Retractable Ramp
First Claim
1. A ramp assembly comprising:
- an elongated frame sized and shaped to extend between a first door and a second door aligned opposite each other on opposed sides of a vehicle;
a first sectional ramp having a first end and a second end, the first sectional ramp slidably moveable along the frame from a stored position to a deployed position on either of the opposed sides of the vehicle;
a second sectional ramp having a first end and a second end, the second sectional ramp positioned adjacent the first sectional ramp and slidably moveable along the frame from a stored position to a deployed position on either of the opposed sides of the vehicle;
a first locking mechanism coupled to the first end of each of the first sectional ramp and the second sectional ramp; and
a second locking mechanism coupled to the second end of each of the first sectional ramp and the second sectional ramp,wherein the first locking mechanism is placed in a locked position and the second locking mechanism is placed in an unlocked position to allow the first and second sectional ramps to be coupled together and moved from the stored position to the deployed position through the first door and the second locking mechanism is placed in a locked position and the first locking mechanism is placed in an unlocked position to allow the first and second sectional ramps to be coupled together and moved from the stored position to the deployed position through the second door.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A ramp assembly includes an elongated frame sized and shaped to extend between a first door and a second door aligned opposite each other on opposed sides of a vehicle; a first sectional ramp section having a first end and a second end; and a second sectional ramp having a first end and a second end. The first sectional ramp is slidably moveable along the frame from a stored position to a deployed position on either of the opposed sides of the vehicle. The second sectional ramp is positioned adjacent the first sectional ramp and is slidably moveable along the frame from a stored position to a deployed position on either of the opposed sides of the vehicle. The ramp assembly also includes a first locking mechanism coupled to the first end of each of the first sectional ramp and the second sectional ramp; and a second locking mechanism coupled to the second end of each of the first sectional ramp and the second sectional ramp. The first locking mechanism is placed in a locked position and the second locking mechanism is placed in an unlocked position to allow the first and second sectional ramps to be coupled together and moved from the stored position to the deployed position through the first door. The second locking mechanism is placed in a locked position and the first locking mechanism is placed in an unlocked position to allow the first and second sectional ramps to be coupled together and moved from the stored position to the deployed position through the second door.
66 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A ramp assembly comprising:
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an elongated frame sized and shaped to extend between a first door and a second door aligned opposite each other on opposed sides of a vehicle; a first sectional ramp having a first end and a second end, the first sectional ramp slidably moveable along the frame from a stored position to a deployed position on either of the opposed sides of the vehicle; a second sectional ramp having a first end and a second end, the second sectional ramp positioned adjacent the first sectional ramp and slidably moveable along the frame from a stored position to a deployed position on either of the opposed sides of the vehicle; a first locking mechanism coupled to the first end of each of the first sectional ramp and the second sectional ramp; and a second locking mechanism coupled to the second end of each of the first sectional ramp and the second sectional ramp, wherein the first locking mechanism is placed in a locked position and the second locking mechanism is placed in an unlocked position to allow the first and second sectional ramps to be coupled together and moved from the stored position to the deployed position through the first door and the second locking mechanism is placed in a locked position and the first locking mechanism is placed in an unlocked position to allow the first and second sectional ramps to be coupled together and moved from the stored position to the deployed position through the second door. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A ramp assembly comprising:
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a frame section configured to be positioned on the floor of a vehicle; a first sectional ramp having a first end and a second end, the first sectional ramp slidably positioned within the frame; and a second sectional ramp having a first end and a second end, the second sectional ramp slidably positioned within the frame adjacent to the first sectional ramp, wherein the first sectional ramp is slidably moveable along the frame from a stored position to a deployed position on either of the opposed sides of the vehicle, and the second sectional ramp is slidably moveable along the frame from a stored position to a deployed position on either of the opposed sides of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A ramp assembly, comprising:
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an elongated frame sized and shaped to extend between corresponding doors aligned opposite each other on opposed sides of a vehicle; and a sectional ramp slidably movable along the frame from a stored position to deployed positions of adjustable lengths and angles on either of the opposed sides of the vehicle.
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21. A method of retrofitting a railcar with a ramp, the railcar comprising a body with a first side, a second side opposed to the first side, a floor, at least a first door positioned on the first side and a second door positioned on the second side and aligned opposite the first door and seats positioned on the floor of the railcar, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a ramp assembly comprising; an elongated frame sized and shaped to extend between the first door and the second door; a first sectional ramp having a first end and a second end, the first sectional ramp slidably moveable along the frame from a stored position to a deployed position on either of the opposed sides of the railcar; a second sectional ramp having a first end and a second end, the second sectional ramp positioned adjacent the first sectional ramp section and slidably moveable along the frame from a stored position to a deployed position on either of the opposed sides of the railcar; a first locking mechanism coupled to the first end of each of the first sectional ramp and the second sectional ramp; a second locking mechanism coupled to the second end of each of the first sectional ramp and the second sectional ramp; positioning the elongated frame of the ramp assembly on the floor of the railcar between the first door and the second door aligned opposite each other on opposed sides of the vehicle; coupling the elongated frame of the ramp assembly to the floor of the vehicle; and coupling a motor driven mechanism positioned on a wall surface, ceiling or floor pocket of the vehicle to the ramp assembly for slidably moving the first and second sectional ramps on the frame.
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Specification