Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a system for automatically transferring a personal-transportation vehicle, such as a power chair, between a first and a second position proximate a motor vehicle such as a minivan is provided. The system can be used to transfer the personal-transportation vehicle between a first position on a lift and carrier assembly mounted on the motor vehicle, and a second position proximate a door of the motor vehicle, so that the user can transfer to and from the personal-transportation vehicle with minimal physical effort and movement. The system can generate guidance information for the personal-transportation vehicle based on position information generated by sensors located on one or both of the personal-transportation vehicle and the motor vehicle.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 25, 2008
Date of Patent:
November 20, 2012
Assignee:
FS Partners, LLC
Inventors:
Thomas A. Panzarella, Thomas A. Panzarella, Jr., Michael T. Martin, John R. Spletzer