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).
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Patent number: 11712990Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 22, 2022Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Ths Braun CorporationInventors: James Stoner, Michael T. Zindler
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Publication number: 20230184016Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2023Publication date: June 15, 2023Inventors: Michael T. Zindler, Adam D. Wojdyla, Robert E. Bettcher, III, James Stoner, Jon Beck
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Patent number: 11585137Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 1, 2020Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: The Braun CorporationInventors: Michael T. Zindler, Adam D. Wojdyla, Robert E. Bettcher, III, James Stoner, Jon Beck
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Publication number: 20220314859Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2022Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: James Stoner, Michael T. Zindler
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Patent number: 11400846Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 6, 2021Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: The Braun CorporationInventors: James Stoner, Michael T. Zindler
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Publication number: 20220194222Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2021Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventor: Michael T. Zindler
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Patent number: 11338709Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 9, 2019Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: The Braun CorporationInventors: Michael Laird, Roy Mayekawa, Michael Pugh, Michael T. Zindler, James Stoner
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Publication number: 20210206304Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2021Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: James Stoner, Michael T. Zindler
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Publication number: 20210002937Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2020Publication date: January 7, 2021Inventors: Michael T. Zindler, Adam D. Wojdyla, Robert E. Bettcher, III, James Stoner, Jon Beck
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Publication number: 20200039394Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Inventors: Michael Laird, Roy Mayekawa, Michael Pugh, Michael T. Zindler, James Stoner
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Patent number: 10532671Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 28, 2017Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: THE BRAUN CORPORATIONInventors: Michael Laird, Roy Mayekawa, Michael Pugh, Michael T. Zindler, James Stoner
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Patent number: 10532776Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 25, 2017Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: THE BRAUN CORPORATIONInventor: Michael T. Zindler
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Patent number: 10272003Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 1, 2017Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: THE BRAUN CORPORATIONInventor: Michael T. Zindler
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Publication number: 20180127034Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2017Publication date: May 10, 2018Inventor: Michael T. Zindler
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Publication number: 20180038139Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2017Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventor: Michael T. Zindler
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Publication number: 20170320408Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2017Publication date: November 9, 2017Inventors: Michael Laird, Roy Mayekawa, Michael Pugh, Michael T. Zindler, James Stoner