US5085555A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spring biased vehicle access ramp
Assignee: Accubuilt Inc
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Filing: 1990-07-18
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Granted: 1992-02-04
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Expires: 2010-07-18
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle access ramp especially for wheel chair access includes alternative horizontal and vertical pivot assemblies. A foldable ramp is pivotably attached to a horizontal axis hinge, and vertically pivotable around a vertical rod at a side of a doorway. For deployment to the ground, the ramp is pivoted horizontally and unfolded. To provide access to the doorway without use of the ramp, the folded ramp is locked into its stored vertical position in the vehicle and pivoted or swung out of the way on a vertical pivot assembly in the vehicle doorway.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger Vartanian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:10
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P1/00; B60P1/43; A; A61; A61G; A61G3/00; A61G3/02; A61G3/06; A61G3/061; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/134
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
242 words
An access ramp for a vehicle doorway, comprising: a plate rigidly attachable along a horizontal edge of the doorway; a ramp including a proximal section and a distal section attached to one another at a hinge knuckle such that the proximal section and distal section are foldable in one direction at the hinge knuckle and become fixed in colinear alignment in an opposite direction when unfolded; a hinge attached to the plate and to the proximal section of the ramp, the hinge defining a hinge axis along said edge of the doorway; at least one spring biasing assembly having a housing rigidly attached to the plate and a helical spring disposed in the housing, the helical spring having a first end protruding along a first tangent of the helical spring and bearing against the proximal section of the ramp, and a second end protruding along a second tangent of the helical spring and bearing against one of the housing and the plate, the spring biasing assembly urging the proximal section of the ramp upwardly around the hinge axis and thereby biasing the ramp into a folded configuration in the vehicle doorway, the helical spring defining an axis parallel to the hinge axis and spaced from the hinge axis, and further comprising a contact stud including a roller on the proximal section of the ramp, the first end of the helical spring bearing against the proximal section of the ramp at the roller.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
242 words
An access ramp for a vehicle doorway, comprising: a plate rigidly attachable along a horizontal edge of the doorway; a ramp including a proximal section and a distal section attached to one another at a hinge knuckle such that the proximal section and distal section are foldable in one direction at the hinge knuckle and become fixed in colinear alignment in an opposite direction when unfolded; a hinge attached to the plate and to the proximal section of the ramp, the hinge defining a hinge axis along said edge of the doorway; at least one spring biasing assembly having a housing rigidly attached to the plate and a helical spring disposed in the housing, the helical spring having a first end protruding along a first tangent of the helical spring and bearing against the proximal section of the ramp, and a second end protruding along a second tangent of the helical spring and bearing against one of the housing and the plate, the spring biasing assembly urging the proximal section of the ramp upwardly around the hinge axis and thereby biasing the ramp into a folded configuration in the vehicle doorway, the helical spring defining an axis parallel to the hinge axis and spaced from the hinge axis, and further comprising a contact stud including a roller on the proximal section of the ramp, the first end of the helical spring bearing against the proximal section of the ramp at the roller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The access ramp according to claim 1, wherein the housing of the spring biasing assembly defines a box disposed on the plate, the second end of the helical spring bearing against an inner surface of the box.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The access ramp according to claim 2, further comprising a spool disposed in the helical spring, the spool being attached to the housing at least at one end of the housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The access ramp according to claim 2, comprising a helical spring and housing at both lateral sides of the proximal section of the ramp.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The access ramp according to claim 4, wherein the helical springs and housings at the lateral sides of the ramp are disposed laterally outside the proximal section of the ramp.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The access ramp according to claim 5, comprising contact studs and rollers at each lateral side of the proximal section of the ramp, said helical springs at the lateral sides each having a first end protruding to bear against a respective one of the rollers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
The access ramp according to claim 6, further comprising means for detaching the plate from the vehicle doorway, and a vertical pivot means attached to the plate at one of the lateral sides of the ramp, whereby the ramp can be rotated clear of the vehicle doorway around the vertical pivot means when the ramp is folded into the folded configuration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The access ramp according to claim 7, further comprising a baseplate permanently attachable to the vehicle doorway and a baseplate latch on a lateral side of the ramp opposite from the vertical pivot means controllably operable to affix the plate to the baseplate and thereby position the ramp in the vehicle doorway.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The access ramp according to claim 6, further comprising a controllable ramp latch having interconnectable elements spaced from the hinge axis, the ramp latch being operable to affix the proximal and distal sections of the ramp to lock the ramp in the folded configuration.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
The access ramp according to claim 8, wherein one of the plate and the baseplate has a movable pin and the other of the plate and the baseplate has a receptacle for the pin, the baseplate latch being operable by advancing and retracting the pin relative to the receptacle.
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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) | 1995-02-03 | 1995-08-05 | 1996-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-02-03 | 1999-08-05 | 2000-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-02-03 | 2003-08-05 | 2004-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |