Self propelled passenger lift vehicle

A self-propelled passenger lift vehicle for transporting a mobility impaired passenger between a first location and first elevation and a second location and second elevation against an aircraft fuselage adjacent an aircraft door, said vehicle comprising in combination:

• a frame having a plurality of rotatable wheels supporting said frame on a surface;
• a generally horizontal platform movably mounted on said frame, said platform having a leading edge portion and a support portion for supporting said passenger;
• drive motor means connected to at least one of said wheels for moving said vehicle from said first location to said second location;
• brake means connected to said at least one wheel for controllably stopping and preventing wheel rotation;
• and
• position sensing means in said leading edge portion of said platform for sensing the presence of said aircraft fuselage, said position sensing means being operable to automatically actuate said brake means to lock said at least one drive wheel upon sensing contact with said fuselage.

A self-propelled passenger lift vehicle for transporting a mobility impaired passenger between a first location and elevation and a second location and raised elevation against an aircraft fuselage adjacent an aircraft door, said vehicle comprising in combination:

• a frame having a plurality of wheels supported therefrom;
• a generally horizontal platform movably mounted on said frame, said platform having a leading edge portion and a support portion for supporting said passenger;
• an electrically operated hydraulic drive motor connected to two of said wheels through a transaxle assembly for moving said vehicle from said first location to said second location, said assembly including a brake mechanism comprising a pair of hydraulically released, spring actuated disc brake calipers mounted thereon and each connected to one of said two wheels for controllably stopping and preventing wheel rotation, a pressurized hydraulic fluid supply line connected to each of said calipers through a supply line, and an electrical solenoid valve in said supply line operable to isolate said supply from said calipers when deenergized;
• an elevating mechanism mounted on said frame and connected between said frame and said platform for controllably raising and lowering said platform between said first and second elevations;
• and
• a position sensing device in said leading edge portion of said platform for sensing the presence of said aircraft fuselage, said device being operable to automatically deenergize said solenoid valve to apply said brake mechanism to stop wheel rotation upon sensing contact with said fuselage.