GB2087341A

GB2087341A - Lifting device

Info

Publication number: GB2087341A
Application number: GB8033373A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-10-16
Filing date: 1980-10-16
Publication date: 1982-05-26

Abstract

A lift device 10 comprises a platform 12 which is movable between a lowered position in which the platform can receive a wheelchair and a raised position in which the platform 12 fits an aperture 14 in the floor at the rear of a vehicle 16 such that the wheelchair can be rolled from the platform onto the floor. The platform is raised and lowered by a pair of pillars 18 mounted vertically at either side of the aperture 14. Hydraulic lifting means 19, 17 is provided associated with one or both pillars. Hingedly mounted pockets are provided to fit the vehicle floor wells, so that the main wheels of a wheelchair can be moved upwardly and rearwardly in order to release the wheels from the wells. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Lifting device The invention concerns lifting devices and in particular devices for lifting wheelchairs into vehicles such as vans, ambulances etc.

It is generally known for vans, ambulances and other transportation for invalids to have a lifting device whereby the invalids wheelchair can be lifted into the vehicle usually at the rear.

Known devices comprise a platform which in a lowered position projects at the rear of the vehicle and rests on the floor. In that position the platform receives the wheelchair which is wheeled onto it. Lifting devices, usually hydraulically operated, lift the platform until its upper surface is aligned with the floor of the vehicle and the wheelchair is driven into the vehicle. The platform is then folded into a storage position enabling the rear doors of the vehicle to be closed.

A problem with such known devices is that they cannot be operated by the invalid alone.

This is because when the invalid's wheelchair is inside the vehicle he cannot easily fold the lifting platform up away to its storage position and close the doors.

The main reason why these known devices present problems is that being outside the rear end of the vehicle, they must be stored inside the vehicle and therefore will require some kind of hinged or articulated linkage which can effect both the folding of the platform to an upright position for storage and move it towards the vehicle interior. Hence the devices tend to be quite complicated and do not lend themselves readily to fully automatic operation.

The present invention seeks to overcome these problems and provide a lifting device suitable for lifting wheelchairs into vehicles which can be operated by the occupant of the wheelchair. Preferably the device can be operated automatically.

Thus according to one aspect of the present invention a lifting device for lifting wheelchairs into vehicles comprises a platform and lifting means for location in the vehicle and operable to move the platform and operation of control means between a lowered position in which the platform can receive a wheelchair and a raised position in which the platform fits an aperture in the floor of the vehicle such that the wheelchair can be rolled from the platform onto the floor of the vehicle.

An advantage of this invention is that no folding is involved therefore the mechanism is simpler than would be necessary for an automatically folding type tail-board or platform involving complex electro-mechanical or electro-hydraulic control systems.

The device could be fitted at the rear or side of the vehicle. Preferably the lifting means comprises a pair of pillars mounted vertically at either side of the respective sides of the aperture in the vehicle floor. Hydraulic means may then be provided associated with one or both pillars. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the platform is suspended by chains which are coupled to an hydraulic ram.

Advantageously control means for operation of the lift is located adjacent a door or hatch in the vehicle enabling access to the controls from outside the vehicle. Then the occupant of the wheelchair can open the hatch perhaps with a key to operate the controls to automatically open the doors and lower the lift. Hence in a preferred embodiment the doors of the vehicle are coupled to the lifting mechanism for operation in sequence therewith. The occupant of the wheelchair may then drive the wheelchair onto the lowered lift or platform and operate the same controls preferably assuming they are located adjacent both the platform and the side of the vehicle. Alternatively a set of controls could be provided enabling operation of the lift to raise the platform.

Conveniently raising of the lift could be automatically followed by closing of the doors.

Additionally or alternatively override could be provided such that the doors could be closed independently and after raising of the platform. Opening of the doors of the vehicle may be affected by hydraulic rams conveniently coupled by a control valve which operates the lifting device itself.

It will be appreciated that removal of an apertured section of the floor of the vehicle may necessitate reinforcement of the surrounding material of the floor. However it is envisaged that the type of vehicle to which the device would be fitted will generally have a pair of longitudinal shaft members spaced apart at the rear. Then a suitable aperture may be cut extending into the rear of the floor in towards the front of the vehicle from the rear of the floor of the vehicle perhaps almost as far as the rear axle and between the two longitudinal members. Further bracing may then be provided or stiffening as required. It will be appreciated that the gantry or lifting members will also serve to brace the floor of the vehicle adjacent the aperture to maintain desired levels of structural strength.

Once an invalid is actually in a vehicle the next problem is getting into a driving position.

In some cases it is possible for the invalid to transfer himself from his wheelchair to the driving seat of the vehicle. However, this is not always possible so that provision must be made for the wheelchair to be positioned behind the steering wheel.

This may be achieved by providing wells for the wheels of the wheelchair so that the wheelchair will not move and so that the wheelchair is low enough to allow the invalids knees to fit below the steering wheel and to bring the invalids eye-level to a safe driving position. However, in say transit vans, the wells have to be made between the main chassis beams so that gradual sloping of at least the main wheel wells is not possible, thus making it virtually impossible for an invalid to move the wheelchair out of the wells unaided.

It is now proposed to provide at least for the main wheel wells means for moving the main wheels upwardly and rearwardly to release the wheels from the wells. Such means may be pockets which fit the floor wells and which are hingedly mounted at one end and have handle means at the other, whereby pulling upwards of the handle means moves the wheels upwardly and rearwardly.

Advantageously, the front wheel wells will have a gradual entry and exit slope.

It may also be necessary to provide an extension on the vehicle gear lever to compensate for differences in the driving position of a wheelchair occupant as compared with the normal driving position.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a rear view of a vehicle fitted with a hydraulic wheelchair lift device in a lowered position; Figure 2 is also a rear view but showing detail of the lifting mechanism of the lift of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the lift of Figs. 1 and 2; Figure 4 shows a hydraulic circuit for operating the lift of Figs. 1 to 3; Figure 5 shows an electric circuit for operating the lift of Figs. 1 to 3; Figure 6 is a plan view of a means for aiding movement of a wheelchair out of wheel wells; and Figure 7 is a side view of the means of Fig.

6.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, a lift device 10, comprises a platform 1 2 which is movable between a lowered position in which the platform can receive a wheelchair and a raised position in which the platform 1 2 fits an aperture 14 in the floor at the rear of a vehicle 1 6 such that the wheelchair can be rolled from the platform onto the floor.

The platform is raised and lowered by a hydraulically operated lifting means which comprises a pair of pillars 1 8 mounted vertically at either side of the aperture 14 in the vehicle floor. Slidably mounted within the pillars 1 8 are lift arms 1 9 which are attached to side members 20 of the platform. The lift arms 1 9 are connected at their upper ends to a hydraulic ram 1 7 by chains 21, 22. The chain 21 passes over single sleeve pulley 23 and double sleeve pulley 24 and the chain 22 passes over the double sleeve pulley 24.

Electro-hydraulic controls are indicated at 25 and an electro-hydraulic pump unit at 26.

Access to the controls from outside the vehicle is possible through hatch 27.

The vehicle doors 30 are also coupled to the lifting mechanism for operation in sequence therewith. The doors 30 are opened and closed by hydraulic rams 31, 32. Thus the vehicle doors are opened as well as the platform lowered on operation of the hydraulic controls and raising of the lift is followed by closing of the doors.

Reinforcement of the vehicle floor comprises a beam 11 across the floor at the end of the aperture 14.

Details of the electro and hydraulic controls for the lifting device are shown if Figs. 4 and 5.

In Fig. 4 hydraulic fluid is pumped from a reservoir 40 by pump 41 driven by an electric motor 42. The hydraulic fluid flows through line 43 to a spool valve control unit 44 for distribution to the hydraulic rams as required.

Fluid passes to the main hydraulic ram 1 7 via line 45 and passes to door rams 31, 32 via lines 46, 46 for opening and via lines 48, 49 for closing. Since the vehicle doors will overlap, the outer door must be opened first, so that a restrictor 50 is included in line 47 for the inner door for opening and in line 48 for the outer door for closing. Pressure relief valves 51 are included in the lines 52, 53 which feed lines 46, 47 and 48, 49 respectively.

Hydraulic fluid returns to the reservoir via line 54 from the control unit 44.

In Fig. 5, electric power for the electric motor 42 is provided by vehicle battery 60 via connection to starter solenoid switch 61.

The circuit is completed by micro switches 62, 63, operated by the spool valve control unit, and isolation switches 64, 65. Microswitch 62 is operated when the lift ram is selected and microswitch 63 when the door rams are selected. Isolation switch 64 is situated in the vehicle cab and will be left on except when the driver is in the driving seat.

The isolation switch is situated at the rear of the vehicle and is accessible via the hatch 27.

The circuit also includes a light 66 for the interior of the vehicle which comes on when the circuit is complete.

Various modifications of the invention are envisaged. For example the device could be remote controlled conveniently by radio control or perhaps ultrasonic control of the other known types of transmission. The platform preferably will have sealing means ensuring that when it is in the raised position any gaps between the platform proper and the vehicle floor are adequately sealed against ingress of moisture and road ice etc. Stops and guides mau also be provided on the platform either as protrudents from an otherwise uniform surface or as depressions therein. Preferably the rear edge of the platform will be adapted to provide the continuity of the rear edge door closure, i.e. usual step or length.

It should be appreciated of course that the lifting device could also be fitted to general commercial vehicles rather than the more conventional external lifting device fitted to enable lifting of heavy articles into the vehicle.

Then channelling provided on the platform of the lifting device could mate in the raised position with similar channelling in the rear of the vehicle enabling perhaps roller type or sliding means to be used to move the load from the platform to the interior of the vehicle.

Turning to Figs. 6 and 7, a vehicle floor 70 is supported by main chasses beams 71, 72, 73. Between beams 71 and 72 are wells 74 for the main wheels 75 of a wheelchair and between beams 72, 73 are wells 76 for the frdnt wheels 77 of the wheelchair. The wells 76 have a gradual entry and exit slope.

Fitting the wells 74 are pockets 78 which are pivotally fixed at 79 and have handles 80.

When the occupant of a wheelchair wishes to move backwards out of the wells, he pulls upwards on the handles 80 so that the pockets 78 move the main wheels upwardly and rearwardly out of the wells.

Claims

1. A lifting device for lifting wheelchairs into vehicles comprising a platform and lifting means for location in the vehicle and operable to move the platform and operation of control means between a lowered position in which the platform can receive a wheelchair and a raised position in which the platform fits an aperture in the floor of the vehicle such that the wheelchair can be rolled from the platform onto the floor of the vehicle.

2. A lifting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lifting means comprises a pair of pillars mounted vertically at either side of the respective sides of the respective sides of the aperture in the vehicle floor.

3. A lifting device as claimed in claim 2, wherein hydraulic lifting means is provided associated with one or both pillars.

4. A lifting device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the platform is suspended by chains which are coupled to an hydraulic ram.

5. A lifting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control means for operation of the lift is located adjacent a door or hatch in the vehicle enabling access to the controls from outside the vehicle.

6. A lifting device as claimed in claim 5, wherein an occupant of the wheelchair can open the door or hatch with a key to operate the controls to open automatically the doors and lower the lift.

7. A lifting device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the doors of the vehicle are coupled to the lifting mechanism for operation in sequence therewith.

8. A lifting device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the occupant of the wheelchair can drive the wheelchair onto the lowered lift or platform and operate the same controls provided that they are located adjacent both the platform and the side of the vehicle.

9. A lifting device as claimed in claim 7,m wherein a set of controls are provided enabling operation of the lift to raise the platform.

10. A lifting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein raising of the lift is automatically followed by closing of the doors.

11. A lifting device as claimed in claim 1 or 10, wherein an override is additionally or alternatively provided such that the doors can be closed independently and after the raising of the platform.

1 2. A lifting device as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein opening of the doors of the vehicle is affected by hydraulic rams conveniently coupled by a control valve which operates the lifting device itself.

13. A lifting device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims when fitted at the rear or side of the vehicle.

1 4. A lifting device substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

1 5. A vehicle to which the lifting device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 1 3 is fitted generally having a pair of longitudinal shaft members spaced apart at the rear.

16. A vehicle as claimed in claim 15, wherein a suitable aperture is cut extending into the rear of the floor of the vehicle.

1 7. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 5 or 16, wherein the aperture extends almost as far as the rear axle and between the two longitudinal members.

1 8. A vehicle as claimed in claim 17, wherein further bracing is provided or stiffening as required.

1 9. A vehicle as claimed in claims 1 6 or 17, wherein the lifting means serves to brace the floor of the vehicle adjacent the aperture to maintain desired levels of structural strength.

20. A vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

21. A wheelchair ejection device for use with wells in a vehicle floor comprising at least for the main wheels of a wheelchair means for moving the main wheels upwardly and rearwardly to release the wheels from the wells.

22. A wheelchair ejection device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the means are pockets which fit the vehicle floor wells and which are hingedly mounted at one end and have handle means at the other end.

23. A wheelchair ejection device as claimed in claim 22, wherein pulling upwards of the handle means moves the wheels upwardly and rearwardly.

24. A wheelchair ejection device as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the vehicle floor wells for the front wheels of a wheelchair have a gradual entry and exit slope.

25. A wheelchair ejection device substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

26. A vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 5 to 1 9 in which the wheelchair ejection device as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 24 is fitted.