Patent Publication Number: US-11039966-B1

Title: Mobility vehicle handling system

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a handling system and more specifically to a handling system for a mobility vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     People with physical disabilities, such as the elderly and handicapped, know all too well of some of the difficulties that they encounter while performing tasks that most of us take for granted. What comes easily to those that are not physically challenged, such as climbing stairs or tying shoes, requires extreme physical exertion or, worse yet, is altogether impossible to accomplish without assistance. 
     Mobility scooters have provided relief in this regard, and are much more maneuverable than wheelchairs, especially for those user&#39;s with diminished strength. While they are ideal in and around the user&#39;s residence, many wish to travel with them which means transporting them in a vehicle. Unfortunately, they are very heavy and even those in prime physical condition experience difficulty in trying to lift them in and out of a vehicle. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which mobility scooters can be easily transferred in and out of an appropriate vehicle. The development of the mobility vehicle handling mechanism fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The principles of the present invention provide for a mobility scooter transfer device which comprises a frame that has a plurality of base members, a plurality of vertical members, a plurality of top members, a plurality of top reinforcement members, a plurality of side support members, and a plurality of side reinforcement members. The base members form a stable structure when connected to the vertical members, which in turn support the side support members, the top members, the front reinforcement members and a rear top reinforcement member. The rear side reinforcement member and the intermediate top reinforcement member is supported by the top members. The mobility scooter transfer device also comprises a winch mechanism which is mounted on an equipment platform and attached to the frame. 
     The winch mechanism includes a flexible lift cable which is routed from a reel through a spring pulley and onto a proximal pulley, a lift arm support bracket which is mounted in a perpendicular manner on top of central aligned positions of each of the top reinforcement members, a retractable lift arm which is mounted atop the lift arm support bracket using at least one “U”-shaped clamp, a pulley cover which provides a protective cover to the spring pulley and the distal pulley and a first hinged section which is connected to the base via a first continuous hinge. The first hinged section serves as a storage platform for the mobility scooter. 
     The mobility scooter transfer device also comprises a pair of guides which are located on opposing perimeter edges of the first hinged section adjacent the base and extend away perpendicularly. The mobility scooter transfer device also comprises a second hinged section which is connected to the first hinged section by a second continuous hinge, an equipment platform which supports the side support members and the side reinforcement members, an in-line fuse which provides for electrical protection and a charge controller which is mounted to the equipment platform. The charge controller may be used to charge the rechargeable battery. The mobility scooter transfer device also comprises an incoming power cable which brings power to the charge controller from the electrical system of the motor vehicle and an equipment mounting platform which provides for storage of the rechargeable battery, the winch mechanism, the charge controller, and the in-line fuse. The base, the first hinged section, and the second hinged section serve to house a mobility scooter. The rechargeable battery and the winch mechanism are affixed to the equipment platform. 
     Each of the rear top reinforcement members serve as a connection point for the spring component of the spring pulley, through which the spring pulley is routed. The frame may have a trapezoidal prism shape. The flexible lift cable may be routed through the hollow interiors of the sequential tubular elements of the retractable lift arm whereupon the flexible lift cable may emerge at a distal end of each of the sequential tubular elements and is routed through a distal pulley. The distal end of the flexible lift cable may terminate at a lift hook. The retractable lift arm may include a plurality of sequential tubular elements which may slide inside of the neighboring sequential tubular elements allowing the retractable lift arm to retract along an extension/retraction travel path. The retractable lift arm may be segmented into a plurality of sections and may be locked in an extended position with a plurality of mechanical fixators. 
     The retractable lift arm may be segmented into a plurality of sections and may be locked in an extended position with a plurality of electrical fixators. The pulley cover may be removably attached to the individual pulley. The pulley cover may surround the individual pulley and may be curved to reduce snagging with the motor vehicle. The pair of guides may be “L”-shaped and help guide the mobility scooter during ingress and egress on the base. The equipment platform may hold a rechargeable battery and the winch mechanism that includes the reel, a motor, and a control switch. The pulley cover may be curved to reduce incidental contact with the motor vehicle. The mobility scooter transfer device may lift and lower the mobility scooter in and out of a cargo area of a motor vehicle. 
     The motor vehicle may be a vehicle selected from the group consisting of a sport utility vehicle, a minivan, a pickup truck, a van, or a station wagon and may be provided with a rear cargo area in which the mobility scooter transfer device may be installed. The mobility scooter transfer device may be made of metal such as aluminum and may be forty-two inches wide, forty-two inches deep and thirty-six inches tall. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the mobility scooter transfer device, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the mobility scooter transfer device, as seen along a line I-I, as shown in  FIG. 1 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the mobility scooter transfer device, as seen along a line II-II, as shown in  FIG. 1 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the mobility scooter transfer device, shown in a partially utilized state in a motor vehicle, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the mobility scooter transfer device, shown in a further partially utilized state in a motor vehicle, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 6  is an electrical block diagram of the mobility scooter transfer device, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
         
           
             
                 
               
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
              
                 
                     
                 
              
             
             
                 
                 
              
                 
                   10 
                   mobility scooter transfer device 
                 
                 
                   15 
                   frame 
                 
                 
                   20 
                   base member 
                 
                 
                   25 
                   vertical member 
                 
                 
                   30 
                   top member 
                 
                 
                   35 
                   top reinforcement member 
                 
                 
                   38 
                   side reinforcement member 
                 
                 
                   40 
                   lift arm support bracket 
                 
                 
                   45 
                   retractable lift arm 
                 
                 
                   50 
                   “U”-shaped clamp 
                 
                 
                   55 
                   sequential tubular element 
                 
                 
                   60 
                   extension/retraction travel path “er” 
                 
                 
                   70 
                   flexible lift cable 
                 
                 
                   75 
                   reel 
                 
                 
                     
                 
              
             
           
         
       
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 6 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one (1) particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1) of the referenced items. 
     1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the mobility scooter transfer device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The mobility scooter transfer device  10  (herein also described as the “device”)  10 , is designed to lift and subsequently lower a mobility scooter  160  in an out of the cargo area  155  of a motor vehicle  150  such as a sport utility vehicle (SUV), minivan, pickup truck, van, station wagon, or the like. The device  10  includes a frame  15  in the general shape of a trapezoidal prism. The frame  15  further includes base members  20 , vertical members  25 , top members  30 , top reinforcement members  35 , side support members  105 , and side reinforcement members  38 . A winch mechanism  115  is mounted on an equipment platform  100  attached to the frame  15 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the device  10 , the frame  15  is constructed where the rear vertical members  25  are attached to the rear terminal ends of the base members  20 . The front vertical members  25  are attached at outer sides of an intermediate position long the base members  20  and are angled rearwardly as they extend upwardly. Opposing distal ends of a front top reinforcement member  35  are attached between upper terminal ends of the front vertical members  25 . Opposing distal ends of a rear top reinforcement member  35  are attached between upper terminal ends of the rear vertical members  25 . Opposing distal ends of a left top member  30  are attached between left terminal ends of the front and rear top reinforcement members  35 . Opposing distal ends of a right top member  30  are attached between right terminal ends of the front and rear top reinforcement members  35 . Opposing distal ends of an intermediate top reinforcement member  35  are attached between intermediate positions of inner sides of the left and right top members  30 . Opposing distal ends of a left side support member  105  are attached between intermediate facing sides of the front left and rear left top reinforcement members  35  and disposed parallel with the left top member  30 . Opposing distal ends of a right side support member  105  are attached between intermediate facing sides of the front right and rear right vertical members  25  and disposed parallel with the right top member  30 . Opposing distal ends of a front side reinforcement member  38  are attached between intermediate positions of inner sides of the left and right side support members  105 . Opposing distal ends of a rear side reinforcement member  38  are attached between intermediate positions of inner sides of the left and right side rear vertical members  25 . 
     A lift arm support bracket  40  is mounted in a perpendicular manner on top of central aligned positions of each of the top reinforcement members  35 . A retractable lift arm  45  is mounted atop the lift arm support bracket  40  using at least one (1) “U”-shaped clamp  50 . The retractable lift arm  45  includes multiple sequential tubular elements  55  which slide inside of the neighboring sequential tubular elements  55  allowing it to retract along an extension/retraction travel path “er”  60 . The retractable lift arm  45  is segmented into at least two (2) sections and is locked in an extended position with mechanical or electrical fixators. Those skilled in the art will appreciated that the use of any specific type of fixators is not intended to be a limiting factor of the present invention. 
     The winch mechanism  115  includes a flexible lift cable  70  routed from a reel  75  through a spring pulley  80  and onto a proximal pulley  85  (not visible in this figure due to illustrative limitations). At this location, the flexible lift cable  70  is then routed through the hollow interiors of the sequential tubular elements  55  of the retractable lift arm  45  whereupon it emerges at the distal end and is routed through a distal pulley  90 . The distal end of the flexible lift cable  70  then terminates at a lift hook  95 . The overall size of the device  10  may vary per specific need as dictated by the size of the vehicle, mobility scooter or the like. A pulley cover  215  is provided to provide a protective cover to the spring pulley  80  and distal pulley  90 . The pulley cover  215  can be removably attached to or capable of surrounding the individual pulley  80 ,  90 . The profile of the pulley cover  215  is curved to reduce the instances of snagging or incidental contact with features of the motor vehicle  150 . 
     The lower section of the device  10  is provided with a flat base  170 . A first hinged section  175  is connected to the base  170  via a continuous hinge  185 . A pair of guides  176  are located on opposing perimeter edges of the first hinged section  175 , adjacent the base  170 , and extend away perpendicularly therefrom. The guides  176  are “L”-shaped and help guide the mobility scooter  160  when during ingress and egress on the base  170 . Likewise, a second hinged section  180  is connected to the first hinged section  175  by another continuous hinge  185 . The base  170 , the first hinged section  175 , and the second hinged section  180  serve to house a mobility scooter  160  (not shown in this illustration for purposes of clarity) and whose functionality will be described in greater detail herein below. A typical overall size of the device  10  with the retractable lift arm  45  in a retracted position would be approximately forty-two inches (42 in.) wide, forty-two inches (42 in.) deep and thirty-six inches (36 in.) tall. However, as noted, any specific dimension associated with the device  10  is not intended to be a limiting factor of the present invention. The material of construction used with the majority of the device  10  is envisioned to be metal such as steel or aluminum for strength. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a sectional view of the device  10 , as seen along a line I-I, as shown in  FIG. 1 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The overall frame  15  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) is comprised of the base members  20 , the vertical members  25 , the top members  30 , the top reinforcement members  35 , the side support members  105 , and the side reinforcement members  38  as shown. An equipment platform  100  is supported the side support members  105  and the side reinforcement members  38 . The equipment platform  100  holds a rechargeable battery  110  and the winch mechanism  115  including the reel  75 , a motor  120 , and a control switch  125 . The winch mechanism  115  is envisioned as a standard device that operates on 12 VDC and is found on bumpers of trucks utilized in an off-road environment. An in-line fuse  190  is provided for electrical protection. Further description of the winch mechanism  115  and the rechargeable battery  110  will be provided herein below. The flexible lift cable  70  is routed through the spring pulley  80 , the proximal pulley  85 , and into the retractable lift arm  45  as aforementioned described. The flat base  170  serves as a storage platform for the mobility scooter  160  (not shown in this illustration for purposes of clarity). 
     Referring next to  FIG. 3 , a sectional view of the device  10 , as seen along a line II-II, as shown in  FIG. 1 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The base members  20  are visible and form a stable structure when connected to the vertical members  25 , which support the side support members  105 , the top members  30 , the front and rear top reinforcement members  38 , and the rear side reinforcement member  35 . The intermediate top reinforcement member  35  is supported by the top members  30 , and the intermediate side member  38  is supported by the side support members  105 . The rear top reinforcement member  35  serves as a connection point for the spring component  135  of the spring pulley  80 , through which the spring pulley  80  is routed. The rechargeable battery  110  and the winch mechanism  115  are affixed to the equipment platform  100  in a stable manner through the use of fasteners or the like. A charge controller  140 , also mounted to the equipment platform  100 , is used to charge the rechargeable battery  110 . An incoming power cable  145  brings power to the charge controller  140  from the electrical system of the motor vehicle upon which the device  10  is utilized. The electrical connection is envisioned to be of a temporary nature such as a cigarette lighter. However, a permanent connection may also be utilized. An equipment mounting platform  195  is provided for storage of the rechargeable battery  110 , the winch mechanism  115 , the charge controller  140 , and the in-line fuse  190 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of the device  10 , shown in a partially utilized state in a motor vehicle  150 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The motor vehicle  150 , herein depicted as a sport utility vehicle (SUV), is provided with a rear cargo area  155  in which the device  10  is installed. The device  10  is mechanically affixed to the interior of the motor vehicle  150  by the use of mechanical fasteners such as rail mounts, floor mounts, tie-downs, direct bolting the vehicle body or frame, or other suitable method. The exact meant of fastening the device  10  to the rear cargo area  155  of the motor vehicle  150  is not intended to be a limiting factor of the present invention. A mobility scooter  160  to be loaded into the rear cargo area  155  is positioned immediately behind the rear cargo area  155  in a central position. To load the mobility scooter  160 , the retractable lift arm  45  is extended along the extension/retraction travel path “er”  60  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) with the flexible lift cable  70  lowered until the lift hook  95  contacts a lift connection point  165  on the mobility scooter  160  that is structurally significant to allow for lifting of the mobility scooter  160 . The flexible lift cable  70  is extended and retracted by manipulation of the control switch  125 . The front portion of the mobility scooter  160  would be lifted onto the first hinged section  175  and/or the second hinged section  180  as needed. Further details on the lifting process, will be provided herein below. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of the mobility scooter transfer device  10 , shown in a further partially utilized state in a motor vehicle  150 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. With the mobility scooter  160  resting on the first hinged section  175  and/or the second hinged section  180  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ), the user would release the lift hook  95  and attach it to a “C”-shaped lift aid  200 , envisioned to be made of steel. The lower portion of the “C”-shaped lift aid  200  would engage a structurally significant portion of the mobility scooter  160  such as a rear hitch  205 . The upper portion of the “C”-shaped lift aid  200  would then engage the lift hook  95 . The flexible lift cable  70  is extended and retracted by manipulation of the control switch  125 . With the mobility scooter  160  in a horizontal position, it is then rolled onto the base  170 , with the aid of a guide handle  210 , provided on the upper part of the “C”-shaped lift aid  200 . The first hinged section  175 , and the second hinged section  180  are then folded along the continuous hinge  185 . To lower the mobility scooter  160  out of the rear cargo area  155 , this process described in  FIG. 5  and then  FIG. 4  is then reversed. It is envisioned that the device  10  could be utilized with all makes and models of mobility scooter  160 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , an electrical block diagram of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The incoming power cable  145  provides incoming power to the charge controller  140  as aforementioned described. Regulated charging output is then provided to the rechargeable battery  110 . The use of the rechargeable battery  110  ensures that the device  10  may be operated without the motor vehicle  150  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) in a running or energized state. Additionally, the charge controller  140  serves to ensure that any electrical fault on either the device  10  or in the motor vehicle  150  will not affect operation of the remaining device. The electrical output of the rechargeable battery  110  is envisioned as being high current to operate the motor  120  of the winch mechanism  115  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ). The in-line fuse  190  provides overcurrent protection for the rechargeable battery  110 . A direct connection to the electrical system of the motor vehicle  150  is likely not able to support such high current loads without elaborate modifications. The resultant power from the rechargeable battery  110  is the routed to the control switch  125  which reverses polarity to the motor  120  allow for rotation in either direction for raising and lowering purposes. 
     2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. It is envisioned that the device  10  would be constructed in general accordance with  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 5 . The user would procure the device  10  from conventional procurement channels such as medical supply stores, mail order and internet supply houses and the like. Special attention would be paid to the overall physical size of the device  10  such that it fits within the rear cargo area  155  of the motor vehicle  150  and the mobility scooter  160  fits within the confines of the frame  15 . 
     After procurement and prior to utilization, the device  10  would be prepared in the following manner: the device  10  is installed within the rear cargo area  155  of the respective motor vehicle  150  and secured in place; the incoming power cable  145  is then connected to a suitable source of 12-VDC power from the electrical system of the motor vehicle  150 . At this point in time the device  10  is ready for use. 
     During utilization of the device  10 , the following procedure would be initiated: to raise a mobility scooter  160  into the rear cargo area  155 , said mobility scooter  160  is positioned immediately behind the rear cargo area  155  in a central position; the retractable lift arm  45  is extended outward from the motor vehicle  150  along the extension/retraction travel path “er”  60 ; the flexible lift cable  70  is lowered until the lift hook  95  contacts the lift connection point  165 ; whereupon it is hooked in place; the control switch  125  is then manipulated to raise the flexible lift cable  70  and thus the mobility scooter  160 ; depending on the specifics of the motor vehicle  150  and the mobility scooter  160 , the mobility scooter  160  may be lifted all at once, or the lift may be made in two (2) separate processes by lifting a first portion into the rear cargo area  155 , and then lowering the lift hook  95  to lift the remaining portion of the mobility scooter  160  via the “C”-shaped lift aid  200  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) into the rear cargo area  155 ; the process of lowering the mobility scooter  160  out of the rear cargo area  155  is accomplished by reversal of the above mentioned process. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.