Abstract:
A utility ramp having a latching feature to attach the utility ramp to steps mounted on the side of a vehicle. The latching feature provides a means for securing the utility ramp to the steps and allows the utility ramp to be used as a vehicle running board. Further, the utility ramp may include one or more jointed segments to allow the utility ramp to approximate a curved ramp.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Technical Field  
         [0002]     This invention relates to a vehicle utility ramp, and more particularly, to a vehicle utility ramp that can be stored and used as a vehicle running board when not in use as a utility ramp.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     Utility vehicle, SUV, and pickup truck owners commonly transport machinery such as ATVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles, lawn mowers, and riding/garden tractors and material such as cable spools or large appliances such as refrigerators, couches, and stoves. Transportation of these items often involves loading the machinery or material onto the vehicle. In order to accommodate the loading, utility ramps have been developed to help raise the machinery or material into the vehicle. While the related art has attempted to address the issue of compact storage and portability of these utility ramps, it has failed to teach a storage method that is in itself useful, convenient and safe to the vehicle owner and any other persons or objects that may come in contact with the vehicle.  
         [0005]     The related art systems have attempted to address these problems with varying success. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,394, issued to William Hays discloses an invention having an overlapping hinge feature. The hinge feature allows for compact storage through nesting of the ramp sections. However, Hays is deficient in that it does not disclose or suggest a safe, convenient and useful storage method and latching mechanism to store and convert the utility ramp into a vehicle running board.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,185,775, issued to Michael D. McCarthy discloses a portable ramp for providing a bridge between surfaces of different elevations. However, McCarthy is deficient in that it does not disclose or suggest a safe, convenient and useful support method and latching mechanism on a vehicle side for use of the utility ramp as a vehicle running board.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,523, issued to Bradley L. Beck discloses a removable running board for a vehicle that includes a quick-release mechanism for disengaging the running board from the vehicle. However, unlike the present invention, Beck is deficient in that, Beck does not disclose or suggest a safe, convenient and useful step that can securely support the utility ramp when the utility ramp is placed on the step.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,135, issued to Theron V. Hendrix discloses a removable running board for a vehicle that includes mounting the running board on front and rear mounting brackets secured to a lower central side portion of a vehicle, and a releasable lock means disclosed as a screw and nut assembly for disengaging the running board from the vehicle. However in Hendrix, the mounting brackets are horizontal projections away from the vehicle that are not useful for anything when the running board is removed. Therefore, Hendrix does not disclose or suggest a safe, convenient and useful step that can securely support the utility ramp when the utility ramp is placed on the step.  
         [0009]     Related art systems suffer from the limitation that they do not have a useable step affixed to the side of a vehicle when the utility ramp is detached from the vehicle side.  
         [0010]     What is needed is a utility ramp and running board system that possesses features providing safety, convenience, and utility both when the utility ramp is stored on the vehicle, and when the utility ramp is removed from the vehicle. It would be beneficial if the system had a step affixed to the vehicle that supports the utility ramp when the ramp is latched to the step.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The present invention provides a utility ramp and running board system that equips a vehicle with an esthetically pleasing and safe vehicle profile wherein the steps are affixed to the vehicle and do not present unusable and possibly unsafe horizontal projections away from the vehicle like the support brackets in the related art. Thus, in the present invention there is utility for users of the vehicle and users of the utility ramp both when the ramp is attached to the vehicle side and functioning as a running board or detached from the vehicle and functioning as a utility ramp.  
         [0012]     In addition, a secure method of latching the utility ramp to the vehicle is provided. The present invention is an improvement over the related art in that the present invention provides a utility ramp and running board system that when either stored on the vehicle side, or removed from the vehicle side is esthetically pleasing, safe, functional, and useful. The present invention includes a step affixed to the vehicle wherein the step functions as a secured support for the utility ramp when the utility ramp functions as a running board and as step when the utility ramp functions as a utility ramp or is otherwise removed from the step.  
         [0013]     The invention will be better understood from the following more detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention being used as a running board according to the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the present invention being used as a utility ramp according to the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3A  is a side view of the release handle fully extended utility ramp position according to the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3B  is a side view of the release handle in transition from the open utility ramp position to the closed running board position according to the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 3C  is a side view of the release handle in the closed running board position according to the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional, partial side view of the preferred embodiment of a latching mechanism, showing the latching mechanism in the engaged position, latched to the support step for use in the present invention and the release handle in the closed running board position according to the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional, partial side view of the detail of the preferred embodiment of a latching mechanism, showing the latching mechanism in the disengaged position, and the release handle in the open utility ramp position for use in the present invention according to the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the present invention being used as a utility ramp according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 7A  is a side view of the ramp locking mechanism of the present invention wherein the ramp locking mechanism is in the fully extended position.  
         [0024]      FIG. 7B  is a side view of the ramp locking mechanism of the present invention wherein the ramp locking mechanism is in the angled position.  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional back view of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]     In the descriptions that follow, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same numerals, respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and certain figures may be shown in exaggerated or generalized form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , at least one step  6  is fixedly attached to a vehicle  10 . Preferably, there are two or more of at least one step  6  that are attached to the frame or unibody of vehicle  10  along undercarriage  20 . Step  6  supports utility ramp-board (“ramp-board”)  5 , wherein ramp-board  5  has an upper end and a lower end and provides the functionality of a running board when affixed to step  6 . Vehicle  10  contains truck bed  24  and bumper  22 . Ramp-board contains upper release handle  30 , upper plate  32 , lower release handle  34 , lower plate  36 , and handle groove  38 . Upper release handle  30  is attached to upper plate  32  which is pivotally attached to the upper end of ramp-board  5  and lower release handle is attached to lower plate  36  which is pivotally attached to the lower end of ramp-board  5 .  
         [0028]     In use, utility ramp-board  5  is removed from step  6  and one end is placed upon the terminal end of open tailgate  19 , on bumper  22  of vehicle  10 , or at the end of bed  24  of vehicle  10  while the other terminal end is allowed to rest on the ground. In this configuration, ramp-board  5  provides a ramp wherein machinery or materials may be transported from the ground to the bed of the vehicle or vice versa.  
         [0029]      FIG. 2  shows ramp-board  5  in the utility ramp configuration wherein upper release handle  30  of ramp-board  5  is affixed to the open tailgate  19 . While not shown, upper release handle  30  may be affixed to bumper  22  of vehicle  10 , the terminal end of bed  24 , or any other suitable location to assist in the loading and unloading of machinery or material into or from vehicle  10 . Upper release handle  30  is affixed to tailgate  19  such that angle A is between about 135° to about 170° from tailgate  19  to the bottom of ramp-board  5 . The angle allows most machinery to transition from ramp-board  5  to truck bed  24  without bottoming out.  
         [0030]     Lower release handle  34  at least partially rest on the ground such that angle B is between about 185° to about 225° from lower release handle  34  to ramp-board  5 . The angle allows for machinery to relatively easily transition from the ground to lower release handle  34  to ramp-board  5 .  
         [0031]     As shown in  FIG. 3A , upper plate  32  contains notch  40 . Notch  40  engages the body of ramp-board  5  when upper release handle  30  is in the open utility ramp configuration and prevents angle A from extending past between about 135° to about 170°. Similarly, lower plate  36  contains lower notch  42 . Lower notch  42  engages the body ramp-board  5  when lower release handle  34  is in the open utility ramp configuration and prevents angle B from extending past between about 185° to about 225°.  FIG. 3B  shows upper release handle  30  and lower release handle  34  transitioning from the open utility ramp position shown in  FIG. 3A  to the close running board position shown in  FIG. 3C .  
         [0032]      FIG. 3C  shows at least a portion of upper release handle  30  and lower release handle  34  housed in handle groove  38 . In an alternate embodiment handle groove  38  is not present and upper release handle  30  and lower release handle  34  rest on the surface of ramp-board  5 . The length of upper release handle  30  and lower release handle  34  is at least about ½ inch, is preferably between about ½ to about 24 inches and most preferably between about 6 inches to about 8 inches. The length depends mostly on the ground clearance of vehicle  10  and the distance from the end of ramp-board  5  to at least one step  6 . For example, if the ground clearance of vehicle  10  is about 12 inches, then the length of upper release handle  30  and lower release handle  34  would have to be less than about 12 inches to allow for the rotation of upper plate  32  and lower plate  36 . Similarly, if when ramp-board  6  is being used as a running board and at least one step  6  is about 18 inches from either end of ramp-board  6 , then the length of upper release handle  30  and lower release handle  34  would have to be less than about 18 inches to allow for ramp-board  6  to be placed over at least one step  6 . Typically, when upper release handle  30  and lower release handle  34  are in the closed running board position shown in  FIG. 3C , ramp-board  5  is secured to at least one step  6  as shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  shows a cross sectional, partial side view of ramp-board  5  affixed to step  6 . Ramp-board  5  contains aperture  16  that is adapted for attachment to step  6 . Thereby, ramp-board  5  surrounds at least a portion of step  6  when affixed as a running board. Aperture  16  is preferably slightly larger than at least a portion of step  6  to allow easy attachment thereto. In one embodiment, step  6  may contain a lip or protrusion  9  that extends longitudinally from main body of step  6  for engagement with at least a portion of an attaching means such as latching mechanism  12  to aid in securing ramp-board  5  to step  6 . Any practical means for securely keeping ramp-board  5  affixed to one or more step  6  may be used to retain ramp-board  5  in the running board position. However, one preferred attachment is with the use of latching mechanism  12  and plunger assembly  13 .  
         [0034]     Therein, plunger assembly  13  has a securing spring  11  in connection with rod  14  such that a spring compression force applied to rod  14  will securely latch ramp-board  5  to step  6  by forcing engagement of latching mechanism  12  to lip  9  of step  6  when utility ramp-board  5  it is on step  6 . Securing spring  11  pushes latching mechanism  12  beneath lip  9  of step  6  with sufficient force to prevent ramp-board  5  from disengaging with step  6  during use of vehicle  10 .  
         [0035]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , lower plate  36  is affixed to an end of ramp-board  5  such that latching mechanism  12  is in communication with lower plate  36  via rod  14 . Although not shown, a latching mechanism may be applied for affixing ramp-board  5  to a step  6  at either terminal end of ramp-board  5 . When latching mechanism  12  is set to an engaged position, lower release handle  34 , which is attached to lower plate  36 , is in a closed running board positioned. For an open, utility ramp position, lower release handle  34  is rotated about pivot point  39  within lower plate  36  such that lower release handle  34  extends outward and away from the body of ramp-board  5  similar to the configuration shown in  FIG. 3A . When lower release handle  34  is rotated, pivot point  39  is rotated along with ball joint  37  located at the end of rod  14 . As ball joint  37  is askew slightly of pivot point  39 , rod  14  is able to pass through pivot point  39  during the rotation of lower plate  36 . Securing spring  11 , which was being compressed as ball joint  37  rotated past pivot point  39 , begins to decompress and the spring tension in securing spring  11  prevents ball joint  37  from rotating past pivot point  39  and secures ramp-board  5  in the open utility-ramp position shown in  FIG. 5 . While the above process has been explained with respect to lower release handle  34  and lower plate  36 , the same process is used with upper release handle  30  and upper plate  32 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 8  is a cut-away side view showing upper release handle  30 , upper plate  32 , pivot point  39 , connecting rod  31 , offset  35 , ball joint  37 , and rod  14 . Similar to the process described above, when upper release handle  30  is extended from ramp-board  5 , upper plate  32  is rotated about pivot point  39 . As pivot point  39  is rotated, connecting rod  31  rotates ball joint  37 . Ball joint  37  pulls rod  14  which compresses securing spring  11 . As offset  35  passes pivot point  39 , ball joint  37  and rod  14  pass pivot point  39  and ball joint  37  ceases to pull rod  14  and securing spring  11  begins to expand and release the spring tension acquired when securing spring  11  was being compressed and pulls ball joint  37  and rod  14  passed pivot point  39 . The remaining tension in securing spring  11  prevents ball joint  37  from unexpectedly rotating back around pivot point  39 .  
         [0037]     To disengage utility ramp-board  5  from step  6 , upper plate  32  is rotated via upper release handle  30  such that connecting rod  14  compresses securing spring  11  thereby releasing latching mechanism  12  from contact with step  6 . See  FIG. 5 . This draws latching mechanism  12  away from step  6  a sufficient distance so that latching mechanism  12  can clear step  6 . Once latching mechanism has been disengaged from step  6 , utility ramp-board  5  may be lifted off of step  6  and used as a utility ramp. In an alternate embodiment, latching mechanism  6  may be attached to the underside of utility ramp-board  5 . While the invention has been shown with one example of a latching mechanism, any known retaining devices, such as locks and latches, may be employed to retain ramp-board  5  to vehicle  10 .  
         [0038]     To securely attach ramp-board  5  to step  6 , ramp-board  5  is set on step  6  such that aperture  16  is directly above step  6 . Then, downward force is applied to utility ramp-board  5  sufficient to cause latch spring  10  to retract and allow latching mechanism  12  to slide over protrusion  9  on step  6 . Once latching mechanism  12  has cleared protrusion  9 , latch spring  10  exerts sufficient force to move latching mechanism  12  into contact with step  6 . Protrusion  9  prevents latching mechanism  12  from relatively significant upward movement and prevents utility ramp-board  5  from disengaging with step  6 . In addition, the spring tension in securing spring  11  prevents ball joint  37  from rotating past pivot point and helps secure ramp-board  5  in the closed running board position.  
         [0039]     Top  17  of step  6  may be covered by non slip material  35 , preferably rubber or diamond plate, to aid in securing utility ramp-board  5  to step  6  and to increase the safety functionality of step  6  when not in use as a support for utility ramp-board  5 . In addition, ramp-board  5 , upper release handle  30 , and/or lower release handle  34  may be covered by non slip material  35 . Preferably, non-slip material  35  is a rubber material or diamond plate to increase traction. Also, ramp-board  5 , upper release handle  30 , and/or lower release handle  34  may be comprised of metal mesh or grating material.  
         [0040]     In an alternate embodiment, shown in  FIG. 6 , ramp-board contains hinge  7 . Hinge  7  provides for adjustment of the utility ramp-board  5  to assist with the loading and unloading of equipment to and from vehicle  10  and can be used to create angle C which is less than about 45 degrees and preferably between about 5 degrees and about 15 degrees.  
         [0041]     Hinge  7  is particularly useful with vehicles such as light pickup trucks and small sport utility vehicles wherein the length of ramp-board  5  would be relatively short compared to the height of the vehicle&#39;s undercarriage. A version of ramp-board  5  without hinged  7  would create a steep incline when positioned as a ramp, which would deter the loading and unloading of equipment and materials. By providing hinge  7 , the transition from ramp-board  5  to vehicle  10  can be more gradual. Also, hinge  7  may be articulated so that ramp-board  5  may approximate a curved ramp when desired by the user.  
         [0042]     In use, as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , hinge  7  contains U-shaped pin  70  having a secured end and a free end. The secured end of U-shaped pin  70  is secured by a spring loaded mount in securing hole  72  and the free end is free to pivot around securing hole  72 . When ramp-board  5  is in a straight line configuration such as the one shown in  FIG. 2 , the free end of U-shaped pin  70  is in straight configuration hole  74 , as shown in  FIG. 7A . When ramp-board  5  is in an angled configuration such as the one shown in  FIG. 6 , the free end of U-shaped pin  70  is in angled configuration hole  76 , as shown in  FIG. 7B . Other means may be used to create the angled configuration shown in  FIG. 6  and such other means should obvious to those skilled as well as other configurations such as rounded or to locate pivot point  7  at different places on ramp-board  5 . In addition, more than one pivot point  7  may be used.  
         [0043]      FIG. 8  shows an end- cut away view of ramp-board  5  showing upper release handle  30 , upper plate  32 , pivot point  39 , connecting rod  31 , ball joint  37 , and connecting rod  14 .  
         [0044]     Although the invention has been described with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, this description is not to be construed in a limiting sense. Modification of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of this invention, will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art, and the invention shall be viewed as limited only by reference to the following claims.