Accessible vehicle

Abstract

The invention extends to a wheelchair accessible vehicle comprising a tailgate and a vehicle floor having an access portion that is adjacent to the tailgate. The tailgate is arranged for pivotal movement between i) a raised configuration in which a first surface of the tailgate defines an exterior vehicle surface and a second surface of the tailgate defines an interior vehicle surface, and ii) a lowered configuration in which at least a portion of the first surface is arranged to rest on the ground behind the vehicle, and the second surface is inclined upwardly towards the access portion of the interior vehicle floor, thereby defining at least a part of a ramp surface that leads to the vehicle interior.

Description

[0001] Accessible Vehicle

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to an accessible vehicle, which provides access to a vehicle interior for e.g. wheelchairs or mobility scooters.

[0004] Introduction

[0005] Domestic vehicles such as cars are not typically designed to permit easy access by mobility-assistance devices such as wheelchairs or mobility scooters. Obstacles to access include the narrow width of doors, and the raised height of a vehicle floor.

[0006] Such vehicles can be specially converted for improved access, for example to facilitate access for a wheelchair or mobility scooter to a rear passenger area of a vehicle via the vehicle tailgate. The conversion process typically involves at least i) removing a portion of the interior vehicle floor and lowering that portion ii) removing rear seats and other obstructions between the vehicle interior and the tailgate and iii) providing a ramp that can be arranged manually to extend out of the tailgate of the vehicle, between the rearmost end of the vehicle and the ground.

[0007] Access ramps have a maximum incline of 12 degrees to ensure the wheelchair or scooter can safely use the ramp. For a given height to be mounted by the ramp, this maximum gradient therefore results in a minimum ramp length that can be used. As is shown in Figure 1 , for access to the vehicle 12, there must be a clear space X1 on the ground 10 behind the vehicle 12 that allows room for the ramp 14 to extend behind the vehicle 10.

[0008] Such access ramps 14 are typically moved into and out of place manually by the vehicle driver or a passenger. While not in use, the ramp 14 must be stored in the vehicle, so that it can be accessed whenever it is needed.

[0009] It is against this background that the invention has been devised. Statements of Invention

[0010] The invention extends to a wheelchair accessible vehicle comprising a tailgate and a vehicle floor having an access portion that is adjacent to the tailgate. The tailgate is arranged for pivotal movement between i) a raised configuration in which a first surface of the tailgate defines an exterior vehicle surface and a second surface of the tailgate defines an interior vehicle surface, and ii) a lowered configuration in which at least a portion of the first surface is arranged to rest on the ground behind the vehicle, and the second surface is inclined upwardly towards the access portion of the interior vehicle floor, thereby defining at least a part of a ramp surface that leads to the vehicle interior.

[0011] By integrating a part of a ramp into the tailgate of a vehicle, a ramp can be provided in a compact an easily operable manner.

[0012] When the tailgate is in the lowered configuration, the second surface of the tailgate may define an angle of no more than 12 degrees to the ground.

[0013] The tailgate may be coupled to the vehicle floor via a tailgate pivot, and the vehicle may comprise an actuator configured to cause the tailgate to rotate about the tailgate pivot between the raised configuration and the lowered configuration. Such an actuator allows for particularly easy movement of the tailgate for access purposes. The actuator may be controlled by a controller for automated movement of the tailgate.

[0014] The vehicle may further comprise an extension portion that is coupled to the tailgate and arrangeable in a deployed configuration in which the extension portion extends between a free end of the tailgate and the ground, such that an upward-facing surface of the extension portion defines a further part of the ramp surface. In this way the ramp surface may be defined by at least the second surface of the tailgate and an upward-facing surface of the extension portion in combination.

[0015] The extension portion may be pivotally connected to a free end of the tailgate, such that the extension portion is moveable between a stowed configuration in which at least a part of the extension portion overlies at least a part of the tailgate, and the deployed configuration. When the extension portion is in the deployed configuration, the extension portion may define an angle of no more than 12 degrees to the ground.

[0016] The access portion of the vehicle floor may be arranged or arrangeable in an inclined configuration in which the floor surface of the access portion is inclined to define a part of the ramp surface.

[0017] In the inclined configuration, a floor surface of the access portion may define an angle of no more than 12 degrees to the ground.

[0018] In this way, the ramp surface may be further defined by the floor surface of the access portion of the vehicle floor. This embodiment provides the particular advantage of allowing the ramp surface to begin from a point within the vehicle interior, i.e. a point that is forward of the rear end of the vehicle. With this arrangement, compared to the ramp of figure 1 , which begins at the rear end of the vehicle, for a given gradient, the ramp need not extend so far behind the vehicle to reach the ground, providing a more compact ramp.

[0019] In the access configuration, a forward end of the access portion that is opposite the tailgate may be arranged at a first height and a rearward end of the access portion that is adjacent to the tailgate may be arranged at a second height, the second height being below the first height, and above the height of the ground behind the vehicle.

[0020] The vehicle may comprise a movement stop arranged to limit movement of the rearward end of the access portion of the vehicle floor. The movement stop may be arranged to prevent lowering of the rearward end of the access portion below the second height. The movement stop may be mounted to the vehicle chassis. The movement stop may comprise a projection or protrusion configured to abut against a lower surface of the access portion of the vehicle floor.

[0021] A forward end or base of the tailgate may be arranged at the second height, and a free end of the tailgate may be arranged at a third height that is lower than the second height.

[0022] The access portion may be moveable between a horizontal configuration in which a floor surface of the access portion is substantially horizontal, and the inclined configuration. The forward end of the access portion may be pivotally coupled to a floor pivot to allow movement of the access portion between the horizontal configuration and the inclined configuration.

[0023] The actuator described above may be further configured to cause the access portion to pivot about the floor pivot.

[0024] The actuator may be coupled to the tailgate.

[0025] The actuator may comprise an actuator pin and a cam track. The cam track may comprise: a first section configured such that as the pin follows the first section the actuator applies a force to the tailgate that tends to cause the access portion to move from the horizontal configuration to the inclined configuration in preference to causing the tailgate to move from the raised configuration to the lowered configuration; and a second section configured such that as the pin follows the second section the actuator applies a force to the tailgate that tends to cause the tailgate to move from the raised configuration to the lowered configuration.

[0026] The first and second section of the cam track may each be substantially linear.

[0027] The first section of the cam track may be closer to the vertical than the second section of the cam track.

[0028] The first section of the cam track and the second section of the cam track may be arranged at an obtuse angle to each other.

[0029] The vehicle may comprise a controller for controlling the actuator, to move the access portion and tailgate between a drive configuration in which the access portion is in the horizontal configuration and the tailgate is in the raised configuration; and an access configuration in which the access portion is in the inclined configuration and the tailgate is in the lowered configuration.

[0030] The vehicle floor may further comprise a support portion arranged forward of the access portion, the support portion being fixed in a substantially horizontal configuration. In use, for example when the vehicle is being driven with a wheelchair user in the vehicle interior, the wheelchair may be supported on the support portion. In this way, the wheelchair can be clear of the access portion when the access portion moves between the horizontal configuration and the inclined configuration, such that the access portion does not need to have the capability of lifting the weight of the wheelchair and user.

[0031] The vehicle may comprise securing means for securing a wheelchair in a location on the fixed portion of the vehicle floor while the vehicle is in use.

[0032] The vehicle may comprise a light arranged at a rear end of the vehicle, the light being configured to project an image onto the ground behind the vehicle. The image may mark a clearance zone that is at least as large as the area of ground covered by the tailgate and the extension portion when the tailgate is in the lowered configuration and the extension portion is in the deployed configuration.

[0033] The image may further include an International Symbol of Access (ISA).

[0034] The vehicle may comprise a detector configured to detect when an object is within a predetermined distance of the tailgate of the vehicle, and a controller configured to cause the light to project the image onto the ground when an object is detected within the predetermined distance of the tailgate.

[0035] The tailgate may be arranged such that when the tailgate is in the raised configuration, the tailgate blocks access to a vehicle interior, and when the tailgate is in the lowered configuration, the tailgate permits access to the vehicle interior.

[0036] The tailgate may form a lower tailgate portion of a split tailgate. In this case, the vehicle may further comprise an upper tailgate portion, which may be arranged for pivoting movement between a raised configuration and a lowered configuration.

[0037] The upper tailgate portion may be configured such that when the upper tailgate portion is in a lowered configuration, the upper tailgate portion blocks access to a vehicle interior, and when the upper tailgate portion is in the lowered configuration, the upper tailgate portion permits access to the vehicle interior.

[0038] In this way, the upper and lower tailgate portions may together form a pair of doors that can be closed together to block access to the vehicle interior, or opened to permit access. From another aspect the invention can also be expressed as a wheelchair accessible vehicle comprising a tailgate and a vehicle floor having an access portion that is adjacent to the tailgate. The access portion of the vehicle floor is arrangeable in an inclined configuration in which the floor surface of the access portion is inclined to define a part of a ramp surface that leads to the vehicle interior. The tailgate is arranged for pivotal movement between i) a raised configuration in which a first surface of the tailgate defines an exterior vehicle surface and a second surface of the tailgate defines an interior vehicle surface, and ii) a lowered configuration in which at least a portion of the first surface is arranged to rest on the ground behind the vehicle, and the second surface is inclined upwardly towards the access portion of the interior vehicle floor, thereby defining a further part of the ramp surface.

[0039] The optional features described above may be used in conjunction with this aspect also.

[0040] Throughout the forgoing application the term ‘forward’ is used to refer to a location closest to the front of vehicle, and / or a direction extending generally from the rear of the vehicle towards the front of the vehicle. The term ‘rearward’ is used to refer to a location closest to the rear of vehicle direction, or a direction extending generally from the front of the vehicle towards the rear of the vehicle.

[0041] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0042] Figure 1 , which is a schematic view of a known accessible vehicle when in use for providing access to a vehicle interior, has already been described above. In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the following figures, in which:

[0043] Figure 2 is a rear view of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention, the vehicle having a vehicle floor and incorporating a ramp shown in an access configuration, the ramp having three distinct sections formed by i) an access portion of the vehicle floor, ii) a surface of the lowered tailgate and iii) an extension portion connected to the tailgate;

[0044] Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the vehicle of Figure 2, showing the ramp in a drive configuration in which the access portion of the vehicle floor is in a horizontal configuration, the tailgate is in a raised configuration and the extension portion is in a stowed configuration; Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the vehicle of Figure 2, with the ramp in the process of moving from the drive configuration of Figure 3 to the access configuration of Figure 2, showing the access portion of the vehicle floor in an inclined configuration;

[0045] Figure 5 is a schematic side view of the vehicle of Figure 4, with the ramp in the process of moving from the drive configuration of Figure 3 to the access configuration of Figure 2, showing the access portion of the vehicle floor in an inclined configuration and the tailgate moving towards a lowered configuration;

[0046] Figure 6 is a schematic side view of the vehicle of Figure 5, with the ramp in the process of moving from the drive configuration of Figure 3 to the access configuration of Figure 2, showing the access portion of the vehicle floor in an inclined configuration and the tailgate in the lowered configuration;

[0047] Figure 7 is a schematic side view of the vehicle of Figure 6, with the ramp in the access configuration of Figure 2, showing the access portion of the vehicle floor in an inclined configuration, the tailgate in a lowered configuration and the extension portion in the deployed configuration;

[0048] Figure 8 is a schematic side view of the vehicle of Figure 2, with the ramp in the access configuration and with a wheelchair user ready to access the vehicle via the ramp;

[0049] Figure 9 is a schematic side view of the vehicle of Figure 2, with the ramp in the access configuration and covering a length of ground X2 behind the vehicle;

[0050] Figure 10 is a schematic side view of a vehicle according to another embodiment of the invention, with the ramp in the drive configuration and a light projecting a visual image on the ground behind the vehicle; and

[0051] Figure 11 is a top-down view of the vehicle of Figure 10, showing the projected image from above.

[0052] Detailed description of embodiments of the invention Figure 2 shows a vehicle 30 that is specially adapted for wheelchair access. The vehicle 30 defines an interior space 32 having a rear passenger area that can accommodate a wheelchair while the vehicle 30 is in use. The vehicle has a split tailgate, and a lower part of the tailgate 50 can be lowered while the upper part 58 is raised to provide access to the interior space 32 from the rear of the vehicle 30, when the tailgate is in an open configuration. When the tailgate is in a closed configuration, both the upper and lower parts of the tailgate form a rear door that blocks access to the interior space 32 from the rear of the vehicle 30. The tailgate therefore serves to secure the rear of the vehicle 30 when in operation, while also providing an easily operable means to access the interior space 32 from the rear of the vehicle 30. The wheelchair can be supported on a floor 34 of the vehicle 30, in a support region 36 of the floor 34.

[0053] To facilitate access to the interior surface 32, the vehicle 30 is provided with a ramp arrangement 40. As will be described in more detail below, the ramp arrangement comprises three sections. A first ramp section 42 is defined by an access portion 38 of the vehicle floor 30. A second ramp section 44 is defined by an interior surface 52 of the vehicle tailgate 50. A third ramp section 46 is defined by an extension portion 70 that can be housed within the tailgate 50.

[0054] Each part 42, 44, 46 of the ramp 40 is separately moveable between a storage configuration and a use configuration. When all the part 42, 44, 46 are in their use configuration, as is shown in Figure 2, the ramp is in an access configuration, ready for access by a wheelchair user. All the parts 42, 44, 46 can be moved to their storage configuration once the wheelchair is secured in the interior space 32 of the vehicle. This configuration is shown in Figure 3, and represents the drive configuration of the ramp 40.

[0055] Turning to Figure 3, and consider first the vehicle floor 34, the vehicle floor 34 defines a floor surface 31. The vehicle floor 34 comprises a support region 36 that supports a wheelchair when the vehicle 30 is in use. The support region 36 is a fixed floor portion, so that the floor surface 31 is fixed in a substantially horizontal configuration. The vehicle may be provided with securing means 37 for securing a wheelchair on the support region while the vehicle is in use: for example straps, anchors, or another suitable means.

[0056] An access region 38 of the floor 30 is located rearwardly of the support region 36. The access region 38 is adjacent to the tailgate 50. At a forward end 38a of the access region 38, the access region 38 is pivotally coupled to the support region 36 via a floor pivot 60. In this way, a rearward end 38b of the access region 38 can move up and down, while the forward end 38a remains fixed. The floor pivot 60 thereby allows the access region to pivot between a horizontal configuration in which a floor surface of the access portion 38 is substantially horizontal, and an inclined configuration in which the floor surface of the access portion 38 is inclined.

[0057] In particular, in the inclined configuration, the forward end 38a of the access region 38 is at a first height, which is the same height as the support region 36. The rearward end 38b of the access region 38 is lowered to a second height. The second height is lower than the first height, but above the level of the ground 10 at the rear of the vehicle 30.

[0058] The vehicle is provided with a movement stop 30 that is arranged to limit movement of the rearward end 38b of the access portion 38 of the vehicle floor, so that the rearward end 38b cannot be lowered below the second height. The movement stop 39 is mounted to the vehicle chassis, and comprises a projection or protrusion configured to abut against a lower surface of the access portion 38 to limit its movement

[0059] In the inclined configuration, the floor surface of the access portion 38 is thereby inclined downwardly moving from its forward end 38a to its rearward end 38b, but does not reach all the way to the ground 10. This inclined configuration is shown in Figures 2 and 4.

[0060] Turning to the lower portion of the tailgate 50, the tailgate 50 comprises a body 51 that defines a first surface 54 and a second surface. When the tailgate 50 is in a raised configuration, shown in Figure 3, the first surface 56 defines an external vehicle surface and the second surface 54 defines an internal vehicle surface.

[0061] A base 55 of the tailgate 50 is pivotally coupled to the rearward end 38b of the access portion 38 via a tailgate pivot 62. In this way, a free end 57 of the tailgate 50 can move up and down, to pivot the tailgate 50 about the base 55. The tailgate pivot 62 thereby allows the tailgate 50 to pivot between a raised configuration (shown in Figure 3) and a lowered configuration (shown in Figure 2 and 6).

[0062] Referring to Figure 6, in the lowered configuration, at least a part of the first surface 56 of the tailgate 50 rests on the ground 10 behind the vehicle 30. The second surface 54 of the tailgate 50 faces upwards, and defines a part of the ramp surface 41. The second surface 54 is inclined downwardly moving from its forward end (at the base 55 of the tailgate 50) to its rearward end (at the free end 57 of the tailgate 50). Because the tailgate 50 has a depth between the first surface 56 and the second surface 54, at the free end 57 of the tailgate 50, the second surface 54 is raised slightly above the ground 10 behind the vehicle 30, such that the second surface 54 does not reach all the way to the ground.

[0063] It will be appreciated that the tailgate 50 may be any suitable shape that allows the second surface 54 to be downwardly inclined when the first surface 56 rests on the horizontal ground. For example, a part of the tailgate may have a wedge shape, such that it tapers in thickness, being thicker towards the base 55 and thinner towards the free end 57. This may have the advantage of allowing the tailgate 50 to rest on a relatively large portion of the first surface 56 when the tailgate is lowered. However, other shapes are envisaged.

[0064] In the embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, the access portion 38 and the tailgate 50 are configured such that when the access portion 38 is in its inclined configuration and the tailgate 50 is in its lowered configuration, the floor surface 31 of the access portion 38, and the second surface 54 of the tailgate 50 are substantially coplanar. In other words they are at substantially the same angle of inclination (i.e. parallel to each other), and they are continuous with each other. In other embodiments there may be a difference in the angle of inclination of the floor surface 31 of the access portion 38, and the second surface 54 of tailgate 50.

[0065] Turning now to the extension portion 70, the extension portion 70 is defined by a panel 72 defining a first surface 74 and a second surface 76. The panel 72 is coupled to the body 51 of the tailgate 50 towards the free end 57 of the tailgate 50. In this example, a front end 76 of the extension portion 70 is pivotally coupled to the free end 57 of the tailgate 50 via an extension pivot 64. The extension pivot 64 allows a free end 78 of the extension portion 70 to move, while the front end 72 of the extension portion remains fixed to the body 51 of the tailgate 50.

[0066] The extension portion 70 can be pivoted by hand to move the extension portion 70 between a stowed configuration (shown in Figure 3) and a deployed configuration (shown in Figure 7). In the deployed configuration, the free end 74 of the extension portion 70 rests on the ground, with the first surface 74 of the extension portion 70 facing upward and bridging the distance between the free end 57 of the tailgate 50 and the ground 10, to complete the full length of the ramp 40. After use, the extension portion 70 can be returned by hand to the stowed configuration, where it may optionally be secured with a latch or other securing means.

[0067] In the embodiment described, in the stowed configuration the extension portion 70 may simply rest on the second surface 54 of the body 51 of the tailgate 50 with the first surface 72 of the extension portion 70 lying against the second surface 54 of the body 51 of the tailgate, and the second surface 74 of the extension portion 70 facing outward. However, in other embodiments, the extension portion 70 may be slidably received in a cavity, opening or recess of the body 51 of the tailgate 50. In such embodiments, the first surface 72 of the extension portion 70 may face upwards in both the stowed and deployed configurations, and the extension portion 70 may be pulled out of the cavity, opening or recess into the deployed configuration. In all examples, in the stowed configuration, at least a part of the extension portion overlies at least a part of the body 51 of the tailgate 50.

[0068] Referring back to Figure 4, the vehicle comprises one or more actuators 82, which in this example take the form of a piston. The actuator 82 controls movement of the access portion 38 about the floor pivot 60 between the horizontal configuration and the inclined configuration and movement of the lower part of the tailgate 50 about the tailgate pivot 62 between the raised configuration and the lowered configuration.

[0069] The actuator 82 is coupled to the tailgate. As shown in the inset image of Figure 4, the actuator 82 comprises an actuator pin 84 that runs in a cam track 86. The shape of the cam track 86 guides the movement of the actuator 82, to apply force to the tailgate 50 at different angles. The cam track comprises two channel portions at different angles, corresponding to two actuation stages. A first portion 86a of the track is angled closer to the vertical than the second portion 86b of the track. As the pin 84 travels in the first portion 86a, the downward force is therefore closer to a vertical force, such that the actuator 82 applies a force to the tailgate that tends to cause the access portion of the floor to move downwardly. As the pin 84 travels in the second portion 86b, the downward force is therefore closer to a horizontal force, such that the actuator 82 applies a force to the tailgate that tends to cause the tailgate to rotate.

[0070] Movement of the actuator 82 is controlled by a controller 100. The controller is configured to receive input signals from one or more user inputs (for example buttons or a touch screen in the vehicle, or on a remote device), and to generate output signals to control the actuator appropriately in response to those input signals.

[0071] Use of the ramp 40 will now be described with reference to Figures 3 to 9.

[0072] To use the vehicle for wheelchair access, a user provides an input signal to indicate that wheelchair access is required. The controller 100 generates one or more an output signals that cause the ramp 40 to move from the drive configuration of Figure 3 to the access configuration of Figures 8 and 9.

[0073] Referring to Figure 4, the controller 100 first causes the actuator 82 to move the tailgate 50 downwards. Initially, the actuator pin 84 moves in the first portion 86a of the cam track 86, with a force that is closer to a vertically downward force. This force cause the rear end 38b of the access portion 38 to move downward in the direction of Arrow A, thereby moving the access portion 38 from the horizontal configuration to the inclined configuration. Eventually, the lower surface of the access portion 38 abuts against the movement stop: this occurs when the rearward end 38b has reached the second height (i.e. the predetermined height that is below the height of the floor pivot 60 but above the height of the ground 10 behind the vehicle 30).

[0074] As the actuator 82 continues to move the tailgate 50 downward, the pin 84 enters the second portion 86b of the cam track, and force becomes more horizontal. The access portion 38 can also no longer move due to the movement stop 39, and the tailgate 50 therefore begins to move from the raised configuration to the lowered configuration. In particular, continued movement of the actuator 82 lowers the free end 57 of the tailgate 50 in direction indicated by arrow B, so that the tailgate 50 pivots about the tailgate pivot 62. The actuator keeps lowering the free end 57 of the tailgate 50 until the first surface 56 of the tailgate 50 rests on the ground 10 behind the vehicle 10, as shown in Figure 6.

[0075] Finally, as shown in Figure 7, a user moves the extension portion 70 by hand, by rotating the extension portion 70 about the extension pivot 64, until the free end 78 of the extension portion 70 is resting on the ground 10.

[0076] As shown in Figure 8, the ramp 40 is now ready for use. The ramp 40 defines a ramp surface 41 that is made up of three parts: the floor surface 31 of the access potion 38 of the vehicle floor, the second surface 54 of the tailgate 50, and the first surface 72 of the extension portion 70. The three surfaces 31, 54, 72 are continuous with each other, to provide a continuously inclined ramp that leads from the ground 10 to the interior of the vehicle 30, and in particular to the support region 36 of the vehicle floor 34.

[0077] The wheelchair user can then enter the vehicle 30 via the ramp 40, and in particular can move the support region 36 of the floor, where the wheelchair can be secured.

[0078] Once the wheelchair is in place, the ramp can be moved from the access configuration to the drive configuration by reversing the steps above.

[0079] First, the user returns the extension portion 70 to the stowed configuration by hand. The user then provides a signal to the controller (e.g. via an input device) to indicate that the vehicle is ready to be driven.

[0080] The controller 100 then generates one or more an output signals that cause the ramp 40 to move from the access configuration to the drive configuration of Figure 3.

[0081] The controller 100 first causes the tailgate actuator 82 to move the tailgate 50 from the lowered configuration to the raised configuration by raising the free end 57 of the tailgate 50. The controller than causes the floor actuator 80 to move the access portion 38 of the floor from the inclined configuration to the horizontal configuration by raising the rearward end 38b of the access portion until it is level with the floor pivot 60. The vehicle is then ready to be driven.

[0082] The vehicle therefore incorporates a ramp arrangement 40 that can be operated in a largely automatic manner, with only a small portion of the ramp being operated easily by hand. The ramp 40 is integrated into the floor 30 and tailgate 50 of the vehicle, i.e. it is fully integrated into components of the car that would be present even without the need for an access ramp. As a result, no extra ramp components need to be stored in the vehicle, meaning that the ramp 40 takes up no significant additional space. This leaves greater room for storage and / or for passenger comfort.

[0083] As can be seen in Figures 8 and 9, because a part of the ramp 40 is formed by the floor of the vehicle, the downward slope of the ramp 40 begins inside the vehicle 30, i.e. forward of the rear end of the vehicle 30. As a result, to maintain the maximum gradient of the ramp 40, the ramp 40 need not extend as far behind the vehicle compared to the ramp of the prior art shown in Figure 1.

[0084] This can be seen most clearly by comparing Figure 1 and Figure 9. In Figure 1 , the ramp has a length X1 , and it must extend the full distance X1 behind the vehicle. In Figure 9, the ramp has the same total length X1 , but because a part of the ramp is defined by the vehicle floor, the ramp need only extend a shorter distance X2 behind the vehicle. The vehicle can therefore be accessed by a wheelchair user with a small space available behind the vehicle.

[0085] Referring to Figures 10 and 11 , in one embodiment, the accessible vehicle 130 may be fitted with a light 132 that is arranged at a rear end of the vehicle 130. The light 132 is configured to project an image onto the ground 10 behind the vehicle 130. The image is configured to mark the boundary of a clearance zone 140 on the ground 10, and in particular to mark a rear boundary 142 of a clearance zone 140. The clearance zone 140 marked by the image is at least as large as the area of ground that is covered by the ramp 40 behind the vehicle when the ramp 40 is in the access configuration. In other words, the rear boundary 142 of the clearance zone 140 extends behind the vehicle by at least the distance X2. Embodiments are also envisaged in which the clearance zone is larger, and in which the rear boundary 142 of the clearance zone 140 extends behind the vehicle by at least the distance X3, where distance X3 corresponds to the distance required by the ramp 40 and also a wheelchair 20 that is aligned ready to mount the ramp 40.

[0086] The image projected by the light conveys to those in the vicinity of the vehicle 30 a clearance zone 140 that is required to enable a wheelchair use to the access the vehicle via the ramp 40, thereby encouraging others to avoid blocking the clearance zone. As shown in Figure 11 , the image may include an International Symbol of Access (ISA) or similar image to convey the purpose of the clearance zone.

[0087] In some embodiments, the vehicle 130 may further comprise a detector 134 configured to detect when a person or object is within a predetermined distance of the tailgate of the vehicle 130. In these embodiments, a controller may be configured to cause the light to project the image onto the ground only when an object is detected within the predetermined distance of the tailgate. An audio cue may also be generated upon initial detection of an objection. It should be noted that the light and detector arrangement of Figures 10 and 11 could be used in combination with any ramp arrangement, and is not restricted to use with the ramp of Figures 2 to 9. For example, the light and detector arrangement could be used in combination with a ramp arrangement of the type shown in Figure 1 , in which case the clearance zone may extends a greater distance behind the vehicle.

[0088] Other variations will be apparent to the skilled person without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Claims1 . A wheelchair accessible vehicle comprising: a tailgate; and a vehicle floor having an access portion that is adjacent to the tailgate; wherein the tailgate is arranged for pivotal movement between: a raised configuration in which a first surface of the tailgate defines an exterior vehicle surface and a second surface of the tailgate defines an interior vehicle surface, and a lowered configuration in which at least a portion of the first surface is arranged to rest on the ground behind the vehicle, and the second surface is inclined upwardly towards the access portion of the interior vehicle floor, thereby defining at least a part of a ramp surface that leads to the vehicle interior.

2. The vehicle of Claim 1 , wherein the tailgate is coupled to the vehicle floor via a tailgate pivot, and wherein the vehicle comprises an actuator configured to cause the tailgate to rotate about the tailgate pivot between the raised configuration and the lowered configuration.

3. The vehicle of Claim 1 or Claim 2, further comprising an extension portion coupled to the tailgate and arrangeable in a deployed configuration in which the extension portion extends between a free end of the tailgate and the ground, such that an upward-facing surface of the extension portion defines a further part of the ramp surface.

4. The vehicle of Claim 3, wherein the extension portion is pivotally connected to a free end of the tailgate, such that the extension portion is moveable between a stowed configuration in which at least a part of the extension portion overlies at least a part of the tailgate, and the deployed configuration.

5. The vehicle of any preceding claim, wherein the access portion of the vehicle floor is moveable between a horizontal configuration in which a floor surface of the access portion is substantially horizontal, and an inclined configuration in which the floor surface of the access portion is inclined to define a part of the ramp surface.

6. The vehicle of Claim 5, wherein, in the inclined configuration, a forward end of the access portion is at a first height and the rearward end of the access portion that is adjacentto the tailgate is at a second height, the second height being below the first height, and above the height of the ground behind the vehicle.

7. The vehicle of Claim 5 or Claim 6, wherein a forward end of the access portion opposite the tailgate is pivotally coupled to a floor pivot to allow movement of the access portion between the horizontal configuration and the inclined configuration.

8. The vehicle of Claim 7 when dependent on Claim 6, wherein the vehicle comprises a movement stop arranged to prevent movement of the rearward end of the access portion below the second height.

9. The vehicle of Claim 8, when dependent on Claim 2, wherein the actuator is further configured to cause the access portion to pivot about the floor pivot.

10. The vehicle of Claim 9, wherein the vehicle comprises a controller for controlling the actuator.11 . The vehicle of Claim 9 or Claim 10, wherein the actuator is coupled to the tailgate, and wherein the actuator comprises an actuator pin and a cam track, the cam track comprising: a first section configured such that as the pin follows the first section the actuator applies a force to the tailgate that tends to cause the access portion to move from the horizontal configuration to the inclined configuration in preference to causing the tailgate to move from the raised configuration to the lowered configuration; and a second section configured such that as the pin follows the second section the actuator applies a force to the tailgate that tends to cause the tailgate to move from the raised configuration to the lowered configuration.

12. The vehicle of Claim 11 , wherein the first section of the cam track is closer to the vertical than the second section of the cam track.

13. The vehicle of Claim 11 or Claim 12, wherein the first section of the cam track and the second section of the cam track are at an obtuse angle to each other.

14. The vehicle of any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle floor further comprises a support portion arranged forward of the access portion, the support portion being fixed in a substantially horizontal configuration.

15. The vehicle of Claim 14, wherein the vehicle comprises securing means for securing a wheelchair in a location on the fixed portion of the vehicle floor while the vehicle is in use.

16. The vehicle of any preceding claim, wherein, the vehicle comprises a light arranged at a rear end of the vehicle, the light being configured to project an image onto the ground behind the vehicle, the image marking a clearance zone that is at least as large as the area of ground covered by the tailgate and the extension portion when the tailgate is in the lowered configuration and the extension portion is in the deployed configuration.

17. The vehicle of Claim 16, wherein the image further includes an International Symbol of Access (ISA).

18. The vehicle of Claim 16 or Claim 17, wherein the vehicle comprises a detector configured to detect when an object is within a predetermined distance of the tailgate of the vehicle, and a controller configured to cause the light to project the image onto the ground when an object is detected within the predetermined distance of the tailgate.

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