Patent ID: 7527467
Filing Date: 2009-05-05
Classification: B60P,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A retractable ramp system comprising: a frame including longitudinal guide members; a carriage extending laterally between and longitudinally moveable along the guide members; a ramp pivotably coupled to the carriage and movable between stowed and deployed positions; a motor coupled to the frame, the motor including a drive shaft defining an axis; a drive assembly coupled to the motor and including a drive pulley defining a plurality of axially-extending openings, a drive member driven by the drive pulley and coupled to the carriage, and a release assembly for engaging and disengaging the drive pulley and the motor, the release assembly including a first collar axially slidable along the drive shaft and including a pair of axially-extending pins, the pins selectively received by at least some of the plurality of openings in the drive pulley to rotatably couple the drive pulley to the drive shaft, the release assembly also including a second collar coupled to the drive shaft for rotation therewith between the first collar and the drive pulley, the second collar defining openings through which the pins extend, the motor operable to move the ramp between the stowed and deployed positions when engaged with the drive pulley; and a manual control assembly including a bearing block moveable under manual control along one of the guide members to deploy the ramp when the motor and the drive pulley are disengaged, wherein the drive pulley freely rotates upon the drive shaft when the release assembly disengages the drive pulley from the motor.