Ramp door operating mechanism
AssigneeLippert Components, Inc.
InventorsBryan J. Roth, Jeffrey K. Albrecht, Dominick Bilancio, David G. Skinner, Samuel Evans
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An operating mechanism for a ramp door includes a door actuation system and a limit stop system. The actuation system is connected between the door and a frame or the vehicular structure directly and is operable to pivot the door between closed, deck, and ramp positions. The limit stop system selectively limits the pivoting of the door to a range between the closed and deck portion or to a range between the closed and ramp positions.
Claims18
A ramp door operating mechanism for displacing a ramp door among a closed position, a deck position, and a ramp position, the ramp door operating mechanism comprising:
- a door actuation system connectable between a ramp door and a structure, the door actuation system including a motorized sprocket and a first tether attachable to the ramp door and engaging the motorized sprocket;
- and
- a door limit stop system connectable between the ramp door and the structure, the door limit stop system including a second tether connectable at a proximal end to the structure and at a distal end to the ramp door, the second tether being displaceable between a first position with an effective length to support the ramp door in the deck position and a second position with an effective length to support the ramp door in the ramp position, the door limit stop system further comprising a tether extender that is configured to lock the second tether in the first position and to selectively release the second tether for displacement to the second position.
A ramp door assembly for a vehicular structure, comprising:
- a ramp door;
- and
- a ramp door operating mechanism functioning between the ramp door and the vehicular structure and configured to control displacement of the ramp door among a closed position, a deck position, and a ramp position, the ramp door operating mechanism comprising:
- a door actuation system connected between the ramp door and the vehicular structure, the door actuation system including a motorized sprocket and a first tether attached to the ramp door and engaging the motorized sprocket, and
- a door limit stop system connected between the ramp door and the structure, the door limit stop system including a second tether connected at a proximal end to the structure and at a distal end to the ramp door, the second tether being displaceable between a first position with an effective length to support the ramp door in the deck position and a second position with an effective length to support the ramp door in the ramp position, the door limit stop system further comprising a tether extender that is configured to lock the second tether in the first position and to selectively release the second tether for displacement to the second position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.