US3795333A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trailer ramp apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-08-14
•
Granted: 1974-03-05
•
Expires: 1992-08-14
Abstract
Abstract A flat bed trailer has a sloping tail section to which a pair of ramp units are hingedly attached. When lowered into a groundengaging position, the ramp units provide at each side of the trailer a rearward continuation of the sloping tail surface, thereby enabling heavy equipment to be loaded onto the trailer. When the ramp units are swung upwardly into a raised position, the sloping surfaces on the ramp units complementally confront the sloping tail surface so that the bottom of the two ramp units then present horizontal surfaces which provide a more complete or larger flat bed than would otherwise be available.
Inventors
- 👤 J Tebben
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:03
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P1/00; B60P1/43
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
In combination, a trailer having a downwardly sloping tail section including a transverse member extending across the rear thereof, at least one ramp unit also having a downwardly sloping section, means hingedly connecting said ramp unit to said tail section, said ramp unit having a portion thereof extending forwardly beneath said transverse member when said ramp unit is lowered, said hinge means including a pair of laterally spaced strips pivotally connected at one end to said transverse member, said ramp unit having vertical side walls providing forward vertical edges, the other ends of said laterally spaced strips being pivotally connected to said side walls and residing in generally parallel vertical planes, said strips having downwardly and inwardly angled ears engageable with said vertical edges, whereby when a load is moved up said ramp section onto said tail section said transverse member moves downwardly onto said forwardly extending portion, engagement of said angled ears with said vertical edges limiting downward movement of said tail section relative to said ramp unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
In combination, a trailer having a downwardly sloping tail section including a transverse member extending across the rear thereof, at least one ramp unit also having a downwardly sloping section, means hingedly connecting said ramp unit to said tail section, said ramp unit having a portion thereof extending forwardly beneath said transverse member when said ramp unit is lowered, said hinge means including a pair of laterally spaced strips pivotally connected at one end to said transverse member, said ramp unit having vertical side walls providing forward vertical edges, the other ends of said laterally spaced strips being pivotally connected to said side walls and residing in generally parallel vertical planes, said strips having downwardly and inwardly angled ears engageable with said vertical edges, whereby when a load is moved up said ramp section onto said tail section said transverse member moves downwardly onto said forwardly extending portion, engagement of said angled ears with said vertical edges limiting downward movement of said tail section relative to said ramp unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 in which the forward portion of said ramp unit has a notch for receiving the lower edge of said transverse member, said forwardly extending portion constituting the bottom of said notch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 in which said hinge means further includes a pair of laterally spaced lugs projecting rearwardly from said transverse member and a horizontal rod carried by said lugs, the forward ends of said strips having holes therein through which said rod passes to pivotally connect the forward ends of said strips to said tail section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
83 words
The combination set forth in claim 3 in which the forward portion of said ramp unit has a notch for receiving the lower edge of said transverse member, the bottom of said notch constituting the portion of said ramp unit extending forwardly beneath said transverse member and said transverse member constitutes an I-beam, said lugs being fixedly attached to the web portion of said I-beam just beneath the upper flange thereof and the lower flange of saiD I-beam being receivable in said notch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination set forth in claim 4 in which the sloping surface of said ramp section complements the sloping surface of said tail section, and the bottom surface of said ramp unit, when said ramp unit is tilted upwardly, provides a horizontal surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-04 | 1977-09-03 | 1978-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-04 | 1981-09-03 | 1982-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-04 | 1985-09-03 | 1986-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |