Patent ID: 8807283
Filing Date: 2014-08-19
Classification: A61G,B66B,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A lift apparatus comprising: a stationary landing section including an elevated landing, at least one support member extending from the stationary landing section, and step supports rigidly coupled to the at least one support member, wherein the step supports are stationary relative to the at least one support member; a platform section including a passenger platform constructed to move between a first position and an elevated second position; and a linkage section pivotally connected to and arranged between the platform section and the landing section, wherein the linkage section comprises a linkage and step plates pivotally and directly connected to the linkage, wherein when the platform section is in the first position, at least some of the step plates are supported by the step supports to form a stairway, and wherein when the platform section is in the second position, the step plates are pivoted relative to the linkage to collectively form a surface extending between the platform section and the elevated landing; wherein the stationary landing section further comprises an extended landing surface forming a top step of the lift apparatus, and wherein the extended landing surface is positioned approximately level to a height of the elevated second position; and wherein the linkage section further comprises a plurality of flexible panels, and wherein at least one of the plurality flexible panels is hingedly coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of step plates and the extended landing surface.