Lift mechanism for wheelchairs in vehicles

A combined wheelchair ramp and lift system for use with a sport utility vehicle (“SUV”) or a minivan, the system comprising:

• a ramp extension configured to pivot between a stowed position in which the ramp extension is positioned within a vehicle cabin of a sport utility vehicle (“SUV”) or a minivan and an extended position in which the ramp extension extends out of an opening in the vehicle cabin;
• a ramp/lift assembly adjacent the ramp extension, wherein the ramp/lift assembly includes a ramp surface pivotal between a ramped position in which the ramp surface defines an inclined plane between a floor of the vehicle cabin and the ramp extension and a non-ramped position in which the ramp surface is substantially flush with the floor, wherein the ramp surface of the ramp/lift assembly is configured to be positioned entirely within the vehicle cabin between the ramped position and the non-ramped position;
• a first hinge configured to pivotally connect a first end of the ramp/lift assembly and the floor, wherein the first end of the ramp/lift assembly pivots about an axis extending substantially along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle cabin;
• a second hinge configured to pivotally connect a second end of the ramp/lift assembly and the ramp extension, wherein the ramp extension pivots about an axis that is substantially parallel but offset from the axis about which the first end of the ramp/lift assembly pivots;
• a linkage assembly configured to move the ramp extension between the stowed position and the extended position responsive to pivoting of the ramp/lift assembly between the ramped position and the non-ramped position;
• and
• a lift actuator configured to pivot the ramp/lift assembly between the ramped position and the non-ramped position.

A combined wheelchair ramp and lift system for use with a sport utility vehicle (“SUV”) or a minivan, the system comprising:

• a ramp extension movable between a stowed position in which the ramp extension is positioned within a vehicle cabin of a sport utility vehicle (“SUV”) or a minivan and an extended position in which the ramp extension extends out of an opening in the vehicle cabin;
• a ramp/lift assembly adjacent the ramp extension, wherein the ramp/lift assembly includes a ramp surface pivotal between a ramped position in which the ramp surface defines an inclined plane between a floor of the vehicle cabin and the ramp extension and a non-ramped position in which the ramp surface is substantially flush with the floor;
• a hinged arrangement configured to provide pivotal movement of the ramp/lift assembly and the ramp extension with respect to the floor, wherein the hinged arrangement includes at least two spaced apart axes about which the ramp/lift assembly and the ramp extension pivot that are parallel with each other and extend substantially along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle cabin;
• and
• a lift actuator configured to pivot the ramp/lift assembly between the ramped position and the non-ramped position, wherein the lift actuator has a lifting capacity configured to move the ramp surface to the non-ramped position under a weight of a wheelchair and wheelchair user.