Patent ID: 6264416
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: B60P

Abstract:
A compact, powered, slide-out ramp mechanism for a minivan having a chassis including two side rails of predetermined height as measured vertically, each side rail having a top and a bottom, said mechanism comprising:a pair of end frames;a pair of tracks attached to and held in spaced apart, parallel relationship by said end frames;each track having an upper horizontal side, a lower horizontal side, and a vertical side, wherein each upper horizontal side includes a portion angled upwardly away from horizontal at an outer end of the track;a trolley having a first set of wheels located between the horizontal sides of each track and movable along said tracks from side to side in the minivan;a ramp having an inner end mounted on said trolley and an outer end;wherein the tracks, trolley, and ramp are located between horizontal planes extending from the top and bottom of the side rail on the driver's side of the minivan;at least one roller supporting the outer end of said ramp just above the side rail on the passenger's side of the minivan as the ramp is extended;whereby the outer end of said ramp extends over the side rail on the passenger's side and lowers when the trolley engages the upwardly angled portion as the ramp pivots on said at least one roller.