# US 9,039,341 B2 · System and apparatus for improved wheelchair lift

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- Number: US 9,039,341 B2
- Document ID: US9039341B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/771,958
- Filed: 2013-02-20
- Published: 2014-01-23
- Granted: 2015-05-26
- Earliest claimed: 2012-07-20
- Applicants: Tyrone Soklaski
- Inventors: Tyrone Soklaski
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039341B2

## CPC

- B60Q 9/008: {for anti-collision purposes}
- B60P 1/4464: {Warning signals, e.g. accoustic or visual}
- B60P 1/4485: {Attaching the complete loading platform unit to the vehicle}
- B60Q 9/006: {using a distance sensor}
- B60Q 9/007: {providing information about the distance to an obstacle, e.g. varying sound}
- B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60P: VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS (vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances A61G3/00)

## Abstract

A wheelchair lift mounted on the rear of an automobile for transporting a wheelchair, scooter or other mobility device includes two or more sets of sensors. A first set of sensors is located at the distal ends of the wheelchair lift platform for use when the platform is horizontal. A 2nd set of sensors is located on the base of the wheelchair lift for use when the platform is folded vertically. The sensors alert a driver to the presence of objects in close proximity to the rear of the vehicle when driven in reverse. They switch automatically activates the base sensors when the platform is folded and the platform sensors when the platform is horizontal.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A wheelchair lift comprising:
a hitch mount;
an elevator connected to the hitch mount;
a base at the bottom of the elevator;
a platform pivotally attached to the base and capable of translating between a horizontal and a vertical position;
one or more platform sensors located on a distal end of the platform and directed rearward and away from an automobile to which the hitch mount is attached when the platform in in the horizontal position and directed upward when the platform is in the vertical position;
one or more base sensors located on a distal end of the base and directed rearward and away from the automobile;
a visual display or a speaker; and
a switch.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The wheelchair lift of claim 1:
wherein the one or more base sensors determine when a solid object is within a proscribed distance from the distal end of the base; and,
wherein the one or more platform sensors detect when a solid object is within a proscribed distance from the distal end of the platform.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The wheelchair lift of claim 2 wherein the one or more platform sensors are cameras and the one or more base sensors are cameras.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The wheelchair lift of claim 2 wherein the one or more platform sensors are infrared sensors and the one or more base sensors are infrared sensors.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The wheelchair lift of claim 2:
wherein the switch activates the one or more platform sensors and deactivates the one or more base sensors when the platform is in the horizontal position; and
wherein the switch deactivates the one or more platform sensors and activates the one or more base sensors when the platform is in the vertical position.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The wheelchair lift of claim 5 wherein the one or more platform sensors are cameras and the one or more base sensors are cameras.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The wheelchair lift of claim 5 wherein the one or more platform sensors are infrared sensors and the one or more base sensors are infrared sensors.