US5907276A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle ramp system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1997-05-30
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Granted: 1999-05-25
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Expires: 2017-05-30
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle ramp system of the type connected to a vehicle and moveable from an extended ramp position to a retracted tailgate position is provided. The vehicle ramp system includes a ramp moveably connected to said vehicle, wherein said ramp may be moved from a ramp position, extending between the ground and said vehicle, and a tailgate position in which said ramp is retracted and connected to said vehicle; and an alarm system positioned and connected to said truck in a manner such that when said ramp is retracted and in the tailgate position said alarm is disengaged, and when said ramp is extended said alarm system is activated alerting an operator that said ramp is in the extended position. The ramp may be constructed as a single piece or preferable in sections. The ramp is to be constructed of a material such as carbon steel or stainless steel with dimensions capable of supporting equipment which may be loaded onto the vehicle on which the ramp is connected.
Inventors
- 👤 S. Richard Lance
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 19:51
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P1/00; B60P1/43; B60P1/435
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A vehicle ramp system for connecting to a flat bed or pickup truck comprising: a ramp moveably connected to a vehicle, and having an adapter to connect to the end of a flat bed or pickup truck, wherein said ramp may be moved from a ramp position, extending between the ground and said vehicle, and a tailgate position in which said ramp is retracted and connected to said vehicle; and an alarm system positioned and connected to said vehicle in a manner such that when said ramp is retracted and in the tailgate position said alarm system is disengaged, and when said ramp is extended said alarm system is activated alerting an operator that said ramp is in an extended position; wherein said ramp includes a first section having a truck end hingedly connected to said vehicle and a second section hingedly connected to said first section; wherein said alarm system includes a speaker for audibly alerting the operator that said ramp is in the extended position; and said alarm system includes a visual mechanism for alerting the operator that said ramp is in the extended position when said alarm system is activated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
A vehicle ramp system for connecting to a flat bed or pickup truck comprising: a ramp moveably connected to a vehicle, and having an adapter to connect to the end of a flat bed or pickup truck, wherein said ramp may be moved from a ramp position, extending between the ground and said vehicle, and a tailgate position in which said ramp is retracted and connected to said vehicle; and an alarm system positioned and connected to said vehicle in a manner such that when said ramp is retracted and in the tailgate position said alarm system is disengaged, and when said ramp is extended said alarm system is activated alerting an operator that said ramp is in an extended position; wherein said ramp includes a first section having a truck end hingedly connected to said vehicle and a second section hingedly connected to said first section; wherein said alarm system includes a speaker for audibly alerting the operator that said ramp is in the extended position; and said alarm system includes a visual mechanism for alerting the operator that said ramp is in the extended position when said alarm system is activated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
177 words
A vehicle ramp system comprising: a ramp moveably connected to a vehicle, said ramp including a first section having a truck end hingedly connected to said vehicle and a second section hingedly connected to said first section, wherein said first section and said second section may be moved from a ramp position, extending between the ground and said vehicle, and a tailgate position in which said ramp is retracted and connected to said vehicle; and an alarm system positioned and connected to said vehicle in a manner such that when said ramp is retracted and in the tailgate position said alarm system is disengaged, and when said ramp is extended said alarm system is activated alerting an operator that said ramp is in an extended position; wherein said ramp further includes a third section telescopically connected to said second section, in a manner such that said third section may be retracted within said second section for placement in said tailgate position, and may be extended from said second section when said ramp is in said extended position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
177 words
A vehicle ramp system comprising: a ramp moveably connected to a vehicle, said ramp including a first section having a truck end hingedly connected to said vehicle and a second section hingedly connected to said first section, wherein said first section and said second section may be moved from a ramp position, extending between the ground and said vehicle, and a tailgate position in which said ramp is retracted and connected to said vehicle; and an alarm system positioned and connected to said vehicle in a manner such that when said ramp is retracted and in the tailgate position said alarm system is disengaged, and when said ramp is extended said alarm system is activated alerting an operator that said ramp is in an extended position; wherein said ramp further includes a third section telescopically connected to said second section, in a manner such that said third section may be retracted within said second section for placement in said tailgate position, and may be extended from said second section when said ramp is in said extended position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vehicle ramp system of claim 2, wherein: said alarm system includes a visual mechanism for alerting said operator that said ramp is in the extended position when said alarm system is activated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vehicle ramp system of claim 2, wherein: said alarm system includes a speaker for audibly alerting said operator that said ramp is in the extended position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The vehicle ramp system of claim 2, wherein: said alarm system includes a speaker for audibly altering the operator that said ramp is in the extended position; and wherein said alarm system includes a visual mechanism for altering the operator that said ramp is in the extended position when said alarm system is activated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
183 words
A vehicle ramp system comprising: a ramp moveably connected to a vehicle, said ramp including a first section having a truck end hingedly connected to said vehicle and a second section hingedly connected to said first section, wherein said first section and said second section may be moved from a ramp position, extending between the ground and said vehicle, and a tailgate position in which said ramp is retracted and connected to said vehicle; and an alarm system, including a switch connected via an electrical source to an audio alarm which is activated when said ramp is extended into the ramp position activating said alarm system notifying an operator that said ramp is extended and deactivating said alarm system when said ramp is positioned in the tailgate position and contacting said switch; wherein said ramp further includes a third section telescopically connected to said second section, in a manner such that said third section may be retracted within said second section for placement in said tailgate position, and may be extended from said second section when said ramp is in said extended position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
183 words
A vehicle ramp system comprising: a ramp moveably connected to a vehicle, said ramp including a first section having a truck end hingedly connected to said vehicle and a second section hingedly connected to said first section, wherein said first section and said second section may be moved from a ramp position, extending between the ground and said vehicle, and a tailgate position in which said ramp is retracted and connected to said vehicle; and an alarm system, including a switch connected via an electrical source to an audio alarm which is activated when said ramp is extended into the ramp position activating said alarm system notifying an operator that said ramp is extended and deactivating said alarm system when said ramp is positioned in the tailgate position and contacting said switch; wherein said ramp further includes a third section telescopically connected to said second section, in a manner such that said third section may be retracted within said second section for placement in said tailgate position, and may be extended from said second section when said ramp is in said extended position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vehicle ramp system of claim 6, wherein: said alarm system includes a visual mechanism for alerting said operator that said ramp is in the extended position when said alarm system is activated.
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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) | 2002-05-24 | 2002-11-23 | 2003-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-05-24 | 2006-11-23 | 2007-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-05-24 | 2010-11-23 | 2011-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |