초록 ▼

A ramp assembly (20) having a frame attachable to a vehicle having a floor is disclosed. The ramp assembly further includes a platform coupled to a portion of the frame, a ramp having a weight, and a reciprocating mechanism disposed between the ramp and the platform coupled to a portion of the frame

A ramp assembly (20) having a frame attachable to a vehicle having a floor is disclosed. The ramp assembly further includes a platform coupled to a portion of the frame, a ramp having a weight, and a reciprocating mechanism disposed between the ramp and the platform coupled to a portion of the frame. The ramp assembly also includes a reciprocating mechanism disposed between the ramp and the platform for reciprocating the ramp between a deployed position and a stowed position in response to a load. The reciprocating mechanism counterbalancing the weight of the ramp during actuation of the ramp between the deployed and stowed positions to reduce the load required to reciprocate the ramp between the deployed and stowed positions.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A ramp assembly, comprising;(a) a frame attachable to a vehicle having a floor; (b) a platform coupled to a portion of the frame; (c) a ramp having a weight; (d) a reciprocating mechanism coupled to the ramp and disposed between the ramp and platform for reciprocating the ramp between a deployed

1. A ramp assembly, comprising;(a) a frame attachable to a vehicle having a floor; (b) a platform coupled to a portion of the frame; (c) a ramp having a weight; (d) a reciprocating mechanism coupled to the ramp and disposed between the ramp and platform for reciprocating the ramp between a deployed position and a stowed position in response to a load, the reciprocating mechanism applying a preload to the ramp to counterbalance the weight of the ramp during actuation of the ramp between the deployed and stowed positions to reduce the load required to reciprocate the ramp between the deployed and stowed positions; and (e) a preload adjustment assembly coupled to the reciprocating mechanism and operable to adjust a magnitude of the preload applied to the ramp by the reciprocating mechanism by selective longitudinal adjustment of a component of the preload adjustment assembly. 2. The ramp assembly of claim 1, wherein the reciprocating mechanism includes a torsion assembly having a rotating end and a fixed end.3. The ramp assembly of claim 2, wherein the torsion assembly includes a torsion rod extending between the fixed and rotating ends of the torsion assembly, such that when the ramp is reciprocated between the deployed and stowed positions, the weight of the ramp causes the torsion rod to twist about the fixed end into a loaded position to resist the weight of the ramp.4. The ramp assembly of claim 3, wherein the torsion rod further comprises a splined portion.5. The ramp assembly of claim 4, wherein the splined portion is comprised of a plurality of lobed shaped splines.6. The ramp assembly of claim 3, wherein the torsion assembly further comprising:(a) a torsion lever coupled to the torsion rod; and (b) a bearing coupled to the frame, wherein the torsion lever engages the bearing during rotation of the torsion lever. 7. The ramp assembly of claim 6, wherein the bearing is a saddle bearing.8. The ramp assembly of claim 3, wherein the torsion assembly further comprising a torsion lever assembly coupled to the frame and the torsion rod.9. The ramp assembly of claim 8, wherein the torsion lever assembly comprises:(a) a torsion lever bracket fastened to the frame; (b) a bearing block coupled to the torsion lever bracket; and (c) a lever rotatably disposed between the torsion lever bracket and the bearing block and is coupled to the torsion rod. 10. The ramp assembly of claim 9, wherein the lever engages a portion of the bearing block during rotation of the lever.11. The ramp assembly of claim 8, further comprising a guard coupled to the reciprocating mechanism, wherein the guard is selectively actuatable between a first position to impede removal of the torsion lever assembly from the frame and a second position to permit removal of the torsion lever assembly from the frame.12. The ramp assembly of claim 11, further comprising coupling means for selective coupling of the torsion lever assembly to the frame.13. The ramp assembly of claim 12, wherein the coupling means is first and second fasteners coupling a portion of the torsion lever assembly to a portion of the frame.14. The ramp assembly of claim 12, further comprising a blocking mechanism formed with the frame to selectively prevent decoupling of the coupling means from the torsion lever.15. The ramp assembly of claim 14, wherein the blocking mechanism selectively prevents decoupling of the coupling means from the torsion lever when the torsion rod is in the loaded position.16. The ramp assembly of claim 3, wherein the torsion assembly further comprises an actuating arm rotatably attached to the frame and first and second bearing surfaces coupled to the ramp, wherein the first and second bearing surfaces move in a predetermined path as the ramp reciprocates between the deployed and stowed positions to contact a portion of the actuating arm and to unload and load the torsion rod.17. The ramp assembly of claim 16, further comprising coupling means interacting with the actuating arm for selectively coupling the actuating arm to the frame.18. The ramp assembly of claim 17, wherein the coupling means is selectively impeded from removal when the torsion rod is in the loaded position.19. The ramp assembly of claim 16, wherein one end of the actuating arm includes a cam surface positioned for engagement with at least one of the first and second bearing surfaces, such that as the ramp is reciprocated between the deployed and stowed positions, at least one of the first or second bearing surfaces engages a portion of the cam surface to load the torsion rod and counterbalance the weight of the ramp.20. The ramp assembly of claim 3, wherein the preload assembly is selectively impeded from being decoupled from the frame when the torsion rod is in the loaded position.21. The ramp assembly of claim 20, wherein the preload assembly includes a link assembly having an adjustable length to selectively adjust the magnitude of the preload.22. The ramp assembly of claim 20, wherein the preload assembly further comprising a link assembly having a first end, a second end, and a length, wherein the link assembly first end is coupled to the frame and the link assembly second end is coupled to the reciprocating mechanism.23. The ramp assembly of claim 22, wherein the first end of the link assembly includes a coupling device for coupling the first end to the frame, wherein the coupling device impedes the removal of the first end from the frame when the preload is applied to the ramp.24. The ramp assembly of claim 1, wherein the platform is coupled to the frame by a lifting assembly to reciprocably lift the platform into and out of a position substantially flush with the floor of the vehicle when the ramp is reciprocated between the deployed and stowed positions.25. The ramp assembly of claim 24, wherein the lifting assembly comprises a cam attached to the frame and a cam follower fastened to the platform.26. A ramp assembly, comprising:(a) a frame attachable to a vehicle having a floor; (b) a platform coupled to a portion of the frame; (c) a ramp having a lower surface and a weight; (d) a reciprocating mechanism coupled to the ramp and disposed between the ramp and platform for reciprocating the ramp between a deployed position and a stowed position in response to a load; (e) a lifting assembly disposed between the platform and the frame to reciprocably displace the platform into and out of a position substantially flush with the floor as the ramp is reciprocated between the deployed and stowed positions; and (f) a preload adjustment assembly coupled to the reciprocating mechanism and operable to adjust a magnitude of a preload applied to the ramp by the reciprocating mechanism. 27. The ramp assembly of claim 26, wherein the reciprocating mechanism includes a torsion rod having a fixed end and a second end in communication with the ramp, such that when the ramp is reciprocated between the deployed and stowed positions, the weight of the ramp causes the torsion rod to twist about the fixed end of the torsion rod into a loaded position to resist the weight of the ramp.28. The ramp assembly of claim 27, wherein the reciprocating mechanism further comprising a torsion lever assembly coupled to the frame and the torsion rod end, and a guard coupled to the reciprocating mechanism, wherein the guard is actuatable between a first position to impede removal of the torsion lever assembly from the frame and a second position to permit removal of the torsion lever assembly from the frame.29. The ramp assembly of claim 27, wherein the reciprocating mechanism further comprising:(a) a torsion lever coupled to the torsion rod; and (b) coupling means extending between the torsion lever and the reciprocating mechanism for coupling the torsion lever to the reciprocating mechanism. 30. The ramp assembly of claim 29, further comprising a blocking mechanism coupled to the frame to selectively prevent decoupling of the fastener from the torsion lever.31. The ramp assembly of claim 27, wherein the reciprocating mechanism further comprises an actuating arm rotatably attached to the torsion rod and first and second bearing surfaces coupled to the ramp, wherein the first and second bearing surfaces move in a predetermined path as the ramp reciprocates between the deployed and stowed positions to contact a portion of the actuating arm and cause the torsion rod to twist.32. The ramp assembly of claim 31, wherein one end of the actuating arm includes a cam surface positioned for engagement with at least one of the first and second bearing surfaces, such that as the ramp is reciprocated between the deployed and stowed positions, at least one of the first or second bearing surfaces engages a portion of the cam surface to load the torsion rod and counterbalance the weight of the ramp.33. The ramp assembly of claim 30, further comprising a counterbalance assembly attached to the ramp assembly to counterbalance the weight of the ramp during actuation of the ramp between the deployed and stowed positions, thereby reducing the load required to reciprocate the ramp between the deployed and stowed positions.34. The ramp assembly of claim 33, wherein when the ramp assembly is in the stowed position, the platform is displaced into a predetermined position below the floor by the lifting assembly and the lower surface of the ramp is substantially flush with the floor.35. A ramp assembly, comprising:(a) a frame attachable to a vehicle having a floor; (b) a platform coupled to a portion of the frame; (c) a ramp having a weight; (d) a reciprocating mechanism coupled to the ramp and disposed between the ramp and platform for reciprocating the ramp between a deployed position and a stowed position in response to a load, the reciprocating mechanism counterbalancing the weight of the ramp during actuation of the ramp between the deployed and stowed positions to reduce the load required to reciprocate the ramp between the deployed and stowed positions; (e) a lifting assembly disposed between the platform and the frame to reciprocably displace the platform into and out of a position substantially flush with the floor as the ramp is reciprocated between the deployed and stowed positions; and (f) a preload adjustment assembly coupled to the reciprocating mechanism and operable to adjust a magnitude of a preload applied to the ramp by the reciprocating mechanism. 36. The ramp assembly of claim 35, wherein the reciprocating mechanism further comprising a torsion lever assembly and guard means for impeding removal of the torsion lever assembly from the frame.37. The ramp assembly of claim 35, wherein the reciprocating mechanism further comprises an actuating arm rotatably attached to a portion of the reciprocating mechanism and first and second bearing surfaces coupled to the ramp, wherein the first and second bearing surfaces move in a predetermined path as the ramp reciprocates between the deployed and stowed positions to contact a portion of the actuating arm and to place a torsion load on a portion of the reciprocating mechanism.38. The ramp assembly of claim 37, wherein one end of the actuating arm includes a cam surface positioned for engagement with at least one of the first and second bearing surfaces, such that as the ramp is reciprocated between the deployed and stowed positions, at least one of the first or second bearing surfaces engages a portion of the cam surface to counterbalance the weight of the ramp.39. The ramp assembly of claim 38, wherein when the ramp assembly is in the stowed position, the platform is displaced into a predetermined position below the floor by the lifting assembly and a lower surface of the ramp is substantially flush with the floor.