# US 2014/0154035 A1 · Liftgate having a side-loadable load platform > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0154035 A1 - Document ID: US20140154035A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/076,744 - Filed: 2013-11-11 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-03 - Assignees: Anthony Liftgates, Inc. - Applicants: Anthony Liftgates, Inc. - Inventors: Thomas Walker - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140154035A1 ## CPC - B60P 1/435: {the ramp being attached to or making part of the side- or tailboards of the vehicle} - B60P 1/44: having a loading platform thereon raising the load to the level of the load-transporting element {(vehicles with special provisions for invalids comprising means for loading or unloading invalid conveyances A61G3/02)} - B60P 1/4421: {the loading platform being carried in at least one vertical guide} - B60P 1/4435: {the loading platform being suspended by wires, chains or the like from horizontal rails, e.g. the rails forming part of the vehicle floor} - B60P: VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS (vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances A61G3/00) ## Abstract A liftgate for loading and unloading cargo from a vehicle. The liftgate includes a moveable load platform having a proximal deck section and a distal deck section pivotally coupled to the proximal deck section. A side ramp is pivotally coupled to the distal deck section to facilitate unobstructed side loading and unloading of the distal deck section of the load platform. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A liftgate adapted to be attached to a vehicle for use in loading and unloading cargo from the vehicle, the liftgate comprising: a lift mechanism adapted to be coupled to the vehicle; a load platform having a proximal end coupled to the lift mechanism, a distal end spaced apart from the proximal end, a first side edge extending between the proximal end and the distal end of the load platform, and a second side edge extending between the proximal end and the distal end of the load platform, the load platform being selectively moveable between a lowered position of the load platform and a raised position of the load platform by the lift mechanism; a first restraint having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first restraint being coupled to the first side edge of the load platform, the first restraint adapted to support the load platform; and a first side ramp pivotally coupled to the first side edge of the load platform between the first end of the restraint and the distal end of the load platform, the first side ramp being selectively pivotal with respect to the load platform to an operational position wherein the first side ramp extends outwardly from the load platform; whereby when the first side ramp is in the operational position cargo can be moved between the first side ramp and the load platform without interference by the restraint thereby enabling side loading and unloading of the load platform. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The liftgate of claim 1 wherein the load platform includes a proximal deck section and a distal deck section, the proximal deck section being pivotally coupled to the lift mechanism for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis, the distal deck section being pivotally coupled to the proximal deck section for pivotal movement about a second pivot axis, the distal deck section having a distal end, a first side edge and a second side edge, the first end of the restraint and the first side ramp being coupled to the first side edge of the distal deck section, the proximal deck section and the distal deck section being selectively moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The liftgate of claim 2 wherein the first restraint includes a stanchion having a first end pivotally coupled to the distal deck section and a second end, and a tether having a first end coupled to the second end of the stanchion and a second end coupled to the lift mechanism, the stanchion adapted to engage and support the distal deck section when the distal deck section is in the extended position while allowing the distal deck section to pivot with respect to the proximal deck section from the extended position to the retracted position of the distal deck section. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The liftgate of claim 2 including a tether having a first end coupled to the proximal deck section and a second end coupled to the lift mechanism, the tether adapted to support the proximal deck section when the proximal deck section is in the extended position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The liftgate of claim 3 wherein the stanchion includes a foot that extends outwardly from the first end of the stanchion, the foot adapted to releasably engage the distal deck section when the distal deck section is in the extended position to thereby support the distal deck section in the extended position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The liftgate of claim 2 including an actuator coupled to the proximal deck section, the actuator adapted to selectively pivot the proximal deck section about the first pivot axis between the extended position and the retracted position of the proximal deck section, the distal deck section adapted to pivot about the second pivot axis with respect to the proximal deck section as the proximal deck section pivots about the first pivot axis. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The liftgate of claim 6 wherein the actuator comprises a hydraulic cylinder. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The liftgate of claim 2 wherein said first side ramp is pivotally coupled to said first side edge of said distal deck section, said first side ramp being selectively pivotal with respect to the distal deck section between the operational position of the first side ramp and a stored position of the first side ramp wherein the first side ramp overlies the distal deck section. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The liftgate of claim 8 including an end ramp pivotally coupled to the distal end of the distal deck section and being selectively pivotal between a stored position wherein the end ramp overlies the distal deck section and an operational position wherein the end ramp extends outwardly from the distal deck section, such that the cargo can be moved between the end ramp and the distal deck section when the end ramp is in the operational position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The liftgate of claim 1 including a second side ramp pivotally coupled to the second side edge of the load platform, the second side ramp being selectively pivotal to an operational position wherein the second side ramp extends outwardly from the load platform such that cargo can be moved between the second side ramp and the load platform when the second side ramp is in the operational position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The liftgate of claim 9 including a ramp latch, whereby when the first side ramp is pivoted to overlie the distal deck section in the stored position and the end ramp is pivoted to overlie the distal deck section in the stored position, the ramp latch is adapted to releasably couple the end ramp to the first side ramp and thereby releasably secure the first side ramp and the end ramp in their stored positions. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The liftgate of claim 11 wherein the ramp latch includes a retaining member that is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, a resilient biasing member adapted to bias the retaining member toward the extended position, and a pivotal lever adapted to move the retaining member to the retracted position and releasably retain the retaining member in the retracted position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 2) The liftgate of claim 2 wherein the lift mechanism includes a latch adapted to releasably retain the proximal deck section and the distal deck section in their retracted positions. ### Claim 14 (depends on 2) The liftgate of claim 2 including a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism including a receiver attached to the proximal deck section and a coupler pivotally coupled to the distal deck section, the receiver including an open-end receptacle, the coupler including a pin adapted to be removably received in the receptacle of the receiver to thereby secure the coupler to the receiver, whereby the locking mechanism is adapted to inhibit pivotal movement of the distal deck section with respect to the proximal deck section about the second pivot axis when the pin of the coupler is located within the receptacle of the receiver, and whereby the pin is selectively removable from the receptacle of the receiver to allow pivotal movement of the distal deck section with respect to the proximal deck section about the second pivot axis. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The liftgate of claim 1 including a hinge pivotally coupling the first side ramp to the load platform, the hinge including a link having a first end pivotally coupled to the load platform for pivotal movement of the first side ramp about a third pivot axis and a second end pivotally coupled to the first side ramp for pivotal movement of the first side ramp about a fourth pivot axis. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The liftgate of claim 15 wherein the load platform includes a ledge extending outwardly from the load platform and an abutment member associated with the ledge, whereby an end of the first side ramp is selectively positionable in engagement with the ledge and the abutment member of the load platform such that the first side ramp is releasably retained in a generally upright position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The liftgate of claim 1 including a second restraint having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second restraint being coupled to the second side edge of the load platform, the second restraint adapted to support the load platform. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The liftgate of claim 1 wherein the lift mechanism includes a column adapted to be coupled to the vehicle and a post moveably coupled to the column, the post being selectively moveable between a lowered position and a raised position, the load platform being pivotally coupled to the post. ### Claim 19 A liftgate adapted to be attached to a vehicle for use in loading and unloading cargo from the vehicle, the liftgate comprising: a load platform having a proximal deck section and a distal deck section, the proximal deck section adapted to be pivoted about a first pivot axis, the distal deck section being pivotally coupled to the proximal deck section for pivotal movement about a second pivot axis with respect to the proximal deck section, the distal deck section including a side edge and a distal edge; a restraint having a first end and a second end, the first end of the restraint being coupled to the side edge of the distal deck section, the restraint adapted to support the distal deck section; and a side ramp pivotally coupled to the side edge of the distal deck section, the side ramp being selectively pivotal about a third pivot axis to an operational position; whereby when the side ramp is in the operational position cargo can be moved between the side ramp and the distal deck section without interference by the restraint thereby enabling side loading and unloading of the distal deck section. ### Claim 20 (depends on 20) The liftgate of claim 20 wherein the restraint includes a stanchion having a first end pivotally coupled to the distal deck section and a second end, and a tether coupled to the second end of the stanchion, the stanchion adapted to support the distal deck section, the side ramp being located between the stanchion and the distal edge of the distal deck section.