Ramp auto latch system
AssigneeTowmaster, Inc.
InventorBrian H. Weseman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An auto latch system for use with a transport vehicle having a ramp that is pivotable between a transport disposition and an extended disposition. The auto latch system includes a latch assembly operably coupled to a transport vehicle bed. A ramp engagement assembly is operably coupled to the ramp. The latch assembly automatically engages the ramp engagement assembly during pivoting of the ramp from the extended disposition to the transport disposition.
Claims14
An auto latch system for use with a transport vehicle having a bed, a frame disposed about the edge of the bed and a ramp that is pivotable between a transport disposition and an extended disposition, the ramp being pivotably mounted on an edge of the vehicle frame via a mounting arrangement disposed at one edge of the ramp, the auto latch system comprising:
- a latch assembly adapted to be mounted on the transport vehicle frame edge, wherein the latch assembly includes a handle pivotably attached to the transport vehicle frame edge and is disposed adjacent the bed and includes a ramp retention groove formed therein;
- and
- a ramp engagement assembly adapted to be mounted adjacent the mounting arrangement of the ramp, wherein the latch assembly handle engages the ramp engagement assembly adjacent the vehicle frame edge during pivoting of the ramp, from the extended disposition to the transport disposition, and is raised by the ramp such that the ramp retention groove receives the ramp engagement assembly as the ramp is moved into the transport disposition.
An auto latch system for use with a transport vehicle having a bed, a frame disposed about the edge of the bed and a ramp that is pivotable between a transport disposition and an extended disposition, the ramp being pivotably mounted on an edge of the vehicle frame via a mounting arrangement disposed at one edge of the ramp, the auto latch system comprising:
- an outwardly directed rod attached to and extending from the ramps wherein the rod is attached adjacent the mounting arrangement;
- a latch bracket attached to the transport vehicle frame edge of the bed;
- a latch handle assembly pivotably attached to the latch bracket that includes a ramp retention groove formed therein, wherein the latch handle is adapted to be raised by the rod and to engage the outwardly directed rod, adjacent the vehicle frame edge, via the ramp retention groove to retain the ramp in the transport disposition;
- and
- a spring operably attached to the latch bracket and the latch handle to bias the latch handle towards the outwardly directed rod.
A method of operably mounting a ramp to a transport vehicle having a bed, a frame disposed about the edge of the bed and a ramp, the method comprising:
- mounting a ramp to a transport vehicle frame edge via a mounting arrangement disposed at one edge of the ramp;
- mounting a ramp engagement assembly adjacent the mounting arrangement of the ramp;
- mounting a latch assembly to the transport vehicle frame edge;
- and
- engaging the ramp engagement assembly adjacent the vehicle frame edge with the latch assembly via a handle pivotably attached to the vehicle frame edge that includes a ramp retention groove, the latch handle being raised by the ramp as the ramp is pivoted from an extended disposition to a transport disposition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.