Patent ID: 6390761
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: B60P

Abstract:
An articulating telescopic ramp for mounting on top of the cargo bed of trucks, vans and trailers, comprising:a base assembly having a forward end and a pivoting end and mounted on the top surface of said cargo bed, the forward end of the base assembly having means for attaching it approximate the forward end of said cargo bed and means for attaching lifting means to a raising end of a pivoting frame, the pivoting end of the base assembly having means for attaching it to the rear end of said cargo bed and means for pivotally attaching the pivoting frame to it; said pivoting frame comprising longitudinal rails rigidly connected by transverse structural members providing means for a mated telescoping frame to traverse parallel to said pivoting frame, said raising end including means for attaching the lifting means between said pivoting frame and said forward end of said base assembly, a pivoting axis aft of said raising end, and an aft end, said pivoting frame being rotationally attached at its pivoting axis to said pivoting end of said base assembly, said pivoting frame having bearing means on which the telescoping frame is disposed and traverses; said telescopic frame comprising longitudinal members rigidly connected by transverse structural members, having a forward end and a rear end with means for engaging said telescopic frame to said pivoting frame and bearing means for said telescopic frame to traverse longitudinally on and parallel to said pivoting frame and means for the rear end of said telescopic frame to cantilever beyond said aft end of said pivoting frame, and support means on which cargo is loaded; said lifting means connected to said forward end of said base assembly and to said raising end of said pivoting frame for raising and lowering of said raising end of said pivoting frame providing the means for rotating said pivoting frame about said pivoting axis to a desired incline with the horizon; extending and retracting means for extending and retracting said telescopic frame longitudinally parallel relative to said pivoting frame; and control means for actuating said lifting means and the extending and retracting means.