Patent · US Expired

Hydraulically operated bus ramp mechanism

US5391041A · kind A · utility

71Cited by
15References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 6, 1993
Grant dateFeb 21, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 6, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S414/134
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A mechanism is provided for deploying a wheelchair ramp at the door of a vehicle, especially a bus, the ramp being of the kind which rotates between a stowed position at which it is flush with the vehicle floor and a deployed position in which it slopes downwardly and outwardly from the vehicle. The mechanism provides a "float down" feature which permits the ramp to move downward under gravity without the need for operator control and prevents crushing of obstacles that get in the downward path of the ramp. The mechanism includes a transmission for translating a single hydraulic cylinder stroke into more than 180.degree. of rotation of the ramp.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.