COUNTERBALANCE ASSEMBLY FOR A FOLD OUT RAMP

• US 20110072598A1
• Filed: 12/17/2010
• Published: 03/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lift-U
• Original Assignee: Lift-U
• Inventors: Johnson, David, Morris, Donald
• Application Number:
  US12/972,062
• Publication Number:
  US 20110072598A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 14/69.5
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 3/061 using ramps
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 3/067 with compartment for horizontally storing the ramp or lift
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/433 the loading floor or a part thereof being movable to form the ramp
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 3/02 Retractable steps or ladders, e.g. movable under shock B60R3/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E01D 19/00 Structural or constructional details of bridges
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 414/134 Handicapped person handling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32254 Lockable at fixed position
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18832 including flexible drive connector [e.g., belt, chain, strand, etc.]

Abstract

A counterbalanced ramp assembly includes a ramp portion coupled for reciprocating motion between a stowed position, a deployed position, and a neutral position. A first biasing element is coupled to a first endless loop and compresses a first spring when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position toward the deployed position. The first biasing element is disengaged from the first spring when the ramp portion is located between the neutral position and the stowed position. A second biasing element is coupled to the second endless loop and compresses a second spring when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position toward the stowed position. The second biasing element is disengaged from the second spring when the ramp portion is located between the neutral position and the deployed position.

Claims

1. A ramp assembly, comprising:

(a) a ramp portion configured for reciprocating motion between a stowed position, a deployed position, and a neutral position;

(b) first and second endless loops operably coupled to the ramp portion, the first and second endless loops moving in a first direction when the ramp moves toward the stowed position and in a second direction when the ramp portion moves toward a deployed position; and

(c) a counterbalance, comprising;

(i) a first spring, a first end of the first spring maintaining a fixed position relative to the neutral position of the ramp portion when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position toward the deployed position;

(ii) a first biasing element coupled to the first endless loop, the first biasing element engaging a second end of the first spring to move the second end of the first spring toward the first end of the first spring when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position toward the deployed position, the first spring biasing the ramp portion toward the neutral position when the ramp portion is located between the neutral position and the deployed position, the first biasing element being disengaged from the second end of the first spring when the ramp portion is located between the neutral position and the stowed position;

(iii) a second spring, a first end of the second spring maintaining a fixed position relative to the neutral position of the ramp portion when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position toward the stowed position; and

(iv) a second biasing element coupled to the second endless loop, the second biasing element engaging a second end of the second spring to move the second end of the second spring toward the first end of the second spring when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position toward the stowed position, the second spring biasing the ramp portion toward the neutral position when the ramp portion is located between the neutral position and the stowed position, the second biasing element being disengaged from the second end of the second spring when the ramp portion is located between the neutral position and the deployed position.

2. The ramp assembly of claim 1, wherein the first spring is a pneumatic spring.

3. The ramp assembly of claim 1, wherein the first endless loop comprises a rod, the first biasing element being coupled to the rod.

4. The ramp assembly of claim 3, wherein rotation of the ramp portion translates the rod along a linear path.

5. The ramp assembly of claim 3, the first endless loop further comprising at least one chain segment connected in seriatim with the rod.

6. The ramp assembly of claim 5, wherein the second spring is a pneumatic spring.

7. A ramp assembly, comprising:

(a) a ramp portion configured for reciprocating motion between a stowed position, a deployed position, and a neutral position;

(b) first and second endless loops operably coupled to the ramp portion; and

(c) a counterbalance, comprising;

(i) first and second springs,

(ii) a first biasing element coupled to the first endless loop, the first biasing element moving in a first direction to compress the first spring when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position toward the deployed position, the first spring biasing the ramp portion toward the stowed position when the ramp portion is located between the neutral position and the deployed position, the first biasing element being disengaged from the first spring when the ramp portion is located between the neutral position and the stowed position; and

(iii) a second biasing element coupled to the second endless loop, the second biasing element moving in the first direction when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position toward the stowed position to compress the second spring when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position toward the stowed position, the second spring biasing the ramp portion toward the deployed position when the ramp portion is located between the neutral position and the stowed position, the second biasing element being disengaged from the second spring when the ramp portion is located between the neutral position and the deployed position.

8. The ramp assembly of claim 7, wherein the first and second springs are pneumatic springs.

9. The ramp assembly of claim 7, wherein the second biasing element moves in a second direction opposite the first direction when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position toward the deployed position.