IP Library Granted Patent US 10,773,908
Granted Patent B2
US 10,773,908 · App. 15/816,343 · Granted Sep 15, 2020

Vehicle ramp latch

Inventors: Aaron Kiser (Royal Center, IN); James Stoner (Star City, IN)
Assignee: The Braun Corporation
B65G69/28
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,773,908
App. No.
15/816,343
Granted
Sep 15, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A ramp assembly with an inboard ramp section, an outboard ramp section pivotally coupled to the outboard ramp section, a knob coupled to one of the inboard ramp section or the outboard ramp section, a ramp latch coupled to the other of the inboard ramp section or the outboard ramp section, the ramp latch comprising, an elongated shaft extending from a proximal section towards a distal section, a first arcuate jaw extending from the distal section away from the elongated shaft, a second arcuate jaw extending from the distal section away from the elongated shaft, the first and second arcuate jaw defining an opening therebetween, and wherein the knob is selectively positionable at least partially within the opening.

Claims (25)

1. A ramp assembly, comprising:

an inboard ramp section;

an outboard ramp section pivotally coupled to the inboard ramp section;

a knob coupled to one of the inboard ramp section or the outboard ramp section;

a ramp latch fixedly coupled to the other of the inboard ramp section or the outboard ramp section, the ramp latch comprising;

an elongated shaft extending from a proximal section towards a distal section;

a first arcuate jaw extending from the distal section away from the elongated shaft;

a second arcuate jaw extending from the distal section away from the elongated shaft, the first and second arcuate jaw defining an opening therebetween;

wherein, the knob is selectively positionable at least partially within the opening

further wherein, the engagement of the knob with the ramp latch maintains inboard ramp section in the folded state until a knob transition force rotates the inboard ramp section away from the outboard ramp section, thereby disengaging the knob from the ramp latch.

2. The ramp assembly of claim 1 , further wherein the inboard ramp transitions between a folded state and a coplanar state relative to the outboard ramp section.

3. The ramp assembly of claim 2 , further wherein the knob is at least partially positioned within the opening when the inboard ramp is in the folded state.

4. The ramp assembly of claim 3 , further wherein the knob is not positioned within the opening when the inboard ramp is in the coplanar state.

5. The ramp assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an inboard side barrier coupled to the inboard ramp section and an outboard side barrier coupled to the outboard ramp section.

6. The ramp assembly of claim 5 , further wherein the knob is coupled to one of the inboard or outboard side barrier and the ramp latch is coupled to the other of the inboard or outboard side barrier.

7. The ramp assembly of claim 1 , further wherein the ramp latch is configured to snappingly engage the knob.

8. A ramp latch assembly, comprising:

an inboard ramp section pivotally coupled to an outboard ramp section;

a ramp latch fixedly coupled to one of the inboard ramp section or the outboard ramp section;

a knob coupled to the other of the inboard ramp section or the outboard ramp section to which the ramp latch is coupled;

wherein, the ramp latch snappingly engages the knob when the inboard ramp section is in a folded state relative to the outboard ramp section;

further wherein, the engagement of the knob with the ramp latch maintains inboard ramp section in the folded state until a knob transition force rotates the inboard ramp section away from the outboard ramp section, thereby disengaging the knob from the ramp latch.

9. The ramp latch assembly of claim 8 , further wherein the ramp latch has a first arcuate jaw and a second arcuate jaw.

10. The ramp latch assembly of claim 9 , further wherein the first arcuate jaw and the second arcuate jaw deflect as the ramp latch snappingly engages the knob.

11. The ramp latch assembly of claim 8 , further comprising an inboard side barrier coupled to the inboard ramp section and an outboard side barrier coupled to the outboard ramp section.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 3, 2024
From: THE BRAUN CORPORATION; B & D INDEPENDENCE, LLC; VALEDA COMPANY, LLC; SURE-LOK INTERNATIONAL, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 067310/0911 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 20, 2018
From: KISER, AARON; STONER, JAMES
To: THE BRAUN CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 044975/0603 →