Powered, folding ramp for minivan
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A minivan adapted for wheelchair access by a folding ramp having one end attached to the minivan by a hinge and by a drive mechanism including an electric motor having a rotor shaft coupled to said folding ramp for raising or lowering the ramp by rotating the folding ramp about said hinge, characterized in that:
- said drive mechanism is located beneath the floor of the minivan;
said rotor shaft is substantially parallel with said hinge and includes a pair of arms coupled to said rotor shaft;
said ramp includes a pair of brackets;
said drive mechanism includes a pair of shafts extending underneath said hinge and coupling the arms to the brackets, whereby rotation of the rotor shaft causes rotation of the ramp about said hinge.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A drive mechanism under the floor of a minivan is coupled to the folding ramp by a rotating arm linkage, also located beneath the floor. The extension of the folding ramp is partially controlled by dynamic braking, i.e. using the electric motor as a generator and coupling the motor to an electrical load.
18 Citations
9 Claims
-
1. A minivan adapted for wheelchair access by a folding ramp having one end attached to the minivan by a hinge and by a drive mechanism including an electric motor having a rotor shaft coupled to said folding ramp for raising or lowering the ramp by rotating the folding ramp about said hinge, characterized in that:
-
said drive mechanism is located beneath the floor of the minivan; said rotor shaft is substantially parallel with said hinge and includes a pair of arms coupled to said rotor shaft; said ramp includes a pair of brackets; said drive mechanism includes a pair of shafts extending underneath said hinge and coupling the arms to the brackets, whereby rotation of the rotor shaft causes rotation of the ramp about said hinge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
Specification