US-12617328-B2 - Loading ramp for utility vans

US12617328B2US 12617328 B2US12617328 B2US 12617328B2US-12617328-B2

Abstract

A loading ramp assembly for utility vans can include a main deck with side rails fastened to the longitudinal sides of the main deck. A raised loading floor of the utility van is disposed atop a pair of guide rails. Guide wheels on the side rails move through guide rails secured to the van's original floor as the ramp is retracted and deployed. The ramp can be fully retracted and stored inside of the van such that the rear doors of the van can be closed normally without the need to remove the loading ramp assembly from the van.

Inventors

Steven Peterson
Samuel Johnson
Gilbert Daniel BODIMER

Assignees

National Fleet Products, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20221111

Claims (20)

1 . A loading ramp assembly for a utility van, comprising: a main deck, wherein the main deck comprises a longitudinally elongated surface having a distal end, an opposing proximal end, and a pair of opposing longitudinal sides spanning between the proximal end and the distal end; a pair of side rails oriented parallel to one another, each of the side rails coupled to a respective one of the pair of opposing longitudinal sides of the main deck, each side rail having a proximal longitudinal end and a distal longitudinal end; a pair of guide wheels, each of the guide wheels is coupled to a respective one of the pair or side rails adjacent to the proximal end thereof, and each of the guide wheels extends laterally outwardly from the respective one of the pair or side rails to which each of the pair of guide wheels is coupled; a pair of guide rails oriented parallel to one another and parallel to the pair of side rails, each of the pair of guide rails defining a channel with an opening in one longitudinal side of the guide rail, the channel spanning between a proximal end thereof and an opposite distal end thereof, each of the pair of guide rails disposed adjacent to a respective one of the pair of side rails such that the channel faces towards the respective side rail, wherein each of the pair of guide wheels is shaped and sized to be disposed within the channel and travel proximally and distally within the respective guide rail; a first bracket fastened to one of the pair of guide rails adjacent to the opposite distal end thereof; and a second bracket fastened to the other one of the pair of guide rails adjacent to the opposite distal end thereof, wherein the first bracket and the second bracket each comprise a longitudinally inward extending portion that includes a sliding pad positioned to allow a bottom surface of a respective one of the pair of side rails to slide atop a respective one of the sliding pads when the pair of guide wheels move proximally and distally within the channels of the pair of guide rails.
2 . The loading ramp assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first bracket and the second bracket each comprise a laterally outwardly extending flange that defines a first plurality of apertures therethrough.
3 . The loading ramp assembly of claim 2 , wherein each of the first plurality of apertures defines an arcuate channel.
4 . The loading ramp assembly of claim 2 , wherein the first bracket and the second bracket each further comprise a laterally outwardly extending mounting portion with a second plurality of apertures defined therethrough such that a mechanical fastener can be inserted simultaneously through one of the first plurality of apertures and one of the second plurality of apertures.
5 . The loading ramp assembly of claim 1 , wherein the main deck is planar and defines a plurality of raised ribs that are oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the main deck.
6 . The loading ramp assembly of claim 1 , wherein the main deck comprises an aperture through the main deck that is located adjacent to the distal end thereof to facilitate grasping with a hand of a user.
7 . The loading ramp assembly of claim 1 , wherein the main deck comprises a plurality of separate segments that are joined together to define a continuous upper top deck surface.
8 . The loading ramp assembly of claim 1 , wherein the main deck comprises a plurality of reinforcement ribs extending downward from a lower surface thereof.
9 . The loading ramp assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an elevated loading floor disposed atop the pair of guide rails, the elevated loading floor spanning longitudinally from the distal end of the pair of guide rails to the proximal end of the guide rails, and laterally between the pair of guide rails.
10 . The loading ramp assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a transition deck portion coupled to the proximal end of the main deck, the transition deck portion extending proximally from the main deck sufficiently to bridge a gap between the proximal end of the main deck and a distal end of the elevated loading floor when the main deck is in a deployed state.
11 . The loading ramp assembly of claim 10 , wherein the transition deck portion is curved.
12 . The loading ramp assembly of claim 1 , wherein each said sliding pad is formed of a plastic material.
13 . The loading ramp assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of distal travel stop brackets, each of the stop brackets disposed over a respective distal end of each of the pair of guide rails, each of the travel stop brackets configured to prevent a respective one of the pair of guide wheels from exiting the channel of the respective guide rail from the opposite distal end thereof.
14 . The loading ramp assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a third bracket fastened to one of the pair of guide rails and located adjacent to the proximal end thereof, the third bracket comprising a first L-shaped portion that is fastened to the guide rail and a second L-shaped portion that extends laterally outward from the first L-shaped portion, wherein the second L-shaped portion presents a securing surface that is oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the guide rail to which the third bracket is fastened.
15 . A loading ramp assembly for a utility van, comprising: a main deck, wherein the main deck comprises a longitudinally elongated surface having a distal end, an opposing proximal end, and a pair of opposing longitudinal sides spanning between the proximal end and the distal end; a pair of side rails oriented parallel to one another, each of the side rails coupled to a respective one of the pair of opposing longitudinal sides of the main deck, each of the side rails having a proximal longitudinal end and a distal longitudinal end; a pair of guide wheels, each of the guide wheels is coupled to a respective one of the pair of side rails adjacent to the proximal end thereof, and each of the guide wheels extends laterally outwardly from the respective one of the pair or side rails to which each of the pair of guide wheels is coupled; a pair of guide rails oriented parallel to one another and parallel to the pair of side rails, each of the pair of guide rails defining a channel with an opening in one longitudinal side of the guide rail, the channel spanning between a proximal end thereof and an opposite distal end thereof, each of the pair of guide rails disposed adjacent to a respective one of the pair of side rails such that the channel faces towards the respective side rail, wherein each of the pair of guide wheels is shaped and sized to be disposed within the channel and travel proximally and distally within the respective guide rail; and an elevated loading floor disposed atop the pair of guide rails, the elevated loading floor spanning longitudinally from the opposite distal end of the pair of guide rails to the proximal end of the guide rails, and laterally between the pair of guide rails.
16 . The loading ramp assembly of claim 15 , further comprising a transition deck portion coupled to the proximal end of the main deck, the transition deck portion extending proximally from the main deck sufficiently to bridge a gap between the proximal end of the main deck and a distal end of the elevated loading floor when the main deck is in a deployed state.
17 . The loading ramp assembly of claim 16 , wherein the transition deck portion is curved.
18 . The loading ramp assembly of claim 15 , further comprising a mounting bracket fastened to one of the pair of guide rails, the mounting bracket comprising a first L-shaped portion that is fastened to the guide rail and a second L-shaped portion that extends laterally outward from the first L-shaped portion, wherein the second L-shaped portion presents a mounting surface that is oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the guide rail to which the mounting bracket is fastened.
19 . The loading ramp assembly of claim 18 , wherein the first L-shaped portion and the second L-shaped portion each include a plurality of apertures defined through overlapping flange portions thereof such that a mechanical fastener can be inserted simultaneously through one of the plurality of apertures of the first L-shaped portion and one of the plurality of apertures in the second L-shaped portion.
20 . The loading ramp assembly of claim 19 , wherein each of the plurality of apertures in at least one of the first L-shaped portion and the second L-shaped portion defines an arcuate channel.

Description

PRIORITY This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to, and hereby incorporates by reference in its entirety, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/279,008, filed Nov. 12, 2021. FIELD The present invention relates to vehicle accessories, and more particularly, to a loading ramp system for vans. BACKGROUND It is increasingly popular to employ utility vans, such as the Ford Transit, Ram Promaster, Mercedes Benz Sprinter and others, for cargo, utility, passenger and recreational vehicle purposes. However, it is inconvenient and sometimes difficult for persons to load machinery into these types of vans due to their relatively high step-in/out height. For example, a commercial lawn-mowing device would be difficult to load into these types of vans. It is known to mount detachable ramps or runners to facilitate loading. However, such ramps or runners need to be stored separately and are often inconvenient to use. Moreover, the width of such ramps does not span the entire distance between the rear loading doors of the van. Thus, there is a continuing need to provide an improved, easy-to-use loading ramp system for utility vans. SUMMARY Provided is a loading ramp assembly for utility vans. The loading ramp assembly can include a main deck with side rails fastened to the longitudinal sides of the main deck. A raised loading floor of the utility van is disposed atop a pair of guide rails. Guide wheels on the side rails move through guide rails secured to the van's original floor as the ramp is retracted and deployed. The ramp can be fully retracted and stored inside of the van such that the rear doors of the van can be closed normally without the need to remove the loading ramp assembly from the van. In one example disclosed herein a loading ramp assembly for a utility van includes a main deck, a pair of side rails and a pair of guide rails. The main deck comprises a longitudinally elongated surface having a distal end, an opposing proximal end, and a pair of opposing longitudinal sides spanning between the proximal end and the distal end. The pair of side rails are oriented parallel to one another and each is coupled to a respective one of the pair of opposing longitudinal sides of the main deck. Each side rail has a proximal longitudinal end and a distal longitudinal end. A pair of guide wheels can be coupled to a respective one of the pair or side rails adjacent to the proximal end thereof. Each guide wheel extends laterally outwardly from the respective one of the pair or side rails to which each of the pair of guide wheels is coupled. Each of the pair of guide rails is oriented parallel to one another and parallel to the pair of side rails. Each of the pair of guide rails defines a channel with an opening in one longitudinal side of the guide rail. The channel spans between a proximal end thereof and a distal end of each guide rail. Each of the pair of guide rails is disposed adjacent to a respective one of the pair of side rails such that the channel faces towards the respective side rail. The channel is shaped and sized to be disposed within the channel and travel proximally and distally within the respective guide rail. A first bracket can be fastened to one of the pair of guide rails adjacent to a distal end thereof. A second bracket can be fastened to the other one of the pair of guide rails adjacent to the distal end thereof. Each of the first bracket and the second bracket can include a longitudinally inward extending portion that includes a sliding pad positioned to allow a bottom surface of a respective one of the pair of side rails to slide atop the sliding pad when the pair of guide wheels move proximally and distally within the channels of the pair of guide rails. The first bracket and the second bracket can each include a laterally outwardly extending flange that defines a first plurality of apertures therethrough. Each of the first plurality of apertures can define an arcuate channel. The first bracket and the second bracket can each further comprise a laterally outwardly extending mounting portion with a second plurality of apertures defined therethrough such that a mechanical fastener can be inserted simultaneously through one of the first plurality of apertures and one of the second plurality of apertures. The main deck can be planar and define a plurality of raised ribs that are oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the main deck. The main deck can include an aperture through the main deck that is located adjacent to the distal end thereof to facilitate grasping with a hand of a user. The main deck can be a solid surface or the main deck can be formed from a plurality of separate segments that are joined together to define a continuous upper top deck surface. The main deck can include a plurality of reinforcement ribs extending downward from a lower surface thereof. An elevated loading floor can be disposed atop the pair of guide rails. The elevated loading floor can span