# US 2017/0283010 A1 · Ramp Assembly Systems and Methods of Use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0283010 A1 - Document ID: US20170283010A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/472,141 - Filed: 2017-03-28 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-30 - Inventors: Robert M. Dishon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170283010A1 ## CPC - B63B 27/143: {Ramps} - E01D 15/124: {Folding or telescopic bridges; Bridges built up from folding or telescopic sections (E01D15/122, E01D15/127 take precedence; folding or telescopic girders in general E04C3/005)} - B63B 2027/141: {telescopically extendable} - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) - E01D: CONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGES, {ELEVATED ROADWAYS} OR VIADUCTS; ASSEMBLY OF BRIDGES (bridges extending between terminal buildings and aircraft for embarking or disembarking passengers B64F1/305; {tracks for special kinds of railways E01B25/00; culverts E01F5/005}) ## Abstract Ramp assembly systems and methods of use are described. According to one aspect, a vessel ramp assembly system includes a ramp assembly configured to assist with ingress and egress of an individual with respect to the vessel, a deployment system configured to move the ramp assembly between a stowed position with respect to the vessel and a deployed position with respect to the vessel, and a positioning system configured to move the ramp assembly to move a first end of the ramp assembly with respect to a deck of the vessel and provide a second end of the ramp assembly at an appropriate position where the individual may use the ramp assembly for the ingress and egress with respect to the vessel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vessel ramp assembly system comprising: a ramp assembly configured to assist with ingress and egress of an individual with respect to a vessel; a deployment system coupled with the ramp assembly and configured to move the ramp assembly between a stowed position with respect to the vessel and a deployed position with respect to the vessel; and a positioning system coupled with the ramp assembly and configured to move a first end of the ramp assembly with respect to a deck of the vessel and to provide a second end of the ramp assembly at an appropriate position where the individual may use the ramp assembly for the ingress and egress with respect to the vessel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the positioning system is configured to move the ramp assembly when the ramp assembly is located in the deployed position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the ramp assembly is located below the deck of the vessel in the stowed position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the first end of the ramp assembly is a proximal end which is adjacent to the vessel when the ramp assembly is in the deployed position and the second end of the ramp assembly is a distal end which is spaced from the vessel when the ramp assembly is in the deployed position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising a support assembly configured to be attached to a vessel, and wherein the deployment system is movably coupled with the support assembly to move the ramp assembly between the stowed position and the deployed position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5 wherein the deployment system includes a trolley assembly coupled with the ramp assembly and the support assembly, and wherein the trolley assembly is configured to move the ramp assembly between the stowed and deployed positions. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6 wherein the positioning system comprises a first actuator coupled with the trolley and configured to move the first end of the ramp assembly, and a second actuator coupled with the trolley and configured to move the second end of the ramp assembly upwards or downwards. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7 wherein the second actuator is coupled with the ramp assembly at a location between the first and second ends of the ramp assembly. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6 wherein the trolley assembly comprises a motor configured to move the ramp assembly between the stowed and deployed positions. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the positioning system is configured to move the second end of the ramp assembly upwards wherein the second end of the ramp assembly is elevationally above the deck of the vessel at a first moment in time and the positioning system is configured to move the second end of the ramp assembly downwards wherein the second end of the ramp assembly is elevationally below the deck of the vessel at a second moment in time. ### Claim 11 A vessel ramp assembly system comprising: a support assembly configured to be attached to a vessel; a ramp assembly configured to assist with ingress and egress of an individual with respect to the vessel; a trolley assembly coupled with the ramp assembly and the support assembly, and wherein the trolley assembly is moveable between a first position relative to the support assembly where the ramp assembly is stowed with respect to the vessel and a second position relative to the support assembly where the ramp assembly is deployed with respect to the vessel; wherein the trolley assembly includes a level lift assembly coupled with the ramp assembly, wherein the level lift assembly is configured to move a first end of the ramp assembly relative to a deck of the vessel when the ramp assembly is deployed; and wherein the trolley assembly includes a ramp lift assembly coupled with the ramp assembly, wherein the ramp lift assembly is configured to move a second end of the ramp assembly upwards or downwards when the ramp assembly is deployed to provide the second end of the ramp assembly at an appropriate position where the individual may use the ramp assembly for the ingress and egress with respect to the vessel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11 wherein the level lift assembly is configured to move the first end of the ramp assembly from a first position below a deck of the vessel to a second position which is at least substantially level with the deck of the vessel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12 wherein the level lift assembly includes an actuator and a level lift mechanism coupled with a driver end of the actuator and the first end of the ramp assembly, and wherein extension of the driver end of the first actuator rotates the level lift mechanism and raises the first end of the ramp assembly from the first position to the second position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11 wherein the ramp lift assembly is coupled with the ramp assembly at a location between the first and second ends of the ramp assembly. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11 wherein the trolley assembly comprises a motor configured to move the trolley assembly between the first and second positions. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11 wherein the ramp lift assembly includes an actuator which is configured to move the second end of the ramp assembly upwards wherein the second end of the ramp assembly is elevationally above the deck of the vessel at a first moment in time and the actuator is configured to move the second end of the ramp assembly downwards wherein the second end of the ramp assembly is elevationally below the deck of the vessel at a second moment in time. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11 wherein the ramp lift assembly is configured to move the second end of the ramp assembly downwards to a position adjacent to a surface of the water about the vessel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11 wherein the support assembly is configured to be attached to the vessel at a location below the deck of the vessel. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18 wherein the ramp assembly is located below the deck of the vessel in the stowed position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11 wherein the first end of the ramp assembly is a proximal end which is adjacent to the vessel when the ramp assembly is deployed and the second end of the ramp assembly is a distal end which is spaced from the vessel when the ramp assembly is deployed.