Platform lift with enhanced occupant sensing, platform lifting and locking

A lift platform lock, comprising:

• an actuator comprising a movable portion being configured to move in a linear direction;
• a first arm, the first arm mounted in a pivotal connection with each of the actuator and a stationary member;
• a second arm with a hook-shaped portion, the second arm being fastened to the first arm, the second arm configured to move linearly along a length of the first arm and to pivot with the first arm;
• and
• a spring, the spring connected to each of the second arm and the stationary member;
• the actuator operable to pivot the second arm through the first arm into an unlock position;
• the spring operable to pivot the second arm into a lock position;
• the hook-shaped portion configured to engage a target on a platform in the lock position;
• the hook-shaped portion configured to disengage the target in the unlock position.

A stow lock assembly for a lift for a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a control assembly with a control enclosure and a hydraulic system to move a platform through a parallelogram mechanism, the stow lock assembly comprising:

• an arm pivotally attachable to an exterior wall surface of the control enclosure, the arm comprising:
• an angled edge surface configured to contact a target and pivot an arm in a first direction in a response to a contact with the target, and
• an edge notch configured to receive the target therewithin;
• a lock actuator with a movable portion and a stationary portion, the stationary portion attachable to an interior wall surface of the control enclosure;
• a pivotal connection between the movable portion and the arm;
• and
• a tension spring having one end connectable to the arm and having another end connectable to the exterior wall surface of the control enclosure;
• the lock actuator operable to pivot the arm into an unlock position;
• the tension spring configured to return the arm into a locked position.

A lift for a vehicle, said lift comprising:

• a platform configured to support an occupant thereon;
• a parallelogram mechanism to move the platform between a stowed position and a deployed position, the parallelogram mechanism comprising two lower arms, two upper arms, two vertical arms and two cylinders, each cylinder is in a first pivotal connection with a respective lower arm and in a second pivotal connection with a respective upper arm;
• a base to mount the parallelogram mechanism to a vehicle floor;
• a control assembly comprising a control enclosure and a hydraulic system to move the platform through the parallelogram mechanism;
• and
• a platform lock integrated with the control assembly, the platform lock at least including:
• a first arm, said first arm having a first end, a second end spaced apart from said first end along a length of said first arm, a first elongated slot through a thickness of said first arm between first and second ends, a length of said first elongated slot aligned normal to said length of said first arm,
• a first connection, said first connection being between said first end and a vertically disposed wall of the control enclosure, said first connection configured to allow a pivotal movement of said first arm about the vertically disposed wall, said first connection comprising a first aperture through said thickness of said first arm adjacent said first end thereof, a second aperture though a thickness of the vertically disposed wall and a fastener passing through first and second apertures,
• a second arm, said second arm having a first end, a second end spaced apart from said first end of said second arm along a length of said second arm, a spring seat upstanding on a first edge of said second arm adjacent said first end of said second arm, a first edge notch in said second arm between first and second ends of the second arm, said first edge notch sized and shaped to allow access to said first elongated slot, a second edge notch in said second arm and a taper in said second end of said second arm, said taper and said second edge notch defining a hook-shaped portion of said second arm,
• a second connection, said second connection being between said first arm and said second arm so that said second arm pivots with said first arm, said second connection configured to move said second arm along a length of said first arm, said second connection comprising two third apertures through said thickness of said first arm between said first and second ends thereof, two second elongated slots through a thickness of said second arm between said first and second ends of said second arm, a length of each second elongated slot aligned along said length of said first arm, each second elongated slot is aligned, during use, with a respective third aperture in said first arm, and fasteners fastening said second arm to said first arm at said each second elongated slot aligned with said respective third aperture,
• an actuator, said actuator having a stationary portion affixed to the vertically disposed wall and a movable portion disposed for a linear movement in a vertical direction,
• a third connection, said third connection being between a free end of said movable portion and said first end of said first arm, said third connection comprising a link pivotally coupled to said free end of said movable portion and to a flange on said first end of said first arm, and
• a tension spring, said tension spring having a first end attached to a spring seat on said second arm and having an opposite second end attached to a spring seat on the vertically disposed wall,
• said actuator, in a response to being energized, moves said movable portion in an upward direction and pivots said first arm and said second arm, at said first connection about the vertically disposed wall in said upward direction, into an unlock position,
• said tension spring configured to pivot said first arm and said second arm in a downward direction into a lock position in a response to said actuator being deenergized,
• said hook-shaped portion configured to selectively engage a target on the platform in said lock position and disengages the target in said unlock position,
• said platform being prevented from a movement when said hook-shaped portion selectively engages said target.

A lift for a vehicle, said lift comprising:

• a platform configured to support an occupant thereon;
• a parallelogram mechanism to move the platform between a stowed and a deployed position, the parallelogram mechanism comprising two lower arms, two upper arms, two vertical arms and two cylinders, each cylinder is in a first pivotal connection with a respective lower arm and in a second pivotal connection with a respective upper arm;
• a base to mount the parallelogram mechanism to a vehicle floor;
• a control assembly comprising a control enclosure and a hydraulic system to move the platform through the parallelogram mechanism;
• and
• a platform lock integrated with the control assembly, the platform lock at least including:
• an actuator comprising a movable portion being configured to move in a linear direction,
• a first arm, said first arm mounted in a pivotal connection with each of said actuator and the control enclosure,
• a second arm with a hook-shaped portion, said second arm being fastened to said first arm, said second arm configured to move linearly along a length of said first arm and to pivot with said first arm, and
• a spring, said spring connected to each of said second arm and the control enclosure,
• said actuator operable to pivot first and second arms upwardly into an unlock position,
• said spring operable to pivot said first and second arms downwardly into a lock position,
• said hook-shaped portion configured to selectively engage a target on a platform in said lock position and disengages the target in said unlock position,
• said platform being prevented from a movement in a response to said hook-shaped portion selectively engaging said target.

A lift for a vehicle, said lift comprising:

• a platform configured to support an occupant thereon;
• a parallelogram mechanism to move the platform between a stowed position and a deployed position, the parallelogram mechanism comprising two lower arms, two upper arms, two vertical arms and two cylinders, each cylinder is in a first pivotal connection with a respective lower arm and in a second pivotal connection with a respective upper arm;
• a base to mount the parallelogram mechanism to a vehicle floor;
• a control assembly comprising a control enclosure and a hydraulic system to move the platform through the parallelogram mechanism;
• a platform lock integrated with the control assembly;
• a bridgeplate pivotally attached to one end of the platform;
• a cam-shaped edge surface on each end of the bridgeplate;
• two arms, each arm from the two arms being pivotally mounted to the platform, the two arms being rigidly connected therebetween so that the two arms substantially rotate in unison with each other;
• two cables, each cable from the two cables having one end connected to a respective arm and having an opposite end connected to a respective lower arm of the parallelogram mechanism;
• and
• a cam operated mechanism, the cam operated mechanism configured to pull the two cables as the platform is being lowered, through the parallelogram mechanism, from a floor level position;
• the each cable configured to pull against the respective arm, as the platform is being lowered from the floor level position and raising the respective arm against the cam-shaped edge surface into a generally vertical barrier position.