Ned W Mccormick

US Patent:

20040135395, Jul 15, 2004

Filed:

Oct 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/685937

Inventors:

Michael Pugh - Winamac IN, US
Ned McCormick - Winamac IN, US
Christopher Lease - Royal Center IN, US

Assignee:

The Braun Corporation - Winamac IN

International Classification:

B60J005/04

US Classification:

296/146900

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

6599079, Jul 29, 2003

Filed:

Oct 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/702397

Inventors:

Jeffrey J. Hermanson - Culver IN
James R. Pierrou - Winamac IN
Russell G. Antrim - Winamac IN
Alfred Budd - Winamac IN
Ned W. McCormick - Winamac IN

Assignee:

The Braun Corporation - Winamac IN

International Classification:

A61G 308

US Classification:

414546, 414921

Abstract:

A wheelchair lift having a foldable platform including a first platform portion foldably coupled to a second platform portion, a lifting frame, at least one lifting arm with one end pivotally coupled to the lifting frame and the other end connected to the second platform portion and adapted to pivot the lifting arm between a substantially vertical stowed position and a substantially horizontal deployed position. A post extends from the lifting arm and a locking assembly is pivotably coupled to the lifting frame. The locking assembly includes a lever arm pivotably coupled to the lifting frame, a gas spring extending between the lever arm and the lifting frame which operates to resist pivoting of the lever arm, and a mechanical spring extending between the lever arm and the lifting frame which exerts a biasing force operating to pivot the lever arm to engage the post. Pivoting the lifting arm to the deployed position actuates unfolding the platform, while pivoting the lifting arm to the stowed position actuates folding the platform and engages the post with the lever arm.