Lift Engineering and Construction Industry

Sean Noughtly asked:


The first wheelchair has roots that date back many thousands of years and since then, they have been used by almost all cultures. These early wheelchairs did not follow any specific pattern though, but were merely devices used to carry a person and often were reserved for the royalty, who had very extravagant carriages designed. It would not be until after the First World War that wheelchairs began to resemble what we are accustomed to today. Currently there are many different types of mobility vehicles available, many of which utilize battery power. Transporting these battery powered mobility vehicles can often be very difficult, unless you have a vehicle lift.

Vehicle lifts are installed into or onto a van, SUV, truck, or car. They allow a mobility vehicle to be easily moved and usually are electrically powered. There are a few types of vehicle lifts that are available.

One of the most common is the external vehicle lift. These are designed to be mounted onto a standard receiving hitch. A hitch is most often used to attach a trailer to a car or truck, but they have many other practical uses. A receiving hitch is square shaped and allows a square shaped shaft to be slid into it.

External vehicle lifts are simply slid into the vehicles hitch. These lifts are very popular due to how easily they can be installed and removed, which usually only takes a minute or two. Most of these lifts use a small platform that is lowered onto the ground and allow the mobility device to be driven directly onto the platform. They are then raised off of the ground. These electronically controlled external vehicle lifts are either powered from a rechargeable battery pack or get their power from the vehicle’s battery.

There are a few available that do not use any power at all and instead are simply tilted down, then tilted back up once the scooter is on the platform. These lifts usually can not support as much weight as battery powered vehicle lifts. The upside is that you do not need to worry about recharging a battery or having cables installed, but as a safety feature, many of the more popular battery powered external vehicle lifts have a manual override, which can be used if you run out of juice.

The other type of lift is the internal lift and these come in two flavors. Those that own SUVs, trucks and vans are able to use a platform lift that works similar to the external vehicle lifts. A platform extends from inside the vehicle and the scooter is driven onto it. The platform is then retracted into the vehicle. Many of these lifts have an available adapter, which can be used to charge your mobility vehicle.

For those who wish to use their lift with a car, a crane type internal vehicle lift is available. These lifts use a cable winch system that attaches to the mobility vehicle and lifts it off of the ground. They pivot, so the mobility vehicle can be swung into the car. They are also used in larger vehicles.



platform lifts

Robert asked:


How fast can you walk? Run? Or climb the stairs? If without a second thought you can say “Faster than you” you would probably think that those are trick questions. But for those who find these rather simple tasks very strenuous and challenging to do, such questions can be arresting for them.

The physically challenged, as well as the aged individuals, who spend most of their time in their wheelchairs, have limited mobility. Consequently, their independence are also lesser than what they had when they were not yet confined in their wheelchairs. These people can greatly benefit from special transportation equipment, such as elevators, ramps, and vertical wheelchair lifts.

A vertical wheelchair lift, or platform lift, is powered by either hydraulics or electrical energy. This device allows a wheelchair bound individual to be elevated or lowered among floor levels without having to leave his/her wheelchair.

The vertical wheelchair lifts come in many different models, some of which includes the following:

• Enclosed Model – In this vertical wheelchair lift, the wheelchair and its occupant can stay on top of a platform while enclosed with walls as the lift moves up/down. This type of lift is especially practical for outdoor uses where safety may be compromised because of altering weather conditions.

• Shaftway Model – This kind of wheelchair lift can fit within existing walls, just like a typical elevator. It is very much useful in both residential houses and public establishments.

• Stage Model – This lift model features solely a platform. It is commonly used for shorter heights or elevations, such as on a stage or onto a vehicle.

• Opal Model – This vertical wheelchair lift is similar to the enclosed model that has a platform enclosed with walls. However, this lift model has an open ceiling.

Vertical wheelchair or platform lifts can be used in different locations, as shown in the following situations.

• Vertical platform lifts give wheelchair confined individuals a better way in to and out of their residential homes as such devices allows them to be raised from the ground up on their elevated (or with steps ) front porches.

• In schools and in other similar educational institutions, vertical wheelchair lifts are installed to give access to physically handicapped students, faculty and staff, and visitors to enter an auditorium stage or other elevated platforms.

• Some public buildings already have elevators installed, but such transportation system oftentimes could not carry a wheelchair. Hence, they still opt to install vertical wheelchair lifts for this special need. Also, many older buildings have cramped areas that do not have spaces to accommodate ramps. That is why they prefer to have vertical platform lifts installed rather than the space consuming ramps.

A vertical wheelchair lift is indeed of great significance to people with physical limitations. For them, having such device could mean a better life with more activities and greater independence. Whether installed in homes or in public structures, a vertical platform lift can make a significant change in the lives of these individuals.



platform lifts