Patents by Inventor Leonard L. Rice

Leonard L. Rice 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).

  • Patent number: 4353436
    Abstract: A vehicle mounted lift device for moving a wheelchair and its occupant to and from the bed of the vehicle includes a mounting apparatus fixed to the bed of the vehicle and a support assembly movably mounted to the mounting apparatus for being pivotally or translationally movable between a storage position and an outwardly extending operating position. The support assembly has a vertically stationary assembly which includes a pair of support posts, a lead screw mounted to each support post, a motive device for rotating the lead screws and a synchronizing apparatus interconnected so that the lead screws rotate at the same rate. The vertically stationary assembly also includes a safety flap apparatus to prevent inadvertent movement of the wheelchair from the vehicle through the access opening. The support assembly also has a vertically movable assembly which includes a coupling post interconnected to each lead screw and a foldable platform assembly pivotally connected between the coupling posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1982
    Assignee: Ricon Corp.
    Inventors: Leonard L. Rice, Marlin J. Freel, Gregory J. Paquin, Howard E. Burkett