AUTOMOTIVE WHEELCHAIR STORAGE DEVICE

摘要

An automatic device for storing wheelchairs behind vehicles is provided. The wheelchair storage device is configured to mount to the exterior of a vehicle on the vehicle's roof rack. The storage device includes a horizontal and vertical arm, that when activated by a motor, uses a series of motors and gears to move a wheelchair attached to the vertical arm to the rear of the vehicle. A storage platform is further provided that receives and secures the wheelchair behind the vehicle. The motors of the storage device may be powered by the vehicle's engine, and a remote may be provided for user control.

主权项

1. A wheelchair storage device for securing and storing a wheelchair at a rear portion of a vehicle, the storage device comprising:
an adapter plate selectively attachable to a roof rack of the vehicle, the adapter plate including a track member extending along the length of the adapter plate; a control panel attached to said adapter plate; an arm member attached to said control panel, said arm member including both of a horizontal arm portion and a vertical arm portion; an attachment member attached to a lower portion of said vertical arm portion for selectively engaging said wheelchair; a first motor housed in said control panel for operating said vertical arm portion; a second motor housed in said control panel, said second motor including a gear assembly connected to said horizontal arm; a third motor housed in said control panel, said third motor including a gear assembly engaged with said track member; wherein when said attachment member is selectively engaged with said wheelchair and said first motor is activated, said vertical arm portion is pulled upwardly and said wheelchair is lifted off of a ground surface; and wherein when said second motor is activated, said horizontal arm portion and said wheelchair are rotated rearwardly toward said rear portion of said vehicle; and wherein when said third motor is activated, said horizontal member and said wheelchair are translated rearwardly toward said rear portion of said vehicle.