David R Eaton

US Patent:

62644165, Jul 24, 2001

Filed:

Mar 9, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/521485

Inventors:

David Hartwell Eaton - Scottsdale AZ

Assignee:

Vantage Mobility International, LLC - Phoenix AZ

International Classification:

B60P 143

US Classification:

414537

Abstract:

A pair of tracks extend between the side frame rails of a minivan, each track having an upper horizontal side, a lower horizontal side, and a vertical side. A powered trolley has a first set of wheels located between the horizontal sides of each track and a second set of wheels engaging the vertical sides of the tracks. A ramp or platform has an inner end coupled to the trolley and an outer end riding on the upper horizontal side of the track. At the outer end of each track, the upper horizontal side angles upwardly away from horizontal, causing the outer end of the ramp to lower when extended.

US Patent:

58713298, Feb 16, 1999

Filed:

May 21, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/861326

Inventors:

Gregg Alan Tidrick - Chandler AZ
David H. Eaton - Phoenix AZ

Assignee:

U.S. Vantage Company LLC - Phoenix AZ

International Classification:

B60P 143

US Classification:

414537

Abstract:

A powered wheelchair ramp includes a drive mechanism having a gear, a cam, and a lever arm keyed to a common shaft to prevent relative motion among these elements. An electric motor drives the gear through a clutch and the lever arm raises or lowers a folding ramp. Energy storage device engage the cam through a follower for storing energy as the ramp is lowered. The energy storage device also damps the motion of the ramp. When the ramp is raised, the energy storage device aids lifting the ramp. The torques applied to the common shaft are such that the net torque in either direction about the shaft is below a predetermined amount. The result is that the ramp can be raised and lowered easily, even by a single person in a wheelchair sitting beside the ramp. The clutch is released for manual operation and can engage at any point for powered operation.