Scooter lift with load detector and load lock
AssigneeVantage Mobility International, LLC
InventorsNeil Brendon O'Leary, William E. Gest
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An external lift for a scooter includes a load sensor actuated by rotation of the platform as a load is applied anywhere on the platform, a lock mechanism for preventing the platform from rotating in a loaded and raised position, and a lock mechanism for preventing the platform from rotating in an unloaded and raised position. A pair of shoes on a hold down prevent a scooter from leaving the lift unintendedly. The lift includes a fixed post and a moveable post. A roller coupled to the moveable post engages a small ramp on the end of the fixed post, thereby further stabilizing the lift and increasing the lifting capacity.
Claims10
In an external lift for a scooter wherein the lift includes a post adapted to be attached to a vehicle and a rotating platform attached to the post, the improvement comprising:
- a load sensor actuated by rotation of the platform as a load is applied said platform.
In an external lift for a scooter wherein the lift includes a post adapted to be attached to a vehicle, a lift mechanism including a tube attached to said post and a sliding post fitting within said tube, and a rotating platform coupled to the sliding post by a hinge including a bar attached to said platform inside a horizontal tube coupled to said sliding post, the improvement comprising:
- a first plate coupled to said tube;
- a second plate coupled to said bar;
- a first spring attached to at least said first plate for separating the first plate from the second plate;
- whereby said platform is supported in an approximately horizontal position by said spring and a load on said platform causes the separation of the first plate from the second plate to decrease;
- and
- means for detecting a decrease in the separation of the first plate from the second plate.
In an external lift for a scooter wherein the lift includes a post adapted to be attached to a vehicle, a lift mechanism including a tube attached to said post and a sliding post fitting within said tube, and a rotating platform coupled to the sliding post by a hinge including a bar attached to said platform inside a horizontal tube coupled to said sliding post, the improvement comprising:
- a bore in said bar and a pin attached to said post, wherein said pin engages said bore when said platform is in a raised position to prevent rotation of said platform.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.