Classifications

• • 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
  • B60P1/4414—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 and keeping the loading platform parallel to the ground when raising the load
  • B60P1/4421—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 and keeping the loading platform parallel to the ground when raising the load the loading platform being carried in at least one vertical guide
• • 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
  • B60P1/4414—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 and keeping the loading platform parallel to the ground when raising the load
  • B60P1/4442—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 and keeping the loading platform parallel to the ground when raising the load the raising device, when not in use, being stored inside the load-transporting compartment
• • 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
  • B60P1/4457—Means for immobilising the load or preventing it from rolling off during lifting; Man-rails

Definitions

• the present invention concerns a lifting device to be mounted in a loading space, preferably in a vehicle, and arranged, in its inactive position, to be stowed away internally of a door-opening formed in the vehicle, and to be used to transfer loads from said loading space, through the door-opening, to an area positioned externally of said loading space, the load receiving plane of which may be positioned at a different level from the load receiving plane inside the vehicle loading space, and vice versa, said lifting device comprising a platform lift which is displaceable through the door-opening and the loading platform of which is arranged to be lifted and lowered externally of said dooropening by said platform lift to the corresponding load-receiving level.
• lifting devices of the kind outlined above are available on the market. However, they are often very bulky, difficult to mount in or on existing vehicles, and their moving parts often require considerable movement space, which encroaches on the space available in the very loading space opening for handling the load.
• the lifting devices often include parts that are mounted below the loading space floor, with the result that said parts are exposed to considerably strain, for instance from pollution.
• the main purpose of the subject invention is to pro ⁇ vide a lifting device of the kind outlined above wherein the above drawbacks are eliminated or reduced to a minimum.
• This purpose is achieved by means of a lifting device in accordance with the invention which comprises a runway including a loading space portion positioned in the loading space interior and an extension which is dis- placeable into and out of the loading space, and also a carriage travelling along the runway and supporting the platform lift, and finally drive means adapted to displace the carriage together with the platform lift associated therewith along said runway.
• the resulting lifting device is comparatively easy to mount in the loading space of already existing vehicles.
• the runway has one portion which may be displaced to a position externally of the loading space in the operative position of the lifting device and which, in the inoperative position of the lift ⁇ ing device, for instance during transportation, may be moved to a position inside the loading space, the very platform lift as well as the devices supporting the latter are well protected from external effects inside the vehicle.
• the runway is formed by a beam the load ⁇ ing space portion of which is arranged to be mounted on the loading space floor and the extension of which is articulated to the loading space portion for pivotable movement between an operational position in which the extension projects outwardly through the door-opening and a parking position in which it is an angle with respect to the loading space portion and assumes a position intern ⁇ ally of the door-opening.
• the beam including the runway may be conveniently mounted directly on top of the loading space floor in a position in which it does not significantly encroach on the space available for load reception.
• the loading platform preferably is extendable transversally relatively to the plane of the loading space opening, which means that in the inoperative position i.e. in the position in which it is stowed away inside the loading space, it occupies but a minimum part of the laoding space floor, whereas in the operative position, i.e. in which it projects outside the loading space it still may present a comparatively large load receiving surface.
• the portion of the loading platform that forms the outer one relatively to the loading space has a hinge connection which is attached to the inner platform portion, whereby the outer platform portion may be folded upwards from the inner one.
• the drive means comprise separate rack sections arranged in alignment on respectively the loading space portion and the extension of the runway beam, and a drive motor arranged on the carriage or on parts arranged for movement therewith, including a pinion meshing with the rack formed by the rack sections.
• This arrangement provides a simple drive mechanism incorporating few movable parts.
• the lifting device in accordance with the invention is formed with means for coordination of the movements of the runway extension and of the outer portion of the loading platform. This provides for simple co ⁇ ordination of the movements of the two parts upon stowing of the lifting device inside the loading space.
• the power means comprise a vertically moveable follower means which is arranged to follow the motions of the carriage and which is movable alongside a downwardly directed abutment face on the runway or on parts supporting the latter.
• the runway is provided on only one of the lateral edges of the loading platform. Owing to this arrangment the devices involved in the loading platform movements are reduced to a minimum. This leaves one of the side edges of the loading platform free, allowing loads to be stowed on and beyond the loading platform of this side of the platform.
• the runway preferably is formed by laterally protecting beam flanges forming the race on which travel the runners of the carriage.
• Fig. 1 is a view as seen obliquely from the rear, of a portion of a vehicle fitted with the lifting device which projects partially out through the rear load opening of the vehicle.
• Fig. 2 is a view as seen from the right in accordance with Fig. 1, of the same device, the lifting device having been moved to a fully extended position outside the loading opening.
• Fig. 3 is a view from the rear, showing the runway and the parts of the lifting device positioned closely adjacent said runway.
• Fig. 4 is a view, as seen from the left in accordance with Fig. 1, of the rear part of the vehicle, the lifting device being shown in its fully extended position entirely outside the vehicle loading space, dash-and-dot lines being used to indicate the stowing position of the lifting device inside the vehicle as well as the position of the lifting device platform when lowered into abutment against a support outside the loading space, and
• Fig. 5 is a view corresponding to Fig. 4 of the device in which the lifting device is illustrated in a lowered position in abutment against a support externally of the loading space.
• the principle components incorporated in the lifting device are a platform lift 1, a carriage 2 supporting the platform, a runway 3 on which the carriage is arranged for movement, and a drive mechanism D for actuating the carriage and the platform lift supported thereby for movement along the runway.
• the platform 1 consists on the one hand of a frame la similar to a truck post and on the other of a loading platform lb.
• the frame comprises three telescopically arranged sections 4, 5, 6, the frame section 4 of which consisting, in accordance with the embodiment illustrated, of square tubes interconnected at their upper ends by an upper yoke section 7, an intermediate yoke section 8 and a lower, intermediate yoke section 9.
• Frame section 5 consists of four interconnected square tubes 5a and 5b respectively, tubes 5b of which being interconnected at their bottom by means of a bottom yoke section 10.
• each tube 5b is rigidly connected with its associated one of tubes 5a positioned externally of its respective tube 5b by means of upper and lower interconnection pins 11 and 12, respectively.
• Inner tubes 5b have a smaller dimension than frame tubes 4 and are inserted in the latter.
• the latter are formed with slits through which the interconnection pins extend.
• the slits are formed with such lenghtwise dimensions that they allow the frame section 5 to move vertically.
• Frame section 6 consists of parts that are inserted to their respective one of the frame tubes 5a.
• each frame section 6 From each frame section 6, through a vertical slit formed in the corre ⁇ sponding frame section 5a, extends a fastening pin 13 to secure one end of a counter-balance chain 14 which from said fastening pin is carried over a deflection wheel which is rotationaly mounted at the top of each frame section 5a, up to a stationary attachment means, pre ⁇ ferably on the lower intermediate yoke 9.
• a stationary attachment means pre ⁇ ferably on the lower intermediate yoke 9.
• at least one of the end connection means of the chain 14 is adjustable to allow regulation of the relative lengths of the two chains and thus the direction of the two frame sections with respect to one another.
• a lifting jack 15 extends between the upper yoke section 7 of frame section 4 and the bottom yoke 10 of frame section 5, said jack preferably being hydraulically operated but obviously it could be actuated in some other way, for instance by elec- trie means. Further, the lifting jack 15 preferably is double-acting, i.e. it works both by pushing and by traction.
• the loading platform lb consists of two hingedly interconnected parts, more precisely an inner platform portion lb' and an outer platform portion lb". As specifically apparent from Fig. 1 the pivot shaft 16 is retracted somewhat relatively to the inner portion of the loading platform and is connected to the outer portion thereof via a pivotal arm 17.
• Numeral refer ⁇ ence 18 designates a protective flap which may be pivoted between a position, in which it is essentially level with the plane of the loading platform, and a position, in which it is folded upwards relatively thereto.
• the protective flap is pivotable about a hinge connection 19.
• Numeral reference 20 designates a pivotal arm which may be pivoted about hinge connection 21 and engages, by means of a pin 22, a slit 23 of angular configuration formed in the protective flap end wall.
• a traction spring 24 extending between the pivotal arm 20 and the protective flap 18 tends to pivot the protection flap upwards.
• the lever arm is formed with an end portion projecting downwardly beyond the hinge connection 21 and, in the lowered position of the loading platform illustrated in Fig. 5, abutting against the support 25 and thus, upon the lowering move ⁇ ment, it has been forced to pivot about its hinge connec- tion 21, forcing the protective flap 18 into its hori- thankal position.
• the runway consists of a beam from the web 26 of which project laterally on the one hand upper flanges 27 and on the other lower flanges 28.
• the carriage 22 is in the form of an elongate profile member 29 having the cross-sectional configuration of a reversed U-member.
• the outer portion 3a of the runway beam is associated with the inner portion 3b thereof by means of a hinge connection 32 which, like the hinge connection 16 of the loading platform, is retracted relatively to the outer end of the inner portion 3b of the runway beam.
• the outer runway beam portion 3a is connected to the hinge connection 32 via a pivotal arm 33 which like the pivotal arm 17 of the loading platform forms an abut ⁇ ment against the inner beam portion 3b, thus preventing the outer beam portion 3a from being pivoted downwards past its horizontal position.
• Numeral reference 34 designates a follower arm which is arranged for pivotal movement about its hinge connection 35 at the rear of the carriage 2, said follower arm having a follower pin 36 which in the outermost position of displacement of the carriage 2 assumes a position externally of the rear end of the beam portion 3a but which, in the retracted position of the carriage and thus of the platform lift, projects in underneath the upper lateral flange 27 of the outer beam portion as is most clearly apparent from Fig. 1.
• a lifting jack 37 which preferably is hydraulically operated but naturally also be operated in some other way, for instance electrically.
• Numeral reference 38 designates a follower pin which is arranged on the side face of the outer loading platform portion and, like the follower pin 36 assumes a position externally of the runway beam end in the extended position of the carriage but in the retracted position of the latter assumes a position underneath the inner upper flange 27 of the runway beam.
• the drive means D includes a drive motor 39, which preferably is electrically operated but obviously could be operated in some other way, for instance hydraulically. Via an angular gear 40, a drive shaft 41 and a pinion 42 the drive motor 39 has driving connection with a rack 43 arranged on one of the lower flanges 28 of the runway beam.
• the rack 43 thus, like the runway beam, consists of one inner and one outer portion.
• the runway beam preferably is secured to the vehicle floor by means of bolts, not shown, extending through its lower flanges 28.
• the runway beam possesses a comparatively high degree of torsional rigidity, which makes it possible to support the loading platform by means of only one of its lateral edges. Consequently, the loading platform is accessible from three directions and the loading space may be made use of to its maximum.
• the shown construction is particularly suitable to lift wheel chairs, making it easier for disable persons to climb into the vehicle from ground level with or without manual assistance.
• these frame component may be mounted to one another by means of rollers, one 44 of which is illustrat- ed in Fig. 3, although of course such rollers could be provided in all areas where friction tends to generate between the various frame components.
• rollers Preferably a depres ⁇ sion is arranged in the loading space floor, essentially corresponding in the thickness to that of the loading platform whereby a level loading floor is obtained when the loading platform assumes its position inside the vehicle.
• Numeral reference 45 is used in the drawing figures to designate the vehicle generally, provided with a rear loading space opening by which the lifting device in accordance with the invention is positioned, but obviously it lies within the scope of the protection to position this emodiment of the lifting device close to a lateral opening in the vehicle, should this position prove to be more suitable considering the type of load handling in view.
• the invention is of course not either limited to load handling in connection with vehicles but could also be used in other contexts when it is desired to handle loads through an opening into a loading space the loading plane of which is at a different level from the load receiving plane externally of that space, i.e. externally of the opening to said space.
• the load in question for instance a wheel chair with a person seated thereon, is rolled onto the platform.
• the lifting jack 15 By activating the lifting jack 15 the loading platform lb is lifted to the level illustrated in Fig. 4 by means of continuous lines.
• the protective flap 18 is pivoted to its position of protection, also illustrated in Fig. 4, under the action of the traction spring 24. Owing to the movement of the pivotal arm pin 22 into the angled end of the slit 23 the protective flap is locked in its said upper position and cannot be pivoted from its protective position by for instance a wheel chair tending to roll outwards.
• the drive motor 39 When the loading platform thus assumes its raised position the drive motor 39 is actuated, whereby owing to the rotation of the pinion 42 in engagement with the rack 43 the platform lift including the load supported by its platform will move in through the loading space opening to the position illustrated in Fig. 1.
• the lifting jack 37 After the load has been moved forwards, for instance by rolling the wheel chair to a position inside the vehicle, the lifting jack 37 is activated so as to pivot the pivotal arm 34 including its follower pin 36 upwards.
• the follower pin 36 pivots the outer part of the runway beam 3a owing to its abutment upwards against the upper lateral flange 27 to the position illustrated at the left-hand side of Figs. 4 och 5.
• the outer loading platform portion will be carried to the upwardly pivoted position illustrated on the left-hand side of drawing figures 4 och 5. Because of the retracted position of the hinge connection 32 the outer portion of the runway beam will be positioned internally of the rear end of the front beam portion 3b, as is also illustrated in Figs. 4 och 5. This means that the various parts of the lift occupies but a minimum space inside the loading space of the vehicle during transport. Yet another considerable advantage connected with the lifting device in accordance with the invention is that, despite its comparatively high weight it may be removed from the loading space and be mounted therein without requiring particular handling equipment, such as special lifts and the like.
• the lifting device may be removed from the loading space in the following manner: With the loading platform lowered into abutment against a support as illustrated in Fig. 5 or against a carriage or the like for removal it becomes possible, after loosening of the screws connect the inner beam portion 3b with the loading space floor and by actuation of the drive motor 39, to extract or advance the runway beam, possibly after having been lifted somewhat with the aid of the lifting jack 15, outwards sufficiently far for said beam to be evenly balanced by the frame portion of the platform lift.
• the beam may be lowered through activation of the lifting jacket 15 so as to supported against the corresponding support.
• the invention is not limited to the examples described in the aforegoing and illustrated in the drawings but could be varied as to its details within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the inventive idea.
• the drive motor 39 with its associated power transmission means could be excluded to the extent that manual handling of the various part may be allowed and lower costs are desirable. Failing the drive motor 39 and its associated parts the carriage 2 and the platform lift associated therewith could be displaced into and out of the loading space manually.
• the pivotal upwards of the outer portion 33a of the runway beam and the outer loading platform part lb" could then be performed manually. This could be acceptable when the lift is not used by a disabled person who needs to perform the various functions himself.
• the rear portion 3a and/or the loading platform portion lb" could be balanced by means of some type of spring arrangement, omitting the need for the entire load to be supported during the pivotal movement upwards.
• the runway portion 3a as well as the loading platform lb" may by pivoted upwards.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Transportation (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Vehicle Step Arrangements And Article Storage (AREA)
• Forklifts And Lifting Vehicles (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=20392533

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Cited By (6)

Citations (5)

• 1994
  • 1994-01-10 SE SE9400056A patent/SE9400056L/sv not_active Application Discontinuation
• 1995
  • 1995-01-05 AU AU14690/95A patent/AU1469095A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1995-01-05 WO PCT/SE1995/000004 patent/WO1995018725A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (5)

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