Patent ID: 6238168
Filing Date: 2001-05-29
Classification: A61G,B60P,B60R,F16H,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A ramp assembly comprising:a frame;a ramp platform mounted in the frame defining trailing and forward ends and extendible and retractable along a length of the frame between stowed and deployed positions, and being arranged when deployed such that the forward end extends down toward the ground;a first locking mechanism that locks the ramp platform into a fully deployed position, wherein the first locking mechanism comprises a first latch arm operatively associated with the ramp platform to extend and retract with the ramp platform and a first latch plate attached to the frame that is engaged by the first latch arm when the ramp platform is in the fully deployed position;a second locking mechanism that locks the ramp platform into a fully stowed position, wherein the second locking mechanism comprises a stowed latch plate attached to the frame that is engaged and locked onto by a second latch arm when the ramp platform is in the fully stowed position; anda manual release mechanism, actuation of which releases the first locking mechanism when the ramp assembly is in the fully deployed position and which releases the second locking mechanism when the ramp platform is in the fully stowed position, wherein the manual release mechanism comprises a handle assembly (1) operatively associated with the first latch arm when the ramp platform is in the deployed position such that actuation of the handle assembly causes the first latch arm to release the first latch plate, and (2) operatively associated with the second latch arm when the ramp platform is in the stowed position such that actuation of the handle assembly causes the second latch arm to release the stowed latch plate, wherein the handle assembly comprises:a first bracket attached to the frame and having a hole therethrough, the first bracket defining a front end and a back end;a first rod extending through the hole, wherein the handle assembly further comprises a protrusion extending radially outward from the rod, the protrusion being proximate to the back end of the first bracket so that pulling on the rod abuts the protrusion to the back end of the first bracket after the first locking mechanism releases in the fully deployed position, and after the second latch arm releases the stowed latch plate in the fully stowed position, wherein the handle assembly further comprises a second bracket having a hole therethrough and attached to the frame, the second bracket defining a front end and a back end and located proximate to the front end of the first bracket and wherein the rod extends through the second hole.