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:
Jul. 04, 2006
Filed:
Jan. 29, 2004
Travis Garland, Dearborn, MI (US);
Michael Ford, Troy, MI (US);
Noel Ranka, Canton, MI (US);
Scott Ford, Belleville, MI (US);
Christina Bloxsom, Plymouth, MI (US);
David Hsai, Dearborn, MI (US);
Travis Garland, Dearborn, MI (US);
Michael Ford, Troy, MI (US);
Noel Ranka, Canton, MI (US);
Scott Ford, Belleville, MI (US);
Christina Bloxsom, Plymouth, MI (US);
David Hsai, Dearborn, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A control mechanism for a powered running board on an automotive vehicle, such as a sport utility vehicle, utilizes the memory function of the vehicle to store therein established operating positions for the running board. The user or occupant of the vehicle can manually position the powered running board to a convenient operating position within a range of available operating positions on the vehicle. By storing the selected position of the running board in the memory function of the vehicle, the control mechanism can return to that same operating height each time the occupant seeks to use the running board for entry or exit of the vehicle. The control mechanism is operable with different configurations of running boards and with different power devices for effecting the movement of the running board.