Abstract: A lifting and transfer mechanism disposed inside a vehicle such as a van for lifting and moving a paralyzed or otherwise immobilized occupant from a wheelchair disposed within the vehicle to a seat of the vehicle itself comprising a horizontally disposed transfer bar pivotally supported at one end and extending along the width of the vehicle and supporting thereon a transfer means which is movably attached to the transfer bar and adapted to support the wheelchair occupant so as to move him from the chair to the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A lifting mechanism including cantilevered arm means extending from a structural member and vertically movable with respect thereto and having a wheelchair support frame on the remote end of said arm means, and power means operatively associated with said arm means for moving a wheelchair and occupant to and from the vehicle interior and the ground outside the vehicle, and including means for tilting the wheelchair and occupant, prior to lifting, counter to the gravitational forces which induce separation of the occupant from the support frame so as to ensure safety of the occupant during the lifting procedure.