Patent Description:
The present invention is particularly suitable for being used in railway cars and will be described hereinafter by making particular reference to such application without intending in any way to limit its possible use with other types of public transportation vehicles, such as for example buses.

In the field of transportations, it is known the use of devices aimed at aiding wheelchair users to get on or off a public transportation vehicle, such as a train or a bus, when there is a difference in height between the level of the access floor of the vehicle and the level of platform at the boarding location.

Although known solutions currently adopted allow, in a rather satisfying way, to meet this aim, they still present some drawbacks and technical inconvenient.

For example, in some cases known lifting apparatuses require that train wagons are provided with rather wide entrance doors, e.g. wider than <NUM>.

Further, in some other cases the lifting apparatuses used are rather bulky and, once installed, they occupy a significant space.

As a consequence, these known solutions entail for example either to adopt a specific door or at least to introduce some constructional modifications; in some applications, it is even necessary to dedicate an entrance only to wheelchair users.

In addition, due to non-uniformity of the heights of boarding locations, the difference in height between the level of the various stop or station platforms and that of the entry floor of the vehicle can vary significantly.

Indeed, for example railway station platforms can have a height varying from <NUM> up to <NUM>; as a consequence, some lifting apparatuses installed on board of a vehicle may not be in condition to fill always the existing gap and thus they cannot assist properly wheelchair users to get on or get off a transport vehicle.

<CIT> discloses an under floor lift comprising a U-shaped header framework which is mountable between a vehicle axle and floor, and which reciprocatingly receives a nestable carriage comprising a second U-shaped framework. The carriage comprises a transverse motor mount plate and a pair of horizontal arms between which is received the lift platform. The platform is pivotably suspended, lifted and lowered by spaced pairs of parallelogram linkages pivotably secured at their outboard ends to the outboard end of the carriage side rails and at their inboard ends to the inboard end of the lift platform. The carriage is telescoped by a gear and chain mechanism from an inboard stowed position horizontally out to a transfer level deployed position. The wheelchair lift is moved by a hydraulic/chain drive downwardly and upwardly supported by the parallelogram arms to or from a ground level position, to permit the lift to be an in-swing, negative type lift. An automatically transitioning inboard bridge plate is pivoted to the platform, and during descent inclines and forms an inboard barrier. The bridge plate is slidably mounted on channels or rails which are mounted on a support plate pivotably mounted to the outboard edge of the carriage motor mount plate.

It is a main aim of the present invention to provide an innovative lifting apparatus capable of mitigating, at least partially, one or more of the previously mentioned drawbacks and technical inconvenient.

In particular, within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a lifting apparatus that, with respect to known solutions, is capable of more easily filling any gap between any type of existing stop or station platforms and the entry level of a vehicle on which it is installed.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a lifting apparatus that, with respect to known solutions, can be installed without requiring the adoption of dedicated doors or of substantial constructional modifications, and which can be used even with very narrow doors, e.g. with doors having a width of <NUM>.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a lifting apparatus that is more compact with respect to known solutions, which is highly reliable, easy to realize and at competitive costs.

This aim, these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a lifting apparatus according to claim <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the lifting apparatus according to the present invention may comprise one or more of the following features, which may be combined in any technical feasible and even partial combination:.

This aim, these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter are also achieved by a public transportation vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a lifting apparatus as above indicated, and in particular as described hereinafter and defined in the appended relevant claims.

Further characteristics and advantages will become apparent from the description of some preferred but not exclusive exemplary embodiments of a lifting apparatus and a public transportation vehicle according to the present invention, illustrated only by way of non-limitative examples with the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

It should be noted that in the detailed description that follows, identical or similar components, either from a structural and/or functional point of view, have the same reference numerals, regardless of whether they are shown in different embodiments of the present disclosure; it should also be noted that in order to clearly and concisely describe the present disclosure, the drawings may not necessarily be to scale and certain features of the disclosure may be shown in somewhat schematic form.

Further, when the term "adapted", or "arranged", or "configured", or "shaped", or a similar term is used herein while referring to any component as a whole, or to any part of a component, or to a combination of components, it has to be understood that it means and encompasses correspondingly either the structure, and/or configuration and/or form and/or positioning of the related component or part thereof, or the combination such term refers to.

In addition, when the term "substantial" or "substantially" is used herein, it has to be understood as encompassing an actual variation of plus or minus <NUM>% with respect to an indicated reference axis or position, and when the terms transversal or transversally are hereby used, they have to be understood as encompassing a direction non-parallel to the reference part(s) or direction(s)/axis they refer to, and perpendicularity has to be considered a specific case of transverse direction.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a lifting apparatus according to the invention, indicated by the overall reference number <NUM> which is suitable to be installed on a public transportation vehicle, an exemplary part of which, namely a part of a railway car, is schematically indicated in <FIG> by the reference number <NUM>.

The lifting apparatus <NUM> comprises a fixing support <NUM> which is adapted to connect the apparatus <NUM> to the structure of a vehicle, e.g. the body shell of the railway car <NUM>.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures, the fixing support <NUM> has the form of a pole extending along a substantially vertical axis X.

Usefully, as visible in <FIG>, the pole <NUM> is adapted to be fixed, for example at its two opposite ends <NUM> and <NUM>, inside the vestibule area of the railway car <NUM>, and is positioned on a side, e.g. a left side <NUM> with respect to the entrance <NUM> of the car <NUM>, for instance in correspondence of the gangway side of the car <NUM>.

In the <FIG> the door at the entrance <NUM> has been removed for the sake of clarity of illustration.

The lifting apparatus <NUM> according to the invention further comprises a movable assembly, indicated in <FIG> and <FIG> by the overall reference number <NUM>, which is connected to the fixing support <NUM> in a movable way relative to it.

In particular, and as it will result in more details hereinafter, the whole movable assembly <NUM> is movable relative to the fixing support <NUM> at least between a rest position where it is secured in position to the fixing support <NUM>, and a working position where it is displaced relative to the fixing support <NUM> in order to allow a wheelchair user to get on or off the railway car <NUM>.

According to a possible embodiment, the movable assembly <NUM> comprises a ramp <NUM> which is adapted to bridge the gap, namely the difference of height between the level of a station platform <NUM> and the level of the access floor <NUM> at the entrance <NUM> of the car <NUM>.

In particular, the ramp <NUM> is adapted to be positioned, when the movably assembly <NUM> is in said working position, in an inclined position with a first end side <NUM> adapted to bear on a station platform <NUM> and a second opposite end side <NUM> positioned substantially at the level of the access floor <NUM> at said entrance <NUM>.

The movable assembly <NUM> further comprises:.

More in details, as visible for example in <FIG>, in the rest position the whole movable assembly <NUM> is placed, together with the fixing support <NUM>, inside the car <NUM> and is arranged to be substantially aligned with the fixing support <NUM> along said first side <NUM> relative to the entrance <NUM>; in this position, as for example illustrated in <FIG>, the ramp <NUM> lies in a plane X1 substantially parallel to the vertical axis X and the lifting platform <NUM> overlaps the ramp <NUM> (and hence also the lifting platform <NUM> lies in a plane substantially parallel to the vertical axis X) while at least part of the actuating means <NUM> are interposed there between.

Hence, in this position, the components of the movable assembly <NUM> are folded among them to assume a compact configuration and extend in a substantially vertical direction, lying in one or more vertical panes substantially parallel to the axis X.

Thus, in the rest position the movable assembly <NUM> in practice is configured to form or look like a part of the wall or of an interior surface of the car <NUM> and, as a whole, is aligned with the fixing support <NUM> along the left side <NUM> in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of passage of passengers.

In this way, as visible in <FIG>, the lifting apparatus <NUM> does not hinder at all the entrance <NUM>.

Usefully, in one possible embodiment, the movable assembly <NUM> is arranged to be rotated, relative to the fixing support <NUM>, about said vertical axis X, from the rest position into an intermediate position where the ramp <NUM> is brought at the threshold of the entrance <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>.

In addition, the movable assembly <NUM> is further arranged to be further rotated, relative to the fixing support <NUM>, about an axis Y transversal, and in particular perpendicular to the vertical X, from the intermediate position into said working position until the first end side <NUM> of the ramp <NUM> is brought to bear on the station platform <NUM>.

In particular, as it will described in more details hereinafter, the actuating means <NUM> are conveniently configured to displace the lifting platform <NUM> along the ramp <NUM> between a lowered position where the lifting platform <NUM> is brought at the level of a station platform <NUM>, as for example visible in <FIG>, and a raised position where the lifting platform <NUM> is brought at the level of the access floor <NUM> of the entrance <NUM> of the car <NUM>, as for example illustrated in <FIG>.

Usefully, the actuating means <NUM> are configured to allow also adjusting the position, and in particular the inclination of the lifting platform <NUM> relative to the level of a station platform <NUM> and/or to the ramp <NUM> itself.

According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the ramp <NUM> comprises a frame <NUM> having a base <NUM>, the above mentioned first end side <NUM> which is provided with wheels <NUM> adapted to bear on the station platform <NUM> when the movable assembly <NUM> is in the working position.

Further, the frame <NUM> comprises the above mentioned second end <NUM>, opposite to the first end <NUM>, which is adapted to be positioned substantially at the level of the access floor <NUM> of the entrance <NUM> of the car <NUM> when the movable assembly <NUM> is in the working position.

In particular, the second end <NUM>, which has for example the form of a rod, is pivotally connected at one end <NUM> to the fixing pole <NUM>, e.g. close to the lower end <NUM> thereof, and at an opposite end <NUM> to actuation means <NUM>.

The end <NUM> is a spline shaft that has two stable positions (retracted and extended) and can be manually inserted into the actuator <NUM>.

The actuation means <NUM>, which can comprise for example an electric motor fed for instance by the power system on board of the railway car <NUM> and/or by a rechargeable battery, cause the ramp <NUM> (together with the lifting platform <NUM> and the actuating means <NUM> connected therewith) to rotate around the axis Y with respect to the fixing pole <NUM>, until bringing the wheels <NUM> to roll on the station platform until the ramp <NUM> assumes its final inclined position, as shown for example in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, the frame <NUM> comprises two parallel rails <NUM> which run from the first end <NUM> to the second end <NUM>, and a central bush bearing <NUM> inside which there is placed a first worm screw, schematically represented in <FIG> by a dotted line <NUM>, which is part of the actuating means <NUM>.

In particular, at the first end <NUM> of the frame <NUM> there is provided a connection <NUM> at which an end of the worm screw <NUM> can be operatively connected to and moved by an actuator; such actuator can be inserted in the connection <NUM> from a lateral side, e.g. in a direction parallel to the axis Y.

The actuator can be for example any suitable tool, e.g. a battery operated drill, used directly by a user who is supervising or operating the lifting assembly <NUM>; alternatively, it can be constituted for instance by a motor whose shaft is inserted in the connection <NUM> and operatively connected to the first worm screw <NUM>, and the motor can be electrically fed as well by the power system on board of the railway car <NUM> and/or by a rechargeable battery.

The lifting platform <NUM> comprises a base <NUM> suitable to accommodate a wheelchair <NUM>, as illustrated for example in <FIG> where a user of the wheelchair <NUM> has been omitted for the sake of clarity of illustration, a front barrier <NUM>, a back barrier <NUM>, and wheels <NUM> adapted to roll on the platform <NUM>.

The front barrier <NUM> is connected at a front end side <NUM> of the base <NUM> and can be moved, for example manually by an operator among a first outer position (represented in <FIG> by a dotted line) where it forms a small ramp for the wheelchair user to move from the station platform <NUM> onto the base <NUM> or vice versa, a second raised position (illustrated for example in <FIG>) where it extends substantially vertically from the base <NUM> and constitutes an anti-fall or stopping safety barrier for the wheelchair <NUM>, and a third rest position where it is folded over and overlaps onto the base <NUM>, as for example illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> (and as it is also the case when the movable assembly <NUM> is in the positions illustrated in <FIG>).

Likewise, the back barrier <NUM> is connected at an opposite back side <NUM> of the base <NUM> and can be moved, for example manually by an operator among a first outer position (represented in <FIG>) where it forms a small ramp for the wheelchair user to move from the base <NUM> onto the access floor of the car <NUM> or vice versa, a second raised position (illustrated for example in <FIG>) where it extends substantially vertically from the base <NUM> and constitutes an anti-fall or stopping safety barrier for the wheelchair <NUM>, and a third rest position where it is folded over and overlaps onto the base <NUM>, as for example illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> (and as it is also the case when the movable assembly <NUM> is in the positions illustrated in <FIG>).

Usefully, the lifting platform <NUM> is provided with means adapted for indicating its inclination, and in particular to visually indicate to an operator when the base <NUM> is in a substantially horizontal position.

Such indication means can comprise for example one or more bubble levels or any other suitable optical indicator, schematically indicated by the reference number <NUM> in <FIG>.

In the lifting apparatus <NUM> according to the invention, the actuating means <NUM> further comprise a slide <NUM> which is slidably mounted along the two rails <NUM> and is operatively coupled to and moved by the first worm screw <NUM> when this latter is actuated by the actuator coupled to the connection <NUM>.

Further the slide <NUM> has two anchoring points <NUM> where the lifting platform <NUM>, and in particular the opposite back side <NUM> of its base <NUM> is connected pivotally with respect to a pivoting axis, indicated in <FIG> by the reference Y1.

The actuating means <NUM> comprises a connecting arm <NUM>, illustrated in more details in the <FIG> and <FIG>, which interconnects mechanically, and in a movable manner, the slide <NUM> with the lifting platform <NUM>.

Usefully, the connecting arm <NUM> is configured to connect the lifting platform <NUM> to the slide <NUM> and thus to the ramp <NUM>, movable between a folded position where the lifting platform <NUM> overlaps the ramp <NUM> with the slide <NUM> and the connecting arm <NUM> itself positioned in between, and an unfolded position where the lifting platform <NUM> is deployed relative to ramp <NUM> in order to be brought into a wheelchair carrying position.

Conveniently, the connecting arm <NUM> is configured to have a variable extension along an axis Z transversal to the vertical axis X and the first pivoting axis Y1 as well.

In particular, as better illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the connecting arm <NUM> comprises:.

Inside the space defined by the two side arms <NUM> there is provided a reduction gear mechanism <NUM>, of a form known per se or readily available to those skilled in the art and therefore not described herein in details.

A second worm screw, represented in <FIG> by the dotted line <NUM> is keyed on the reduction gear mechanism <NUM>.

A threaded insert <NUM> is coupled the second worm screw <NUM> and is adapted to rest on a central portion <NUM> of the fork-shaped part <NUM>.

The second worm screw <NUM> is also operatively connected to the fork shaped part <NUM> via a hot wiped bushing <NUM>; such bushing <NUM> houses inside, at least partially, the second worm screw <NUM> which can slide freely therein.

In particular, the bushing <NUM> is connected at a first side to the U- or C-shaped part <NUM> and has a second opposite side that is inserted sliding inside a first through hole <NUM> provided on the central portion <NUM> of the fork-shaped part <NUM>.

Two guiding rods <NUM> are solidly connected at one end to the U- or C-shaped part <NUM> and extend, substantially parallel to each other, along two opposite sides with the bushing <NUM> positioned in between.

The two guiding rods <NUM> have each a free end which is inserted sliding inside a corresponding through holes <NUM> provided on the central portion <NUM> of the fork-shaped part <NUM>.

A connection <NUM>, e.g. in the form of a rod, extends transversally along an axis Y3 from both the two side arms <NUM> and is adapted for connecting an actuator suitable for actuating the second worm screw <NUM> and thereby cause the U- or C-shaped part <NUM> to slide relative to the fork shaped part <NUM>.

The actuator can be any suitable tool, for instance the same tool used for actuating the first worm screw <NUM>, e.g. a battery operated drill used directly by a user; alternatively, it can be constituted for instance by a motor whose shaft is coupled to the connection <NUM> and that can be electrically fed as well by the power system on board of the railway car <NUM> and/or by a rechargeable battery.

As illustrated in <FIG>, two supports <NUM> are mounted each to an external side of a corresponding side arm <NUM>; the two supports <NUM> are configured to be fixed to the bottom surface of the base <NUM> of the lifting platform <NUM>.

The operative functioning of the lifting apparatus <NUM> according to the invention will be now described with reference to <FIG> showing in sequence the various phases needed for assisting a wheelchair user to get on board of the railway car <NUM>.

In particular, when the lifting apparatus <NUM> is not is use, as previously described, the movable assembly <NUM> is in the rest position where it is secured to the fixing support <NUM>; to this end, the fixing support <NUM> is for example provided with a latching mechanism <NUM> to which the ramp <NUM> is latched.

In this position, the lifting platform <NUM> is in the folded position where it overlaps the ramp <NUM> with the slide <NUM> and the connecting arm <NUM> positioned in between, assuming a very compact configuration as shown in <FIG>.

In the folded position, the lifting platform <NUM> (together with the connecting rod <NUM> and the slide <NUM>) can be locked onto the ramp <NUM> via any suitable locking means, as those schematically represented in <FIG> by the reference number <NUM>.

In this way, as illustrated in <FIG>, with respect to a front view of the entrance <NUM>, the whole movable assembly <NUM> is placed, together with the fixing support <NUM> along the left side <NUM> with its components not hindering the free passage through the entrance <NUM>.

Then, when the lifting apparatus <NUM> has to be used, an operator acting for example on the locking/unlocking lever <NUM> can unlock the ramp <NUM> from the latching mechanism <NUM> of the fixing support <NUM>.

Thereafter, the operator can for example manually rotate the whole assembly <NUM>, around the axis X of about <NUM>° with respect to the fixing support <NUM>; in this way, the movable assembly <NUM> is moved from the rest position into the intermediate position, where, as a whole, it is placed at the entrance threshold of the access floor <NUM> of the car <NUM>, with its components, and in particular the ramp <NUM> and the lifting platform <NUM>, still extending along a substantially vertical plane X2 parallel to the axis X, as illustrated in <FIG>.

In this position, the operator, via the actuator <NUM>, can actuate the ramp <NUM> to rotate, together with the lifting platform <NUM> and the actuating means <NUM> interposed there between, around the axis Y.

In this way, the wheels <NUM> are brought to roll on the station platform <NUM> until the ramp <NUM> assume its final inclined position bridging the difference of height between the level of the access floor <NUM> at the entrance <NUM> and the level of the station platform <NUM> itself, as for example illustrated in <FIG>; depending on the difference between the level of the access floor and that of the station platform <NUM>, the ramp <NUM> can assume a configuration more or less inclined but in any case it is capable of self-adapting its inclined position thanks to the wheels <NUM> rolling on the platform.

Once in this position, it is possible to actuate the first worm screw <NUM> and thus slides down, via the slide <NUM>, the lifting platform <NUM> which is brought towards the station platform <NUM> (see <FIG>); then, after positioning the front barrier <NUM> in the first outer position (shown in dotted line in <FIG>, the wheelchair user can be accommodated on the base <NUM>.

During the descent, the second worm screw <NUM> can freely slide inside the bushing <NUM>.

Then, with the two anti-fall barriers <NUM> and <NUM> raised and the wheelchair <NUM> positioned on the base <NUM>, the second worm screw <NUM> can be actuated via an actuator connected to the connection <NUM>.

In this way, the second worm screw <NUM> causes the threaded insert <NUM> to push against the fork-shaped part <NUM> with the two guiding rods <NUM> which guide the movement of the part <NUM> along the axis Z relative to the fork-shaped part <NUM>.

During this movement, the connecting arm <NUM> passes from the configuration shown in <FIG> to that shown in <FIG> and correspondingly, the lifting platform <NUM>, by rotating around the pivot axis Y1, is brought from the inclined position shown in <FIG> to the substantially horizontal position shown in <FIG>.

In particular, the visual indicator <NUM> can indicate to the operator that the lifting platform <NUM>, and in particular its base <NUM>, has reached the correct horizontal inclination, thus indicating to stop the actuation of the second worm screw <NUM> thus leaving the lifting platform <NUM> mechanically locked in the achieved horizontal position.

Then, the first worm screw <NUM> can be actuated again and, via the slide <NUM>, the lifting platform <NUM> is raised up to the level <NUM> of the entrance <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>.

There, the back barrier <NUM> can be lowered and the wheelchair user can enter the car <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>.

After, the operator can fold both the barriers <NUM> and <NUM> bringing them to overlap the base <NUM>, the second worm screw <NUM> can be actuated to bring the lifting platform <NUM> to overlap the ramp <NUM> with the slide <NUM> and the connecting arm <NUM> positioned in between; via the actuator <NUM>, the ramp <NUM> can be counter-rotated around the axis Y to bring the whole movable assembly <NUM> in the substantially vertical position illustrated in <FIG>, where for example the lifting platform <NUM> (as well as the slide <NUM> and the connecting rod <NUM>) can be latched to the ramp <NUM> via the latching means <NUM>.

Then, the whole movable assembly <NUM> can be rotated with respect to the fixing support <NUM> around the axis X, bringing it in the rest position illustrated in <FIG>, where it can be mechanically latched to the fixing support <NUM> via the latching mechanism <NUM>.

Hence, it is evident from the foregoing description that the lifting apparatus <NUM> according to the present invention allows achieving the intended aim and objects since it has a structure which allows to easily fill the gap between the entry level of the vehicle on which it is installed and station platforms of different heights.

Indeed, as for example illustrated in <FIG> where platforms of different heights of <NUM> have been represented by dotted lines indicated also with the same reference number <NUM>, the ramp <NUM> can assume any suitable inclination in order to bridge for example a vertical gap from <NUM> up to <NUM> and is usable even with station platforms having a height of <NUM>.

Further, the lifting apparatus <NUM> according to the invention has a very compact structure which can be installed in vehicles with very narrow doors, e.g. with doors having even a minimum aperture of <NUM>; in addition, once installed, the apparatus <NUM> does not impair the entrance area and thus, if not used, it allows the free passage to passengers not needing such aiding apparatus <NUM>.

These results are achieved according to a solution relatively easy to be implemented, which can be realized at competitive costs and can be installed in new vehicles as well as in existing ones.

Further, the lifting apparatus <NUM> can be operated in an almost automatic or semiautomatic way, exploiting for example systems on board of the vehicle on which it is installed, and it can be operated also manually, when for example for whatever reason power cannot be provided by the vehicle itself.

Claim 1:
A lifting apparatus (<NUM>) configured to assist a wheelchair user to get on or off a public transportation vehicle (<NUM>), comprising at least:
- a fixing support (<NUM>) which is adapted to be fixedly connected to an inner part of and on a first side (<NUM>) relative to an entrance (<NUM>) of the vehicle (<NUM>);
- a movable assembly (<NUM>) which is movably connected to the fixing support (<NUM>) at least between a rest position and a working position, wherein said movable assembly (<NUM>) comprises at least:
- a ramp (<NUM>) which is adapted to be positioned, when the movably assembly (<NUM>) is in said working position, in an inclined position with a first end side (<NUM>) adapted to bear on a station platform (<NUM>) and a second opposite end side (<NUM>) positioned substantially at the level of the access floor (<NUM>) at said entrance (<NUM>);
- a lifting platform (<NUM>) suitable to carry a wheelchair user between the station platform (<NUM>) and the level of the access floor (<NUM>) at said entrance (<NUM>); and
- actuating means (<NUM>) which are configured to connect, in a movable manner, the lifting platform (<NUM>) to the ramp (<NUM>), characterized in that said fixing support (<NUM>) has a shaped body extending along a substantially vertical axis (X), and wherein, when in said rest position, the movable assembly (<NUM>) is arranged to be substantially aligned with the fixing support (<NUM>) along said first side (<NUM>) relative to the entrance, with said ramp (<NUM>) lying in a plane (X1) substantially parallel to said vertical axis (X) and the lifting platform (<NUM>) overlapping the ramp (<NUM>) while at least part of the actuating means (<NUM>) are interposed there between.