Trailer with automated trailer ramp
AssigneePJ Trailers, Inc.
InventorsFrank Friesen, Henry Froese, Aaron Neil Barnes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A trailer having a trailer ramp system that includes a trailer ramp coupled with the trailer and an actuator pivotally coupled to the trailer on a first end of the actuator and pivotally coupled to the trailer ramp on a second end of the actuator. The actuator is located below the trailer and is aligned with a central axis of the trailer ramp and a central axis of the trailer. The actuator is movable linearly to rotate the trailer ramp between an open position and a closed position.
Claims20
A trailer having a trailer ramp system, comprising:
- a trailer ramp coupled to the trailer;
- and
- an actuator pivotally coupled to the trailer on a first end of the actuator and pivotally coupled to the trailer ramp on a second end of the actuator, wherein the actuator is located below the trailer and is aligned with a central axis of the trailer ramp and a central axis of the trailer, wherein the actuator is movable linearly to move the trailer ramp between an open and a closed position.
A trailer ramp system, comprising:
- a trailer comprising a dovetail portion;
- a wedge-shaped trailer ramp pivotally connected to the trailer adjacent the dovetail portion;
- and
- an actuator coupled to the wedge-shaped trailer ramp and the trailer to allow pivoting of the wedge-shaped trailer ramp with respect to the dovetail section of the trailer between a closed position and an open position, wherein a bottom surface of the wedge-shaped trailer ramp is aligned with a top surface of the trailer when the wedge-shaped trailer ramp is in the closed position and wherein the actuator is coupled to the ramp by a linking arm and a cam.
A method of moving a trailer ramp from a closed position to an open position, comprising:
- retracting a portion of an actuator that is coupled to a linking arm, wherein the linking arm is pivotally coupled to a cam;
- rotating the cam about a first hinge member, wherein the cam is coupled to the first hinge member and the trailer ramp and rotation of the cam imparts rotation to the trailer ramp;
- moving the first hinge member with respect to a second hinge member, wherein the second hinge member is coupled to a trailer;
- and
- pivoting the ramp to an open position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.