Patent ID: 8250693

Claim:
A ramp assembly for providing a transition surface from a vehicle floor to an alighting surface, the ramp assembly comprising: (a) a ramp portion coupled for rotational movement between a stowed position and a deployed position; (b) a first panel; a first end of the first panel being rotatably coupled to a first end of the ramp portion about an axis; (c) an actuator operably coupled to the ramp portion, the actuator selectively applying a rotational force to the ramp portion to drive the ramp portion through a deployment motion, the deployment motion comprising: (i) a first phase, wherein the rotational force rotates the ramp portion about the axis; and (ii) a second phase, wherein the rotational force moves the axis in a downward direction; (d) a latch mechanism; and (e) a support member selectively engaging the latch mechanism, wherein the ramp portion rotates (i) in a first direction relative to the first panel during the first phase; and (ii) in a second direction opposite the first direction relative to the first panel during the second phase.