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).
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Publication number: 20250177222Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2025Publication date: June 5, 2025Inventors: Justin M. Kline, Robert E. Bettcher, Alfred Lewis Budd, II, Jeff Ackerman, Chih-Wei Li, Sashank Allu
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Patent number: 12239585Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 20, 2024Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: The Braun CorporationInventors: Justin M. Kline, Robert E. Bettcher, III, Alfred Lewis Budd, II, Jeff Ackerman, Chih-Wei Li, Sashank Allu
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Publication number: 20250001844Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2024Publication date: January 2, 2025Inventors: Robert E. Bettcher, III, Kenneth Edward Peterson
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Publication number: 20240315894Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2024Publication date: September 26, 2024Inventors: Justin M. Kline, Robert E. Bettcher, III, Alfred Lewis Budd, II, Jeff Ackerman, Chih-Wei Li, Sashank Allu
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Publication number: 20240191550Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2024Publication date: June 13, 2024Inventors: Robert E. Bettcher, III, Russell Meyer
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Patent number: 12005006Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 20, 2022Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: The Braun CorporationInventors: Justin Kline, Robert E. Bettcher, III, Alfred Lewis Budd, II, Jeff Ackerman, Chih-Wei Li, Sashank Allu
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Publication number: 20240083224Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Robert E. Bettcher, Kenneth Edward Peterson
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Patent number: 11913267Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 15, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: The Braun CorporationInventors: Robert E. Bettcher, III, Russell Meyer
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Patent number: 11865903Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 23, 2022Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: The Braun CorporationInventors: Robert E. Bettcher, III, Kenneth Edward Peterson
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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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Publication number: 20230119483Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2022Publication date: April 20, 2023Inventors: Justin Kline, Robert E. Bettcher, III, Alfred Lewis Budd, II, Jeff Ackerman, Chih-Wei Li, Sashank Allu
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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: 20230039385Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2022Publication date: February 9, 2023Inventors: Kenneth Edward Peterson, Robert E. Bettcher, III, Chad Michael Towels
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Patent number: 11559444Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 21, 2021Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: The Braun CorporationInventors: Justin Kline, Robert E. Bettcher, III, Alfred Lewis Budd, II, Jeff Ackerman, Chih-Wei Li, Sashank Allu
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Publication number: 20220371412Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2022Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: Robert E. Bettcher, III, KENNETH EDWARD PETERSON
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Publication number: 20220195773Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2021Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: Robert E. Bettcher, III, Russell Meyer
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Publication number: 20210137755Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2021Publication date: May 13, 2021Inventors: Justin Kline, Robert E. Bettcher, III, Alfred Lewis Budd, II, Jeff Ackerman, Chih-Wei Li, Sashank Allu
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Patent number: 10898395Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 6, 2018Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: THE BRAUN CORPORATIONInventors: Justin Kline, Robert E. Bettcher, III, Alfred Lewis Budd, II, Jeff Ackerman, Chih-Wei Li, Sashank Allu
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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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Patent number: 10813802Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 8, 2018Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: THE BRAUN CORPORATIONInventors: Anthony S. Hill, Robert E. Bettcher, III