Locking arm system for a retention ramp of a lift gate

A lift gate system, comprising:

• a lift platform section;
• a ramp, wherein the ramp is rotatably coupled to the lift platform section;
• and
• a locking assembly for maintaining the ramp in a selected position relative to the lift platform section, wherein the locking assembly comprises:
• an elongated adjustable locking arm, wherein the locking arm is pivotably disposed on a pivot point relative to the ramp, wherein the locking arm includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a length of the locking arm disposed on a proximal end of the locking arm for engaging a cam portion, wherein the length of the locking arm can be increased or decreased by adjusting the adjustment mechanism at the proximal end of the locking arm;
• and
• a resilient member for spring loading the locking arm, wherein a biasing tension in the spring urges the proximal end of the locking arm to pivotably engage with the cam portion to maintain the ramp in a selected position;
• at least one fastener for coupling the locking assembly to a first surface of the ramp, wherein the first surface of the ramp is disposed opposite from a second surface of the ramp, and wherein the second surface of the ramp is unobstructed in a ramp position of the selected position.

A method, comprising:

• maintaining a ramp of a lift gate in a selected position by engaging an elongated adjustable locking arm with a cam portion, the locking arm including an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a length of the locking arm disposed on a proximal end of the locking arm for engaging a cam portion of the ramp;
• and
• increasing or decreasing the length of the locking arm by adjusting the adjustment mechanism at the proximal end of the locking arm;
• wherein the locking arm is spring loaded by a resilient member having a biasing tension that urges the proximal end of the locking arm to pivotably engage with the cam portion to maintain the ramp in a selected position;
• wherein the cam portion has multiple engagement surfaces for individually engaging with the locking arm, such that selective engagement of the locking arm with each engagement surface of the cam portion maintains the ramp in the selected position;
• and
• wherein the locking assembly is coupled to a first surface of the ramp, wherein the first surface of the ramp is disposed opposite from a second surface of the ramp, and wherein the second surface of the ramp is unobstructed in a ramp position of the selected position.