Patent ID: 6102646
Filing Date: 2000-08-15
Classification: B60P

Abstract:
A truck including a ramp structure comprising:a truck frame;a truck bay including upstanding sidewalls and a roof, and a rear bay opening defined at a rearward portion of the bay;a ramp structure pivotally connected to the truck at a rearward end thereof, the ramp structure comprising:(a) a first ramp pivotally connected to the truck via at least one hinge;(b) a second ramp pivotally connected to the first ramp, wherein the first ramp is substantially longer in length than the second ramp;(c) a first hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected between a frame extension and the first ramp;(d) a second hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected between the first and second ramps so as to allow the second ramp to be selectively moved between a folded up position and an extended position where the first and second ramps are approximately coplanar;(e) the frame extension extending rearwardly of, and at an elevation below, a pivot axis defined by the at least one hinge that pivotally connects the first ramp to the truck, wherein a first cylinder pivot axis is defined where the first cylinder is pivotally connected to the frame extension, and wherein the first cylinder pivot axis is located rearwardly of and at an elevation below the at least one hinge that pivotally connects the first ramp to the truck; and(f) wherein the first ramp is selectively moveable by the first cylinder between (i) a closed position where the first cylinder closes the rear bay opening, and (ii) an open position for enabling self-propelled lawn mowers to be driven into and out of the bay.