Patent Publication Number: US-11642268-B2

Title: Lifting system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims priority to United Kingdom Application Patent Serial No. GB 2000907.2 filed Jan. 22, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a lifting system for a vehicle, particularly for a lifting system for a mobility device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A prior art lifting system is disclosed in WO2018/037247. The lifting system comprises a bracket 1 for a lifting a mobility scooter or the like. The scooter may be lifted into a user&#39;s vehicle. The bracket 1 is removably connected to the scooter via a post 38 fixed to the scooter. The bracket 1 comprises a pair of lateral spreader bars 3 at the sides thereof. The spreader bars 3 comprise a fastener 37 extending therethrough configured to connect to a hoist mechanism to allow lifting of the mobility scooter. As shown in FIG. 1 of the prior art document, the hoist mechanism comprises a clip 3′ configured to engage and retain the fastener. The clip 3′ comprises a spring clip to retain the fastener in place. 
     The inventor has found numerous drawbacks with the prior art system. In order to adequately secure the fastener in place, the spring clip must have sufficient biasing force. This biasing force must be overcome when disconnecting the fastener, which may be difficult for those with reduce mobility, strength and/or dexterity (i.e. the most likely users of a mobility scooter). 
     Other prior art systems use a carabiner or the like connected to loop on the bracket, however, similarly, these may be difficult to release. The scooter is configured to be placed into the boot of a car, and so space is at a premium. The carabiner clip or loop project outwardly and so may engage the side walls of the car. 
     Additionally, carabiners and other clips may rattle when the user is driving the vehicle with the scooter stowed therein, which may cause irritation or may cause the carabiner/clip to become disconnected. 
     It is an aim of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate one or more of the above problems. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lifting system for a mobility device comprising a bracket fixed to the mobility device, a hoist connector configured to removably connect to the bracket to provide lifting of the mobility device in use; where one of the bracket and the hoist connector comprises a pin and the other of the bracket and the hoist connector comprises a clip, the pin comprising a head formation and a neck formation, wherein the clip comprises an aperture configured to pass over the head formation in use and into engagement with the neck formation. 
     A shape of an outer surface of the head formation may be configured to conform to the shape of an inner surface of the clip opening. 
     The neck formation may comprise a spacer arranged to abut the bracket to hold the head formation at a predetermined spacing from the bracket in use. 
     The neck formation may comprise a shaft portion configured to extend through the bracket. 
     The neck formation may comprise the shaft portion and the spacer, the width or profile of the spacer being different from the width and/or profile of the shaft portion. 
     A biasing member may be interposed between the head formation and bracket, the biasing member arranged to contact the clip when in engagement with the pin. 
     The biasing member may surround the neck formation of the pin. 
     The biasing member may comprise one or more side wall configured to engage the head formation and/or the bracket. 
     The biasing member may have two spaced side walls and the clip is held between the side walls of the biasing member when in engagement with the pin. 
     The biasing member may be configured to resiliently retain the clip on the pin. 
     The biasing member may be formed of a resilient material. 
     The biasing member may comprise a magnet provided on one or both of the pin and the clip configured to retain the clip on the pin. 
     The other of the pin and clip may comprise a magnetic material. 
     The pin may comprise a magnet, the magnet comprising a substantially annular shape. 
     The magnet or magnetic material may be provided on a side of the head portion proximal the bracket. 
     The system may comprise a biasing member arranged to bias the clip away from a condition in which the aperture is aligned with the head formation when in engagement with the pin. 
     The head formation may comprise a locating feature configured to engage a corresponding locating feature on the clip to ensure correct orientation of the clip relative to the head formation when the clip is passed thereover the pin. 
     The locating feature may comprise a protrusion on one of the aperture and the head formation configured to engage a recess on the other of the aperture and the head formation. 
     The head formation and/or aperture may be substantially circular. 
     The clip and/or pin may comprise an angled/chamfered surface configured to guide the clip and pin into alignment when passing thereover. 
     The angled surface may comprise a tapered surface on a side of the head formation distal the bracket in use. 
     The angled/chamfered surface may be provided on one side of the head formation or clip only and/or an opposing side of the head formation or clip may comprise a flat face. 
     The bracket may comprise an elongate aperture therein and the pin may be connected to the bracket through the aperture at a desired location along the length of the aperture. 
     A portion of the pin may comprise at least one flat surface configured to engage the elongate aperture to prevent rotation of the pin therein. 
     The bracket may be connected to the mobility device via an upstanding post of the mobility device, the bracket being rigidly mounted with the post. 
     A plurality of said brackets may be provided and the post is provided with a cross bar arranged to space the brackets on either side of the post. 
     The lifting system may comprise a hoist arranged to raise and lower the hoist connector in use. 
     According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided: a lifting system for a mobility device comprising: a bracket fixed to the mobility device, a hoist connector configured to removably connect to the bracket to provide lifting of the mobility device in use; where one of the bracket and the hoist connector comprises a pin and the other of the bracket and the hoist connector comprises a clip, the pin comprising a head formation and a neck formation, wherein the clip comprises an aperture configured to pass over the head formation in use and into engagement with the neck formation such that the clip is held on the pin, and where a biasing member is arranged to bias the clip away from a condition in which the aperture is aligned with the head formation when in engagement with the pin. 
     According to third aspect of the invention, there is provided: a lifting system for a mobility device comprising: a bracket fixed to the mobility device, a hoist connector configured to removably connect to the bracket to provide lifting of the mobility device in use; where one of the bracket and the hoist connector comprises a pin and the other of the bracket and the hoist connector comprises a clip, the pin comprising a head formation and a neck formation, wherein the clip comprises an aperture configured to pass over the head formation in use and into engagement with the neck formation such that the clip is loosely held on the pin, and where the clip and/or pin comprises an angled/chamfered surface configured to guide the clip and pin into alignment when passing thereover. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a lifting system for a mobility device comprising: a bracket fixed to the mobility device, a hoist connector configured to removably connect to the bracket to provide lifting of the mobility device; where one of the bracket and the hoist mechanism comprises a pin and the other of the bracket and the hoist mechanism comprises a clip configured to pass over the pin and into engagement therewith such that the clip is held on the pin; and where one or both of the pin and the clip comprises a biasing member configured to retain or constrain the clip whilst on the pin. 
     The biasing member may comprise a resilient material and/or a magnet. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Practicable embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: 
         FIG.  1    shows a 3-dismensional view of a seat assembly; 
         FIG.  2    shows an exploded side view of the seat assembly; 
         FIG.  3    shows an exploded three-dimensional view of the seat assembly with the lifting system; 
         FIG.  4    shows an exploded three-dimensional view of a first example of a lifting system; 
         FIG.  5    shows an exploded three-dimensional view of a second example of a lifting system; 
         FIG.  6    shows a three-dimensional view of a hoist for use with the lifting system; and 
         FIG.  7    shows a three-dimensional view of a hoist and spreader bar with clips depending therefrom for use with the lifting system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS.  1  and  2    show a seating assembly  2 . The seating assembly  2  is configured to support a user of a vehicle in use (i.e. provide a seat). The seating assembly  2  is intended for use with a vehicle adapted for people with mobility issues, such as a mobility scooter, power chair, or other electrically powered mobility device to be lifted using a hoist. The vehicle can thus be lifted into and out of, e.g. the boot/trunk of, an automobile or other passenger vehicle using the hoist. 
     The seating assembly  2  comprises a seat portion  4  configured to support the user&#39;s buttocks and legs in use. A back-rest  6  is provided at a rear side of the seat portion and is configured to supports the user&#39;s back in use, e.g. in a lumbar and/or thoracic region of the spine. Two arm-rests  8  are provided at the sides of the seat portion and are configured to supports the user&#39;s arms, e.g. forearms, in use. The seat portion  4  and/or back-rest  6  and/or arm-rests  8  may comprise cushioning material or the like configured to support and provide comfort for the user. Conventional foam or other padding may be used. 
     The assembly  2  comprises a mounting arrangement configured to connect the assembly  2  to the vehicle, e.g. a mobility scooter. 
     The mounting arrangement comprises a yoke  12  configured to support the seat portion  4 , the back-rest  6  and the arm-rests  8  in use, whilst allowing simple disassembly thereof by an end user. 
     The back-rest  6  and arm-rests  8  are removably attached to the yoke  12  (i.e. via arms  14 ). The back-rest  6  and arm-rests  8  are therefore separable from the seat portion  4 . The back-rest  6  and arm-rests  8  are configured to be received within the arms  14  (i.e. within a hollow section of the arms  14 ). 
     The yoke  12  is itself mounted to a support structure  10  on the vehicle. Although a specific seat assembly is described above, the precise seat makeup is not critical and other seats could be mounted to the The support structure  10  of the mounting arrangement comprises a base portion  16  configured to be connected to the vehicle in use. The base portion  16  is configured to be connected to the vehicle in a permanent or semi-permanent fashion (i.e. the connection is maintained in day-to-day use). The base portion  16  is typically a permanent installation of the vehicle. 
     The base portion  16  comprises a pillar/post  18  mounted so as to extend upwardly from the vehicle. The pillar  18  comprises a plurality/series of apertures  20  along a lower portion thereof to receive fasteners or the like. 
     An upper end of the pillar  18  comprises a mounting plate  22  for mounting of both an upper pillar portion  24  and a lifting support structure  26  configured to allow lifting of the vehicle, e.g. using a hoist mechanism. The lifting structure  26  is thus rigidly mounted to the pillar  18 . 
     The upper pillar portion  24  may be affixed atop the pillar  18  using other conventional means and provides a formation arranged to receive the yoke  12  of the seat assembly. The upper pillar portion  24  may be hollow or recessed in this regard, i.e. arranged to receive a protrusion of the yoke  12 , or vice versa. 
     The yoke  12  is removably coupled to the base portion  16  when mounted. The yoke  12 , seat portion  4 , back-rest  6  and arm-rests  8  are therefore separable from the pillar  18  of the vehicle. 
     The lifting structure  26  comprises a cross bar  28  and a bracket  30  depending from each end of the cross bar  28 . The brackets  30  are provided at either side of the seat portion  4 . The brackets thus provide spaced attachment points for attaching to a spreader bar on the hoist in use. The brackets  30  comprise a first portion  32  connected to the cross bar  28  and a second portion  34  extending therefrom. The second portion  34  is angled with respect to the first portion  32  and is elongate in form. The second portion  34  may extend in a substantially horizontal direction in use and provides the attachment point for the lifting system described below. 
     The bracket  30  comprises a plurality of apertures  36  extending therethrough configured to allow attachment of the hoist mechanism. The apertures are spaced along the second portion  34 , and thus are spaced in a horizontal direction in use. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG.  4   , a single elongate aperture  36  may be provided. 
     The hoist mechanism is connected to the bracket  30  via a lifting system  38 , which may be described as being a clip and pin type arrangement, by which a clip is removably engageable with a pin on the bracket to lift the vehicle. A first embodiment of the lifting system  38  is shown in closer detail in  FIG.  5   . 
     The lifting system  38  comprises a pin  40 . The pin  40  is configured to extend through the aperture  36  (e.g. via a neck or shaft portion  68  thereof). The pin  40  is movably received within the aperture  36 . The pin  40  is secured within the aperture using a fastener, for example, a threaded bolt  42 . The pin  40  itself thus acts as a retainer (e.g. a nut). The pin  40  may therefore be removable from the bracket  30 . A washer  44  may be interposed between the head of the bolt  42  and the bracket  30 . 
     Whilst the portion of the lifting system that is mounted to the bracket is described herein as a ‘pin’  40 , it will be appreciated that it need not be of a conventional pin shape. The pin  40  in the examples described herein has a head formation  56  of greater width dimension relative to a neck portion, e.g. shaft portion  68 , extending behind the head formation. 
     A portion  44  of the pin  40  extending through the aperture  36  may be shaped to prevent rotation of the pin  40  relative to the bracket  30 . The portion  44  may comprises one or more flat edge  46  configured to engage an inner edge  48  of the aperture. For example, the portion  44  may be substantially square/rectangular or a rounded square/rectangle. The ends  50  of the aperture  36  may be shaped to conform with the shape of the portion  44 . 
     The bracket  30  is located approximately above the centre of the gravity of the scooter. Therefore, the pin  40  can be moved along the aperture  36  and/or to an adjacent aperture to allow fine adjustment of the location of the pin  40  to a position directly above the centre of the gravity of the scooter. This prevents unwanted tipping or swinging of the scooter and allows the hoist mechanism to be attached to scooter at a single point on each side of the scooter. 
     The lifting  38  system comprises a clip  52  configured to engage the pin  40 . The clip  52  provides a detachable connection between the hoist mechanism and the bracket  30  in use (i.e. a hoist connector). The clip  52  comprises an aperture  54  configured to pass over the pin  40 . The clip  52  passes over a head portion  56  of the pin  40  that comprises an increased width. The head portion is spaced from the bracket  20 , e.g. by the neck  68 , such that the clip is retained between the head portion  56  and the bracket  20 . Once the clip has passed over the head portion  56  it can contact the neck portion of reduced width, thereby causing a natural offset of the aperture  54  and head formation  56  that prevents unwanted removal of the clip  52 . That is to say the clip  52  will abut the rear of the head formation unless the user purposely aligns the aperture  54  with the head formation  56  to remove the clip. 
     The head portion  56  is shaped to provide a close fit with the aperture  54  (i.e. the outer surface is of the head portion  56  is the same shape/size as the inner surface of the aperture  54 ). The aperture  54  therefore must be accurately aligned with the head portion  56  to allow removal of the clip  52  by passing the clip  52  back over the pin  40 . The clip  52  is loosely held on the pin  40  (i.e. is not held by a latch, clip or the like). The close fit therefore ensures the clip  52  does not unintentionally disconnect from the pin  40 , for example, by shaking of the clip  52 . 
     The pin  40 /aperture  54  may be substantially circular. The clip  52  therefore provides a ring-like or annular arrangement. 
     The pin  40  comprises a locating feature  58  to ensure correct alignment/orientation of the clip  52  relative to the pin  40  when passing thereover. The locating feature  58  comprises a protrusion  60  located on the head portion  56  configured to be received a correspondingly shaped recess  62  in the clip aperture  54 . This ensures the clip  52  can only pass over the pin  40  in a single orientation. Any relative rotation between the clip  52  and pin  40 , once connected, will prevent removal of the clip  52  from the pin  40  due to the offset of the protrusion  60  and recess  62 . 
     The protrusion  60  extends beyond the edge of the head portion  56 . The protrusion  60 /recess  62  may be substantially triangular/wedge shaped. 
     The recess  62  is provided adjacent a portion of the clip  52  configured to receive a webbing/belt of the hoist mechanism (e.g. via aperture  64 ). The recess  62  is therefore provided at an uppermost side of the aperture  54  during lifting. When the mobility vehicle is stowed in the car, the webbing may become slack, thus the recess  62  will naturally rotate away from the protrusion  60 . This prevents disconnection of the hoist mechanism from the mobility vehicle during transit, and so the user does not have to reconnect the system in the limited space provide in the transport vehicle (e.g. within the car boot). 
     In some embodiments, the protrusion  60 /recess  62  may not be located at top dead centre of the aperture, e.g. potentially being located at the side or the lowermost portion of the pin  40 /clip  52  (i.e. at opposing side of the clip  52  from the connection between the webbing and the clip). In some embodiments, a plurality of recesses  62  may be provided to allow disconnection at two or more select orientations. 
     Additionally or alternatively, the locating feature  58  can be provided by an irregular and/or asymmetrically shaped pin  40 /aperture  54 . 
     A resilient member  66  is provided between the pin  40  and the clip  52 . The resilient member comprises a resiliently deformable material, for example, rubber or silicone. The resilient member therefore prevents rattling of the clip  52  against the pin  40  and/or the bracket  20 . The resilient member  66  surrounds a shaft portion  68  of the pin  40  and sits thereon (e.g. in an annular fashion). The resilient member is therefore interposed between the head portion  56  and the bracket  20 , i.e. behind the head portion. 
     The resilient member  66  comprises a plurality of upstanding side walls  70  configured to engage the bracket  20  and the pin head portion  56  respectively. The side wall have a width less than or equal to the width of the clip aperture  54  to allow the clip  52  to pass thereover. When connect to the bracket  20 , the clip  52  is configured to surround the resilient member  66 . For example, when lifting, the inner surface of the aperture  54  engages the lowermost side of the resilient member  66 . 
     The resilient member may comprise a collar or cuff formation. The resilient member provide a biasing force, i.e. may be in compression, to press the clip  52  against the head portion  56  or bracket  20  when the clip is attached over the pin. Alternatively, the clip may be a loose fit over the resilient member and the resilient member may constrain the freedom of movement available to the clip when on the pin in use. 
     The head portion  56  may have tapered/bevelled edges  72  configured to guide the clip  52  into alignment with the pin  40 . The tapered edges  72  are provided on a side of the head portion  56  distal the bracket  30 , i.e. a front/outer face of the head portion. 
     Although only a single pin  40 /clip  52  arrangement is shown, it can be appreciated that each bracket  30  comprises a pin  40 /clip  52  arrangement. In some embodiments, a plurality of pin  40 /clip  52  arrangements may be provided on each bracket  30 . 
     A second embodiment of the lifting system  38  is shown in  FIG.  5   . The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, and like features will not be repeated for the sake of brevity. 
     A fastener  42  extends through the head portion  56  via an aperture  78  therein. The fastener is connected to a retainer (e.g. a nut  80 ) on the opposing side of the bracket  30 . The pin  40  is therefore releasable from the side bracket  30  adjacent the head portion  56 . 
     The locating feature  58  is absent in the second embodiment. The head portion  56  and the clip aperture  54  are therefore circular. The head portion  56  retains the tapered surface, thus providing a frustoconical shape. 
     Rattling of the clip  52  is prevented using one or more magnet. A magnet may be provided on one or more of the clip  52 , pin  40  or bracket  20 , which is attracted to a magnetic material or magnet on the clip  52 , pin  40  or bracket  20  accordingly. Additionally, this may further prevent unintentional disconnection of the pin  40  and clip  52 , i.e. by attracting the clip onto the magnet/shaft behind the head portion  56  such that the clip is offset from the alignment required to remove the clip from the pin. 
     In the present embodiment, the magnet is embedded in/on the pin  40 , thus retaining clip  52  against the pin  40 . The magnet comprises an annular/ring shaped magnet  82 . The magnet is attached to a side of the head portion  56  proximal the bracket  30  (i.e. interposed the pin  40  and bracket  30 ). 
     In some embodiments, the magnet  82  is used in addition to the resilient member  66  of the previous embodiment. 
     The pin  40  and/or  52  comprise a steel and/or magnetic material. The clip  52  may comprise a mild (carbon) steel. The pin  40  may comprise a stainless steel. 
     The magnet comprises a neodymium magnet. However, it can be appreciated that any suitable magnetic material may be used. 
     The magnet  82  may act as a spacer between the bracket and head portion  56 . Additionally/alternatively, the rear side of the head portion  56  may comprise a shaft or other spacer formation as described above in relation  FIG.  4   . 
     The hoist mechanism  84  is shown in  FIGS.  6  and  7   . The hoist mechanism is described in the applicant&#39;s co-pending application GB2003138.1, which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     The hoist mechanism  84  is configured to be fixed to the vehicle (e.g. a car or van) adjacent a door or other opening, for example, a boot/trunk door, to allow the user to lift the load in and out of the vehicle. 
     The hoist mechanism  84  comprises a boom generally indicated at  86 . The boom  86  is configured to be rotationally attached to the vehicle. The boom  86  comprises a plurality of connectors  88  to allow a connection to a post or other fixture within in the car. The connectors  88  comprise apertures/loops to permit rotation relative to the post. The hoist  84  may therefore be stored inside the vehicle when not in use and then swung out of the vehicle when required. A rotatable connection may also be provided at a base of the boom  86 . The boom is thus swivelable as a whole about an upright/vertical axis. 
     The boom  4  comprises a metallic beam, for example, a steel box-section. 
     Webbing, referred to herein as a belt  90 , depends from the boom structure  86  over the distal/free end thereof and is configured to be attached to the article to be lifted, e.g. the mobility scooter. 
     An actuator  92 , in the form of an electric motor, is mounted to the boom  86  structure. In this example the actuator  92  is mounted to a central portion of the boom  86  along with a spool  94  for the belt  90 . 
     The belt  90  is operatively connected to an actuator  92  to retract/extend the belt  90 . The belt  90  extends through/along a hollow interior the boom  86 , thereby preventing the user interfering with the belt  90 . 
     The belt  90  is connected to the spool  94  and the belt  90  is configured to be wound to/from the spool  94  by the actuator  92 . The hoist  84  therefore provides a winch like arrangement for selective payout/retraction of the belt  90 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , the belt  90  comprises a connection member  96  to orient the belt  90  for connection to the scooter. The connection member  96  comprises a cross-bar or spreader-bar  98 , arranged to be substantially horizontal in use. End portions  100  are telescopically connected to the cross-bar  98 , allowing variation of the width of the connection member  96 . A further belt  102  extends from the end portions  100 . The clips  52  are attached to the end of respective further belts  102 . 
     In use, the hoist mechanism  84  is brought into alignment with the mobility scooter, such that the spreader bar  98  is over the seat post  18  and the clips  52  are proximal the brackets  30 . The clips  52  can then be passed over the respective pins  40 , thereby securing the hoist mechanism to the scooter via the lifting system. The scooter may then be raised or lowered using the hoist mechanism as required. 
     The present invention avoids the use of spring clips or carabiners or the like, therefore allowing simple and convenient disconnection of the mobility scooter from the hoist mechanism. Due to the loose connection between the pin and the clip, disconnection can be performed using a single hand and can be perform by those with mobility/dexterity issues. However, the close fit prevents rattling of the clip, which can be noisy and/or cause to the clip to disconnect. 
     The resilient member and/or magnet prevent rattling of the clip, thus preventing unintentional disconnection of the hoist mechanism and the scooter and/or irritation to the user. 
     The lifting system provides a compact configuration thus allow use of the hoist mechanism in more compact environments. Additionally, this provides more space for the user&#39;s hand if disconnection of the hoist and the scooter is required.