Convertible ramp system and tactical vehicle incorporating a convertible ramp system
AssigneePatriot3, Inc.
InventorsCharles Louis Fuqua, Steven Scott Kahre
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A convertible ramp system facilitates transfer of personnel between spaced elevations. The ramp system includes a deck assembly, a convertible main ramp, and a convertible extension ramp. The convertible main ramp has a proximal end hinged to the deck assembly and a distal end adapted for being mechanically lifted and lowered relative to the deck assembly. Both the main ramp and the extension ramp incorporates an adjustable frame assembly and a series of simultaneously articulating foot treads carried by the frame assembly. The ramps are selectively convertible between a stairway configuration and a substantially flat and continuous runway configuration.
Claims18
A convertible ramp system adapted to facilitate transfer of personnel between spaced elevations, said convertible ramp system comprising:
- a deck assembly;
- a convertible main ramp having a proximal end hinged to said deck assembly and a distal end adapted for being mechanically lifted and lowered relative to said deck assembly, and said main ramp comprising an adjustable frame assembly and a series of simultaneously articulating foot treads carried by said frame assembly, wherein said main ramp is selectively convertible between a stairway configuration and a substantially flat and continuous runway configuration;
- and
- a convertible extension ramp carried by said main ramp and comprising an adjustable frame assembly and a series of simultaneously articulating foot treads carried by said frame assembly, wherein said extension ramp is selectively convertible between a stairway configuration and a substantially flat and continuous runway configuration adjacent said main ramp;
- an actuator operatively connected to said frame assembly of said extension ramp;
- an electronic sensor for determining a tilt angle of said foot treads of said main ramp;
- a controller communicating with said electronic sensor and said actuator, and adapted for transmitting a control signal to said actuator based on the tilt angle determined by said electronic sensor, wherein said control signal causes said actuator to pivot said foot treads of said extension ramp to a tilt angle corresponding substantially to the tilt angle of said foot treads of said main ramp.
A tactical vehicle comprising a cab portion located at a front of the vehicle and a vehicle bed located at a rear of the vehicle, and a convertible ramp system adapted to facilitate transfer of personnel between said vehicle and a spaced elevation, said convertible ramp system comprising:
- a deck assembly;
- a vehicle-mount frame assembly attached to said deck assembly, and mounting said deck assembly above the bed of said tactical vehicle;
- a convertible main ramp having a proximal end hinged to said deck assembly and a distal end adapted for being mechanically lifted and lowered relative to said deck assembly, and said main ramp comprising an adjustable frame assembly and a series of simultaneously articulating foot treads carried by said frame assembly, wherein said main ramp is selectively convertible between a stairway configuration and a substantially flat and continuous runway configuration;
- and
- a convertible extension ramp carried by said main ramp and comprising an adjustable frame assembly and a series of simultaneously articulating foot treads carried by said frame assembly, wherein said extension ramp is selectively convertible between a stairway configuration and a substantially flat and continuous runway configuration adjacent said main ramp;
- an actuator operatively connected to said frame assembly of said extension ramp;
- an electronic sensor for determining a tilt angle of said foot treads of said main ramp;
- a controller communicating with said electronic sensor and said actuator, and adapted for transmitting a control signal to said actuator based on the tilt angle determined by said electronic sensor, wherein said control signal causes said actuator to pivot said foot treads of said extension ramp to a tilt angle corresponding substantially to the tilt angle of said foot treads of said main ramp.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.