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EP-4735366-A2 - MODULAR LIFTGATE PLATFORM FRAME WITH INTERCHANGEABLE INSERTS

EP4735366A2EP 4735366 A2EP4735366 A2EP 4735366A2EP-4735366-A2

Abstract

Systems, devices, and methods for a lift platform system including: a platform assembly (1402) comprising an opening (1414); one or more interchangeable inserts (1406, 1408, 1410, 1412, 1430) configured to be received in the opening (1414) of the platform assembly (1402); and one or more engagement mechanisms (1418, 1420) configured to secure the one or more interchangeable inserts (1406, 1408, 1410, 1412, 1430) in the opening (1414) of the platform assembly (1402).

Inventors

  • BARK, PAUL
  • ABLABUTYAN, KARAPET
  • HAMBARDZUMYAN, LEVON

Assignees

  • Maxon Industries, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240627

Claims (20)

  1. 1. A lift platform system (1400) comprising: a platform assembly (1402) comprising an opening (1414); one or more interchangeable inserts (1406, 1408, 1410, 1412, 1430) configured to be received in the opening (1414) of the platform assembly (1402); and one or more engagement mechanisms (1418, 1420) configured to secure the one or more interchangeable inserts (1406, 1408, 1410, 1412, 1430) in the opening (1414) of the platform assembly (1402).
  2. 2. The lift platform system of claim 1, wherein the one or more fastening means (1418, 1420) include one or more insert push brackets (1416) configured to secure the one or more interchangeable inserts (1406, 1408, 1410, 1412, 1430) in the opening (1414) of the platform assembly (1402) via one or more engagement mechanisms (1418) inserted through a portion of the one or more insert push brackets (1416).
  3. 3. The lift platform system of claim 1, wherein the platform assembly (1402) includes platform sides (1512, 1514), a hinge plate (1516) fixedly connected to one ends of the platform sides (1512, 1514), and a back plate (1518) attachably disconnected from the other ends of the platform sides (1512, 1514), wherein one side of any one of the one or more interchangeable inserts (1502, 1504, 1506, 1508, 1530) is connected to the back plate (1518), wherein any one of the one or more interchangeable inserts (1502, 1504, 1506, 1508, 1530) connected to the back plate (1518) is slid in a plane parallel to a plane formed by the platform sides (1512, 1514) into the opening (1510) surrounded by a U shape of the platform sides (1512, 1514) and the hinge plate (1516).
  4. 4. The lift platform system of claim 1, wherein the one or more interchangeable inserts (1406, 1408, 1410, 1412, 1430) comprises a first insert (1412) that includes a plurality of extruded platform segments (111).
  5. 5. The lift platform system of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of extruded platform segments (1200) has complementary connectors (1208, 1210, 1212, 1214) on both sides, MAX2-P.e46.PCT 35 and the plurality of extruded platform segments are connected to each other by engaging the complementary connectors (1208, 1210, 1212, 1214).
  6. 6. The lift platform system of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of extruded platform segments (111) has a hollow tube shape, wherein each of the plurality of extruded platform segments (211, 1200) include at least one internal wall structure (212, 1206).
  7. 7. The lift platform system of claim 1, wherein the one or more interchangeable inserts (1406, 1408, 1410, 1412) comprises a second insert (1406) that includes a core layer having a repeating series of cells (700) and a top layer (310) attached to a top surface of the core layer.
  8. 8. The lift platform system of claim 7, wherein the cells (700) of the core layer comprises at least one of honeycomb-shaped cells, rectangular-shaped cells, square-shaped cells, and polygonal-shaped cells.
  9. 9. The lift platform system of claim 7, wherein each of the cells (700) of the core layer has a hollow structure defined by thin walls, and the hollow structure of each of the cells is filled with a filler component (956).
  10. 10. The lift platform system of claim 1, wherein the one or more interchangeable inserts (1406, 1408, 1410, 1412, 1430) comprises a third insert (1410) that includes a grated structure (1410) in which a first set of parallel slats and a second set of parallel bars intersecting the first set are arranged.
  11. 11. The lift platform system of claim 1, wherein the one or more interchangeable inserts (1406, 1408, 1410, 1412, 1430) comprises a fourth insert (1408, 1350) that includes multiple spaced extruded platform segments (1353) and a top layer (1358) attached to top surfaces of the multiple spaced extruded platform segments (1353), wherein the multiple spaced extruded platform segments (1353) are spaced apart from each other and extended in parallel. MAX2-P.e46.PCT 36
  12. 12. The lift platform system of claim 1, wherein the one or more interchangeable inserts (1406, 1408, 1410, 1412, 1430) comprises a fifth insert that includes multiple portions (1431, 1432, 1433) that are different from each other in at least one of structure and material.
  13. 13. The lift platform system of claim 1, wherein the platform assembly (1800) further includes at least one middle wall (1806) that further supports the one or more interchangeable inserts (1808), wherein the one or more interchangeable inserts (1808) includes a sixth insert (1808) that includes multiple sub-inserts (1808).
  14. 14. The lift platform system of claim 1, wherein any one of the one or more interchangeable inserts (1406, 1408, 1410, 1412, 1430) is made of at least one of: metal (701), metal alloy (701), foam (702), composite (703), paper, Compolite®, Nomex®, Tedlar®, balsa, plastic, polyester, nylon, phenolic, short fibers (703, 704), long fibers (705), woven fibers (706), particle fibers (707), flake fibers (708), layer fibers (709), and fillers.
  15. 15. The lift platform system of claim 1, further comprising a flipover assembly (1404) pivotally connected to the platform assembly (1402).
  16. 16. The lift platform system of claim 1, wherein the flipover assembly (1404) is configured to receive at least one of: a plurality of extruded platform segments (121) connected to each other; a cell core layer (950, 1050) having a repeating series of cells, a grated core layer (1106) in which a first set of parallel slats (1102) and a second set of parallel bars (1104) intersecting the first set are arranged, a layer (1251) including multiple sections (1252) and at least one support plate (1253) therebetween, and a layer including multiple portions that are different from each other in at least one of structure and material.
  17. 17. A method comprising: MAX2-P.e46.PCT 37 placing one interchangeable insert of one or more interchangeable inserts (1406, 1408, 1410, 1412, 1430) via an opening (1414) of the platform assembly (1404) of a lift platform system; fastening the placed interchangeable insert to the platform assembly (1404) with one or more engagement mechanisms (1418, 1420); and interchanging the fastened interchangeable insert with another interchangeable insert of one or more interchangeable inserts (1406, 1408, 1410, 1412, 1430) via the opening (1414) of the platform assembly (1404), wherein the one or more interchangeable inserts (1406, 1408, 1410, 1412, 1430) are different from each other in at least one of structure and material.
  18. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of placing one interchangeable insert is placing the interchangeable insert from the top of the platform assembly (1404), wherein the step of fastening the first interchangeable insert includes: placing one or more insert push brackets (1416) over a top portion of the placed interchangeable inserts; and securing the placed interchangeable inserts to the platform assembly (1404) via the one or more engagement mechanisms (1418) inserted through a portion of the one or more insert push brackets (1416).
  19. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the platform assembly (1402) includes platform sides (1512, 1514), a hinge plate (1516) fixedly connected to one ends of the platform sides (1512, 1514), and a back plate (1518) attachably disconnected from the other ends of the platform sides (1512, 1514), wherein one side of the one interchangeable insert is connected to the back plate (1518), wherein the step of placing one interchangeable insert is sliding the one interchangeable insert in a plane parallel to a plane formed by the platform sides (1512, 1514) into the opening (1510) surrounded by a U shape of the platform sides (1512, 1514) and the hinge plate (1516).
  20. 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of connecting a flipover assembly (1404) to the platform assembly (1402) so that the flipover assembly (1404) is pivotally folded upon the platform assembly (1402). MAX2-P.e46.PCT 38

Description

PATENT COOPERATION TREATY APPLICATION TITLE: MODULAR LIFTGATE PLATFORM FRAME WITH INTERCHANGEABLE INSERTS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/524,030, filed June 29, 2023, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. FIELD OF ENDEAVOR [0002] The invention relates to lifts, and more particularly to liftgate platforms. BACKGROUND [0003] Lifts such as lift gates and accompanying lift platforms are typically mounted at a structure such as an opening at a rear of a vehicle to lift payloads on the lift platform from one level (e.g., ground level) up to another level (e.g., the bed of the vehicle), or vice versa. Operation of a lifting mechanism may rotate or fold, partially rotate or partially fold the platform, stowed beneath or behind the vehicle body. Actuators, such as hydraulic actuators and electric actuators, are used to provide lifting force for moving the lift platform. SUMMARY [0004] An embodiment may include a lift platform system including: a platform assembly comprising an opening; one or more interchangeable inserts configured to be received in the opening of the platform assembly; and one or more engagement mechanisms configured to secure the one or more interchangeable inserts in the opening of the platform assembly. [0005] In another embodiment, the one or more fastening means may include one or more insert push brackets configured to secure the one or more interchangeable inserts in the opening of the platform assembly via one or more engagement mechanisms inserted through a portion of the one or more insert push brackets. [0006] In another embodiment, the platform assembly may include platform sides, a hinge plate fixedly connected to one ends of the platform sides, and a back plate attachably MAX2-P.e46.PCT 1 disconnected from the other ends of the platform sides, wherein one side of any one of the one or more interchangeable inserts may be connected to the back plate, wherein any one of the one or more interchangeable inserts connected to the back plate may be slid in a plane parallel to a plane formed by the platform sides into the opening surrounded by a U shape of the platform sides and the hinge plate. [0007] In another embodiment, the one or more interchangeable inserts may comprise a first insert that includes a plurality of extruded platform segments. [0008] In another embodiment, each of the plurality of extruded platform segments may have complementary connectors on both sides, and the plurality of extruded platform segments may be connected to each other by engaging the complementary connectors. [0009] In another embodiment, each of the plurality of extruded platform segments may have a hollow tube shape, wherein each of the plurality of extruded platform segments may include at least one internal wall structure. [0010] In another embodiment, the one or more interchangeable inserts may comprise a second insert that includes a core layer having a repeating series of cells and a top layer attached to a top surface of the core layer. [0011] In another embodiment, the cells of the core layer may comprise at least one of honeycomb-shaped cells, rectangular-shaped cells, square-shaped cells, and polygonal-shaped cells. [0012] In another embodiment, each of the cells of the core layer may have a hollow structure defined by thin walls, and the hollow structure of each of the cells is filled with a filler component. [0013] In another embodiment, the one or more interchangeable inserts may comprise a third insert that includes a grated structure in which a first set of parallel slats and a second set of parallel bars intersecting the first set are arranged. [0014] In another embodiment, the one or more interchangeable inserts may comprise a fourth insert that includes multiple spaced extruded platform segments and a top layer attached to top surfaces of the multiple spaced extruded platform segments, wherein the multiple spaced extruded platform segments may be spaced apart from each other and extended in parallel. MAX2-P.e46.PCT 2 [0015] In another embodiment, the one or more interchangeable inserts may comprise a fifth insert that includes multiple portions that are different from each other in at least one of structure and material. [0016] In another embodiment, the platform assembly may further include at least one middle wall that further supports the one or more interchangeable inserts, wherein the one or more interchangeable inserts includes a sixth insert that includes multiple sub-inserts. [0017] In another embodiment, any one of the one or more interchangeable inserts may be made of at least one of metal, metal alloy, foam, composite, paper, Compolite®, Nomex®, Tedlar®, balsa (wood), plastic, polyester, nylon, phenolic, short fibers, long fibers, woven fibers, particle fibers, flake fibers, layer fibers, and fillers. [0018] In anoth