Wheelchair-accessible converted vehicle and method for converting an existing vehicle

• Main Authors: SCHMIDT MICHAEL J, NULPH DAVID, GERLINGS PHIL
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 16.06.2015
• Subjects: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS INVEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OFTRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GASEXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS, IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; MOTOR VEHICLES; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ARTCOLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TRAILERS; TRANSPORT OR ACCOMODATION FOR PATIENTS; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS; VEHICLES IN GENERAL

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.