US4700421A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ramp for loading small motorized vehicles on pickup trucks
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-02-24
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Granted: 1987-10-20
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Expires: 2006-02-24
Abstract
Abstract A ramp assembly provides loading of small off-the-road vehicles onto, and unloading of such vehicles from the bed of a pick-up truck. The assembly includes a flexible support such as a sheet of lightweight chain link, cloth belting or the like which is connected at the upper end to the corner posts of the truck bed or otherwise secured to the truck and which is tensioned at the other end thereof by an elongate support member, connected at one end to the ball hitch on the truck. The connection to the corner posts is made by notched members which extend laterally from both sides of the flexible support to engage the walls of the posts.
Inventors
- 👤 Tommy C. Gladney
- 👤 William E. Baker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 02:33
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P1/00; B60P1/43
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A ramp assembly for loading relatively small motorized vehicles on, and unloading such vehicles from, the loading bed of relatively larger motorized vehicles of the type including a ball hitch so that such a relatively small vehicle can be transported by the larger vehicle, said ramp assembly comprising: a flexible support sheet which, in use, extends between the bed of the larger vehicle and the ground to form a ramp, said support sheet being of a flexible construction which is capable of being rolled up when not in use; means for securing one end of the support sheet on the bed of the larger vehicle; and means, comprising an elongate tensioning member extending between the larger vehicle and the other end of the support sheet, for tensioning and supporting the support sheet so that the support sheet is held taut and thereby forms the ramp, said elongate tensioning member including means engaging the ball hitch of the larger vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A ramp assembly for loading relatively small motorized vehicles on, and unloading such vehicles from, the loading bed of relatively larger motorized vehicles of the type including a ball hitch so that such a relatively small vehicle can be transported by the larger vehicle, said ramp assembly comprising: a flexible support sheet which, in use, extends between the bed of the larger vehicle and the ground to form a ramp, said support sheet being of a flexible construction which is capable of being rolled up when not in use; means for securing one end of the support sheet on the bed of the larger vehicle; and means, comprising an elongate tensioning member extending between the larger vehicle and the other end of the support sheet, for tensioning and supporting the support sheet so that the support sheet is held taut and thereby forms the ramp, said elongate tensioning member including means engaging the ball hitch of the larger vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A ramp assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the larger vehicle includes side walls including inwardly directed corner posts at the rear end of the bed and said securing means comprises a pair of members projecting laterally outwardly from opposite sides of said support sheet for engaging the walls of the corner posts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A ramp assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein said laterally projecting members include notches therein for engaging the corner posts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A ramp assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein said laterally projecting members each include a portion which is cut out to form a notch and bent up to form a projection for engaging the walls of a corner post.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A ramp assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein said laterally projecting members are inclined at a small acute angle relative to the upper edge of the support sheet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A ramp assembly as claimed in claim 2 further comprising at least one transverse support member secured to said support sheet at said one end and having at least one free end, said laterally projecting members each being adjustably affixed to a free end of a said transverse support member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A ramp assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ball hitch engaging means comprises a U-shaped member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A ramp assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the length of said elongate tensioning member is adjustable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A ramp assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said elongate tensioning member includes first and second parts one of said parts being telescopingly received in the other to provide adjustment of the overall length of said tensioning member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
A ramp assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support sheet includes a transverse reinforcement member at the other end thereof and means mounted on said reinforcement member for engaging one end of said elongate tensioning member so as to connect the elongate tensioning member to said transverse reinforcement member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A ramp assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein said tensioning member engaging means comprises a short length of pipe welded to said reinforcement member in which said one end of said tensioning member is received.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A ramp assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flexible support sheet comprises a sheet of chain link.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
133 words
A loading ramp assembly for loading pick-up trucks and like vehicles including a bed surrounded on two sides by sidewalls having inwardly directed corner posts at the rear end of the truck and a ball hitch at the rear of the truck, said ramp assembly comprising: a flexible support member including means at one end thereof for engaging the walls of the corner posts of the truck to secure that end of the support member to the truck; and an elongate strut member connected between the truck and the other end of said flexible support member for tensioning and supporting said flexible support member so that the latter is held taut and thereby forms a ramp, said strut member including means at one end thereof for engaging the ball hitch of the truck.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
133 words
A loading ramp assembly for loading pick-up trucks and like vehicles including a bed surrounded on two sides by sidewalls having inwardly directed corner posts at the rear end of the truck and a ball hitch at the rear of the truck, said ramp assembly comprising: a flexible support member including means at one end thereof for engaging the walls of the corner posts of the truck to secure that end of the support member to the truck; and an elongate strut member connected between the truck and the other end of said flexible support member for tensioning and supporting said flexible support member so that the latter is held taut and thereby forms a ramp, said strut member including means at one end thereof for engaging the ball hitch of the truck.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
A loading ramp assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein said corner post engaging means includes a pair of engagement members shaped to engage the wall of the corner post and adjustable in position relative to the flexible support member so as to accomodate truck beds of different sizes and shapes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
A loading ramp assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein said strut member is adjustable in length and comprises first and second telescoping parts, said ball hitch engaging means comprising a U-shaped portion of one of said parts.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
A loading ramp assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein said flexible support member includes a receptacle member secured to said other end thereof for receiving therein the free end of the other of said first and second parts.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A loading ramp assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein said flexible support member comprises a sheet of lightweight chain link.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
122 words
A loading ramp assembly for loading pick-up trucks and the like vehicles of the type including a ball hitch or the like at the rear of the vehicle, said ramp assembly comprising: a flexible support member including means at one end thereof for engaging the bed of the vehicle to secure that end of the support member to the vehicle; and means, comprising an elongate strut member which, in use, is connected between the truck and the other end of said flexible support member, for tensioning and supporting said flexible support member so that the latter is stretched out and held taut, threby forming a ramp, said strut member including means at one end thereof engaging the ball hitch of the vehicle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
122 words
A loading ramp assembly for loading pick-up trucks and the like vehicles of the type including a ball hitch or the like at the rear of the vehicle, said ramp assembly comprising: a flexible support member including means at one end thereof for engaging the bed of the vehicle to secure that end of the support member to the vehicle; and means, comprising an elongate strut member which, in use, is connected between the truck and the other end of said flexible support member, for tensioning and supporting said flexible support member so that the latter is stretched out and held taut, threby forming a ramp, said strut member including means at one end thereof engaging the ball hitch of the vehicle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
62 words
A loading ramp assembly as claimed in claim 18 wherein said strut member comprises first and second parts, a portion of one of said parts being received in the other part an adjustable amount so as to permit adjustment of the length of said strut member, and wherein said ball hitch engaging means comprises a U-shaped portion of one of said parts.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-10-19 | 1991-04-20 | 1991-10-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-10-19 | 1995-04-20 | 1995-10-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-10-19 | 1999-04-20 | 1999-10-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |