GB2461903A

GB2461903A - A coach vehicle access lift with platforms extendable over the vehicle steps.

Info

Publication number: GB2461903A
Application number: GB0813047A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Edwards; Adam Beck
Original assignee: Passenger Lift Services Ltd
Current assignee: Passenger Lift Services Ltd
Priority date: 2008-07-17
Filing date: 2008-07-17
Publication date: 2010-01-20
Anticipated expiration: 2028-07-17
Also published as: GB2461903B; GB0813047D0

Abstract

A lift system suitable for access to a coach vehicle which has side access steps, an intermediate floor area 30, and a further step to a passenger floor area 18. The lift system comprises a raisable platform 80 from which a bridge plate 84 is extended over the intermediate floor area 18, and an floor extension (307 Fig 8) mounted in the vehicle that extends to bridge the gap between the bridge plate 84 and the passenger floor 18. The lift system may be stowed under the vehicle access steps and is suitable for wheelchair access to a coach.

Description

VEHICLE LIFTS

The present invention relates to lifts and in particular to lifts for providing access to vehicles, for example to wheelchair users.

It is known to provide a lift for a vehicle that is stowed, for example, under the floor of the vehicle, and then movable into an extended position from which it can be lowered to the ground and raised to a level approximately level with the floor of the vehicle. This type of lift is commonly used in minibuses.

Due to regulation, it is becoming increasingly desirable to provide this type of lift for coaches. However, the problem of access to coaches is differert to that nf minihiises the coach door is on the side of the vehicle, and the floor level of coaches is typically quite high.

Accordingly a first aspect of the present invention provides a lift system for a vehicle, the vehicle comprising side access steps, an intermediate floor area at the top of the side access steps, and a floor step from the intermediate floor area to a passenger floor area.

The lift system may further comprise a lift that is arranged to be raised and lowered to provide access to the vehicle. The lift may comprise a platform and a bridge plate which has a retracted position and an extended position. The bridge plate may be arranged to extend to a position above the intermediate floor area.

The lift system may further comprise a floor extension mounted in the vehicle. The floor extension may be arranged to move from a retracted position to an extended position to bridge a gap between the bridge plate and the passenger floor area when the lift is in a raised position.

The lift system has an advantage that it allows access to the vehicle for wheel chair users whilst still in compliance with regulations which require sufficient space in the passenger area and access steps.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle including a lift system according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a lift arranged for use in a lift system according to the first aspect of the invention.

It will be understood by the skilled person that any optional or preferred features of one aspect or embodiment of the invention can be applied, where suitable, to any other aspect or embodiment of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a cross section through the vehicle of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partial longitudinal section through the vehicle of Figure 1; f Figure 4 is a transverse section similar to Figure 2 showing a lift of the vehicle of Figure 1 in a deployed position; Figure 5 is a transverse section similar to Figure 2 showing a lift of the vehicle of Figure 1 in a lowered position; Figure 6 is a section similar to Figure 2 showing the lift in a raised position; Figure 7A-B show partial longitudinal sections through the vehicle with a lift system according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 7A -shows an embodiment of a floor extension in a retracted position; Figure 7B -shows the same floor extension as in Figure ?A, in an extendd pnsition: Figure 8A-C is a series of schematic perspective views of a lift system according to the embodiment of the invention s hown in Figure 7A-B, in various stages of deployment; Figure 9A-F is a series of schematic perspective views of a floor extension of the lift system according to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 7A-B, in various stages of deployment; Figure 1OA-E is a series of cross-sectional views of a floor extension of the lift system according to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 7A-B, in various stages of deployment; Figure hA-B show partial longitudinal sections through the vehicle with a lift system according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure hA -shows an embodiment of a floor extension in a retracted position; Figure 11B -shows the same floor extension as in Figure 7A, in an extended position; Figure 12A-C is a series of schematic perspective views of a lift system according to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure hA-B, in various stages of deployment; Figure 13A-F is a series of schematic perspective views of a floor extension of the lift system according to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure hA-B, in various stages of deployment; Figure 14A-E is a series of cross-sectional views of a floor extension of the lift system according to the embodiment of the invention shouin in Pigiir 11 A-B. in various stages of deployment; and Figure 15A-C show partial longitudinal sections through a vehicle with a access steps which require a lift system; Figures 15A-B -illustrate the cylindrical body space which is provided in the area of the access steps of a vehicle which conforms to regulations; Figure 15C -shows a vehicle which does not provide enough cylindrical body space in the area of the access steps in violation of regulations.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a coach 10 according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a main passenger seating area 12 having a main seating floor area 14 supporting a number of seats 16. This main seating floor area 14 is 1500mm above ground level. Forwards of this main seating floor area 14 is a passenger floor area 18 separated from the main seating floor area 14 by a step 20, and 225mm lower than the main seating floor area 14. This passenger floor area 18 extends across the full width of the vehicle. Forward of the passenger floor area 18 on one side, the off side, of the vehicle is a driver's area 22. The floor 24 of the driver's area 22 is 225mm lower than that of the passenger floor area 18 and extends to the front end 26 of the coach. To the side of the driver's area 22, on the near side of the vehicle, is an access area 28. One part of this, closest to the driver's area 22, is taken up by an intermediate floor area 30, and another part, closest to the near side of the coach, is taken up by a flight of access steps 32 leading down from the intermediate floor area 30 to a door 34 in the near side of the coach. In this embodiment the coach is right hand drive, so the left hand side is the near side and the right hand side is the off side. However, it will be appreciated that, in a right hand drive vehicle the right hand side will be the near side, and the left hand side the off side. As the intermediate floor area 30 is lower than the passenger floor area 18, there is a floor step 44 from the intermediate floor area 30 to a front edge of the passenger floor area 18.

The floor step 44 is perpendicular to the access steps 32. The edge of the floor step 44 extends transversely across the coach 10. In other embodiments, the floor step 44 may be at any angle relative to the access steps 32, for example at about 45 degrees relative to the access steps 32.

The intermediate floor area 30 includes two bridge plate supports 201a, 201b adjacent one another. In this embodiment each bridge plate support 201a, 201b is a cylindrical post vertically integrated into the intermediate floor area 30. The bridge plate supports 201a, 201b are in a retracted position in the intermediate floor area 30 such that the top of the bridge plate supports 201a, 201b are flush with or below the surface of the intermediate floor area 30. This prevents them from becoming a tripping hazard for passengers accessing the coach 10, when the bridge plate supports 201a, 20th are not in use. Figure 8A-C shows the bridge plate supports 201a, 201b in both retracted and extended positions.

The bridge plate supports 201a, 201b are each connected to, and arranged to be raised and lowered by, an actuator 46. The actuators 46 are pneumatically operated cylinder and piston assemblies. Alternatively the actuators may be hydraulically, electrically, mechanically or manually operated.

The bridge plate 84, when deployed, is supported and spaced above the intermediate floor area 30 by the bridge plate supports 201a, 201b.

Referring to Figure 2 a lift 60 is stowed, when in its stowed condition, in a stowage box 62, which extends transversely across the coach 10 beneath the access steps 32, intermediate floor area 30 and driver area 22. The box 62 is approximately 220mm high, being the same height as each of the access steps 32, wIth its inwer side 64 level with the underside of the coach body 66 and the bottom step 68 of the access steps 32, and its upper side 70 level with a second step 72 of the access steps 32. The front face 74 of the stowage box 62 is open. The lift comprises a carriage 76 which can be slid, by means of an electric motor 77, to a deployed position at the front of the stowage box 62, and a stowed position at the rear of the stowage box 62. Four lifting arms 78 are pivotably connected at one end to the front of the carriage 76, and a platform 80 supported on the other ends of the lifting arms 78. The lift also includes foldable handrails 82, which can be folded down onto the platform 80, and up into an in-use position, by hydraulic actuators 83.

As seen in Figures 6 to 8, an inner bridge plate 84 can be unfolded from the inner edge of the platform 80, by means of a hydraulic actuator 85 (shown in Figures 4 and 5) such that the bridge plate 84 is aligned with the passenger floor, i.e. there is no step-up or step-down from the platform to the passenger floor. The bridge plate is arranged to extend substantially along the full width of the floor step of the vehicle.

When the lift is raised and the bridge plate 84 unfolded, there is a gap 303 between the edge of the intermediate floor area 30, where it meets the top of the passenger floor step 44 and the bridge plate 84 of the platform 80 (best shown in figure 7). This gap 303 is due to regulations which require that access steps 32 and passenger areas of vehicles, such as coaches, to provide sufficient room for the height and width of the passengers (for example, as specified in EU directive 2001/85/EC and the UK Public Services Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000). With reference to Figure 15A-C, the required space is defined as a cylindrical gauge' 305 which extends vertically from the floor and represent the minimum space required for a passenger. The passenger floor area 18 cannot permanently extend too far forward, into the region of the access tcp 32; cther'.'.'ise, as ilh'strtrI in Figure 15C. there is not enough room 315 between the ceiling of the coach and the front of the passenger floor area 18 to accommodate the required height of the cylindrical gauge' 305. Thus, an unsuitable gap 303 is formed between the bridge plate 84 and the passenger floor area 18, which would hinder wheel chair access.

As shown in Figures 7 to 10, the gap 303 between the passenger floor area 18 and the bridge plate 84 of the platform 80 is bridged by a floor extension mechanism 301 which has an extended position where it can bridge the gap 303 and a retracted position in which it does not take up additional space in the area of the access steps 32 nor extend the passenger floor area 18. The retraction of the floor extension mechanism 301 allows the vehicle/coach to comply with the regulations requiring sufficient space defined by the cylindrical gauge' 305.

The floor extension mechanism 301 is located in the region of the floor step 44. The floor extension mechanism 301 is stored beneath the passenger floor area 18 when in the retracted position and when the floor extension mechanism 301 is extended to the extended position, the floor extension mechanism 301 projects above the intermediate floor area 30.

The floor extension mechanism 301 is positioned beneath the passenger floor area 18 when in the retracted position. The floor extension mechanism 301 is arranged to extend from substantially along the full width of the floor step 44 of the vehicle.

The floor extension mechanism 301 comprises a floor extension panel 307 hingedly connected at its upper edge to the front edge of the passenger floor area 18 and linked by linking bars 309 to an actuator 311 which is positioned beneath the passenger floor area 18.

Thc floor extension panel 307 farms the front wall, or riser, of the floor step 44 when it is in a retracted position. The floor extension panel 307 is moveable pivotably from the retracted position in which it is vertical to the extended position in which it is horizontal and level with the passenger floor area 18 as shown in Figures 9A and 1OA, where it is in the retracted position, through to Figures 9F and 1OE respectively, where it is in the extended position.

In an alternative embodiment shown in Figures 11 to 14, the floor extension panel 407 is horizontally positioned beneath the passenger floor area 18 when in a retracted position, and is hingedly connected to the top edge of the front wall 408 of the step, which in turn is hingedly mounted at its lower edge. An actuator 411 and links 409 are provided to move the floor extension panel 407 between its two positions. The floor extension panel 407 of this embodiment is also engaged with rollers 413, and is moveable linearly in a horizontal plane between its retracted and extended position as shown in Figures 13A and 14A, where it is in the retracted position, through to Figures 13F and 14E respectively, where it is in the extended position.

Alternatively, the floor extension panel may be moveable vertically or sideways from the retracted position to the extended position.

As shown in Figure 5, an outer bridge plate 86 can be unfolded from the outer edge of the lift platform 80, by means of a hydraulic actuator 87, to form a bridge between the outer edge of the platform 80 and the ground.

When this bridge plate 86 is in its vertical stowed position, and the lift 60 is retracted into the stowage box 62, this bridge plate 86 forms the riser between the bottom step 68 and the second step 72 of the access steps 32 (as shown in Figures 1 and 2). A further hydraulic actuator 88 is provided, aoting hetwn the lifting arms 78. to raise and lower the platform 80.

Control of the system will now be described for both embodiments.

Referring to Figure 4, the electric motor 77 is controlled by a system controller 90, which also controls a hydraulic controller 91 which in turn controls the flow of hydraulic fluid, supplied under pressure by a pump 92 from a reservoir 94, via feed and return lines 96 to and from the hydraulic actuators 83, 85, 87, 88 to control raising and lowering of the platform 80, the handrails 82, and the bridge plates 84, 86. The system controller 90 is connected to a user operated control input 98, which is located in the vehicle in the driver's area 22. The control input 98 is in the form of a handset having four buttons 100, 102, 104, 106, the function of which will be described below. The controller 90 is dedicated to control of the lift and the bridge plate supports 201a, 201b, but is also arranged to receive as an input a signal from another control system on the vehicle, or a separate sensor, indicating whether the door 34 is open or closed. The hydraulic system is also self-contained so that it can be fitted to the vehicle as part of the lift system.

The system controller 90 is also arranged to control and coordinate movement of the floor extension mechanism 301, 401 between the extended position and retracted position. The system controller 90 controls the actuator 311. Alternatively, the floor extension mechanism 301, 401 may be controlled by a separate controller, or manually extended and retracted.

In operation, as indicated above, when the lift is not in use, the lift is stowed in the stowage box 62 and the bridge plate supports 201a, 201b are in a retracted position as shown in Figures 1 and 2. In order to deploy the lift ( thnwn in Fiijre 4. one of the buttons 100, which is a lift out/up button is pressed. The controller 90 interprets this as a request to deploy the lift 60 and controls the electric motor 77 to slide the lift 60, from the stowed position of Figure 2, out of the stowage box 62 into the deployed position of Figure 4, and then to raise the handrails 82 and bridge plates 86, 84 into vertical positions as also shown in Figure 4.

Simultaneously with this movement of the lift 60, the controller 90 also controls the actuators 46 of the bridge plate supports 201a, 201b to raise the bridge plate supports 201a, 201b to their extended/raised position as shown in Figures 6 and 7. The bridge plate supports 20la, 201b are arranged to reach the extended position within about 5 seconds, and the lift 60 is arranged to reach the deployed position within about 8 seconds.

The floor extension mechanism 301, 401 shown in Figures 7 and 11 is also moved to the extended position. When the lift 60 has reached its deployed position, the handrails 82 and inner bridge plate 84 are raised to their vertical positions (as shown in Figure 4) in response to pressing the bridge plate / hand rails deploy button 104. The lift can then be raised or lowered using the lift out / up button 100 or the lift down / in button 102.

Assuming that the out / up button 100 is pressed, the lift is then raised to its raised position in which the lift platform 80 is substantially level with the passenger floor area 18, and the inner bridge plate 84 lowered so that its end rests on the bridge plate supports 201a, 201b, as shown in Figure 6. The gap between the lift platform 80 and the passenger floor area 18 is bridged by the floor extension mechanism 301, 401 shown in Figures 7 and 11. A wheelchair 108 that has been located on the passenger floor area 18 can then be pushed onto the inner bridge plate 84 onto the raised lift platform 80 as shown in Figure 6.

Because the inner bridge plate 84 is about 900mm wide, there is sufficient room on it for a wheelchair to be turned through ninety degrees as it is pushed onto, or off the platform 80.

When the lift 60 is to be lowered from the raised position to the lowered position, the lift down / in button 102 is pressed. This is recognised by the controller 90, as the lift 60 is in the raised position, as a request to lower the lift 60. The controller responds by lifting the inner bridge plate 84 to its vertical position, lowering the lift to its lowered position, and lowering the outer bridge plate 86, so that the lift is in the position shown in Figure 5. This allows the wheelchair 108 to be pushed off the lift onto the ground. If the lift is to be raised again, either to allow another wheelchair to leave the coach or to lift another one into the coach, the lift up/out button is pressed. This causes the controller to raise the outer bridge plate 86, raise the lift back up to the raised position, and lower the inner bridge plate 84 onto the bridge plate supports 201a, 201b.

If it is desired to stow the lift away, whether it is in the raised or lowered position, the bridge plate / handrails stow button 106 is pressed, which causes the controller to fold down the handrails 82 and the inner bridge plate 84. The lift down / in button is then pressed which, because the handrails and bridge plates 84, 86 are stowed, is recognized as a request to stow the lift. The controller therefore causes the lift to be raised or lowered to be level with the stowage box 62, and the electric motor 77 powered to withdraw the folded lift into the stowage box 62. As the lift is being retracted, the controller also lowers the bridge plate supports 201a, 201b to their retracted/lowered position and the floor extension mechanism 301, 401 back into the retracted position, thus returning the system to its normal condition for normal passenger entry and exit.

It will be appreciated that the embodiment described above has many benefits. When the lift is stowed and the floor extension mechanism 301, 401 retracted, they do not take up any significant space in the access area 28 or the passenger floor area 18 or the main passenger seating area 12.

ThiS n u1vantae over other systems that for example, fold against the front windscreen of the coach, or require separate access through the side of the coach not through the main passenger door. Also the movable bridge plate supports 201a, 201b and/or the retractable floor extension mechanism 301, 401, enables normal access by foot to be made up a series of steps, the access steps 32 and the floor step up from the intermediate floor area 30 to the passenger floor section 18, which meet tight requirements of height and tread depth, for example as specified in EU directive 2001/85/EC and the UK Public Services Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000. Specifically all of the steps are around 225mm in height. Furthermore, as can best be seen in Figure 15A-B, the height of the intermediate floor area 30 is low enough to allow sufficient headroom for an adult standing on it. The regulations mentioned above refer to the cylindrical gauge' 305 that is a representation of the space that a standing adult needs. The arrangement described above allows sufficient room, and in particular headroom, within the access area 28 because the intermediate floor area 30 is not raised for use with a lift 60.

Also, as shown in Figure 3, the approach angle a' of the coach is not affected by the lift, as the lift is stowed within the side profile of the coach bodywork as seen in Figure 3.

Another advantage of this system is that allows the bridge plate assembly and its deployment to be kept simple. Referring back to Figure 1, in many coaches there is a modesty screen and other objects such as fire extinguishers or first aid boxes located at the very front of the passenger floor area 18, which can project over the steps 32. The floor extension mechanisms 301, 401 can be arranged to extend forwards at least as far as these obstacles. This means that the bridge plate 84 can be simply unfolded from the lift as the lift is raised, and does not need to include any rearward extensions to meet the floor area 18 which might catch on these obstacles.

It will be appreciated that various modifications can be made to the embodiment described above, depending on the particular requirements of any coach. For example, the raising and lowering mechanism for the bridge plate supports 201a, 201b and/or the extension and retraction mechanism of the floor extension mechanism 301, 401 may be different, and may use a pneumatic actuator, or electric motors. These might extend and retract the bridge plate supports 201a, 201b and/or the floor extension mechanism 301, 401 vertically, horizontally or pivotably. Also the shape, size and number of the bridge plate supports 201a, 201b can be varied. For example, the bridge plate support may be selected from any of the group comprising a ledge, a lip, a post, a bar, and a projection, or a combination thereof. Any one of these types of bridge plate supports may be moveable, for example extendable and retractable. The control of the bridge plate supports 201a, 201b, the floor extension mechanism 301, 401 and lift can also be varied as required. For example they could each be independently controllable by the driver or other user. The bridge plate supports and/or floor extension mechanism 301, 401 may be manually operated.

Various interlocks can also be added to the system. For example the controller can then be arranged to control the system so that the lift can only be deployed, or possibly only be raised, when the bridge plate supports 201a, 201b and/or the floor extension mechanism 301, 401 are in the extended position. The controller can also be arranged to control the bridge plate supports 201a, 201b and/or floor extension mechanism 301, 401 so that they are always retracted when the lift is stowed.

Interlocks can also be provided with the operation of the door 34, which will generally be opened and closed by an actuator. In particular the controller can prevent deployment of the lift unless the door is fully open, a detected hv i dnor sensor.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A lift system for a vehicle, the vehicle comprising side access steps, an intermediate floor area at the top of the side access steps, and a floor step from the intermediate floor area to a passenger floor area; the lift system comprising a lift that is arranged to be raised and lowered to provide access to the vehicle, the lift comprising a platform and a bridge plate which has a retracted position and an extended position, the bridge plate being arranged to extend to a position above the intermediate floor area; and the lift system further comprising a floor extension arranged to be mounted in the vehicle and arranged to move from a retracted position to an extended position to bridge a gap between the bridge plate and the panger floor area when th lift is in a raised position.
2. The lift system of claim 1, wherein, the floor extension is arranged to extend at least partially over and/or above the intermediate floor area.
3. The lift system of claims 1 or 2, further comprising control means arranged to control movement of the floor extension between the extended position and retracted position.
4. The lift system of any preceding claim, wherein an actuator is arranged to control movement of the floor extension between the extended position and retracted position.
5. The lift system of any preceding claim, arranged for use in the vehicle wherein the floor step of the vehicle is substantially perpendicular to the access steps.
6. The lift system of any preceding claim, wherein the floor extension is arranged to extend along substantially the full width of the floor step of the vehicle.
7. The lift system of any preceding claim, wherein the bridge plate is arranged to extend substantially along the full width of the floor step of the vehicle.
8. The lift system of any preceding claim, wherein the floor extension is moveable pivotably from the retracted position to the extended position.
9. The lift system according to any preceding claim, wherein the floor cxtcicn i,rtical hen in the rpfracted position and horizontal when in the extended position.
10. The lift system according to any preceding claim, wherein the floor extension forms a front wall of the floor step.
ii. The lift system according to any of claims ito 7, wherein the floor extension is moveable linearly from the retracted position to the extended position.
12. The lift system of any of preceding claim, wherein the floor extension is moveable horizontally from the retracted position to the extended position.
13. The lift system of any of preceding claim, wherein the floor extension is moveable vertically from the retracted position to the extended position.
14. The lift system of any preceding claim, wherein the floor extension is beneath the passenger floor area when in the retracted position.
15. The lift system of any preceding claim, wherein when the lift is in the raised position, the platform, the bridge plate of the lift, the floor extension and the passenger floor of the vehicle are substantially aligned on the same plane.
16. The lift system of any preceding claim, wherein when the lift is in the raised position, there are no substantial steps between the lift platform and the passenger floor of the vehicle.
17. The lift system according to any preceding claim, wherein the platfcr i arranged to he tnwd under the access steps of the vehicle.
18. The lift system according to any of. claims 3 to 17, wherein the control means is arranged to coordinate movement of the floor extension with operation of the lift.
19. A vehicle including a lift system according to any preceding claim.
20. A lift arranged for use with a lift system according to any of claims ito 18.
21. A lift system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying Figures 1 to 14.
22. A vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying Figures 1 to 14.