Patent ID: 7347658
Filing Date: 2008-03-25
Classification: A61G,B60P,Y10S

Abstract:
1. The combination of a motor vehicle having a driver's position, a floor and a door adjacent an outside of the driver's position, a lift assembly for moving the wheelchair from a first location adjacent the outside of the vehicle adjacent the driver's position to the second location generally above the first location, said lift assembly including an upright first member and an upright second member movably mounted on the first member, a first linear actuator connected to the first and second members operable to selectively raise and lower the second member relative to the first member, means connecting the door to the first member, a platform for supporting the wheelchair, a coupling member secured to the platform and second member adapted to be connected to the wheelchair, a transport assembly connected to the first member for moving the lift assembly and platform from the second location to a third location within the vehicle above the driver's position and for moving the door between open and closed locations, said transport assembly including a first beam and a second beam movably mounted on the first beam for movement between extended and contracted positions, means mounting the first beam on the floor of the vehicle, means securing the second beam to the first member of the lift assembly, a second linear actuator connected to the first and second beams operable to selectively move the second beam between said extended and contracted positions thereby moving the lift assembly and platform from the second location to the third location, anchors located in a fourth location secured to the floor of the vehicle in the driver's position for supporting the platform to locate a wheelchair on the platform in the driver's position of the vehicle, said first actuator being operable to move the platform and door downwardly from the third position to the fourth position, retain the platform in the fourth position and close the door.