US 12,403,810 B2
Ramp assembly for a passenger vehicle
Mason Hartsock, Winamac, IN (US); and Nate Martindale, Winamac, IN (US)
Assigned to The Braun Corporation, Winamac, IN (US)
Filed by The Braun Corporation, Winamac, IN (US)
Filed on Aug. 4, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/880,891.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/229,653, filed on Aug. 5, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0043284 A1, Feb. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. B60P 1/43 (2006.01); A61G 3/06 (2006.01)
CPC B60P 1/438 (2013.01) [A61G 3/061 (2013.01); Y10S 414/134 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A ramp assembly being moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position, wherein in the deployed position the ramp assembly is configured to provide rolling access to a passenger vehicle, the ramp assembly comprising:
a first ramp plate;
a second ramp plate rotatably coupled to the first ramp plate;
a ramp assist assembly;
a ramp fold arm coupled to the ramp assist assembly and to the first ramp plate, wherein the ramp assist assembly is configured to assist in moving the ramp assembly from the deployed position to the retracted position; and
a link system connected to the ramp fold arm and to the second ramp plate, wherein the link system includes a slide mechanism coupled to an underside of the first ramp plate, wherein the underside faces a ground when the ramp assembly is in the deployed position, and wherein the slide mechanism and ramp fold arm are collectively configured to slide relative to the first ramp plate as the first ramp plate is moved between the retracted position and the deployed position;
wherein the slide mechanism includes a slide bar slidably connected to the underside of the first ramp plate;
wherein the slide bar includes a generally planar portion connected to the underside of the first ramp plate, a first bend extending from the planar portion, and a second bend extending from the planar portion, wherein the first bend is coupled to the second ramp plate and the second bend is coupled to the ramp fold arm.