US3737009A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wheel chair lift
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-11-01
•
Granted: 1973-06-05
•
Expires: 1991-11-01
Abstract
Abstract A lift is described which provides a convenient and safe means for lifting objects and/or personnel for a limited height. In particular, the lift provides a means whereby a person in a wheel chair may be raised a given distance, such as the height necessary to enter a trailer. In addition to the basic lifting mechanisms, the lift provides a safety feature whereby a lip, connected to the lifting platform and actuated by the upward movement of the platform, pivots upwardly and prevents an inadvertent roll-off of the wheel chair. The structure about the platform includes sheet material about three sides and a hinged flap across the fourth side. As the platform is raised, the hinged flap, normally urged into a horizontal position by a spring, is pivotally raised underneath the rising platform whereby the fourth side is sealed off to prevent children or pets from crawling under the raised platform with subsequent injury should the platform lower upon them. On descent, the frontal lip pivots forwardly and downwardly whereby, when the platform contacts the ground, the lip will provide a short ramp to the ground. Simultaneously, the flap, raised into an upright position on ascent, pivots to a horizontal position under force of the spring.
Inventors
- 👤 J Stoddard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:41
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66B; B66B9/00; A; A61; A61G; A61G3/00; A61G3/02; A61G3/06; A61G3/063; A61G2200/00; A61G2200/10; A61G2200/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
221 words
A vertically moving platform assembly within a supporting and guiding framework, including a base hAving a plurality of sides, a barrier extending upwardly from less than all the sides thus providing at least one open side, and power means for raising the platform, comprising: a hinged lip pivoted to one edge of the platform for providing a ramp for ease of ingress and egress when the latter is in its lowered position, flexible means connected between said lip and said platform for rotating said lip upwardly in response to an upward movement of the platform, a hinged flap pivoted to said open side of the base of the framework about a horizontal pivot point for movement between a horizontal position beneath said platform when said platform is a lowered position and a raised vertical position upon elevation of said platform, said flap being at all times disposed beneath a plane defined by the platform, and flexible means connected between said flap and said platform for pivoting said flat upwardly about said horizontal pivot point in response to an upward movement of the platform to form a continuous barrier about the raised platform, whereby a load elevated by the platform will be retained on said platform by said lip and the barrier will prevent ingress of foreign objects beneath the raised platform.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
221 words
A vertically moving platform assembly within a supporting and guiding framework, including a base hAving a plurality of sides, a barrier extending upwardly from less than all the sides thus providing at least one open side, and power means for raising the platform, comprising: a hinged lip pivoted to one edge of the platform for providing a ramp for ease of ingress and egress when the latter is in its lowered position, flexible means connected between said lip and said platform for rotating said lip upwardly in response to an upward movement of the platform, a hinged flap pivoted to said open side of the base of the framework about a horizontal pivot point for movement between a horizontal position beneath said platform when said platform is a lowered position and a raised vertical position upon elevation of said platform, said flap being at all times disposed beneath a plane defined by the platform, and flexible means connected between said flap and said platform for pivoting said flat upwardly about said horizontal pivot point in response to an upward movement of the platform to form a continuous barrier about the raised platform, whereby a load elevated by the platform will be retained on said platform by said lip and the barrier will prevent ingress of foreign objects beneath the raised platform.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A vertically moving platform assembly as claimed in claim 1, comprising: a counterweight system attached to the platform and co-operating with the framework, whereby vertical movement of an unloaded platform must be initiated by an outside force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
A vertically moving platform assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pivoting means comprises: a spring connected between said flap and the framework for urging said flap to a horizontal position, and a cord connected between said flap and the platform, whereby movement of the platform is translated through said cord into a pivotal movement of said flap counter to the spring force.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
A vertically moving platform assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rotating means comprises: a cord having one end attached to said lip and the other end attached to the platform assembly, and a pulley attached to the framework for engaging said cord, whereby movement of the platform relative to the framework will shorten the effective cord length causing said lip to rotate upwardly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The power means as claimed in claim 1, comprising: an electric motor attached to the framework, means for converting the rotary output of said electric motor into a vertically moving element, and means for connecting said element to the platform, whereby the rotary output of said electric motor is translated into a vertical movement of the platform.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The power means as claimed in claim 5, including: a manually operated switch for energizing said electric motor, and an automatically operated switch for de-energizing said electric motor when the platform has reached its apex.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The power means as claimed in claim 6, wherein said manual switch is attached to the platform, and said automatic switch is actuated in response to a predetermined relative movement between the framework and the platform.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-04 | 1976-12-04 | 1977-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-04 | 1980-12-04 | 1981-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-04 | 1984-12-04 | 1985-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |