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    Kinematic structure

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    Us 2017196741 a 1

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    Kinematic structure

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    9 views16 pages

    Us 2017196741 A 1

    Uploaded by

    jose
    Kinematic structure

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    of 16
    «») United States US 20170196741A1 (2) Patent Application Publication co) pub. No.: US 2017/0196741 A1 De Rossi (4) Pub. Date: Jul. 13, 2017 (4) WHEELED LOAD TRANSFER DEVICE WITH AUTOMATICALLY-FOLDABLE BARRIERS, (71) Applicant: Gabriele De Rossi, Sona (IT) (72) Inventor: Gabrlele De Rossi, Sona (IT) (21) Appl. No. 187389,025 (22) Filed: Dee. 2, 2016 0) Foreign Application Priority Data Jan. 7, 2016 (1) 10 2016 000 639 Publication Classification (1) Int. ch, A616 306 A6IG 308 (2006.01) (2006.01) (2) us.cL cre GIG 3/062 (2013.01); A61G 370808 (2013.01) “ ABSTRACT. A trasfer device for ladingfunloaing ofa cago such as ‘wiclesir from a sctire sich a8 vhile the device hvng a platform movable fom a dspost positions the level of the ground level an ass positon at the for level keeping the platfrm sbstnaly orion. The pinto proved with front safety Barr rte o Serve as a ramp when the platform is at ground level, and ‘wth deaf bares cach substantially costed by an ficult quadera, sch hat wh he peor is at the ground level, the side safety bares fold down by Kinetic meehanisns while preferably coresposing side romps are made avilable, This aeengement lows tens tim ofthe wheeler roto the ground fom any sie of the platform, by virtue of the automatic folding of both the foot ad sid bares and the simsitansonsprsenttion of the conesponding ramps Patent Application Publication Jul. 13,2017 Sheet 1 of 9 US 2017/0196741 AI Fle.4 Patent Application Publication Jul. 13,2017 Sheet 2 of 9 US 2017/0196741 AI TEED LLETDEDLML, Fie. 3 Jul. 13,2017 Sheet 3 of 9 US 2017/0196741 AI Publication Patent Application Patent Application Publication Jul. 13,2017 Sheet 4 of 9 US 2017/0196741 AI Patent Application Publication Jul. 13,2017 Sheet 5 of 9 Ph. 4 \ a et. a % p>] s Vv 24 2s < 22 4-23 2s 26 26 2. it Fle 5 US 2017/0196741 AL we A To Patent Application Publication Jul. 13,2017 Sheet 6 of 9 US 2017/0196741 AI Fleg S82.4-4 Patent Application Publication Jul. 13,2017 Sheet 7 of 9 US 2017/0196741 AI Flatt Patent Application Publication Jul. 13,2017 Sheet 8 of 9 US 2017/0196741 AI Fle.43 Patent Application Publication Jul. 13,2017 Sheet 9 of 9 US 2017/0196741 AI Fig. 46 Fie. 4s US 2017/0196741 AI WHEELED LOAD TRANSFER DEVICE WITH AUTOMATICALLY-FOLDABLE BARRIERS FIELD OF THE INVENTION {0001} ‘The invention relates generally to a device for handling, loading, and ualoading of materials. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION {0002} An object ofthe present invention is deve for felting looding and unoating, geting ot ofinio ‘vehicle oie stot, of any material sch as mater load on pales or varios casings; even mor in prclar to wheeled Jods ike ears o the Hie [0003] Another abject of the present inventions a device fo fing aces and eqs, and geting out imo vehicle ora fixed suture, of «person set in wheel chain {W008} The person may be a dbl, iva, patient in ‘etubilationorany person reining tenporaily or enna tently the aid of whlch [0005] The problem of allowing the transport of people that are confined a whedchir dt iit motor sls is well known and many mchnnsms hve been propose in certo ese embarking and disembarking such en a vehicle [0006] sever, known solutions are mainly designed for Public rnsportation and do oot adap well o smaller pve “hice, whet the spose aalble is mich salle an the Structure fring and lowering of person ina wheelchair frm the vehicle mst be ls bull Soch device shall be refered win these spocfstons asa “tansfer vis {W07] This ox for smaller overall dimensions is fen int the expene ofthe rbusines ofthe srtre which 20 esl sles from a wobbly motion dung operation. [W008] I shoud also be conser tht the publ rans etation s general intended fr tavelling on roa with 2 south nl Mat srfice therefore is no very importa thatthe transfer devices sitble for wnloaing on an ‘even ground or confined spaces. {W009] Tn panic, the aces ad eps ofthe wise hair om the platform hat ifs sensed at nly one of the the sides: usally on the rea side. The device is provided witha mobil safety barr tht kop vertical with ‘heplatfomn while itis detached fom the ground. the baie fits fam an aces amp asi comes ino contact wih the around Two fxd safety Darin are provided long, he oer wo sis [0010] This mandatory etry diction is pot drawback for pubic transportation veces parking in « mandory position at the sides ofthe red, but severely lis he fei of eof the transfer devise in private vehicle that may ned to park in confined spaces, where the sess and egresefom the plat maybe appro or possible frm fret positions. {WOH} One objec ofthe present invention so eine at Ist in pa sich drawbacks of the known transfor devices SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 012] An object of certin embodiments the present ‘vention isto provide, in w transfer device, safety buries Jul. 13, 2017 that lower on all the throe fre sides ofthe platform when it comes into contact with the ground [0013] Certain features ofthe present invention provide, in transfer deviee, the formation of access ramps not only on ‘ne but on all the tree fre sides ofthe platform when the safety barriers lowers in contst withthe ground, [0014] AC east some variants of the present invention provide a transfer device suitable forthe installation at leat fon some types of private vehicles [0013] Censin embodiments provide a transfer device Stitable to allow the acoess and egress of the wheelchair a side ofthe vehicle and o along the vehicle [016] A further object, et least of some variants of the present invention, isto provide a transfer device wilzing Kinematic mechanisns enabling transfer of Toads of at leas. 1000 kg, {0017} A further object, at least of some variants of the ‘resent invention, sto provide a tansler device suitable for the lifing of materials [0018] A further objec, at least of some variants of the present invention, isto provide a device for the transfer of ‘materials fom one fixed structure to another having planes on different loves. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0019] The summary above, and dhe following deiled ‘escription willbe beter undersood ia view of the enclosed drawings which depict details of prefered embodiments. It should however be noted that he invention isnot Kimited to the precise arrangement shovin in the drawings and tht the drawings are provided merely as examples. In order 10 facilitate understanding of different aspects ofthe invention, itis noted thatthe drawings or ponions thereof may not be drawn to scale. The dravings are substantially but not necessarily to scale (unless ctherwise specified) and show possible deals but that sepresent only some of the possible patent choices within the reach of the men skilled in the art [0020] FIG. 1 shows the sie of a vehicles accommodat- ing, atthe vehicle rear compartment, « person seated in & wheelchair, [0021] FIG. 2 shows, oom the rear view, the same vehicle ‘andthe person seated in the wheelchair deposited on the around to the side of the vehicle [0022] "FIG. 3 shows, fom the rea view of the vehicle, the transfer device in the pre-operating postion; [0023] FIG. 4shows, fom the ear view of he vehicle, the ‘ransfer device in a position herein referred to as access: [0024] FIG. $ shows, fom the war view of the vehicle, the transfer device with the platform atthe level of the ground. in position herein refered to as deposited: [025] FIG. 6 shows, in an cross-section showing a detail ofthe side barriers of the platform shown in FIG. 4 0026] FIG. 7 shows a cross-section ofa detail ofthe side ‘arvers ofthe platform shoven in FIG. 8; [0027] FIG. 8 shows, according toa first possible embodi- ‘ment, side view of the system for the lifting and lowering ofthe side barriers in locked postion, that is with raised barsers; 0028] "FIG. 9 shows a side view of the system for the lifing and lowering of the side bartiers of FIG. 8 ia an intermediate position, that is with partially raised barriors; [0029] FIG. 10 shows a side view ofthe system for the [ifing and lowering ofthese batiers of FIG. 8 in unlocked position, that is with lowered batters; US 2017/0196741 AI [0030] FIG. 11 shows, according to a second possible ‘embodiment variant, a side view of the system forthe lifting and lowering of the sie barriers in locked position; [0031] FIG. 12shows a front view of the platform accord- ing to 2 possible variant ofthe present invention [0032] FIG. 13 shows from above the coupling between sid platform and fist support element 033] FIG. 1da shows in a side view the coupling Fherween said platform and a fist support clemeat, the platform shows in the access position; 034] FIG. 146 shows in a side view the coupling berwoen said platform and a first support clement, the platform shown in the pre-operating positon [0035] FIG. 18 shows a side section view ofthe transfer vice in the pre-aperaing postion; [0036] FIG. 16 shows a section view ofthe transfer device in possible closed/est configuration in a postion herein referred to as folded, 0037] FIG. 34, FIG. 4A, and FIG, 5A schematically show, secording t the views of the FIGS. 3, 4 and 8, respectively, the positions taken by a ting bridge. DETAILED DESCRIPTION 10038] The present invention shall now be described, ‘without any’ limiting intent to the particular ease ofa doviee for the access and egress, getting out ono a vehicle by a person seated in @ wheelchair. 10039] In these specifications, the term “exis of the vehicle” shal refer to the longitudinal axis of the vehile 040] The seems froavrear and ighvleft reer to the positions of the objects as shown; the elackwiselanticlock- wise directions refer to positions and movements of the objects as shown in FIG. 2 [0041] The device employs articulated quadrilstersls, ‘where articulated quadrilateral means a kinematic chain consisting of four gid members, each pair thereof con- nected by hinges, spherical joints, or articulation pins; the axes of the hinges may be parallel to each other (Bat ‘articulated quadelateral) or concurrent in one point (eperi= al joint or arculation pins articulated quadrilateral), 042] Ssid articulated parallelogram is particular arti lated quadrilateral in which the distance among the axes of the articulations of the pairs of eppose rods isthe same; the result is that the opposed rods are always parallel to each other daring rotation ofthe same. [043] Some embodiments of the invention makes use of fat articulated quadrilateral. [0044] FIG. 1 shows a vehicle V having a floor P. A ‘wheelchair SR is shown at the rear compartment of the vehicle; the tansfer device D acconding to an embodiment of the invention is also shown, 10045] In FIG. 2 the wheelchair SR rests on the platform 4 ofthe transfer device D. [0046] The transfer device D according t the invention provides three basic postions: [047] a pre-operating position P2 with platform 4 vertical and parallel tothe axis ofthe vehicle V; [0048] an acess position P3 with platform 4 horizontal atthe level ofthe floor Pof the vehicle V; which allows to get access andlor egress of the vehicle Vs 10049} a deposit position Pd with platform 4 horizontal at the level ofthe ground 8 Jul. 13, 2017 [0050] Useflly, the transfer device D may provide further position consisting in [0OS1] folded position Pt with platfonn 4 vertical and ‘orhogonal to the axis of the vehicle V, close tothe buacrestof the font seat [0052] In operating conditions, the platform 4 moves between the deposit postion PA (FIG. 8), in which it allows the wheelchair SR in‘out ofthe platform 4 atthe level of the round S, andthe acess positon P3 (FIG, 4), which allows the wheelchair SR infout ofthe vehicle V. [0053] According toa prefered variant ofthe invention, With reference to FIGS. 1 1 16, the transfer device D provides « support structure 1 (hereioater housing. 1) ‘hereto a shoulder 23 is transatably constrained, Shoulder 23 aad bowing I form edges ofan articulated quadrilateral 2 ihe 1wo prs thereof are formed by the two erank arms 22. (hereinafter am 22), the housing 1 and shoulder 23. [00S4] The platform 4 whereon the wheelchair SR is positioned during the loading and unloading operations is ‘constrained tothe shoulder 23, [0085] The four articulations of the anticulsted quailat- eral 2 consist in a pair of support pins 24 that rotatably constrain sid arms 22 to said housing 1, and a pr of first. aiculatons 26 that rotatably consteain sid ems 22 to said shoulder 23 [0056] The platfonn 4 js rotatably constrained to the shoulder 28 through a first hinge that has axis of tation fonhogonal to the displacement plase of the articulated «quadrilateral 2 [0057] As regards the openinglcosing ofthe platform 4 it is caried out through a linear actuator 42, eg electrically actuatable, fixed to the shoulder 23 and suitably connected to the sid platform 4 (FIGS, 14a, 14), [0088] -Ina.optonal embodiment variant, said near actua- tor 42 may comprise a hydraulic piston, and the exit andthe ret ofthe rod of sad hydraulic piston, through the first hinge 41, carryout the opening andthe closing. spectively, ofthe said platform 4, [0059] As already mentioned, the transfer device D, allows the following postios ofthe platform 4 relative 0 the vehicle: [0060] the possible fled positon PI (FIG. 16); {0061} the pre-operting position P2.(FIG. 3, FIG. 18) with: [0062] shoulder 23 inside the housing 1; [0063] vertical platform 4, disposed parallel to the ‘ais of the vehicle V and close tothe shoulder 23; [0064] the sovess positon P3 (FIG. 4) with: [0065] shoulder 23 ouside the housing 1; [0066] horizontal platform 4 atthe height ofthe floor Poof the vehicle ¥: [0067] the deposit position Pa (FIG. §) with: [0068] shoulder 23 further stretched extemallyto the vehicle {0069} horizontal platform 4 in contact with the ‘proud S [0070] "Fro the pre-operting position P2 to the access positon P3 achieved by rotation ofthe ans 22 by an angle the amplitude whereof, preferably, is substantially sym- ‘metrical relative tothe vertical and in the middle of which the support pins 25 reach the maximum distance from the around S. [071] With ference to FIGS, 3.4, 4.4.8.4, daring the ‘runsition from the pr-operating positon P2 to the acess US 2017/0196741 AI positon P3 a tiling bridge 44, which iitialy, as explained below, may he located both in horizontal and vertical set-up, ‘lates about a horizontal hiage 48 (which constrains ito the platform 4 or to the shoulder 28) to be positioned in a substantially horizontal orientation in acess position P3 to ‘then incline on the side othe vehicle V during the transition from the access positon P3 to the deposit position [0072] Such king bridge 44 is aaa optional manner to ‘establish a continuity between outer eg ofthe lor P and ‘nner ede ofthe platform 4 in acess positon P3, the gap ‘berween those edges i too long to be easily erosed by the ‘wheels ofthe wheelchair SR. [0073]. If the folded position Pt is not considered, such tilting bridge 44 muy tke aaturally, by gravity, dhe corret orientation in every position of the platform 4, On the other hand, if the folded postion PL is also considered, before position PL is reached, the tilting bridge is rotated t0 a vertical orientation manually or, more conveniently, through actuators eg. linear or rotary (oot shown ia the figures for simplicity of description since their possible embodiments are within the grasp of the skilled inthe at). [074] Optionally, iting bridge 44 may be kept in vertical ‘orientation making it adhere tothe platform 4 by a magnet. [0075] The arculted quadrilateral 2 is moved by a fst Finear actuator 1, eg in the form of hydraulic piston 1 or of an equivaleat elctic linear actuator which, rotatable bout the hinge 12 tht constrains it tothe housing I, dicetly or indireetly imparts a rotation tothe arms 22. [0076] To this end, preferably by a second articulations 28, 4 retum rod 21 is rotatably constrained to the arms 22 t0 forma further anticulsted quadrilateral the four aiculations ‘whereof are the said pair af suppor pins 24 and second articulations 28, 0077) Said further articulated quaiateral is not neces- say from the kinematic point of view but highly preferred ‘cause it provides sturdiness and beter distnbution of the stresses on the strata: 10078] OF course if in addition to the articulated qua Tatra 2 this further acute quadrilateral is present, both ‘must be articulated parallelogram. 0079] The first linese aetator 11, instead of acting Giretly on one of the arms 22, a8 shown in the accompa ying figures, may act on said return rod 21 which in turn ‘wansmils the thust to both arms 22 in a beter balanced [0080] _Inorder to arrive atthe optional folded position PL (cee FIG. 16), the platform 4, thanks toa second hinge 43. provided between the platform 4 and the first hinge 41 that constrains it othe shoulder 28, may rotate, even if only by ‘manual action, toa positon sill vertical but substantially parallel to the backrest of the foat seat of the vehicle [0081] Soch option ha at least the advantage that the exit ‘through the door used by the platfomn 4 with taasfer device 1D in non-opersting conditions is provided, [0082] As already said dosribing te prorat the curent platforms are provided with a plurality of safety bariers that ‘are structural elements installed mainly to act as a block and ‘obstacle to an accidental movement of the wheelchair SR. during the ling or lowering maneuvers of sid platform. 0083} Ia fact, the wheelchair SR might accideatlly move, perhaps due to vibrations o to an incorrect maneuver by the use, toward the edge ofthe platlonm with an obvious danger for the user, who could fall rom the platform. The Jul. 13, 2017 safety barons prevent this kind of sitions and preserve the person from falls due to undesized movements ofthe wheeler SR {0084} As alrady sited, cumenttechoology’platfoms provide a movable font safety bare, able to ote {o Forman acess ramp when it reaches the round, while the side salty bares are fixed, with the consequent problems previously desribod {0085} The wanser device D according to sme aspects of tne presen mention provides sable kinematic mecha nisms comprising the element 8, 85,68, 82, 83,84, 73,72 shown in FIGS, 8.10 or the elements 602 84,600, 702, 703, U1, 704 of FIGS. 6 and IL oF sill exer that once the platform 4 i chose to the ground S. allow the complete lowering of foat and side safety barriers, and at he same time make ascealdescen ramps from/to the platform tolom the pround § available coming to @ set-up of the platform herein refered to as valocked. [0086] As he platiorm 4is detached fom the ground S, tho already said kinematic moshanisms of FIGS. 8-10 oF FIG. 11 of others aise the bamiers and make the ramps inaceesible bringing the platfonn 4 back to a set-up herein refered to as blocked 0087) According tothe invention, with rf to FIGS, 8-11, {0088} the front barter: [0089] sobstantally consists of a plate usable as ran. {0090] "is woiaably constaind acconing to ho sal ais to the platorm 4 so that from a substan tally vertical set-up where it serves asa barier may rotate oa substatllyosizontal spt serve a ramp; [0091] Keeps the set-up substantially vertical by grav ity andor aid of lst foros suchas springs, elastic cond, and the like, and rotates to the substantially hoezonial setap by the elect of frees that ae senerated by the contact of the platform 4 with the found § and that couaterct the gravity andlor clastic Fores 10092} ach side safety bare 10083] comprises an aniculted quaditeral (not necessarily an atcustd parallelogram) of which ‘one am consists ofthe oeesponding side age of the platiann 4 while the opposite art coasiues side ling ofthe hase, {0004} includes the side ramp that is constrained to the railing of the barsier or isa substantial part theca 10095} a slider copuble of siding on the ground S Gia particular wheel are connect: {0096} swith first kinematic mechanisms othe front safety barer 10 forse it when the platform descends: [0097] wih seconds Kinematic mechanisms, which ‘ery preferably atest pally coinides with the first Kinematic mechanisms, to the sie safety baei- ‘ers and actuate them to Tole the coresponding tailings when they ace presse detached aginstiom, the ground S by the platfom 4 that descensnises, {0098} such. kinematic. mechanisms being therefore adapted to bring the platform 4 from locked to unlocked Set-up and vice versa when the sai sides) are pressed! dktached agsinst/om the ground § bythe platform 4 that descendsaises, US 2017/0196741 AI {0099} By way of an example two possible emboments of such a mechanism and Kinematic cain are provided {0100} -Accordiag to the frst embodiment, and with erene FIGS. 4010, in price rom FIG. 610 FIG. 10, te raster devie D provides side barsiers 7 each compris ing aside ramp 71 and an articulated quedsaterl 7 {0101} The rota 73 of tne articulated quailteral 72 is capable of rotating from a substantially verical to a substantially horizontal orientation by the eton theron af 4 corresponding rocker plate 8 as descrbad below {0102} In FIGS, 8, 9 and 10 in onder © provide a bate nderstanding of the operation of the prs, the side ramp 71 thats suitably xed to said articulated qadelateral 72 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) has not been shown [0103] A sioatbarir 6s suitably hinged the frat edge ofthe pltarm 4 with horizontal ais binges 62 that allew itto rate fom a vertical positon (kept even just by avy cx thanks to clase force member, ot shown) where i Serves san ata baer 6, to horizontal position where it serves asa fron ramp 6 {0104} Inthe front of theses th platform 4 rocker plates 8 are hinged, by horizontal as binges 81, each of ‘which has {0105} rar cod 82 suitably shaped wo cooperate with the front am 78 of the articulated quadrilateral 72 [0106] an frontend 88 carrying slider 84 eapable of sliingrotting against the grand S sucha a shoe 84 o, preferably a hinged whee 84 [0107] Tinkage 88-63 with a coresponding vera! side 61 ofthe sai front barrier 6 so as to impart a clockwise torque tothe same vera! side 61 when ‘moving from locked to ulocked set-up and vce Vea inthe anticlockwise direction moving fom unlocked to locked [0108] In particular tbe linkage 85-63 may consist in a sling coupling thats provided wih pin 88 on the rocker plate that singly engages withina guide 68 obiaine and Gefned nthe vertical sie 61 of sid font barr 6 and cpable of along the sling of the pin 88 for a prede- termined portion aecondng toa dzeton that passes above tn axis ofthe horizontal hinges 62 {0109} Sod guide 63 preferably comprises 2 slot 68 [0110] In any intermatiate poston between the acess postion PB to those elas to the deposit position PA whish io not allow contact eten the sider 84 andthe ground S, even simply by gravity (r possibly with the help of elastic fowoe member. th rocker ples 8 have the frat end 83 sited towards the wound by as muchas allowed by the linkage 85-6 [O11] Accordingly, the rear ends 82 seh fares from tne ground S apd, presing aginst te front arms 73 ofthe antiulted guaitras 70, keep them inthe most upright positon a allowed by the Kinematic mecanism, and then the articulated quadellterals 72 keep the side barers 7 rised {0112] When the poston of the tansfer device D is sullicently close tor coincides with the deposit position A, the slide 84 comes into contact with the ground S and, asaconsequence the pins 8 press forth iting toward he ‘outside ofthe front bare 6 that becomes a ramp 6 while the rear ends 82 ar lowered allowing the forward inclination of to font ams 73 ofthe anculated quadaterals 70 such tat the side barriers 7 fod back on themselves and the side ramps 71 descead into operating positon Jul. 13, 2017 {0113] Shapes and relative positon oft least the rocker Pst pin 8, pide 68, rear end 8, frontend 83, sik 84 frost ams 73 elements of the articulated quodatrals 70 are showin at east in FIGS. 8,9 and 10 right proportions ofan exemplary embedtinent [0114] FIG. shows second embodiment variant of the contol and portions for lowering and lifting ofthe side bares. [0118] The font brie 60, is hinge to the font edge of the platform 4 by horizontal axis hinges 602 and, in the locked sap is kept vertical by the eft of gravity andlor ‘with the sid of cht force member (eg. torsion springs not shown coaxial the horizontal ais hinges 602) [0116] The already disclosed slider 84 (shown as wheels 84 arc hinged diet to the lover ee ofthe lout bait om. (0117) Rach side bier 100 comprises an anicuated «quadrilateral 702 the font arm 708 whereof consists of the comesponding end ofthe rot barier 600 and a side ramp “M1 constrained, xed oF rotatable tothe wpper em 78 {0118} Lowering te pletinm 4 rowan the ground, the harris eansitioned to tho unlocked set-up athe font barier 600 rates about the hinge 62 clockwise to assume te function of feoat acess ramp; trang this way the font tare 600 closes the ariculated quater 702 that auses te side ramp 701, consid to the upper arm 70, to descend, making it available for access and egress of @ ‘wheelchair or the like fom the platform 4 by its side edges {0119} Going back up the platform 4 it woes back othe locked setnp forthe reverse movement of the elements jst

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