The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 24, 2000
Filed:
Mar. 16, 1999
Larry Martin, Goshen, IN (US);
Thor Tech, Inc., Las Vegas, NV (US);
Abstract
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a recreational vehicle is provided including a loading ramp assembly. The loading ramp assembly comprises first and second loading ramp panels, first, second, third, and fourth pairs of cable supports, a cable drive assembly, a load cable, and a cable linkage assembly. The first loading ramp panel is secured proximate the bottom portion of the access opening so as to pivot relative thereto. The second loading ramp panel is secured proximate the second transverse edge of the first panel so as to permit the second panel to pivot relative to the first panel. The cable drive assembly includes a drive cable and a cable translation mechanism. The load cable is secured between the respective ones of a pair of cable supports secured to the second panel. The cable linkage assembly is arranged to couple movement of the drive cable with movement of the load cable, wherein the linkage assembly and the cable supports are arranged to distribute a uniform load over the load cable. The loading ramp assembly may be arranged to permit the first and second loading ramp panels to pivot in opposite directions between an extended position and a retracted position where the retracted position is characterized by substantially vertical alignment of the first and second panels and the extended position is characterized by a decreasing degree of inclination from the first panel to the second panel.