Wheelchair lift with positive automatic handrail

Abstract

This concerns a wheelchair lift for a vehicle having upper and lower telescopic frames pivoted about an upper horizontal axis to swing out of the side of the vehicle. The lower telescopic frame is raised and lowered by sprocket chains connected around pulleys on a single hydraulic reciprocating motor anchored to the upper frame. A platform is horizontally pivoted to thelower telescopic frame for movement between a vertical and a horizontal position, either manually or by a separate reciprocating motor. The movement of the platform into its horizontal operating position also automatically swings the telescopic frames out from the side of the vehicle. The platform has pivoted along an orthogonal edge thereof a handrail which automatically raises from an inoperative position parallel to the platform when the platform is folded into its vertical inoperative position to an operative vertical position orthogonal to the platform when the platform is in its operative horizontal position. This motion is positively effected by an offset link connected between the base of the lower telescopic frame and a rotatable and axially slideable mounting axle of the handrail. Safety devices such as manual pump for the single lift hydraulic motor and locking slots on the ends of the cam for operating the handrail when in its operative position are also provided. An outer edge of the platform is provided with a ramp-barrier mechanism that acts as a ramp when the platform is in contact with the ground and the barrier when a platform is away from the ground.