Patents by Inventor Clifford L. Wolfe

Clifford L. Wolfe 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: 7306421
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an inside vehicle lift for transferring a load through a rear door opening of a vehicle. The lift comprises a load platform for receiving the load. The load platform is horizontally movable between a loading position with the load platform being disposed behind a rear bumper of the vehicle and a transport position inside the vehicle. Lift actuators move vertically a lift support base with the load platform between a first vertical position with the load platform being in close proximity to ground and a second vertical position suitable for horizontally moving the load platform into the vehicle. The inside vehicle lift is highly beneficial for installation in minivans and SUVs enabling loading of a large number of different commercially available scooters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventor: Clifford L. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 5052879
    Abstract: The invention consists of a wheelchair lift frame, movable platform and transfer system. It is designed to enable the person in a wheelchair to independently enter a vehicle and drive from his/her wheelchair without transferring or leaving the wheelchair platform. In the first position the lift frame is folded inside the driver's door below the arm rest, and the platform, separate from the lift frame, is attached to rails, which are attached to the floor of the vehicle. A movable head rest is attached to the roof of the vehicle as a safety feature. When the lift mechanism is activated the lift frame is lowered and extended to the second position, outside the driver's door on a level with the vehicle floor. The platform moves sideways, by means of a caterpillar chain which catches on teeth on the lift frame, over a eight inch gap onto the lift frame assembly and is cantilevered over the lift frame in the third position. The lift frame and platform are now lowered to ground level to the fourth position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Inventor: Clifford L. Wolfe