US 8,800,582 B2Granted

Storable exterior lift cover

AssigneeBruno Independent Living Aids, Inc.

InventorsAdam C. Hooper, Timothy J. Dexter, Andrew A. Bayer

Life of this patent

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Abstract

Storable exterior lift cover systems, apparatus, devices, methods, etc. are configured to be used with a lift device or the like (such as an exterior lift that raises, transports, stores and lowers mobility devices like scooters, power chairs and the like) mounted to a motor vehicle using a trailer hitch or the like. A covering apparatus has a foldable frame that can be unfolded to allow a pliable cover to extend over the lift platform and any cargo. Retraction of the cover and folding of the frame compactly configures and stores the cover apparatus, for example between the lift platform and a motor vehicle to which the lift is secured. Embodiments of the storable exterior lift cover permit easy deployment and storage of a cover that can be reliably transported externally in its deployed or stored configuration.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A storable exterior lift cover system comprising:

a storable exterior lift cover coupled to a motor vehicle lift device, the lift device comprising a platform coupled to a mast, wherein the lift device is configured to be mounted to a rear portion of a motor vehicle;
an inboard mounting structure secured to an inboard mounting position on the lift device, the inboard mounting structure comprising a frame mounting support comprising a frame support hole and an inboard frame mounting cup;
an outboard mounting structure secured to an outboard mounting position on the platform, the outboard mounting structure comprising an outboard frame mounting cup;
a foldable frame comprising:
first and second frame members;
a flexible connector connecting the first and second frame members and configured to permit selective folding of the frame members;
wherein the frame is movable between a folded configuration and an open configuration;
wherein the frame is mounted to and supported by the frame support hole and the inboard frame mounting cup when the frame is in a folded configuration and further wherein the frame is mounted to and supported by the frame support hole and the outboard frame mounting cup when the frame is in an open configuration;
and
an end-sheet cover assembly secured to the frame and comprising an end-sheet made of pliable material that is generally vertical when the frame is in the open configuration;
a top-sheet cover assembly secured to the frame, the top-sheet cover assembly comprising:
a top-sheet cover made of pliable material secured to the frame and configured to generally cover the platform and any cargo thereon, the top-sheet cover being movable between a retracted storage configuration and an extended covering configuration;
and
one or more anchoring hooks secured to the top-sheet cover and configured to anchor the top-sheet cover to the platform when the top-sheet cover is in the extended covering configuration;
wherein the storable exterior lift cover is in a fully deployed configuration when the frame is in the open configuration and the top-sheet cover assembly is in the extended covering configuration;
and
further wherein the storable exterior lift cover is in a storage configuration when the frame is in the folded configuration and the top-sheet cover assembly is in the retracted storage configuration.

14 more elements

A storable exterior lift covering apparatus comprising:

a frame mounted to a platform of an exterior lift and movable between a folded configuration and an open configuration;
an inboard mounting structure coupling the frame to an actuator of the exterior lift;
an outboard mounting structure mounted to the platform;
an end-sheet cover assembly comprising an end-sheet cover mounted to the frame;
a top-sheet cover assembly movable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration, the top-sheet cover assembly comprising a top-sheet cover mounted to the frame and configured to be secured to the platform when the top-sheet cover assembly is in the extended configuration;
wherein the covering apparatus is in a fully deployed configuration in which the lift platform and any cargo thereon are generally covered when the frame is in the open configuration and the top-sheet cover assembly is in the extended configuration;
further wherein the covering apparatus is in a storage configuration when the frame is in the folded configuration and the top-sheet cover assembly is in the retracted storage configuration
further wherein the frame is supported by the inboard mounting structure and the outboard mounting structure when the frame is in the open configuration;
and
further wherein the frame is supported only by the inboard mounting structure when the frame is in the folded configuration.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/297,083Filed 15 Nov 2011 · us provisional application
Priority: 16 Nov 2010
Published: US 2012/0118341 A117 May 2012
Granted: 12 Aug 2014
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

B60J 11/00
Removable external protective coverings specially adapted for vehicles or parts of vehicles
E04H 6/04
Small garages, e.g. for one or two cars: wheeled, hinged, foldable, telescopic, swinging or otherwise movable
E04H 15/06
Tents combined or specially associated with other devices: tents at least partially supported by vehicles
B60J
Windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors, or similar devices for vehicles