Patents by Inventor Jeffrey J. Hermanson

Jeffrey J. Hermanson 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: 9597240
    Abstract: An accessibility system for providing access into or out of a vehicle includes a pan defining a securement area. The pan includes a first end, a second end, and a support surface. A ramp assembly includes a first segment and a second segment hingedly coupled to the first segment. The ramp assembly is pivotally coupled to and deployable from the pan near the second end. A tailgate assembly is detachably secured and pivotally coupled to the pan such that during deployment of the ramp assembly, the ramp assembly is pivotable about a first axis and the tailgate assembly is pivotable about a second axis parallel to and offset from the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: THE BRAUN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Hermanson, Aaron E. Kiser, Justin Kline
  • Publication number: 20140369778
    Abstract: A securement system for securing a wheelchair in a vehicle includes a securement area having a first end, a second end, and a support surface. A first extendable restraint is fixedly attached proximate the first end. A dispensing opening extends through the support surface proximate the second end. A second extendable restraint is fixedly attached proximate the first end and extends to and through the dispensing opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: The Braun Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Hermanson, Aaron E. Kiser, Ed Cardona
  • Publication number: 20140356116
    Abstract: An accessibility system for providing access into or out of a vehicle includes a pan defining a securement area. The pan includes a first end, a second end, and a support surface. A ramp assembly includes a first segment and a second segment hingedly coupled to the first segment. The ramp assembly is pivotally coupled to and deployable from the pan near the second end. A tailgate assembly is detachably secured and pivotally coupled to the pan such that during deployment of the ramp assembly, the ramp assembly is pivotable about a first axis and the tailgate assembly is pivotable about a second axis parallel to and offset from the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Hermanson, Aaron E. Kiser, Justin Kline
  • Publication number: 20140353948
    Abstract: A system for facilitating access to a vehicle includes a vehicle frame and a plurality of wheels supported by a surface, wherein each wheel is coupled to a control arm coupled to the frame. A body is supported by the frame and defines a passenger compartment with a driver's side and a passenger side. A height adjustment assembly is positioned between each control arm and the associated wheel. A controller is operable to actuate each height adjustment assembly to raise and lower the frame and body between a raised position and a lowered position in which a portion of the frame contacts the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Hermanson
  • Patent number: 8156595
    Abstract: A manually operated ramp assembly includes a ramp platform and a drive assembly. The ramp platform is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position, and the drive assembly is coupled to and affords movement of the ramp platform. A shaft extends away from the drive assembly and defines a shaft axis. The shaft is coupled to the drive assembly to cause movement of the ramp platform between the stowed position and the deployed position in response to rotation of the shaft about the shaft axis. A handle is disposed at a distal end of the shaft for manual rotation of the shaft about the shaft axis. A biasing member biases the ramp platform toward the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: The Braun Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred L. Budd, Jeffrey J. Hermanson
  • Publication number: 20110135432
    Abstract: A manually operated ramp assembly includes a ramp platform and a drive assembly. The ramp platform is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position, and the drive assembly is coupled to and affords movement of the ramp platform. A shaft extends away from the drive assembly and defines a shaft axis. The shaft is coupled to the drive assembly to cause movement of the ramp platform between the stowed position and the deployed position in response to rotation of the shaft about the shaft axis. A handle is disposed at a distal end of the shaft for manual rotation of the shaft about the shaft axis. A biasing member biases the ramp platform toward the stowed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Alfred L. Budd, Jeffrey J. Hermanson
  • Patent number: 7908695
    Abstract: A manually operated ramp assembly includes a ramp platform and a drive assembly. The ramp platform is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position, and the drive assembly is coupled to and affords movement of the ramp platform. A shaft extends away from the drive assembly and defines a shaft axis. The shaft is coupled to the drive assembly to cause movement of the ramp platform between the stowed position and the deployed position in response to rotation of the shaft about the shaft axis. A handle is disposed at a distal end of the shaft for manual rotation of the shaft about the shaft axis. A biasing member biases the ramp platform toward the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: The Braun Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred L. Budd, Jeffrey J. Hermanson
  • Publication number: 20090255067
    Abstract: A manually operated ramp assembly includes a ramp platform and a drive assembly. The ramp platform is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position, and the drive assembly is coupled to and affords movement of the ramp platform. A shaft extends away from the drive assembly and defines a shaft axis. The shaft is coupled to the drive assembly to cause movement of the ramp platform between the stowed position and the deployed position in response to rotation of the shaft about the shaft axis. A handle is disposed at a distal end of the shaft for manual rotation of the shaft about the shaft axis. A biasing member biases the ramp platform toward the stowed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Alfred L. Budd, Jeffrey J. Hermanson
  • Patent number: 6599079
    Abstract: A wheelchair lift having a foldable platform including a first platform portion foldably coupled to a second platform portion, a lifting frame, at least one lifting arm with one end pivotally coupled to the lifting frame and the other end connected to the second platform portion and adapted to pivot the lifting arm between a substantially vertical stowed position and a substantially horizontal deployed position. A post extends from the lifting arm and a locking assembly is pivotably coupled to the lifting frame. The locking assembly includes a lever arm pivotably coupled to the lifting frame, a gas spring extending between the lever arm and the lifting frame which operates to resist pivoting of the lever arm, and a mechanical spring extending between the lever arm and the lifting frame which exerts a biasing force operating to pivot the lever arm to engage the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: The Braun Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Hermanson, James R. Pierrou, Russell G. Antrim, Alfred Budd, Ned W. McCormick
  • Patent number: 6352396
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanism for moving a vehicular wheelchair restraining device back and forth between a remote, stowed position and a deployed position from which it may lockingly engage a wheelchair to prevent it from freely moving around the vehicle. The mechanism includes a shallow platform having ramped sides over which a wheelchair may easily roll, and a motor and drive train for moving the wheelchair restraining mechanism between its remote position and its deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: The Braun Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred Lewis Budd, Jeffrey J. Hermanson
  • Publication number: 20010055520
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanism for automatically moving a vehicular wheelchair restraining device back and forth between a remote, stowed position and a deployed position from which it may lockingly engage a wheelchair to prevent it from freely moving around the vehicle. The mechanism includes a shallow platform having ramped sides over which a wheelchair may easily roll, and a motor and drive train for automatically moving the wheelchair restraining mechanism between its remote position and its deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventors: Alfred L. Budd, Jeffrey J. Hermanson
  • Publication number: 20010036397
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the present invention incorporates a fluid pressure sensing switch in fluid communication with a hydraulic fluid outlet of a hydraulic pump driving a platform lift. The pressure switch is calibrated to activate at a pump outlet pressure created when the pump attempts to lift (fold) the platform into the stow position when it carries a load. The switch is calibrated not to activate at a pump outlet pressure created when the pump attempts to lift (fold) the platform into the stow position when the platform is unloaded. Activation of the pressure switch disables the hydraulic pump, thereby preventing a loaded platform from being folded into the stow position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: James R. Pierrou, Jeffrey J. Hermanson
  • Publication number: 20010031183
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanism for moving a vehicular wheelchair restraining device back and forth between a remote, stowed position and a deployed position from which it may lockingly engage a wheelchair to prevent it from freely moving around the vehicle. The mechanism includes a shallow platform having ramped sides over which a wheelchair may easily roll, and a motor and drive train for moving the wheelchair restraining mechanism between its remote position and its deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventors: Alfred Lewis Budd, Jeffrey J. Hermanson
  • Publication number: 20010024604
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanism for moving a vehicular wheelchair restraining device back and forth between a remote, stowed position and a deployed position from which it may lockingly engage a wheelchair to prevent it from freely moving around the vehicle. The mechanism includes a shallow platform having ramped sides over which a wheelchair may easily roll, and a motor and drive train for moving the wheelchair restraining mechanism between its remote position and its deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventors: Alfred Lewis Budd, Jeffrey J. Hermanson