Abstract:
An assist device provides a stable support for entering and exiting a vehicle through a door frame having a striker mounted on a side portion of the door frame which is engageable with a latch of a door for securing the door in a closed position. The assist device includes a retainer adapted which removably engages the striker. A support member mounted to the retainer supports at least a portion of a user&#39;s weight.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/292,490 filed May 21, 2001. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to mechanical aids and methods that enhance the self-mobility of a person, especially physically challenged individuals. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices and methods which may be employed for assisting elderly and/or disabled individuals in or out of a vehicle. 
     A number of prior art devices are found which attempt to provide a means for lifting or hoisting a patient 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 care giver 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 particulary 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 unuseable even if it is designed for use with a specific model of automobile. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly stated, the invention in a preferred form is an assist device which provides a stable support for entering and exiting a vehicle through a door frame having a striker mounted on a side portion of the door frame which is engageable with a latch of a door for securing the door in a closed position. The assist device includes a retainer adapted which removably engages the striker. A support member mounted to the retainer has a support platform segment which supports at least a portion of a user&#39;s weight. 
     In a first embodiment, the support member includes a support platform segment, an extension segment, and an engagement segment. The extension segment extends laterally downward from one end of the support platform segment to the engagement segment. The retainer may be inserted through an opening formed between the side portion of the door frame and a U-shaped striker member. The retainer includes first and second legs, with the first leg being mounted to the support platform segment intermediate the ends and substantially on the centerline. The retainer extends longitudinally along said centerline of the support member. 
     In a second embodiment, the support member includes a support platform segment and an extension segment extending laterally downward from the one end of the support platform segment. The retainer includes first and second legs extending from a curved bend portion, which is mounted to the distal end of the extension segment of the support member. The retainer receives and engages a stud striker member in the bend portion. The retainer also including a bumper which is mounted to the end portion of the second leg. 
     In a third embodiment, the support member includes a support platform segment and first and second leg segments extending orthogonally downward from the ends of the support platform segment. The retainer includes first and second legs extending from a curved bend portion, which is mounted along the centerline of the support member substantially midway between the ends of the support platform segment. The retainer receives and engages a cross-bar of a U-shaped striker member in the bend portion. Each of the legs comprises a main portion extending from the bend portion of the retainer to a distal end portion. The distal end portion of each leg extends obliquely outward from the main portion of the leg. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a completely self-assisted device for individuals requiring assistance in exiting or entering a vehicle. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a device that allows a physically challenged individual to maintain their balance throughout the process of moving in or out of 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, mobile device easily capable of being physically moved by a handicapped or disabled. 
     Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the drawings and specification. 
    
    
     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 elevational 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; and 
     FIG. 11 is a front view of the assist device and U-shaped striker member of FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 12 is a front view of a variant of the retainer of FIG.  5 . 
    
    
     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 which 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 door frame  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  which 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  42  may comprise an elongated plate  68  (FIG. 12) which is welded to the lower surface  70  of the support platform segment  46 . Protruding bumpers  72  are cemented or otherwise fixed in place project from distal portions of the plate  68  to engage the door frame  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 door frame  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 door frame  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) which 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 door frame  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 door frame  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 door frame  16  (and any washers  102  or adjustment nut which may be disposed intermediate the head of the stud and the door frame), 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 door frame  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 door frame  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 U-shaped 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 door frame  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  which 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 U-shaped 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 door frame  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 door frame  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 door frame  16 , thereby maintaining the support platform segment  186  in a substantially horizontal orientation. 
     Assist devices  40  and  160  are designed to position the support platform segment  46 ,  186  close to the door frame  16  of the vehicle  10  to prevent deflection of the door frame  16  which could cause an alignment problem between the door latch  28  and the striker  26 . All of the assist devices  40 ,  90 ,  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 door frame  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  described above functions to provide an easily mountable and removable support which attaches to the door frame  16  of a vehicle  10  and provides a stable support platform  46 ,  120 ,  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 accidently closed while a device  40 ,  90 ,  160  is installed, the relatively soft material of the bumpers  78 ,  104 ,  106 ,  206  will prevent or limit damage to the door and door frame, 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 door frame 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 door frame for the second device  90 ; and bumpers  206  on leg segments  188  and  190  will contact the door and door frame, respectively, for the third device  160 . 
     While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.