Patents by Inventor Robert E. Bettcher

Robert E. Bettcher 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).

  • Publication number: 20250177222
    Abstract: A barrier configured to be located at a door a vehicle having a lift platform to enable an individual using a mobility device to exit and to enter an interior of the vehicle. The barrier includes a support base configured to be fixedly coupled to the vehicle. A first side and a second side each extend from the support base are spaced apart to define an access location for the individual using the mobility device. A barrier gate or a barrier plate include an entry position and a blocking position wherein, in at least one embodiment, movement of the lift platform moves the barrier plate from the entry position to the blocking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2025
    Publication date: June 5, 2025
    Inventors: Justin M. Kline, Robert E. Bettcher, Alfred Lewis Budd, II, Jeff Ackerman, Chih-Wei Li, Sashank Allu
  • Patent number: 12239585
    Abstract: A barrier configured to be located at a door a vehicle having a lift platform to enable an individual using a mobility device to exit and to enter an interior of the vehicle. The barrier includes a support base configured to be fixedly coupled to the vehicle. A first side and a second side each extend from the support base are spaced apart to define an access location for the individual using the mobility device. A barrier gate or a barrier plate include an entry position and a blocking position wherein, in at least one embodiment, movement of the lift platform moves the barrier plate from the entry position to the blocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: The Braun Corporation
    Inventors: Justin M. Kline, Robert E. Bettcher, III, Alfred Lewis Budd, II, Jeff Ackerman, Chih-Wei Li, Sashank Allu
  • Publication number: 20250001844
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a ramp, a sliding door that when open allows the ramp to be deployed from the vehicle, and an anti-rattle device to prevent or reduce rattling of the ramp against the door or other components of the vehicle when the ramp is in a stowed position. The anti-rattle device includes an arm pivotable relative to the door and a roller rotatably coupled to the arm, spaced apart from the door, and configured to contact the ramp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Inventors: Robert E. Bettcher, III, Kenneth Edward Peterson
  • Publication number: 20240315894
    Abstract: A barrier configured to be located at a door a vehicle having a lift platform to enable an individual using a mobility device to exit and to enter an interior of the vehicle. The barrier includes a support base configured to be fixedly coupled to the vehicle. A first side and a second side each extend from the support base are spaced apart to define an access location for the individual using the mobility device. A barrier gate or a barrier plate include an entry position and a blocking position wherein, in at least one embodiment, movement of the lift platform moves the barrier plate from the entry position to the blocking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Inventors: Justin M. Kline, Robert E. Bettcher, III, Alfred Lewis Budd, II, Jeff Ackerman, Chih-Wei Li, Sashank Allu
  • Publication number: 20240191550
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis, a door track, a door operatively connected to the door track and adapted to move between a closed position and an open position, and a hinge assembly coupled to the door. The hinge assembly is movably coupled to the door track and includes a first bracket coupled to the door, a second bracket coupled to the first bracket, and a transport assembly coupled to the second bracket and adapted to move along the door track as the door moves between the open and closed positions. The transport assembly includes a coupling member for releasably coupling the second bracket to the transport assembly. Upon movement of the second bracket from the first position to the second position, the door moves to an extended open position with respect to the door track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2024
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Robert E. Bettcher, III, Russell Meyer
  • Patent number: 12005006
    Abstract: A barrier configured to be located at a door a vehicle having a lift platform to enable an individual using a mobility device to exit and to enter an interior of the vehicle. The barrier includes a support base configured to be fixedly coupled to the vehicle. A first side and a second side each extend from the support base are spaced apart to define an access location for the individual using the mobility device. A barrier gate or a barrier plate include an entry position and a blocking position wherein, in at least one embodiment, movement of the lift platform moves the barrier plate from the entry position to the blocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: The Braun Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Kline, Robert E. Bettcher, III, Alfred Lewis Budd, II, Jeff Ackerman, Chih-Wei Li, Sashank Allu
  • Publication number: 20240083224
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a ramp, a sliding door that when open allows the ramp to be deployed from the vehicle, and an anti-rattle device to prevent or reduce rattling of the ramp against the door or other components of the vehicle when the ramp is in a stowed position. The anti-rattle device includes an arm pivotable relative to the door and a roller rotatably coupled to the arm, spaced apart from the door, and configured to contact the ramp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Robert E. Bettcher, Kenneth Edward Peterson
  • Patent number: 11913267
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis, a door track, a door operatively connected to the door track and adapted to move between a closed position and an open position, and a hinge assembly coupled to the door. The hinge assembly is movably coupled to the door track and includes a first bracket coupled to the door, a second bracket coupled to the first bracket, and a transport assembly coupled to the second bracket and adapted to move along the door track as the door moves between the open and closed positions. The transport assembly includes a coupling member for releasably coupling the second bracket to the transport assembly. Upon movement of the second bracket from the first position to the second position, the door moves to an extended open position with respect to the door track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: The Braun Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Bettcher, III, Russell Meyer
  • Patent number: 11865903
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a ramp, a sliding door that when open allows the ramp to be deployed from the vehicle, and an anti-rattle device to prevent or reduce rattling of the ramp against the door or other components of the vehicle when the ramp is in a stowed position. The anti-rattle device includes an arm pivotable relative to the door and a roller rotatably coupled to the arm, spaced apart from the door, and configured to contact the ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: The Braun Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Bettcher, III, Kenneth Edward Peterson
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20230119483
    Abstract: A barrier configured to be located at a door a vehicle having a lift platform to enable an individual using a mobility device to exit and to enter an interior of the vehicle. The barrier includes a support base configured to be fixedly coupled to the vehicle. A first side and a second side each extend from the support base are spaced apart to define an access location for the individual using the mobility device. A barrier gate or a barrier plate include an entry position and a blocking position wherein, in at least one embodiment, movement of the lift platform moves the barrier plate from the entry position to the blocking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Justin Kline, Robert E. Bettcher, III, Alfred Lewis Budd, II, Jeff Ackerman, Chih-Wei Li, Sashank Allu
  • 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: 20230039385
    Abstract: A system and method of converting a wheelchair ramp system from one of a manual mode or a power mode to the other of a manual mode or a power mode. The wheelchair ramp system includes a bimodal bracket having a common spindle aperture, a common ramp, a common ramp fold arm, and a common fold arm collar. The bimodal bracket supports either a spring for the manual mode or a motor for the power mode. The common spindle aperture accepts a spindle of the spring or a spindle of the motor, each of which is captured by the common fold arm collar. The common ramp fold arm is coupled to the common fold arm collar and to the common ramp. A common stow switch is fixed to a bracket and a position of the bracket is used in both the manual mode and the power mode to adjust a stow position of the ramp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Kenneth Edward Peterson, Robert E. Bettcher, III, Chad Michael Towels
  • Patent number: 11559444
    Abstract: A barrier configured to be located at a door a vehicle having a lift platform to enable an individual using a mobility device to exit and to enter an interior of the vehicle. The barrier includes a support base configured to be fixedly coupled to the vehicle. A first side and a second side each extend from the support base are spaced apart to define an access location for the individual using the mobility device. A barrier gate or a barrier plate include an entry position and a blocking position wherein, in at least one embodiment, movement of the lift platform moves the barrier plate from the entry position to the blocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: The Braun Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Kline, Robert E. Bettcher, III, Alfred Lewis Budd, II, Jeff Ackerman, Chih-Wei Li, Sashank Allu
  • Publication number: 20220371412
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a ramp, a sliding door that when open allows the ramp to be deployed from the vehicle, and an anti-rattle device to prevent or reduce rattling of the ramp against the door or other components of the vehicle when the ramp is in a stowed position. The anti-rattle device includes an arm pivotable relative to the door and a roller rotatably coupled to the arm, spaced apart from the door, and configured to contact the ramp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Robert E. Bettcher, III, KENNETH EDWARD PETERSON
  • Publication number: 20220195773
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis, a door track, a door operatively connected to the door track and adapted to move between a closed position and an open position, and a hinge assembly coupled to the door. The hinge assembly is movably coupled to the door track and includes a first bracket coupled to the door, a second bracket coupled to the first bracket, and a transport assembly coupled to the second bracket and adapted to move along the door track as the door moves between the open and closed positions. The transport assembly includes a coupling member for releasably coupling the second bracket to the transport assembly. Upon movement of the second bracket from the first position to the second position, the door moves to an extended open position with respect to the door track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Robert E. Bettcher, III, Russell Meyer
  • Publication number: 20210137755
    Abstract: A barrier configured to be located at a door a vehicle having a lift platform to enable an individual using a mobility device to exit and to enter an interior of the vehicle. The barrier includes a support base configured to be fixedly coupled to the vehicle. A first side and a second side each extend from the support base are spaced apart to define an access location for the individual using the mobility device. A barrier gate or a barrier plate include an entry position and a blocking position wherein, in at least one embodiment, movement of the lift platform moves the barrier plate from the entry position to the blocking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Justin Kline, Robert E. Bettcher, III, Alfred Lewis Budd, II, Jeff Ackerman, Chih-Wei Li, Sashank Allu
  • Patent number: 10898395
    Abstract: A barrier configured to be located at a door a vehicle having a lift platform to enable an individual using a mobility device to exit and to enter an interior of the vehicle. The barrier includes a support base configured to be fixedly coupled to the vehicle. A first side and a second side each extend from the support base are spaced apart to define an access location for the individual using the mobility device. A barrier gate or a barrier plate include an entry position and a blocking position wherein, in at least one embodiment, movement of the lift platform moves the barrier plate from the entry position to the blocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: THE BRAUN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Justin Kline, Robert E. Bettcher, III, Alfred Lewis Budd, II, Jeff Ackerman, Chih-Wei Li, Sashank Allu
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10813802
    Abstract: A ramp assembly for a passenger using a wheelchair to enter or exit a motorized vehicle. The ramp assembly includes a rail assembly having a track with a first portion extending longitudinally along the rail and a second portion inclined with the first portion. A ramp is operatively connected to the rail assembly. The ramp includes a first body and a second body that articulates with respect to the first body, wherein the ramp moves along the rail assembly and includes a storage position and a deployed position. A first roller is operatively connected to the first body and a second roller is operatively connected to the second body. The first body and the second body of the ramp are generally planar in the storage position and the first body is inclined with respect to the second body in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: THE BRAUN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony S. Hill, Robert E. Bettcher, III