Patent ID: 8505141

Claim:
A ramp assembly comprising: a ramp platform movable for reciprocating motion between a stowed position and a deployed position, the ramp platform comprising: an inner ramp panel; an intermediate ramp panel slidably associated with the inner ramp panel; an outer ramp panel rotatably associated with the intermediate ramp panel, the outer ramp panel being disposed above the inner ramp panel when the ramp platform is in the stowed position, wherein movement of the ramp assembly from the stowed position to the deployed position defines a deployment motion, the deployment motion comprising: (1) rotation of the outer ramp panel through at least 90 degrees relative to the intermediate ramp panel; and (2) translation of the intermediate ramp panel relative to the inner ramp panel; and a drive assembly associated with the ramp platform, the drive assembly being movable to reciprocate the ramp platform between the stowed position and the deployed position.