Collapsible, powered platform for lifting wheelchair
First Claim
1. An apparatus for moving an object between an upper position and a lower position, the apparatus comprising:
- a platform including at least three sections that are pivotally connected along generally parallel fold lines, the sections being selectively pivotally moveable between an unfolded orientation in which the sections are substantially coplanar and a folded orientation in which the sections form a compact configuration;
a deployment assembly for selectively pivoting the platform about a deployment pivot axis between a substantially vertical orientation and a substantially horizontal orientation, the deployment pivot axis being generally transversely aligned with respect to the fold lines of the platform;
a barrier structure configured for retaining the object on the platform, the barrier structure including side barrier panels aligned generally parallel to the fold lines of the platform, and a distal barrier panel aligned generally parallel to the deployment pivot axis; and
a lift assembly for moving the platform between the upper position and the lower position.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for moving an object, such as a wheelchair, between an upper position and a lower position. The upper position is typically adjacent to the floor surface of a vehicle while the lower position is typically at ground level. The apparatus preferably includes a platform including at least three pivotally connected sections. The sections are selectively moveable between an unfolded orientation in which the sections are substantially co-planar and a folded orientation in which the sections form a compact configuration. The apparatus also preferably includes a folding assembly for selectively moving the sections of the platform between the folded orientation and the unfolded orientation, a deployment assembly for selectively deploying and stowing the platform and a lift assembly for selectively moving the platform vertically between the upper position and the lower position.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for moving an object between an upper position and a lower position, the apparatus comprising:
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a platform including at least three sections that are pivotally connected along generally parallel fold lines, the sections being selectively pivotally moveable between an unfolded orientation in which the sections are substantially coplanar and a folded orientation in which the sections form a compact configuration; a deployment assembly for selectively pivoting the platform about a deployment pivot axis between a substantially vertical orientation and a substantially horizontal orientation, the deployment pivot axis being generally transversely aligned with respect to the fold lines of the platform; a barrier structure configured for retaining the object on the platform, the barrier structure including side barrier panels aligned generally parallel to the fold lines of the platform, and a distal barrier panel aligned generally parallel to the deployment pivot axis; and a lift assembly for moving the platform between the upper position and the lower position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for moving an object between an upper position and a lower position comprising:
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a foldable multi-sectional platform having three or more sections foldably connected, each section having a pivotable barrier adjacent an edge of the platform, the barriers at the edge of the platform being linked so that all of the barriers at the edge of the platform are simultaneously pivoted between open and closed positions by pivoting only one of the barriers at the edge of the platform; and a powered drive means operatively connected to the platform for moving the platform in a drawbridge fashion between a substantially vertical position and a substantially horizontal position to deploy or stow the platform, for pivoting the barriers at the edge of the platform, and for moving the platform vertically between the upper and lower positions.
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19. An apparatus for moving an object between an upper position and a lower position, the apparatus comprising:
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a platform including at least three sections that are pivotally connected along generally parallel fold lines, the sections being selectively pivotally moveable about the fold lines between an unfolded orientation in which the sections are substantially coplanar and a folded orientation in which the sections form a compact configuration; a deployment assembly for selectively pivoting the platform about a deployment pivot axis between a substantially vertical orientation and a substantially horizontal orientation, the deployment pivot axis being generally transversely aligned with respect to the fold lines of the platform; a distal barrier panel aligned generally parallel to the deployment pivot axis for retaining the object on the platform, the distal barrier panel including at least three distal panel barrier sections that pivot relative to one another about the fold lines of the platform when the platform is moved between the folded and unfolded orientations; and a lift assembly for moving the platform between the upper position and the lower position.
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Specification