Wheelchair lift for mounting to a vehicle

Abstract

A wheelchair lift for mounting to a vehicle includes a platform assembly configured to support a wheelchair. The wheelchair lift includes a roll stop to be moved between an entry position to allow a wheelchair to be loaded to or unloaded from the platform assembly, and a barrier position to prevent the wheelchair from falling off the platform assembly. The wheelchair lift includes a mechanical actuator mechanism for moving the roll stop between the entry position and the barrier position. The mechanical actuator mechanism is configured to keep the roll stop in the entry position, when the platform assembly is in a ground level position, and to block the roll stop from moving from the barrier position to the entry level position, when the platform assembly is in the horizontal position.

Claims

1. A wheelchair lift for mounting to a vehicle, comprising: a platform assembly (10) being configured to support a wheelchair and to move between an entry level position, a horizontal position and a ground level position, wherein the entry level position is above the horizontal position and the ground level position is below the horizontal position; a roll stop means (30) to be moved between an entry position to allow a wheelchair to be loaded to or unloaded from the platform assembly (10), and a barrier position to prevent the wheelchair from falling off the platform assembly (10); and a mechanical actuator mechanism (40) for moving the roll stop means (30) between the entry position and the barrier position; and a cassette (20) to house the platform assembly (10), the cassette (20) having a cavity (21) to insert the platform assembly (10), and the cassette being configured for mounting in a casing of the vehicle; wherein the mechanical actuator mechanism (40) is configured to keep the roll stop means (30) in the entry position, when the platform assembly (10) is in the ground level position, and to block the roll stop means from moving from the barrier position to the entry level position, when the platform assembly (10) is in the horizontal position; and wherein the mechanical actuator mechanism (40) is configured to exert a force on the roll stop means (30) to prevent moving the roll stop means (30) from the barrier position to the entry position, when the platform assembly (10) is in the horizontal position and the roll stop means (30) is inserted in the cavity (21) of the cassette (20).

2. The wheelchair lift of claim 1, further comprising: a lifting arm (50) to move the platform assembly (10) between the entry level position, the horizontal position and the ground level position; wherein the mechanical actuator mechanism (40) is mechanically coupled to the movement of the lifting arm (50).

3. The wheelchair lift of claim 2, wherein the lifting arm (50) is in a horizontal position, when the platform assembly (10) is in the horizontal position; wherein the lifting arm (50) is in a lowered position, when the platform assembly (10) is in the ground level position; and wherein the lifting arm (50) is in a raised position, when the platform assembly (10) is in the entry level position.

4. The wheelchair lift of claim 1, wherein, in the horizontal position of the platform assembly (10), the platform assembly (10) is configured to be moved in the cavity (21) of the cassette (20) by a translational movement of the platform assembly (10); and wherein the mechanical actuator mechanism (40) is configured to keep the roll stop means (30) in the barrier position, when the platform assembly (10) is inserted in the cavity (21) of the cassette (20).

5. The wheelchair lift of claim 1, wherein the mechanical actuator mechanism (40) comprises a lever (41) for moving the roll stop means (30) between the barrier position and the entry position; and wherein the lever (41) is rotatably mounted to the platform assembly (10) such that the lever (41) is moved during the movement of the platform assembly (10), when the lever (41) bears on a bearing surface.

6. The wheelchair lift of claim 5, wherein the roll stop means (30) is mechanically coupled to the lever (41) such that the roll stop means (30) is moved from the barrier position to the entry position, when the platform assembly (10) is lowered to the ground level position and the lever (41) bears on the ground, and the roll stop means (30) is moved from the entry position to the barrier position, when the platform assembly (10) is raised from the ground level position and the lever (41) is lift up from the ground.

7. The wheelchair lift of claim 5, wherein the mechanical actuator mechanism (40) comprises a spring mechanism (42) to urge moving the roll stop means (30) from the barrier position to the entry position.

8. The wheelchair lift of claim 7, wherein the lever (41) is arranged to block the roll stop means (30) from moving from the barrier position to the entry position by the spring mechanism (42), when the lever (41) is lift up from the ground; and wherein the lever (41) is arranged to release the roll stop means (30) for moving from the barrier position to the entry position urged by the spring mechanism (42), when the lever (41) bears on the ground and the platform assembly is moved in the ground level position.

9. The wheelchair lift of claim 3, wherein the mechanical actuator mechanism (40) comprises a movable bar (43) being mechanically coupled to the movement of the lifting arm (50) such that the bar (43) is moved in a first position, when the platform assembly (10) is moved in the horizontal position, and in a different second position, when the platform assembly (10) is moved in the ground level position; wherein, in the first position of the bar (43), the bar (43) abuts on the roll stop means (30) so that the movement of the roll stop means (30) from the barrier position to the entry position is blocked; and wherein, in the second position of the bar (43), the bar (43) is retracted from the roll stop means (30) so that the roll stop means (30) is moved from the barrier position to the entry level position, when the platform assembly (10) is lowered to the ground level position and the lever (41) bears on the ground.

10. The wheelchair lift of claim 9, wherein the mechanical actuator mechanism (40) comprises a cam (44) being mechanically coupled to the lifting arm (50) such that the cam (44) is moved by the movement of the lifting arm (50); and wherein the cam (44) is mechanically coupled to the bar (43) such that the bar (43) is moved to the first position, when the lifting arm (50) is in the horizontal position, and the bar (43) is moved to the second position, when the lifting arm (50) is in the lowered position.

11. The wheelchair lift of claim 10, further comprising: a bolt (60) having a first side and a second side; wherein the lifting arm (50) is fixed to the first side of the bolt (60) and the cam (44) is fixed to the second side of the bolt (60) so that the cam (44) is moved by the movement of the lifting arm (50).

12. The wheelchair lift of claim 10, wherein the mechanical actuator mechanism (40) comprises a force transmitter (45) to transmit a force to the bar (43) for moving the bar (43) between the first and second position; and wherein the force transmitter (45) is mechanically coupled to the cam (44).

13. The wheelchair lift of claim 12, wherein the force transmitter (45) has a first side (45a) being rotatably coupled to a side panel (12) of the platform assembly (10) and a second side (45b) being rotatably coupled to the bar (43).

14. The wheelchair lift of claim 13, wherein a surface (S44) of the cam (44) slides along a surface (S45) of the force transmitter (45) during the movement of the lifting arm (50) between the horizontal position and the lowered position; and wherein the surface (S44) of the cam (44) and the surface (S45) of the force transmitter (45) are shaped such that the bar (43) is moved to the first position, when the lifting arm (50) is moved in the horizontal position, and the bar (43) is moved in to the second position, when the lifting arm (50) is moved to the lowered position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

(2) In the drawings,

(3) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a wheelchair lift for mounting in a vehicle with a platform assembly in an entry level position;

(4) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a wheelchair lift being configured as built-in lift to be mounted in a step of stairs of a vehicle, the lift being in an entry level position;

(5) FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a wheelchair lift for mounting in a vehicle with a platform assembly being in a horizontal position;

(6) FIG. 4 illustrates a mechanical actuator mechanism comprising a lever for moving a roll stop means, the roll stop means being in a barrier position;

(7) FIG. 5 shows a mechanical actuator mechanism comprising a lever for moving a roll stop means, the roll stop means being in an entry position;

(8) FIG. 6A illustrates a platform assembly in the horizontal position and a mechanical actuator mechanism for moving a roll stop means;

(9) FIG. 6B illustrates a mechanical actuator mechanism for moving a roll stop means, the roll stop means being in a barrier position;

(10) FIG. 7A illustrates a platform assembly in the ground level position and a mechanical actuator mechanism for moving a roll stop means;

(11) FIG. 7B illustrates a mechanical actuator mechanism for moving a roll stop means, the roll stop means being in an entry position;

(12) FIG. 8 illustrates a platform assembly in an entry level position and a mechanical actuator mechanism for moving a roll stop means;

(13) FIG. 9A illustrates a platform assembly in a horizontal position during movement into a cavity of a cassette of a wheelchair lift;

(14) FIG. 9B illustrates a platform assembly in a horizontal position during movement into a cavity of a cassette of a wheelchair lift with a lever of a mechanical actuator mechanism bearing on a bearing surface;

(15) FIG. 9C illustrates a platform assembly in a horizontal position during movement into a cavity of a cassette with a roll stop means being blocked by a mechanical actuator mechanism from moving from a barrier position to an entry position;

(16) FIG. 10A illustrates a side view on a cassette of a wheelchair lift with a platform assembly housed in the cassette; and

(17) FIG. 10B illustrates a perspective view of a cassette of a wheelchair lift with a platform assembly being housed in the cassette and an opening of a cavity of the cassette being covered by a roll stop means being in a barrier position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(18) A wheelchair lift 1 for mounting in a vehicle comprises a platform assembly 10 being configured to support a wheelchair to be moved between an entry level position, a horizontal position and a ground level position. The wheelchair lift may be configured as a built-in wheelchair lift for directly mounting the platform assembly under a vehicle or in a casing of a vehicle. According to another embodiment of the wheelchair lift shown in the appended figures, the wheelchair lift may comprise a cassette for housing the platform assembly. The cassette of the wheelchair lift may be mounted in the casing of the vehicle.

(19) FIG. 1 shows the wheelchair lift 1 with a platform assembly 10 in the entry level position. FIG. 2 shows the wheelchair lift 1 with the platform assembly 10 in the entry level position, and FIG. 3 illustrates the wheelchair lift 1 with the platform assembly 10 in the horizontal position. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the entry level position (FIG. 2) is above the horizontal position (FIG. 3) and above the ground level position (FIG. 1). The horizontal position is between the entry level position and the ground level position. The horizontal position of the platform assembly 10 is on the same level as the cassette 20.

(20) The wheelchair lift 1 comprises a cassette 20 to house the platform assembly 10. The cassette 20 has a cavity 21 to insert the platform assembly 10. In the horizontal position of the platform assembly 10, the platform assembly 10 is configured to be moved in the cavity 21 of the cassette 20 by a translational movement of the platform assembly 10. The wheelchair lift further comprises a roll stop means 30 to be moved between an entry position to allow a wheelchair to be loaded to or unloaded from the platform assembly 10.

(21) FIG. 1 shows the roll stop means 30 in the entry position with a platform assembly 10 lowered to the ground level position. The roll stop means 30 is folded down in the entry position. The roll stop means 30 is further configured to be moved in a barrier position to prevent the wheelchair lift from being loaded to or unloaded from the platform assembly 10. In particular, in the barrier position, the roll stop means 30 prevents the wheelchair from rolling/falling off the platform assembly 10. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show the roll stop means 30 in the barrier position in which the roll stop means 30 is folded up. The roll stop means 30 is rotatably coupled to the platform assembly 10 for moving between the entry position and the barrier position.

(22) The wheelchair lift 1 comprises a mechanical actuator mechanism 40 for moving the roll stop means 30 between the entry position/open position and the barrier position/closed position. The mechanical actuator mechanism 40 is configured to keep the roll stop means 30 in the entry position, when the platform assembly 10 is in the ground level position. The mechanical actuator mechanism 40 is further configured to block the roll stop means from moving to the entry level position, and thus to keep the roll stop means 30 in the barrier position, when the platform assembly 10 is in the horizontal position.

(23) The wheelchair lift 1 comprises a lifting arm 50 to move the platform assembly 10 between the entry level position, the horizontal position and the ground level position. The mechanical actuator mechanism 40 is mechanically coupled to the movement of the lifting arm 50. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the lifting arm 50 is in a lowered position in relation to the cassette 20, when the platform assembly 10 is in the ground level position. The lifting arm 50 is in a raised position in relation to the cassette 20, when the platform assembly 10 is in the entry level position, as shown in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 3, the lifting arm 50 is in a horizontal position being on the same level as the cassette 20, when the platform assembly 10 is in the horizontal position.

(24) The mechanical actuator mechanism comprises a spring mechanism 42 to urge moving the roll stop means 30 from the barrier position to the entry position. The wheelchair lift further comprises a bridging plate 70 being movably arranged at the platform assembly 10. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the bridging plate 70 may be folded down in the entry level position of the platform assembly 10 so that a wheelchair loaded on platform 11 of the platform assembly 10 can enter a floor of a vehicle via the bridging plate 70, when the platform assembly 10 is moved in the entry level position. The wheelchair lift 1 may optionally comprise handrails 80 to allow a person with a disability sitting in a wheelchair to hold onto the handrails 80.

(25) FIG. 4 shows a cut-out of the platform assembly 20 in the horizontal position (FIG. 3) with the roll stop means 30 in the barrier position/fold-up state. FIG. 5 shows the cut-out view of the platform assembly 10 in the ground level position with the roll stop means 30 in the entry position/open state.

(26) Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the mechanical actuator mechanism 40 comprises a lever 41 for moving the roll stop means 30 between the barrier position and the entry position. The lever 41 is rotatably mounted to the platform assembly 10 such that the lever 41 is moved during the movement of the platform assembly 10, when the lever 41 bears on a bearing surface. The lever 41 is rotatably mounted to a side panel 12 of the platform assembly 10 by means of a hinge 13. The lever 41 has a guide groove 46 in which a guide pin 14 engages to guide the rotary movement of the lever 41, when the lever 41 touches the ground and the platform assembly 10 is lowered further.

(27) The roll stop means 30 is mechanically coupled to the lever 41 such that the roll stop means 30 is moved from the barrier position shown in FIG. 4 to the entry position shown in FIG. 5, when the platform assembly 10 is lowered to the ground level position and the lever 41 bears on the ground. The lever 41 comprises a bearing wheel 48 which slides on the ground when the platform assembly is lowered to the ground level position. Furthermore, the mechanical coupling between the roll stop means 30 and the lever 41 enables the roll stop means 30 to be moved from the entry position (FIG. 5) to the barrier position (FIG. 4), when the platform assembly 10 is raised from the ground level position and the lever 41 is lifted up from the ground so that it does not rest on the ground any more.

(28) FIG. 4 shows the roll stop means 30 in the barrier position before the lever 41 touches the ground during a lowering movement of the platform assembly. According to a possible embodiment of the wheelchair lift 1, the lever 41 is arranged to block the roll stop means 30 from moving from the barrier position to the entry position by the spring mechanism 42, when the lever 41 is lifted up from the ground. In the barrier position of the roll stop means 30, the lever 41 prevents the roll stop means 30 from being folded down, for example by the force exerted from the spring mechanism 42 to the roll stop means 30. For this purpose, an abutment element 47 of the lever 41 abuts on an abutment element 31 of the roll stop means 30.

(29) Before touching the ground when lowering the platform assembly, lever 41 is pulled downwards by gravity so that the abutment element 47 of the lever 41 is in mechanical contact with the abutment element 31 of the roll stop means 30. In particular, the pin 14 and the groove 46 are arranged relative to each other such that the abutment element 47 of the lever 41 is in mechanical contact with the abutment element 31 of the roll stop means 30, when the lever 41 is pulled downwards by gravity. As shown in FIG. 4, in the downward position of the lever 41, the lever 41 is positioned below the platform assembly 10. The lever 41 is lowered in a downward position until the pin 41 is in contact with an upper end of the guide groove 46.

(30) The lever 41 is arranged to release the roll stop means 30 for moving from the barrier position to the entry position urged by the spring mechanism 42, when the lever 41 bears on the ground. FIG. 5 shows the platform assembly 10 in the ground level position. The lever 41 is put on the ground and is moved upwards so that the abutment element 47 of the lever 41 releases the roll stop means 30. The roll stop means 30 is urged to the entry/open position by a force exerting from the spring mechanism 42 to the roll stop means 30. The rotational movement of the lever 41 is guided by the pin 14 and the groove 46 of the lever 41. In particular, the lever 41 is moved in an upward position until the pin 41 is in contact with the bottom end of the guide groove 41.

(31) FIGS. 6A to 8 show the platform assembly 10 in different positions. FIGS. 6A and 6B show the platform assembly 10 in the horizontal position with the roll stop means 30 in the barrier/closed position. FIGS. 7A and 7B show the platform assembly 10 in the ground level position with the roll stop means 30 in the entry/open position, and FIG. 8 shows the platform assembly 10 in the entry level position with the roll stop means 30 in the barrier/closed position.

(32) The mechanical actuator mechanism 40 comprises a movable bar 43 being mechanically coupled to the movement of the lifting arm 50 such that the bar 43 is moved in a first position, when the platform assembly 10 is moved in the horizontal position, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. In the first position of the bar 43, the bar 43 is extracted and abuts on the roll stop means 30 so that the movement of the roll stop means 30 from the barrier position to the entry position is blocked, even if the lever 41 bears on any bearing surface, for example the ground or the bottom inner surface of the cassette. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B a front tip of the bar 43 abuts on the abutment element 31 of the roll stop means 30 or is arranged in near proximity to the abutment element 31 so that any movement of the roll stop means 30 urged by the spring mechanism 42 is prevented by the bar 43.

(33) The mechanical actuator mechanism 40 is further configured such that the movable bar 43 is moved in a second position, different from the first position, when the platform assembly 10 is moved in the ground level position, as illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B. In the second position of the bar 43, the bar 43 is retracted from the roll stop means 30 so that the roll stop means 30 is moved from the barrier position to the entry level position, when the platform assembly 10 is lowered to the ground level position and the lever 41 bears on the ground, as illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7B. Since the bar 43 is retracted in the ground level position of the platform assembly, the bar 43 does not block the rotational movement of the roll stop means 30 urged by the spring mechanism 42. As a result, the roll stop means 30 is moved in the entry/open position, when the lever 41 is lifted up and releases the roll stop means 30.

(34) The mechanical actuator mechanism 40 is further configured such that the movable bar 43 is moved in the first position, when the platform assembly is moved in the entry level position, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The bar abuts on the roll stop means 30 so that the movement of the roll stop means 30 from the barrier position to the entry position is blocked in the entry level position of the platform assembly 10.

(35) A particular embodiment of the mechanical actuator mechanism 40 illustrated in FIGS. 6A to 8 is described in the following. The particular embodiment of the mechanical actuator mechanism 40 is only one possible solution to realize the described function of the mechanical actuator mechanism 40. Any modifications of the mechanical actuator mechanism 40 using the principle to move the roll stop means 30 in response to the position or movement of the lifting arm 50 are possible.

(36) According to the embodiment of the mechanical actuator mechanism 40 shown in FIGS. 6A to 8, the mechanical actuator mechanism 40 comprises cam 44 being mechanically coupled to the lifting arm 50 such that the cam 44 is moved by the movement of the lifting arm 50. As illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the cam 44 is mechanically coupled to the bar 43 such that the bar 43 is moved to the first position, when the lifting arm 50 is in the horizontal position so that the bar 43 prevents any movement of the roll stop means 30 from the barrier position to the entry position, for example a movement that is urged by the spring mechanism 42.

(37) As further shown in FIG. 7A, the cam 44 is mechanically coupled to the bar 43 such that the bar 43 is moved to the second position, i.e. the retracted position, when the lifting arm 50 is in the lowered position. Referring to FIG. 8, the cam 44 is mechanically coupled to the bar 43 such that the bar 42 is moved to the first position, when the lifting arm 50 is moved in the raised position so that any movement of the roll stop means 30 from the barrier position to the entry position is prevented in the entry level position of the platform assembly 10.

(38) According to a possible embodiment of the wheelchair lift 1, the wheelchair lift comprises a bolt 60 having a first side and a second side. The lifting arm 50 is fixed to the first side of the bolt 60, and the cam 44 is fixed to the second side of the bolt 60 so that the cam 44 is moved by the movement of the lifting arm 50. The bolt 60 for mechanically coupling the movement of the lifting arm to the cam 44 is illustrated in FIGS. 6A, 7A and 8.

(39) According to the embodiment of the mechanical actuator mechanism 40 illustrated in FIGS. 6A to 8, the mechanical actuator mechanism 40 comprises a force transmitter 45 to transmit a force to the movable bar 43 for moving the bar 43 between the first and second position. The force transmitter 45 is mechanically coupled to the cam 44. The force transmitter 45 has a first side 45a being rotatably coupled to a side panel 12 of the platform assembly 10 and a second side 45b being rotatably coupled to the bar 43.

(40) As illustrated in FIGS. 6A, 7A and 8, a surface S44 of the cam 44 slides along a surface S45 of the force transmitter 45 during the movement of the lifting arm 50 between the horizontal position and the lowered position. The surface S44 of the cam 44 and the surface S45 of the force transmitter 45 are shaped such that the bar 43 is moved to the first position, i.e. the extracted position shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 8, when the lifting arm 50 is moved in the horizontal or raised position, and the bar 43 is moved in the second position, i.e. the retracted position, when the lifting arm 50 is moved to the lowered position shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

(41) FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C illustrate a process of inserting the platform assembly 10 in the cavity 21 of the cassette 20. The platform assembly 10 is in the horizontal position. The mechanical actuator mechanism 40 is configured to exert a force on the roll stop means 30 to prevent moving the roll stop means by the spring mechanism 42 from the barrier position to the entry position so that the roll stop means 30 is kept in the barrier position, when the platform assembly 10 is in the horizontal position, even if the platform assembly 10 is inserted in the casing of the vehicle and the lever 41 bears on any bearing surface, for example a bottom surface of the casing of the vehicle, and is consequently lifted up.

(42) Regarding the embodiment of the wheelchair lift comprising the cassette 20, the mechanical actuator mechanism 40 is configured to exert a force on the roll stop means 30 to prevent moving the roll stop means by the spring mechanism 42 from the barrier position to the entry position so that the roll stop means 30 is kept in the barrier position, when the platform assembly 10 is in the horizontal position, even if the platform assembly is inserted in the cavity 21 of the cassette 20 and the lever 41 bears on the bottom surface of the cassette, and is consequently lifted up.

(43) FIG. 9A illustrates the platform assembly 10 in the horizontal position, wherein the bar 43 is extracted such that the front tip of the bar 43 is in mechanical contact with the roll stop means 30 or is at least arranged in proximity to the abutment element 31 of the roll stop means 30. It is thus ensured by the bar 43 that any movement of the roll stop means 30 from the barrier/fold-up position to the entry/fold-down position is prevented, even if the lever 41 touches any bearing surface with the bearing wheel 48 and is thus lifted up.

(44) The lever 41 is lifted up, when the platform assembly 10 is half-inserted or completely inserted in the casing of the vehicle or in the cavity 21 of the cassette 20, as illustrated in FIGS. 9B and 9C. In this state, the lever 41 rests on the bottom surface of the inside of the casing of the vehicle or the inside of the cassette 20 and is thus lifted up. Regarding the configuration of the wheelchair lift being configured as a built-in wheelchair lift that is mounted to a vehicle, the lever 41 is also lifted up, when the platform assembly 10 is inserted in the casing of the vehicle or the cassette 20 and the bearing wheel 48 touches a step of the exit/entrance stairs of the vehicle below the platform assembly 10.

(45) In conclusion, the construction of the mechanical actuator mechanism 40 allows that a force is exerted on the roll stop means 30 by the extracted bar 43 so that the roll stop means 30 is kept in the barrier/fold-up position when the platform assembly 10 is in the horizontal position, even if the platform assembly is moved in the casing of the vehicle or in the cavity 21 of the cassette 20, and the lever 41 bears on any bearing surface, for example a step of the exit/entrance stairs of a vehicle or is lifted up during insertion of the platform assembly 10 in the casing of the vehicle or in the cavity 21 of the cassette 20. Although the lever 41 is lifted up and thus releases the roll stop means 30 for rotation, for example urged by the spring mechanism 42, any movement of the roll stop means 30 is prevented by the extracted bar 43.

(46) FIGS. 10A and 10B show the cassette 20 with the platform assembly 10 completely moved inside the cavity 21 of the cassette 20. Since the mechanical actuator mechanism 40 enables that the roll stop means 30 is kept in the barrier/fold-up position even if the lever 43 is lifted up, the roll stop means 30 may advantageously be used as a cover for covering the casing of the vehicle or the cavity 21 of the cassette 20, when the platform assembly 10 is completely inserted in the casing of the vehicle or the cassette 20.

(47) Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(48) 1 wheelchair lift

(49) 10 platform assembly

(50) 11 platform

(51) 12 side panel

(52) 13 hinge

(53) 14 pin

(54) 20 cassette

(55) 21 cavity

(56) 30 roll stop means

(57) 31 abutment element

(58) 40 mechanical actuator mechanism

(59) 41 lever

(60) 42 spring mechanism

(61) 43 movable bar

(62) 44 cam

(63) 45 force transmitter

(64) 46 groove

(65) 47 abutment element

(66) 48 bearing wheel

(67) 50 lifting arm

(68) 60 bolt

(69) 70 lifting bridge

(70) 80 handrail