Patent ID: 9073475
Filing Date: 2015-07-07
Classification: B60P,B65G

Abstract:
1. A ramp loading system for loading and unloading cargo, wheeled vehicles, and various types of equipment onto or from the bed of a pickup truck or the floor of a utility truck, the system comprising a ramp loading apparatus of interconnected components comprising at least one housing, a bridge, and a ramp, wherein: the housing further comprises four parallel channels of hollow, four-sided orthogonal cross-section with a length-wise travel rod welded within each channel for retention of a stop nut on said travel rod and said housing being permanently affixed to the bed or floor of said truck; the bridge comprises four parallel primarily longitudinal sub-bridges of hollow, four-sided orthogonal cross-section, having interior walls, a back end, and a front end, further having vertically-oriented cylindrical left and right stop blocks welded to the interior walls of each sub-bridge proximate the front end of said sub-bridge, and a guide tube welded lengthwise along one wall of each sub-bridge, and further, all sub-bridges having collectively, an exterior profile corresponding to the dimensions and profile of the respective interiors of said channels of said housing; the ramp comprises four parallel I-beams each I-beam contained within one of the four sub-bridges, each I-beam comprising a front end and a hinge end, said hinge end containing a bracket bolted thereto, whereby said bracket is further welded to a hinge pin, which hinge pin provides restraint of the I-beam against the left and right stop blocks of its respective sub-bridge, and further, said four parallel I-beams being welded together at their front ends to a common handle, leaving clearance along the length of said flanges of said I-beams, to allow travel of each I-beam within its respective sub-bridge; whereupon said ramp loading system, in a stored configuration, telescopically retains said bridge within the confines of said housing and retains a forward portion of said ramp within said bridge, whereupon operational deployment, said bridge and the full length of said ramp are sequentially withdrawn from said housing and said ramp is thereupon rotated, proximate said hinge pin, in a downward arc to contact the ground or other surface for loading or unloading cargo.