AUTO-FOLD PLATFORM

PLATEFORME AUTO-PLIANTE

English Abstract

This invention is an arrangement for lifting objects and or persons
in or out of a vehicle, and storage device so that usable space is not
in any way obstructed or taken from the vehicle. An auto-fold
platform helps with effective and efficient device storage, as well
as a system of parallel arms which are used to move and operate
the platform and useful load. This system allows complete platform
movement between lower and upper position as well as efficient
folding and storage of platform in a specific space underneath
vehicle.

Claims

WE CLAIM,
1. AUTO-FOLD SAID SYSTEM FOR FOLDING
PLATFORM THAT ENSURES BETTER EFFICIENCY
OF LIFT STORAGE, FIRST SECTION OF PLATFORM
FURTHEST FROM VEHICLE, FOLDS OVER SECOND
HALF OF PLATFORM WHICH IS CLOSEST TO
VEHCILE.
2. MECHANISM OF SYSTEM OF PARALLEL LEVERS -
ARMS WHICH ARE USED TO POWER DRIVE
AND BALANCING OF PLATFORM ? USEFUL LOAD.
2 PAIRS OF LEVER'S - ARMS ARE USED ON EACH SIDE
OF LIFT. THE MAIN LEVER ON EACH SIDE ARE
CONNECTED TO CYLINDERS TO ENSURE MOVEMENT
OF LIFT, FROM LOWER LOADING POSITION TO UPPER
LOADING POSITION. THESE LEVER'S CREAT A
PARALELOGRAMM WHICH ENSURE'S HORIZONTAL
LEVELING OF PLATFORM.

Description

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2 ~ 7
PATENT OBJECTI~E
SUMM~RY OF THE INVENTION
This in~ention is an arrangement for ]iftinq objects~ arld o~-
persnns, in or out of a vehicle. and storage device -~o tbat usable
space is not taken from vehicle. There ar-e two major l~oint~ that
are utilizecJ to achieve t-his goal.
. ~n auto-fold platform system, with folding line alorlg width
of p]atform~ which helps with efficiel-lt device storar~e.
2. System of parallel arms, which are used to move an(l operate
platfor-m and useful load. This system allows platform
movement between lower and upper position as well as
efficiel--t folding and StQrage of platform in the space
underneath vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DR~WINGS
In the accompanying drawings and illustrations the invention in
preferred embodiment will now be described in whirh
FIG 1. shows a three dimensional view of the abnve said
arrar-gement.
FIG 2. shows top view of lifting device.
FIG 3. sl~ows side view upper loading position of ]ifting
device.
FIG 4. shows side view of lower loading position of lif-tirlg
device.
FIG 5~ shows multiple platfor-m folding views.

.L ~ ~ 3 7
TECHNIC~L - FUNCTION~L DESCRIPTION - SPECIFIC~TIONS
Design aspects for this lift, require the following, subassemblies,
and or parts:
l. Platform (1) with safety frame - fence (2), mechanism for
folding of front part of platform (3) double hinge (4) and
electric motor with power drive for folding of platform (5),
consisting of sprockets (6) and (7) and chain (8).
2. System of parallel arms, main drive arms (9), balance arms
(10) and assemblies of shafts (11) and platform brackets (23)
that connect them to platform, main frame, and drive
mechanisms.
3. Main frame (12) with cross members (13) platform electromotor
(14) and mechanism for pulling out and storing of platform
(l5).
4. Main guide channels (16) and attachment members to vehicle
(17).
5. Motor - hydraulic pump (1S) as main drive mechanism, hydraulic
hoses (19) and hydraulic cylinders (20) .
~ll parts of the lift are constructed considering users needs ar,d
vehicle s characteristics. When not in use lift is stored
underneath vehicle, and on vehicles with solid frame chassis
between frame beam and floor, and on unibody vehicles on sides of
frame members.
Lift is protected from the all elements, and environmental effects
and debris by a sheet metal housing. Main guide channels (16) one
on each side are connected to vehicle, via cross members (17) as
on FIG 1. Shafts (21) two on each side with bearings (22) allow
movement of main frame with all parts from transport - stored
position to working position and vice-versa.

~llG137
System for horizontal lift movement is designed so that it provides
unobstructed action of main frame. When activated, lift starts
electromotor (14) action and that via geared rack (15) moves main
frame as on outside of vehicle and stops it at outside upper
position FIG 2, so that the platform (1) is ready for unfolding.
ElectrQmotor (5) unfolds platform on double hinge ~4) by help of
sprockets (6) and (7) chain and system of levers (8) as on FIG 2,3
5. Platform is now at upper loading position as on FIG 2. Ther,
by activation of motor, hydraulic pump (18) and system of hydraulic
hoses ~19) and hydraulic cylinders (20), main arms (~) platform i5
moved from upper loading position on vehicles floor to lower
loading position on ground and vice-versa as on FIG 4. Horizontal
levelling of platform is maintained by balancing arm (10) platform
brackets (23) that are welded to the platform as on FIG 2,3. When
platform is approaching ground level force is exerted on front of
platform (3) and that opens front safety flap and loading plate as
on FIG 4. When platform is going up again, safety flap (3)
retracts back to upper position by help of springs (24) and it
locks up with mechanical lock which ensures safety of the user of
the lift~
When platform reaches upper loading position and after useful load
removed from platform electromotor (5) is activated and front par-t
of platform (1) is folded and then by use of electromotor (14)
platform together with main frame (12) is moved and stored on guide
channels (1~) underneath the vehicle to stored position. This
concludes one cycle of this device.
~ll functions of this arrangement are electronically controlled and
some of them could be used for auxiliary actions.

Representative Drawing