Patents by Inventor Donald E. Stoll

Donald E. Stoll has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Retractable vehicle ramp with lift assist
    Patent number: 5472306
    Abstract: A retractable ramp mechanism for a vehicle includes a frame mounted to the vehicle and a ramp mounted to the frame by way of a linkage for movements between stowed and extended positions. The linkage is constructed and arranged to permit an inner end of the ramp to pivot upwardly with respect to the frame from a lower position to an engagement position. In the engagement position, the inner end of the ramp may be engaged with a work surface of the vehicle. The linkage includes a mechanism for applying a biasing force to bias the inner end of the ramp upwardly to the engagement position when the ramp is in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Stoll, Alfred T. Dietrich
  • Retractable vehicle ramp with lift assist
    Patent number: 5340267
    Abstract: A retractable ramp mechanism for a vehicle includes a frame mounted to the vehicle and a ramp mounted to the frame by way of a linkage for movements between stowed and extended positions. The linkage is constructed and arranged to permit an inner end of the ramp to pivot upwardly with respect to the frame from a lower position to an engagement position. In the engagement position, the inner end of the ramp may be engaged with a work surface of the vehicle. The linkage includes a mechanism for applying a biasing force to bias the inner end of the ramp upwardly to the engagement position when the ramp is in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Stoll, Alfred T. Dietrich