Variable-incline ramp system
US6739430B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 5, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 25, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 22, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB66B9/06
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention provides a ramp system for transporting objects from a lower site to an upper site and vice versa while keeping the object in a generally horizontal, or upright, orientation when the object is moved up a variable incline. Two rails are provided between the upper and lower site, and a carriage is provided with wheels to allow it to move along the rails. A plurality of cables extend from the carriage to the upper site and to the lower site, the cables passing through pulleys affixed to the carriage, in an arrangement which causes the front portion of the carriage to be cantilevered over the rails, thus keeping a horizontal orientation notwithstanding the incline of the ramp. In a preferred embodiment, the system is implemented in a marine environment between a floating dock and a fixed pier.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.