Step convertible platform lift

Abstract

The disclosure concerns steps interchangeable into a platform lift, such as for wheelchairs for vehicles. Such a convertible step lift comprises a frame mounted in a rectangular notched-out floor section, which frame comprises corner posts which also act as guides for up and down movement of the platform lift. The movable platform comprises three sections foldable into a lower step, a riser, and an upper step, which sections are pivoted on shafts along their adjacent edges. The pivot shaft for upper step section and riser also is connected to reciprocating motor means for raising and lowering the platform. Lever extensions are fixedly attached to the ends of the riser, which are pivotally connected to other reciprocating motor means which unfolds the riser from an acute angle under the upper step section into a position coplanar with the upper step and at the same time moves the lower step section horizontally outwardly and upwardly into the same coplane to form the platform. At the outer edge of the lower step section is another shaft to which a barrier plate and a ramp are pivoted and normally urged into their operative positions when the step sections are in platform position. The barrier is folded down by levers and links when the platform engages the ground. An additional lever connected to an end of the riser folds the ramp and the barrier into their inoperative positions when the sections are in their step position.