LIGHTED LOADING RAMP

• US 20170081137A1
• Filed: 09/19/2016
• Published: 03/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Winston Products LLC
• Original Assignee: Winston Products LLC
• Inventors: Breeden, III, Winston H., KURNIAWAN, COLLEEN, Whitner, Douglas E., Drabousky, David
• Granted Patent: US 10,400,999 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/307 mounted on loading platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 69/30 Non-permanently installed loading ramps, e.g. transportable
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/02 the power supply being a battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/01 Housings, e.g. material or assembling of housing parts F21V15/02 takes precedence housings forming signs or letters G09F13/04
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/04 the elements being switches safety devices F21V25/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/00 Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

Provided is a loading ramp having first and second ramp portions coupled by a hinge assembly such that the first and second ramp portions are movable relative to one another between an extended position and a folded position. The loading ramp also has one or more lights coupled to one of the ramp portions and a switch assembly coupled to the ramp portions such that in the extend position the switch assembly is activated to illuminate the one or more lights.

Claims

1. A loading ramp comprising:

a first ramp portion;

a second ramp portion;

a hinge assembly coupling the first and second ramp portions such that the first and second ramp portions are movable relative to one another between an extended position and a folded position;

a switch assembly having a first portion coupled to the first ramp portion and a second portion coupled to the second ramp portion, the first and second portions configured to engage or be in close proximity to one another in the extended position and disengage in the folded position;

at least one first light coupled to the first ramp portion and operatively coupled to the switch assembly; and

at least one second light coupled to the second ramp portion and operatively coupled to the switch assembly,

wherein in the extended position the switch assembly is activated to illuminate first and second lights.

2. The loading ramp according to claim 1, further including a power source coupled to one of the first or second ramp portions, wherein the power source is operatively coupled to switch assembly and the first and second lights to power the lights.

3. The loading ramp according to claim 2, wherein the power source is a battery hub coupled to a bottom surface of one of the first or second ramp portions.

4. The loading ramp according to claim 2, wherein the first and second lights are operatively coupled to the first portion of the switch assembly by a respective wire, the first and second lights are operatively coupled to the power source by a respective wire, and the power source is operatively coupled to the switch assembly by a wire.

5. The loading ramp according to claim 1, wherein the first and second portions of the switch assembly each have a face substantially perpendicular to top surfaces of the first and second ramp portions, and wherein the faces are configured to engage or be in close proximity to one another in the extended position.

6. The loading ramp according to claim 1, wherein the first portion of the switch assembly is a reed switch and the second portion is a magnet.

7. The loading ramp according to claim 1, wherein the first portion of the switch assembly is a pressure switch and the second portion is a pedal.

8. The loading ramp according to claim 1, wherein the first ramp portion includes a first rail portion and a first tread portion having a tread opening through which the first rail portion extends and a channel through which the at least one first light extends, and wherein the second ramp portion includes a second rail portion and a second tread portion having a tread opening through which the second rail portion extends and a channel through which the at least one second light extends.

9. The loading ramp according to claim 8, wherein each channel opens towards the respective tread opening, and wherein the first and second rail portions trap the first and second lights in the respective channels.

10. The loading ramp according to claim 8, further including an L-shaped portion coupled to or integrally formed with the first rail portion and extending through the channel with the first light, and an L-shaped portion coupled to or integrally formed with the second rail portion and extending through the channel with the second light.

11. The loading ramp according to claim 9, wherein each channel includes a pair of channels on opposite ends of the respective tread opening, and wherein a gap is formed between each pair of channels above the respective tread opening through which the lights are visible.

12. A loading ramp comprising:

a first ramp portion;

a second ramp portion;

a hinge assembly coupling the first and second ramp portions such that the first and second ramp portions are movable relative to one another between an extended position and a folded position;

at least one first light coupled to the first ramp portion; and

at least one second light coupled to the second ramp portion,

wherein in the extended position the at least one first and second lights are activated, and in the folded position the at least one first and second lights are deactivated.

13. The loading ramp according to claim 12, further including a switch assembly having a first portion coupled to the first ramp portion and a second portion coupled to the second ramp portion, the first and second portions configured to engage or be in close proximity to one another in the extended position and disengage in the folded position, wherein the at least one first and second lights are operatively coupled to the switch assembly.

14. The loading ramp according to claim 12, further including a power source coupled to one of the first or second ramp portions, wherein the power source is operatively coupled to the first and second lights to power the lights.

15. The loading ramp according to claim 14, wherein the power source is a battery hub coupled to a bottom surface of one of the first or second ramp portions.

16. The loading ramp according to claim 14, wherein the first and second lights are operatively coupled to the first portion of the switch assembly by a respective wire, the first and second lights are operatively coupled to the power source by a respective wire, and the power source is operatively coupled to the switch assembly by a wire.

17. The loading ramp according to claim 12, wherein the first and second ramp portions each include one or more channels opening to a top surface of each portion for receiving the at least one first or second light respectively.

18. The loading ramp according to claim 13, wherein the first portion of the switch assembly is a reed switch and the second portion is a magnet.

19. The loading ramp according to claim 13, wherein the first portion of the switch assembly is a pressure switch and the second portion is a pedal.

20. A loading ramp comprising:

a first ramp portion including;

a first rail portion having a rectangular section and an L-shaped section; and

a first tread portion having a first tread opening through which the rectangular section extends and a first channel that opens towards the first tread opening though which the L-shaped section extends;

a second ramp portion including;

a second rail portion having a rectangular section and an L-shaped section; and

a second tread portion having a second tread opening through which the rectangular section extends and a second channel that opens towards the second tread opening though which the L-shaped section extends;

a hinge assembly coupling the first and second ramp portions such that the first and second ramp portions are movable relative to one another between an extended position and a folded position;

a switch assembly having a first portion coupled to the first ramp portion and a second portion coupled to the second ramp portion, the first and second portions of the switch assembly configured to engage or be in close proximity to one another in the extended position and disengage in the folded position;

at least one first light coupled to the first ramp portion and operatively coupled to the switch assembly; and

at least one second light coupled to the second ramp portion and operatively coupled to the switch assembly,

wherein in the extended position the switch assembly is activated to illuminate first and second lights.