A lift apparatus includes an anchor assembly fixable to a vehicle; a platform to support a wheelchair; a support assembly; and two arms, each connected to the support assembly to support the platform. The arms are rotatably connected to the anchor assembly. The platform includes two parts. Each part has a support surface for a wheelchair, a back, and a lateral edge along which the parts are hinged to rotate between a close configuration, in which the backs are facing, and an open configuration, in which the support surfaces are coplanar. An actuator rotates the parts from the close configuration to the open configuration. For each arm, a connecting element, is pivoted to the arm; a first connecting rod is pivoted to the connecting element and to a first of the parts, and a second connecting rod is pivoted to the connecting element and to the second of the parts.

A method and an alignment system which auto-levels and/or auto-centers a loading platform to load and unload a wheeled stretcher to and from an emergency transport vehicle are disclosed. A controller of the alignment system receives a command to extend the loading platform from the emergency vehicle and extends the loading platform under power from the emergency transport vehicle. The controller recognizes an approaching wheeled stretcher, and aligns automatically the loading platform with a leading edge of the approaching wheeled stretcher to compensate automatically for any alignment issues between the loading platform and loading wheels of the wheeled stretcher.

The present invention is directed to properly maneuver heavy cargo to an ergonomically correct lifting height, including for equipment stored on firefighting and rescue vehicles. Mechanically and electromechanically actuated means for raising, lowering, and storing heavy equipment in, on, and around vehicles and other structures are provided.

The present invention is directed to properly maneuver heavy cargo to an ergonomically correct lifting height, including for equipment stored on firefighting and rescue vehicles. Mechanically and electromechanically actuated means for raising, lowering, and storing heavy equipment in, on, and around vehicles and other structures are provided.

A method and an alignment system which auto-levels and/or auto-centers a loading platform to load and unload a wheeled stretcher to and from an emergency transport vehicle are disclosed. A controller of the alignment system receives a command to extend the loading platform from the emergency vehicle and extends the loading platform under power from the emergency transport vehicle. The controller recognizes an approaching wheeled stretcher, and aligns automatically the loading platform with a leading edge of the approaching wheeled stretcher to compensate automatically for any alignment issues between the loading platform and loading wheels of the wheeled stretcher.

The present invention relates to a system (1, 2, 3) for accommodating objects, comprising a guide assembly (1), which can be arranged in a stationary manner, a first motion assembly (2), which is connected to the guide assembly (1) and which can be moved horizontally in the direction of a longitudinal axis (X) in relation to the guide assembly (1), and a second motion assembly (3), which is connected to the first motion assembly (2) and which can be moved vertically in the direction of a vertical axis (Z) in relation to the first motion assembly (2) and can accommodate objects, wherein the first motion assembly (2) can be moved out in the direction of the longitudinal axis (X) so far over the guide assembly (1) that the second motion assembly (3) can be moved in relation to the first motion assembly (2) past the guide assembly (1) in the direction of the vertical axis (Z).

A method and an alignment system which auto-levels and/or auto-centers a loading platform (104) to load and unload a wheeled stretcher (106) to and from an emergency transport vehicle (100) are disclosed. A controller (114) of the alignment system receives a command to extend the loading platform from the emergency vehicle and extends the loading platform under power from the emergency transport vehicle. The controller recognizes an approaching wheeled stretcher, and aligns automatically the loading platform with a leading edge of the approaching wheeled stretcher to compensate automatically for any alignment issues between the loading platform and loading wheels (130) of the wheeled stretcher.

Lift apparatus (10) comprising: at least an anchor assembly (11) fixable to the frame of a vehicle; a platform (12) suitable to support a wheelchair; at least a support assembly (13) mechanically connected to said platform (12); two arms (14), each connected to said support assembly (13) to support said platform (12); said arms (14) being rotatably connected to said anchor assembly (11) to rotate with respect to the latter, between a rest configuration and an operating configuration; characterized in that said platform (12) comprises two parts (121, 122), of which, each has a support surface (121a, 122a) for a wheelchair, a back (121b, 122b) opposite said support surface (121a, 122a) and a lateral edge (121c, 122c) along which said parts (121, 122) are mutually hinged to rotate mutually between a close configuration, in which the backs (121b, 122b) of said parts (121, 122)) are facing, and an open configuration in which the support surfaces (121a, 122a) of said parts (121, 122) are substantially coplanar to define a support plane for a wheelchair; said lift apparatus (10) comprising actuating means to mutually rotate the parts (121, 122) of said platform (12) from said close configuration to said open configuration and vice versa; said support assembly (13) comprising, for each arm (14) of said arms (14): a connecting element (131), pivoted to said arm (14); a first connecting rod element (132) pivoted to said connecting element (131) and to a first of said parts (121, 122); a second connecting rod element (133) pivoted to said connecting element (131) and to the second of said parts (121, 122).

A wheelchair accessible vehicle assembly includes a vehicle that has a plurality of entries. Each of the entries is large enough to have a wheelchair pass therethrough for transporting an individual in the wheelchair. A plurality of wheelchair lifts and each of the wheelchair lifts is coupled to the vehicle. Each of the wheelchair lifts can lift and lower the wheelchair and each of the wheelchair lifts is aligned with one of the entries. In this way the plurality of wheelchair lifts facilitates a plurality of wheelchairs to be simultaneously lifted and lowered.

A wheelchair accessible vehicle assembly includes a vehicle that has a plurality of entries. Each of the entries is large enough to have a wheelchair pass therethrough for transporting an individual in the wheelchair. A plurality of wheelchair lifts and each of the wheelchair lifts is coupled to the vehicle. Each of the wheelchair lifts can lift and lower the wheelchair and each of the wheelchair lifts is aligned with one of the entries. In this way the plurality of wheelchair lifts facilitates a plurality of wheelchairs to be simultaneously lifted and lowered.