Power lift and transfer system and method

A method for operating a lift and transfer system comprising:

• rotating a support member about a substantially vertical axis of an axle assembly from a first position substantially parallel to a rear surface of a vehicle to a second position substantially parallel to a side surface of the vehicle, the support member coupled to the axle assembly, the axle assembly mounted to the vehicle;
• extending a plurality of extension shafts of a respective plurality of individually actuated extension shaft arrangements of an extension shaft assembly along the side surface of the vehicle when the support member is in the second position, each of the plurality of extension shaft arrangements individually actuated to extend a respective extension shaft by at least one motor, the extension shaft assembly coupled to the support member;
• and
• disengaging a mobility device from a docking assembly when the support member is in the second position and the at least one extension shaft of the extension shaft assembly is extended along the side surface of the vehicle, the docking assembly coupled to the extension shaft assembly and comprising:
• a blade element coupled to the extension shaft assembly, the blade element configured to engage a shaped opening of a receiving slot of a receiving element mounted on the mobility device such that when the blade element is engaged with the shaped opening of the receiving slot the blade element is prevented from rotating within the receiving slot;
• and
• a latching mechanism configured to perform a latching action and a unlatching action, wherein the latching mechanism performs the latching action when the blade element engages with the shaped opening of the receiving slot such that when the blade element engages with the shaped opening of the receiving slot the blade element is prevented from disengaging from the receiving slot until the latching mechanism performs the unlatching action.

A method for operating a lift and transfer system comprising:

• transferring a user from a mobility device located adjacent a door of the vehicle to an interior of the vehicle;
• engaging the mobility device with a docking assembly to secure the mobility device to an extension shaft assembly that is extended along the side surface of the vehicle, the docking assembly coupled to the extension shaft assembly;
• retracting the plurality of extension shafts of the respective plurality of individually actuated extension shaft arrangements of the extension shaft assembly along the side surface of the vehicle, each of the plurality of extension shaft arrangements individually actuated to retract a respective extension shaft by at least one motor, the extension shaft assembly coupled to a support member;
• and
• rotating the support member about a substantially vertical axis of an axle assembly from a first position substantially parallel to a side surface of the vehicle to a second position substantially parallel to a rear surface of the vehicle, the support member coupled to the axle assembly, the axle assembly mounted to the vehicle;
• wherein the docking assembly comprises:
• a blade element coupled to the extension shaft assembly, the blade element configured to engage a shaped opening of a receiving slot of a receiving element mounted on the mobility device such that when the blade element is engaged with the shaped opening of the receiving slot the blade element is prevented from rotating within the receiving slot;
• and
• a latching mechanism configured to perform a latching action and a unlatching action, wherein the latching mechanism performs the latching action when the blade element engages with the shaped opening of the receiving slot such that when the blade element engages with the shaped opening of the receiving slot the blade element is prevented from disengaging from the receiving slot until the latching mechanism performs the unlatching action.

A lift and transfer system comprising:

• an axle assembly to be mounted to a vehicle having a rear surface and a side surface oriented in a substantially perpendicular manner;
• a support member coupled to the axle assembly, the support member configured to rotate about a substantially vertical axis of the axle assembly between a first position substantially parallel to the side surface of the vehicle and a second position substantially parallel to the rear surface of the vehicle;
• an extension shaft assembly coupled to the support member, the extension shaft assembly comprising at least one extension shaft arrangement configured to extend and retract at least one extension shaft along the side surface of the vehicle when the support member is in the first position;
• and
• a docking assembly coupled to the extension shaft assembly, the docking assembly to secure a mobility device to the extension shaft assembly and thereby permit the mobility device to be lifted and transferred via the lift and transfer system between a loading/unloading position adjacent the side of the vehicle and a stowed position adjacent the rear surface of the vehicle, wherein the docking assembly comprises:
• a receiving element coupled to the extension shaft assembly, the receiving element comprising a receiving slot having a shaped opening, the receiving element configured to engage a blade element mounted on the mobility device such that when the blade element is engaged with the shaped opening of the receiving slot the blade element is prevented from rotating within the receiving slot;
• and
• a latching mechanism configured to perform a latching action and a unlatching action, wherein the latching mechanism performs the latching action when the blade element engages with the shaped opening of the receiving slot such that when the blade element engages with the shaped opening of the receiving slot the blade element is prevented from disengaging from the receiving slot until the latching mechanism performs the unlatching action.

A lift and transfer system comprising:

• an axle assembly to be mounted to a vehicle having a rear surface and a side surface oriented in a substantially perpendicular manner;
• a support member coupled to the axle assembly, the support member configured to rotate about a substantially vertical axis of the axle assembly between a first position substantially parallel to the side surface of the vehicle and a second position substantially parallel to the rear surface of the vehicle;
• an extension shaft assembly coupled to the support member, the extension shaft assembly comprising at least one extension shaft arrangement configured to extend and retract at least one extension shaft along the side surface of the vehicle when the support member is in the first position;
• and
• a docking assembly coupled to the extension shaft assembly, the docking assembly to secure a mobility device to the extension shaft assembly and thereby permit the mobility device to be lifted and transferred via the lift and transfer system between a loading/unloading position adjacent the side of the vehicle and a stowed position adjacent the rear surface of the vehicle, wherein the docking assembly comprises:
• a receiving element coupled to the extension shaft assembly, the receiving element comprising a shaped opening, the receiving element configured to engage a bolt plate comprising at least one bolt mounted on the mobility device such that when the bolt plate is engaged with the shaped opening of the receiving element the bolt plate is prevented from rotating within the shaped opening;
• and
• a latching mechanism configured to perform a latching action and a unlatching action, wherein the latching mechanism performs the latching action when the bolt plate engages with the shaped opening of the receiving element such that when the bolt plate engages with the shaped opening of the receiving element the bolt plate is prevented from disengaging from the shaped opening until the latching mechanism performs the unlatching action.

A lift and transfer system comprising:

• an axle assembly to be mounted to a vehicle having a rear surface and a side surface oriented in a substantially perpendicular manner;
• a support member coupled to the axle assembly, the support member configured to rotate about a substantially vertical axis of the axle assembly between a first position substantially parallel to the side surface of the vehicle and a second position substantially parallel to the rear surface of the vehicle;
• an extension shaft assembly coupled to the support member, the extension shaft assembly comprising at least one extension shaft arrangement configured to extend and retract at least one extension shaft along the side surface of the vehicle when the support member is in the first position;
• and
• a docking assembly coupled to the extension shaft assembly, the docking assembly to secure a mobility device to the extension shaft assembly and thereby permit the mobility device to be lifted and transferred via the lift and transfer system between a loading/unloading position adjacent the side of the vehicle and a stowed position adjacent the rear surface of the vehicle, wherein the docking assembly comprises:
• a bolt plate comprising at least one bolt coupled to the extension shaft assembly, the bolt plate configured to engage a shaped opening of a receiving element mounted on the mobility device such that when the bolt plate is engaged with the shaped opening of the receiving element the bolt plate is prevented from rotating within the shaped opening;
• and
• a latching mechanism configured to perform a latching action and a unlatching action, wherein the latching mechanism performs the latching action when the bolt plate engages with the shaped opening of the receiving element such that when the bolt plate engages with the shaped opening of the receiving element the bolt plate is prevented from disengaging from the shaped opening until the latching mechanism performs the unlatching action.

A method for operating a lift and transfer system comprising:

• rotating a support member about a substantially vertical axis of an axle assembly from a first position substantially parallel to a rear surface of a vehicle to a second position substantially parallel to a side surface of the vehicle, the support member coupled to the axle assembly, the axle assembly mounted to the vehicle;
• extending a plurality of extension shafts of a respective plurality of individually actuated extension shaft arrangements of an extension shaft assembly along the side surface of the vehicle when the support member is in the second position, each of the plurality of extension shaft arrangements individually actuated to extend a respective extension shaft by at least one motor, the extension shaft assembly coupled to the support member;
• and
• disengaging a mobility device from a docking assembly when the support member is in the second position and the at least one extension shaft of the extension shaft assembly is extended along the side surface of the vehicle, the docking assembly coupled to the extension shaft assembly and comprising:
• a receiving element coupled to the extension shaft assembly, the receiving element comprising a shaped opening, the receiving element configured to engage a bolt plate comprising at least one bolt mounted on the mobility device such that when the bolt plate is engaged with the shaped opening of the receiving element the bolt plate is prevented from rotating within the shaped opening;
• and
• a latching mechanism configured to perform a latching action and a unlatching action, wherein the latching mechanism performs the latching action when the bolt plate engages with the shaped opening of the receiving element such that when the bolt plate engages with the shaped opening of the receiving element the bolt plate is prevented from disengaging from the shaped opening until the latching mechanism performs the unlatching action.