Abstract: The present invention provides folding assisting arm assembly for lift gates. In one embodiment, the folding assisting arm assembly comprises a folding assisting apparatus for a lift gate having a platform with a foldable section. The apparatus comprises an elongated arm, and a pivot axle, wherein a proximal end of the elongated arm is pivotably mounted on the pivot axle. The apparatus further comprises a spring for spring loading the elongated arm. When the folding assisting apparatus is mounted on the lift gate proximate the platform, a biasing tension in the spring urges a distal end of the elongated arm on the foldable section of the lift platform during a portion of movement of the lift platform to maintain the foldable section folded.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lift gate system. In one embodiment, the lift gate system comprises a lift platform, a lifting mechanism, and at least one stop member. The lifting mechanism moves the lift platform between a raised position and a lowered position. The lift platform is substantially aligned with an extension plate when the lift platform is in the raised position. The stop members are positioned relative to the lift platform to provide a gap between the extension plate and the lift platform when the lift platform is in the raised position.

Abstract: A mounting system for mounting a lift gate on a structure is provided, the lift gate having a lift platform supported between a pair of spaced support columns. The mounting system comprises a first mounting member configured for attachment onto said structure, wherein the first mounting member includes a support protrusion for engaging an opening in a wall of a corresponding lift gate support column. The mounting system further comprises a second mounting member configured for attachment onto said structure, wherein the second mounting member includes a support protrusion for engaging an opening in a wall of a corresponding lift gate support column. When the mounting members are attached to the structure and the corresponding lift gate support columns are mounted on the support protrusions, the mounting members support the lift gate on the structure.

Abstract: A lifting system includes a vertically extending parallel pair of fixedly spaced apart guide surfaces, a linear actuator suspended vertically between said pair of guide surfaces, a vertically elongate runner member having a pivotal connection to a lower end of said linear actuator to be vertically reciprocated by said actuator, a load bearing member at a lower end of said runner member at a location spaced downwardly from said pivotal connection and a vertically spaced apart pair of sliding contact members on said runner member for relatively slidable contact with said pair of guide surfaces during vertical reciprocation of said runner member by said actuator. Each of said contact members comprises a projecting contact pad having a concave surface for slidable contact with one of said guide surfaces.

Abstract: A lift having a platform with a substantially level ride and including an extension plate is described. The lift also reduces the distance between the ground and the platform in the ground position.

Abstract: A solenoid operated circuit comprises a solenoid switch having a solenoid coil for moving one or more electrical contacts from a first position to a second position to switch an electrical motor ON/OFF, and a solenoid controller that includes an arc suppression circuit that mitigates a reverse self-induced voltage from the electrical motor thereby suppressing electrical arcing on switch contacts.

Abstract: A lift gate system includes a lift gate assembly comprising an actuator system for actuating a lift gate, an interface device for receiving lift gate operation information from an operator, and a main controller device comprising a solid state relay switch for controlling electrical power to the actuator system. The main controller device further includes a microcontroller configured for determining that one or more conditions are satisfied, and upon satisfaction of said one or more conditions, then controlling the actuator system via the solid state relay switch based on the received information from the operator for controlling operation of the lift gate assembly accordingly.

Abstract: A lifting system includes a vertically extending parallel pair of fixedly spaced apart guide surfaces, a linear actuator suspended vertically between said pair of guide surfaces, a vertically elongate runner member having a pivotal connection to a lower end of said linear actuator to be vertically reciprocated by said actuator, a load bearing member at a lower end of said runner member at a location spaced downwardly from said pivotal connection and a vertically spaced apart pair of sliding contact members on said runner member for relatively slidable contact with said pair of guide surfaces during vertical reciprocation of said runner member by said actuator. Each of said contact members comprises a projecting contact pad having a concave surface for slidable contact with one of said guide surfaces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively activating a gravity down mode of a hydraulic system during operation of a lift gate. An electronic control circuit is added to hydraulic control circuitry and is configured to selectively interrupt the power down mode or gravity down mode of operation of the hydraulic system based on either a manual input (override) or a sensed condition and switch to the other mode of operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lift gate system. In one embodiment, the lift gate system comprises a lift platform, a lifting mechanism, and at least one stop member. The lifting mechanism moves the lift platform between a raised position and a lowered position. The lift platform is substantially aligned with an extension plate when the lift platform is in the raised position. The stop members are positioned between the extension plate and the lift platform. The stop members provide a gap between the extension plate and the lift platform when the lift platform is in the raised position.

Abstract: The present invention provides folding assisting arm assembly for lift gates. In one embodiment, the folding assisting arm assembly comprises a folding assisting apparatus for a lift gate having a platform with a foldable section. The apparatus comprises an elongated arm, and a pivot axle, wherein a proximal end of the elongated arm is pivotably mounted on the pivot axle. The apparatus further comprises a spring for spring loading the elongated arm. When the folding assisting apparatus is mounted on the lift gate proximate the platform, a biasing tension in the spring urges a distal end of the elongated arm on the foldable section of the lift platform during a portion of movement of the lift platform to maintain the foldable section folded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively activating a gravity down mode of a hydraulic system during operation of a lift gate. An electronic control circuit is added to hydraulic control circuitry and is configured to selectively interrupt the power down mode or gravity down mode of operation of the hydraulic system based on either a manual input (override) or a sensed condition and switch to the other mode of operation.

Abstract: A lift gate system includes a lift gate assembly comprising an actuator system for actuating a lift gate, an interface device for receiving lift gate operation information from an operator, and a main controller device comprising a solid state relay switch for controlling electrical power to the actuator system. The main controller device further includes a microcontroller configured for determining that one or more conditions are satisfied, and upon satisfaction of said one or more conditions, then controlling the actuator system via the solid state relay switch based on the received information from the operator for controlling operation of the lift gate assembly accordingly.

Abstract: A lift gate system is provided which in one implementation has a lift gate assembly including an actuator for actuating a lift gate, a main controller configured for controlling the actuator, and a wireless transceiver for receiving an operation command. The system further has a wireless controller including an authorization controller configured for checking that an operator is authorized to operate the lift gate, the wireless controller configured such that upon authorization of the operator by the authorization controller, the wireless controller may wirelessly transmit an operator command to the main controller for controlling operation of the lift gate accordingly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively activating a gravity down mode of a hydraulic system during operation of a lift gate. An electronic control circuit is added to hydraulic control circuitry and is configured to selectively interrupt the power down mode or gravity down mode of operation of the hydraulic system based on either a manual input (override) or a sensed condition and switch to the other mode of operation.

Abstract: A lift gate system includes a lift gate assembly comprising an actuator system for actuating a lift gate, an interface device for receiving lift gate operation information from an operator, and a main controller device comprising a solid state relay switch for controlling electrical power to the actuator system. The main controller device further includes a microcontroller configured for determining that one or more conditions are satisfied, and upon satisfaction of said one or more conditions, then controlling the actuator system via the solid state relay switch based on the received information from the operator for controlling operation of the lift gate assembly accordingly.

Abstract: A cart stop suitable for use with a lift platform is described. The cart stop has a closed position which allows a cart or other wheeled device to move over it. The cart stop also has an open position which prevents the cart or other wheeled device from rolling off of the lift platform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively activating a gravity down mode of a hydraulic system during operation of a lift gate. An electronic control circuit is added to hydraulic control circuitry and is configured to selectively interrupt the power down mode or gravity down mode of operation of the hydraulic system based on either a manual input (override) or a sensed condition and switch to the other mode of operation.

Abstract: A lift gate system is provided which in one implementation has a lift gate assembly including an actuator for actuating a lift gate, a main controller configured for controlling the actuator, and a wireless transceiver for receiving an operation command. The system further has a wireless controller including an authorization controller configured for checking that an operator is authorized to operate the lift gate, the wireless controller configured such that upon authorization of the operator by the authorization controller, the wireless controller may wirelessly transmit an operator command to the main controller for controlling operation of the lift gate accordingly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively activating a power down mode of a hydraulic system during operation of a lift gate. An electronic control circuit is added to hydraulic control circuitry and is configured to selectively interrupt the gravity down mode or power down mode of operation of the hydraulic system based on either a manual input (override) or a sensed condition and switch to the other mode of operation.