The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 23, 2001
Filed:
Feb. 25, 1999
Paul J. Delurey, Beaverton, OR (US);
David J. Johnston, Portland, OR (US);
Michael K. Smith, Beaverton, OR (US);
Nasser Zamani, Lake Oswego, OR (US);
William G. Massey, III, Portland, OR (US);
Luis A. Novoa, Portland, OR (US);
Michael von Mayenburg, Lake Oswego, OR (US);
Charles H. Blakewood, Jr., Vancouver, WA (US);
Paul M. Menig, Tigard, OR (US);
Freightliner Corporation, Portland, OR (US);
Abstract
A method of controlling a retractable stairway assembly for a vehicle includes monitoring at least one vehicle status condition such as (a) whether the vehicle is stopped, (b) whether the parking brake is set, (c) whether the cab is tilted in excess of a threshold, and (d) whether excess current is being required by a motor used to shift the stairway between stowed and deployed positions in the event an electric motor is used for this purpose. In the event any of these monitored conditions are not in a predetermined state, deployment of the stairway from a stowed position is blocked. Deployment and stowing of the stairway may also be interrupted depending upon vehicle status and other conditions. Interior and exterior vehicle alarms may be activated depending on vehicle status conditions and the mode of operation of the stairway.