Gravity auto-latch system
OwnerDavid Eekhoffinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An auto latch system for use with a transport vehicle having a rotatable ramp shiftable between a transport disposition and a load disposition, includes a latch assembly operably coupled to a transport vehicle bed. A ramp engagement assembly is operably coupled to the ramp. The latch assembly automatically engages the ramp engagement assembly during shifting of the ramp from the load disposition to the transport disposition.
Claims31
A latch system securable to a ramp, the latch system coupled to a transport vehicle and pivotable between a generally upright transport disposition and a loading disposition, the latch system comprising:
- a ramp mount attachable to the ramp and including a stud and a stop rod;
- a latch assembly attachable to the mount and including a latch assembly bracket defining a mount slot, a generally arcuate surface with a transport portion, a loading surface, and a bearing surface, the slot dimensioned to accommodate the stud, the arcuate surface configured and dimensioned in relation to the slot such that the latch assembly bracket arcuate surface translates relative to the stop rod between the transport portion and the loading surface when the ramp is maneuvered between the transport disposition and the loading disposition.
A transport vehicle, comprising:
- a frame;
- a bed attached to the frame;
- a ramp attached to the frame and pivotable between a loading disposition and a generally upright transport disposition;
- and
- a latch system comprising:
- a ramp mount attachable to the ramp and including a stud and a stop rod;
- a latch assembly rotatively attachable to the mount and including a latch assembly bracket, the latch assembly bracket defining a mount slot, a generally arcuate surface with a transport portion, a loading surface, and a bearing surface, the mount slot dimensioned to accommodate the stud, the arcuate surface configured and dimensioned in relation to the slot such that the latch assembly bracket arcuate surface translates relative to the stop rod between the transport portion and the loading surface when the ramp is maneuvered between the transport disposition and the loading disposition.
A method of making a transport vehicle, the transport vehicle including a frame, a ramp pivotably mounted to the frame, and a latch system attachable to the ramp and frame, the method comprising:
- forming a ramp mount securable to the ramp and comprising a stud and a stop rod;
- and
- forming a latch assembly bracket, the latch assembly bracket defining a mount slot, a generally arcuate surface with a transport portion, a loading surface, and a bearing surface, the slot dimensioned to accommodate the stud, the arcuate surface configured and dimensioned in relation to the slot such that the arcuate surface translates relative to the stop rod between the transport portion and the loading surface when the ramp is maneuvered between a generally upright transport disposition and a loading disposition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.