Patents by Inventor Eric Kitchel

Eric Kitchel 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).

  • Ramp assembly with collapsible side rails for motorized vehicle
    Patent number: 10806648
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: THE BRAUN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Greg Perkins, Michael Laird, Eric Kitchel
  • RAMP ASSEMBLY WITH COLLAPSIBLE SIDE RAILS FOR MOTORIZED VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20190247248
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Greg Perkins, Michael Laird, Eric Kitchel