Geared ramp assembly with raised ramp position and side rails and method of use
AssigneeBraun GmbH
InventorsAdam Smith, Justin M. Kline
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A ramp assembly to accommodate a wheel-chaired passenger to enter or exit a motorized vehicle having a conventional floor includes a frame and a ramp. The ramp is slidably coupled to the frame. The ramp assembly further includes a drive block configured to translate longitudinally along the track system. The ramp assembly further includes a wheel pivotally coupled to the ramp. The wheel has a longitudinal axis and is rotatably coupled to the drive block or the frame for rotation about the longitudinal axis to move the ramp between a raised position and a lowered position.
Claims20
A ramp assembly to accommodate a wheel-chaired passenger to enter or exit a motorized vehicle having a conventional floor, the ramp assembly comprising:
- a frame including a top edge, a bottom edge, a front end, a rear end spaced longitudinally apart from the front end, and a track system extending longitudinally between the front end and the rear end of the frame;
- a ramp slidably coupled to the frame and including a front end and a rear end;
- a drive block configured to move longitudinally along the track system;
- and
- a wheel pivotally coupled to the ramp;
- wherein the wheel has a longitudinal axis and is rotatably coupled to the drive block for rotation about the longitudinal axis.
A ramp assembly for a motorized vehicle having a conventional floor, the ramp assembly comprising:
- a frame including a front end, a rear end spaced longitudinally apart from the front end, and a track system extending longitudinally between the front end and the rear end of the frame;
- a ramp slidably coupled to the frame and including a front end and a rear end;
- a drive block configured to translate longitudinally along the track system;
- a first cog coupled to the frame;
- and
- a second cog coupled to the drive block for longitudinal movement therewith,
- wherein one of the first cog and the second cog is a toothed wheel pivotally coupled to the frame or the drive block, and the other of the first cog and the second cog is a toothed bar configured to engage the toothed wheel to cause rotation of the toothed wheel.
A method of moving a ramp relative to a conventional floor of a motorized vehicle comprising:
- sliding a rear end of the ramp from a rear end to a front end of a frame that is positioned beneath the conventional floor;
- and
- adjusting the height of the rear end of the ramp relative to the frame from first position in which the rear end of the ramp is below the conventional floor to a second position in which the rear end of the ramp is flush with the conventional floor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.