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: Methods for manufacturing and installing a lift assembly having an extension plate and a lift with an adjustable platform are described

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 lift suitable for use with vehicles is described. The lift allows access to a ramp stored under the vehicle, while preventing unauthorized use of the lift.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift having a logic module which provides several interlocks that promote proper operation is described. Also, a wheelchair lift having an arm geometry which requires a lower peak force for operation is described.

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

Abstract: The invention is a unitary cantilever liftgate that attaches to the vehicle body instead of the vehicle chassis. The liftgate may be fully assembled and tested prior to installation on the vehicle body. This greatly reduces installation time while improving performance and reliability. Various features such as steps, bumpers and brackets are integrated into the liftgate. Further, the liftgate is preferably configured so that multiple units can be stacked together for shipping and ease of unloading and loading. The stackability of the liftgates simplifies storing as well, by removing the necessity of storing several components separately.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift having a logic module which provides several interlocks that promote proper operation is described. Also, a wheelchair lift having an arm geometry which requires a lower peak force for operation is described.

Abstract: The invention is a unitary cantilever liftgate that attaches to the vehicle body instead of the vehicle chassis. The liftgate may be fully assembled and tested prior to installation on the vehicle body. This greatly reduces installation time while improving performance and reliability. Various features such as steps, bumpers and brackets are integrated into the liftgate. Further, the liftgate is preferably configured so that multiple units can be stacked together for shipping and ease of unloading and loading. The stackability of the liftgates simplifies storing as well, by removing the necessity of storing several components separately.

Abstract: A lift having an active opener arm is described. The active opener arm assists a user in stowing and unstowing the lift platform. The active opener arm is capable of receiving the platform from the user when the platform is being stowed and lowering the platform onto the parallelogram linkage. The active opener arm is also capable of lifting the platform off of the parallelogram linkage when the platform is being unstowed and making the platform more accessible to the user.

Abstract: A unitary cantilever lift gate (10) includes a unitary frame (12) and a lift frame (21). The lift gate (10) may be fully assembled and tested prior to installation on a vehicle (60). Various features such as steps (51), dock bumpers (56), and vehicle light brackets (58) are integrated into the unitary frame (12). A pair of frame adapters (71) attach the unitary frame (12) to the vehicle (60). The frame adapters (71) have slots (75) to allow an adjustment of the lift gate (10) relative to the vehicle (60). Furthermore, the lift gate (10) is configured so that multiple units can be stacked together for shipping and ease of unloading and loading.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift for supporting a wheelchair bound passenger and for moving the passenger between ground level and an opening in a vehicle. The wheelchair lift includes a platform and pivotal mechanism engaging the platform as well as a bridge plate for assuming a horizontal orientation to enable the passenger to proceed through the vehicle opening and a vertical orientation to act as a roll stop as the platform proceeds between the ground and the vehicle opening. The bridge plate includes a non-linear channel configured within its side which engages a pivotal mechanism which includes an upper parallelogram structure and hydraulic apparatus to move the upper parallelogram structure to move the platform. Also included is a lower parallelogram structure which is in sliding engagement with the upper parallelogram structure during at least a portion of the motion when the platform is moved between the ground and the vehicle opening.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift for supporting a wheelchair bound passenger and for moving the passenger between ground level and an opening in a vehicle. The wheelchair lift includes a platform and pivotal mechanism engaging the platform as well as a bridge plate for assuming a horizontal orientation to enable the passenger to proceed through the vehicle opening and a vertical orientation to act as a roll stop as the platform proceeds between the ground and the vehicle opening. The bridge plate includes a non-linear channel configured within its side which engages a pivotal mechanism which includes an upper parallelogram structure and hydraulic apparatus to move the upper parallelogram structure to move the platform. Also included is a lower parallelogram structure which is in sliding engagement with the upper parallelogram structure during at least a portion of the motion when the platform is moved between the ground and the vehicle opening.

Abstract: The invention is a unitary cantilever liftgate that attaches to the vehicle body instead of the vehicle chassis. The liftgate may be fully assembled and tested prior to installation on the vehicle body. This greatly reduces installation time while improving performance and reliability. Various features such as steps, bumpers and brackets are integrated into the liftgate. Further, the liftgate is preferably configured so that multiple units can be stacked together for shipping and ease of unloading and loading. The stackability of the liftgates simplifies storing as well, by removing the necessity of storing several components separately.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift for supporting a wheelchair bound passenger and for moving the passenger between ground level and an opening in a vehicle. The wheelchair lift includes a platform and pivotal mechanism engaging the platform as well as a bridge plate for assuming a horizontal orientation to enable the passenger to proceed through the vehicle opening and a vertical orientation to act as a roll stop as the platform proceeds between the ground and the vehicle opening. The bridge plate includes a non-linear channel configured within its side which engages a pivotal mechanism which includes an upper parallelogram structure and hydraulic apparatus to move the upper parallelogram structure to move the platform. Also included is a lower parallelogram structure which is in sliding engagement with the upper parallelogram structure during at least a portion of the motion when the platform is moved between the ground and the vehicle opening.

Abstract: A lift device of the type appended to a vehicle such as a tailgate lift or wheelchair lift. The lift includes a platform movable between a lower or ground position, an upper or load position and stowed position. The platform assumes a horizontal orientation in the ground and load positions and is pivotable to a vertical orientation when stowed for vehicle movement. The platform is connected to a lever arm assembly and further includes hydraulic apparatus to move the platform between ground, load and stowed positions. The hydraulic apparatus is actuated by a pump and motor assembly which includes an electric motor for actuation of the pump and hydraulic apparatus. By varying the speed of the motor, the speed of the platform between various platform orientations can be varied.

Abstract: A integrated lift gate and hitch system, configured to be secured to a vehicle chassis, includes two support brackets, a cross brace extending between and secured to the support brackets, and a tow hitch secured to the cross brace. The cross brace and tow hitch are positioned such that the tow Lite L is recessed no more than six inches from the rearmost extremity of either the vehicle chassis or the lift gate when the latter is stowed.

Abstract: A ramp section for a load platform has one or two elongate rectangular stop plates pivotally mounted in the ramp section adjacent a rear edge of the load surface of the platform. Each stop plate is coaxially fitted with a pawl having an angularly spaced apart pair of lobes. A detent member is pivotally mounted on the ramp section rearwardly adjacent to the pawl and biased into operative alignment therewith for selectively engaging one or the other of the lobes to hold the stop plate in either a retracted position or a stop position. The detent has a foot-operable pedal portion. The stop plate is normally biased into an erect stop position so that initial depression of the pedal effects raising of the stop plate from retracted position to a latched erect position. Upon subsequent depression of the pedal, the other foot of the user is used to force the stop plate into retracted position whereupon release of the pedal effects latching of the stop plate in retracted position.

Abstract: A pair of lift columns telescopically contain a companion pair of tubular runners and a companion pair of fluid powered linear actuators to reciprocate the runners. The actuator circuit includes a flow divider with a pair of idler rotors keyed together for co-rotation in directions induced by the direction of fluid flow. The runners support a load platform with companion linkage systems, each with a flexible member between a rear portion of an outer platform section and an upper end connected to an inside face of the companion runner. Clearance is provided between the inside face of each runner and the companion side of the platform to receive the companion linkage system in a fully recessed condition when the platform is folded into a storage position. Coacting parts on each of the platform sides and the corresponding runner are interengageable and disengageable such that they are mutually engaged when the platform is in a load-bearing position.