Convertible lift mechanism having a scissor lift linkage
AssigneeVertical Mobility LLC
InventorGeorge Lawrence Storm
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A convertible lift mechanism lifts a person or an object from a first surface to a vertically displaced second surface. The convertible lift mechanism includes a source of motive force, a scissor lift linkage, and a conversion stair. The conversion stair has a first configuration in which it functions as a stair and a second configuration in which it functions as at least a portion of a lift platform. When the conversion stair is in the first configuration, the convertible lift mechanism functions as a stairway. When the conversion stair is in the second configuration, the convertible lift mechanism functions as a platform lift or wheelchair lift.
Claims17
A convertible lift mechanism for lifting a person or an object from a first surface to a vertically displaced second surface, the convertible lift mechanism comprising:
- a) a source of motive force;
- b) a conversion stair having a first configuration and a second configuration, the conversion stair being substantially stationary and having a substantially horizontal surface that is positioned horizontally apart from the second surface and is positioned vertically between the first surface and the second surface when the conversion stair is in the first configuration, the conversion stair configured to move the substantially horizontal surface between a first position and a second position when the conversion stair is in the second configuration, the first position defined by a first horizontal position and a first vertical level, the first vertical level being approximately level with the first surface, and the second position defined by the first horizontal position and a second vertical level, the second vertical level being approximately level with the second surface;
- c) a scissor lift linkage operably coupled to the source of motive force and the conversion stair to cause the conversion stair to move between the first position and the second position responsive to motive force generated by the source of motive force.
A convertible lift mechanism for lifting a person or an object from a first surface to a vertically displaced second surface, the convertible lift mechanism comprising:
- a) a source of motive force;
- b) a conversion stair having a first configuration and a second configuration, the conversion stair being substantially stationary and having a substantially horizontal surface that is vertically positioned between the first surface and the second surface and horizontaly positioned apart from the second surface when the conversion stair is in the first configuration, the substantially horizontal surface of the conversion stair forming at least a portion of a personal vehicle lift platform movable between a first position and a second position when the conversion stair is in the second configuration, the first position defined by a first vertical level that is approximately level with the first surface, and the second position defined by a second vertical level that is approximately level with the second surface;
- and
- c) a scissor lift linkage operably coupled to the source of motive force and the conversion stair to cause the conversion stair to move between the first position and the second position responsive to motive force generated by the source of motive force.
A convertible lift mechanism for lifting a person or an object from a first surface to a vertically displaced second surface, the convertible lift mechanism comprising:
- a) a source of motive force;
- b) a frame member disposed proximate the first surface;
- c) a conversion stair having a first configuration and a second configuration, the conversion stair being substantially stationary and having a substantially horizontal surface that is horizontally positioned apart from the second surface and vertically positioned between the first surface and the second surface when the conversion stair is in the first configuration, the conversion stair configured to move the substantially horizontal surface between a first position and a second position when the conversion stair is in the second configuration, the first position defined by a first horizontal position and a first vertical level, the first vertical level being approximately level with the first surface, and the second position defined by the first horizontal position and a second vertical level, the second vertical level being approximately level with the second surface;
- and
- d) a scissor lift linkage operably coupled to the source of motive force and the conversion stair to cause the conversion stair to move between the first position and the second position responsive to motive force generated by the source of motive force, the scissor lift linkage further including a first diagonal linkage pivotally coupled to a second diagonal linkage, the first diagonal linkage having a termination that slidably engages one of the conversion stair and the frame member, and a second diagonal linkage having a termination that slidably engages one of the conversion stair and the frame member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.