Patent US3893697A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3893697A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Loading and unloading system for bus
Assignee: The Blitz Corp
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Filing: 1973-05-16
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Granted: 1975-07-08
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Expires: 1993-05-16
Abstract
Abstract A loading and unloading system for a bus includes a generally flat platform upon which a person in a wheel chair can be moved into position from a sidewalk or roadway into the bus on the floor thereof or reverse. The bus has the usual air operated doors which open or close and permit use of conventional steps for normal movement of a passenger into the bus or departure from the bus. In order to accommodate a crippled or disabled person and particularly one in a wheel chair, a generally flat platform sufficiently large upon which a wheel chair may rest is provided. Sensing means to insure the proper positioning of a wheel chair is provided after which power means can be activated for elevating the platform from ground level to bus floor level or reverse. During movement of the platform it is maintained in a generally horizontal position. To provide adequate safeguards, the platform moving means is interlocked with the power means for operating the doors to the bus interior and with the brake system of the bus so that bus movement or door movement during movement of the platform is impossible. The bus may be equipped with a conventional rear door and steps. While the bus may otherwise be used in conventional fashion, its preferred field of application is in connection with pick-up or discharge of crippled passengers who would normally be unable to utilize public conveyances such as conventional busses.
Inventors
- 👤 Carmont Blitz
- 👤 Hari N Agrawal
- 👤 Leon S Oliver
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:33
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P1/00; B60P1/44; B60P1/4414; B60P1/4442; A; A61; A61G; A61G3/00; A61G3/02; A61G3/06; A61G3/062; B60T; B60T7/00; B60T7/12; A61G2220/00; A61G2220/16; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/13; Y10S414/134
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
374 words
In an interlocked system for a driver controlled passenger carrying vehicle equipped with power operated doors and power operated brakes, the combination of an electrically controlled brake actuating means, a driver actuated control member for initiating brake application, driver actuated control means for initiating door operation including members for initiating door closing and door opening, respectively, each of said members having a normal, stand-by position from which it is moved to initiate an operation, the brake control member having one switch associated therewith and each door operating member having two switches associated therewith, all switches normally open in the stand-by condition of the associated member and being closed when the associated member is moved to initiate an operation, a power operated horizontal passenger accommodating platform, movable between an up position within the vehicle and a down position on the ground outside said vehicle, a platform up electric switch closed only when said platform is in the up position, a first power circuit through said closed up platform switch and, when operated, through the closed brake switch to one terminal of one door opening switch and to one terminal of one door closing switch; the remaining terminal of the one door opening switch and remaining terminal of the one door closing switch being respectively connected to an electromagnetic means for applying power to a door opening or door closing mechanism, a second power circuit independent of said first power circuit and including the other of said door operating switches and going through a one door two position control switch having door open and door closed positions, for operating doors, whereby when the platform is in the up position and the brakes applied, the driver can open or close doors; a second door control switch controlling a third power circuit and closed only when the doors are open and connected between a source of power and a distributing wire, said distributing wire having a connection to the electric brake actuator for locking brakes in set condition, supplemental circuits for applying power to move said platform in a desired direction, said last named supplemental circuits being connected to said distributing wire whereby platform movement is possible only when said doors are open and vehicle brakes are applied.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
374 words
In an interlocked system for a driver controlled passenger carrying vehicle equipped with power operated doors and power operated brakes, the combination of an electrically controlled brake actuating means, a driver actuated control member for initiating brake application, driver actuated control means for initiating door operation including members for initiating door closing and door opening, respectively, each of said members having a normal, stand-by position from which it is moved to initiate an operation, the brake control member having one switch associated therewith and each door operating member having two switches associated therewith, all switches normally open in the stand-by condition of the associated member and being closed when the associated member is moved to initiate an operation, a power operated horizontal passenger accommodating platform, movable between an up position within the vehicle and a down position on the ground outside said vehicle, a platform up electric switch closed only when said platform is in the up position, a first power circuit through said closed up platform switch and, when operated, through the closed brake switch to one terminal of one door opening switch and to one terminal of one door closing switch; the remaining terminal of the one door opening switch and remaining terminal of the one door closing switch being respectively connected to an electromagnetic means for applying power to a door opening or door closing mechanism, a second power circuit independent of said first power circuit and including the other of said door operating switches and going through a one door two position control switch having door open and door closed positions, for operating doors, whereby when the platform is in the up position and the brakes applied, the driver can open or close doors; a second door control switch controlling a third power circuit and closed only when the doors are open and connected between a source of power and a distributing wire, said distributing wire having a connection to the electric brake actuator for locking brakes in set condition, supplemental circuits for applying power to move said platform in a desired direction, said last named supplemental circuits being connected to said distributing wire whereby platform movement is possible only when said doors are open and vehicle brakes are applied.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein compressed air is used as a power means for operating doors and for moving the platform, and wherein the switch means controlled by the driver actuated brake control member and by the door operating members include compressed aiR means for effecting movement of the respective switch means whereby, in the absence of adequate compressed air, circuit control operations will be ineffective.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein said platform has at the top surface thereof sensing means to define an area on the platform within which passengers must be located during platform movement, normally open switch means operated by said sensing means when a load rests upon said sensing means to close said switch means, said switch means including at least one switch connected between said distributing wire and to means for opening a power circuit to the winding of an electromagnetic device for controlling the application of power to move said platform in the down direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
The system according to claim 3, wherein an additional switch operated by the sensing means and normally open is provided, said additional switch being connected between said distributing wire and to means for opening the power circuit to the operating winding of an electromagnetic device for controlling power to move the platform up, said last named means being also connected to a wire whose circuit is completed through the closed switch of the brake member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein the power means for moving said platform from one position to the other include at least one air cylinder provided with a piston coupled to a rack, pinion means cooperating with said rack and turned thereby, and means coupling said pinion means and platform for effecting platform movement while maintaining the same horizontal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system according to claim 5, wherein the means for coupling said pinion means and platform include a linkage system operated by said pinion means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system according to claim 5, wherein four air cylinders are provided, each cylinder having its own piston, two cylinders operating in tandem for one direction of rack movement and the other two cylinders operating in tandem for reverse direction of rack movement, said racks being disposed on opposite sides of the pinion means, and means for coupling said pinion to said platform.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system according to claim 7, wherein linkage means are coupled between said pinion and platform whereby rotation of the pinion will cause motion of said linkage for translating the platform.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
254 words
A platform assembly for use in a passenger carrying vehicle controlled by a driver, said platform assembly being adapted to transport at least one passenger from the ground outside of said behicle to the floor level of the vehicle within the same, said assembly comprising at least one compressed air cylinder having a piston therein, a rack attached to said piston, a compressed air supply pipe connected to the cylinder for effecting rack travel and pinion rotation in a desired direction, a linkage system coupled to said pinion, a passenger carrying platform supported by said linkage system in a horizontal position, said linkage system including members so proportioned and shaped as to maintain said platform horizontal at all times but movable from an up position on the floor of the vehicle within said vehicle and a down position outside of said vehicle and substantially on the ground, sensing means on the top face of said platform for defining an area within which passengers must remain during platform travel, electric switch means controlled by said sensing means and operated thereby when a load is on said sensing means, said platform being adapted to be connected to interlocked means in said vehicle for confining the operation of said platform only when the vehicle has its brakes set and has its doors open, said switch means controlled by said sensing means being adapted to be connected to an electrical lock-out system for preventing any platform movement when said sensing means responds to the weight of a load.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
254 words
A platform assembly for use in a passenger carrying vehicle controlled by a driver, said platform assembly being adapted to transport at least one passenger from the ground outside of said behicle to the floor level of the vehicle within the same, said assembly comprising at least one compressed air cylinder having a piston therein, a rack attached to said piston, a compressed air supply pipe connected to the cylinder for effecting rack travel and pinion rotation in a desired direction, a linkage system coupled to said pinion, a passenger carrying platform supported by said linkage system in a horizontal position, said linkage system including members so proportioned and shaped as to maintain said platform horizontal at all times but movable from an up position on the floor of the vehicle within said vehicle and a down position outside of said vehicle and substantially on the ground, sensing means on the top face of said platform for defining an area within which passengers must remain during platform travel, electric switch means controlled by said sensing means and operated thereby when a load is on said sensing means, said platform being adapted to be connected to interlocked means in said vehicle for confining the operation of said platform only when the vehicle has its brakes set and has its doors open, said switch means controlled by said sensing means being adapted to be connected to an electrical lock-out system for preventing any platform movement when said sensing means responds to the weight of a load.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system according to claim 9, wherein the means for coupling said pinion means and platform include a linkage system operated by said pinion mEans.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system according to claim 10, wherein four air cylinders are provided, each cylinder having its own piston, two cylinders operating in tandem for one direction of rack movement and the other two cylinders operating in tandem for reverse direction of rack movement, said racks being disposed on opposite sides of the pinion means.
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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) | 1978-07-07 | 1979-01-06 | 1979-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-07 | 1983-01-06 | 1983-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-07 | 1987-01-06 | 1987-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |