Wheelchair ramp
A ramp transportation system for a wheelchair enables transportation, deployment, and retrieval of a portable ramp by a single wheelchair occupant in the absence of external aid. The device comprises: a platform, configured to support the width of a wheelchair for crossing the platform, having a sufficient stiffness to support a wheelchair and occupant load; a lifting mechanism interface in the platform, disposed at least near each end of the ramp, configured to support cantilever lifting forces on the ramp; a lifting element, configured to engage the lifting mechanism interface and to apply a force to raise and lower the platform between a raised, stowed position and a lowered position, suitable for traversal; and a motor, configured to supply sufficient force on the lifting element to raise and lower the platform.
1 . A wheelchair ramp system, comprising:
a hinge, configured for attachment to a wheelchair;
a lifting arm, configured for pivotal movement with respect to a wheelchair about the hinge, and having an interface configured to detachably couple to a ramp and to apply a cantilever force to the ramp for suspending the ramp;
the ramp, having two ends, comprising a platform configured to support wheels of a wheelchair when the ramp is supported at the two ends, and having an attachment structure configured to interface with the interface of the lifting arm; and
a mechanism configured to supply a force for moving the lifting arm.
2 . The wheelchair ramp system according to claim 1 , wherein the interface of the lifting arm and the attachment structure of the ramp are configured to engage and disengage by linear movement of the wheelchair.
3 . The wheelchair ramp system according to claim 1 , wherein the mechanism comprises an electrical motor.
4 . The wheelchair ramp system according to claim 1 , wherein the mechanism comprises a geartrain.
5 . The wheelchair ramp system according to claim 1 , wherein the mechanism comprises a cable.
6 . The wheelchair ramp system according to claim 1 , wherein the lifting arm extends from a rear of the wheelchair and is attached to the wheelchair through the hinge.
7 . The wheelchair ramp system according to claim 1 , wherein the lifting arm is configured to supply the cantilever force to the ramp, to lift the ramp from a horizontal position to a vertical position behind a seat of the wheelchair with the end of the ramp above the ground.
8 . The wheelchair ramp system according to claim 1 , wherein the ramp is a telescoping ramp.
9 . The wheelchair ramp system according to claim 1 , further comprising a latch configured to secure the ramp in an upright position to the wheelchair.
10 . The wheelchair ramp system according to claim 1 , further comprising an electromechanical element configured to secure the ramp in an upright stowed position to the wheelchair, and to release the ramp from the upright stowed position.
11 . The wheelchair ramp system according to claim 1 , wherein a spring-loaded mechanical stop is provided to damp movement of the ramp stowed in an upright position to the wheelchair.
12 . A system for deploying a wheelchair ramp configured to support a wheelchair over a traverse, having a pair of ramp rails connected with cross-members, comprising:
a hinge having a horizontal pivot axis, configured for attachment to a wheelchair;
a lifting arm, configured for pivotal attachment at a rear side of the wheelchair about the horizontal pivot axis, and having an interface configured to detachably couple to the wheelchair ramp between the ramp rails and at a respective cross member, and to apply a cantilever force to the ramp at the cross member for suspending the ramp; and
a mechanism configured to supply a force for moving the lifting arm.
13 . A method of operating a wheelchair ramp system, comprising:
supplying a force to deploy a wheelchair ramp, from a rear of a wheelchair, by lowering a pivotally-mounted lifting arm coupled to the wheelchair ramp;
advancing the wheelchair forward from the wheelchair ramp;
advancing the wheelchair rearward toward the wheelchair ramp;
coupling the pivotally-mounted lifting arm to the wheelchair ramp; and
supplying a force to stow the wheelchair ramp, at the rear of the wheelchair, by raising the pivotally-mounted lifting arm coupled to the wheelchair ramp.
14 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein the wheelchair ramp system comprises:
the pivotally-mounted lifting arm, configured for pivotal movement with respect to the wheelchair, and having an interface for detachably coupling to the wheelchair ramp and to applying a cantilever force to the wheelchair ramp for suspending the wheelchair ramp; and
the wheelchair ramp, having two ends, comprising a platform supporting wheels of the wheelchair when the wheelchair ramp is supported at the two ends, and having an attachment structure interfacing with the interface of the pivotally-mounted lifting arm.
15 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein the force is supplied by an electrical motor through a geartrain.
16 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein the geartrain drives a pulley with a cable.
17 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein the pivotally-mounted lifting arm extends from a rear of the wheelchair and is attached to the wheelchair through a hinge.
18 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein the ramp is a telescoping ramp, further comprising extending the telescoping ramp.
19 . The method according to claim 13 , further comprising latching the ramp in the raised position to the wheelchair.
20 . The method according to claim 13 , further activating an electromechanical element to release a latching of the ramp.