Abstract: A system and method for coordinating movement of a powered sliding door module and an access ramp for a vehicle. A system control board communicates with a current detector that can detect current on the power wires for the sliding door's motor. The current detector signals the system control board when it detects current and the system control board determines whether the ramp is stowed or deployed. If the ramp is deployed, the system control board stops and reverses the door so that the door remains open. The system control board then stows the ramp and closes the door. If the ramp is stowed, the system control board waits for the current in the door motor to return to zero and then determines if the door is completely open. If the door is not completely open the system control board does nothing. If the door is completely open, the system control board deploys the ramp.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive system for an access apparatus and a method of access is presented. The hydraulic drive system may include a hydraulic power unit, a hydraulic cylinder and a subsystem for limiting motion of the access system according to the position of and/or load supported by the access system. The subsystem may prevent motion, such as stowing and/or folding, when the access apparatus is supporting a load and/or is in a predetermined position. To limit motion, the subsystem may create a fluid path from the hydraulic power unit that bypasses the hydraulic cylinder, thus preventing the cylinder from moving the access apparatus. The subsystem may include a first valve that is opened when the access apparatus is in the predetermined position, and/or a second valve that is opened when the access apparatus is supporting a load.

Abstract: A vehicle wheelchair access system with a platform which includes a right-side vertical arm and a left-side vertical arm, both having elongated supports with a first and second portion. The first portions of the elongated supports are pivotably coupled with the vertical arms, which operate to deploy the platform structure. A moveable platform section is coupled intermediate to the right-side and left-side elongated supports for movement between the first and second portions of the right-side and left-side elongated supports. A linkage connects the moveable platform section for movement with the actuator between a stowed and a deployed orientation.

Abstract: A system and method for coordinating movement of a powered sliding door module and an access ramp for a vehicle. A system control board communicates with a current detector that can detect current on the power wires for the sliding door's motor. The current detector signals the system control board when it detects current and the system control board determines whether the ramp is stowed or deployed. If the ramp is deployed, the system control board stops and reverses the door so that the door remains open. The system control board then stows the ramp and closes the door. If the ramp is stowed, the system control board waits for the current in the door motor to return to zero and then determines if the door is completely open. If the door is not completely open the system control board does nothing. If the door is completely open, the system control board deploys the ramp.

Abstract: A wheelchair access system with a stacking platform for use in conjunction with a vehicle having a floor, which includes a right-side vertical arm and an elongated support with a first and second portion. The first portion of the elongated support is pivotably coupled with the vertical arm. The vertical arm operates for deployment of the platform structure. The left side also has a vertical arm and an elongated support with a first and second portion, the first portion of which is coupled with the vertical arm. There is a fixed platform section attached intermediate to the first portions of the right-side and left-side elongated supports and an actuator that is powerable for moving the right-side and left-side vertical arms between positions that are both outboard and inboard the vehicle.

Abstract: A ramp deployment control system includes a controller, a kneeling motor operatively coupled to the controller and a ramp motor operatively coupled to the controller. The controller energizes the kneeling motor to kneel or stand a vehicle and energizes the ramp motor to deploy or stow a ramp. The controller is operatively coupled to a communication pathway, and a door control system is operatively coupled to the controller. The door control system is operable to monitor and control operation of a door. A standard control module is operatively coupled to the communication pathway and is operable to send door operation commands on the communication pathway. The controller selectively delays execution of the door operation commands by the door control system while operating the ramp motor to deploy or stow the ramp.

Abstract: A wheelchair access system with a stacking platform for use in conjunction with a vehicle having a floor, which includes a right-side vertical arm and an elongated support with a first and second portion. The first portion of the elongated support is pivotably coupled with the vertical arm. The vertical arm operates for deployment of the platform structure. The left side also has a vertical arm and an elongated support with a first and second portion, the first portion of which is coupled with the vertical arm. There is a fixed platform section attached intermediate to the first portions of the right-side and left-side elongated supports and an actuator that is powerable for moving the right-side and left-side vertical arms between positions that are both outboard and inboard the vehicle.

Abstract: A ramp deployment control system includes a controller, a kneeling motor operatively coupled to the controller and a ramp motor operatively coupled to the controller. The controller energizes the kneeling motor to kneel or stand a vehicle and energizes the ramp motor to deploy or stow a ramp. The controller is operatively coupled to a communication pathway, and a door control system is operatively coupled to the controller. The door control system is operable to monitor and control operation of a door. A standard control module is operatively coupled to the communication pathway and is operable to send door operation commands on the communication pathway. The controller selectively delays execution of the door operation commands by the door control system while operating the ramp motor to deploy or stow the ramp.

Abstract: Multipanel rollstops mountable on the outboard end of a wheelchair lift platform in which at least one upper panel of the rollstop folds down or telescopes to reduce the rollstop profile for stowage. Preferred embodiments include bifold, trifold or telescoping rollstops for underfloor or under vehicle lifts. In the extended multipanel position, rollstops of the invention provide increased rollstop height and occupant security in the intermediate and transfer positions of the lift as compared to non-folding or telescoping rollstops of the same stowage profile. The folding of telescoping of the rollstop is automatic upon lift stowage. In a preferred embodiment, the rollstop upper panel is folded or unfolded by a direction-reversing mechanical actuator through a contact arm which engages structure of the lift or stowage compartment, and operates automatically without requiring operator intervention.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a vehicle sliding door to a vehicle side wall includes a plate, an arm member and a roller assembly. The plate is attached to the vehicle side wall and has a guide slot and an insert and release hole formed therein. The insert and release hole has a diameter greater than the width of the guide slot and intersects the guide slot at a chord of the hole. The arm member includes a first end pivotally attached to the door and a second end. The roller assembly is attached to the second end of the arm member and includes a roller having a neck dimensioned to fit in and roll along the guide slot and two disc portions disposed above and below the neck of the roller. The disc portions have a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the insert and release hole and is larger than the width of the guide slot. The roller is attached to the plate by inserting the roller into the insert and release hole and pushing the neck of the roller through the cord into the guide slot.

Abstract: A method of mounting and dismounting a sliding door to and from a door track structure having a slot and mounted adjacent a vehicle roof. The door having an arm member having a roller assembly mounted adjacent an end of the arm member. The roller assembly having an upper and a lower disc portion and an intermediate necked portion. The track structure having an insert and release hole intersecting the slot at a cord of the hole and the slot having a width smaller than the diameter of the hole. The method of mounting the door to the track structure comprising the steps of inserting the roller assembly into the insert and release hole in the track structure and pressing the intermediate necked portion of the roller assembly through the intersection to cause the roller assembly to move from the hole into the slot to engage the slot.

Abstract: An under floor lift comprising a horizontal, U-shaped header framework which is mountable between a vehicle axle and floor, and which reciprocatingly receives a nestable carriage comprising a second U-shaped framework. The carriage comprises a transverse motor mount plate and a pair of spaced, horizontal arms between which is received the lift platform. The platform is pivotably suspended, lifted and lowered by spaced pairs of parallelogram linkages pivotably secured at their outboard ends to the outboard end of the carriage side rails and at their inboard ends to the inboard end of the lift platform. The carriage is telescoped by a gear and chain mechanism from an inboard stowed position horizontally out to a transfer level deployed position. The wheelchair lift is moved by a hydraulic/chain drive downwardly and upwardly supported by the parallelogram arms to or from a ground level position, to permit the lift to be an in-swing, negative type lift.

Abstract: An improved dual hydraulic, parallelogram arm wheel chair lift assembly for use in commercial vehicles, such as vans or buses. The lift assembly includes a platform connected at one end to a pair of parallelogram linkages, each of which is provided with a power-up, gravity-down hydraulic cylinder for pulling the parallelogram linkages and platform from a lowered loading position to an immediate transfer position, and thence to a folded, generally upright stored position. The pulling action of the hydraulic cylinders with hydraulic fluid working on the rod side reduces side loading on the piston head and wear on pivot pins of the parallelogram linkages. The hydraulic cylinders are self-bleeding of air during gravity down operation to reduce spongy and jerky operation. The lift assembly has an improved base member employing an additional base support plate to form a box structure to increase strength and reduce moment-induced bending of the mounting plate.

Abstract: Passive rotary wheelchair lift that is retrofittable in transit vehicles on either the forward or rearward edge of a side double-door step well. The lift employs in its preferred embodiment a double slide tube having a box frame with a cross header. A hydraulic cylinder actuates a pair of chains, one descending down each lift tube to operate the vertical lift. A manual hand pump is provided in the case of power failure. Secured to the bottom of inner telescoping lift tubes is a plate carrying a power actuator for rotating the lift platform from a deployed horizontal position to a vertical stowed position. In the stowed position the platform is approximately 26 inches in length and 36 inches in width. The platform has one or more slide-mounted extension sections which permit the platform to extend out to a full 51 inches. Manual or power-actuated wheel stops are provided at the rear entry and the forward end, for either one way or two way entry/exit onto the platform.

Abstract: A coil mounting arrangement includes a coil wound on a bobbin and in turn disposed about a core which is mounted to a frame. The frame includes a base portion and a leg portion which extends upwardly therefrom at a right angle. A support collar extends upwardly from the upper surface of the frame base portion and encircles a mounting opening which extends through the frame base portion. The core is inserted downwardly into press-fitted engagement with the frame within the support collar and mounting opening. Insertion continues until the height of the top of the core correlates directly with a position on the frame leg portion, such as the pivot axis of an armature. The underside of the frame base portion remains smooth.

Abstract: In an electric switch having a bridging contact movable into and out of engagement with a pair of fixed contacts, at least one of the terminal elements supporting the fixed contacts comprises a strip of sheet metal folded back upon itself to provide a loop shaped current path with first and second conductive sections extending generally parallel to the bridging contact on opposite sides thereof in close proximity thereto. Attractive forces electrodynamically developed between the bridging contact and the first conductive section of the one terminal element are additive to repulsive forces electrodynamically developed between the bridging contact and the second conductive section of the one terminal element for increasing contact pressure between the bridging contact and the fixed contacts under excessive current conditions.

Abstract: An electromagnetic contactor having an improved contact structure comprising a cantilever mounted contact leaf spring with the free end portion thereof longitudinally slotted into three tongues, the center one of which is bent at an obtuse angle to serve as an overtravel spring. The free end of the contact leaf spring is engaged with a linearly reciprocating actuator which flexes the center tongue toward the outer tongues upon engagement of a fixed contact by a movable contact carried by the contact leaf spring to damp contact bounce.

Abstract: An electromagnetic contactor comprising a terminal and contact block supported at one end on a magnetic frame includes cooperating interlocking means on its coil bobbin and the block for rigidly supporting the block at an additional location. The interlocking means on the coil bobbin include a pair of oppositely directed support arms with upstanding projections in mating engagement with wall members of the block. Each support arm also has a recess that receives a sheet metal coil terminal with lugs that are bent into contact with the arm after insertion of the terminal into the recess to prevent movement of the coil terminal with respect to the arm.