Abstract: A modified OEM vehicle having an interior for accommodating a passenger in a wheelchair including a floor base assembly, a seat, and a seat base assembly operatively connected to the seat. The seat base assembly includes a lower seat base assembly configured to be coupled to the floor base assembly, an upper seat base assembly pivotably coupled to the lower seat base assembly, and an actuator coupled to the lower seat base assembly and to the upper seat assembly. The the actuator includes a retracted position in which the seat is located in a seated position and an extended position in which the seat is located in a tilted position, wherein the tilted position of the seat provides additional space for the wheelchair within the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A ramp assembly for a passenger using a wheelchair to enter or exit a motorized vehicle. The ramp assembly includes a rail assembly having a track with a first portion extending longitudinally along the rail and a second portion inclined with the first portion. A ramp is operatively connected to the rail assembly. The ramp includes a first body and a second body that articulates with respect to the first body, wherein the ramp moves along the rail assembly and includes a storage position and a deployed position. A first roller is operatively connected to the first body and a second roller is operatively connected to the second body. The first body and the second body of the ramp are generally planar in the storage position and the first body is inclined with respect to the second body in the deployed position.

Abstract: A ramp assembly for use to accommodate a wheel-chaired passenger to enter or exit a motorized vehicle includes a ramp body having a length defined along a longitudinal direction, a first side rail pivotably coupled to the ramp body, a second side rail pivotably coupled to the ramp body, and a hinge plate pivotably coupled to the ramp body. The ramp assembly further includes a first arm and a second arm coupled to a bottom surface of the ramp body. The first side rail and second side rail are pivotably moved between a folded position in which the first and second side rails pivot inwardly and a raised position in which the side rails are oriented perpendicular to the ramp body. The first arm operably pivots the first side rail between its folded and raised position, and the second arm operably pivots the second side rail between its folded and raised position.

Abstract: A ramp assembly with an inboard ramp section, an outboard ramp section pivotally coupled to the outboard ramp section, a knob coupled to one of the inboard ramp section or the outboard ramp section, a ramp latch coupled to the other of the inboard ramp section or the outboard ramp section, the ramp latch comprising, an elongated shaft extending from a proximal section towards a distal section, a first arcuate jaw extending from the distal section away from the elongated shaft, a second arcuate jaw extending from the distal section away from the elongated shaft, the first and second arcuate jaw defining an opening therebetween, and wherein the knob is selectively positionable at least partially within the opening.

Abstract: An overtravel hinge for a sliding door of a vehicle. The overtravel hinge expands from a collapsed condition, to a partially deployed condition, and to a fully deployed condition. The hinge includes a four bar linkage utilizing an arm to control movement of the overtravel hinge between the collapsed condition and the fully deployed condition. The overtravel hinge, in one embodiment, is used to modify or retrofit a known original equipment manufacturer vehicle.

Abstract: A K-member for a passenger vehicle includes a body, a first cross member coupled to the body, and a second cross member coupled to the body at a location rearward of the first cross member. The first and second cross members are coupled transversely with respect to the body. A reinforcement member is coupled to the body and extends transversely between opposite sides of the body. The K-member further includes a first and second coupling member. Each coupling member is coupled to the body and includes an elongated portion, a curved portion, a toe link joint, and a first mounting location. The toe link joint is angularly disposed relative to the elongated portion. When assembled to the passenger vehicle having a rear passenger compartment, the entire K-member is positioned below a horizontal plane defined by a floor in the compartment.

Abstract: A removable seat assembly for a vehicle, including a base assembly having a riser portion configured to support a seat; a frame structure coupled to and supporting the riser portion, the frame structure defining a first generally planar surface configured to support a floor section; a seat dolly coupled to the frame structure, the seat dolly including a plurality of wheels for moving the seat assembly from a first position to a second position; a floor base assembly defining a substantially planar surface for receiving the plurality of wheels of the seat dolly as the seat assembly is moved from the first position to the second position; and a mounting bracket configured to releasably lock the seat dolly to the floor base assembly.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for a vehicle modified to transport an individual using a wheelchair. The modified vehicle includes a lowered floor having an inclined portion to accommodate a ramp. The suspension replaces a portion of the suspension of an original equipment manufactured vehicle to accommodate the lowered floor, which is lowered from the original floor and which includes a width not found in the original floor. The suspension assembly includes a left bushing arm and a right bushing arm operatively connected together by a front and a rear crossmembers. Vehicle frame mounts, coil spring locations, and shock absorber locations are maintained, while accommodating the depth and width of the lowered floor. The additional weight of the vehicle, due to the addition of the lowered floor and anticipated weight of wheelchaired individuals, is accommodated by the suspension to maintain rider comfort.

Abstract: A latch assembly of a seat is provided in a vehicle. The latch assembly includes a base including a first pin and a second pin. A first latch includes a first housing and a first latch mechanism at least partially enclosed within the first housing. The first latch is pivotally coupled to the base. A second latch includes a second housing and a second latch mechanism at least partially enclosed within the second housing. The second latch is pivotally coupled to the base. The first latch is disposed in its latched position when the first latch engages the first pin, and the second latch is disposed in its latched position when the second latch engages the second pin. The first latch and the second latch are not disposed in their respective latched positions at the same time.

Abstract: A retractable ramp system for facilitating mobility-challenged individual's entrance to and exit from a structure, particularly, from a motorized vehicle. The ramp system includes a frame having a front member, a first side member, a second side member, a rear member, and a floor. The rear member is pivotally coupled to the frame between an open position and a closed position. The ramp system includes a first track coupled to the first side member and defining a longitudinal channel therein, and a second track coupled to the second side member and defining a longitudinal channel therein. A ramp is pivotably coupled to the first and second tracks about a pivot axis, and includes a ramp floor, a first side panel, and a second side panel. The system includes a latch to maintain the ramp in a stowed position.

Abstract: A lift platform assembly coupled to a floor and capable of transitioning a lift platform between a stow position and a ground level position. The lift platform assembly has one or more arms coupling the lift platform to the floor, a gate mount coupled to the lift platform at an outboard end, a retention gate coupled to the gate mount at a first terminus, and a mount pivot axis defined through the gate mount and parallel to a lift platform plane. The retention gate pivots about the mount pivot axis as the lift platform assembly transitions from the ground level position to the stow position.

Abstract: A motor vehicle having a body, for transporting a wheelchair-confined passenger, and a rear liftgate, for providing ingress and egress for the passenger. The motor vehicle includes a tailgate frame operatively connected to the body and disposed adjacently to the rear liftgate. The tailgate frame defines an opening. A tailgate is movably coupled to the tailgate frame at the opening, wherein the tailgate includes a closed position and an open position. A latch is operatively connected to the tailgate. The latch includes a latched condition configured to latch the tailgate in the closed position, a lock condition configured to lock the tailgate in the closed position, and an unlatched condition configured to unlatch the tailgate for movement from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A lift for transferring a user to and from a vehicle, the lift including a lift platform for receiving the user, the lift platform being arcuately movable between a first position and a second position; a vertical arm coupled to the lift platform, the vertical arm having a profile that is progressively convex along the entire length of the vertical arm; and a pair of parallel arms extending from the vertical arm, wherein each of the parallel arms is pivotally coupled to a bracket mounted to the vehicle; wherein the vertical arm has a generally U-shaped cross-section that forms a channel configured to receive at least a portion of the pair of parallel arms.

Abstract: A method of increasing a door opening width of a crossover vehicle to accommodate a wheelchair ramp or lift assembly. The method includes positioning a template on a B pillar and a template on a C pillar and marking cut lines on the pillars. The method includes cutting along the cut lines with a cutting tool to remove portions of the B pillar and the C pillar. A B pillar cover assembly is assembled and a reinforcement plate is coupled to a remaining portion of the C pillar. An adhesive is applied to the B pillar cover assembly and to a C pillar cap. A modified B pillar is produced by coupling the B pillar cover assembly to a remaining portion of the B pillar, and a modified C pillar is produced by coupling the C pillar cap to the reinforcement plate and the remaining portion of the C pillar.