Vehicle lift

Abstract

A vehicle lift for a load, such as a wheelchair. The whole lift is movable between a retracted position and an extended position that comprises a support pillar, a platform, and a lifting device. The platform is connected pivotably to the support pillar and has a horizontal pivot axis such that the platform is pivotable about the horizontal axis. The lifting device is hingedly connected to the support pillar and is configured for lifting and lowering the support pillar with the platform between the retracted position and the extended position. The support pillar is one piece and has a curved configuration along the longitudinal axis.

Claims

1. A vehicle lift for use with a wheelchair, comprising: a support pillar having a longitudinal axis; a platform pivotably connected to the support pillar and configured to support the wheelchair; and a lifting device hingedly connected to the support pillar, the lifting device configured for lifting and lowering the support pillar with the platform between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the support pillar is formed integrally as one piece through steps including extrusion and bending, has a curved portion extending along an arcuate path relative to the longitudinal axis, the arcuate path defining a bending radius and a center of curvature, and the support pillar is comprised of aluminum, and wherein the lifting device is hingedly connected to the curved portion of the support pillar at a plurality of mounting points, the plurality of mounting points being arranged along a second arcuate path that is concentric with the arcuate path defined by the curved portion of the support pillar.

2. The vehicle lift of claim 1 wherein the support pillar lacks weld seams.

3. The vehicle lift of claim 1 wherein the curved portion is an upper portion of the support pillar.

4. The vehicle lift of claim 1 wherein the support pillar is a profile member with a cross-section of a substantially U-shaped configuration.

5. The vehicle lift of claim 1 wherein the bending radius of the curved portion of the support pillar is between 700 mm and 1000 mm.

6. The vehicle lift of claim 1 wherein the platform is pivotable about a horizontal axis, and the lifting device being adapted to move the support pillar and the platform perpendicularly relative to the pivot axis.

7. The vehicle lift of claim 1 wherein the lifting device further includes: a parallelogram linkage pivotably connected to the support pillar; a plurality of support arms arranged substantially parallel to each other, each support arm having at least two ends; and a vehicle-side fixing portion, wherein one end of each support arm is pivotable with respect to the support pillar and the other end of each support arm is pivotable with respect to the vehicle-side fixing portion.

8. The vehicle lift of claim 7 wherein the plurality of support arms further comprises: a passage formed in each support arm, the passage being configured for passing lines therethrough.

9. The vehicle lift of claim 1 further comprising: a support arranged on the platform and configured to support moment forces in relation to the support pillar.

10. The vehicle lift of claim 9 further comprising: an abutment on the support and that contacts the support pillar, the abutment configured to operably limit pivotal movement of the platform relative to the support pillar, wherein the abutment apples force to the support pillar in a direction that is substantially central with respect to the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

11. The vehicle lift of claim 10 further comprising: a reinforcing profile member, the reinforcing profile member arranged on the support pillar to co-operate with the abutment for the support to operably limit the pivotal movement of the platform relative to the support pillar.

12. The vehicle lift of claim 9 further comprising: a mechanism engaging the support or the platform, the mechanism is configured to pivot the platform.

13. The mechanism of claim 12 wherein the mechanism includes an elbow lever with a first leg and a second leg connected with the first leg in an elbow-hinge relationship, and the mechanism is operable to pivot the platform such that the first leg is pivoted toward the support pillar and the second leg is pivoted toward the platform.

14. The mechanism of claim 13 wherein the second leg is in the form of a thrust rod, and further comprising: a first joint element arranged at one end of the thrust rod; and a second joint element arranged at an opposite end of the thrust rod.

15. The vehicle lift of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of side plates arranged on the platform.

16. The vehicle lift of claim 1, wherein the support pillar lacks an internal joint connecting a plurality of separately formed pieces of the support pillar.

17. A vehicle lift for use with a wheelchair, comprising: a vehicle-side fixing portion having a base plate configured to be mounted to a vehicle; a support pillar having a lower portion and a curved upper portion, the support pillar being formed integrally as one piece, having a U-shaped cross-sectional profile, and being comprised of aluminum; a platform pivotably connected to the lower portion and configured to support the wheelchair; a lifting device hingedly connected to the curved upper portion and configured for lifting and lowering the support pillar with the platform between a retracted position and an extended position, the lifting device including a parallelogram linkage pivotably connected to the support pillar and having a plurality of support arms arranged substantially parallel to each other, each support arm having at least two ends, wherein one end of each support arm is pivotable with respect to the support pillar and the other end of each support arm is pivotable with respect to the vehicle-side fixing portion; and a support rigidly coupled to the platform and not connected to said vehicle-side fixing portion, the support including an abutment that engages the lower portion of the support pillar for limiting pivotal movement of the platform relative to the support pillar.

18. A vehicle lift for use with a wheelchair, comprising: a support pillar having a longitudinal axis; a platform pivotably connected to the support pillar and configured to support the wheelchair; and a lifting device hingedly connected to the support pillar, the lifting device configured for lifting and lowering the support pillar with the platform between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the support pillar is formed integrally as one piece through steps including extrusion and bending, has a curved configuration at least along the longitudinal axis, and is comprised of aluminum.

19. A vehicle lift for use with a wheelchair, comprising: a support pillar having a longitudinal axis; a platform pivotably connected to the support pillar and configured to support the wheelchair; and a lifting device hingedly connected to the support pillar, the lifting device configured for lifting and lowering the support pillar with the platform between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the support pillar is formed integrally as a seamless one piece through steps including extrusion and bending, has a curved portion extending along an arcuate path relative to the longitudinal axis with a bending radius of between 700 mm and 1000 mm measured at an inner edge of the support pillar, and is comprised of aluminum.

20. A vehicle lift for use with a wheelchair, comprising: a support pillar having a longitudinal axis; a platform pivotably connected to the support pillar and configured to support the wheelchair; and a lifting device hingedly connected to the support pillar, the lifting device configured for lifting and lowering the support pillar with the platform between a retracted position and an extended position, the lifting device being hingedly connected to a stand fixed on a bottom plate for arrangement in the vehicle, and the lifting device being in the form of a parallelogram linkage; wherein the support pillar is formed integrally as a seamless one piece through steps including extrusion and bending, has a curved portion extending along an arcuate path relative to the longitudinal axis, and is comprised of aluminum.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter by means of an embodiment by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle lift in the intermediate position.

(3) FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle lift in the intermediate position.

(4) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the vehicle lift in the intermediate position.

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the vehicle lift in the first retracted position.

(6) FIG. 5 is a front view of the vehicle lift in the first retracted position.

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a support pillar.

(8) FIG. 7 is a cross-section through a support arm.

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a support.

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a reinforcing profile member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a vehicle lift 1 in a position referred to as the intermediate position. Two stands 4, 4′, which are of mirror-symmetrical relationship to each other, are fixed on a bottom plate 2. The bottom plate 2 and the stands 4, 4′ together form a holding portion at the vehicle side. Arranged on the stands 4, 4′ are a respective lifting devices 6, 6′ which in this embodiment is in the form of a parallelogram linkage. Arranged on the lifting devices 6, 6′ (which are described in greater detail hereinafter) at the end opposite to the stands 4, 4′ are respective support pillars 10, 10′. The support pillars 10, 10′ (see also FIG. 6) have upper portions 12, 12′ and lower ends or portions 14, 14′. The support pillars 10, 10′ are connected to the lifting devices 6, 6′ with the upper portions 12, 12′. At the lower portions 14, 14′, a platform 16 is connected pivotably about the pivot axis 18 to the support pillars 10, 10′ by means of a shaft 19. Side plates 20, 20′ are arranged at each of the lateral edges on the platform 16, wherein a stamping 21 (shown only in relation to one side plate 20.sup.1) is provided along the longitudinal axis 11. A handle 22 is also arranged on the support pillar 10 so that a wheelchair user being transported by means of the vehicle lift 1 can hold that handle 22 during transport.

(12) The support pillars 10, 10′ are in one piece and of a curved configuration along their longitudinal axes 11 in the upper portions 12, 12′, as is also described in greater detail hereinafter. The support pillars 10, 10′ are in the form of an aluminum profile member of a substantially U-shaped cross-section.

(13) As shown in FIG. 2, the lifting devices 6, 6′ are in the form of parallelogram linkages. They have a first support arm 24 and a second support arm 26 arranged parallel to each other. Both support arms 24, 26 are hingedly connected to the stand 4 and also to the support pillar 10 by means of the pivot points 30, 31, 32, 33. All pivot points 30, 31, 32, 33 are in the form of plug-in pin connections. Bushings (not shown) are also arranged in the support pillar 10 at the pivot points 32, 33 within bores on the support pillar 10 to reduce wear at the support pillar 10.

(14) The two support arms 24, 26 are equal in length and are of substantially identical configuration. The pivot points 30, 31 on the stand 4 are selected such that the support arms 24, 26 forming the parallelogram can be moved into a first retracted position and a second extended position (not shown). In the first retracted position, the two support arms 24, 26 are arranged substantially perpendicularly (see FIG. 4). In the second extended position (not shown), the support arms 24, 26 are arranged substantially horizontally. Moreover, the pivot points 32, 33 on the support pillar 10 are suitably arranged in displaced relationship in order to permit the parallelogram of the lifting device 6. The upper portion 12 of the support pillar 10 is of a curved configuration such that the displacement between the pivot points 32, 33 is compensated. The lower portion 14 of the support pillar 10 is substantially straight to permit a compact structure which also saves on weight.

(15) A hydraulic cylinder 28 is provided for actuating the lifting device 6. The hydraulic cylinder 28 is arranged diagonally in the parallelogram formed by the support arms 24, 26. For the purpose of actuating the hydraulic cylinder 28, the hydraulic cylinder 28 is connected, on the one hand, to the pivot point 30 and on the other hand to the pivot point 33. Upon extension of the hydraulic cylinder 28, the vehicle lift is accordingly moved into the first retracted position, and, correspondingly upon retraction of the hydraulic cylinder 28, it is moved into the second extended position as is readily apparent in FIG. 2.

(16) A mechanism 34 for pivoting the platform 16 is also arranged on the vehicle lift 1. The mechanism 34 has a first leg 38 which is pivotably attached to the support pillar 10 and a second leg 36 connected to the first leg 38 by means of a joint 40, more specifically elbow joint 40. A slide shoe 41 is further arranged at the elbow joint 40. The other end of the second leg 36 co-operates with the platform 16. For that purpose, arranged on the platform 16 is a support 42 for supporting moments in relation to the support pillar 10. The support 42 is engaged by the second leg 36 by being hingedly connected thereto by means of a second joint 44.

(17) The corresponding joint portions 46, 47 of the second leg 36, which is in the form of a thrust rod, are displaceably fixed relative to each other. As is readily apparent from FIG. 2, the slide shoe 41 comes into contact with the second support arm 26 when the vehicle lift 1 is moved into the first retracted position. In that case, a force acts by way of the second leg 36 on the support 42 and, thus, on the platform 16 in such a way that it is pivoted into the vertical about the pivot axis 18. In contrast, upon extension of the vehicle lift 1, the slide shoe 41 loses contact with the second support arm 26 as from a given extension point (for example as from the intermediate position as shown in FIG. 2). In order then to prevent further lowering movement of the platform 16, an arm-shaped projection 48 is arranged on the support 42. This arrangement serves as an abutment which limits pivotal movement of the platform 16 relative to the support pillar 10 by the projection 48 coming into contact with a reinforcing profile member 50, as can be more clearly seen in FIG. 3. A screw 49 is arranged on the projection 48, which serves as an adjustable abutment. That makes it possible to adjust the pivotal angle, from which the pivotal movement of the platform 16 relative to the support pillar 10 is limited. For that purpose, the reinforcing profile member 50 is screwed to the support pillar 10 by means of two screw connections 51, 52. The shaft 19 defining the pivot axis 18 is also received in the reinforcing profile member 50 and is fixedly clamped therein with a clamping means 54. For that purpose, the shaft 19 has a flattened region so that the reinforcing profile member can engage it in a positively locking relationship.

(18) As can be seen in particular from FIG. 3, the first leg 38 of the mechanism 34 extends through the support pillar 10 and beyond a pivotal mounting 45. The handle 22 is fixed to that portion 39 which extends beyond the support pillar 10. Thus, in the movement from the first retracted into the second extended position or from the second extended position into the first retracted position of the vehicle lift 1, the handle 22 is automatically movable therewith and is disposed in a vertically, upwardly pivoted condition in the first retracted position. Because the handle 22 is of the curved shape shown in FIG. 3, the handle 22 fits substantially to the curved portion 12 of the support pillar 10 so that the vehicle lift 1 is particularly compact.

(19) In FIG. 4 illustrating the first retracted position of the vehicle lift 1, side plates 60, 60.sup.1, are arranged laterally on the lifting device 6. That serves on the one hand to reduce the risk of injury insofar as it prevents, for example, operators from trapping fingers between the support arms 24, 26. On the other hand the side plate 60, 60′ has visual, aesthetic functions. For illustration purposes, the support pillar 10′ which is at the left in relation to FIG. 4 is omitted from FIGS. 4 and 5 so that the support arms 24′, 26′ are visible. Thus, only the right-hand support pillar 10 is illustrated.

(20) The precise configuration of the support pillar 10 can be seen from the perspective view in FIG. 6. The support pillar 10 is of a substantially elongate basic configuration. The upper portion 12 is of a curved configuration, the lower portion 14 is straight. Overall, the support pillar 10 is in one piece. In this embodiment, it is made from anodized aluminum. As shown in FIG. 6, the support pillar 10 does not have any weld seams or other connecting locations. It is produced by an extrusion process having at least the steps of extrusion, cutting to length, and bending.

(21) The support pillar 10 is curved along its longitudinal axis 11. The longitudinal axis 11 is accordingly of a curved configuration.

(22) The support pillar 10 has a substantially U-shaped profile member. It has a back 70 and two side walls 72, 74 which are arranged substantially perpendicularly to the back 70 and parallel to each other and thus form the two legs of the U-shaped cross-section. Provided in the side walls 72, 74 are through bores 33a, 34a, 45a and 19a for receiving the hinged connections 33, 34, 45 and the pivotal shaft 19 (see FIGS. 1-5). Bushings (not shown) are fitted into the through bores 33a, 34a, 45a, 19a so that no or minimal wear occurs in operation at the aluminum support pillar 10. Further, through bores 50a, 50b are provided in the lower portion 14 for fitting the reinforcing profile member 50 (see FIG. 9). Moments of force are supported by means of the support 42 (see FIG. 8) in relation to the reinforcing profile member 50 arranged between the two side walls 72, 74 in lower portion 14.

(23) The support arms 24, 26 are also of a substantially U-shaped cross-section. By way of example, FIG. 7 shows the cross-section of the support arm 24. Like the support pillar 10, the support arm 24 has a back 80 and two side walls 82, 84 respectively substantially parallel to each other. In addition, a passage 86, 88 is respectively provided in the transitional region between each side wall 82, 84 and the back 80. The passage 86, 88 is preferably already produced upon extrusion of the support arm 24 or another production process. For example, cables can be passed through the passages 86, 88. In addition, the passages 86, 88 have a stiffening effect so that the support arms 24, 26 can better carry forces acting on the parallelogram, such as, for example the slide shoe 41 acting on the support arm 26.

(24) The support 42 (FIG. 8) has a main body 43 and an arm-shaped projection 48 which extends therefrom and serves as an abutment 48. The support 42 can be screwed to the platform 16 by means of the main body 43. A through bore 44a may be provided in the main body 43 for receiving the hinged connection 44 (see FIG. 3). The support 42 is produced in the form of a free-form casting to produce an optimum configuration with respect to weight so that the weight of the vehicle lift 1 is reduced.

(25) With respect to FIG. 9, the reinforcing profile member 50 (see FIG. 9) has two through bores 51a, 52a for receiving the screwing connection 51, 52 to the support pillar 10. The through bores 51a, 52a are of a slotted configuration to facilitate assembly. A contact surface 53 is provided in the region between the those bores 51a, 52a with which the abutment 48 or the screw 49 of the support 42 can come into contact. At the other end of the reinforcing profile member 50 is the clamping means 54 for holding the shaft 19 (not shown in FIG. 9). Provided on the clamping means 54 is a flattened portion 55 which can co-operate in a positively locking relationship with a flattened portion 55 on the shaft 19 to rotationally fix the shaft 19.