# US 9,056,038 B1 · Wheelchair-accessible converted vehicle and method for converting an existing vehicle

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- Number: US 9,056,038 B1
- Document ID: US9056038B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 13/546,968
- Filed: 2012-07-11
- Granted: 2015-06-16
- Earliest claimed: 2011-07-12
- Assignees: Vantage Mobility International, LLC
- Applicants: Michael J. Schmidt; Phil Gerlings; David Nulph
- Inventors: Michael J. Schmidt; Phil Gerlings; David Nulph
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9056038B1

## CPC

- B62D 65/14: the sub-units or components being passenger compartment fittings, e.g. seats, linings, trim, instrument panels
- A61G 3/066: {using a lowering device for a part of the floor of the vehicle}
- A61G 3/0808: {Accommodating or securing wheelchairs}
- B60G 21/051: {Trailing arm twist beam axles}
- B60K 13/04: concerning exhaust
- B60N 2/3047: {the cushion being hinged at the back-rest}
- B62D 65/10: the sub-units or components being engines, clutches or transmissions
- B62D 65/12: the sub-units or components being suspensions, brakes or wheel units
- B60G 2206/20: Constructional features of semi-rigid axles, e.g. twist beam type axles
- B60G 2206/911: using a modification kit
- B60G 2300/34: Ambulances
- B60G 2800/202: kneeling, e.g. for letting passengers on/off
- B62D 25/20: Floors or bottom sub-units {(sub-frames for mounting engine or suspensions B62D21/11; drip trays F16N31/006)}
- Y10S 414/134: Handicapped person handling
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)
- A61G: TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS (appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk A61H3/00); OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES (embalming corpses A01N1/00)
- B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00})
- B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

A modified OEM vehicle including a modified rear axle with an axle beam moved rearward, a modified exhaust system with the secondary catalytic converter relocated forward of a firewall, and a modified floor. The modified OEM vehicle also includes a body lift kit, a modified rear seat moved rearward in the vehicle, and a lowered air box aligned with an OEM air intake system. The modified rear axle may also include a receptacle enabling a power kneel chain to pass through the axle. Methods for modifying an OEM vehicle include the steps of removing the OEM rear axle, attaching a modified rear axle, repositioning the secondary catalytic converter, and modifying the floor of an interior compartment of the OEM vehicle. Method steps include fabricating a modified rear axle, installing a body lift kit, and lowering the airbox.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A modified OEM van, the modified OEM van being modified from an OEM van, comprising:
a modified rear axle, the modified rear axle being attached to a rear section of a rear control arm of a rear suspension system and comprising a modified axle beam located rearward of a rear wheel spindle attachment, the modified axle beam comprising at least one hole inserted in the modified axle beam for allowing a power kneel chain to pass through the modified axle beam, the at least one hole containing a hollow tube, the hollow tube being positioned substantially perpendicular to the length of the modified axle beam;
a modified exhaust system, the modified exhaust system comprising a catalytic converter repositioned forward of a firewall separating an engine compartment from an interior compartment; and
a modified vehicle floor of the interior compartment, the modified vehicle floor having no hump in the interior compartment.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The modified OEM van of claim 1, wherein the modified rear axle comprises an attachment assembly reinforced with at least one support bracket.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The modified OEM van of claim 1, wherein the modified rear axle comprises an attachment assembly reinforced with at least one gusset.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The modified OEM van of claim 1, wherein the modified axle beam comprises a C channel member.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The modified OEM van of claim 1, further comprising a raised body.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The modified OEM van of claim 5, further comprising a lowered airbox, the lowered airbox comprising a first side and a second side, the first side of the airbox being attached to an interior side of the engine compartment with a first modified bracket, and the second side of the airbox being attached to an original meeting surface with a second modified bracket.