Patent ID: 6065924
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: A61G,Y10S

Abstract:
In a wheelchair lift assembly comprising a platform assembly, a lifting assembly having a link from which said platform is pivotally connected, and a lever arm assembly for causing said platform to rotate from a horizontal transfer position to a generally vertically stowed position, said lever arm assembly comprising a first, upper short A arm pivotally secured to said link at a first end, a second, longer lower B arm pivotally secured at one end of to said platform inboard of the pivotal connection between said link and said platform assembly, said A and said B arm being connected at their opposite ends in a common pivotal connection and carrying thereat a sliding block pivotally journaled at said common pivot of said A arm and said B arm, the improvement which comprises:an extensible force member having a first lower end pivotally secured to said link between said A arm connection point and said link-to-platform connection, and an opposite end connected to at least one of said A arm, said B arm or said common pin to which said A arm and said B arm are pivotally journaled, so that said lever arm assembly is urged upwardly to promote rotation of said platform from its vertical stowed position to said horizontal position upon deployment of said lifting assembly from a stowed to a deployed position thereby assisting in eliminating freefall of said platform which arises from separation of said lever arm assembly from said lifting assembly.