Internal vehicle docking arm and storage

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10124852-B2
Application number	US-201414337283-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 22, 2014
Priority date	Jul 22, 2014
Publication date	Nov 13, 2018
Grant date	Nov 13, 2018

Abstract

A lift assembly for a vehicle includes a bracket configured to be fixed to the vehicle. A lift arm is pivotally coupled to the bracket. A mating structure is supported by the lift arm. The mating structure is configured to lift a personal mobility device and includes an electrical connector for electrically mating to an electrical connector of the personal mobility device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A lift assembly for a vehicle, the lift assembly comprising:
a bracket configured to be fixed to the vehicle;
a lift arm pivotally coupled to the bracket; and
a mating structure supported by the lift arm and configured to lift a personal mobility device, the mating structure including an electrical connector for electrically mating to an electrical connector of the personal mobility device.

2. The lift assembly as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a rotational member extending transversely to the lift arm, the rotational member being rotatable relative to the lift arm.

3. The lift assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein the mating structure extends transversely from the rotational member and is rotatable relative to the rotational member.

4. The lift assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein the rotational member supports the mating structure.

5. The lift assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein the mating structure defines a cavity housing the electrical connector.

6. The lift assembly for the vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the lift arm has a first segment coupled to the bracket, a second segment coupled to the mating structure, and a pivot point between the first segment and the second segment for folding the lift arm.

7. The lift assembly for the vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the lift arm is non-linear.

8. A personal mobility system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
a personal mobility device including a battery and an electrical connector in communication with the battery;
a lift arm configured to pivotally couple to the vehicle; and
a mating structure supported by the lift arm;
the mating structure being configured to lift the personal mobility device and including an electrical connector for electrically mating to the electrical connector of the personal mobility device.

9. The personal mobility system as set forth in claim 8 wherein the personal mobility device is an electric bicycle.

10. The personal mobility system as set forth in claim 9 wherein the electric bicycle is foldable.

11. The personal mobility system as set forth in claim 8 wherein the personal mobility device includes a seat post configured to receive the mating structure.

12. The personal mobility system as set forth in claim 11 wherein the seat post supports the electrical connector of the personal mobility device.

13. The personal mobility system as set forth in claim 11 wherein the seat post includes a lock for locking to the mating structure.

14. The personal mobility system as set forth in claim 8 further comprising a rotational member extending transversely to the lift arm, the rotational member being rotatable relative to the lift arm.

15. The personal mobility system as set forth in claim 14 wherein the mating structure extends transversely from the rotational member and is rotatable relative to the rotational member.

16. The personal mobility system as set forth in claim 15 wherein the rotational member supports the mating structure.

17. The personal mobility system as set forth in claim 16 wherein the mating structure defines a cavity housing the electrical connector of the mating structure.

18. The personal mobility system for the vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the lift arm has a first segment for being coupled to the vehicle, a second segment coupled to the mating structure, and a pivot point between the first segment and the second segment for folding the lift arm.

19. The personal mobility system for the vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the lift arm is non-linear.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Potticary Simon
• Craven Richard
• Neugebauer James
• Southey Bruce
• Mundy Jonathan
• Lloyd James
• Murray Andrew John

Classifications

• B60R5/04

  arranged at rear of vehicle {(B60R5/003, B60R5/006 take precedence; external trunks arranged at rear of vehicle B60R9/065)} · CPC title

• B60R2011/0036

  Luggage compartment · CPC title

• B62K15/006 Primary

  the frame being foldable · CPC title

• B62H3/00

  Separate supports or holders for parking or storing cycles (cycle supports used during maintenance B25H; building aspects E04H) · CPC title

• B60R2011/008

  Adjustable or movable supports · CPC title