Patent ID: 8533884

Claim:
A ramp assembly for a providing a transition surface from a vehicle floor to an alighting surface, the ramp assembly comprising: (a) a ramp portion coupled for reciprocating movement between a stowed position and a deployed position, the ramp portion having a cam surface disposed thereon; (b) a cam follower having a first axis fixedly located relative to the vehicle floor, the cam follower engaging the cam surface when the ramp portion is in the stowed position to support the ramp portion; (c) a panel, a first end of the panel being rotatably coupled to a first end of the ramp portion about a second axis; (d) a drive arm rotatable about a third axis and operably coupled to the ramp portion; and (e) an actuator operably coupled to the drive arm to rotate the drive arm about the third axis, rotation of the drive arm driving the ramp portion through a first phase and a second phase of a deployment motion, wherein: (i) the first phase comprises the drive arm rotating the ramp portion about the second axis, wherein the second axis maintains a substantially fixed position; and (ii) the second phase comprises the drive arm moving the second axis in a downward direction, wherein the second phase is subsequent to the first phase.