Keith D Heigl

US Patent:

D513236, Dec 27, 2005

Filed:

Nov 24, 2004

Appl. No.:

29/218015

Inventors:

Bryan D. Hunt - Winamac IN, US
Jerome P. Sobota - Rochester IN, US
Keith D. Heigl - Winamac IN, US

Assignee:

The Braun Corporation - Winamac IN

International Classification:

1303

US Classification:

D13168

US Patent:

7509187, Mar 24, 2009

Filed:

Feb 28, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/068516

Inventors:

John W. Hayes - Winamac IN, US
Keith D. Heigl - Winamac IN, US

Assignee:

The Braun Corporation - Winamac IN

International Classification:

G06F 7/00
B66B 9/08
B66B 9/02
B60P 1/00
B65F 1/00
B65F 3/00

US Classification:

700213, 187200, 187250, 414540, 414545

Abstract:

A wheelchair lift having a pivot and a platform. A rotary position sensor is mounted at the pivot and configured to generate an output signal. A controller is configured to receive the output signal of the rotary position sensor and determine the position of the platform based on the output of the rotary position sensor.

US Patent:

7551995, Jun 23, 2009

Filed:

Aug 13, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/837993

Inventors:

Keith D. Heigl - Winamac IN, US
Justin C. Gilmore - Monticello IN, US
Andrew L. Henseleit - LaPorte IN, US

Assignee:

The Braun Corporation - Winamac IN

International Classification:

G05D 1/00

US Classification:

701 36, 701 1, 701 49, 318445, 49 35, 49 49, 307 91, 307 101, 180281

Abstract:

An access system for a vehicle includes a gateway module that connects to the vehicle data bus, and an interface system coupled to the gateway module via a gateway bus. The interface system is also coupled to a ramp control subsystem that operates to stow and deploy a ramp for providing wheelchair access to the vehicle. A door control subsystem is coupled to the vehicle data bus and operates in response to data signals sent over the vehicle data bus. The gateway module is configured to relay signals relating to the status of the ramp from the gateway bus to the vehicle data bus to coordinate operation of the door and the ramp.

US Patent:

7798761, Sep 21, 2010

Filed:

Dec 30, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/346384

Inventors:

Ronald Goodrich - Winamac IN, US
Keith Heigl - Winamac IN, US
Donald S. Sturm - Dayton OH, US

Assignee:

The Braun Corporation - Winamac IN

International Classification:

B60P 1/44

US Classification:

414462, 414540, 414921, 318468

Abstract:

A controller, control system and method for controlling an auxiliary device comprising a wheelchair lift, ramp, or the like are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the auxiliary device controller is microprocessor-based and communicates with a vehicle's OEM controller for receiving a plurality of sensor inputs, which originate from OEM and auxiliary sensors, process the sensor inputs, and control various OEM and auxiliary systems relative to the sensor inputs to effect a number of safety interlocks. The controller may operate to coordinate various OEM and auxiliary subsystems to automate auxiliary device operation to reduce operator error.

US Patent:

7816878, Oct 19, 2010

Filed:

Feb 1, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/024440

Inventors:

Keith D. Heigl - Winamac IN, US
Ronald W. Goodrich - Winamac IN, US

Assignee:

The Braun Corporation - Winamac IN

International Classification:

G05D 3/00

US Classification:

318466, 318266, 318468, 318445, 414454

Abstract:

A system and method for coordinating movement of a powered sliding door module and an access ramp for a vehicle. A system control board communicates with a current detector that can detect current on the power wires for the sliding door's motor. The current detector signals the system control board when it detects current and the system control board determines whether the ramp is stowed or deployed. If the ramp is deployed, the system control board stops and reverses the door so that the door remains open. The system control board then stows the ramp and closes the door. If the ramp is stowed, the system control board waits for the current in the door motor to return to zero and then determines if the door is completely open. If the door is not completely open the system control board does nothing. If the door is completely open, the system control board deploys the ramp.

US Patent:

7978119, Jul 12, 2011

Filed:

Dec 6, 2007

Appl. No.:

12/517448

Inventors:

Keith D. Heigl - Winamac IN, US

International Classification:

H04L 17/02

US Classification:

341176, 318445, 381 86

Abstract:

A system and method for coordinating movement of a powered sliding door module and an access ramp for a vehicle is shown in FIG. An OEM key fob () is modified to send a non-OEM signal when a passenger side sliding door button is pressed A non-OE controller () receives the non-OEM signal and, depending on whether the passenger side sliding door is opened or closed, and whether the access ramp is stowed or deployed, sends the OEM signal to open the door before deploying the ramp, or delays sending the OE signal until the ramp is stowed In another embodiment, an OEM receiver is modified to receive a non-OEM signal and the control configured to receive the OEM signal and send or delay sending of the non-OEM signal depending on the condition of the door and ramp.

US Patent:

20030007851, Jan 9, 2003

Filed:

May 10, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/142712

Inventors:

Keith Heigl - Corunna IN, US
Ronald Goodrich - Logansport IN, US
Donald Sturm - Dayton OH, US

International Classification:

B62B001/06

US Classification:

414/454000

Abstract:

A ramp deployment control system includes a controller, a kneeling motor operatively coupled to the controller and a ramp motor operatively coupled to the controller. The controller energizes the kneeling motor to kneel or stand a vehicle and energizes the ramp motor to deploy or stow a ramp. The controller is operatively coupled to a communication pathway, and a door control system is operatively coupled to the controller. The door control system is operable to monitor and control operation of a door. A standard control module is operatively coupled to the communication pathway and is operable to send door operation commands on the communication pathway. The controller selectively delays execution of the door operation commands by the door control system while operating the ramp motor to deploy or stow the ramp.

US Patent:

20060104775, May 18, 2006

Filed:

Jan 8, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/502067

Inventors:

Michael Kasten - Winamac IN, US
Kenneth Thornburg - Culver IN, US
Jeffrey Hermanson - Culver IN, US
Keith Heigl - Winamac IN, US
James Pierrou - Winamac IN, US

International Classification:

A61G 3/06

US Classification:

414546000

Abstract:

A vehicle access system for moving a passenger between the vehicle and ground. Some embodiments have an electrical system, a motive source coupled to the electrical system, an arm coupled to the motive source, a platform coupled to the arm, and a safety restraint system coupled to the electrical system and the platform. The vehicle access system has at least a vehicle access position and a ground access position, wherein the passenger can safely access the platform at either access position. The platform is unable to move from either access position until the safety restraint system is in place. Once operation of the access system has begun, it can continue to operate and move the passenger to one of the access positions even if the safety restraint system is subsequently removed.