Abstract: The track assembly includes top plate 204, which incorporates the tracks 206. In FIG. 18, dashed lines have been added to show the portion of the top plate 204 that is used as the track 206 for the rollers 214. The interaction of the rollers 214 and track 216 is similar to the interaction of rollercoaster wheels and their associated track. In operation, small vertical rollers 214c ride against the side edge of top plate 204 (as can be seen in FIGS. 17a and 30a), small horizontal rollers 214b ride against the underside of top plate 204 (as can be seen in FIG. 30a), and the large horizontal roller 214a rides on the top of top plate 204 (as can be seen in FIG. 30a). This allows the moving tower 202 to travel from one end of the track assembly 200 to the other. As is described above, this rolling movement takes place when the platform 13 is folded and pulls the first vertical arm 42, and, therefore, the moving tower 202 inwardly.

Abstract: A clutch-driven limited force actuator is disclosed having a motor, a planetary gear mechanism in operative communication with the motor and a clutch plate. The clutch plate includes a contact surface selectively in frictional contact with the planetary gear mechanism to drive an actuator arm. In operation, the frictional force between the planetary gear mechanism and the clutch plate causes the actuator arm to actuate. The actuator arm can be connected to any element that requires actuation. The actuator of the present invention is preferably used in a wheelchair lift to actuate any mechanism that must have a safe limit on the amount of force applied to obstacles and that must have provision for direct manual operation.

Abstract: A ramp assembly for installation in a vehicle includes a ramp platform having a stowed configuration in the vehicle, a deployed configuration extending from the vehicle, and a lift and lock mechanism. The lift and lock mechanism is configured to lock the ramp platform in place when the platform is in a stowed configuration and to facilitate the lifting of the platform when the platform is deployed.

Abstract: A clutch-driven limited force actuator is disclosed having a motor, a planetary gear mechanism in operative communication with the motor and a clutch plate. The clutch plate includes a contact surface selectively in frictional contact with the planetary gear mechanism to drive an actuator arm. In operation, the frictional force between the planetary gear mechanism and the clutch plate causes the actuator arm to actuate. The actuator arm can be connected to any element that requires actuation. The actuator of the present invention is preferably used in a wheelchair lift to actuate any mechanism that must have a safe limit on the amount of force applied to obstacles and that must have provision for direct manual operation.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift configured to be foldable into quadrants by a two-step folding process, wherein the first step folds the platform assembly crosswise and the second step folds the platform assembly in the lengthwise direction. To facilitate the folding, the platform assembly includes first and second inner platforms, and first and second outer platforms. In the first step of the folding process, the first and second inner platforms fold with respect to the first and second outer platforms. In the second step of the folding process, the second inner and outer platforms fold with respect to the first inner and outer platforms.

Abstract: A foldable wheelchair ramp is disclosed having a mountable base, a first ramp section and a second ramp section. In an extended configuration, the first and second ramp sections form a single, continuous ramp for facilitating wheelchair access to vehicles. For convenient storage, the first and second ramp sections fold with respect to each other and preferably retract into the vehicle floor such that, in the folded configuration, the top surface of the second ramp section lies substantially in the same plane as the vehicle floor. A linking assembly is provided to facilitate and control the folding of the ramp sections. For safety purposes, the ramp also includes a lid that covers the gaps between the ramp and the vehicle floor when the ramp is in an extended position.

Abstract: A powered vehicular wheelchair lift with an automatic folding platform assembly for persons who are physically challenged or otherwise have limited mobility. The wheelchair lift is used in conjunction with a vehicle having an opening and a floor. The wheelchair lift includes a mounting assembly mounted to the vehicle floor adjacent to the vehicle opening. A power actuating system includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders mounted on opposite sides of a pair of relative parallelogram linkage structures of the wheelchair lift. The wheelchair lift has a foldable platform assembly which includes two platform plates pivotably connected along their adjacent transverse edges, where the platform assembly moves from a stowed position inside the vehicle to an entry position at the vehicle opening and inversely (i.e., from the entry level position to the stowed position), and moves the platform assembly between the entry level position and a ground level position outside the vehicle and inversely (i.e.

Abstract: A powered vehicular wheelchair lift with an automatic folding platform assembly for persons who are physically challenged or otherwise have limited mobility. The wheelchair lift is used in conjunction with a vehicle having an opening and a floor. The wheelchair lift includes a mounting assembly mounted to the vehicle floor adjacent to the vehicle opening. A power actuating system includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders mounted on opposite sides of a pair of relative parallelogram linkage structures of the wheelchair lift. The wheelchair lift has a foldable platform assembly which includes two platform plates pivotably connected along their adjacent transverse edges, where the platform assembly moves from a stowed position inside the vehicle to an entry position at the vehicle opening and inversely (i.e., from the entry level position to the stowed position), and moves the platform assembly between the entry level position and a ground level position outside the vehicle and inversely (i.e.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for providing self-learning correction to the error in positioning movement of a platform in a vehicular wheelchair lift or any moving member of machinery or an equipment. The method includes the steps of programming the platform or moving member to stop at a target position, calculating an error between the programmed target position and an actual stop position of the platform or moving member, and deriving a new target position to stop the platform or moving member based on the calculated error to compensate the overshoot or shortcoming of the actual stop position of the platform or moving member. The apparatus implementing this method may include a programmable control mechanism such as a microprocessor having means for performing the programmed sequential operations.

Abstract: A vehicular wheelchair lift with a power controlled safety barrier for physically blocking a wheelchair from inadvertently rolling off a platform of the wheelchair lift during use. The power safety barrier utilizes a linkage mechanism to open or close a roll stop. The linkage mechanism includes a pair of linkage bars and a flexible linkage member to mechanically connect the roll stop to a power actuating device. The roll stop is pivotably mounted to an outer end of the platform. The roll stop is required to open and close relative to the platform according to the relative platform positions. When the platform is in the ground position, the roll stop is opened substantially in a horizontal plane and is an extension of the platform for unloading the wheelchair. In the powered control aspects, during the wheelchair lift transition period when platform is off the ground position, the roll stop is actuated to the closed position before the wheelchair lift can be operated.

Abstract: A flip-over ramp assembly is normally stowed in a horizontal position in a recess in a vehicle floor, and can be pivoted upward and outwards to a downward sloping deployed position, after the vehicle door has been opened. The flip-over ramp assembly comprises a mounting enclosure and a ramp which are pivotably connected at their adjacent edges by a hinge which provides a horizontal axis for movement of the ramp between deployed and stowed positions. A driving mechanism comprises an actuator and a driving shaft which is rotatably connected to the actuator. A pair of linkage assemblies are connected to the driving shaft, where the actuator drives the driving shaft which in turn moves the linkage assemblies to lift the ramp to the stowed or deployed position. A positioning cam rotates with the driving shaft for indicating the position of the ramp.

Abstract: A bidirectional flow control valve for use in a hydraulic system to regulate fluid flow in either direction of flow through the valve. The valve includes a housing, a slidable sleeve, two opposite springs, and two opposite cap nuts. The housing has a bore and a sidewall with first ports located adjacent to one end and second ports located adjacent to the other end. The slidable sleeve has an interior wall disposed therein to form a first chamber and a second chamber. The interior wall has an axial port to permit flow of fluid therethrough. The first spring is disposed within the first chamber of the slidable sleeve and constrained therein by the cap nut. The second spring has the same tension as the first spring and disposed within the second chamber of the slidable sleeve and constrained therein by the cap nut. The slidable sleeve is self-adjustable to an equilibrium position within the valve housing to at least partially open the first and second ports of the valve housing.

Abstract: An improved, raised roof for mounting to a vehicle and includes two integrated rain gutters for diverting water away from the sides of the vehicle. The-improved, raised roof further includes an integrated door frame with a side recess for receiving extended upper door portions of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle lift for use in conjunction with a vehicle to facilitate passengers boarding and leaving the vehicle. The vehicle lift has an improved driving mechanism for moving a platform between a stowed position to a deployed position. The driving mechanism includes a bidirectional motor which is mechanically coupled to a gear box which in turn is coupled to a pinion that is connected to a main sprocket. A longitudinal bracket is affixed to the underside of a top panel of the mounting enclosure and is located parallel to a longitudinal guide bar. At both ends of the longitudinal bracket are sprockets which are coupled by a loop chain. Accordingly, engaging the main sprocket with the loop chain moves the traveling assembly inward or outward with respect to the vehicle. The chain is immobilized by a manual spring biased locking mechanism to prevent the chain from moving linearly along the bracket.

Abstract: An improved vehicle suspension system for providing kneeling function to a vehicle having a modified lower floor. The suspension system includes a pair of springs each of which is respectively mounted at one of the rear wheels of the vehicle. The system also includes a pair of air suspension members, each is respectively mounted at one of the rear wheels for partially supporting the load of the vehicle. A compressor is used for supplying air to the suspension members. An exhaust valve provides a path for air to be exhausted from the suspension members to bring the vehicle lower to the kneeling height, and thereby provides the kneeling function.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift for use in conjunction with a vehicle having a door opening and a floor. The wheelchair lift includes a foldable platform assembly having two platform plates hingeably connected along their adjacent edges which are automatically foldable and stowed at one side of the vehicle door opening.

Abstract: A vehicular wheelchair step lift for persons who are physically challenged or otherwise have limited mobility. The lift includes a platform structure which is mounted to an elevator frame which is then mounted to an elevator housing for vertical movements of the platform structure. The platform structure includes a plurality of individual plates which are rotatably connected at their transverse adjacent edges for manually folding and unfolding the platform, wherein the individual plates are manually folded from an outermost individual plate against an adjacent individual plate to an innermost individual plate for stowing the platform structure into a step position of the vehicle and manually unfolded inversely such that the individual plates are substantially horizontal and in fully coplanar alignment to each other for use in an entry level position.

Abstract: An unity arm lever adaptor for use with a powered vehicular wheelchair lift. The unity arm lever adaptor is adapted for connecting together to a handrail, a vertical arm, a saddle or roller, and a vertical link of the wheelchair lift. The arm lever adaptor has an extended adaptor section, an elongated main section, and a pivotable yoke section. The main section has a pivotable end which is remote from the yoke section but adjacent to the extended adaptor section. The extended adaptor section is inserted through an opening on the vertical arm for adapting and securing to an end of the handrail. The pivotable end is pivotably connected to the vertical arm. The yoke section is pivotably connected to the saddle and the vertical link.

Abstract: A threshold warning system is installed directly on a conventional lift to fully comply with the SAE standard No. J2093. The threshold warning system comprises a sensor device for sensing whether there is an object crossing the boundary of the threshold zone, and a platform position indication device for determining whether the platform is in an unsafe position. The threshold warning system comprises an audible and/or visual warning device for warning a wheelchair user or a passenger when the user or passenger moves into a threshold zone from the vehicle opening while the platform is in an unsafe level for exiting from or boarding into the vehicle.

Abstract: An upper door extension for vehicle doors, where the door extension conforms with a door frame recess of a raised roof. The door extension includes a support member and a contoured cover member. The support member includes a rigid frame and a pair of attachment rails which are attached to side edges of the rigid frame, such that a portion of each attachment rail extends downwardly therefrom. The contoured cover member is made of composite material and integrally molded to the support member and covers the entire rigid frame to form the upper door extension. The door extension is mounted to the vehicle door by inserting the attachment rails into a top end opening of the vehicle door and attaching the attachment rails to the interior sidewalls of the vehicle door.