GB2190647A - Vehicle lift platform - Google Patents

Abstract

A closure system for a vehicle lift platform 11 comprises a cable 13 extending from adjacent the floor of the vehicle, around a pulley 14 or other guide means carried on an upper portion of a lift mechanism member 12 attached adjacent the inner edge of the platform to a point adjacent the outer rear edge of the platform. At least one end of the cable may be detachable during normal use of the lift platform. Preferably the attachment of the cable adjacent the vehicle floor is via resilient means, such as a spring 15 within a housing 16, to retain the lift platform in the closed position. A permanent retainer may be provided behind which the platform is retained in its closed position, and the platform may be spring urged away from the vehicle when in the closed position to facilitate opening thereof. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to vehicle lift platforms The invention relates to vehicle lift platforms of which there are two main types in general use.

One is the cantilever type which is hydraulically operated and when in the stowed or non-working position it is folded up, either to form part of the rear door, orto be folded outside rear doors.

The other main type is known as a "column lift" where the lift mechanism is operated by wire ropes or chain insidetwo 'C' section columns, one either side of the vehicle.

The platform ofthe lift is generally hinged to the lifting members which operate within the columns.

The platform is up to 4ft deep bythewidth ofthe vehicle and can be manually lifted and closed or opened by the assistance oftorque rods which can be pre-adjusted to balance the weight of the platform.

Larger lifts of up to 6ft deep have to be of heavier construction because of the stresses imposed by the load.

These are therefore heavier to lift and cannot be easily accommodated bytorsion rods.

The present invention seeks to provide a safe means of closing and allowing the lift platform to be opened via mechanical means.

According to the invention there is provided a closure system for a vehicle lift platform which comprises a cable extending from adjacent the floor ofthevehicle, around a pulleyorother guide means carried on an upper portion ofthe lift mechanism to be attached adjacent the outer rearward edge of the platform.

At least one end of the cable is detachable during normal use of the lift platform.

Preferably the attachment of the cable adjacent the vehicle floor is via resilient means, such as a spring, to retain the lift platform in the closed position. A permanent retainer may be provided, behind which the platform is retained in its closed position.

Spring loaded means, e.g. a plunger, may be located to urge the platform away from the vehicle when in the closed position to facilitate opening thereof.

The foregoing and furtherfeatures of the invention may be more readily understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a schematic side elevational view ofthe rearofavehicle.

Referring now to the drawing there is shown a vehicle 10 having a lift platform 11 hingedlymounted to a lift member 12 atthe rearouteredge ofvehicle 10. A cable 13 is attached adjacent the rear of platform 11, passes around a pulleyorguide 14, attachedto lift member 12, and is attached two a spring 15 located within a housing 16 adjacentthe vehicle floor.

When it is required to hinge up and close platform 11 the cable 13 is attached as shown and the lift actuated to move upwardly. Hence as lift member 12 moves upwardly, cable 13 is moved into the dashed position in the drawing so retracting platform 11 to the upper dashed closed position. Spring 15 resiliently engages platform 11 in the closed position and a retaining member may be provided depending downwardly from the roof of the vehicle behind which the upper edge of platform 11 is retained.

Several attachment positions may be provided on platform 11 for cable 13to adjust closing of platform 11,thecable 13 being disconnected during normal use of lift platform 11.

Spring-loaded means may be provided on the lift platform to ensure that as descent beginsthe platform will move from the vertical outwards. When the lift has been lowered sufficiently, the rope becomes slack and is detached and placed on a retainer so that the lift can be used normally.

When a "cable" has been referred to hereinbefore this could be in theform ofawire rope, chain, webbing or other flexible continuous member.

1. Aclosuresystem for avehicle lift platform which comprises a cable extending from adjacent the floor of the vehicle, around a pulley or other guide means carried on an upper portion of the lift mechanism to be attached adjacent the outer rearward edge of the platform.

2. A closure system for a vehicle lift platform as claimed in Claim 1 wherein at least one end ofthe cable is detachable during normal use ofthe lift platform.

3. Aclosuresystem foravehicle lift platform wherein the attachment of the cable adjacent the vehicle floor is via resilent means to retain the lift platform in the closed position.

4. A closure system for a vehicle lift platform as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a permanent retainer is provided, behind which a platform is retained in its closed position.

5. A closure system for a vehicle lift platform as claimed in any preceding claim wherein spring loaded means is located to urge the platform away from the vehicle when in the closed position to facilitate opening thereof.

6. A closure system for a vehicle lift platform substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to vehicle lift platforms The invention relates to vehicle lift platforms of which there are two main types in general use. One is the cantilever type which is hydraulically operated and when in the stowed or non-working position it is folded up, either to form part of the rear door, orto be folded outside rear doors. The other main type is known as a "column lift" where the lift mechanism is operated by wire ropes or chain insidetwo 'C' section columns, one either side of the vehicle. The platform ofthe lift is generally hinged to the lifting members which operate within the columns. The platform is up to 4ft deep bythewidth ofthe vehicle and can be manually lifted and closed or opened by the assistance oftorque rods which can be pre-adjusted to balance the weight of the platform. Larger lifts of up to 6ft deep have to be of heavier construction because of the stresses imposed by the load. These are therefore heavier to lift and cannot be easily accommodated bytorsion rods. The present invention seeks to provide a safe means of closing and allowing the lift platform to be opened via mechanical means. According to the invention there is provided a closure system for a vehicle lift platform which comprises a cable extending from adjacent the floor ofthevehicle, around a pulleyorother guide means carried on an upper portion ofthe lift mechanism to be attached adjacent the outer rearward edge of the platform. At least one end of the cable is detachable during normal use of the lift platform. Preferably the attachment of the cable adjacent the vehicle floor is via resilient means, such as a spring, to retain the lift platform in the closed position. A permanent retainer may be provided, behind which the platform is retained in its closed position. Spring loaded means, e.g. a plunger, may be located to urge the platform away from the vehicle when in the closed position to facilitate opening thereof. The foregoing and furtherfeatures of the invention may be more readily understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a schematic side elevational view ofthe rearofavehicle. Referring now to the drawing there is shown a vehicle 10 having a lift platform 11 hingedlymounted to a lift member 12 atthe rearouteredge ofvehicle 10. A cable 13 is attached adjacent the rear of platform 11, passes around a pulleyorguide 14, attachedto lift member 12, and is attached two a spring 15 located within a housing 16 adjacentthe vehicle floor. When it is required to hinge up and close platform 11 the cable 13 is attached as shown and the lift actuated to move upwardly. Hence as lift member 12 moves upwardly, cable 13 is moved into the dashed position in the drawing so retracting platform 11 to the upper dashed closed position. Spring 15 resiliently engages platform 11 in the closed position and a retaining member may be provided depending downwardly from the roof of the vehicle behind which the upper edge of platform 11 is retained. Several attachment positions may be provided on platform 11 for cable 13to adjust closing of platform 11,thecable 13 being disconnected during normal use of lift platform 11. Spring-loaded means may be provided on the lift platform to ensure that as descent beginsthe platform will move from the vertical outwards. When the lift has been lowered sufficiently, the rope becomes slack and is detached and placed on a retainer so that the lift can be used normally. When a "cable" has been referred to hereinbefore this could be in theform ofawire rope, chain, webbing or other flexible continuous member. CLAIMS

1. Aclosuresystem for avehicle lift platform which comprises a cable extending from adjacent the floor of the vehicle, around a pulley or other guide means carried on an upper portion of the lift mechanism to be attached adjacent the outer rearward edge of the platform.

2. A closure system for a vehicle lift platform as claimed in Claim 1 wherein at least one end ofthe cable is detachable during normal use ofthe lift platform.

3. Aclosuresystem foravehicle lift platform wherein the attachment of the cable adjacent the vehicle floor is via resilent means to retain the lift platform in the closed position.

4. A closure system for a vehicle lift platform as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a permanent retainer is provided, behind which a platform is retained in its closed position.

5. A closure system for a vehicle lift platform as claimed in any preceding claim wherein spring loaded means is located to urge the platform away from the vehicle when in the closed position to facilitate opening thereof.

6. A closure system for a vehicle lift platform substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.