Patent Publication Number: US-2018050621-A1

Title: Ramp deployment system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATE APPLICATIONS 
     This is a divisional application that claims benefit to U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 15/214,586, filed on Jul. 20, 2016, which is a continuation-in-part application that claims benefit to U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 14/274,101 filed on May 9, 2014, which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a ramp deployment system, and in particular to a mobile ramp deployment system that permits a secure attachment of mobile ramps to a trailer or other type of container vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Light-weight, mobile ramps are used to allow access to the inside of trailers, trucks or other types of container vehicles. For example, such mobile ramps can be used to permit utility vehicles, such as forklifts, to access the trailer and haul loaded pallets or bound material into or from the inside of the trailer. There are many different arrangements of mobile ramps that can be stored and then deployed from a trailer. A conventional ramp deployment system may include a mobile ramp arrangement having a pair of mobile ramps that support the respective left-side and right-side tires of a utility vehicle to establish a support pathway between the trailer and a lower surface for the utility vehicle to access the interior of the trailer. Typically, the mobile ramps are stored inside the trailer, and therefore must be manually deployed from the trailer by one or more individuals. The mobile ramps are temporary and therefore have the potential to move while in use. As such, the mobile ramps must be sufficiently secure and not move while a utility vehicle is moving on the mobile ramps. A ratchet and strap arrangement is known that is used to secure the mobile ramps to the trailer with each end of the ratchet and strap arrangement having an open hook in which one open hook is coupled to the cross rung of mobile ramp and the other open hook is coupled to the undercarriage of the trailer. A ratchet mechanism is operatively engaged to the strap and is operable to tighten the portion of the strap connected to the undercarriage in order to sufficiently secure the open hook thereto; however, there is a possibility that the open hook coupled to the undercarriage of the trailer may become disengaged or not fully secured to the undercarriage of the trailer prior to the strap being tightened. Because heavy utility vehicles and loaded pallets must repeatedly travel up and down the mobile ramps to the trailer, there is a need for a mobile ramp deployment system to securely stabilize and attach the mobile ramps to the trailer in a timely and efficient manner using a lone individual. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a ramp deployment system having a mobile ramp arrangement with first and second mobile ramps connected to a trailer using a ratchet strap arrangement having first and second ratchet strap devices; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the ramp deployment system with first and second mobile ramps connected to a trailer and interconnected to each other through a pair of connecting bars; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the ramp deployment system with the first and second ratchet strap devices connected between the trailer and the mobile ramp arrangement; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of a hook and collar mechanism of the ratchet strap device attached to the undercarriage of the trailer; 
         FIG. 5  is perspective view of the ratchet strap device having a hook strap portion connected to the mobile ramp arrangement; 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view illustrating the one end of the ratchet strap device with the hook and strap mechanism used to couple the tightening strap to the undercarriage of a trailer and  FIG. 6B  is a perspective view illustrating an opposite end of the ratchet strap device with the hook strap portion connected to a ratchet mechanism through a fixed length strap; 
         FIG. 7A  is an enlarged view of the hook and strap mechanism with the closable hook in an open position and  FIG. 7B  is an enlarged view of the hook and strap mechanism with the closable hook in a normally-closed position; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of an underside of the first ramp showing a plurality of raised traction portions of the traction arrangement; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of one end of the first connecting bar shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the connecting bars that interconnect the first and second ramps of the mobile ramp arrangement; 
         FIG. 11  is a flow chart illustrating one method for securing the mobile ramp arrangement to a trailer using the ratchet strap arrangement; and 
         FIG. 12  is a flow chart illustrating another method for securing the mobile ramp arrangement to a trailer using the ratchet strap arrangement and first and second connecting bars between the first and second ramps. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding elements among the various views of the drawings. The headings used in the figures should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments for a ramp deployment system having a novel ratchet strap arrangement operable to secure a mobile ramp arrangement to a truck, trailer, or other type of container vehicle are disclosed. In some embodiments, the ramp deployment system includes a mobile ramp arrangement having a first ramp and a second ramp deployable from a trailer such that a utility vehicle can ride on the mobile ramp arrangement to access the trailer and haul loaded pallets or bound material into or from the inside of the trailer. In some embodiments, the first ramp is secured to a second ramp through one or more connecting bars that provides structural reinforcement between the first and second ramps. In some embodiments, the first and second ramps each include a traction arrangement defined along the underside of first ramp and second ramp in contact with a flat surface, such as a road or parking surface, to provide additional traction with the flat surface and prevent slippage of the mobile ramp arrangement during use. 
     Referring to the drawings, an embodiment of the ramp deployment system is illustrated and generally indicated as  100  in  FIGS. 1-12 . In general, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the ramp deployment system  100  is operable to securely engage a deployed mobile ramp arrangement  102  to a trailer  10  or other type of container vehicle using a novel ratchet strap arrangement  104  to establish a secure coupling between the mobile ramp arrangement  102  and the trailer  10 . In some embodiments, one end of the ratchet strap arrangement  104  may be coupled to the undercarriage  16  of the trailer  10  and an opposite end of the ratchet strap arrangement  104  may be coupled to the mobile ramp arrangement  102  for securely engaging the mobile ramp arrangement  102  to the trailer  10  as shall be described in greater detail below. 
     In many embodiments, the mobile ramp arrangement  102  includes a first ramp  112  and a second ramp  116  configured to be stored inside the trailer  10  and deployed from the trailer  10  in substantially parallel arrangement such that the utility vehicle  12  can safely ride upon the mobile ramp arrangement  102  when accessing the interior of the trailer  10 .  FIG. 2  shows the first and second ramps  114  and  116  in parallel orientation relative to each other and having one end in contact with the lip of the trailer  10  and spaced apart a predetermined distance such that the first ramp  114  supports one side of a utility vehicle  12  ( FIG. 1 ) and the second ramp  116  supports the opposite side of the utility vehicle  12 . In some embodiments, the first ramp  114  and second ramp  116  may be manufactured from a lightweight metallic material sufficiently strong enough to support the weight of a small utility vehicle  12 , yet light enough to be portable and allow an individual to handle the mobile ramp arrangement  102  during deployment, assembly and disassembly without assistance. In some embodiments, the utility vehicle  12  may be a forklift, or other type of utility vehicle, although other types of vehicles, such as an all-terrain vehicle, capable of being stored in the trailer of a container-type vehicle or truck are also contemplated. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , in some embodiments the first ramp  114  may define a first ramp end  148  configured to abut the lip of the trailer  10  and a second ramp end  150  configured to contact a substantially flat surface  14 , such as a road or parking surface. Similarly, the second ramp  116  may define a first ramp end  152  configured to abut the lip of the trailer  10  and a second ramp end  154  configured to contact the substantially flat surface  14 . In some embodiments, the first ramp end  148  of the first ramp  114  may define a flange  159  configured to abut the lip of the entrance to the trailer  10  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Similarly, the first ramp end  152  of the second ramp  116  may define a flange  161  configured to also abut the floor of the lip of entrance to the trailer  10  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Alternatively, the flanges  159  and  161  of the first and second ramps  114  and  116 , respectively, may be configured to attach to round rails or rub rails (not shown) of the trailer  10  to secure the respective first ramp ends  148  and  152  to the lip of the trailer  10 . 
     In many embodiments the first ramp  114  may include a plurality of cross rungs  118  arranged in parallel orientation relative to each other and defined between opposite side portions  172  of the first ramp  114  to establish a riding surface that provides sufficient traction for one side of the utility vehicle  12  to ride upon and provide structural integrity to the first ramp  114 . Similarly, the second ramp  116  may also include a plurality of cross rungs  119  arranged in parallel orientation relative to each other and defined between opposite side portions  174  of the second ramp  116 . In some embodiments, the cross rungs  118  and  119  may be serrated to provide additional traction to the utility vehicle  12 . 
     As further shown, ratchet strap arrangement  104  includes a pair ratchet strap devices  105 A and  105 B operable for tightening and loosening a respective elongated tightening strap  110  coupled between the underside of the trailer  10  and the first and second ramps  114  and  116 , respectively. For example, in some embodiments the underside of the trailer  10  may be an undercarriage  16  defining a cross bar arrangement of one or more cross bars configured to be coupled to engage each ratchet strap device  105 A and  105 B as shown in  FIG. 3 . By way of example, only the ratchet strap device  105 A will be described since both ratchet strap devices  105 A and  105 B are identical in structure and operation. The ratchet strap device  105 A includes an elongated tightening strap  110  having a first end portion  124  ( FIG. 6A ) and a second end portion  126  ( FIG. 6B ) defined at the opposite ends of the elongated tightening strap  110 . In many embodiments, the first end portion  124  of the elongated tightening strap  110  is coupled to a hook and collar mechanism  108  for coupling the elongated tightening strap  110  around the undercarriage  16  of the trailer  10  in a loop configuration. As shown in  FIG. 6A , the hook and collar mechanism  108  includes a closable hook  164  secured to the first end portion  126  and a collar  166  secured to another part of the elongated tightening strap  166 . In assembly, the closable hook  164  may be directed along direction f to engage the closable hook  164  with the collar  166  to form a loop strap portion  168  around the undercarriage  16 . In this arrangement, the coupling of the closable hook  164  with the collar  166  provides a quick and secure means of attaching the ratchet strap device  105 A to the undercarriage  16  of the trailer  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6B , the second end portion  126  of the elongated tightening strap  110  is operatively coupled to a ratchet mechanism  106  that is operable to either tighten or loosen the elongated tightening strap  110 . In some embodiments, the ratchet mechanism  106  may be a conventional ratchet mechanism for tightening and loosening the elongated tightening strap  110 . For example, the ratchet mechanism  106  may be a ROADPRO® ratchet mechanism manufactured by DAS Companies, Inc., although other types of ratchet mechanisms that are operable for tightening and loosening the elongated tightening strap  110  are also contemplated. In assembly, the ratchet mechanism  106  is engaged to the first end portion  126  of the elongated tightening strap  110  in order to tighten or loosen the elongated tightening strap  110  when the hook and collar mechanism is engaged to the trailer  10 , while the opposite end of the ratchet mechanism  106  is engaged to a fixed length strap  120  having a first end  128  engaged to the ratchet mechanism  106  and a second end  130  secured to an open hook  121  configured to engage the fixed length strap  120  to a respective cross-rung  118  or  119  of the first and second ramps  114  and  116 , respectively. When the ratchet strap device  105 A is coupled between the first ramp  114  and the undercarriage  16  of the trailer  10  and actuated to tighten to the tightening strap  110 , the fixed length strap  120  is maintained in fixed length engagement between the ratchet mechanism  106  and the first ramp  114 , while the length of the elongated tightening strap  110  may be varied (e.g., tightened) by operation of the ratchet mechanism  106  which causes the length of the tightening strap  140  to shorten and establish a secure, tight engagement between the first ramp  114  and the trailer  10  by the ratchet strap device  105 A. 
     In some embodiments, the ratchet mechanism  106  includes a ratchet handle  158  pivotally engaged to an axle  157  that is coupled to a pair of opposing circular plates  163  and  165  that each define a plurality of teeth that allow the ratchet mechanism  106  to engage the second end portion  126  of the elongated tightening strap  110  and incrementally rotate the tightening strap  110  around the axle  157  in a counterclockwise direction D as the handle  158  is pivoted between a proximal direction A and a distal direction B. In addition, as the handle  158  is pivoted in a back-and-forth motion the elongated tightening strap  110  is moved in direction C and tightened as the second end portion  126  of the elongated tightening strap  158  is incrementally wrapped around the axle  157  as shown in  FIG. 6B . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , as noted above, the first end portion  124  of the elongated tightening strap  110  may be connected to undercarriage  16  of the trailer  10  using a hook and collar mechanism  108  of the ratchet strap device  105 A to form the loop strap portion  168  around the undercarriage  16  prior to tightening the elongated tightening strap  110  using the ratchet mechanism  106 . To couple the elongated tightening strap  110  to the undercarriage  16  of the trailer  10 , an individual loops the first end portion  124  with the closable hook  164  around the undercarriage  16  and engages the collar  166  to form the loop strap portion  168  that is looped around the undercarriage  16 . The individual accomplishes this engagement by actuating the closable hook  164  from the normally-closed position ( FIG. 7B ) to an open position ( FIG. 7A ). Once the closable hook  164  is in the open position and swung around the undercarriage  16  the collar  166  is captured within the closable hook  164  and retained therein when the closable hook  164  is placed back in the normally-closed position ( FIG. 7B ). In this arrangement, the loop strap portion  168  formed by the hook and collar mechanism  108  around the undercarriage  16  establishes a quick and secure engagement with the trailer  10 , while the open hook  121  of the fixed length strap  120  of the ratchet strap device  105 A establishes a secure engagement with the first ramp  114 . 
     This method of securing the ratchet strap device  105 A between the undercarriage  16  and first ramp  114  is repeated for securing the other ratchet strap device  105 B between another portion of the undercarriage  16  and the second ramp  116  such that the first and second ramps  114  and  116  are both secured to the trailer  10  in an easy, quick and efficient manner by a single individual. As such, the ramp deployment system  100  allows a lone individual to deploy and secure the mobile ramp arrangement  102  using the ratchet strap arrangement  104  without outside assistance. 
     In some embodiments, the elongated tightening strap  110  and the fixed length strap  120  may be made of industrial grade webbing, including but not limited to nylon webbing. The width of both the elongated tightening strap  110  and the fixed length strap  120  may be the same width and may range from about 1 inch to about 4 inches. The open hook  120  of the hook strap portion  112  may be made from a plastic material, a metal material, or any other suitable material with sufficient strength to attach and retain the fixed length strap  120  to an object, such as the cross-rungs  118  and  119  of the first and second ramps  114  and  116 . Non-limiting example of hooks  120  may include flat hooks, J-hooks, and S-hooks. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the mobile ramp arrangement  102  is secured to the trailer  10  by the ratchet strap arrangement  104  in a manner sufficient to bear the weight of a small utility vehicle  118  for transporting a load or bundle into and from the trailer  10  without the first and second ramps  114  and  116  becoming disengaged from the lip of the trailer  10  or change position relative to the lower flat surface  14 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , in some embodiments, the underside of the first ramp  114  and second ramp  116  may include a traction arrangement  117  for providing additional traction to the second ramp ends  150  and  154  that contact the lower flat surface  14  when the first and second ramps  114  and  116  are deployed. For example, the traction arrangement  117  may define a plurality of raised traction portions  188  as shown in  FIG. 9 . In some embodiments the traction arrangement  117  may define a plurality of serrations to provide additional traction to the underside of the first and second ramps  114  and  116 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , a flow chart illustrates one method for deploying the ramp deployment system  100 . At step  200 , deploying the mobile ramp arrangement  102  such that the first ramp ends  148  and  152  of the first and second ramps  114  and  116 , respectively, are in contact with the entrance of the trailer  10  or container-type vehicle and the second ramp ends  150  and  154  of the first and second ramps  114  and  116 , respectively, are in contact with the lower flat surface  14  below the trailer  10 . At block  202 , attaching the open hook  121  of the hook strap portion  112  for the first ratchet strap device  105 A to the first ramp  114  and looping around the closable hook  164  hook and collar mechanism  108  of the ratchet strap device  105 B around a portion of the undercarriage  16  of the trailer  10  to form a loop strap portion  168  when the collar  166  is coupled to the closable hook  164 . At block  204 , attaching the open hook  121  of the hook strap portion  112  for second ratchet strap device  105 B to the second ramp  116  and looping closable hook of the hook and collar mechanism  108  of the second ratchet strap device  105 B around another portion of the undercarriage  16  of the trailer  10  to form a loop strap portion  168  when the closable hook  164  us coupled to the collar  166 . At block  206 , operating the ratchet mechanism  106  of the first ratchet strap device  105 A and then operating the ratchet mechanism  106  of the second ratchet strap device  105 B to tighten the respective loop strap portion  168  of the elongated tightening strap  110  relative to the undercarriage  16  of the trailer  10  and the mobile ramp arrangement  102 . 
     In another aspect, the ramp deployment system  100  may include a first connecting bar  140  and a second connecting bar  142  that interconnect the first ramp  114  with the second ramp  116  to provide further structural reinforcement and stability for the mobile ramp arrangement  102  when the ramp deployment system  100  is deployed as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 10 . In many embodiments, the first connecting bar  140  may be identical or similar to the second connecting bar  142  and may have the same length equal to a distance  400  defined between the first and second ramps  114  and  116  when deployed and engaged to the trailer  10  in parallel orientation. In one aspect, the first and second connecting bars  140  and  142  may be assembled and disassembled in a quick and efficient manner when deploying the ramp deployment system  100  as described in greater detail below. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2, 9 and 10 , in many embodiments the first connecting bar  140  defines a first channel  194  in communication with a first axial opening  179  at a first end portion  144  and a second axial opening  181  at a second end portion  145  of the first connecting bar  140 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the second connecting bar  142  defines a second channel  195  in communication with a first axial opening  183  at a first end portion  146  and a second axial opening  185  at an opposite second end portion  147  of the second connecting bar  142 . The first and second axial openings  179  and  181  of the first connecting bar  140  are configured to engage respective first and second mounting portions  196  and  197  defined along the opposite side portions  172  and  174  of the first and second ramps  114  and  116  to allow the first connecting bar  140  to be securely mounted between the first and second ramps  114  and  116  when deployed. Similarly, the first and second axial openings  183  and  185  of the second connecting bar  142  are configured to engage respective third and fourth mounting portions  198  and  199  defined along the opposite side portions  172  and  174  of the first and second ramps  114  and  116  to also allow the second connecting bar  142  to be securely mounted between the first and second ramps  114  and  116 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the first end portion  144  of the first connecting bar  140  further defines a first radial aperture  190  in perpendicular relation to the first axial opening  179  and the second end portion  145  that defines a second radial aperture  191  in perpendicular relation to the second axial opening  181 . Both the first and second radial apertures  190  and  191  communicate with the first axial channel  194  (shown in phantom). Similarly, the first end portion  146  of the second connecting bar  142  further defines a third radial aperture  192  in perpendicular relation to the first axial opening  183  and a second end portion  147  that defines a fourth radial aperture  193  in perpendicular relation to the second axial opening  185 . Both the third and fourth radial apertures  192  and  193  communicate with the second axial channel  195  (shown in phantom). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , each mounting portion  196 ,  197 ,  198  and  199  defines a radial opening  187  that is aligned with respective radial openings  190 ,  191  of the first connecting bar  140  and respective radial openings  192  and  193  of the second connecting bar  142  when securing the first and second connecting bars  140  and  142  between the first and second ramps  114  and  116 . In this manner, the first and second connecting bars  140  and  142  may be aligned with respective pair of opposite mounting portions  196 ,  198  and  197 ,  199  such that a respective securing member  176 , for example a cotter pin or rod, may be inserted through radial openings  187  aligned with respective radial openings  190 ,  191 ,  192  and  193  to secure the first and second connecting bars  140  and  142  between the first and second ramps  114  and  116 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , a flow chart illustrates one method for deploying the ramp deployment system  100  using the first and second connecting bars  140  and  142  to interconnect the first and second ramps  114  and  116 . At block  300 , deploying first and second ramps  114  and  116  between the trailer  10  and lower flat surface  14 . At block  302 , connecting a first connecting bar  140  to mounting portions  196  and  198  of the first and second ramps  114  and  116  such that radial opening  187  of each of the mounting portions  196  and  198  is aligned with respective radial apertures  190  and  191  of the first connecting bar  140 . At block  304 , inserting a securing member  176  through respective aligned radial opening  187  to couple the first connecting bar  140  with the respective mounting portions  196  and  198  of the first and ramps  114  and  116 , respectively. In some embodiments, at block  306 , connecting a second connecting bar  142  to respective mounting portions  197  and  199  of the first and second ramps  114  and  116  such that each radial opening  187  of the mounting portions  197  and  199  is aligned with respective radial apertures  192  and  193  of the second connecting bar  142 . At block  308 , inserting a securing member  176  through respective aligned radial opening  187  to couple the second connecting bar  142  with the mounting portions  197  and  199  of the first and ramps  114  and  116 , respectively. At block  310 , attaching the open hook  121  of hook strap portion  112  for the first ratchet strap device  105 A to the first ramp  114  and looping around the closable hook  164  of the hook and collar mechanism  108  of the first ratchet strap device  105 A around a portion of the undercarriage  16  of the trailer  10  to form a loop strap portion  168 . At block  312 , attaching open hook  121  of the hook strap portion  112  for the second ratchet strap device  105 B to the second ramp  116  and looping around the closable hook  166  of the hook and collar mechanism  108  for the second ratchet strap device  105 B around another portion of the undercarriage  16  to form a loop strap portion  168  such that the closable hook  166  is engaged to the collar. At block  314 , operating the ratchet mechanism  106  of the first ratchet strap device  105 A and the ratchet mechanism  106  of the ratchet strap device  105 B to tighten the respective loop strap portion  168  of the elongated tightening strap  110  relative to the undercarriage  16  of the trailer  10 . 
     As noted above, the ramp deployment system  100  may be used to store and transport bundled items, such as disassembled cardboard boxes, from various sites using the utility vehicle  12  initially stored in the trailer  10  to transport each bundle into the trailer  10 . In this particular application of the ramp deployment system  100 , the user will deploy the mobile ramp arrangement  102  from the trailer  10  using the ratchet strap devices  105 A and  105 B to secure the first and second ramps  114  and  116 , respectively, between the mobile ramp arrangement  102  and the trailer  10  in order to allow the utility vehicle  104  to transport each bundle into the trailer  10 . Once the bundles are transported inside the trailer  10 , the utility vehicle  12  is stored in front of the stored bundles and the mobile ramp arrangement  102  may be disengaged from the ratchet strap devices  105 A and  105 B so that both the first and second ramps  114  and  116  and the ratchet devices  105 A and  105 B may be stored in the trailer  10 . Although the ramp deployment system  100  may be used to store and transport bundled items using the utility vehicle  12  as described above, other types of applications for the ramp deployment system  100  are contemplated, such as transportation and storage of a unbundled items that are shrink wrapped onto a pallet or other types of articles that require pick up and transportation. 
     It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particular embodiments have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are within the scope and teachings of this invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.