Lifting bracket

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lifting bracket (1), in particular to a lifting bracket (1) for attaching to a mobility device such as a mobility scooter, power chair, or other electrically powered mobility device. The lifting bracket (1) comprises a main body (2) with a central portion and two side portions which extend away from the central portion. A connector (5), for connecting the body to a mobility device, is provided on a front edge (18) of the central portion of the body (2), and a mounting point (37) is provided at each end of the body (2) for attachment to a spreader bar. The body (2) is shaped such that each end of the body (2) is positioned forward of the front edge (18) of the central portion.

Claims

1. A mobility scooter lifting bracket, said lifting bracket comprising: a main body with a central portion and two side portions which extend away from the central portion to define a front edge, a rear edge and two ends of the body; a connector provided on the front edge of the central portion of the body for connecting the body to a seat post of a mobility scooter; and a mounting point provided at each end of the body for attachment to a spreader bar, a position of each of the mounting points being adjustable, relative to a position of the connector, at the ends of main body; wherein the body is shaped such that each end of the body is positioned forward of the front edge of the central portion.

2. A lifting bracket according to claim 1 wherein the main body has an arcuate form.

3. A lifting bracket according to claim 1 wherein the bracket further comprises separate end portions.

4. A lifting bracket according to claim 3 wherein the end portions are removably connected to the main body.

5. A lifting bracket according to claim 4 where a connection between the end portions and the main body is adjustable.

6. A lifting bracket according to claim 1 wherein the mounting point comprises one or more slots through which a bolt may be placed.

7. A lifting bracket according to claim 1 wherein the ends of the bracket extend forward and back from the front and rear edges of the main body of the lifting bracket respectively.

8. A lifting bracket according to claim 1 wherein the ends of the bracket extend upwards from the main body of the lifting bracket.

9. A lifting bracket according to claim 1 wherein the ends of the bracket extend downwards from the main body of the lifting bracket.

10. A lifting bracket according to claim 1 wherein the connector comprises a resilient material.

11. A lifting bracket according to claim 10 wherein the connector comprises a resilient strip.

12. A lifting bracket according to claim 1 wherein an indent is provided on the front edge of the main body adjacent to the connector.

13. A lifting bracket according to claim 12 wherein the indent is generally semi-circular.

14. A lifting bracket according to claim 13 wherein the surface of the indent is irregular or undulating.

15. A lifting bracket according to claim 14 wherein the indent is formed by successive semi-circular cuts of differing diameters.

16. A lifting bracket according to claim 1 wherein a major proportion of the main body has a thickness of less than 30 mm.

17. A lifting bracket according to claim 16 wherein a major proportion of the main body has a thickness of less than 20 mm.

18. A lifting bracket according to claim 1 wherein the position of each mounting point is adjustable in a fore-and-aft direction.

Description

(1) An embodiment of the invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lifting bracket and spreader bar of the prior art;

(3) FIG. 2 is a part exploded perspective view of a lifting bracket according to the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an arcuate principal or outer layer of the main body of the lifting bracket of FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the arcuate inner layer of the main body of a lifting bracket of FIG. 2;

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an end portion of the lifting bracket of FIG. 2;

(7) FIG. 6 is a plan view of the underside of the lifting bracket of FIG. 2;

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lifting bracket of FIG. 2 applied to a seat post; and

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the lifting bracket of FIG. 2 applied to a seat post of a mobility device and relative to the battery compartment.

(10) An example of a known lifting bracket is shown in FIG. 1. The bracket 1 is mounted forward of the seat post and generally comprises a main body 2 with attachment points 3 located at either end of the main body for a spreader bar 4, and a central connector 5 for mounting the bracket 1 to the seat post of a mobility scooter. The central connector 5 comprises a pair of rigid horseshoe shaped members 7 which are placed around the seat post in use.

(11) The position of the main body 2 and hence the attachment points 3 is adjustable by means of a projection 6 which extends forwardly from the central connector 5 and through the main body 2. The main body 2 may be slid forward and back along the projection 6 in order to adjust the position of the main body 2 and hence the attachment points 3 relative to the centre of gravity of the mobility scooter. In use, this projection 6 extends over the battery compartment of the mobility device thus preventing access to the battery whilst the bracket is in position.

(12) FIG. 2 shows a part exploded view of a lifting bracket 1 according to the present invention. The lifting bracket 1 generally comprises an arcuate main body 2, two adjustable end sections 3 positioned at either end of the main body, providing attachment points 4 for a spreader bar, and a central connector 5 for mounting the bracket 1 to the seat post of a mobility scooter.

(13) The main body 2 is laminar and constructed from three layers of low-carbon sheet steel, two arcuate principal or outer layers 6 and a shorter arcuate inner layer 7 that is sandwiched between the two principal layers 6 such that a space 8 or gap is provided between the two principal layers 6 at each end of the main body 2. The spaces 8 between the two principal layers 6 allow a portion of each end section 3 to be inserted between the principal layers 6 of the main body 2 and held in place via a series of threaded bolts 9 that are passed through corresponding holes 10 in the end sections and the arcuate main body, and held in place with nuts 11.

(14) A thin pad 12 constructed from polyurethane resin is applied to the top face of the uppermost layer 6 of the main body 2. The pad 12 is arcuate in form and of slightly smaller dimensions than the principal layers 6 of the laminar main body 2. The pad 12 improves the overall appearance of the bracket.

(15) The connector 5 is located centrally on the inside of the arc of the main body 2, adjacent to a generally semi-circular indent 13 formed in the main body 2. The generally semi-circular indent 13 is formed from aligned cut-outs in the three sheet steel layers 6,7 making up the main body 2. The connector 5 comprises a resilient 10 mm thick stainless steel strip 14 that is connected to the main body 2 by a pair of bolts 15 located through holes 16 formed in respective ends of the strip and received in threaded fixing points 17 provided in the main body 2 on either side of the semi-circular indent 13. The fixing points 17 are provided by a pair of large hexagonal nuts that are welded to the main body.

(16) FIG. 3 shows a principal layer 6 in isolation. The principal layer 6 is laser cut from 4 mm sheet steel, and is generally arcuate in shape, having inner 18 and outer 19 generally curved edges. The inner edge 18 forms the front edge of the bracket, and has a straight section 20 in its centre. A rounded cut-out 21 is provided in the centre of the straight edge section, and a rectangular cut-out 22 is provided on either side of the rounded cut-out 21. The rounded cut-out 21 is provided by performing successive semi-circular cuts of differing diameter. The result is a cut-out 21 that is generally semi-circular, but has an undulating inner profile with differing radii. As shown, the largest cut 21a has a 50 mm diameter, and the second cut 21b has a 38 mm diameter. By having differing radii of cuts, the rounded cut-out/indent 21 can receive and hold securely seat posts of differing diameters.

(17) A pair of holes 23 is provided at each end of the principal layer 6 to receive bolts to fix the end sections 3 in place. Additional holes 24,25,26 are provided in the principal layer 6 primarily to reduce weight. The length L1 between opposite ends of the principal layer 6 is approximately 400 mm.

(18) FIG. 4 shows the shorter inner layer 7 in isolation. The inner layer 7 is shaped to correspond to the centre portion of the principal layer 6, and is laser cut from 6 mm sheet steel. Accordingly, when the principal layers 6 and inner layer 7 are sandwiched together the thickness of the gap/space 8 provided at each end of the main body 2 is 6 mm. The inner layer 7 also comprises a generally semi-circular cut out 27, of 52 mm diameter, in its front edge and a pair of rectangular cut-outs 28 to align with those provided in the principal layer 6. Once assembled with the two principal layers 6, the rectangular cut-outs 28 provide locations for securing the large hexagonal nuts 17 which provide the fixing points for the connector. The generally semi-circular cut out 27 in the inner layer 7 is larger than that in the principal layers 6. This means that this cut out does not interfere with the undulating profile of the cut out 21 in the principal layers 6. Holes 29,30,31 are provided, as in the principal layer, to reduce the weight of the component.

(19) An end portion 3 is illustrated in isolation in FIG. 5. Each end portion 3 is L-shaped in cross-section, the L-shape having a first part 32 that secures the end portion to the main body 2 as discussed above, and a second part 33 that extends perpendicular to the first part.

(20) The first part 32 of each end section 3 is, in use, inserted between the principal layers 6 that form the main body 2 and thus extends parallel to the plane of the main body 2 in use. Each end portion 3 is laser cut from 5 mm stainless steel sheet, so the 6 mm gaps 8 provided in the body portion 2 provide some clearance for the insertion of the first part 32 of each end portion 2.

(21) The length marked L2 in FIG. 5 may be made greater or smaller in size in other end portions according to the invention. By varying the size of this portion, the span of the lifting bracket 1 may be adjusted as required.

(22) The second part 33 of the end section 3 extends upward (but may equally extend downwards if appropriate) in use and horizontally both in front and behind the point at which the first part 32 is attached to the main body 2 of the bracket 1. The second part 33 of each end portion 3 also comprises a series of three slots 34,35,36 which extend horizontally along the length of this second part. A hanging bolt 37 (shown in FIG. 7) for connecting the bracket to the spreader bar can be received through one of the slots 34,35,36 in each end portion 3 as indicated in the exploded view of FIG. 2. In use, straps hanging from the spreader bar of a hoist or similar lifting device/mechanism are hooked or otherwise attached to the hanging bolts 37 in the respective end portions 3 to lift the mobility device.

(23) FIG. 6 shows the underside of the assembled lifting bracket 1 ready for attachment to the seat post of a mobility scooter. From this view it can be seen that the holes in both the outer and inner arcuate layers (24,25,26 in 6 and 29,30,31 in 7) are aligned. The overall width of the bracket corresponds to the length L1 plus twice the length L2 and can therefore be varied by varying the length L2 to give the required width for a particular mobility device. The overall span of the lifting bracket also corresponds generally to the width of the required spreader bar which can vary between about 400 mm and about 650 mm.

(24) In use, the bracket 1 is connected to the seat post of the relevant mobility device by removing the stainless steel strip 14 from the bracket 1 by undoing the bolts 15, placing the main body 2 behind the seat post and the strip 14 in front of the seat post and reapplying the bolts 15. The resilience of the stainless steel strip 14 allows the strip 14 to deform about the seat post and hence hold the bracket 1 in place. The different cut diameters making up the generally semi-circular indent 13 provide a profile which allows the connector 5 and indent 13 to provide a strong grip on seat posts of a range of different circumferences.

(25) FIG. 7 shows the lifting bracket 1 attached to the seat post 38 of a mobility scooter.

(26) The hanging bolts 37 are shown passing through the central slot 35 in each end portion 3, but may be placed in any of the slots depending on the general centre of mass and balance point of the mobility device to be lifted. Finer adjustments may then be made by sliding the bolt 37 along the respective slots 34,35,36 to allow the point at which the spreader bar is attached to the bracket 1 to be precisely adjusted relative to the position of the seat post 38 and hence also relative to the centre of mass of the mobility device.

(27) The strip 14 of the connector 5 can be seen to have deformed about the seat post 37. By deforming, the strip 14 is able to hold seat posts 37 of differing diameters securely.

(28) FIG. 8 shows the lifting bracket 1 attached to the seat post 38 of a mobility scooter with the position of the battery 39 of the mobility scooter shown. The position of the lifting bracket 1 does not interfere with removal or replacement of the battery 39. In particular, a handle 40 provided on the top of the battery 39 is easily accessible while the bracket 1 is attached to the seat post 38.

(29) Although described above in specific terms, it will be understood that certain changes can be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In particular, the dimensions and materials provided are indicative, based on a particular application of the invention, and are not intended to limit the protection sought.

(30) Although certain materials are described, it will be appreciated that similar materials may be substituted without adversely affecting the operation of the bracket of the invention. For example, the low-carbon steel and stainless steel components could instead be formed from other suitable metals, ceramics or even plastics having the necessary strength and resilience for example, metal composites, polymer composites (or a combination of either or both with non-alloyed or composite material(s) or aluminium for weight saving. Other suitable substitute materials would be familiar to a skilled reader.

(31) Similarly, the precise shape of the various components shown and the overall bracket may vary. For example, a bracket may be provided having a more pronounced curve or may even comprise a generally straight central portion and generally straight arms extending at an angle forward of the front edge. The end portions could also be formed in a different shape, and indeed it may be desirable for a variety of different end portions to be provided to account for different applications of the invention.

(32) In addition, the means by which individual components are connected to one another in the manufacturing process may vary. For example, the hexagonal bolts may be threaded into the main body rather than welded to the main body. Suitable connection means will be understood by the person skilled in the art.