Patent ID: 7870629

Claim:
A portable docking station configured for transferring an item from a first elevation to a second elevation, said portable docking station comprising: a lower frame comprising a plurality of lower frame rails running substantially parallel relative to each other, each lower frame rail defining a first frame rail end and a second frame rail end, wherein the second frame rail end for each lower frame rail is mechanically associated with a cross rail thereby defining a second lower frame end, and wherein the first frame rail end of each lower frame rail defines at least part of a first lower frame end; a ramp body defining a predefined shape having a first ramp body end, a second ramp body end, a upper ramp body surface, and an opposing lower ramp body surface, wherein said first ramp body end is movably associated with said first lower frame end; a ramp interface defining a predefined shape having a first ramp interface end, a second ramp interface end, a upper ramp interface surface, and an opposing lower ramp interface surface, wherein said first ramp interface end is movably associated with said second ramp body end; a support linkage comprising a plurality of support linkage rails with each support linkage rail running substantially parallel relative to each other, said support linkage rails defining a first support linkage end and a second support linkage end, wherein said first support linkage end is movably associated with said second lower frame end and wherein the second support linkage end is configured for interfacing with said opposing lower ramp body surface; wherein said support linkage further defines a support linkage interface disposed between the first support linkage end and the second support linkage end; a force generator mechanically associated with said lower frame and positioned within said lower frame so that a surface of said force generator comes in contact with said support linkage interface, wherein said force generator generates an upward bias force that is transferred to said support linkage interface which in turn transfers at least a portion of such bias force to said ramp body, wherein said bias force is sufficient to cause said first ramp body end to pivot to a point that results in said ramp interface being elevated to a predefined height when no items are on said ramp body; and wherein said first ramp body end pivots at said first lower frame end thereby lowering said ramp interface when weight is placed on said upper ramp body surface.