Patent ID: 7832975
Filing Date: 2010-11-16
Classification: B60P

Abstract:
1. A ramp system adapted to be attached to a vehicle to bridge a cargo bed of the vehicle and a surface at a different level than the cargo bed, comprising a ramp having: a center section, a vehicle-end section hinged to the center section to bridge the center section and the cargo bed, and a lower-end section hinged to the center section at a surface-supported end thereof to bridge the center section and the surface; and an attachment means adapted to be attached to the vehicle for supporting the center section and permitting rotation of the center section form a use orientation tog substantially vertical orientation for stowing; wherein said attachment means includes: at least one torsion spring acting to counter weight of the ramp during the rotation, a shaft for disposing in a widthwise direction of the vehicle on a rear portion of the body of the vehicle at a location lower than a cargo bed of the vehicle, said at least one torsion spring is disposed on the shaft so as to have coils thereof surrounding the shaft, and a rotation limiting means for preventing rotation of the ramp beyond the substantially vertical orientation in a direction toward the cargo bed, wherein said rotation limiting means comprises a ramp stop bumper for disposing on the vehicle body and arranged such that a hinge between sections of the ramp contacts the ramp stop bumper to prevent rotation of the ramp beyond the substantially vertical orientation toward the cargo bed.