GB2192369A

GB2192369A - Loading a wheelchair into a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2192369A
Application number: GB08616761A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Stanley Steadman
Original assignee: METROCAB Ltd
Current assignee: METROCAB Ltd
Priority date: 1986-07-09
Filing date: 1986-07-09
Publication date: 1988-01-13
Also published as: EP0252655A2; DK349087A; EP0252655A3; AU7492487A; DK349087D0; GB8616761D0

Abstract

In a vehicle, such as a taxi, having a door wide enough to take a wheelchair in its erected condition, the door (4) is provided with a recess or compartment (3) on its inside face to take a pair of folding ramps (1) which help in putting the wheelchair in the vehicle. The ramps may have studs (8), Fig. 3, for engaging sockets (9) in the sill (10) and the compartment (3) may be closed by a panel (6) that can only be opened when the door itself is open. <IMAGE>

Description

1 GB2192369A 1

SPECIFICATION motion.

An example of an arrangement according to Passenger-carrying vehicles the invention is illustrated in the accompanying sketches, of which Fig. 1 shows the inside of This invention relates to passenger-carrying 70 the door with the ramps stowed but the panel vehicles specially adapted for carrying disabled open, Fig. 2 shows the ramps in a position passengers in wheelchairs. It is primarily con- ready for use, and Fig. 3 shows a single ramp cerned with taxicabs with provisions for taking partly folded.

a wheelchair, but may also be found to be of The ramps, shown at 1, are of extruded value in light minibuses. 75 aluminium alloy channel section, lined with In our patent application No. 8522263 (not patterned rubber treads 2 and hinged in the yet published) we have disclosed a layout for middle of their lengths. They fold to fit in a the passenger-carrying compartment of a taxi- compartment 3 in the inside lower face of a cab in which there is provision for holding a taxi door 4 and are held in place by a strap 5.

wheelchair, in its erected condition, securely in 80 A panel 6, hinged at its lower edge, closes place so that the taxi can carry a disabled the compartment and is held closed by a latch passenger in his or her wheelchair, in contrast 7. It will be noted that the latch is in the edge - to the present situation, which involves the of the door and so it cannot be released inad occupant having to leave the chair whilst the vertently or deliberately by the passengers chair is folded and put in the luggage area and 85 when the door is closed.

the disabled passenger is lifted bodily into one Each ramp has a pair of studs 8 in its un of the ordinary seats. derside at one end and these engage in sock This still leaves the problem of getting the ets 9 at appropriate spacings in the sill 10 of wheelchair, complete with occupant, into the the door opening to locate the ramps securely taxi. Where there are not several able-bodied 90 in use. As indicated in Fig. 3, the studs 8 people able to lift it directly, one needs to may also engage sockets in the other end of provide ramps. The aim of the'present inven- the ramp itself in the folded condition, helping tion is to make this possible in a convenient to keep it folded.

manner, and without incursion into the space It will be appreciated that we have a pro available for normal use of the vehicle. 95 vided a facility which allows a passenger-car According to the invention a passenger-carrying vehicle, such as a taxi, to be used by rying vehicle, in particular a taxi, has at least disabled people confined to a wheelchair, yet one door opening of a standard lateral width without requiring external assistance or equip sufficient to take an erected wheelchair and ment, as the driver on his own can place the the door which closes that opening is pro- 100 wheelchair in the vehicle, yet the equipment is vided on its inner face with a recess or com- stowed away neatly when not in use and de partment which receives, in folded or other- tracts in no way from the normal use of the wise collapsed form, a pair of ramps which vehicle.

are capable of being extended and placed in

Claims

position between the sill of the opening and 105 CLAIMS the ground.

Preferably the ends of the ramps 1. A passenger-carrying vehicle having at and the sill have inter-engaging means, such least one door opening of a standard lateral as pegs and sockets, to locate. those ends width sufficient to take an erected wheelchair, securely and eliminate any danger of the in which the door which closes that opening ramps being displaced as a wheelchair is 110 is provided on its inner face with a recess or pushed up them. compartment which receives, in folded or In one preferred arrangement the ramps are otherwise collapsed form, a pair of ramps of channel section and are hinged at the mid- which are capable of being extended and points of their lengths; this reduces them, placed in position between the sill of the when folded, to a length which allows them 115 opening and the ground.

to be placed horizontally one above the other
2. A wheel according to claim 1 in which in the compartment which occupies the the door sill and one end of each ramp are greater part of the inside of the door below provided with inter-engaging means to locate the waist rail. those ends of the ramps securely in relation The ramps may be secured in their stowed 120 to the sill.

position by d strap or straps, and the com-
3. A vehicle according to claim 1 or-claim partment is preferably closed by a panel which 2 in which each ramp is of channel section conceals them completely. According to the and is hinged in the middle.

further feature of the invention a latch which
4. A vehicle according to any one of holds the panel closed is released by a catch 125 claims 1 to 3 in which the recess or compart mounted in the free edge of the door, i.e. that ment is closed by a panel which, when opposite the hinge, and so the panel cannot closed, conceals the ramps within, and the be opened except when the door has first panel is releasable by a catch which is only been opened. This prevents the panel being operable when the door is open.

opened by passengqrs while the vehicle is in 130
5.A vehicle according to claim 4 in which 2 GB2192369A 2 the catch is in the free edge of the door.
6. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5 in the form of a taxicab.
7. A passenger-carrying vehicle having at least one door opening of a standard lateral width sufficient to take an erected wheelchair and provided with ramps substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by Burgess & Son (Abingdon) Ltd, Dd 8991685, 1988. Published at The Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A 1 AY, from which copies may be obtained.