Braun Gmbh

Michael R Pugh

Adam D Wojdyla

Eric Sajed Dosenbach

Carlos Badallo

Christopher C Wegner

James Stoner

Michael T Zindler

Michael Laird

Greg Perkins

Sajed Dosenbach

Ned W McCormick

Roy Mayekawa

Christopher Lease

Timothy S Barber

Christopher Wegner

Carlos Badalla

A wheelchair docking system including a frame having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being movable relative to the lower portion between a lowered position and a raised position. A coupler mechanism engages a wheelchair during a docking operation. The system also includes a first latching mechanism being movable between a retracted position and a latching position such that the first latching mechanism is spaced from the coupler mechanism. A second latching mechanism moves the upper portion of the frame between its lowered position and raised position. The first latching mechanism is partially retracted by a wheelchair during the docking operation, and the first latching mechanism is biased to its latching position when the coupler mechanism engages the wheelchair.

Wheelchair docking system and method thereof

An automatic door opening apparatus for a vehicle. Two and three hinge joint embodiments with motors at each hinge joint to control motion of the door opening apparatus relative to the vehicle at that hinge joint. The motors are individually programmable to customize the door opening apparatus and movement to different vehicles. The motors can be in alignment or out-of-alignment with the hinge joints, but in either case the motor controls motion of the hinged components at the associated hinge joint. When a motor is out-of-alignment with the hinge joint it controls, then pulley wheels and belts can be used to connect the motor to the hinge joint. The door opening apparatus can also include a floor track, and a door arm that connects the door to the floor track.

Digital door

A track extender for a sliding door track of an OEM passenger vehicle having a passenger opening, and a door operatively coupled to a sliding mechanism configured to slide along the sliding door track of the OEM vehicle. The sliding door track includes a track channel extending from the passenger opening toward a rear portion of the vehicle, wherein the sliding door track includes a first end located toward the passenger opening and a second end located toward the rear portion of the vehicle. The track extender includes a track extension body located at the second end of the track wherein the track extension body defines an extension channel. The extension channel is aligned with the track to lengthen the track and to extend a travel distance of the sliding mechanism along the track and to increase a width of the passenger opening.

Track extension for a passenger vehicle and method of assembly

A removable seat assembly for a vehicle, including a base assembly having a riser portion configured to support a seat; a frame structure coupled to and supporting the riser portion, the frame structure defining a first generally planar surface configured to support a floor section; a seat dolly coupled to the frame structure, the seat dolly including a plurality of wheels for moving the seat assembly from a first position to a second position; a floor base assembly defining a substantially planar surface for receiving the plurality of wheels of the seat dolly as the seat assembly is moved from the first position to the second position; and a mounting bracket configured to releasably lock the seat dolly to the floor base assembly.

Seat base assembly of a vehicle

A K-member for a passenger vehicle includes a body, a first cross member coupled to the body, and a second cross member coupled to the body at a location rearward of the first cross member. The first and second cross members are coupled transversely with respect to the body. A reinforcement member is coupled to the body and extends transversely between opposite sides of the body. The K-member further includes a first and second coupling member. Each coupling member is coupled to the body and includes an elongated portion, a curved portion, a toe link joint, and a first mounting location. The toe link joint is angularly disposed relative to the elongated portion. When assembled to the passenger vehicle having a rear passenger compartment, the entire K-member is positioned below a horizontal plane defined by a floor in the compartment.

Modified K-member of suspension assembly and method of modification thereof

A method of increasing a door opening width of a crossover vehicle to accommodate a wheelchair ramp or lift assembly. The method includes positioning a template on a B pillar and a template on a C pillar and marking cut lines on the pillars. The method includes cutting along the cut lines with a cutting tool to remove portions of the B pillar and the C pillar. A B pillar cover assembly is assembled and a reinforcement plate is coupled to a remaining portion of the C pillar. An adhesive is applied to the B pillar cover assembly and to a C pillar cap. A modified B pillar is produced by coupling the B pillar cover assembly to a remaining portion of the B pillar, and a modified C pillar is produced by coupling the C pillar cap to the reinforcement plate and the remaining portion of the C pillar.

Modified door opening of a motorized vehicle for accommodating a ramp system and method thereof

A door assembly for a motorized vehicle includes a door configured to move between an open position and a closed position, a first member defining a first axis, and a first support member pivotally coupled to the door and defining a second axis. A linkage assembly includes a first arm and a second arm. The first arm and the second arm are pivotally coupled to one another, where the first arm is coupled to the first member at a location offset from the first axis and the second arm defines a first slot. A cross member has a first end and a second end. The first end has a first pin for slideably engaging the first slot and the second end being coupled to the first member. The door is movable between the open and closed positions as the first member pivots about the first axis.

Automatic door operation

Motorized vehicular system with automated door assembly

The invention provides a vehicle door assembly including two entrances. Both entrances are surrounded by a frame assembly for mounting on the vehicle. One of the entrances is at about the height of the vehicle floor, while the other is lower than the vehicle floor and opens into a stairwell that leads up and into the vehicle. The floor-level door may be suitable for use with an appliance for assisting passengers to enter the vehicle, such as a lift or a ramp. The door assembly includes doors for closing the entrances. The door assembly may be mass-produced as a modular component and mounted on a conventional vehicle that has been specially modified to accept the door assembly.

Growing community of inventors

Monon, IN, United States of America

Michael R Pugh