Retractable underbody truck ramp and method of making
US5253410A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 1992 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 3, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49844
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A retractable ramp is telescopable to a stowed position within a rearwardly open, longitudinally extending storage chamber within a cargo vehicle frame below a cargo carrying floor therein. It can be pulled from the vehicle, tilted downwardly so that its rear end engages the ground, and then its front end can be raised and connected to the vehicle adjacent the floor of the cargo compartment to serve as an unloading or loading platform for the vehicle floor. The ramp includes carriage arms pivotally connected to the ramp assembly near its front end and extending forwardly into the storage chamber to connect to glides which are slideable along the chamber. A force asserting, weight counterbalancing mechanism is pivotally connected between the carriage arm assembly and the ramp, and positioned to exert power to assist manual movement of the front end of the ramp from an initial position in which it is pulled from the storage chamber to a raised, operatively deployed position attached adjacent the ramp floor. The ramp is so positioned in the stowing chamber as it is being stowed, and as it is being withdrawn, that it virtually floats with respect to the walls of the storage chamber and…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.