Patent ID: 8763186

Claim:
A method of raising a wheelchair compartment from a non-horizontal ramp position to an approximately horizontal safe position, comprising: a) providing a lift mechanism comprising: an elevator structure; a wheelchair compartment configured to hold a wheelchair and rotatable from the ramp position to the safe position; a cam connected to the compartment and comprising a cam contact surface; a cam arm connected to the elevator structure and rotatable about a pivot pin, the cam arm having a first side and a second side opposite the first side relative to the pivot pin; an actuator connected between the elevator structure and the first side of the cam arm and configured to rotate the cam arm relative to the pivot pin; and a cam arm bearing connected to the second side of the cam arm and configured to press against the cam contact surface of the cam; and b) operating the actuator when the wheelchair compartment is in the ramp position so as to cause the wheelchair compartment to rise to the safe position.