VEHICLE WITH LIFTING FLOOR

Abstract: A method of modifying a vehicle to contain a wheel chair lift (24) accessible from the rear of the vehicle, which is moveable from a ground engaging loading position and a raised transport position, and a vehicle so modified. The vehicle comprising a well (4) cut through the floor (6) of the vehicle such that the well (4) is open to the rear of the vehicle and is bounded by the existing chassis (1, 2 and 3). Reinforcing plate means (5) are welded to the floor (6) of the vehicle and wraps around the existing chassis (1, 2 and 3) and are welded thereto. A drop bed (24) is secured in the well (8).

Description: Vehicle with lifting floor The present invention relates to a vehicle having a raising and lowering floor section at the rear of the vehicle, and in particular to a method of modifying an existing vehicle to have a raising and lowering floor section at the rear of the vehicle. Standard vehicles such as vans and trucks have been used for the transportation of cargo. However, because of the height of the tray or bed above the ground, loading, unloading and positioning of cargo can be difficult, especially with heavy objects. This problem has been overcome with the use of fully modified trays which fit onto existing chassis. To assist in the transportation of disabled people special vehicles have been developed having ramps and lifting trays to transport the wheel chair disabled. The tray is moved from a ground engaging loading position to a raised transport position. To modify an existing vehicle it is necessary that a section of the floor be cut out, to receive the tray. Usually this is a section of the floor facing the side of the vehicle. The rear is chosen only if the rear of the floor extends well passed the rear axle. However, vehicles such as taxis and "people movers" have been used to transport people in wheel chairs. This requires, usually, a major modification to the structure of the vehicle, with resultant problems with the modification of the suspension, and use inclined ramps and swinging beds. The suspension and wheel mounts must be altered, and usually the rear wheels are located on a full axle which has to be removed to accommodate the tray, and also there is some modification of the chassis, with resultant problems. The present invention seeks to ameliorate these problems by providing a vehicle having: a chassis having two longitudinal rails at the rear thereof and a transverse rail located intermediate of the vehicle: a floor supported by said chassis a well, cut through the floor of the vehicle, and bounded on three sides by the two longitudinal rails and the transverse rail and open at the rear; reinforcing plate means, covering and secured to the floor of the vehicle, adjacent said well, and having its edges located adjacent the well, wrapped around the said two longitudinal rails and the transverse rail; a drop bed adapted to be raised and lowered through said well from a ground engaging loading position to a raised transport postion; and operating means to raise and lower said drop bed. The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a schematic plan view of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the roof removed; Figure 2 illustrates a view of one component of the reinforcing plate according to the embodiment, shown in figure ; Figure 3 illustrates a schematic view of components of the reinforcing plates in position on the chassis of the modified vehicle as shown in figure 1. Figure 4 illustrates a schematic elevation view of the suspension arrangement of one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 illustrates a schematic view close up view of the trailing arm and its connections, as shown in figure 4; Figure 6 illustrates a schematic side view of the chassis and tray operating arrangement of one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 illustrates a schematic opposite side view of the chassis and tray operating arrangement of the embodiment shown in figure 6; and Figure 8 illustrates schematically an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the attachment of the drop bed in the modified vehicle. As mentioned previously vehicles such as taxis and "people movers" present difficulties if they are modified to provide a rear access to transport people in wheel chairs. This requires, usually, a major modification as the support structure, suspension and wheel mounts must be altered. If the rear wheels which are located on a full axle are not removed to accommodate the tray, an additional extension of the body of the vehicle is required. With the present invention this difficulty is ameliorated. Using a front wheel drive vehicle, a well (4) is cut into the floor at the rear of the vehicle, bounded by the existing longitudinal rails (1 & 2) of the chassis and the existing transverse rail (3) of the chassis, and open to the rear of the vehicle. Thus no modification of the chassis is required. A reinforcing plate (5) of any required thickness ( in this case 6mm) is welded to the floor (6) and the free edges (7) are wrapped around and welded to the existing longitudinal rails (1 & 2) and transverse rail (3), as shown in figure 3. The reinforcing plate (5) could comprise a single piece or comprise side sections as shown in figure 2 and a bridging section (26), which are welded to each other and the floor (6). Thus the whole rear of the vehicle is rigidly braced by the remaining floor (6), the reinforcing plate (5), the existing chassis (1 , 2 & 3) and the body work and roof. As shown in figures 1 , 2, & 8, the reinforcing plate (5) has cut outs (8) to receive the wheel arches (9). Further a connection position (10) is located on each side of the wheel arch cut out (8) to which is attached a hydraulic cylinder (18). A hole (20) is drilled through the reinforcing plate (5) and the remaining floor (6), to allow the cylinder rod (21 ) extend therethrough. A further hole (22) is drilled through the reinforcing plate (5) and the remaining floor (6), to allow the pin (23) of the drop bed (24) as shown in figure 8 to project therethrough. As shown in figures 6 & 7, lifting devices, in this case hydraulic cylinders (18), are bolted through the reinforcing plate (5) and the floor (6) with the cylinder rods (19) passing on the outside of the rails (1 & 2). As shown in figure 8, the cylinder rods (19) are connected to the connection point (29) of the arms (25) of the drop bed (24. The drop bed (24) has a floor (26) supported on the two arms (25) and has a wall (27), extending on three sides of the drop bed (24), which is open to the rear and has a small ramp (28) allowing wheel on access to the drop bed (24). Locking pins (23) are located on the arms (25) inwardly of the cylinder rod (19) and an elastomeric seal (30) runs along the length of the wall (27), such that when the drop bed (24) is raised, as shown in figure 8, the elastomeric seal (30) abuts and seals against the re-entrant lip (31 ) of the portion of the reinforcing plate (5) wrapped around the rails (1 , 2 & 3). As shown in figure 4, because the rear longitudinal chassis rails (1 & 2) have kept unaltered, the existing leaf spring (11 ) is still connected to the existing front (12) and rear (13) spring hangers. The existing shock absorber (14) can still be used. The rear axle is removed and a trailing arm (15) is suspended from beneath the vehicle on a plate (16) which is bolted through the existing floor (6) and the reinforcing plate (5). As shown in figure 4 and 5, the trailing arm (15) is pivotally connected to a bracket (17) which is pivotally connected to the plate (16). The other end of the trailing arm (12) has a modified spring mounting plate (45) pivotally connected thereto, and connected to the leaf spring (11 ). A modified stub axle (46) is connected beneath the spring mounting plate (45), to which is attached the wheels (not shown). The existing shock absorber (14) is connected between the chassis rail (1) and the stub axle (46). A new suspension stop (47) is located on the chassis rail (1). As shown in figure 5, the trailing arm (15) could have a slight dog leg to position the spring inwardly of the plate (16). Further almost all existing brake and electrically lines can be used. Thus a vehicle utilising the present invention can be converted to incorporate a rear access wheel chair, with minor modifications to the vehicle. It should be obvious to people skilled in the art that modifications and alterations could be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention

Claims: The Claims are: 1. A vehicle having: a chassis having two longitudinal rails at the rear thereof and a transverse rail located intermediate of the vehicle: a floor supported by said chassis a well, cut through the floor of the vehicle, and bounded on three sides by the two longitudinal rails and the transverse rail and open at the rear; reinforcing plate means, covering and secured to the floor of the vehicle, adjacent said well, and having its edges located adjacent the well, wrapped around the said two longitudinal rails and the transverse rail; a drop bed adapted to be raised and lowered through said well from a ground engaging loading position to a raised transport position; and operating means to raise and lower said drop bed. 2. A vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing plate means is a one piece construction. 3. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein operating means are provided on each side of the well to engage through said reinforcing plate and said to the drop bed. 4. A vehicle according to claim 3 wherein the operating means engage on outriggers extending from the drop bed. 5. A vehicle according to claims 3 $ 4, wherein the operating means are hydraulic cylinders. 6. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the drop bed has a locking rods which, in the raised transporting position, protrudes through the floor and the reinforcing plate, and is engagable by a locking mechanism. 7. A method of modifying a vehicle having a chassis having two longitudinal rails at the rear thereof and a transverse rail located intermediate of the vehicle, and a floor supported by said chassis, by inserting a lift bed accessible to the rear of the vehicle; comprising the steps of: cutting through the floor and rear of the vehicle to form a well which is open at the rear of the vehicle and is bounded by the said two longitudinal rails and the transverse rail; welding reinforcing plate means to the floor of the vehicle adjacent said well, and having its edges located adjacent the well, projecting into the well and wrapped around and welded to the said two longitudinal rails and the said transverse rail; attaching operating means to the reinforcing plates which extend through the floor and engage with a drop bed which is located in said well such that said drop bed is adapted to be raised and lowered through said well between a ground engaging loading position and a raised transporting position. 8. A vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: PAGE ROBERT LEONARD GEORGE, PAGE, ROBERT, LEONARD, GEORGE
Applicants: PAGE ROBERT LEONARD GEORGE, WORKMAN IND PTY LTD, PAGE, ROBERT, LEONARD, GEORGE, WORKMAN INDUSTRIES PTY. LTD.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: A61G3
IPC codes: A61G3, B60P1