US4251179A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wheelchair lift
Assignee: HOGAN MANUFACTURING Inc A CA CORP
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Filing: 1979-05-24
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Granted: 1981-02-17
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Expires: 1999-05-24
Abstract
Abstract A hoisting device particularly suitable for lifting handicapped persons with or without wheelchairs, into a vehicle. The lift can be installed into the door well of a public transit bus or of a railroad car. It could also be incorporated into a step structure inside a building. The lift platform is made of four hinged, parallel sections which in the stowed position of the lift fold back to form two steps. The first parallel section which in the uppermost position of the platform meets the vehicle floor, or the upper step landing in a building, rotates along its forward edge to form the back of the upper step in the stowed position. The second section becomes the tread of the upper step while the third section forms the riser between the upper and lower step. The fourth section, which forms the tread of the lower step, houses an access ramp along its forward edge and a retractable flap which rotates upward to form an angle stop preventing the wheelchair from rolling back off the platform during motion of the lift.
Inventors
- 👤 Graham R. Thorley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:18
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R3/00; B60R3/02; A; A61; A61G; A61G3/00; A61G3/02; A61G3/06; A61G3/062; A61G3/068; B60P; B60P1/00; B60P1/44; B60P1/4414; B60P1/4421; A61G2220/00; A61G2220/12; A61G2220/16; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/134
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A device acting alternately as a load-carrying lift or as a step structure between a lower level and an upper level which comprises: a multi-sectional platform comprising at least first, second and third parallel sections laid side by side wherein the second section lies between the first and third section, said sections forming part of the load-carrying surface of the lift; means for moving the platform between the lower level and the upper level; means for pivotally articulating the first section in relation to the second section about a first axis located along their adjacent edges; means for pivotally articulating the third section in relation to the second section about a second axis located along their adjacent edges; means for placing the first and third sections to a substantially vertical position; and means for maintaining the second section in a substantially horizontal position between and above said substantially vertical sections while rotating said first and third sections about said axes.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
160 words
A device acting alternately as a load-carrying lift or as a step structure between a lower level and an upper level which comprises: a multi-sectional platform comprising at least first, second and third parallel sections laid side by side wherein the second section lies between the first and third section, said sections forming part of the load-carrying surface of the lift; means for moving the platform between the lower level and the upper level; means for pivotally articulating the first section in relation to the second section about a first axis located along their adjacent edges; means for pivotally articulating the third section in relation to the second section about a second axis located along their adjacent edges; means for placing the first and third sections to a substantially vertical position; and means for maintaining the second section in a substantially horizontal position between and above said substantially vertical sections while rotating said first and third sections about said axes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device claimed in claim 1 wherein said multi-sectional platform comprises: a fourth parallel section adjacent to the third section; means for pivotally articulating the third section in relation to the fourth section about a third axis located along their adjacent edges; and means for supporting said multi-sectional platform.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The device claimed in claim 2 wherein said means for supporting comprise: a carriage having a inward portion supporting the first section; a cantilevered outward portion supporting the fourth section; and means for pivotally articulating the first section in relation to the first portion of the carriage about a fourth axis located substantially along the inward edge of the first section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
The device claimed in claim 3 wherein said cantilevered portion comprises: a support plate; a beam on each side of the plate; means for slidingly connecting each beam to one side of the plate; and means for slidingly connecting each beam to the inward portion of the carriage whereby the beams and support plate can be slided telescopically inward within the confines of the inward portion of the carriage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device claimed in claim 4 which further comprises: means for connecting the first section to the support plate; and wherein said means for placing comprise at least one hydraulic cylinder associated with the carriage for withdrawing the support plate and beams towards the inward portion of the carriage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device claimed in claim 1 or claim 5 wherein said means for moving the platform comprise: at least one vertical stationary guide near each side of the platform; and means for lifting the platform along and between said vertical guides.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
The device claimed in claim 6 wherein said vertical stationary guides comprise: a pair of cylindrical columns near each side of the carriage; said carriage comprises rollers affixed upon lateral parts of the carriage riding along said columns; and said means for lifting comprise at least one hydraulic cylinder applying a vertical motion to said carriage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
95 words
The device claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said means for moving the platform comprises: at least one hydraulic cylinder having a piston rod applying a vertical motion to the platform; a first source of pressurized fluid; valve means between said first source of pressurized fluid and said hydraulic cylinder for activating said piston rod in a bi-directional movement; a regulated second source of pressurized fluid; and means for applying said second source of pressurized fluid to said hydraulic cylinder in place of said first source when the device is not in use.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
The device claimed in claim 4 wherein said support plate comprises: a transversal member along the forward edge of the support plate; a flap parallel to said transversal member, laid flat within said support plate; and means for placing said flap to a vertical position against said transversal member, whereby said flap forms a vertical barrier near the forward edge of 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) | 1984-02-17 | 1984-08-18 | 1985-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-17 | 1988-08-18 | 1989-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-17 | 1992-08-18 | 1993-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |