Lifting platform

Claim 2

A lifting platform adapted to be mounted adjacent an access door of a van-type of truck comprising: a first platform slidably mounted at either side thereof to a pair of support members vertically mounted one on either side of said access door; a second platform having a width less than the width of said first platform and a length greater than twice the length of said first platform, said second platform hingedly mounted to one edge of said first platform such that said second platform can be lowered into a position overlaying said first platform to be solely supported thereby or raised to a position approximately perpendicular to said first platform; a pair of hydraulic cylinders, one being mounted on either side of said access door and rigidly mounted to said van portion of said truck, said cylinders including lift rods mounted to said first platform; a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid; and means for selectively supplying said fluid to said hydraulic cylinders to lower and raise said first and second platforms between first and second positions.

Claim 3

A combined lifting platform and bumper adapted to be mounted adjacent a rear access door of a van-type of truck comprising: first and second bumper segments mounted on opposite sides of the access door of the truck; a first platform slidably mounted at either side thereof to a pair of support members vertically mounted one on either side of said access door; a second platform hingedly mounted to one edge of said first platform such that said second platform can be lowered into a position parallel with said first platform or raised to a position approximately perpendicular to said first platform; a pair of hydraulic cylinders, one being mounted on either side of said access door and rigidly mounted to said van portion of said truck, said cylinders including lift rods mounted to said first platform; a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid; and means for selectively supplying said fluid to said hydRaulic cylinders to lower and raise said first and second platforms between first and second positions wherein said support members are positioned such that said first platform is mounted between first and second bumper segments of said truck to form an integral part of the bumper when said first and second platforms are in said second position.

Claim 4

A combined lifting platform and bumper adapted to be mounted adjacent a rear access door of a van-type of truck comprising: first and second bumper segments mounted on opposite sides of the access door of the truck; a first platform slidably mounted at either side thereof to a pair of support members vertically mounted one on either side of said access door; a second platform hingedly mounted to one edge of said first platform such that said second platform can be lowered into a position parallel with said first platform or raised to a position approximately perpendicular to said first platform; a pair of hydraulic cylinders, one being mounted on either side of said access door and rigidly mounted to said van portion of said truck, said cylinders including lift rods mounted to said first platform; a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid; and means for selectively supplying said fluid to said hydRaulic cylinders to lower and raise said first and second platforms between first and second positions wherein said support members are positioned such that said first platform is mounted between first and second bumper segments of said truck to form an integral part of the bumper when said first and second platforms are in said second position.

Claim 5

The mechanism of claim 1 wherein in said first position, said second platform is at ground level and in said second position said second platform is approximately level with a floor portion of said van.

Claim 6

The mechanism of claim 3 and further including locking means mounted to one of said support members for locking said second platform in said approximate vertical position.

Claim 7

A lifting mechanism as defined in claim 3 wherein said first and second platforms can be raised or lowered to any rest position between said first and second positions.

Claim 8

The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said means for selectively supplying hydraulic fluid to said hydraulic cylinders includes; a hydraulic pump; an electrical motor for actuating said pump; control means for operating said motor, a valve for relieving hydraulic pressure in said hydraulic cylinders; and means for actuating said valve.

Claim 9

A mechanism of claim 6 and further including a safety chain having one end mounted to said truck and another end removably mounted to said first platform for holding said first platform at a preselected vertical position.

Claim 10

A vertically movable lift platform mounted adjacent an access door of a van-type truck, said platform comprising a first platform slidably mounted by guide brackets at either edge thereof to a pair of support members vertically mounted adjacent said access door at either side of said door, a pair of hydraulic cylinders rigidly mounted to said support members and including lift rods coupled to said guide members, a second platform having a width less than the width of said first platform and a length at least twice the length of said first platform, said second platform hingedly mounted at one edge thereof to one edge of said first platform such that said second platform can be rotated from an approximate vertical position to an approximate horizontal position, said second platform overlaying said first platform to be solely supported thereby when in the approximate horizontal position, locking means pivotally coupled to one of said guide means for holding said second platform in said approximate vertical position when said locking means are engaged, and means for selectively operating said hydraulic cylinders such that said first and second platforms can be raised and lowered.

Claim 11

A vertically movable lift platform mounted adjacent an access door of a van-type truck, said platform comprising a first platform slidably mounted by guide brackets at either edge thereof to a pair of support members vertically mounted adjacent said access door at either side of said door, a pair of hydraulic cylinders rigidly mounted to said support members and including lift rods coupled to said guide members, a second platform having a width less than the width of said first platform and a length at least twice the length of said first platform, said second platform hingedly mounted at one edge thereof to one edge of said first platform such that said second platform can be rotated from an approximate vertical position to an approximate horizontal position, said second platform overlaying said first platform to be solely supported thereby when in the approximate horizontal position, locking means pivotally coupled to one of said guide means for holding said second platform in said approximate vertical position when said locking means are engaged, and means for selectively operating said hydraulic cylinders such that said first and second platforms can be raised and lowered.

Claim 12

The lift platform as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for selectively operating said hydraulic cylinders comprise: a source of hydraulic fluid, a pump coupled to said source of fluid, an electrical motor for actuating said pump, control means for operating said motor, a check valve for relieving hydraulic pressure in said hydraulic cylinder, and means for actuating said check valve.

Claim 13

A vertically movable lift platform mounted adjacent an access door of a vantype truck, said platform comprising a first platform slidably mounted by guide brackets at either edge thereof to a pair of support members vertically mounted adjacent said access door at either side of said door, a pair of hydraulic cylinders rigidly mounted to said support members and including lift rods coupled to said guide members, a second platform hingedly mounted at one edge thereof to one edge of said first platform such that said second platform can be rotated from an approximate vertical position to an approximate horizontal position, wherein the width of said second platform is less than the width of said first platform thereby providing a space between said second platform when in said vertical position such that access can be gained to said van portion of said truck through said access door, locking means pivotally coupled to one of said guide means for holding said second platform in said approximate vertical position when said locking means are engaged, and means for selectively operating said hydraulic cylinders such that said first and second platforms can be raised and lowered, said means including a source of hydraulic fluid, a pump coupled to said source of fluid, an electrical motor for actuating said pump, control means for operating said motor, a check valve for relieving hydraulic pressure in said hydraulic cylinder, and means for actuating said check valve.

Claim 14

A vertically movable lift platform mounted adjacent an access door of a vantype truck, said platform comprising a first platform slidably mounted by guide brackets at either edge thereof to a pair of support members vertically mounted adjacent said access door at either side of said door, a pair of hydraulic cylinders rigidly mounted to said support members and including lift rods coupled to said guide members, a second platform hingedly mounted at one edge thereof to one edge of said first platform such that said second platform can be rotated from an approximate vertical position to an approximate horizontal position, wherein the width of said second platform is less than the width of said first platform thereby providing a space between said second platform when in said vertical position such that access can be gained to said van portion of said truck through said access door, locking means pivotally coupled to one of said guide means for holding said second platform in said approximate vertical position when said locking means are engaged, and means for selectively operating said hydraulic cylinders such that said first and second platforms can be raised and lowered, said means including a source of hydraulic fluid, a pump coupled to said source of fluid, an electrical motor for actuating said pump, control means for operating said motor, a check valve for relieving hydraulic pressure in said hydraulic cylinder, and means for actuating said check valve.

Claim 15

The mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein the width of said second platform is selected to permit access to the door of the van adjacent which said mechanism is mounted when said second platform is in a raised position.

Claim 16

The mechanism as defined in claim 8 wherein the width of said second platform is selected to permit access to the door of the van adjacent which said mechanism is mounted when said second platform is in a raised position.