US 11,911,321 B2
Ramp assembly with raised ramp position
Adam Smith, Indianapolis, IN (US); and Justin M. Kline, Westfield, IN (US)
Assigned to The Braun Corporation, Winimac, IN (US)
Filed by The Braun Corporation, Winamac, IN (US)
Filed on Jul. 25, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/872,093.
Application 17/872,093 is a continuation of application No. 16/918,112, filed on Jul. 1, 2020, granted, now 11,413,198.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/870,089, filed on Jul. 3, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0354719 A1, Nov. 10, 2022
Int. Cl. A61G 3/06 (2006.01); B60P 1/43 (2006.01)
CPC A61G 3/061 (2013.01) [B60P 1/431 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A ramp assembly to accommodate a wheelchaired passenger to enter or exit a motorized vehicle, comprising:
a frame having a front end and a rear end;
a ramp moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein in the stowed position the ramp is disposed between the front end and the rear end and in the deployed position the ramp extends away from the front end;
a driver configured to translate longitudinally along a length of the ramp assembly, in a first direction toward the rear end and in a second direction toward the front end, to move the ramp between the stowed position and the deployed position; and,
a link coupled between the driver and the ramp, the link having a first pivotal connection permitting the link to pivot relative to the driver, a second pivotal connection permitting the link to pivot relative to the ramp, and a pivot axis disposed between the first pivotal connection and the second pivotal connection, wherein the link is configured to rotate about the pivot axis relative to the frame as the driver translates longitudinally to elevate the second pivotal connection and, thereby, a rear edge of the ramp relative to the frame.