Adam C Hooper

US Patent:

20120118341, May 17, 2012

Filed:

Nov 15, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/297083

Inventors:

Adam C. Hooper - Watertown WI, US
Timothy J. Dexter - Orland CA, US
Andrew A. Bayer - Oconomowoc WI, US

Assignee:

BRUNO INDEPENDENT LIVING AIDS, INC. - Oconomowoc WI

International Classification:

E04H 15/06
E04H 15/48

US Classification:

135 8805, 135143

Abstract:

Storable exterior lift cover systems, apparatus, devices, methods, etc. are configured to be used with a lift device or the like (such as an exterior lift that raises, transports, stores and lowers mobility devices like scooters, power chairs and the like) mounted to a motor vehicle using a trailer hitch or the like. A covering apparatus has a foldable frame that can be unfolded to allow a pliable cover to extend over the lift platform and any cargo. Retraction of the cover and folding of the frame compactly configures and stores the cover apparatus, for example between the lift platform and a motor vehicle to which the lift is secured. Embodiments of the storable exterior lift cover permit easy deployment and storage of a cover that can be reliably transported externally in its deployed or stored configuration.

US Patent:

20130022434, Jan 24, 2013

Filed:

Apr 13, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/639645

Inventors:

Scott K. Uttech - New Berlin WI, US
Andrew A. Bayer - Oconomowoc WI, US
Timothy G. Schwarz - Delafield WI, US
Adam C. Hooper - Iron Ridge WI, US

Assignee:

BRUNO INDEPENDENT LIVING AIDS, INC. - Oconomowoc WI

International Classification:

B60P 1/00

US Classification:

414495

Abstract:

A platform lift trailer includes a chassis to which a lift device is mounted. The chassis is configured to be coupled to a standard motor vehicle trailer hitch or the like using a coupler. Some embodiments of the coupler provide protection against larges torsional forces applied between a motor vehicle and coupled trailer when they are angularly displaced relative to one another. One or more ground-engaging wheel assemblies are mounted to the chassis to assist in supporting the weight of the lift and any cargo thereon. The platform lift trailer is highly adaptable so that a wide variety of lifts can be mounted to the platform lift trailer and thus to smaller motor vehicles. Adaptation of mobility lifts and the like to a larger array of motor vehicles is therefore possible. One or more embodiments of a trailer coupler use torque-limiting apparatus so that vertical angular displacements of a motor vehicle and a coupled trailer do not apply large forces directly between the motor vehicle and the trailer. Instead, the coupler torque-limiting structure limits such forces using a biasing means such as a spring or the like to accommodate or limit torsional forces applied between the motor vehicle and the trailer. The biasing means also can limit the maximum angular displacement allowed between the motor vehicle and coupled trailer.

US Patent:

20110280700, Nov 17, 2011

Filed:

Feb 2, 2010

Appl. No.:

13/145602

Inventors:

Scott K. Uttech - New Berlin WI, US
Andrew A. Bayer - Oconomowoc WI, US
Adam C. Hooper - Watertown WI, US
Kristopher O. Lampe - South Milwaukee WI, US

International Classification:

A61G 3/02

US Classification:

414540

Abstract:

A transfer device to assist a user in moving between vertically displaced locations has a storage enclosure mounted or mountable to the exterior of a motor vehicle. The storage enclosure protects components from external conditions, weather, etc., and typically is made of steel, plastic, etc. A user platform is supported on a drawer assembly that can be completely encased in the storage enclosure. Movement of the drawer assembly is controlled by a drawer extension mechanism that selectively extends and retracts the drawer assembly into and out of the storage enclosure between a stored position completely inside the storage enclosure and an operative position outside the storage enclosure. When the drawer assembly is in an operative position outside the storage enclosure, a platform elevating mechanism can raise and lower the user platform between a lower, compacted storage position and an elevated position using a scissors linkage that links the user platform to a drawer assembly support such as a tray. The elevating mechanism can be an actuator having a cylinder pivotably mounted to the tray and a slidable rod pivotably mounted to the scissors linkage in a manner that permits raising the seat as the rod is extended outwardly from the actuator cylinder. A control system monitors the position of the drawer assembly and the vertical position of the user platform and can prevent undesired operation such as when a motor vehicle engine is still running or a motor vehicle door is closed.

US Patent:

20180170131, Jun 21, 2018

Filed:

Dec 18, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/845558

Inventors:

- Oconomowoc WI, US
Adam C. Hooper - Iron Ridge WI, US
Mark D. Dees - Glendale AZ, US

International Classification:

B60D 1/46
B60D 1/52
B60D 1/42
B60D 1/14
B60D 1/167
B60D 1/173

Abstract:

An articulated coupler permits vertical displacement of a towed vehicle relative to a towing vehicle while preventing lateral or horizontal displacement of the towed vehicle relative to the towing vehicle. Multiple linkage arms provide coupling for special configuration towed vehicles such as short wheel-mounted lifts that experience torsional forces due to the presence and absence of loads on the lift.

US Patent:

20160046160, Feb 18, 2016

Filed:

Oct 29, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/927119

Inventors:

- Oconomowoc WI, US
Adam C. Hooper - Iron Ridge WI, US
Mark D. Dees - Glendale AZ, US

International Classification:

B60D 1/46
B60D 1/167
B60D 1/173

Abstract:

An articulated coupler permits vertical displacement of a towed vehicle relative to a towing vehicle while preventing lateral or horizontal displacement of the towed vehicle relative to the towing vehicle. Multiple linkage arms provide coupling for special configuration towed vehicles such as short wheel-mounted lifts that experience torsional forces due to the presence and absence of loads on the lift.

US Patent:

20150104280, Apr 16, 2015

Filed:

Dec 18, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/575436

Inventors:

- Oconomowoc WI, US
Andrew A. Bayer - Oconomowoc WI, US
Timothy G. Schwarz - Oconomowoc WI, US
Adam C. Hooper - Oconomowoc WI, US

International Classification:

B66F 9/065
B60P 1/44
B60P 3/06
B66F 9/075
B66F 11/04

US Classification:

414495

Abstract:

A platform lift trailer includes a chassis to which a lift device is mounted. The chassis is configured to be coupled to a standard motor vehicle trailer hitch or the like using a coupler. Some embodiments of the coupler provide protection against larges torsional forces applied between a motor vehicle and coupled trailer when they are angularly displaced relative to one another. One or more ground-engaging wheel assemblies are mounted to the chassis to assist in supporting the weight of the lift and any cargo thereon. The platform lift trailer is highly adaptable so that a wide variety of lifts can be mounted to the platform lift trailer and thus to smaller motor vehicles. Adaptation of mobility lifts and the like to a larger array of motor vehicles is therefore possible. One or more embodiments of a trailer coupler use torque-limiting apparatus so that vertical angular displacements of a motor vehicle and a coupled trailer do not apply large forces directly between the motor vehicle and the trailer. Instead, the coupler torque-limiting structure limits such forces using a biasing means such as a spring or the like to accommodate or limit torsional forces applied between the motor vehicle and the trailer. The biasing means also can limit the maximum angular displacement allowed between the motor vehicle and coupled trailer.

US Patent:

20140265251, Sep 18, 2014

Filed:

Mar 14, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/212578

Inventors:

- Oconomowoc WI, US
Adam C. Hooper - Iron Ridge WI, US
Mark D. Dees - Glendale AZ, US

Assignee:

Bruno Independent Living Aids, Inc. - Oconomowoc WI

International Classification:

B60D 1/42

US Classification:

280504

Abstract:

An articulated coupler permits vertical displacement of a towed vehicle relative to a towing vehicle while preventing lateral or horizontal displacement of the towed vehicle relative to the towing vehicle. Multiple linkage arms provide coupling for special configuration towed vehicles such as short wheel-mounted lifts that experience torsional forces due to the presence and absence of loads on the lift.

Address:

N6034 State Rd 67, Iron Ridge, WI 53035

Phone:

9202615703

VIN:

1ZVHT82H475223096

Make:

FORD

Model:

MUSTANG

Year:

2007