1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed toward an automotive vehicle having a power-actuated ramp.
2. Description of the Related Art
Automotive vehicles such as sedans, sport-utility vehicles (SUVs), mini-vans and “cross-over” vehicles are not designed to accommodate passengers with disabilities. More specifically, these types of automotive vehicles are not compliant with the regulations provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq. By way of example, persons with disabilities or persons requiring the use of a mobility aid (e.g. wheelchairs) cannot board/alight traditionally designed vehicles with relative ease due to spatial constraints of the vehicle's entry opening, seating configurations and/or contoured interior floor.
Retrofitting traditionally designed automotive vehicles to accommodate persons with disabilities and/or mobility aids increases the vehicle purchase price. The increased price can prevent such persons from purchasing an automotive vehicle that is acceptable for their individual use, thereby forcing such persons to rely on commercial and/or municipal paratransit services. Additionally, the increased price of a retrofit automotive vehicle reduces the number of acceptable vehicles that municipalities and/or commercial transportation service companies can make available for use by the general public.
Furthermore, retrofitting a traditionally designed automotive vehicle can result in an unsightly vehicle appearance and also impede certain functional aspects of the vehicle. By way of example, retrofitting traditionally designed automotive vehicles can include providing a flat interior floor by installing a custom subfloor or increasing the interior height by installing an aftermarket roof. These retrofit techniques change the OEMs' interior and exterior vehicle aesthetics in a manner that is often considered unattractive. Further by way of example, traditionally designed automotive vehicles are often retrofitted with a “draw-bridge” ramp or a vertical lift mechanism to assist boarding/alighting by persons requiring a mobility aid. However, these boarding/alighting assistance devices often block an entry point to conventional ingress/egress. Blocking an ingress/egress entry point is a practical impossibility for municipal and/or commercial transit services that must provide transportation for disabled and non-disabled persons with the same vehicle.
Thus, there is a need in the art for an automotive vehicle that is designed with ADA regulations in mind. Additionally, there is a need in the art for an automotive vehicle that provides vehicle boarding/alighting to persons with disabilities and/or mobility aids as well as conventional ingress/egress to persons without disabilities. Specifically, there is a need in the art for an automotive vehicle having a power-actuated ramp.
The present invention overcomes many limitations and disadvantages in the related art. To this end, the automotive vehicle of the present invention includes a vehicle body having a roof, front portion and a rear portion. The vehicle body further includes opposed side portions and a floor that cooperate with the roof, front portion and rear portion to define a passenger area. The vehicle body further includes at least one door to provide boarding and alighting relative to the passenger area. The automotive vehicle further includes a ramp cartridge operatively supported relative to the vehicle's floor. The ramp cartridge includes a frame assembly having a main deck and a ramp assembly having a ramp that is adapted to be retained in a stored position below the main deck. The ramp cartridge further includes a drive assembly adapted to actuate the ramp between a stored position and a first ramp position and between the stored position and a second ramp position.
Thus, one advantage of the present invention is that it provides an automotive vehicle having a power-actuated ramp that actuates to a first ramp position and a second ramp position.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a power-actuated ramp having a stored position below the main deck of the ramp cartridge.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that is provides a power-actuated ramp that is contained within a ramp cartridge.
Still another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a drive assembly that utilized power to actuate the ramp between the stored position, first ramp position and second ramp position.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood after reading the subsequent description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to the figures where like numerals are used to designate like structure throughout the drawings, an automotive vehicle of the present invention is generally indicated at 10. As shown in
The vehicle body 12 further includes a floor generally indicated at 26. The roof 22, floor 26, opposed side portions 18, front portion 16 and rear portion 14 cooperate to define a passenger area generally indicated at 28. The passenger area 28 includes a front seating area generally indicated at 30. The front seating area 30 includes a driver's seat 32 and a flat area 34 defined on the floor 26 adjacent to the driver's seat 32. The flat area 34 is adapted to receive a mobility device. To this end, the flat area 34 includes a tie-down member 36 that is adapted to lock a mobility device to the flat area 34 so as to prevent undesired movement during operation of the automotive vehicle. It should be appreciated that a mobility device may include any device that is used to assist an individual with paralysis, degenerative disease, disability, geriatric ailments in walking. By way of example, a mobility device includes a wheel chair, walker, electric scooter, electric tricycle or other device commonly used by such persons.
The passenger area 28 further includes a rear area generally indicated at 38. The rear area 38 includes a passenger seat 40 and a recessed section generally indicated at 42. The recessed section 42 is generally defined by a pair of shoulders 44 and 46 disposed on opposite sides of said recessed section 42. The recessed section 42 is adapted to receive a ramp cartridge as will be described in greater detail. To this end, the recessed section 42 includes at least one depression 48 to receive a portion of the drive assembly of a ramp cartridge as will be described in greater detail below. As shown in
Although the passenger area 28 has been described above as having a general use, it should be appreciated that the passenger area 28 of the present invention may include additional and/or alternative structure that is designed for a specific application without departing from the scope of the invention. By way of example, the automotive vehicle 10 may be employed for use as a taxi, wherein the passenger area may include a partition between the driver's area and the rest of the passenger area. Further by way of example, the automotive vehicle 10 may be employed for use as an emergency medical team vehicle, ambulance or other “first response” vehicle, wherein the passenger area may include storage compartments for medical or other first response-type supplies.
The present invention further includes a ramp cartridge generally indicated at 50. The ramp cartridge 50 is operatively supported by the vehicle floor 26 and adapted to be removably secured to the vehicle 10. More specifically, the ramp cartridge 26 is received within the recess section 42 of the rear passenger area 28. The ramp cartridge 50 is a self-contained unit that is removable from the vehicle 10 to provide “plug-and-play” capability. Such capability is desired for replacing or servicing a ramp cartridge 50, especially when the vehicle 10 is employed for use in connection with municipal/commercial fleet services.
The ramp cartridge 50 includes a frame assembly generally indicated at 52. The frame assembly 52 includes a main deck, generally indicated at 54, that is substantially coplanar with the flat area 34. More specifically, the main deck 54 cooperates with the flat area 34 to provide a substantially flat vehicle floor 26. The flat vehicle floor 26 provided by the present invention enables mobility devices to be maneuvered across the floor 26 without incurring the problems typically associated with manipulating a mobility device within a conventionally designed automotive vehicle. The automotive vehicle 10 of the present invention is adapted to be capable of maneuvering at least two wheelchairs on the vehicle floor 26.
The main deck 54 further includes at least one service door 56 to access a portion of said ramp cartridge 50. As shown throughout the figures, the main deck 54 includes four service doors 56A, 56B, 56C and 56D. The main deck 54 further includes at least one anchor member 58 to secure a mobility device to the ramp cartridge 50. As shown throughout the figures the main deck 54 includes two anchor members 58A and 58B. Additionally, the main deck 54 includes a top surface 60 having slip-resistant coating (not shown) that is ADA complaint (ADA T802.2) and includes a minimum static coefficient of friction of 0.5 (ASTM Standard D2047 and CSA D409-02 9.2.1). Referring specifically to
The frame assembly 52 further includes flanges 66 and 68 that are adapted to extend over the shoulders 44 and 46, respectively, adjacent to the recessed section 42 within the vehicle floor 26. The flanges 66 and 68 are adapted to eliminate voids, openings, and surface discontinuities that may otherwise occur between the ramp cartridge 50 and the vehicle floor 26. To this end, the flanges 66 and 68 facilitate compliance with the ADA regulations and/or proposed ADA regulations. As shown throughout the figures, the frame assembly 52 includes a forward flange 66 that extends along the side of the main deck 54 adjacent to the flat area 34 on the vehicle floor 26 and a rearward flange 68 that extends along the opposite side of the main deck 54 relative to forward flange 66. As best shown in
Additionally, the rearward flange 68 is adapted to protect other components of the ramp cartridge 50 to be described in greater detail below. Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, location and relationship to the main deck 54 may vary depending on contours of the vehicle structure adjacent to the location adapted to receive the ramp cartridge50. It should be further appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that the flanges 66 and 68 may provide a substrate through which the ramp cartridge 50 may be removably attached to the vehicle 10. To this end, the ramp cartridge 50 may be attached to the vehicle floor 26 using fasteners such as screws or other suitable method for removably attaching the ramp cartridge 50 to the vehicle 10.
Referring specifically to
As best shown in
The ramp cartridge 50 further includes a ramp assembly generally indicated at 92. The ramp assembly 92 is adapted to facilitate boarding and alighting relative to the passenger area 28 of the vehicle 10. It should be appreciated that the ramp assembly 92 meets or exceeds the ADA regulations and/or ADA proposed regulations for load and safety factor (ADA T303.2) and is in generally compliance with ADA T303. The ramp assembly 92 includes a ramp 94 that is adapted to be retained in a stored position below the main deck 54. The ramp 94 is adapted to be actuated from the stored position to a first ramp position (
The ramp 94 includes a leading segment 96 and at least one trailing segment 98. As best shown in
The leading segment 96 includes a facing edge 100 that is adapted to contact the boarding and alighting area (not shown) and a sweep edge 102 that is adapted to contact the trailing segment 98 when the ramp 64 is actuated in the second ramp position. The trailing segment 98 includes groove 104 adapted to receive a portion of the trolley assembly (to be described) and threshold edge 106 that is operatively disposed adjacent to the main deck 54 when the ramp 94 is actuated in either the first ramp position or the second ramp position. In the first ramp position, the sweep edge 102 and the threshold edge 106 abut each other adjacent to the main deck 54 (
The ramp assembly 92 further includes a main fence 108 and a spring fence 110 operatively attached to the ramp 94. The main fence 108 and spring fence 110 are adapted to be disposed adjacent to the primary tracks 84 and 86, respectively, when the ramp 94 is located in the stored position (
Referring specifically to
Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that while the present invention has been described has having a main fence 108, tertiary fence 112 and a spring fence 110, the present invention may include a single style of fence throughout the ramp 94 to provide edge barriers that are compliant with ADA regulations and/or ADA proposed regulations. By way of example, the present invention may include a series of spring fences, ridged fences or fences that “pop-up” from a location with or adjacent to the ramp 94.
Referring now to
The trolley assembly 200 further includes a carrier, generally indicated at 220. The carrier 220 is operatively connected to the drive assembly as will be described in greater detail below. The carrier 220 includes a wing 222 that is disposed between the leading segment 96 and the trailing segment 98. The wing 222 cooperates with the groove 104 defined within the trailing segment 98 to facilitate movement of the ramp 94 between the stored position and the second ramp position or vice versa. As shown in
When the trolley assembly 200 actuates the ramp 94 from the stored position, the sled 202 directs the roller sub-assemblies 204A and 204B within the primary tracks 84 and 86, respectively, toward the upwardly extending terminal ends 84A and 86A. More specifically, where the ramp 94 is to be actuated in the first ramp position, the trolley assembly 200 pushes the leading segment 96 and the trailing segment 98 in a stacked configuration. As the roller sub-assemblies 204A and 204B engage the upwardly extending terminal ends 84A and 86A of the primary tracks 84 and 86, respectively, the ramp 94 is pivoted upward so as to direct the facing edge 100 toward the boarding and alighting area and to direct the threshold edge 106 and sweep edge 102 toward the main deck 54 (
Referring specifically to
The drivetrain 304 includes an override gear 306 that is adapted to disengage the motor 302 from the drivetrain 304 to facilitate manual actuation of the ramp 94 to and from the stored position, first ramp position and second ramp position. The drivetrain 304 further includes a drive belt 308 that is coupled to a cable 310 that directs the trolley assembly 200 to move the ramp 94. The drivetrain 304 further includes a plurality of gears 312 to engage the drive belt 308 and a plurality of drive pulleys 314 to engage the cable 310 to provide satisfactory tension and consistent movement of the trolley assembly 200 throughout the course of actuating the ramp 94. Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the drive assembly 300 and trolley assembly 200 may include different structure without departing from the scope of the present invention. By way of example, the drive assembly 300 may include a worm-drive system and/or eliminate the trolley assembly entirely to provide direct connection between the drive assembly 300 and the ramp assembly 92.
It should also be appreciated that the trolley assembly 200 and the drive assembly 300 cooperate to actuate the ramp 94 to and from the stored position, first position and second position in manner that is compliant with ADA regulations and/or ADA proposed regulations. More specifically, the trolley assembly 200 and the drive assembly 300 cooperate to provide a ramp deployment time that deploys or retracts no greater than 120 seconds, where the preferred embodiment deploys no greater than 60 seconds. Additionally, the trolley assembly 200 and the drive assembly 300 cooperate to provide a ramp deployment speed that is compliant with ADA regulations and/or proposed ADA regulations (i.e. ADA T302.5.8.1). Furthermore, the trolley assembly 200 and the drive assembly 300 cooperate to actuate the ramp 94 in a manner that does not exceed 80 dBa.
The ramp cartridge 50 further includes a control module, generally indicated at 400. The control module is adapted to control the power actuation of the ramp 94 in response to operator input. Accordingly, the control module 400 includes a switch 402 (
The control module 400 further includes a sensor unit 404. The sensor unit 404 is adapted to stop actuation of the ramp 94 in response to a predetermined condition. More specifically, the control module 400 is adapted to receive a signal from the sensor unit 404 corresponding to an excessive load on the drive assembly 300 and, in response to the signal, override the operator's input and stop actuation of the ramp 94. By way of example, excessive load may be the result of the facing edge 100 engaging a foreign object or a foreign object becoming lodged within a portion of the ramp assembly 92. Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the control module 400 may include a short retreat function in addition to or as an alternative to the stop feature. By way of example, in response to a signal from the sensor unit 404, the control module 400 will override the operator's input via the switch 402 and stop actuation of the ramp but also direct the drive assembly 300 to retreat the ramp a predetermined distance (e.g. two inches). It should also be appreciated that the sensor unit 404 may include optical sensor that directs the control module 400 to override the operator's input prior to an actual load being incurred by the drive assembly 300. By way of example, the sensor unit 404 may include an infrared beam that detects foreign objects within a proximate distance of the leading edge 100 (e.g. six inches) and signals the control module 400 to stop actuation of the ramp 94 and/or retreat the ramp 94 a predetermined distance. Additionally, the control module 400 may further include additional safety or warning features. By way of example, the control module 400 may be operatively connected to an audible and/or visual alert system that activates when the ramp 94 is being actuated.
The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology that has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.
The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 11/521,587, filed Sep. 15, 2006, entitled “Vehicle With Low, Flat Floor And Ramp For Persons With Disabilities And For Other Uses,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/734,284, filed Nov. 8, 2005, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into the present disclosure.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60734284 | Nov 2005 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 11521587 | Sep 2006 | US |
Child | 12426274 | US |