Inventors:
Leonard L. Rice - Los Angeles CA
Marlin J. Freel - San Dimas CA
Gregory J. Paquin - Northridge CA
Howard E. Burkett - Culver City CA
Assignee:
Ricon Corp. - Sun Valley CA
International Classification:
B60P 146
Abstract:
A vehicle mounted lift device for moving a wheelchair and its occupant to and from the bed of the vehicle includes a mounting apparatus fixed to the bed of the vehicle and a support assembly movably mounted to the mounting apparatus for being pivotally or translationally movable between a storage position and an outwardly extending operating position. The support assembly has a vertically stationary assembly which includes a pair of support posts, a lead screw mounted to each support post, a motive device for rotating the lead screws and a synchronizing apparatus interconnected so that the lead screws rotate at the same rate. The vertically stationary assembly also includes a safety flap apparatus to prevent inadvertent movement of the wheelchair from the vehicle through the access opening. The support assembly also has a vertically movable assembly which includes a coupling post interconnected to each lead screw and a foldable platform assembly pivotally connected between the coupling posts. As the lead screws are rotated the vertically movable assembly is raised or lowered.