Lift for wheelchairs

摘要

The lift is installed on the underside of the body of a van below the side doors. In retracted position it is entirely concealed below the van and does not obstruct normal usage of the van. Stationary portions of the device are fixed to the van frame. Slideable therein are an outer platform and a support frame for the outer platform is extended by a first hydraulic cylinder and linkage. Slideable relative to the outer platform is an inner platform. The inner platform extends and retracts with the outer platform by means of a cable drive. A pair of second hydraulic cylinders interconnect the outer platform and the support frame using four links which raise and lower both platforms in a parallelogram linkage. Thus the platforms remain substantially horizontal as they move from a first position directly horizontally outward from their storage position to a lower position and then upward to an upper position, then back to first position, whereupon, the platforms and the support frame may be returned to retracted position. Thus in lower position the inner platform is at street or curb level so that a wheelchair may be rolled onto the platforms. As the platforms rise to upper position, the wheelchair is lifted to the level of the floor of the van and the platforms move inward to contact the van floor so that the wheelchair may be rolled into the van.