Patents by Inventor Lawrence E. Karkau

Lawrence E. Karkau 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: 4270630
    Abstract: An improved automotive lift device for vehicles which consists of a lift carriage having movable upper step and riser elements so as to selectively form normal upper and lower entrance steps in their retracted normal use position. The upper step and riser pivotally connected thereto are selectively extendable outwardly and downwardly by self-contained actuating device so as to form a continuous horizontal loading platform in association with the fixed lower step formed by the base of the lift carriage. Thus formed, the horizontal loading platform can be selectively lowered to the ground or curb level. It can be also selectively raised to the vehicle interior floor level thereby enabling a handicapped person, on crutches or in a wheelchair, to easily board or disembark from such vehicle at will.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1981
    Assignee: Collins Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Karkau
  • Patent number: 4164292
    Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic lift device for use in association with doorway openings of buildings or of vehicles such as buses and vans so as to facilitate the loading and unloading of handicapped persons into and out of such buildings and/or vehicles. More specifically, the invention relates to an automatic lift device which consists of a lift carriage that is mounted within the doorway opening so as to be vertically movable therein. Movable step and riser elements are provided within the lift carriage so as to form normal upper and lower entrance steps in their retracted normal use position. The lift carriage is selectively movable to a lowered ground level position and a raised interior floor level position while the upper step and riser remain in their retracted normal step position within the lift carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1979
    Assignee: Karphen Lift Company
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Karkau