Abstract:
A device is provided to enable the easy removal of an item such as a wheelchair from the trunk of an automobile. The device is foldable and in its folded state is easily inserted into the trunk of an automobile.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The purpose of this invention is to aid in the placement and removal of items from a vehicle such as an automobile trunk.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Art Practices  
         [0004]     Clement in U.S. Pat. No. 4,073,395 Feb. 14, 1978 An automobile trunk loading apparatus for loading wheelchairs, outboard motors and the like into the trunk of an automobile comprises a carrier frame on which the object to be located may be removably attached. The frame is connected at the end which is to extend into the interior of the trunk to a pair of chain-like track elements which are constructed of interconnected oppositely facing U-shaped channel links having engaging surfaces to limit the radius of curvature attainable by the chain in the direction extending upwardly from the trunk floor to a minimum radius and to limit the radius of curvature on the opposite side thereof to approximately a straight line. When an object is located in the trunk in a loaded position, the chain-like track elements lie flat on the floor of the trunk. To remove an object, the frame nearest the edge of the trunk is lifted up sufficiently to clear the trunk and then pulled horizontally out of the trunk. The chain-like track members roll up link by link and then straighten out to lift the opposite end of the frame upwardly out of the trunk. When the end of the frame to which the track elements are connected clears the edge of the trunk, the free end is lowered to the ground and the object carried by the frame may be removed from it. To load the trunk, the procedure is reversed.  
         [0005]     Holliday in U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,559 issued Jul. 14, 1992 relates to a vehicle carrier bracket is formed from tubular steel and is releasably mounted to the rear trailer hitch of a vehicle for exterior transportation of bicycles, wheelchairs or the like. The carrier bracket provides for easy loading and unloading of the cargo and for safe and secure transportation. The bracket is easily assembled and mounted on the trailer hitch, and later can be quickly disassembled and removed therefrom when not in use.  
         [0006]     Crawford in U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,361 issued Mar. 17, 1992 describes a device for loading and unloading a wheelchair into and out of a motor vehicle, consisting of a horizontal carriage track mounted transversely on the floor of the vehicle and extending the length of the compartment behind the front seat. A carriage block is slideably engaged with the carriage track and connected to a motor-actuated screw drive that causes it to slide along the track on command. An arm with a wheel-support track assembly conforming to the front wheels of a standard wheelchair is pivotally attached to the carriage block and can be extended to the outside of the vehicle to receive the folded wheelchair and move it in and out of the vehicle as the arm is retracted or extended as a result of the carriage block sliding across the track. The device is controlled by a single switch operable from the driver&#39;s seat.  
         [0007]     Zimmer in U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,829 issued May 4, 2004 describes a wheelchair vehicle access system, wherein the wheelchair has a detachable seat connected to a carriage, and the vehicle has a folding ramp and a pathway for movement of the seat. The carriage locks onto the ramp and the seat is detached and moved on the vehicle pathway to a desired location, where it is secured in place. The ramp is then folded, which brings the carriage into the vehicle. To unload, the ramp is extended, the seat is released and rolled back onto the carriage.  
         [0008]     United States Patent Application  20020076312  published Jun. 20, 2002 by Schatzler et al., describes a transport device for loading and unloading a trunk space of a motor vehicle is provided which includes at least one transport belt movably located on the bottom of the trunk space and at least two rollers for guiding the movable transport belt, wherein the at least one transport belt is located on the bottom of the trunk space and on a top surface of a vehicle part positioned adjacent to the bottom of the trunk space and capable of being pivoted into a horizontal position.  
         [0009]     United States Patent Application  20030095856  to Ablabutyan et al., published May 22, 2003 describes a wheelchair lift for supporting a wheelchair bound passenger and for moving the passenger between ground level and an opening in a vehicle. The wheelchair lift includes a platform and pivotal mechanism engaging the platform as well as a bridge plate for assuming a horizontal orientation to enable the passenger to proceed through the vehicle opening and a vertical orientation to act as a roll stop as the platform proceeds between the ground and the vehicle opening. The bridge plate includes a non-linear channel configured within its side which engages a pivotal mechanism which includes an upper parallelogram structure and hydraulic apparatus to move the upper parallelogram structure to move the platform. Also included is a lower parallelogram structure which is in sliding engagement with the upper parallelogram structure during at least a portion of the motion when the platform is moved between the ground and the vehicle opening. The lower parallelogram also is provided with a saddle bolt for sliding engagement with the non-linear channel such that movement of the lower parallelogram acts to raise and lower the bridge plate upon movement of the platform.  
         [0010]     To the extent that the foregoing references are relevant to the present invention, they are herein specifically incorporated by reference. To the extent that the foregoing patents and citations are relevant to the present invention they are herein incorporated by reference. The portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material, which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The present invention describes an assist device for use in a motor vehicle comprising: 
        An assist device for use in a motor vehicle comprising:     an assist device base;     an assist device first folding mechanism assist device base first folding mechanism movably connected with said assist device base;     an assist device base second folding mechanism movably connected with said assist device first folding mechanism; at least one assist device front roller mechanism connected with said assist device base;     an assist device first rail; and, 
 
 said at least one assist device front roller mechanism slidable within said assist device first rail. 
       
 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     The foregoing and other features of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon consideration of the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the use of the invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the invention in a folded condition;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the invention in an unfolded condition;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a plan view according to the invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a side view according to the invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a first sequential schematic view of the use of the invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is a second sequential schematic view of the use of the invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is a third sequential schematic view of the use of the invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is a fourth sequential schematic view of the use of the invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of a second mode according to the invention; and,  
         [0028]      FIG. 11  is a side view of a second mode according to the invention; 
     
    
       [0029]     With more particular reference to the drawings the following is set forth.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0030]     A device is provided for the lifting of objects in and out of a vehicle. As the aging population continues to grow and has a greater relative mobility than the past generations it becomes important to provide devices to aid in the transport of wheelchairs.  
         [0031]     As best seen in a  FIG. 1  is an assist device  10 . The assist device  10  has an assist device base  12 . The assist device base  12  is a generally rectangular flat board. The assist device base  12  is connected to an assist device base first folding mechanism  14 .  
         [0032]     As best seen in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  is the manner of connection of the assist device base  12  to the assist device base first folding mechanism  14 . A first hinge  16  is connected to and extends along the width of the assist device base  12  at one end thereof.  
         [0033]     The first hinge  16  is connected with and extends along the width of the assist device base first folding mechanism  14 . The point of attachment of the first hinge  16  is spaced apart from the edge of the assist device base first folding mechanism  14  nearest the assist device base  12 . Thus, when the first hinge  16  connects with one end of the assist device base first folding mechanism  14 , the assist device base first folding mechanism  14  extends beyond the end of the assist device base  12 .  
         [0034]     The assist device base first folding mechanism  14  is also a generally rectangular flat board. The assist device base first folding mechanism  14  is slightly larger in its rectangular dimensions when compared to the assist device base  12 . It suffices for the moment to state that in the assist device base  12  and the assist device base first folding mechanism  14  are in a partially rotatable relationship.  
         [0035]     As best seen in  FIG. 3  is the assist device base second folding mechanism  18  is connected to the assist device base first folding mechanism  14  by means of an assist device first hinge  16 . The assist device first hinge  16  is essentially fully flexible to permit the need assist device base first folding mechanism  14  and the assist device base second folding mechanism  18  to be extended in the same plane. Similarly, the assist device base  12  and the assist device base first folding mechanism  14  are connected by an assist device second hinge  19 .  
         [0036]     The assist device base second folding mechanism  14  is a generally rectangular flat board. The connection of the assist device base second folding mechanism  14  with the assist device base second folding mechanism  18  is end to end. That is, one end of the assist device base first folding mechanism  14  is proximate to the assist device base second folding mechanism  18  and the other end of the assist device base second folding mechanism  14  is proximate to the assist device base  12 .  
         [0037]     The assist device base first folding mechanism  14  and the assist device base second folding mechanism  18  are in a partially rotatable relationship. The manner of movement of the assist device base first folding mechanism  14  and the assist device base second folding mechanism  18  is later discussed.  
         [0038]     The dimensions of the assist device base second folding mechanism  18  are generally smaller than the of the assist device base first folding mechanism  14 . The dimensions of the assist device base second folding mechanism  18  are approximately the same as of the assist device base  12 .  
         [0039]     The invention employs an assist device first crossbar  20 . The invention employs an assist device second crossbar  22 . The invention has an assist device first rail  24 . The invention has an assist device second rail  26 .  
         [0040]     The assist device base  12  is connected with the assist device first rail  24 . The assist device base  12  is also connected with an assist device second rail  26 .  
         [0041]     The assist device first crossbar  20  is connected with an assist device first rail  24 . The assist device first crossbar  20  is also connected with the assist device second rail  26 . The assist device first crossbar  20  provides stability to the assist device  10  by maintaining the assist device first rail  24  and assist device second rail  26  in a generally parallel relationship.  
         [0042]     The assist device second crossbar  22  is connected with the assist device first rail  24 . The assist device second crossbar  22  is also connected with the assist device second rail  26 . The assist device second crossbar  22  functions to stabilize the assist device first rail  24  and the assist device second rail  26  in a generally parallel relationship. The assist device second crossbar  22  is generally of the same size as the assist device first crossbar  20 .  
         [0043]     Conveniently, the assist device first rail  24  terminates at one end of the assist device first crossbar  20 . The assist device first rail  24  typically extends beyond the outer end of the assist device second crossbar  22 .  
         [0044]     The assist device second rail  26  terminates at one end of the assist device second crossbar  22 . The assist device second rail  26  typically extends beyond the outer end of the assist device second crossbar  22 .  
         [0045]     An assist device rotatable first arm  30  is rotatably connected with the assist device first crossbar  20  at one end thereof. An assist device pivot mechanism  34  provides the ability for the assist device rotatable first arm  30  to rotate about its lengthwise axis. The assist device pivot mechanism  34  is maintained in its relationship with the assist device rotatable first arm  30  by the assist device first crossbar  20 .  
         [0046]     An assist device rotatable second arm  32  is rotatably connected with the assist device second crossbar  22  at the lengthwise opposite end of the assist device second crossbar  22  from the point of connection of the assist device rotatable first arm  30 .  
         [0047]     A second assist device pivot mechanism (not shown) similar in function and design to the assist device pivot mechanism  34  provides the ability for the assist device rotatable second arm  32  to rotate about its lengthwise axis. The second assist device pivot mechanism is maintained in its relationship with the assist device rotatable second arm  32  by the assist device first crossbar  20  in a manner similar to the to the assist device pivot mechanism  34 . The assist device rotatable first arm  30  and the assist device rotatable second arm  32  are generally in the same plane and are in a parallel plane to the assist device first crossbar  20 .  
         [0048]     An assist device first trunk adapter  38  is rotatably connected with the assist device rotatable first arm  30 . The assist device first trunk adapter  38  extends in generally perpendicular manner upward from the plane in which the rotatably connected assist device second crossbar  22  lies.  
         [0049]     An assist device second trunk adapter  40  is rotatably connected with the assist device rotatable second arm  32 . The assist device second trunk adapter  40  extends generally perpendicular manner upward from the plane in which the rotatably connected second crossbar  22  lies.  
         [0050]     As best seen in  FIG. 5 , an assist device trunk adapter height adjuster  42  permits vertical adjustment of the assist device first trunk adapter  38 . The assist device trunk adapter height adjuster  42  is conveniently a threaded surface of the assist device rotatable first arm  30  and a corresponding threaded surface of the assist device first trunk adapter  38 . Similarly, an assist device trunk roof second adjustment tool (not shown) similar in function and design to the assist device trunk adapter height adjusters  42  permits vertical adjustment of the assist device second trunk adapter  40 .  
         [0051]     As seen in  FIG. 5 , an assist device first trunk adapter cap  46  is located at one end of the assist device first trunk adapter  38  opposite from the point of connection of the assist device first trunk adapter  38  to the assist device rotatable first arm  30 . The assist device first trunk adapter cap  46  functions to engage the trunk roof of a vehicle in which the  10  is positioned to prevent unwanted movement of the assist device  10 .  
         [0052]     The assist device first trunk adapter cap  46  also protects the trunk roof of a vehicle in which the assist device  10  is positioned from damage. The assist device first trunk adapter cap  46  is typically obtained from a hard rubber or polymer material.  
         [0053]     In a similar manner an assist device second trunk adapter cap  48  is affixed with the assist device second trunk adapter  40 . The assist device second trunk adapter cap  48  functions in a similar manner to the assist device first trunk adapter cap  46 .  
         [0054]     As best seen in the  FIG. 5  is an assist device bumper  50 . The assist device bumper  50  is a hard rubber or polymer material of a generally cylindrical shape. The assist device bumper  50  is centrally located on the upper surface of the assist device base  12 .  
         [0055]     The assist device bumper  50  functions to prevent the assist device base first folding mechanism  14  from contacting the assist device base  12 . The purpose for the assist device bumper  50  in interrupting the free rotational movement of the assist device base first folding mechanism  14  and the assist device base second folding mechanism  18  is to aid in ease of loading and unloading an item with the assist device  10 . Stated otherwise, the upper surface of the assist device base first folding mechanism  14  and the assist device base second folding mechanism  18  will intersect the plane of the upper surface of the assist device base  12  when the assist  10  is in a folded condition.  
         [0056]     The assist device bumper  50  permits the forward and the reverse motion for the removal of the collapsible wheelchair to be accomplished with ease. Thus, it is desired that the assist device base  12  and the assist device base first folding mechanism  14  not lie in parallel planes but rather maintain a stored collapsible wheelchair in a relationship of the intersecting plane of the assist device base  12  and the assist device base first folding mechanism  14 .  
         [0057]     An assist device front roller mechanism  54  is connected with the left front lower surface of the assist device base  12 . An assist device rear roller mechanism  56  is connected with the left rear lower surface of the assist device base  12 .  
         [0058]     A second assist device front roller mechanism  54  is connected with the right front lower surface of the assist device base  12 . A second assist device rear roller mechanism  56  is connected with the right rear lower surface of the assist device base  12 . The left side front roller mechanisms  54  are inline with one another. The right side front roller mechanisms  56  are in line with one another.  
         [0059]     The pair of assist device front roller mechanisms  54  and the pair of assist device rear roller mechanisms  56  are trucks with wheels to permit translational movement of the assist device base  12  along the assist device first rail  24  and the assist device second rail  26 .  
         [0060]     Turning to  FIG. 2 , an assist device first retainer  76  is located at the corner of the assist device base second folding mechanism  18  nearest the assist device first crossbar  20 . An assist device second retainer  78  is located diagonally lengthwise on the assist device base second folding mechanism  18  from the assist device first retainer  76 .  
         [0061]     In a typical construction of the assist device  10 , the assist device base first folding mechanism  14  and the assist device base  12  will not lie in the same plane due to the extension of the length of the assist device base first folding mechanism  14 . In its fully extended to position the assist device base first folding mechanism  14  will contact to the assist device first crossbar  20  thereby providing a stop for the extension of the assist device base first folding mechanism  14 .  
         [0062]     The assist device base  12 , the assist device base first folding mechanism  14 , and assist device base second folding mechanism  18  may be conveniently clad with a vinyl material to protect that the finish of a vehicle in which to the assist device  10  is installed. Similarly the assist device first retainer  76  and assist device second retainer  78  may be clad with a vinyl material to protect an item of such as a wheelchair which is to be lifted by the assist device  10 .  
         [0063]     With reference to the drawings the operation of the assist device  10  is best explained. As best seen in  FIG. 6 , the assist device  10  is fixed to an automobile  80 . The automobile  80  is of conventional passenger vehicle construction having as a cargo storage area an automobile trunk  82  with a moveable trunk lid  84 . The automobile  80  has a non-movable automobile trunk roof  86 . An automobile trunk opening  88  is at least partially defined by the automobile  80 , the moveable trunk lid  84 , and the automobile trunk  82 . The automobile  80  and the moveable trunk lid  84  in a closed condition define an automobile trunk interior  90 .  
         [0064]     The assist device  10 , in a collapsed condition, is placed in the automobile trunk interior  90  through the automobile trunk opening  88  formed by the open condition of the moveable trunk lid  84 . The assist device rotatable first arm  30  and the assist device rotatable second arm  32  are rotated by means of the assist device pivot mechanisms  34  such that the assist device rotatable first arm  30  and the assist device rotatable second arm  32  are within the trunk below the non-movable automobile trunk roof  86 . That is, that the assist device first trunk adapter  38  and the assist device second trunk adapter  40  are below the non-movable automobile trunk roof  86 . The assist device trunk adapter height adjusters  42  are then vertically adjusted to raise the height of the assist device first trunk adapter  38  and the assist device second trunk adapter  40  to firmly contact the non-movable automobile trunk roof  86 .  
         [0065]     Pursuant to  FIG. 1 , an assist device  10  is fully extended from the automobile trunk  82  of the automobile  80 . A standard collapsible wheelchair  100  is placed into its folded configuration. The standard collapsible wheelchair  100  is simultaneously lifted by its armrest and handle for positioning on the assist device  10 . The armrest of the standard collapsible wheelchair  100  is orientated onto the assist device first retainer  76  while the handle of the standard collapsible wheelchair  100  is orientated to the assist device second retainer  78 . The armrest and the handle of the standard collapsible wheelchair  100  are gravitationally held in place by the assist device first retainer  76  and the assist device second retainer  78 .  
         [0066]     As seen in  FIG. 6 , the bottom of the wheels of the standard collapsible wheelchair  100  is now a small distance off the ground to rear of the vehicle  80 . The handles of the standard collapsible wheelchair  100  are at a slight angle tilted toward the automobile trunk interior  90  of the automobile  80 .  
         [0067]     Pursuant to  FIG. 7 , the standard collapsible wheelchair  100  is lifted by its wheels to a sufficient height to clear the automobile trunk opening  88  for placement into the automobile trunk interior  90 . As seen in  FIG. 8 , the standard collapsible wheelchair  100  has been lifted sufficiently and the assist device  10  is urged along the assist device first rail  24  and the assist device second rail  26  into the automobile trunk interior  90 . The bottom portion of assist device base first folding mechanism  14  is now resting on assist device bumper  50 .  
         [0068]     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the wheels of the collapsible wheelchair  100  are then lowered into a position where the wheels of the collapsible wheelchair  100  are resting on the floor of the automobile trunk  82 . The standard collapsible wheelchair  100  may then be pushed into the automobile trunk  82  and the assist device base first folding mechanism  14  comes to rest against that the assist device bumper  50 . At this point the assist device  10  with the standard collapsible wheelchair  100  mounted thereon is slid along the rail assist device first rail  24  and assist device second rail  24  by means of the assist device front roller mechanisms  54  and the assist device rear roller mechanisms  56 . To remove the standard collapsible wheelchair  100  the process is reversed. The assist device bumper  50  positions the standard collapsible wheelchair  100  such that removal of the standard collapsible wheelchair  100  is facilitated.  
         [0069]     A further embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 . An assist device  110  generally corresponds to the assist device  10  in construction and function. That is, the assist device base  112 , the assist device base first folding mechanism  114 , assist device first hinge  116 , assist device second hinge  119 , assist device first hinge  118 , assist device first crossbar  120 , assist device second crossbar  122 , assist device first rail  124 , assist device second rail mechanism  126 , assist device second hinge  128 , assist device bumper  150 , assist device front roller mechanism  154 , assist device rear roller mechanism  156 , assist device first retainer  176 , and the assist device second retainer  178  function as do their counterparts in the first mode.  
         [0070]     The assist device base  112  together with the assist device first rail  124 , the assist device second rail  126 , the assist device first crossbar  120 , and the assist device second crossbar  122  is sufficiently weighted to maintain the assist device  110  in a stable configuration even when the standard collapsible wheelchair  100  is in the most extended position as in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0071]     From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.