Abstract: A wheelchair lift for a vehicle has a parallelogram support for a platform foldable on a horizontal axis and hinged on a vertical axis. A hydraulic cylinder extends between end points that are spaced from the apices of members coupled as a parallelogram, the end points being on a line that is inclined outwardly (when the lift is retracted) and/or downwardly (when the lift is lowered). Barriers are coupled mechanically to the parallelogram members so as to deploy when the lift is first displaced from its stowed/retracted position. The barriers have a lost motion aspect whereby if a user is located in the deployment path and obstructs the deployment of the barrier(s), for example, the barrier moves up to the obstruction and stops against it while the lift can continue to move.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift for a vehicle has a parallelogram support for a platform foldable on a horizontal axis, and also is hinged on a vertical axis so as to swing clear of the vehicle doorway, like a gate. The parallelogram drive has a hydraulic cylinder extending between end points that are spaced from the apices of the parallelogram. In a preferred embodiment the cylinder pivots are between the parallelogram pivots on two opposite sides of the parallelogram, especially the doorway-mounted posts and movable standards carrying the platform. The cylinder pivots are on a line that is inclined outwardly (when the lift is retracted) and/or downwardly (when the rift is lowered) relative to the parallelogram links connecting the posts and standards so as to pull the parallelogram in when collapsed. Barriers are coupled mechanically to the parallelogram members so as to deploy when the lift is first displaced from its stowed/retracted position.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift is mounted in a vehicle doorway and provided with at least three distinct modes in which a supporting platform can be moved. The platform is affixed to vertical standards guided by parallelogram linkages between the standards and fixed posts mounted in the vehicle doorway. The parallelogram linkages hold the standards at a fixed orientation relative to the posts and keeps the platform horizontal as it is raised or lowered between ground level and the level of the vehicle passenger compartment. The platform is pivotable on a horizontal axis at the connection between the platform and the movable standards such that the platform can be raised from a horizontal wheelchair-carrying orientation to a compact vertical orientation in which the platform is stowed in the plane of the vertical standards, which are disposed against or between the fixed posts. The platform also is attached to the vertical standards on a vertical axis so as to hinge in the manner of a gate to clear the doorway for passage.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift is mounted in a vehicle at one side of the doorway, for example at the front frame of a sliding side door of a van. A platform is positionable horizontally for carrying a wheelchair to be moved into or out of the vehicle. A vertical drive mechanism is attached to the platform at a corner adjacent the vehicle doorway, and has a hydraulic cylinder and chain drive raising and lowering the wheelchair relative to the doorway. A base member is attached to the vehicle inside the doorway, for example on the floor. A carriage is carried on the base member for linear movement toward and away from the doorway. The vertical drive mechanism is coupled to the carriage on a vertical hinge or pivot axis that is movable by a linear actuator from a position at which the hinge axis is inside the vehicle to a position outside of the vehicle clear of the doorway. The platform can be raised, lowered and rotated on the vertical pivot axis.

Abstract: A vehicle access ramp especially for wheel chair access includes alternative horizontal and vertical pivot assemblies. A foldable ramp is pivotably attached to a horizontal axis hinge, and vertically pivotable around a vertical rod at a side of a doorway. For deployment to the ground, the ramp is pivoted horizontally and unfolded. To provide access to the doorway without use of the ramp, the folded ramp is locked into its stored vertical position in the vehicle and pivoted or swung out of the way on a vertical pivot assembly in the vehicle doorway.

Abstract: A vehicle access ramp especially for wheel chair access includes alternative horizontal and vertical pivot assemblies. A foldable ramp is pivotably attached to a horizontal axis hinge, and vertically pivotable around a vertical rod at a side of a doorway. For deployment to the ground, the ramp is pivoted horizontally and unfolded. To provide access to the doorway without use of the ramp, the folded ramp is locked into its stored vertical position in the vehicle and pivoted or swung out of the way on a vertical pivot assembly in the vehicle doorway.