Abstract: A wheelchair lift, as for use with a vehicle, includes a platform for receiving a wheelchair carried as a pivot mechanism including two pairs of cooperating parallelogram structures adopted to be affixed to a vehicle for moving the platform between loading, entry and stowed positions by hydraulic actuation. A bridge plate structure is actuated by the pivot mechanism to be positioned as a bridge into the vehicle in the entry position, as a roll stop when a wheelchair is being carried and as a latch unit in the stowed position. A cam-cable mechanism actuates the bridge plate and the parallelogram structures of each pair are interlocked in moving between the stowed and entry positions.

Abstract: A removable vehicle seat is provided that allows for easy removal and reattachment of a vehicle seat to the floor of a vehicle. The design provides a simple structure which permits quick removal and reattachment by a single person but which is stable enough to remain attached to the vehicle floor in the event of an auto accident. The removable vehicle seat is particularly useful for vehicles which are utilized for transporting disabled persons in that removal of the vehicle seats allows for opening up space in a vehicle required for use by persons in wheelchairs.

Abstract: A compact movable ramp assembly is provided that can be securely stored beneath a vehicle floor and safely and reliably operated. The ramp assembly comprises a mounting structure having a series of top panels that form the vehicle floor. The ramp assembly also includes a moveable platform that deploys outward from the mounting structure forming an extended ramp from the ground level to the vehicle to allow the passage of passengers across the platform into and out of the vehicle. The compact design of the ramp assembly is achieved by enclosing the motor unit within the ramp assembly and positioning the drive mechanism above the moveable platform but below the top panels of the mounting structure. The platform is formed of two portions pivotally connected by a hinge which enables the platform to pivot downward and allows the ramp assembly to be used in partial stages of deployment.

Abstract: A selectively engageable motor-drive assembly operable for moving a vehicle door or ramp to enable manual operation or motorized operation is provided, having a motor, a pulley drawing a cable attached to the door or ramp, a torque-multiplying arrangement positionable between a fully-engaged position and a partially-disengaged position, and an actuator mechanism for positioning the torque-multiplying arrangement in accordance with a selection of manual or motorized operation. The actuator mechanism may be actuated by a solenoid that is activated by an operator through a control unit. Also, a cam may be provided to define the movement of the actuator mechanism.

Abstract: A movable ramp assembly is provided that can be securely stored and safely and reliably operated. The ramp assembly includes a platform that is conveniently stored to travel with a vehicle and deployed in a motion pattern to allow the passage of passengers across the platform into and out of the vehicle. The motion pattern includes an upwardly inclined motion and a downwardly inclined motion which together accommodate most uneven terrain on which the vehicle may be parked. In the disclosed embodiment, the motion pattern of the platform is faciliated by cam guides formed within side beams of a mounting structure and cam followers provided on bracket arms supporting the platform at one end. As the cam followers follow the cam guides, the platform is pitched upwardly at an incline and then downwardly at an incline when the platform is deployed from storage. As part of the top panel of the mounting structure, a hinged panel is provided, having multiple functions.

Abstract: A releasable drive mechanism is provided, having a sprocket and gear rotatable about a central axis, the gear being rotatably secured to a shaft extending along the central axis. The sprocket and the gear are each configured to provide a coplanar portion extending parallel with the central axis that interfaces the surface of the other. A clutch engageable with the sprocket and the gear is provided, having projections or keys being positionable between the interfacing surfaces for releasably coupling the sprocket and the gear for joint rotation. A lever is provided for disengaging the clutch and the clutch may be biased to facilitate engagement of the clutch. A clip may also be provided to prevent lateral movement of the sprocket on the shaft when the clutch is disengaged.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift, as for use with a vehicle, includes a platform for receiving a wheelchair carried as a pivot mechanism including two pairs of cooperating parallelogram structures adopted to be affixed to a vehicle for moving the platform between loading, entry and stowed positions by hydraulic actuation. A bridge plate structure is actuated by the pivot mechanism to be positioned as a bridge into the vehicle in the entry position, as a roll stop when a wheelchair is being carried and as a latch unit in the stowed position. A cam-cable mechanism actuates the bridge plate and the parallelogram structures of each pair are interlocked in moving between the stowed and entry positions.

Abstract: A vehicle lift, as for wheelchairs, incorporates a horizontally disposed load platform pivotally affixed to a laterally spaced-apart parallelogram elevating frame which is in turn pivotally affixed to a carriage, allowing a composite travelling assembly (platform, elevating frame and carriage) to be stowed in a mounting enclosure. A hydraulic ram actuates the parallelogram elevating frame mechanisms to position the platform at different terminal positions. At the stowing level, a pair of laterally spaced-apart rack-and-pinion mechanisms actuate the aligned platform, elevating frame and carriage inboard, on laterally opposed guide rails to be stowed in a mounting enclosure. A roll stop mechanism is affixed to the outboard end of the platform and is automatically actuated to move from a ramp position at ground level to a vertical safety stop position when the platform is elevated.

Abstract: A chairlift providing a seat for transporting a passenger along a rail inclined at a substantially uniformly angle, includes a chair assembly with a base housing a motor unit and a carriage supporting the chair assembly in a substantially upright position for movement along the rail and being positionable relative to the chair assembly to provide a spatial relationship therebetween for accommodating the angle of the inclined rail. The chairlift further includes a swivel mechanism incorporating a sliding component and a swivel component for enabling the seat to move along an arcuate path relative to the base, between a transport position and offset access positions. The chairlift also includes a safety interlock for locking the seat in the transport position and for disabling chairlift operations unless the seat is locked in the transport position.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift, as for use with a vehicle, includes a platform for receiving a wheelchair carried as a pivot mechanism including two pairs of cooperating parallelogram structures adopted to be affixed to a vehicle for moving the platform between loading, entry and stowed positions by hydraulic actuation. A bridge plate structure is actuated by the pivot mechanism to be positioned as a bridge into the vehicle in the entry position, as a roll stop when a wheelchair is being carried and as a latch unit in the stowed position. A cam-cable mechanism actuates the bridge plate and the parallelogram structures of each pair are interlocked in moving between the stowed and entry positions.

Abstract: A passenger lift incorporates an electronic safety interlock to prevent all movement of the lift, until a restraining belt is fastened. In some embodiments, the interlock is a normally open electric switch located inside the restraining belt's buckle. The switch is closed and the movement of the lift actuated only when the restraining belt's matingly interlocking tab is inserted in the buckle.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive passenger lift with distinct lifting "up and down" (loading, unloading) and "fold-unfold" (storage) motion patterns, includes a flow control structure that accommodates various hydraulic flows, somewhat unrestricted for "up-and-down" movement, and different for "fold" and "unfold" movements. The flow control structure includes multiple paths between a source and an actuator, with control for selecting the appropriate path to yield predetermined flow rates. A solenoid driven spool valve and a biased movable orifice member select the desired path. Accordingly, while the flow is substantially unrestricted during "up-and-down" movement, it is somewhat restricted for reduced speed during the "unfold" movement and is more restricted during the power-driven "fold" movement.

Abstract: An adjustable wheelchair lift for a vehicle wherein the lift includes a platform, a mounting structure having two spaced apart, vertically extending, support posts mountable to the vehicle, a linkage for moving the platform to and from the vehicle and a chain-and-sprocket drive for moving the linkage. Each support post has a main portion and an adjustable portion, preferably both being channel shaped. The adjustable portion slides along the main portion until the desired height is reached. The channels also interlock at their edges to prevent lateral movement of the adjustable portion when it is unconnected to the main portion.

Abstract: A passenger lift incorporates an electronic safety interlock to prevent all movement of the lift, until a restraining belt is fastened. In some embodiments, the interlock is a normally open electric switch located inside the restraining belt's buckle. The switch is closed and the movement of the lift actuated only when the restraining belt's matingly interlocking tab is inserted in the buckle.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing access by a handicapped person from a landing to a guideway mounted vehicle includes a support structure having a pedestal portion and a housing extending upward from the pedestal; a lift, mounted in a lift opening of the support structure, includes a platform, linkages interconnecting the platform to the housing, and movement apparatus coupled to selectively move the platform between a lowered position adjacent a landing, a raised position adjacent the top of the pedestal and a vertical storage position in the lift opening; a bridge member pivots between a horizontal position extending into the doorway of a light rail vehicle and a vertical storage position in the passage adjacent the bridge opening; roll-up doors are mounted in the top region of the housing for being slectively rolled down to a position to cover the lift opening and bridge opening when the lift and bridge are in their respective storage positions.

Abstract: An apparatus providing access by a handicapped person from a landing to a guideway mounted vehicle includes a support structure having a pedestal portion and a housing extending upward from the pedestal. A lift, mounted in a lift opening of the support structure, includes a platform, linkages interconnecting the platform to the housing, and movement apparatus coupled to selectively move the platform between a lowered position adjacent a landing, a raised position adjacent the top of the pedestal and a vertical storage position in the lift opening. A bridge member pivots between a horizontal position extending into the doorway of a light rail vehicle and a vertical storage position in the passage adjacent the bridge opening. Roll-up doors are mounted in the top region of the housing for being selectively rolled down to a position to cover the lift opening and bridge opening when the lift and bridge are in their respective storage positions.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted device for use in moving a wheelchair and its occupant to and from the bed of a vehicle, comprising a platform for supporting the wheelchair, two parallelogram linkages having base links secured in place in the vehicle and end links carried by elongated arms swinging in space vertical planes, .[.and means securing the platform.]. .Iadd.the platform being secured .Iaddend.to the end links for movement in a generally horizontal attitude along an arcuate path so that one edge of the platform passes close to the edge of the bed of the vehicle at the access opening, and engages a stop in the vehicle for folding the platform into a storage position as the linkages complete their arcs. A motorized chain-and-sprocket drive swings the linkages between lowered, outwardly extending positions and raised, upright storage positions in the vehicle, and controls are provided for operating the drive and stopping the platform in an intermediate, entry position level with the bed.