Patent Description:
The present application relates to a passenger vehicle for transporting one or more passengers, and more particularly to a ramp assembly movable to a raised position for accommodating ingress and egress of a physically limited passenger. Such an assembly is disclosed in the <CIT>.

Automobile manufacturers do not currently mass-produce passenger motor vehicles specifically designed to transport passengers having physical limitations, either as a driver or as a non-driving passenger. Consequently, mass-produced passenger vehicles are modified, or retrofitted, by a number of aftermarket companies dedicated to supplying vehicles to physically limited passengers. Such vehicles can be modified by altering or adding certain parts or structures within a vehicle to accommodate the physically limited passenger without inconveniencing other passengers or sacrificing space in the vehicle. For example, in one configuration, a van or bus is retrofitted with a ramp to enable a physically limited individual using a wheelchair to enter and exit the vehicle.

In some instances, the ramp is stored below the conventional vehicle floor and deploys to accommodate entry and exit of the physically limited individual through a side door or entrance of the vehicle. Challenges may arise related to stowing the ramp and ensuring that the ramp is flush with the conventional vehicle floor when the ramp is deployed.

In one embodiment, there is provided a ramp assembly to accommodate a wheel-chaired passenger to enter or exit a passenger vehicle. The ramp assembly includes a frame having a drive assembly, wherein the frame extends longitudinally along a length of the passenger vehicle. A ramp subassembly is slidably coupled to the frame, wherein the ramp subassembly includes a ramp and a side rail extending along a side of the ramp. A ramp linkage includes a first link pivotally coupled to a second link, with the first link being pivotally coupled to the ramp subassembly. A wheel is coupled to the second link, wherein rotation of the wheel adjusts a position of the ramp linkage to move the ramp from a lowered position to an inclined position.

In another embodiment, there is provided a motor vehicle including a floor and a frame, located adjacently to the floor, the frame including a drive assembly and extending longitudinally along a length of the motor vehicle. A ramp subassembly is slidably coupled to the frame, wherein the ramp subassembly includes a ramp and a side rail extending along a side of the ramp. A ramp linkage includes a first link pivotally coupled to a second link, and the first link is pivotally coupled to the ramp subassembly. A wheel is operatively connected to the ramp linkage, wherein rotation of the wheel adjusts a position of the ramp linkage to move the ramp from a lowered position to an inclined position.

In a further embodiment, there is provided a method of raising and lowering a siderail of a ramp assembly including a ramp to accommodate a wheel-chaired passenger to enter or exit a passenger vehicle. The method includes: providing a ramp subassembly including the ramp, the siderail coupled to a ramp bracket, and a drive block; moving the drive block with respect to ramp bracket; and engaging the drive block with the siderail to raise the siderail.

<FIG> illustrates a vehicle <NUM>, commonly identified as a passenger van or bus, available from any number of United States and foreign manufacturers. The vehicle may be a single-level bus, a double-decker bus, or any other type of vehicle. The principles and teachings of the present disclosure may be used for any type of vehicle.

In the illustrative embodiment shown in <FIG>, the vehicle <NUM> includes a unibody construction, but other vehicles having a frame on body construction are also included in the present disclosure. Consequently, the use of vehicle herein includes all types and kinds of vehicles with a body on frame construction, a unibody construction, or other constructions. In addition, while the passenger van <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>, the present disclosure is directed to all passenger vehicles carrying one or more passengers including, but not limited to, a bus, motor coach, sport-utility vehicle, truck, taxi, ambulance, or passenger car.

The vehicle <NUM> includes a frame or chassis <NUM> operatively coupled to a first pair of wheels <NUM> and a second pair wheels <NUM> that propel the vehicle <NUM> along a ground surface <NUM>. In the illustrative embodiment, the vehicle is shown as a bi-directional vehicle; however, it should be appreciated that in other examples, the vehicle may be one of any number of vehicles suitable for use with the ramp assembly <NUM> described below. A first passenger opening <NUM> is located between the first pair wheels <NUM> and the second pair of wheels <NUM>, and provides access to a passenger for sitting or standing in the vehicle <NUM>. The passenger opening <NUM> may be modified to increase the size of the opening <NUM> to provide access, for example, to a passenger seated in a wheelchair to enter and exit the vehicle <NUM>. The vehicle <NUM> may include a conventional floor <NUM> extending throughout the vehicle <NUM> to support passengers and other objects traveling in the vehicle <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the vehicle <NUM> may be further modified to include the ramp assembly <NUM> which provides rolling access of a wheelchair from the ground surface <NUM> into an interior <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>. Prior to deployment, the ramp assembly <NUM> is positioned adjacent the opening <NUM> and beneath the conventional floor <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>. In other examples, prior to deployment, the ramp assembly <NUM> is positioned partially beneath a modified portion <NUM> of the conventional floor <NUM>, and the modified portion <NUM> is flush with the remainder of the conventional floor <NUM>. In other examples, the modified portion <NUM> may be sloped such that at least one (but not all) sides of the modified portion <NUM> are flush with the conventional floor <NUM>. When the ramp <NUM> is described herein as being "flush with the conventional floor" the phrase is meant to cover each illustrative example of a conventional and/or modified-conventional floor herein. Additionally, as used herein "beneath" means directly underneath while "below" means at a lower height but not necessarily underneath.

<FIG> illustrates a partial perspective view of one embodiment of a ramp assembly <NUM> including a ramp frame <NUM> and a ramp sub-assembly <NUM>. The ramp sub-assembly <NUM> includes a retracted position, not shown, in which the ramp sub-assembly <NUM> is located within the ramp frame <NUM>. The ramp sub-assembly <NUM> includes a first extended position, not shown, similar to the position of the ramp <NUM> shown in <FIG>. A second extended position of the ramp sub-assembly <NUM> includes a ramp <NUM> in a raised position, similar to the position of the ramp <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The ramp <NUM> is inclined with respect to a surface upon which the ramp <NUM> is located.

The ramp sub-assembly <NUM> includes a side rail assembly <NUM> including a side rail <NUM> that is pivotally attached to a side rail bracket <NUM>. The side rail <NUM> extends longitudinally along a length of the ramp <NUM>. The siderail <NUM>, in one embodiment, includes a longitudinally extending plate having a height sufficient to direct or redirect the wheels of a wheelchair along the ramp surface. While not illustrated, a second rail assembly is located along an opposite side of the ramp <NUM> having the same or similar configuration as the side rail assembly <NUM>. In one embodiment, a hinge <NUM> is formed as part of the siderail <NUM>. In other embodiments, the hinge <NUM> is a separate hinge connecting the side rail <NUM> to the side rail bracket <NUM>.

In the extended position of the ramp <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, a ramp linkage <NUM> raises a first end <NUM> of the ramp <NUM> as a second end <NUM> of the ramp <NUM> reaches its furthest point of extension from the ramp frame <NUM>. The ramp linkage <NUM> includes a first link <NUM>, having a first end <NUM> pivotally coupled to the side rail bracket <NUM>. A second end <NUM> is pivotally coupled to a second link <NUM>. A first end <NUM> of the second link <NUM> is pivotally coupled to the second end <NUM> and is fixedly coupled at a second end <NUM> thereof to a connector <NUM>. As seen in <FIG>, the first link <NUM> includes a slot <NUM> defining first and second blades spaced apart to receive an end of the side rail bracket <NUM>.

The connector <NUM>, as seen in <FIG>, is fixedly connected at one end to the second link <NUM>. A second end of second link <NUM> is fixedly connected to a wheel <NUM>, the same as or similar to the wheel <NUM> of FIGS. 6A and 6B of <CIT> ("the '<NUM> Application"), which is incorporated herein by reference. In <FIG>, projections <NUM> engage toothed portions <NUM> of a cross bar <NUM> of Fig. 6C of the '<NUM> Application. As the ramp assembly <NUM> extends a sufficient distance from the ramp frame <NUM>, the wheel <NUM> engages the cross bar <NUM> of the '<NUM> Application which rotates the wheel <NUM> in a direction <NUM> which starts to raise the connector <NUM> away from the surface upon which the ramp <NUM> rests. The movement of the wheel <NUM> in turn raises the second end <NUM> to an elevated position such as that illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. When the linkage <NUM> is located in this position, a retracted position, the ramp <NUM> is in the inclined position to enable a wheelchair or other limited mobility device to move along the ramp <NUM>. In <FIG> the linkage <NUM> is fully extended and in <FIG> the linkage <NUM> is fully retracted.

<FIG> illustrate one embodiment of a raising and lowering of the siderail <NUM> with respective movement of the ramp <NUM> and a slide bar <NUM>, including a drive block <NUM>. In this embodiment, the side rail assembly <NUM> of <FIG> is not shown. As the slide bar <NUM> moves in a direction <NUM>, a flange <NUM> of the siderail <NUM> comes into contact with an inclined surface <NUM>, i.e. inclined portion, of the drive block <NUM>. Upon sufficient movement of the slide bar <NUM>, the flange <NUM> moves along the inclined portion <NUM>, which rotates the side rail <NUM> about the hinges <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>) which moves the siderail <NUM> to the raised position of <FIG>. At this location, movement of the slide bar <NUM> stops, and the flange <NUM> is located on a flat portion <NUM> of the drive block <NUM>. In one embodiment, the flange <NUM> is fixedly coupled to and extends generally perpendicular to a planar surface <NUM> of the siderail <NUM>.

As the ramp <NUM> returns to its non-extended position from the extended position, the slide bar <NUM> moves in a direction <NUM> to return the side rail <NUM> in its lowered position. As the slide bar <NUM> moves in the direction <NUM>, flange <NUM> moves along the flat portion <NUM> toward the inclined portion <NUM>. Once the flange <NUM> starts to move above the inclined portion <NUM>, further movement of the slide bar <NUM> lowers the ramp in the direction <NUM>. In other embodiments, the drive block <NUM> is located on a side of the ramp <NUM> and relative movement of the ramp <NUM> with the side rail <NUM> raises and lowers the siderail depending on the direction of relative movement.

The amount of movement of the ramp <NUM> with respect to the ramp frame <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>. A distance D1 of <FIG> indicates a first position of the ramp <NUM> with respect to a line generally shown intersecting a pivot location of the roller <NUM>. As the ramp <NUM> is elevated, the ramp <NUM> is pulled toward the frame <NUM> and a distance D2, which is less than the distance D1, is shown to indicate a distance between the ramp <NUM> and the ramp frame <NUM>.

As seen in <FIG>, the ramp <NUM> (which is not illustrated) includes a cross-beam <NUM>, which is a part of a frame of the ramp <NUM>. The frame includes a bracket <NUM> which includes a slot <NUM>. The ramp <NUM> and its cross-beam <NUM>, are located within the slot <NUM>. The ramp <NUM> and the cross-beam <NUM> are fixedly coupled to a drive assembly <NUM>, including drive blocks <NUM> and <NUM>. The drive assembly <NUM> utilizes drive blocks similar to or the same as drive blocks <NUM> shown in and described with the discussion of Fig. 8A of the '<NUM> Application. As the drive blocks <NUM> and <NUM> move along a track <NUM>, the cross-beam <NUM>, and therefore the ramp <NUM>, moves along a longitudinal direction <NUM>. As the ramp <NUM> moves, a leg <NUM>, coupled to the drive assembly <NUM>, moves with the drive assembly <NUM> as the drive assembly <NUM> moves the ramp <NUM> in and out of the ramp frame <NUM>. A portion <NUM> of the leg <NUM>, partially obscured by the ramp frame <NUM>, is coupled to the drive assembly <NUM>.

The rail bracket <NUM> includes a pivot pin <NUM> that extends through the bracket 412A and into the leg <NUM>. The leg <NUM> includes a slot, not shown, to enable the rail bracket <NUM> to move along and with respect to the leg <NUM> when the linkage <NUM> raises and lowers the first end <NUM> of the ramp <NUM>. By raising and lowering the ramp assembly <NUM>, the ramp <NUM> is inclined with respect to the ramp fame <NUM>. Consequently, the linkage <NUM> moves the rail bracket <NUM> along the slot of the leg <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective left side view of first and second rail brackets 412A and 412B. Bracket 412A is a right side bracket supporting the ramp <NUM> when looking toward the vehicle from the end <NUM> of the ramp <NUM> of <FIG>. The bracket 412A provides a channel for the slide bar <NUM> and the attached drive block <NUM>. The slide bar <NUM> moves along the bracket 412A. While only one drive block is shown, additional drive blocks (not shown) are located on the slide bar <NUM> to engage flanges <NUM>, such as flange 456A.

The slide bar <NUM> slidingly engages the bracket <NUM> and also moves with respect to the ramp <NUM>. While the ramp <NUM> is fixed with respect to the drive assembly <NUM>, the ramp slide bar <NUM> is not. Consequently, movement of the ramp linkage <NUM> not only raises the ramp <NUM> but also moves the slide bar <NUM> along the bracket <NUM> in both directions, a reciprocating movement, which moves the siderail <NUM> from a lowered position to a raised position and back to a lowered position.

Claim 1:
A ramp assembly (<NUM>) to accommodate a wheel-chaired passenger to enter or exit a passenger vehicle (<NUM>), the ramp assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a frame (<NUM>) including a drive assembly (<NUM>), the frame (<NUM>) extending longitudinally along a length of the passenger vehicle (<NUM>); and,
a ramp subassembly (<NUM>) slidably coupled to the frame (<NUM>), characterized by the ramp subassembly (<NUM>) including a ramp (<NUM>), a side rail (<NUM>) extending along a side of the ramp (<NUM>), a rail bracket (<NUM>), and a slide bar (<NUM>);
wherein the slide bar (<NUM>) is located adjacent the rail bracket (<NUM>) and sliding movement of the slide bar (<NUM>) along the rail bracket (<NUM>) adjusts a position of the side rail (<NUM>) with respect to the ramp (<NUM>).