US5538307A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pivoting tailgate ramp
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-03-08
•
Granted: 1996-07-23
•
Expires: 2015-03-08
Abstract
Abstract A tailgate ramp for a vehicle includes a frame having an internal space and apparatus for pivotally mounting the frame on the vehicle. Ramp pivot apparatus mounted to the frame and adapted for pivotal movement within the internal space of the frame between a stowed position substantially parallel with the width of the frame and an in-use position substantially parallel with the length of the frame is fixedly attached to at least one ramp member. The at least one ramp member has at least two telescoping members having extended and retracted configurations such that the at least one ramp member is dimensioned to be completely disposed within the internal space in the frame when the at least two telescoping members are in the retracted configuration. An elongate member oriented within the internal space of the frame and along the length of the frame is co-axially aligned with, and securable to, the ramp pivot apparatus when the ramp pivot apparatus is in the in-use position. Horizontal sliding apparatus is slidably connected to the ramp pivot apparatus and fixedly attached to one of the telescoping members of the at least one ramp member for permitting movement of the at least one ramp member along the length of the frame in the in-use position.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald T. Otis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:25
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P1/00; B60P1/43; B60P1/435
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A pivotable tailgate ramp for a vehicle, comprising: a frame having a width and length; ramp pivot means having a length and mounted to the frame and adapted for pivotal movement within the frame between a stowed position where the length of the ramp pivot means is substantially parallel with the width of the frame and an in-use position where the length of the ramp pivot means is substantially parallel with the length of the frame and is substantially perpendicular to the orientation of the length of the ramp pivot means in the stowed position; and at least one ramp member attached to the ramp pivot means and adapted to support a second vehicle thereon, the at least one ramp member having at least two telescoping members having extended and retracted configurations, wherein the at least one ramp member is dimensioned to be completely disposed within the frame when the at least two telescoping members are in the retracted configuration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A pivotable tailgate ramp for a vehicle, comprising: a frame having a width and length; ramp pivot means having a length and mounted to the frame and adapted for pivotal movement within the frame between a stowed position where the length of the ramp pivot means is substantially parallel with the width of the frame and an in-use position where the length of the ramp pivot means is substantially parallel with the length of the frame and is substantially perpendicular to the orientation of the length of the ramp pivot means in the stowed position; and at least one ramp member attached to the ramp pivot means and adapted to support a second vehicle thereon, the at least one ramp member having at least two telescoping members having extended and retracted configurations, wherein the at least one ramp member is dimensioned to be completely disposed within the frame when the at least two telescoping members are in the retracted configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The tailgate ramp of claim 1 further comprising: horizontal ramp movement means slidably connected to the ramp pivot means and fixedly attached to one of telescoping members of the at least one ramp member for permitting movement of the at least one ramp member along the length of the frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tailgate ramp of claim 1 wherein first and second ramp members are present, the tailgate ramp further comprising: means for removably attaching the first and second ramp members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The tailgate ramp of claim 3 wherein the means for removably attaching the first and second ramp members is a hollow arm on one of the first and second ramp members and a spring biased button matable with said arm in the other of the first and second ramp members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
The tailgate ramp of claim 1 wherein the ramp pivot means is a first elongate member, the tailgate ramp further comprising: a second elongate member within the internal space of the frame and along the length of the frame, the first elongate member being co-axially aligned with and securable to the second elongate member when the first elongate member is pivoted to the in-use position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The tailgate ramp of claim 1 further comprising: latch means retractable such that the ramp pivot means can pass thereover, said latch means being extendable such that the ramp pivot means is secured in the in-use position substantially parallel with the length of the frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
183 words
A pivotable tailgate ramp for a vehicle, comprising: a frame having a width and length; ramp pivot means having a length and mounted to the frame and adapted for pivotal movement within the frame between a stowed position where the length of the ramp pivot means is substantially parallel with the width of the frame and an in-use position where the length of the ramp pivot means is substantially parallel with the length of the frame; at least one ramp member attached to the ramp pivot means and adapted to support a second vehicle thereon, the at least one ramp member having at least two telescoping members having extended and retracted configurations, wherein the at least one ramp member is dimensioned to be completely disposed within the frame when the at least two telescoping members are in the retracted configuration; and horizontal ramp movement means slidably connected to the ramp pivot means and fixedly attached to one of telescoping members of the at least one ramp member for permitting movement of the at least one ramp member along the length of the frame.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
183 words
A pivotable tailgate ramp for a vehicle, comprising: a frame having a width and length; ramp pivot means having a length and mounted to the frame and adapted for pivotal movement within the frame between a stowed position where the length of the ramp pivot means is substantially parallel with the width of the frame and an in-use position where the length of the ramp pivot means is substantially parallel with the length of the frame; at least one ramp member attached to the ramp pivot means and adapted to support a second vehicle thereon, the at least one ramp member having at least two telescoping members having extended and retracted configurations, wherein the at least one ramp member is dimensioned to be completely disposed within the frame when the at least two telescoping members are in the retracted configuration; and horizontal ramp movement means slidably connected to the ramp pivot means and fixedly attached to one of telescoping members of the at least one ramp member for permitting movement of the at least one ramp member along the length of the frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tailgate ramp of claim 7 wherein first and second ramp members are present, the tailgate ramp further comprising: means for removably attaching the first and second ramp members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The tailgate ramp of claim 8 wherein the means for removably attaching the first and second ramp members is a hollow arm on one of the first and second ramp members and a spring biased button matable with said arm in the other of the first and second ramp members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
The tailgate ramp of claim 7 wherein the ramp pivot means is a first elongate member, the tailgate ramp further comprising: a second elongate member within the frame and along the length of the frame, the first elongate member being co-axially aligned with and securable to the second elongate member when the first elongate member is pivoted to the in-use position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The tailgate ramp of claim 7 further comprising: latch means retractable such that the ramp pivot means can pass thereover, said latch means being extendable such that the ramp pivot means is secured in the in-use position substantially parallel with the length of the frame.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
182 words
A pivotable tailgate ramp for a vehicle, comprising: a frame having a width and length; ramp pivot means having a length and mounted to the frame and adapted for pivotal movement within the frame between a stowed position where the length of the ramp pivot means is substantially parallel with the width of the frame and an in-use position where the length of the ramp pivot means is substantially parallel with the length of the frame; at least one ramp member attached to the ramp pivot means and adapted to support a second vehicle thereon, the at least one ramp member having at least two telescoping members having extended and retracted configurations, wherein the at least one ramp member is dimensioned to be completely disposed within the frame when the at least two telescoping members are in the retracted configuration; and an elongate member within the internal space of the frame and along the length of the frame, the ramp pivot means being co-axially aligned with, and securable to, the elongate member when the ramp pivot means is in the in-use position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
182 words
A pivotable tailgate ramp for a vehicle, comprising: a frame having a width and length; ramp pivot means having a length and mounted to the frame and adapted for pivotal movement within the frame between a stowed position where the length of the ramp pivot means is substantially parallel with the width of the frame and an in-use position where the length of the ramp pivot means is substantially parallel with the length of the frame; at least one ramp member attached to the ramp pivot means and adapted to support a second vehicle thereon, the at least one ramp member having at least two telescoping members having extended and retracted configurations, wherein the at least one ramp member is dimensioned to be completely disposed within the frame when the at least two telescoping members are in the retracted configuration; and an elongate member within the internal space of the frame and along the length of the frame, the ramp pivot means being co-axially aligned with, and securable to, the elongate member when the ramp pivot means is in the in-use position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
The tailgate ramp of claim 12 further comprising: horizontal ramp movement means slidably connected to the ramp pivot means and fixedly attached to one of telescoping members of the at least one ramp member for permitting movement of the at least one ramp member along the length of the frame.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tailgate ramp of claim 12 wherein first and second ramp members are present, the tailgate ramp further comprising: means for removably attaching the first and second ramp members.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
The tailgate ramp of claim 14 wherein the means for removably attaching the first and second ramp members is a hollow arm on one of the first and second ramp members and a spring biased button matable with said arm in the other of the first and second ramp members.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
The tailgate ramp of claim 12 further comprising: latch means retractable such that the ramp pivot means can pass thereover, said latch means being extendable such that the ramp pivot means is secured in the in-use position substantially parallel with the length of the frame.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3642156A
Cited
US3713553A
Cited
US3756440A
Cited
US4003483A
Cited
US4601632A
Cited
US4735454A
Cited
US4668002A
Cited
US4596417A
Cited
US4864673A
Cited
US5244335A
Cited
US5211437A
Cited
US5312149A
Cited
US5380145A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-07-23 | 2000-01-22 | 2000-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-23 | 2004-01-22 | 2004-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-23 | 2008-01-22 | 2008-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |