Equipment trailer ramp construction

Claim 1

A trailer apparatus comprising: a. a trailer frame having a rear end member and a side member forming a bed corner, b. a ramp positioned adjacent said rear end member and having first and second ends, c. means mounting said ramp on said trailer frame for pivotal movement in two directions, said ramp mounting means comprising an L-shaped arm having one arm portion pivotally mounted on said side member for movement about an axis extending generally along said side member and the other arm portion pivotally engaged with one of said ramp ends, d. stop means cooperating with said one arm portion fixing same against rearward longitudinal movement, e. said ramp being pivotally moveable between a ramp forming position and a second position extending transversely across the trailer frame adjacent the rear end thereof for forming a tailgate, f. retaining means cooperating with said ramp for releasably retaining same in said tailgate forming position, g. support means secured to said trailer frame and projecting from said rear end, said support means engaging a portion of said ramp adjacent said one end when same is in said ramp forming position, h. said ramp being a plurality each being mounted on said trailer frame for pivotal movement and having the other ends thereof in closely spaced relation when said ramps are in said tailgate forming position, i. said retaining means including upstanding stops secured to said trailer frame in longitudinally spaced relation and receiving portions of said ramps therebetween when the ramps are in the tailgate forming position for preventing forward and rearward movement, j. an opening through a portion of each of said ramps, said openings being in alignment when said ramps are in said tailgate forming position, and k. a key receivable through said openings preventing pivoting movement of said first arm portions.