Patent ID: 9587404
Date: 2017-03-07
CPC Classifications: E04F

Claim:
1. An operable ramp moveable between a raised position and a lowered position, the operable ramp forming a step in the raised position, the operable ramp comprising: (a) a first panel rotatably coupled at a first end about a first axis, the first axis moving in a first direction when the operable ramp moves toward the lowered position and in a second direction when the operable ramp moves toward the raised position; (b) a second panel rotatably coupled at a first end to a second end of the first panel, the second panel extending downward from the first panel in the raised position and rotating about a fixed second axis when the operable ramp moves from the raised position to the lowered position, the first panel and the second panel cooperating to provide an inclined surface when the operable ramp is in the lowered position; (c) a linkage operably coupled to the first panel, the linkage selectively rotating the first panel about the first axis; and (d) a third panel rotatably coupled at a first end about a fixed third axis, the third panel being rotatable about the third axis between a raised position when the operable ramp is in the raised position and a lowered position when the operable ramp is in the lowered position, the third panel providing a surface between the first panel and a fixed panel when the operable ramp is in the raised position.