A lifting device for lifting a wheelchair into and out of a rear loading space of a motor vehicle includes lifting assemblies, fastened within a loading space of the vehicle, each having a pivot bearing; a telescopic lifting arm, connected to the pivot bearings to pivot about an axis in the vehicle transverse direction; a transverse stay which runs in the vehicle transverse direction, connected to free end portions of the lifting arms; and a coupling unit disposed on the transverse stay and configured to couple at least indirectly to the wheelchair.

A loading system for loading a wheelchair into a rear loading space of a vehicle includes at least one loading device disposable on the vehicle. The loading system has at least one first coupling unit disposable on a rear side of a backrest of the wheelchair and fixable to the wheelchair. The loading device has at least one second coupling unit capable of being coupled to the first coupling unit, at least one telescopic loading arm which at an end portion is connected to the coupling unit pivotable about a free pivot axis, and at least one pivot bearing fastenable to a front side end portion of the loading space, by which a pivot bearing the loading arm at another end portion is connected pivotable about a locationally-fixed pivot axis that runs parallel with and spaced apart from the free pivot axis transverse to a vehicle longitudinal direction.

A lifting and transferring apparatus and method are disclosed. In some embodiments, the apparatus may be realized as a power lift and transfer system which has the capability of attaching to, lifting, and carrying a mobility device for a person with a disability in conjunction with a wide variety of vehicles. The unique design of the apparatus eliminates a typical platform structure that is often incorporated by other devices and substitutes an interlocking mechanism which comprises a docking device on the personal mobility device and a mated receiver on the apparatus, thus saving significant weight and bulk. A unique swivel swing-away design incorporates a swing away hinge in a space between a hitch and the apparatus instead of in a space between the apparatus and the mobility device and platform.

A litter lift system includes a winch and a lifting strap. The winch includes a rotatable spool. The lifting strap has one end coupled to the rotatable spool and is movable due to rotation of the rotatable spool. The lifting strap has a first lifting segment and a second lifting segment positioned away from the end of the lifting strap coupled to the rotatable spool. The first lifting segment and the second lifting segment are each forked to interface with a frame of a litter at first lifting segment and second lifting segment distal ends, wherein a coupling is attached to the first lifting segment. Rotation of the rotatable spool in a first direction raises the first lifting segment and the second lifting segment. Rotation of the rotatable spool in a second direction different from the first direction lowers the first lifting segment and the second lifting segment.

A wheelchair loading system facilitates loading of a wheelchair into a vehicle by the user of the wheelchair without additional assistance from another person. The system includes a rail assembly configured for coupling to a vehicle. A shuttle and a motor are each coupled to the rail assembly to move the shuttle on the rail assembly. A chair mount has a first end couplable to the shuttle and a second end configured for coupling to a wheelchair. The shuttle is positionable at a rearward end of the rail assembly positioning the wheelchair away from the rear door to allow the rear door to be opened while the wheelchair is coupled to the shuttle. A lift is configured for coupling to the vehicle and includes a strap having a free end configured for coupling to the wheelchair for lifting the wheelchair into the vehicle through the rear door.

A loading transfer device includes: a carriage adapted for attachment to a lower surface of the rear compartment; a rack to hold the wheelchair or other object; and rotatable linkage means pivotally connecting the rack to the carriage, whereby, as the linkage means is rotated in a substantially continuous forward pivotal motion during a loading cycle, the rack and the wheelchair or other object held thereon are raised from a substantially vertically oriented loading position at the rear of the vehicle in which the rack is adjacent a ground surface rearward of the vehicle to facilitate placement of the wheelchair or other object thereonto, forwardly pivoted through approximately 90, passing through a point of maximum elevation, and lowered and moving forward simultaneously to a substantially horizontal storage position in which the rack is adjacent and substantially parallel to the carriage in the compartment, the cycle being reversible for unloading; wherein when the rack and the chair or other object are in the storage position, the carriage, the rack and the chair can be transported by the vehicle.

A vehicle lift includes a lift base, a movable lift tower, and a movable platform. A first rail is configured to move the lift tower horizontally, and includes a outer extruded rails secured to the lift base, central extruded rails movable with respect to the outer extruded rails, and inner extruded rails movable with respect to the central extruded rails and fixed to the lift tower. A second rail assembly is fixed to the lift tower and may move the platform vertically with respect to the lift tower, and includes a outer extruded rails secured to the lift tower, central extruded rails movable with respect to the outer extruded rails, and inner extruded rails movable with respect to the central extruded rails and fixed to the lift tower.

An apparatus for carrying a wheelchair, scooter or other object on the exterior of a vehicle. The apparatus may comprise a vertical slide and to horizontal slides. The horizontal slides may be pivotably attached such that the object to be carried may be extended, for example, from the rear of a vehicle along the rear side of the vehicle pivoting around to a side of the vehicle and extending along the side of the vehicle to a desired position. Thus, a wheelchair may be carried on the rear side of a vehicle and extended along the rear and side of the vehicle so that a user to directly access the wheelchair by opening a vehicle door and having the wheelchair within reach. After removing the wheelchair from the apparatus, the apparatus may retract into a non-extended position. The apparatus may attach to a vehicle using a trailer hitch receiver.

A power lift system and method are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the power lift system and method may be realized as a power lift and transfer system. The power lift and transfer system may move, stow, and carry a mobility device for a user with a disability. The power lift and transfer system may further transport the mobility device in and out of a vehicle from a position adjacent to a user or on top of the vehicle to passenger or driver areas of the vehicle.

A system for boarding a wheelchair on a vehicle is provided. The system includes a pair of tracks affixed to an interior of the vehicle, a panel slidably disposed on the pair of tracks, and a scissor lift mechanism having a first end affixed to the panel. The system also includes a platform configured for receiving the wheelchair, the platform affixed to a second end of the scissor lift mechanism, a first actuator configured to move the panel along the pair of tracks, and a second actuator configured to operate the scissor lift mechanism.