2547027A (en) 2017-08-09

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EP4032518A1 (en) * 2021-01-22 2022-07-27 VBI Minibus & Components APS A vehicle with a combined entrance and emergency exit for passengers

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WO2005100064A1 (en) * 2004-04-13 2005-10-27 Wabtec Holding Corporation Attitude detection method and apparatus for initial motion control
GB2415680A (en) * 2004-07-01 2006-01-04 Uv Modular Ltd Vehicle ramp device

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WO2004056300A2 (en) * 2002-12-19 2004-07-08 Passenger Lift Services Limited Vehicle lift
US20050121939A1 (en) * 2003-12-05 2005-06-09 Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation Sealing arrangement for a transit vehicle
WO2005100064A1 (en) * 2004-04-13 2005-10-27 Wabtec Holding Corporation Attitude detection method and apparatus for initial motion control
GB2415680A (en) * 2004-07-01 2006-01-04 Uv Modular Ltd Vehicle ramp device

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4032518A1 (en) * 2021-01-22 2022-07-27 VBI Minibus & Components APS A vehicle with a combined entrance and emergency exit for passengers

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