Mobile passenger access lift

Abstract

A self propelled steerable vehicle for transporting a wheelchair bound passenger between two separate locations, such as between a terminal and an aircraft parked on a ramp, includes a lift assembly mounted on said vehicle for movement from a lowermost position to an operator selectable upper position. The vehicle is provided with an operator's compartment containing steering, braking, motive and lift assembly controls. An internal combustion engine powers a hydraulic system for both moving the vehicle and powering the lift assembly. A passenger's compartment carried by said lift assembly is provided with a pair of ramps which are movable from a loading position to a traveling position. In the loading position, hand rails are automatically extended. Gas cylinders between the hand rails and the ramp assist the operator is raising the ramps. In the traveling position, the ramps act as gates for the passenger compartment. The operator's position is at the front of the vehicle, near the passenger compartment, which allows ready access to the forward ramp. Stabilizers are used when the lift assembly is in other than its lowermost position and are automatically extended prior to the lifting of the passenger compartment. The stabilizers are fully retracted prior to subsequent movement of the vehicle.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.