Method and apparatus for removing carts from a trailer

A method for removing carts from a trailer having a liftgate with a loading ramp with at least one opening within said loading ramp installed therein, said liftgate further having at least one rotatable ramp located therein, said at least one rotatable ramp having a central axis about which it rotates, said at least one rotatable ramp having a first, second, third and fourth portion, said second, third portions able to be respectively selectively engaged by one wheel of said cart, said second, third portions forming a 90 degree or less angle with respect to one another, said first portion angled downwardly with respect to said loading ramp forming an upward ramp from said loading ramp to said first portion, said first portion being continuous with said second portion, said second portion extending downwardly into said opening of said loading ramp, said second portion being contiguous with said third portion, said at least one rotatable ramp rotating about where said second and third portions meet, the carts having two front wheels and two rear wheels, wherein said at least one rotatable ramp of said liftgate is in a first position that allows said cart to travel across said at least one rotatable ramp without impeding said cart's travel, said method comprising:

• (a) moving the cart from a first position inside the trailer bed to a second position, said second position contacting said loading ramp of said liftgate wherein at least one wheel of said cart engages said at least one rotatable ramp located within said loading ramp of said opening of said liftgate;
• (b) rotating said at least one rotatable ramp of said liftgate to a second position;
• (c) moving said cart to a third position whereby at least one rear wheel contacts said at least one rotatable ramp that is in a first position whereby said at least one rotatable ramp stops the travel of said cart at this third position;
• (d) pulling said cart away from said at least one rotatable ramp in a direction opposite to said movement in (c);
• (e) rotating said at least one rotatable ramp to said first position;
• (f) moving said cart to a fourth position wherein the entire cart is beyond said at least one rotatable ramp.

A release apparatus for use with wheeled carts of the type configured for materials handling and having at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel and a vehicle having a cart-carrying area with a fore section, an aft section, a front wall, and a floor for cart loading and unloading, the release apparatus comprising:

• at least one rotatable ramp positioned with the floor of the cart-carrying vehicle,
• wherein the at least one rotatable ramp has a central axis about which the at least one rotatable ramp rotates,
• wherein the at least one rotatable ramp has a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion, wherein the second portion and the third portion are able to be respectively selectively engaged by one wheel of the wheeled cart,
• wherein the second portion and the third portion form a 90 degree or less angle with respect to one another,
• wherein the first portion is angled downwardly with respect to the floor of the cart-carrying vehicle forming an upward ramp from the floor of the cart-carrying vehicle to the first portion,
• wherein the first portion is contiguous with the second portion and the second portion extends downwardly into the floor of the cart-carrying vehicle,
• wherein the second portion is contiguous with the third portion, and,
• wherein the central axis is located about where the second portion and the third portion meet.

A method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a vehicle having a cart-carrying area, wherein the cart-carrying area comprises a fore section, an aft section, a front wall, and a floor, wherein the floor comprises at least one opening having at least one rotatable ramp located therein,
• wherein the at least one rotatable ramp comprises a central axis about which the at least one rotatable ramp can rotate, a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion,
• wherein the second and the third portions are able to be respectively selectively engaged by a first wheel of a cart and, the second portion and the third portion form a 90 degree or less angle with respect to one another,
• wherein the first portion is angled downwardly with respect to the floor thereby forming an upward ramp from the floor to the first portion and the first portion is continuous with the second portion,
• wherein the second portion extends downwardly into the opening of the floor and the second portion is contiguous with the third portion,
• wherein the at least one rotatable ramp rotates about where the second portion and the third portion meet,
• wherein the at least one rotatable ramp is in a first ramp position that allows the cart to travel across the at least one rotatable ramp without impeding the cart's travel;
• (b) moving the can in a first direction from a first cart position outside the cart-carrying area of the vehicle to a second cart position, wherein a first wheel of the cart engages the at least one rotatable ramp;
• (c) rotating the at least one rotatable ramp to a second ramp position;
• and,
• (d) moving the cart to a third cart position wherein a second wheel of the cart contacts the at least one rotatable ramp, wherein the at least one rotatable ramp substantially prevents the movement of the cart in a second direction.