Ramp assembly systems and methods of use

According to one aspect, a vessel ramp assembly system includes a ramp assembly configured to assist with ingress and egress of an individual with respect to the vessel, a deployment system configured to move the ramp assembly between a stowed position with respect to the vessel and a deployed position with respect to the vessel, and a positioning system configured to move the ramp assembly to move a first end of the ramp assembly with respect to a deck of the vessel and provide a second end of the ramp assembly at an appropriate position where the individual may use the ramp assembly for the ingress and egress with respect to the vessel.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to ramp assembly systems and methods of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to ramp assembly systems, components thereof, and methods of use. In some embodiments, the ramp assembly systems are used to facilitate ingress and egress with respect to a vessel, such as a pontoon boat.

In some arrangements, a ramp assembly of the system may be deployed during use upon a vessel to provide a safe and secure system for people to board and un-board the vessel with respect to various shorelines, docks, etc. and to additionally assist swimmers wishing to enter the vessel from the water. The example systems and methods described below may also be used to assist with the ingress and egress of people using wheelchairs with respect to the vessel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to some example embodiments of the disclosure, ramp assembly systems and methods of use are described. The ramp assembly systems may be utilized in various applications, for example, upon a vessel to assist people with ingress and egress relative to the vessel. A ramp assembly of the system may be moved between a deployed position for use to assist with ingress and egress with respect to the vessel and a stowed position when not in use.

An operator's controller for controlling operations of the ramp assembly systems may be installed adjacent to the steering and propulsion controls of the vessel and operated by the operator of the vessel in some typical implementations. Example embodiments of the disclosure allow for safe access to the vessel without the need to jump on or off with respect to differing shorelines and the ability for the elderly and handicapped to safely board or exit the vessel. The present disclosure describes example embodiments of ramp assembly systems and methods of operation and other embodiments of the apparatus and methods are possible.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, an example embodiment of the ramp assembly system10is shown mounted to a vessel2such as a pontoon boat. The ramp assembly system10is shown installed between pontoons of the vessel2at a location below the deck of vessel2in the illustrated implementation of system10.

According to one embodiment, ramp assembly system10includes a support assembly1, a ramp assembly3, and a trolley assembly4. As described below, ramp assembly3includes a deck which assists individuals with ingress and egress with respect to the vessel2, including accommodation of individuals who utilize wheel chairs.FIG. 1shows ramp assembly3in a stowed position when ingress or egress is not needed, for example during side docking, travel, etc., whileFIG. 2shows the ramp assembly in a deployed position to assist with ingress or egress. As shown inFIG. 2, a proximal end90of ramp assembly3is adjacent to vessel2and a distal end91of assembly3is spaced from vessel2when assembly3is in the deployed position.

The trolley assembly4is coupled between the support assembly1and ramp assembly3and includes in one example embodiment a deployment system which is configured to move the ramp assembly3between the stowed position with respect to the vessel2shown inFIG. 1and the deployed position with respect to the vessel2shown inFIG. 2. In addition, the illustrated embodiment of trolley assembly4also includes a positioning system which is configured to move a first end of the ramp assembly3with respect to the deck of the vessel2(for example to elevationally align the proximal end90of a deployed ramp assembly3with a deck of vessel2or lower proximal end90below the deck for stowage) and move a second end of the ramp assembly3to an appropriate position where individuals may use the ramp assembly3for ingress and egress with respect to the vessel2. Additional details regarding the operation of the trolley assembly including the deployment system and positioning system are discussed in detail in example embodiments below.

The ramp assembly3is located below the deck of the vessel2when the ramp assembly3is in stowed position in the illustrated implementation. In one embodiment, support assembly1includes two parallel support tracks8which are affixed to the vessel2at locations beneath the deck of vessel2. The tracks8are elongated C-channels in the illustrated arrangement and are made of a suitable material, such as aluminum or steel, with the elongated openings of the tracks facing one another. In one more specific example, tracks8are 6061 T6 aluminum channels with a ¼″ flange.

The upper elongated portions of the C-channel tracks8are attached to the vessel2so the tracks8do not move relative to the vessel2. A gear rack9is attached to an upper surface of the upper elongated portion of each track8, and a mating spur gear of the trolley assembly4described below engages the gear rack9, and the spur gears are driven to move the trolley assembly4and ramp assembly3relative to the support assembly1and the vessel2between the stowed and deployed positions as discussed in further detail below. In one embodiment, each of the gear racks9is a part number 6NSR16X1/2 available from Browning.

In addition, lower elongated portions of the C-channel tracks8are configured to support idler wheels36,39of the trolley assembly4(shown inFIG. 3) during movement between the stowed and deployed positions of the ramp assembly3as discussed below. The lower elongated portions of the C-channels also receive and support idler wheels58of the ramp assembly3in the stowed position. Forward ends of the tracks8include a stop plate6which operates to stop the trolley assembly4during movement from the stowed to the deployed positions.

With reference to the example embodiment ofFIG. 3, trolley assembly4includes a trolley frame14coupled with plural idler wheels36,39and spur gears27and which are configured to move along the tracks8of support assembly1to move the ramp assembly3between the stowed and deployed positions as mentioned above. Idler wheels36are received within the elongated openings of the C-channel tracks8and are supported by the lower elongated portions of the C-channel tracks8at different positions between the stowed and deployed positions of the trolley assembly4. Spur gears27mate with the gear racks9on the upper surfaces of the upper elongated portions of the C-channel tracks8. In one embodiment, spur gears27may each be implemented using part NB20B available from Boston Gear and idler wheels36are 2″ rubber caster wheels and idler wheels39are 3″ steel caster wheels.

Deployment of the ramp assembly3is controlled by the operator by activating a drive motor33of the trolley assembly4. In one embodiment, drive motor33may be implemented using a 65RPM Angle Drive Motor part number 5LAF8 available from Dayton. A chain35is coupled with a sprocket34of the drive motor33and a sprocket of a drive shaft25. Drive shaft25is supported by block bearings24,26.

Movement of the trolley assembly4is achieved when power is transferred from the drive motor33to drive shaft25via chain35and sprockets29,34in the illustrated embodiment. The drive shaft25is coupled with spur gears27of the trolley4which mate with the gear racks8of the tracks8which are mounted to the vessel2as mentioned above. Accordingly, the application of a rotational force to drive shaft25operates to rotate spur gears27which mate with the gear racks8of the tracks8. Rotation of the sprocket34in opposition directions in response to commands from the operator's controller moves the trolley and ramp assemblies3,4between the stowed and deployed positions and vice versa. In one embodiment, sprockets29,34are 12-Tooth Sprockets for chain35which is implemented as a #40 roller chain. The drive motor33, drive shaft25, spur gears27and associated components thereof are one example embodiment of the deployment system mentioned above and other embodiments of the deployment system are possible in other arrangements.

Upon deployment of the trolley assembly4and ramp assembly3, movement of the trolley assembly4is stopped when deployment stop tabs5(seeFIG. 5) of trolley assembly4contact the deployment stop plates6of tracks8ofFIGS. 1 and 2. In one embodiment, the positioning system may operate to move the ramp assembly3once the deployment system has fully deployed the ramp assembly3to the deployed position.

For example, in one embodiment, one of tracks8includes a full deployment tab (not shown) adjacent to the stop plate6at the end of support assembly1where the ramp system3is deployed. The trolley assembly4may include a full deployment switch50a(seeFIG. 5) which is mounted upon frame14at a location which engages the full deployment tab in track8upon full deployment of the trolley assembly4. The triggering of the full deployment limit switch50acorresponding to the deployment of the trolley assembly4and ramp assembly3allows activation of a level lift assembly discussed below to move ramp assembly3once it has been fully deployed.

Referring toFIG. 4, one embodiment of a level lift assembly is shown including a level lift mechanism42and an actuator46. The level lift mechanism42of the trolley assembly4is utilized to raise and lower the proximal end90of the ramp assembly3adjacent to the deck of the vessel2when the trolley assembly4and ramp assembly3are in the deployed positions. Level lift mechanism42is rotatably attached to the frame14of trolley assembly4using appropriate hardware (not shown), such as a mounting bolt, nut and jam nut in one embodiment. A driver end87of level lift actuator46is coupled with an extension80of the level lift mechanism42using a pin. A base end88of actuator46is coupled with tabs81of the trolley frame14via another pin. As discussed below, actuator46is configured to move ramp assembly3to align the proximal end90of the ramp assembly3in the deployed position with a deck of the vessel2.

In one embodiment, frame14includes side members15, frame extensions16, and a front connector17which are each implemented using 2″×3″ 6061 T6 Al tubing with a ⅛″ wall. The illustrated frame14additionally includes a rear connector19which is 1″×2″ 6061 T6 Al tubing with a ⅛″ wall. Actuator46is implemented using a Linear Actuator with part number LACT6-500A available from Concentric in one implementation. A gear drive shaft center bearing block mount21is also shown which is attached to and supports block bearing24.

Referring toFIG. 5, additional details of an embodiment of the trolley assembly4are shown. Drive motor33is affixed to a mounting plate32which is affixed to trolley frame14. Idler wheels36are attached to trolley frame14using mounting bolts37and respective nuts38and idler wheels39are attached to trolley frame14using mounting bolts40and respective nuts41.

FIG. 5additionally shows a ramp lift assembly in the form of an actuator48in one embodiment. A base end83of actuator48is rotatably coupled with mounting bracket82of the frame14using a pin49and the driver end84of actuator48is coupled with ramp assembly3(for example as shown inFIG. 6). Actuator48is implemented using a Linear Actuator with part number LACT12-1000B available from Concentric in one implementation. As discussed below, actuator48is configured to move a distal end of the ramp assembly3provided in the deployed position either upwards of downwards in response to the operator's controller.

Referring toFIG. 6, details of an example ramp assembly3are shown according to one embodiment. The illustrated assembly3includes a ramp assembly deck54, a plurality of outside rails55, a plurality of inside rails56, a front rail57and a rear support rail61. Idler wheels58are coupled with outside rails55using appropriate bolts59and nuts60.

Plural mounting brackets62are attached to the rear support rail61and further rotatably coupled with the parallel extensions85of level lift mechanism42using bolts63and nuts64. A mounting bracket65is attached to each inside rail56using a bolt66and the mounting brackets65of the rails56are further rotatably attached to the driver end84of actuator48using a pin67. Mounting brackets65are positioned to couple the driver end of actuator48with ramp assembly3at a location between the proximal and distal ends90,91of the ramp assembly3in one embodiment.

In one embodiment of ramp assembly3, deck54is implemented as a H3003 3/16″ Aluminum Deck Bright Sheet with a dimension of 32″×60″, inside rails55,56are 1″×2″ 6061 T6 Al tubing with a ⅛″ wall, front rail is 1″×1″ 6061 T6 Al tubing with a ⅛″ wall, rear support rail61is 1.25″×1.25″ 6061 T6 Al tubing with a ⅛″ wall, and idler wheels58are 2″ steel caster wheels.

Referring toFIGS. 7A and 7B, level lift operations with respect to the ramp assembly3are illustrated according to one embodiment. Following movement of the ramp assembly3and trolley assembly4to the deployed position shown inFIG. 7A, an operator may control the level lift actuator46to extend the driver end87approximately 6 inches from the position shown inFIG. 7Ato the position shown inFIG. 7B. The extension of the driver end87of level lift actuator46rotates the level lift mechanism42which in turn raises the proximal end90of ramp assembly3to a position which is relatively elevationally close to and elevationally aligned with the upper surface of deck72of vessel2in one embodiment.

The ramp assembly3is at least substantially elevationally aligned or level with the deck72of vessel2inFIG. 7Band the ramp assembly3may be utilized to board and de-board the vessel2with the level lift mechanism42and proximal end90of ramp assembly3positioned as shown inFIG. 7B. Accordingly, in one embodiment, actuator46moves proximal end90of ramp assembly3from a position which is elevationally below deck72of vessel2to a second position where the ramp assembly3is at least substantially elevationally aligned or level with deck72of vessel2. Thereafter, the driver end87of actuator46may be retracted which returns the ramp assembly3to the position shown inFIG. 7Aand which permits the trolley assembly4and ramp assembly3to be moved to the stowed position.

Referring toFIGS. 8A-8C, lift operations of ramp assembly3are described and different orientations of the ramp assembly3with respect to different shorelines are illustrated according to one embodiment. In particular, ingress and egress of vessel2may be implemented using ramp assembly3with different shorelines including high bank and low banks.

In particular, following deployment of the ramp assembly3to the deployed position and level operations discussed above, the operator may control the ramp assembly lift actuator48of the positioning system to extend driver end84outwardly from base end83which operates to raise distal end91of the ramp assembly3to a desired position with respect to the shoreline. In addition, the operator may control the ramp assembly lift actuator48of the positioning system to retract driver end84inwardly towards base end83which operates to lower the distal end91of ramp assembly3to a desired position with respect to the shoreline, the surface of the water, etc. The movement of the driver end84of the actuator48operates to selectively move the distal end91of the ramp assembly3to positions which may be elevationally above the deck of the vessel2, horizontal with deck or elevationally below the deck in one embodiment.

As shown, full extension of the driver end84allows ingress and egress with respect to a high bank shoreline ofFIG. 8A(e.g., 0-25 degrees above horizontal), full retraction of the driver end84allows ingress and egress with respect to a low bank shoreline ofFIG. 8B(e.g., 0-33 degrees below horizontal), and midway positioning of the distal end91of ramp assembly3allows at least substantially horizontal positioning of ramp assembly3for horizontal ingress and egress with respect to a shoreline.

In one more specific embodiment, the operator first momentarily depresses a ramp assembly lift limit over-ride switch while simultaneously selecting the direction of travel of distal end91upwards or downwards with a ramp assembly control switch. The lowered and horizontal positions of ramp assembly3may also assist swimmers who lack the ability to use a ladder to re-enter the vessel2from the water.

The level lift mechanism42, level lift actuator46and ramp assembly lift actuator48are one example embodiment of the positioning system mentioned above and other embodiments of the positioning system are possible in other arrangements.

When the ramp assembly3is to be stowed, the ramp assembly3is moved to a substantially horizontal position using actuator48. A ramp assembly lift limit switch50b(seeFIG. 5) is positioned at the driver end84of actuator48using a bolt52and nut53, and switch50binterrupts power to the actuator48and stops the movement of the ramp assembly3when the ramp assembly3is at the correct height for retraction and stowage. Power may be restored to the actuator48via the operator's controller, for example when the ramp assembly3is deployed at a subsequent moment in time.

Thereafter, the ramp assembly level lift mechanism42is then rotated downwardly by retracting the driver end87of level lift actuator46. A level lift limit switch50c(seeFIG. 4) is positioned adjacent to driver end87of actuator46. Once the level lift actuator46has fully retracted and rotated the level lift mechanism42to the full down position ofFIG. 7A, the level lift limit switch50cis triggered which will allow activation of the trolley assembly drive motor33for stowage. The trolley assembly4is then retracted with the ramp assembly3for stowage until trolley assembly4contacts retract stop bolt11which is provided through one or both of tracks8as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2and corresponds to the stowed position.

Switches50a-50cdescribed above are used to prevent improper movement of some of the components of the apparatus10at certain times which may otherwise damage the components. In one embodiment, when ramp assembly3reaches full deployment, switch50ais used to activate a 30 amp relay in the operator's controller which supplies power to a control switch which permits operation of level lift actuator46. When the level lift actuator46is extended (i.e., away from the full down position), switch50cactivates a 30 amp relay in the operator's controller to disable operation of the drive motor33. Once the level lift actuator46is returned to the full down position, switch50crestores power to operate the drive motor33. Upon movement of the trolley assembly4away from the fully deployed position to retract the ramp assembly3, switch50acuts power and disables the control switch for the level lift actuator46.

Further, aspects herein have been presented for guidance in construction and/or operation of illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. Applicant(s) hereof consider these described illustrative embodiments to also include, disclose and describe further inventive aspects in addition to those explicitly disclosed. For example, the additional inventive aspects may include less, more and/or alternative features than those described in the illustrative embodiments. In more specific examples, Applicants consider the disclosure to include, disclose and describe methods which include less, more and/or alternative steps than those methods explicitly disclosed as well as apparatus which includes less, more and/or alternative structure than the explicitly disclosed structure.