Abstract:
Various assist devices that provide support for entering and exiting a vehicle through a vehicle doorframe of the type having a striker mounted thereto are disclosed. The assist devices include a retainer adapted to removably engage the striker and a support member pivotably mounted to the retainer such that the support member will apply a clamping force to the striker when the support member supports at least a portion of a user&#39;s weight. Methods of providing support for entering and exiting a vehicle through a vehicle doorframe having a striker mounted thereto are also disclosed. The methods include placing at least a portion of a retainer between the doorframe and the striker, and rotating a support member, that is pivotably attached to the retainer, relative to the retainer until the support member engages the striker to thereby clamp the striker when the user&#39;s weight is supported by the support member.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Application is a Continuation-In-Part of co-pending U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 10/022,054 filed Dec. 17, 2001 and entitled “Assist Device For Entering And Exiting A Vehicle”; which Application is hereby incorporated by reference and which Application, in turn, claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application 60/292,490 filed May 21, 2001; this Provisional Application is also hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to mechanical aids and methods that enhance the self-mobility of individuals, especially physically challenged individuals. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices and methods that may be employed for assisting individuals into and/or out of a vehicle. Accordingly, the general objects of the invention are to provide novel systems, methods and apparatus of such character. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A number of prior art devices are found which attempt to provide a means for lifting or hoisting a patient recovering from surgery, an elderly person, a handicapped person or other incapacitated person from a sitting or prone position. Such devices are intended for use with a standard bed or chair and require access to the area in front of or beside the bed or chair. Many of these prior art devices require the explicit assistance of at least one other caregiver to operate the prior art device and to assist the individual in keeping his or her balance. Some of the prior art devices use motorized or electrically powered features which are often expensive, prone to repair, and do not allow the user to effectively exercise any portion of their physical body which may not be subject to their particular handicap or disability. 
     Furthermore, many of these prior art devices are bulky, heavy, and provide assistance in movement between only two fixed reference points. Such devices are particularly unsuited for use in assisting movement in or out of automobiles. First, access to seats in an automobile is generally limited to a single side. Second, there is no industry standard with respect to the position of the seats in an automobile. Consequently, there is a great degree of variation among the many brands and models of automobiles in the height of the seating surface with respect to the ground surface on which the tires rest and in the distance between the outside edge of the seat and the outside surface of the car. In addition, the topography of the land adjacent to the parked automobile will vary from parking spot to parking spot. Therefore, a device which will provide assistance between two fixed reference points will not be useable for all makes and models of automobiles and will often be unusable even if it is designed for use with a specific model of automobile. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the above-stated and other deficiencies of the related art by providing methods, systems and apparatus for supporting users entering and exiting a vehicle through a vehicle doorframe of the type having a striker mounted thereto; the invention preferably offering an optimal combination of (1) simplicity; (2) reliability; (3) economy; and (4) versatility. 
     In particular, the present invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for supporting individuals entering and/or exiting a vehicle through a vehicle doorframe having a striker mounted on a side portion of the doorframe, wherein the striker may engage a door latch to thereby secure the door to the doorframe in a closed position. The inventive device may include a retainer and a support member. The retainer may be adapted to removably engage the striker and may have a portion that defines a pivot axis. The support member may have a clamping portion and a support platform for supporting at least a portion of a user&#39;s weight. The support member may be pivotably mounted to the retainer for rotation about the retainer axis so that the clamping portion applies a clamping force to the striker when the user&#39;s weight is supported by the support member. 
     The invention is particularly helpful for a wide range of persons such as a patient recovering from knee or hip replacement surgery, an elderly person, an arthritis patient, a handicapped person, a woman in the third trimester of pregnancy or other incapacitated person when moving from a sitting or prone position to a standing position. In sum, the invention is helpful for those that are ambulatory, but, nonetheless experience difficulty when entering and/or exiting a vehicle seat. 
     Some of the preferred features of the invention include compatibility with a U-shaped striker by the use of retainer that is adapted for insertion through an opening formed between the doorframe and the striker. Where the retainer includes an axial bushing, it may also have first and second legs extending from the bushing generally perpendicular to the retainer axis. In such embodiments the first and second legs may be spaced from one another so one of the legs may be inserted between the doorframe the U-shaped striker. The invention may also include a support platform that may rotate about the retainer axis between clamped and unclamped positions, and a movable adjustment member that may be used to adjustably limit the clamped position of the support platform. 
     Another preferred feature of the invention includes a pair of guard plates disposed on respective opposite sides of the clamping portion of the support member. When the assist device is on the striker, these guard plates help to protect both the assist device and the vehicle from damage in the event that (1) an individual attempts to close the vehicle door; (2) a gust of wind blows the door closed; (3) etc.,. Additionally, the guard plates may prevent inadvertent tripping of the engagement mechanism of the door if the door is closed while the device is on the striker. 
     Other desirable/preferred features of the invention include the use of a non-skid material affixed to at least an upper surface of the support platform. Preferred forms of the invention may utilize an axial bushing, first and second legs extending from the bushing generally perpendicular to the retainer axis, and a resilient bumper that bears against the doorframe when the retainer member is inserted into the striker. A preferred form of the support member includes a bifurcated clamping portion with first and second members defining a gap therebetween such that the second leg of the retaining member is disposed within the gap when the support member is in a clamped position. The first and second members of the bifurcated clamp may be generally blade-like members with a curved distal end that clamps onto the striker when the user&#39;s weight is supported by the support member. Additionally, since the preferred designs utilize a user&#39;s weight to provide a clamping force, the clamping force is removed with the user&#39;s weight and the device may be easily removed from the vehicle with one hand. 
     The invention can also take the form of methods of providing support for entering and exiting a vehicle through a vehicle doorframe having a striker mounted on the doorframe where the striker is adapted to engage a door latch to thereby secure the door to the doorframe in a closed position. The inventive methods comprise placing at least a portion of a retainer member between the doorframe the striker, to thereby define a pivot axis that is generally parallel to the side portion of the doorframe, and rotating a support member, that is pivotably attached to the retainer member, about the pivot axis until the support member engages the striker. In this way a clamping force will be applied to the striker when the user&#39;s weight is supported by the support member. Other preferred aspects of the inventive methods include the ability to adjusting the position of the support member relative to the retainer member and the ability to use a single assist device on either the passenger-side or the driver-side of a vehicle. 
     Naturally, the above-described methods of the invention are particularly well adapted for use with the above-described apparatus of the invention. Similarly, the apparatus of the invention are well suited to perform the inventive methods described above. 
     Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings. 
     Accordingly, it is one object of the invention to provide methods and apparatus for assisting individuals exiting and/or entering a vehicle. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a device that allows a physically challenged individual to maintain balance when moving entering or exiting a vehicle thereby decreasing the possibility of falling and increasing psychological confidence in the process. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a lightweight, durable, portable device for supporting users when entering and/or exiting a vehicle through a vehicle doorframe of the type having a striker mounted thereto wherein a clamping force is applied to the striker when the support member supports at least a portion of a user&#39;s weight. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention may be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a partial side elevation view of a typical automobile; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through the side of the doorframe of FIG. 1, illustrating a striker stud; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the side of the doorframe of FIG. 1, illustrating a U-shaped striker member; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view, partly in phantom, of a first embodiment of an assist device in accordance with the invention mounted on a U-shaped striker member; 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of a second embodiment of an assist device in accordance with the invention mounted on a striker stud; 
     FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b  are front views of the assist device and U-shaped striker member of FIG. 4, illustrating the assist device when it is not supporting a user&#39;s weight and when it is supporting a user&#39;s weight, respectively; 
     FIGS. 7 a  and  7   b  are front views of the assist device and striker stud of FIG. 5, illustrating the assist device when it is not supporting a user&#39;s weight and when it is supporting a user&#39;s weight, respectively; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a shoulder bolt; 
     FIG. 9 is front view, partly in cross section, of the second leg of the retainer and a variant of the bumper of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 10 is a side view, partly in phantom and partly in cross-section, of a third embodiment of an assist device in accordance with the invention mounted on a U-shaped striker member; 
     FIG. 11 is a front view of the assist device and U-shaped striker member of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing still another preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 13 and 14 are partial cross-sectional side elevation views of the embodiment of FIG. 12 shown in respective unclamped and clamped positions, the cross-section being taken at line A—A of FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIGS. 12 through 14, the cross-section being taken at the line B—B of FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of a modified version of the embodiment of FIGS. 12-15, this embodiment having a position-adjustment mechanism; 
     FIGS. 17 and 18 are partial cross-sectional side elevation views of another embodiment of the invention with a position-adjustment mechanism, this embodiment being shown in respective clamped and unclamped positions; 
     FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 18, the cross-section being taken at line C—C of FIG. 18; and 
     FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a clamping portion of the support member depicted in FIGS.  17  through  19 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a typical automobile  10  generally includes a vehicle body  12  formed from a plurality of panels and members that generally define the overall structural shape and appearance of the automobile. The automobile body  12  generally includes at least one closure panel portion, such as a door  14 . 
     The door  14  is typically mounted within a doorframe  16  defined by opposed, horizontally spaced, vertically extending first and second sides  18 ,  20  and opposed, vertically spaced, horizontally extending top and bottom sides  22 ,  24 . The door  14  is pivotally mounted to the first side  18  by a hinge (or hinges), or the like, and in a closed position, is retained to the second side  20  such that in a closed position the door  14  and automobile body  12  form a relatively generally planar surface. 
     The automobile body  12  typically includes a striker  26  mounted to the second side  20 . The door  14  typically includes a latch  28  having a striker-retaining portion  30  and an engaging mechanism  32  within the striker retaining portion  30 . The engaging mechanism  32  is operably connected to a door handle  34  positioned on the door  14 . To close the door  14 , the door  14  is directed in a closing direction, until the striker  26  is fixedly engaged within the striker retaining portion  30  by the engaging mechanism  32 . To open the door  14 , the door handle  34  is moved to disengage the engaging mechanism  32  from the striker  26  so that the door  14  can pivot in an open direction. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the striker  26  may comprise a stud  36  or a U-shaped member  38 . 
     With reference to FIGS. 4,  6   a  and  6   b , a first embodiment of the assist device  40  is employed in conjunction with a vehicle  10  having U-shaped striker members  38 . The assist device  40  includes a V-shaped retainer  42  that preferably has a round cross-section. A first leg  44  of the retainer  42  is mounted to a longitudinally extending support platform segment  46  of a support member  48  and the second leg  50  is left free to move. In a preferred embodiment, an opening  52  extends through the support platform segment  46  of the support member  48  on the centerline  54  at a position intermediate the first and second ends  56 ,  58  of segment  46 . The end portion  60  of the first leg  44  is positioned in or proximate to the lower portion of the opening  52  and the retainer  42  is oriented along the centerline  54  of the support member  48  such that the end  62  of the second leg  50  is positioned intermediate opening  52  and the first end  56  of segment  46 . The end portion  60  of the first leg  44  is mounted from above the top surface  64  of the support platform segment  46  by a plug weld  66 . Alternatively, the retainer may comprise an elongated plate that is welded to the lower surface  70  of the support platform segment  46 . Protruding bumpers are cemented or otherwise fixed in place project from distal portions of the plate to engage the doorframe  16  and provide stability for the support member  48 . 
     An extension segment  74  of the support member  48  extends laterally downward from the second end  58  of the support platform segment  46  to an engagement segment  76 . Bumpers  78  composed of rubber or similar material are mounted to the first end  56  of the support platform segment  46  and the free end  80  of the engagement segment  76 . Preferably, a non-skid coating or material  82  is affixed to at least a portion of the upper surface  64  of the support platform segment  46 . 
     The assist device  40  is mounted in place by inserting the trough  84  of the retainer  42  through the opening  86  formed by the U-shaped striker member  38  and the doorframe  16  of the vehicle  10 , as shown in FIG. 6 a . The retainer  42  is configured to wedge against the interior surface of the striker member  38  to stabilize the support member  48  so that an elderly person or a disabled person may use the support platform segment  46  to assist in entering or exiting the automobile  10 . As the user pushes on the upper surface  64  of the support platform segment  46  to obtain support, the retainer  42  acts like a spring with the second leg  50  flexing toward the first leg  44  until the bottom surface  70  of segment  46  rests on striker member  38 . The spring tension of the compressed retainer  42  holds the device  40  in position. The first end  56  of the support platform segment  46 , and the bumper  78  mounted thereon, may contact the doorframe  16  (depending on the vehicle) to provide additional support and stability. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the end  62  of the second leg  50  is rounded to prevent binding in the event of contact between end  62  and surface  70 . Further, there is a gap  88  (preferably 0.045 inches) between end  62  and surface  70  to reduce the possibility of such contact. When the user no longer requires assistance, his or her weight is removed from the device  40  and the spring tension biases the legs  44 ,  50  apart, forcing the retainer  42 , and support member  48  mounted thereon, upward. The retainer  42  may then be easily be withdrawn from opening  86  to remove the assist device  40  so that the vehicle door  14  may be closed. 
     With reference to FIGS. 5,  7   a  and  7   b , a second embodiment of the assist device  90  is employed in conjunction with a vehicle  10  having a stud  36  as a striker  26 . The assist device  90  includes a retainer  92  having an inverted J-shape configuration. The longer, first leg  94  and the shorter, second leg  96  each have a substantially rectangular shape. The width  98  of the retainer  92  is selected such that it may be received between the head  100  of the stud  36  and any washers  102  or adjustment nut (not shown) that may be included with the striker  26 , as described further below. Bumpers  104 ,  106  composed of rubber or similar material are mounted to the distal end portions  108 ,  110  of each leg  94 ,  96 . Preferably, the bumper  104  on the first leg  94  fully encloses the distal end portion  108 . The bumper  106  on the second leg  96  preferably has a conical, truncated cone, cylindrical, or round shape. In a first variant, bumper  106  is mounted to the outside surface  112  of the leg  96  (FIGS. 7 a  and  7   b ). In a second variant, bumper  106  is mounted to the head  114  of a shoulder bolt  116  (FIGS.  8  and  9 ). 
     The support member  118  has a quasi curvilinear shape and includes a support platform segment  120  and an extension segment  122 . Preferably, a non-skid coating or material  124  is affixed to at least a portion of the upper surface  126  of the support platform segment  120 . A first end portion  128  of the extension segment  122  is mounted to the crest of the bend portion  130  of the retainer  92 , preferably by a weld  132 . In a preferred embodiment, the width  134  of the extension segment  122  is substantially equal to the width  98  of the retainer  92  to ensure that the extension segment  122  does not interfere with installation of the assist device  90 . The width  136  of the support platform segment  120  however, is greater than the width  134  of the extension segment  122  to provide better support to the user. As shown in FIGS. 5,  7   a  and  7   b , the support platform segment  120  and extension segment  122  may be separate components, with the second end portion  138  of the extension segment  122  being mounted to the first end portion  140  of the support platform segment  120  (preferably by a weld  142 ). Alternatively, the support member  118  may be of unitary construction. 
     Preferably, the longitudinal length  144  of the extension segment  122  is selected such that the support platform segment  120  is disposed exteriorly of the doorframe  16 . As shown in FIG. 5, this allows the centerline  146  of the support platform segment  120  to be co-planar with the centerline  148  of the extension segment  122 , minimizing the probability that the application of weight to the support platform segment  120  will result in a moment arm around the centerline  148  of the extension segment. Alternatively, the centerline  146  of the support platform segment  120  may be offset from the centerline  148  of the extension segment  122  to prevent interference between the support platform segment  120  and the doorframe  16  if the longitudinal length  144  of the extension segment  122  must be reduced. 
     The assist device  90  is mounted in place by inserting the retainer  92  between the head  100  of the stud  36  and the side  20  of doorframe  16  (and any washers  102  or adjustment nut which may be disposed intermediate the head of the stud and the doorframe), as shown in FIG. 7 a . The inner surface  150  of the crest of the bend portion  130  of the retainer  92  is configured to engage the stud  36 . As the user pushes on the upper surface  126  of the support platform segment  120  to obtain support, the retainer  92  rotates about the stud  36  until the bumper  106  on the second leg  96  engages the side  20  of the doorframe  16  to stabilize the support member  118  so that an elderly person or a disabled person may use the support platform segment  120  to assist in entering or exiting the automobile  10 . 
     For the second variant mentioned above, the threaded shaft  152  of the bolt  116  extends through a first nut  154  and is received in a second nut  156  which is mounted coaxially with an opening  158  in the distal end portion  110  of the second leg  96 , preferably by a weld. Shaft  152  is adjustably positionable within the threaded opening of the second nut  156  to optimize contact between bumper  106  and a portion of the doorframe  16  to selectively position the support platform segment  120  relative to the vehicle  10  and thereby provide improved ease of use. The first nut  154  may be torqued into engagement with the second nut  156  to lock shaft  152  and maintain bumper  106  in such an optimum position. 
     With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, a third embodiment of the assist device  160  is employed in conjunction with a vehicle  10  having U-shaped striker members  38 . The assist device  160  includes a quasi J-shaped retainer  162  in which the longer, first leg  164  and the shorter, second leg  166  each have a substantially rectangular shape. The width  168  of the retainer  162  is selected such that it may be received between the legs  170  of the U-shaped striker member  38 , as described further below. A bumper  172  composed of rubber or similar material is mounted to, and preferably fully encloses, the first leg  164 . A lower, distal end portion  174 ,  176  of each leg  164 ,  166  extends obliquely outward from the upper, main portion  178 ,  180  of each leg  164 ,  166 . The distal end portion  176  of the second leg  166  is bent to facilitate insertion of the cross-bar  182  of the striker member  38  into the retainer  162  and the distal end portion  174  of the first leg  164  is bent to facilitate engagement with the doorframe  16  of the vehicle  10 , as described further below. 
     The support member  184  includes a support platform segment  186  and first and second leg segments  188 ,  190  that extend orthogonally downward from the first and second ends  192 ,  194  of the support platform segment  186 , respectively. Preferably, a non-skid coating or material  196  is affixed to at least a portion of the upper surface  198  of the support platform segment  186 . The crest of the bend portion  200  of the retainer  162  is mounted along the centerline  202  of the support platform segment  186 , preferably by a weld, substantially midway between the first and second ends  192 ,  194 . The longitudinal length  204  of the support platform segment  186  is selected such that the two leg segments  188 ,  190  are disposed exteriorly of the Ushaped striker member  38  at a sufficient distance to ensure that there is no interference between leg segments  188 ,  190  and legs  170 . Preferably, bumpers  206  composed of rubber or similar material wrap around the distal end portions  208  of the leg segments  188 ,  190 . 
     The assist device  160  is mounted in place by inserting the first leg  164  of the retainer  162  through the opening  86  formed by the U-shaped striker  38  and the side  20  of the doorframe  16 . The retainer  162  is configured to receive the cross-bar  182  of the U-shaped striker member  38  between the first and second legs  164 ,  166  such that cross-bar  182  wedges against the interior surface  210  of the crest of the bend portion  200  of the retainer  162  to stabilize the support member  184  so that an elderly person or a disabled person may use the support platform segment  186  to assist in entering or exiting the automobile  10 . As the user pushes on the upper surface  198  of the support platform segment  186  to obtain support, the retainer  162  rotates about the cross-bar  182  until the first leg  164  engages the doorframe  16  of the vehicle  10  to provide additional support and stability. The oblique angle between the main and distal end portions  178 ,  174  of the first leg  164  minimizes the distance that the retainer  162  must rotate before the distal end portion  174  engages the doorframe  16 , thereby maintaining the support platform segment  186  in a substantially horizontal orientation. 
     With primary reference to FIGS. 12 through 15 now, a fourth embodiment  160 ′ of the inventive assist device is shown in conjunction with a vehicle  10  having striker member (preferably a U-shaped striker)  38 . As shown therein, assist device  160 ′ preferably includes a pivoting support member  184   a  and a retainer  184   b , retainer  184   b  having a bushing  230 , a longer first leg  178 ′ and a shorter second leg  166 . Each of these legs is preferably flat and rectangular in cross-section and second leg  166  includes a bend at a distal end  176 . Retainer member  184   b  is adapted to be inserted between the vehicle doorframe and the U-shaped striker member  38 , as described further below. A firmly resilient bumper  172 ′, composed of rubber or similar material to reduce the possibility of damaging the vehicle doorframe, is mounted to first leg  178 ′. The bumper may be fixedly attached to leg  178 ′ or it may be moveably attached to the leg (such as by a threaded screw/aperture arrangement) so that orientation of the device within the striker may be adjusted. Legs  166  and  178 ′ are preferably welded to axis-defining bushing  230  and extend generally parallel to one another and generally perpendicular to pivot axis PA. As shown, distal end portion  176  of second leg  166  is bent to facilitate insertion of the cross-bar  182  of the U-shaped striker  38  between legs  166  and  178 ′ as leg  178  is inserted between the doorframe and striker  38 . 
     The pivoting support member  184   a  includes a support platform  186 ′ and first and second guard members  188 ′ and  190 ′ that extend orthogonally downward from support platform  186 ′. Pivoting support member  184   a  also preferably includes a bifurcated clamping portion  240  comprising first and second blade-like members  242  and  244 , respectively. As shown, members  242  and  244  define a gap  246  therebetween and in a clamped position (see especially FIGS. 14 and 15) second leg  166  is disposed in gap  246 . Depending on a number of conditions (such as the size of cross-bar  182  and the length of members  242  and  244 ) first leg  178 ′ may also be disposed within gap  246  when device  160 ′ is in the clamped position. Also, a non-skid coating or material  196  is preferably affixed to at least a portion of the upper surface  198  of support platform  186 ′. The non-skid surface could, alternatively, be integrally formed with/into platform  186 ′ by one of many ways known in the art. 
     Guards  188 ′ and  190 ′ preferably include axially aligned apertures  238  for receiving pivot shaft  234  when assist device  160 ′ is in an assembled condition (see FIGS.  13 - 15 ). Pivot shaft  234  is preferably affixed to guards  188 ′ and  190 ′ by a head  236 ′ at one end thereof and by being “pinned over” at the other end  236  as a final assembly step. Naturally, retainer member  184   b  will have been placed between the guards to permit rotation of bushing  230  about the pivot axis PA prior to “pinning over” end  236 . These guard plates may help to protect the assist device and the vehicle from damage in the event that (1) an individual attempts to close the vehicle door; (2) a gust of wind blows the door closed; (3) etc., while the assist device is on the striker. Bumpers  206 , composed of rubber or similar material, preferably wrap around the distal end portions  208  of guards  188 ′ and  190 ′ to protect both assist device  160 ′ and the vehicle door in the event that the door closes while device  160 ′ is engagement with striker  38 . Additionally, the guard plates may prevent inadvertent tripping of the engagement mechanism of the door due if the door is closed while the device is on the striker (e.g., where the device acts as a striker that trips the door latch even though the door isn&#39;t properly closed). Thus, the guard plates help avoid a problem in which the door latch is tripped/locked even though the door was not entirely closed and in which the door latch would have to be manually reset before the door could be properly closed (after the device had been removed from the striker). 
     In use, support member  184   a  is rotated into the unclamped position FIG. 13 so that clamping portion  240  will not prevent insertion of device  160 ′ into striker  38 . Assist device  160 ′ is then mounted in place by inserting first leg  178 ′ of the retainer  184   b  through the opening formed by the U-shaped striker  38  and the side  20  of the vehicle doorframe. Retainer  184   b  preferably is configured to receive the cross-bar  182  of the U-shaped striker  38  between the first and second legs  178 ′ and  166  such that cross-bar  182  rests on bushing  230  (FIG.  13 ). Then, support member  184   a  may be rotated to the clamped position of FIG. 14 so that first leg  178 ′ is in a generally vertical position and platform  186 ′ is in a generally horizontal position. An elderly person or a disabled person may now use the support platform  186 ′ to assist in entering or exiting the automobile  10 . As the user pushes downward on the upper surface  198  (if there is no non-skid coating— 196  if there is) of support platform  186 ′ to obtain support, pivoting support member  184   a  transfers at least a portion of the user&#39;s weight so that a clamping force is applied to the striker by clamping portion  240 . This may involve slight rotation of support platform  184   a  about pivot axis PA until members  242  and  244  of clamping portion  240  apply a clamping force on striker  38 . In this way assist device  160 ′ firmly grasps striker  38  to provide stable support for the user. To remove the inventive assist device, support member  184   a  is pivoted away from the retainer (to thereby unclamp the striker) and the device is slid upwardly and out from between striker  38  and the doorframe. The presence of bumper  172 ′ of the first leg  164  also helps to minimize the lateral movement and/or rotation of member  184   a  during this process and this adds to the perception of stability of the device. With components sized and shaped just right, platform  186 ′ will be in a substantially horizontal orientation. This is shown in FIG.  14 . 
     Since there are a virtually unlimited number of variations vehicles, however, it is simply not possible for a single assist device to precisely fit many (or even several) vehicles without providing some degree of adjustability. That adjustability is provided by the variant assist device  160 ′ shown in FIG.  16  through the use of a threaded set-screw  252  and a threaded aperture  250  for movably receiving the same. As shown therein, rotation of support platform  184   a  about pivot axis PA (and, hence the relative positions of retainer  184   b  and support platform  184   a ) can be limited by adjustment of set-screw  252 . In still another variation of the design shown in FIG. 16, set-crew  252  and aperture  250  may be located on either or both of bifurcated clamping members  242 / 244  such that screw(s)  252  bear against striker  38  when device  160 ′ is in a clamped position. These features enable assist device  160 ′ to more properly fit a wider range of vehicle with little added expense and or difficulty. 
     Still another modified embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 17 through 20. As indicated by the use of the same reference numerals in these Figures, the embodiment of these Figures shares many of the structural and operational features of the embodiments discussed above. The particular clamping and adjusting portions of the support member have, however, been modified as shown therein and as discussed below. Also the embodiment is especially well adapted for use with the striker  38 ′ (having substantially planar cross-bar  182 ′) of FIG.  19 . It will be appreciated, however, that, like the device of FIG. 16, the adjustable and clamping assist device  160 ″ of FIGS. 17 through 20 can also be adjusted for use with many vehicles. 
     With continued reference to FIGS. 17 through 20, it will be seen that clamping portion  240 ′ of support member  184   a  is not integrally formed with the remainder of the support member but, rather, is rigidly held together with an adjustable and removable fastener arrangement  254 . This arrangement is preferably a pair of screws that pass through elongated slots  256  of the clamping portion  240 ′ and into complementary threaded apertures of the support member. However, another of a wide variety of known fastener arrangements could be used instead. Those of ordinary skill will appreciate that the fastener arrangement shown permits adjustment of the radial distance from the pivot axis PA to the clamping members  242 ′ and  244 ′ and, thereby, permits adjustment of the support platform as desired. 
     Another important feature of this embodiment is the clamping action of the clamping members  242 ′,  244 ′ and the striker. As shown, this embodiment differs from the others in that the clamping members have curved distal ends that provide clearance between the clamping portion  240  and cross-bar  182 ′ so that clamping is achieved by engagement between the ends of the clamping members and the other portions of the striker (see FIG.  19 ). Aside from these differences this embodiment is structurally and operationally similar to those discussed above. Still another important feature of the invention is symmetry. Symmetry permits the use of a single assist device as either a passenger-side assist device or a driver-side assist device simply by applying the device to the appropriate side of the vehicle. 
     It will be appreciated that assist devices  40 ,  160 ,  160 ′ and  160 ″ have been designed to position the support platform segment  46 ,  186  close to the doorframe  16  of the vehicle  10  to prevent deflection of the doorframe  16  which could cause an alignment problem between the door latch  28  and the striker  26 . All of the assist devices  40 ,  90 ,  160 ,  160 ′ and  160 ″ are designed to be used with doorways on either side of a vehicle  10 . It should be appreciated that the size of the support platform segment  46 ,  186  may be increased to facilitate use and to provide greater support to the user. However, the retainer  42 ,  162  of devices  40  and  160  must be mounted to one side of such an enlarged support platform segment  46 ,  186 , if the support platform segment  46 ,  186  is to be positioned close to the doorframe  16 . Consequently, such an assist device will be useable on only one side of a vehicle  10 . 
     It should be appreciated that each of the assist devices  40 ,  90 ,  160 ,  160 ′ and  160 ″ described above functions to provide an easily mountable and removable support which attaches to the doorframe  16  of a vehicle  10  and provides a stable support platform  46 ,  120 ,  186 ,  186 ′ for allowing a disabled or elderly person to exit from a vehicle  10 . It should also be appreciated that if the door  14  is accidentally closed while a device  40 ,  90 ,  160 ,  160 ′ and  160 ″ is installed, the relatively soft material of the bumpers  78 ,  104 ,  106 ,  206  will prevent or limit damage to the door and doorframe, depending on the force of impact. That is bumper  78  on the free end  80  of engagement segment  76  will contact the door and bumper  78  on the first end  56  of support platform segment  56  will contact the doorframe for the first device  40 ; bumper  104  on support platform  120  will contact the door and bumper  106  on the second leg  96  of retainer  92  will contact the doorframe for the second device  90 ; and bumpers  206  on leg segments  188 ,  188 ′ and  190 ,  190 ′ will contact the door and doorframe, respectively, for devices  160 ,  160 ′ and  160 ″. 
     While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to encompass the various modifications and equivalent arrangements within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. With respect to the above description, for example, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, including variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the appended claims. Thus, the foregoing is considered an illustrative, not exhaustive, description of the present invention.