Scooter/wheelchair lift platform with back-up sensor and quick disconnect

• US 8,902,052 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2013
• Issued: 12/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael J. Dambra
• Original Assignee: Michael J. Dambra
• Inventors: Dambra, Michael J
• Primary Examiner(s): Lu, Shirley
• Application Number:
  US13/779,647
• Publication Number:
  US 20140022067A1
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 340/431, 340/435, 340/522, 340/932.2
• US Class Current: 340/431
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/4464 Warning signals, e.g. accoustic or visual
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/4485 Attaching the complete loading platform unit to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/006 using a distance sensor
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/007 providing information about the distance to an obstacle, e.g. varying sound
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes

Abstract

A hitch mounted lift platform includes platform and lift base back-up sensors for detecting and alerting a vehicle occupant of a rear obstruction being approached to prevent collision and damage to the lift platform, items carried on the lift and the rear obstruction. The lift platform includes quick disconnect devices for connecting and disconnecting the associated wiring for easy attachment and detachment of the lift platform from the vehicle. The back-up sensors communicate with a visual display and/or speakers for visually and audibly alerting the vehicle occupant of any approaching rear obstructions. In operation, the visual display is activated when the vehicle is put in reverse. An audible alerting noise, such as beeping, is initiated by the back-up sensors detecting the vehicle is coming within a predetermined distance of an obstruction.

Claims

1. In a trailer towed by a vehicle, said trailer having a platform mounted on a support structure, the platform moveable from a horizontal to a vertical orientation, a system for detecting the approaching proximity of an object to the rear of a towed trailer during a backup procedure wherein:

a. when said platform is in its horizontal orientation, one or more proximity sensors mounted on a rear surface of said platform, and when said platform is in its vertical orientation, one or more proximity sensors mounted on a rear surface of said support structure, sense the proximity of the object,

b. one or more of a display screen and an audio alert device configured to emit a sound mounted within the vehicle, said display screen in a location observable by a driver of the vehicle and said image displays in a location where the sound can be heard by said driver,

c. a first wired connection extending from the one or more proximity sensors and a second wired connection extending from said display screen and audio alert device, the first wired connection and the second wired connection each having a mating portion of a easily joinable connector.

2. The system of claim 1 where in the display screen provides an image representing the distance of the proximity sensor to the object.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the image displays a distance measurement to said object.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the image displays a fraction representing a portion of a preprogrammed distance to said object.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein the image displays one or more colored lights which change color as the distance to the object is reduced to an unacceptable distance.

6. The system of claim 5 where the color of the lights is red when the object is contacted.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the audio alert device emits a sound representing the distance of the proximity sensor to the object.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the audio alert device emits a sound which increases in volume as the distance to the object is reduced.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the audio alert device emits a sound which increases in volume as the distance to the object is reduced.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein the audio alert device emits a beeping sound of increasing frequency as the distance to the rear object is reduced.

11. The system of claim 7 wherein the audio alert device emits a beeping sound which changes to a continuous sound as the distance to the rear object is reduced to an unacceptable distance.