Loading ramp adapted to be carried by a truck

Described is a loading ramp for loading a small vehicle into the bed of a truck, for being carried by the truck, and for optimizing storage space provided by the truck. The loading ramp is adapted to be mounted to a truck and is capable of an up position and a down position. When at the down position, the loading ramp defines a gradient between a ground surface and the bed of the truck. The gradient supports a small vehicle, such as an ATV, to the extent that the small vehicle is loaded into the bed of the truck by traversing the gradient. When at the up position, the loading ramp is carried by the truck such that the loading ramp does not limit the storage space provided by the truck and, in particular embodiments, makes available storage space provided by the truck that would otherwise be occupied.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention pertains to a ramp for loading a small vehicle into a truck. More particularly, this invention pertains to a loading ramp adapted to be carried by the truck such the loading ramp optimizes the storage space provided by the truck.

2. Description of the Related Art

There exists a need for transporting a small vehicle, such as a lawnmower, an ATV, or a snowmobile, by way of a truck, such as a pickup truck or a sports utility vehicle, without utilizing a trailer. To satisfy this need, many inventions in the prior art, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,913,305, 6,705,820, 5,807,058, 5,649,732, 5,603,600, 5,380,141, 4,990,049, 3,726,423, 3,720,335, 3,687,314, 3,704,794, and 3,613,920, provide a ramp that abuts the bed of a truck. More specifically, the ramp provides an incline between the ground and the bed of the truck. In accordance with these prior art inventions, the small vehicle is pushed, pulled, or driven from the ground, up the ramp, and into the bed of the truck. After the small vehicle is in the bed of the truck, the ramp is positioned to define a vertical wall of the bed, is removed from the pickup truck and stored elsewhere, or is transported in the bed. One limitation of these prior art inventions is that the ramp is either not transported by the pickup truck or is transported in the bed of the pickup truck, limiting the storage space provided by the pickup truck. Additionally, after being loaded into the truck, the small vehicle occupies the great majority of the bed of the truck such that other gear, supplies, tools, or equipment cannot be transported in the bed.

Other prior art inventions, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,150,591, 5,393,191, and 5,380,141, also include a platform disposed within and secured to the bed of a truck such that a space is defined between the platform and the floor of the bed. In accordance with these prior art inventions, a small vehicle is pushed, pulled, or driven from the ground, up the ramp, and to the platform such that the small vehicle is positioned above the floor of the bed of the truck. Although, the space between the platform and the floor of the bed provides storage space at the floor of the bed, the space is limited by the structure of the platform. Additionally, positioning the small vehicle above the bed of the truck raises the center of gravity of the truck, making it more prone to tipping over and more difficult to manage while driving. Consequently, a ramp for loading a small vehicle into the bed of a truck, for being carried by the truck, and for not limiting the storage space provided by the truck is desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the various features of the present invention there is provided a loading ramp for loading a small vehicle into the bed of a truck, for being carried by the truck, and for optimizing storage space provided by the truck. More specifically, the loading ramp is capable of two positions, namely an up position and a down position. The loading ramp is mounted to a truck such that the loading ramp, when at the down position, defines a gradient between a ground surface and the bed of the truck. The gradient supports a small vehicle, such as a lawnmower, an ATV, or a snowmobile, to the extent that the small vehicle is loaded into the bed of the truck by traversing the gradient. When the small vehicle is in the bed of the truck, the loading ramp is moved to the up position. When the loading ramp is at the up position, the loading ramp is carried by the truck such that the loading ramp does not limit the storage space provided by the truck. In particular embodiments, when the loading ramp is at the up position, the loading ramp supports at least a portion of the small vehicle such that the loading ramp makes available storage space provided by the truck that would otherwise be occupied by the small vehicle. Stated differently, the present invention provides a loading ramp for loading a small vehicle into the bed of a truck, for being carried by the truck, and for optimizing storage space provided by the truck.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a loading ramp for loading a small vehicle into the bed of a truck, for being carried by the truck, and for optimizing storage space provided by the truck. The loading ramp is adapted to be removably mounted to trucks of various sizes and is capable of an up position and a down position. When at the down position, the loading ramp defines a gradient between a ground surface and the bed of the truck. The gradient supports a small vehicle, such as an ATV, to the extent that the small vehicle is loaded into the bed of the truck by traversing the gradient. When at the up position, the loading ramp is carried by the truck such that the loading ramp does not limit the storage space provided by the truck and, in particular embodiments, makes available storage space provided by the truck that would otherwise be occupied. One embodiment of the loading ramp constructed in accordance with the various features of the present invention is illustrated generally at10inFIG. 1.

FIG. 1illustrates one embodiment of the loading ramp10in accordance with the various features of the present invention. The loading ramp10includes a first gradient member12, a second gradient member14, and a support structure16. The first gradient member12defines a first surface13, which supports a small vehicle to the extent that the small vehicle can traverse the first surface13. A small vehicle includes, but is not limited to, an ATV, a lawnmower, and a snowmobile. In the illustrated embodiment, the first surface13includes a plurality of crossing beams. It should be noted that the first surface13can be a surface other than one having a plurality of beams, such as a solid surface or a porous surface, without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. The first gradient member12defines a proximate end22and a distal end24. The proximate end22is opposite the distal end24with respect to the first surface13. In the illustrated embodiment, the first gradient member12includes a first rail32and a second rail34. The first rail32and the second rail34run longitudinally between the proximate end22and the distal end24and are positioned opposite one another with respect to the first surface13. The first rail32and the second rail34are to maintain the small vehicle at the first gradient member12in accordance with the subsequent discussion. It should be noted that the first gradient member12need not include the first rail32or the second rail34to remain within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Considering momentarilyFIG. 2, the first gradient member12is secured to the support structure16. The support structure16includes a mounting member18and an adjustable member20. The mounting member18is adapted to be secured to a truck30having a bed28such that the support structure16is mounted to the truck30. When the support structure16is mounted to the truck30, the proximate end22of the first gradient member12is proximate the bed28. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting member18cooperates with a receiver-type hitch26included by the truck30such that the support structure16is removably mounted to the truck30. The receiver-type hitch26includes any hitch having a receptacle for receiving an insertable structure such as a ball mount. It should be noted that the mounting member18can mount the support structure16to the truck30by ways other than by cooperating with a receiver-type hitch26without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. It should also be noted that the mounting member18can irremovably mount the support structure16to the truck30without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the truck30is a pickup truck having its tailgate removed. It should be noted that the truck30can include vehicles other than a pickup truck, such as a sports utility vehicle, without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. When the truck30is a sports utility vehicle, the bed28is the storage space located behind the seating.

The adjustable member20adjusts the distance d1between the proximate end22of the first gradient member12and the mounting member18such that the loading ramp10is adapted to be mounted to any size truck. More specifically, the adjustable member20adjusts the distance d1such that the mounting member18is secured to the truck30and the proximate end22of the first gradient member12is positioned at the bed28of the truck30. In the illustrated embodiment, the proximate end22of the gradient member12rests on a rear bumper29of the truck30. However, it should be noted that the proximate end22of the gradient member12can rest on the bed28of the truck30or not rest on the truck30at all without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.

In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustable member20has a pin and slot configuration. However, it should be noted that the adjustable member20can adjust the distance d1by ways other than utilizing a pin and slot configuration without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.

Returning toFIG. 1, the second gradient member14is secured to the first gradient member12at the distal end24of the first gradient member12. The second gradient member14defines a second surface15, which supports the small vehicle to the extent that the small vehicle can traverse the second surface15. In the illustrated embodiment, the second surface15includes a plurality of beams. It should be noted that the second surface15can be a surface other than one having a plurality of beams, such as a solid surface or a porous surface, without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the second gradient member14includes a left gradient member36and a right gradient member38. It should be noted that the second gradient member14can include one or more gradient members without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. The left gradient member36and the right gradient member38are positioned a distance d2from one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the left gradient member36and the right gradient member38are secured to the first gradient member12such that the distance d2between the left gradient member36and the right gradient member38is adjustable. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the left gradient member36and the right gradient member38define respective openings42, which receive a rod40included by the first gradient member12to the extent that the left gradient member36and the right gradient member38are secured to the first gradient member12such that the left gradient member36and the right gradient member38slide laterally along the rod40. Consequently, the left gradient member36and the right gradient member38are adjusted to accommodate various small vehicles having different wheelbases.

The second gradient member14is secured to the first gradient member12such that the second gradient member14pivots at the distal end24to the extent that the second gradient member14is capable of at least two positions, namely an up position and a down position. InFIG. 1, the second gradient member14is at the down position. When the second gradient member14is at the down position, the first gradient member12and the second gradient member14define a gradient between a ground surface31and the bed28of the truck30; the gradient being traversable by the small vehicle. The small vehicle is loaded into the bed28of the truck30by pushing, pulling, or driving the small vehicle from the ground surface31, up the gradient defined by the first gradient member12and the second gradient member14, and to the bed28. The small vehicle is unloaded from the bed28of the truck30by pushing, pulling, or driving the small vehicle from the bed28, down the gradient, and to the ground surface31.

After the small vehicle has been loaded or unloaded, the second gradient member14is moved to the up position.FIG. 2illustrates the loading ramp10at the up position. The second gradient member14is moved between the up position and the down position either manually or by way of a mechanical device. The mechanical device includes, but is not limited to, motorized and crank-powered mechanical devices. The second gradient member14is adapted to be temporarily locked at the up position. In the illustrated embodiment, the second gradient member14is temporarily locked at the up position by a first locking member48and a second locking member50. More specifically, the first locking member48is a beam rotatably secured to the first rail32and releasably secured to the second gradient member14. Similarly, the second locking member50is a beam rotatably secured to the second rail34and releasably secured to the second gradient member14. It should be noted that each of the first locking member48and the second locking member50can be a structure other than a beam, such as a chain, without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. It should also be noted that the second gradient member14can be locked at the up position by ways other than the first locking member48and the second locking member50, such as by way of a locking motorized or crank-powered mechanical device, without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.

When the support structure16is mounted to the truck30and the second gradient member14is at the up position, the support structure16supports the first gradient member12and the second gradient member14above the ground surface31such that the loading ramp10is carried by the truck30. Additionally, when the second gradient member14is at the up position, the loading ramp10does not limit the storage space provided by the truck30. More specifically, the loading ramp10occupies no portion of the bed28or the cap of the truck30and does not limit the height of the cargo transported in the bed28.

The result of the above-discussed features is a portable loading ramp10for loading and unloading a small vehicle with respect to the bed28of the truck30and for not limiting the storage space provided by the truck30. For example, when the second gradient member14is at the down position, the small vehicle is loaded into the bed28by way of the loading ramp10in accordance with the above-discussion. When the small vehicle is in the bed28, the second gradient member14is moved to and locked at the up position in accordance with the above-discussion. At this point, both the small vehicle and the loading ramp10are carried by the truck30. Additionally, the loading ramp10is not limiting the storage space provided by the truck30. To unload the small vehicle from the bed28, the second gradient member14is unlocked from the up position and is moved to the down position in accordance with the above-discussion. The small vehicle is then unloaded from the truck30by way of the loading ramp10in accordance with the above-discussion. When the small vehicle is back at the ground surface31, the second gradient member14is positioned and locked at the up position such that the loading ramp10is carried by the truck30.

FIG. 3illustrates an additional feature of the loading ramp10in accordance with the various features of the present invention. InFIG. 3, the second gradient member14is at the up position and a portion of the small vehicle44is positioned in the bed28of the truck30and a portion of the small vehicle44is positioned at the first gradient member12of the loading ramp10. When the small vehicle44is positioned as described, the truck30carries both the small vehicle44and the loading ramp10such that the small vehicle44occupies a minimal portion of the bed28of the truck30. Consequently, the loading ramp10makes available storage space provided by the truck30that would otherwise be occupied by the small vehicle44. As a result, the loading ramp10optimizes the storage space provided by the truck30.

From the foregoing description, those skilled in the art will recognize that a loading ramp for loading a small vehicle into the bed of a truck, for being carried by the truck, and for optimizing storage space provided by the truck offering advantages over the prior art has been provided. The loading ramp is adapted to be removably mounted to trucks of various sizes and is capable of an up position and a down position. When at the down position, the loading ramp defines a gradient between a ground surface and the bed of the truck. The gradient supports a small vehicle, such as an ATV, to the extent that the small vehicle is loaded into the bed of the truck by traversing the gradient. When at the up position, the loading ramp is carried by the truck such that the loading ramp does not limit the storage space provided by the truck and, in particular embodiments, makes available storage space provided by the truck that would otherwise be occupied.