Patent ID: 9375369
Filing Date: 2016-06-28
CPC Classification: A61G,B60P

Claim Text:
1. A vehicle lift for use with a vehicle, comprising: a first support pillar; a platform pivotably connected to the first support pillar along a horizontal pivot axis, the platform including an underside and being sized to receive a wheelchair; a lifting device hingedly connected to the first support pillar to thereby connect both the first support pillar and the platform to the vehicle, the lifting device configured for lifting and lowering the first support pillar and the platform between a retracted position in which the platform is disposed substantially vertically relative to a ground surface external to the vehicle and an extended position in which the platform is disposed substantially horizontally relative to the ground surface; and a biasing device configured to bias the platform to move relative to the first support pillar and towards the extended position, the biasing device acting in the region of the pivotal connection between the platform and the first support pillar, the biasing device including a first torsion bar spring having an elongate bar-shaped spring body and first and second legs extending from the spring body, the first and second legs being configured to apply a moment force to the spring body, wherein the first leg engages a first portion of the first support pillar and the second leg engages a second portion of the platform, wherein the spring body is arranged at the underside of the platform and substantially in a plane of the platform, the spring body extending substantially along the platform when the platform is in at least the extended position, and the spring body extending along an elongate length of the spring body substantially parallel to and along the pivot axis of the platform.