Patents by Inventor Michael T. Zindler

Michael T. Zindler 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: 11712990
    Abstract: A foot rest assembly includes a foot rest member movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The assembly further includes a leg having a first leg end coupled to the foot rest member and a second leg end, and an arm assembly including a flange and a track. The track includes a first track end and a second track end. A bearing assembly is coupled to the second leg end of the leg. In the deployed position, the bearing assembly and second leg end are located at the first end of the track. In the stowed position, the bearing assembly and second leg end are located at the second end of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Ths Braun Corporation
    Inventors: James Stoner, Michael T. Zindler
  • Publication number: 20230184016
    Abstract: A door opening assembly is provided for moving a door of a vehicle between an open position and a closed position. The assembly includes a frame member coupled to the vehicle, a link is coupled to the frame member, and a link arm pivotally coupled to the link. A pivot arm is pivotally coupled to the frame member and a pivot bracket is pivotally coupled to the door and the pivot arm. The pivot bracket includes a slot such that a pin on the link arm slides therethrough. The assembly includes a gear rack and a gear operably coupled to the gear rack. The gear is driven by a motor as the door moves between its open and closed positions. The assembly further includes a guide track coupled to the vehicle and a roller rotatably driven along the guide track as the door moves between its open and closed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Michael T. Zindler, Adam D. Wojdyla, Robert E. Bettcher, III, James Stoner, Jon Beck
  • Patent number: 11585137
    Abstract: A door opening assembly is provided for moving a door of a vehicle between an open position and a closed position. The assembly includes a frame member coupled to the vehicle, a link is coupled to the frame member, and a link arm pivotally coupled to the link. A pivot arm is pivotally coupled to the frame member and a pivot bracket is pivotally coupled to the door and the pivot arm. The pivot bracket includes a slot such that a pin on the link arm slides therethrough. The assembly includes a gear rack and a gear operably coupled to the gear rack. The gear is driven by a motor as the door moves between its open and closed positions. The assembly further includes a guide track coupled to the vehicle and a roller rotatably driven along the guide track as the door moves between its open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: The Braun Corporation
    Inventors: Michael T. Zindler, Adam D. Wojdyla, Robert E. Bettcher, III, James Stoner, Jon Beck
  • Publication number: 20220314859
    Abstract: A foot rest assembly includes a foot rest member movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The assembly further includes a leg having a first leg end coupled to the foot rest member and a second leg end, and an arm assembly including a flange and a track. The track includes a first track end and a second track end. A bearing assembly is coupled to the second leg end of the leg. In the deployed position, the bearing assembly and second leg end are located at the first end of the track. In the stowed position, the bearing assembly and second leg end are located at the second end of the track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: James Stoner, Michael T. Zindler
  • Patent number: 11400846
    Abstract: A foot rest assembly includes a foot rest member movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The assembly further includes a leg having a first leg end coupled to the foot rest member and a second leg end, and an arm assembly including a flange and a track. The track includes a first track end and a second track end. A bearing assembly is coupled to the second leg end of the leg. In the deployed position, the bearing assembly and second leg end are located at the first end of the track. In the stowed position, the bearing assembly and second leg end are located at the second end of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: The Braun Corporation
    Inventors: James Stoner, Michael T. Zindler
  • Publication number: 20220194222
    Abstract: A transmission shifter for an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) vehicle adapted to transport a physically limited person, wherein a front passenger compartment of the vehicle includes a dash, a driver side compartment, and a passenger side compartment. An OEM vehicle shifter is removed from the vehicle and located on a support slidingly engaging a fixed support located at the dash or behind the dash. The support is disposed between the driver side compartment and the passenger side compartment and is adjustable therebetween to increase clearance between the driver seated in a wheelchair and the vehicle shifter or to increase clearance between the vehicle shifter and a passenger seated in the front passenger compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventor: Michael T. Zindler
  • Patent number: 11338709
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: The Braun Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Laird, Roy Mayekawa, Michael Pugh, Michael T. Zindler, James Stoner
  • Publication number: 20210206304
    Abstract: A foot rest assembly includes a foot rest member movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The assembly further includes a leg having a first leg end coupled to the foot rest member and a second leg end, and an arm assembly including a flange and a track. The track includes a first track end and a second track end. A bearing assembly is coupled to the second leg end of the leg. In the deployed position, the bearing assembly and second leg end are located at the first end of the track. In the stowed position, the bearing assembly and second leg end are located at the second end of the track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: James Stoner, Michael T. Zindler
  • Publication number: 20210002937
    Abstract: A door opening assembly is provided for moving a door of a vehicle between an open position and a closed position. The assembly includes a frame member coupled to the vehicle, a link is coupled to the frame member, and a link arm pivotally coupled to the link. A pivot arm is pivotally coupled to the frame member and a pivot bracket is pivotally coupled to the door and the pivot arm. The pivot bracket includes a slot such that a pin on the link arm slides therethrough. The assembly includes a gear rack and a gear operably coupled to the gear rack. The gear is driven by a motor as the door moves between its open and closed positions. The assembly further includes a guide track coupled to the vehicle and a roller rotatably driven along the guide track as the door moves between its open and closed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Michael T. Zindler, Adam D. Wojdyla, Robert E. Bettcher, III, James Stoner, Jon Beck
  • Publication number: 20200039394
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Laird, Roy Mayekawa, Michael Pugh, Michael T. Zindler, James Stoner
  • Patent number: 10532671
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: THE BRAUN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Laird, Roy Mayekawa, Michael Pugh, Michael T. Zindler, James Stoner
  • Patent number: 10532776
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: THE BRAUN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael T. Zindler
  • Patent number: 10272003
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: THE BRAUN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael T. Zindler
  • Publication number: 20180127034
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventor: Michael T. Zindler
  • Publication number: 20180038139
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventor: Michael T. Zindler
  • Publication number: 20170320408
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Laird, Roy Mayekawa, Michael Pugh, Michael T. Zindler, James Stoner