US6379101B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ramp and cargo system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2000-07-14
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Granted: 2002-04-30
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Expires: 2020-07-14
Abstract
Abstract A simple, inexpensive ramp and cargo system is described that is easily mounted to a standard trailer hitch socket of a vehicle with a rear door or hatch, including a minivan. The ramp can be used to load small sized wheeled vehicles, including occupied wheelchairs, into the interior of the vehicle. The ramp and cargo system is carried outside the vehicle and does not decrease the interior space of the vehicle. The ramp and cargo system can optionally serve as a deck attached to the rear of the vehicle to provide additional cargo space. This external deck can be expanded and partially enclosed with two platform pieces and sidewalls. The ramp and cargo system is inexpensive, light-weight, easy to install and remove, and easy to deploy as a ramp.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory K. Breaux
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 05:52
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P1/00; B60P1/43; B60R; B60R9/00; B60R9/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/134
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
A rearward extending vehicle ramp system for loading and unloading a small-sized wheeled vehicle into a vehicle having a rectangular trailer hitch socket, said ramp system removably attachable to the trailer hitch socket, and said ramp system comprising: (a) a mounting bar having a rectangular cross section and having a straight portion terminating in a free end adapted for insertion into the trailer hitch socket, said mounting bar connected to a rectangular ramp base; (b) a first ramp member having a free front end portion and a second end portion hingeably mounted to the rectangular ramp base, wherein said free front end portion is adapted to incline up to the motor vehicle interior floor; (c) a second ramp member having a front end portion and a second end portion, wherein said front end portion is hingeably mounted to the rectangular ramp base; (d) a third ramp member having a front end portion and a free second end portion, wherein said front end portion is hingeably mounted to the second end portion of said second ramp member; the free second end portion of third ramp member adapted to contact the ground surface, when said ramp system is unfolded; wherein when said second ramp member and said third ramp member are unfolded, a small-sized wheeled vehicle can move up said ramp system into the motor vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
A rearward extending vehicle ramp system for loading and unloading a small-sized wheeled vehicle into a vehicle having a rectangular trailer hitch socket, said ramp system removably attachable to the trailer hitch socket, and said ramp system comprising: (a) a mounting bar having a rectangular cross section and having a straight portion terminating in a free end adapted for insertion into the trailer hitch socket, said mounting bar connected to a rectangular ramp base; (b) a first ramp member having a free front end portion and a second end portion hingeably mounted to the rectangular ramp base, wherein said free front end portion is adapted to incline up to the motor vehicle interior floor; (c) a second ramp member having a front end portion and a second end portion, wherein said front end portion is hingeably mounted to the rectangular ramp base; (d) a third ramp member having a front end portion and a free second end portion, wherein said front end portion is hingeably mounted to the second end portion of said second ramp member; the free second end portion of third ramp member adapted to contact the ground surface, when said ramp system is unfolded; wherein when said second ramp member and said third ramp member are unfolded, a small-sized wheeled vehicle can move up said ramp system into the motor vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A ramp system as in claim 1 , wherein said first ramp member is adapted to incline by resting on a rear bumper of the motor vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A ramp system as in claim 1 , wherein said first ramp member is adapted to incline by a mechanical support connected to the rectangular ramp base.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A ramp system as in claim 1 , additionally comprising platform pieces that attach to sides of the rectangular ramp base, wherein a carrier deck is formed by said platform pieces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A ramp system as in claim 4 , additionally comprising sidewalls to partially enclose said carrier deck.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A ramp system as in claim 1 , wherein said second ramp member and third ramp member are adapted to fold together when the motor vehicle is moving.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
188 words
A rearward extending vehicle ramp system for loading and unloading a small-sized wheeled vehicle into a motor vehicle having a rectangular trailer hitch socket, said ramp system removably attachable to the trailer hitch socket, and said ramp system comprising: (a) a mounting bar having a rectangular cross section and having a straight portion terminating in a free end adapted for insertion into the trailer hitch socket, said mounting bar connected to a rectangular ramp base; (b) a first ramp member having a free front end portion and a second end portion hingeably mounted to the rectangular ramp base, wherein said free front end portion is adapted to incline up to the motor vehicle interior floor; (c) a second ramp member having a front end portion and a second end portion, wherein said front end portion is hingeably mounted to the rectangular base and the free second end portion of second ramp member is adapted to contact the ground surface when the said ramp system is deployed; wherein when said second ramp member is deployed, a small-sized wheeled vehicle can move up said ramp system into the motor vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
188 words
A rearward extending vehicle ramp system for loading and unloading a small-sized wheeled vehicle into a motor vehicle having a rectangular trailer hitch socket, said ramp system removably attachable to the trailer hitch socket, and said ramp system comprising: (a) a mounting bar having a rectangular cross section and having a straight portion terminating in a free end adapted for insertion into the trailer hitch socket, said mounting bar connected to a rectangular ramp base; (b) a first ramp member having a free front end portion and a second end portion hingeably mounted to the rectangular ramp base, wherein said free front end portion is adapted to incline up to the motor vehicle interior floor; (c) a second ramp member having a front end portion and a second end portion, wherein said front end portion is hingeably mounted to the rectangular base and the free second end portion of second ramp member is adapted to contact the ground surface when the said ramp system is deployed; wherein when said second ramp member is deployed, a small-sized wheeled vehicle can move up said ramp system into the motor vehicle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A ramp system as in claim 7 , wherein said first ramp member is adapted to incline by resting on a rear bumper of the motor vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A ramp system as in claim 7 , wherein said first ramp member is adapted to incline by a mechanical support connected to the rectangular ramp base.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A ramp system as in claim 7 , additionally comprising platform pieces that attach to sides of the rectangular ramp base, wherein a carrier deck is formed by said platform pieces.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A ramp system as in claim 10 , additionally comprising sidewalls to partially enclose said carrier deck.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A ramp system as in claim 7 , wherein said second ramp member is adapted to store in an upright position when the motor vehicle is moving.
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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) | 2005-04-29 | 2005-10-29 | 2006-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-04-29 | 2009-10-29 | 2010-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-04-29 | 2013-10-29 | 2014-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |