Abstract: A ramp assembly provides a transition surface from a vehicle interior to an alighting surface. The ramp assembly includes a ramp portion that rotates between a stowed position and a deployed position. The ramp portion is rotatable about an axis associated with a first end of the ramp portion. A support member supports the first end of the ramp portion, and a sensor is configured to sense a predetermined position of the ramp portion. The ramp assembly further includes an actuator operably coupled to the ramp portion to drive the ramp portion through a first phase and a second phase of a deployment motion. During the first phase, the actuator rotates the ramp portion about the axis while the axis maintains a substantially fixed position. During the second phase, the actuator moves the axis in a downward direction if the ramp portion has deployed to at least the predetermined position.

Abstract: A step assembly provides access between a lift platform and an alighting surface. The step assembly includes a tread and a panel rotatably connected to the tread about a first axis. An actuator assembly is operably coupled to the panel to selectively move the step assembly between a raised position and a lowered position. In the raised position, the tread is substantially horizontal, and the panel is orthogonal to the tread. In the lowered position, the tread and the panel are substantially parallel and form a predetermined angle with respect to a horizontal plane.

Abstract: A ramp assembly includes a ramp portion configured for reciprocating motion between a stowed position, a deployed position, and a neutral position. The ramp assembly includes a counterbalance comprising a lug associated with the ramp portion so that movement of the ramp portion toward the deployed position moves the lug along an arcuate path in a first direction, and movement of the ramp portion toward the stowed position moves the lug along the arcuate path in a second direction. A flexible line is coupled to the lug, and a restraint is fixedly located relative to the stowed position of the ramp portion. A biasing element is associated with the flexible line such that movement of the ramp portion away from the neutral position moves the biasing element compresses a spring disposed between the restraint and the biasing element.

Abstract: Exemplary methods are provided for installing a ramp assembly into a vehicle. The vehicle includes a floor, a vehicle well disposed in the floor, and first and second ramp support members. In one embodiment, ramp assembly mounts, such as movable mounting blocks, are utilized for installing the ramp assembly into the vehicle.

Abstract: A ramp assembly includes a ramp portion configured for reciprocating motion between a stowed position, a deployed position, and a neutral position. Movement of the ramp portion toward the deployed position rotates a hub in a first direction, and movement of the ramp portion toward the stowed position rotates the hub in a second. The ramp assembly includes a counterbalance comprising a flexible line having a first end coupled to the hub. A restraint is fixedly located relative to the stowed position of the ramp portion, and a biasing element is associated with the flexible line such that movement of the ramp portion away from the neutral position moves the biasing element toward the restraint. A spring is disposed between the restraint and the biasing element to bias the ramp portion toward the neutral position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for removing neoplastic cells from a mixed cellular composition, which is outside of a living organism, by using a virus which selectively infect and kill neoplastic cell. A variety of viruses can be used in this method to remove neoplastic cells for different purposes, for example, to purge hematopoietic stem cells prior to transplantation. Also provided are compositions prepared according to this method, and kits comprising a combination of viruses which are useful in this invention.

Abstract: The invention provides for a high occupancy or heavy-duty vehicle with a battery propulsion power source, which may include lithium titanate batteries. The vehicle may be all-battery or may be a hybrid, and may have a composite body. The vehicle battery system may be housed within the floor of the vehicle and may have different groupings and arrangements.

Abstract: A ramp assembly provides a transition surface from a vehicle floor to an alighting surface and includes a ramp portion coupled for reciprocating movement between a stowed position and a deployed position. The ramp portion has a cam surface disposed thereon, and a cam follower that engages the cam surface when the ramp portion is in the stowed position to support the ramp portion. The ramp assembly further includes a panel rotatably coupled to a first end of the ramp portion about an axis. An actuator rotates a drive arm to move the ramp portion through first and second phases of a deployment motion. During the first phase, the drive arm rotates the ramp portion about the axis, which maintains a substantially fixed position. During the second phase, the drive arm moves the second axis in a downward direction.

Abstract: Reovirus can be used to selectively remove ras-mediated neoplastic cells from a cellular composition. It is of particular interest to purge autographs which may contain neoplastic cells with reovirus before transplanting the autographs back into the recipient, thereby reducing the risk of introducing or reintroducing neoplastic cells into the recipient.

Abstract: A ramp assembly includes a ramp platform movable for reciprocating motion between a stowed position and a deployed position. The ramp platform has an inner ramp panel, an intermediate ramp panel slidably associated with the inner ramp panel, and an outer ramp panel rotatably associated with the intermediate ramp panel. Movement of the ramp assembly from the stowed position to the deployed position defines a deployment motion that includes (1) rotation of the outer ramp panel through at least 90 degrees relative to the intermediate ramp panel; and (2) translation of the intermediate ramp panel relative to the inner ramp panel. A drive assembly is associated with the ramp platform, the drive assembly being movable to reciprocate the ramp platform between the stowed position and the deployed position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for removing neoplastic cells from a mixed cellular composition, which is outside of a living organism, by using a virus which selectively infect and kill neoplastic cell. A variety of viruses can be used in this method to remove neoplastic cells for different purposes, for example, to purge hematopoietic stem cells prior to transplantation. Also provided are compositions prepared according to this method, and kits comprising a combination of viruses which are useful in this invention.

Abstract: A latch assembly is suitable for a ramp assembly, the ramp assembly having a ramp portion coupled to a fixed portion so that the ramp portion reciprocates between a stowed position and a deployed position. The latch assembly includes a pin associated with the ramp portion. The latch assembly further includes a latch fitting rotatably coupled to the fixed portion of the ramp assembly. The latch fitting has a hook portion and a tang. The hook portion selectively engages the pin when the ramp assembly is in the stowed position. The tang selectively provides a lifting force to the ramp portion.

Abstract: The invention provides for a high occupancy or heavy-duty vehicle with a battery propulsion power source, which may include lithium titanate batteries. The vehicle may be all-battery or may be a hybrid, and may have a composite body. The vehicle battery system may be housed within the floor of the vehicle and may have different groupings and arrangements.

Abstract: A ramp assembly is suitable for use in a vehicle to provide a transition surface from the vehicle floor to an alighting surface. The ramp assembly includes an inner panel fixedly associated with the vehicle floor and ramp support slidingly associated with the inner panel. The ramp support is reciprocal between (1) a retracted position when the ramp assembly is in a stowed position and (2) an extended position when the ramp assembly is in a deployed position. A ramp portion is rotatably coupled at a first end to a first end of the ramp support. An intermediate panel is coupled to the ramp support and extends from the inner panel to the ramp portion when the ramp assembly is in the deployed position. When the ramp assembly is in the stowed position, the ramp portion extends inwardly from the first end of the ramp support.

Abstract: Exemplary methods are provided for installing a ramp assembly into a vehicle. The vehicle includes a floor, a vehicle well disposed in the floor, and inboard and outboard ramp support members. In one embodiment, ramp assembly mounts, such as movable support fittings, are utilized for installing the ramp assembly into the vehicle.

Abstract: Exemplary methods are provided for installing a ramp assembly into a vehicle. The vehicle includes a floor, a vehicle well disposed in the floor, and inboard and outboard ramp support members. In one embodiment, ramp assembly mounts, such as movable mounting blocks, are utilized for installing the ramp assembly into the vehicle.

Abstract: A ramp assembly provides a transition surface from a vehicle interior to an alighting surface. The ramp assembly includes a ramp portion that rotates between a stowed position and a deployed position. A panel is coupled to the ramp portion about a first axis. The ramp assembly further includes a linkage that is coupled to the ramp portion. An actuator is coupled to the linkage to move the ramp portion through a deployment motion. The deployment motion includes a first phase during which the linkage rotates the ramp portion about the first axis. During a second phase of the deployment motion, the linkage moves the first axis from a raised position to a lowered position.

Abstract: A counterbalance assembly is suited for use with a fold out ramp having a ramp portion selectively movable between a stowed position, a neutral position, and a deployed position. The counterbalance includes first and second springs and a transmission element forming an endless loop. A first biasing element is coupled to the transmission element so that the first biasing element compresses the first spring when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position to the stowed position and compresses the second spring when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position to the deployed position. A second biasing element is coupled to the transmission element so that the second biasing element compresses the second spring when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position to the stowed position and compresses the first spring when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position to the deployed position.

Abstract: An aircraft system and method with a first counterweight rotating balancing rotor mass concentration, and a second counterweight rotating balancing rotor mass concentration to balance a first aircraft propeller. The system includes an inboard electromagnetic coil driver with a first inboard electromagnetic coil, and a second inboard electromagnetic coil, the inboard electromagnetic coil driver and the first counterweight balancing rotor and the second counterweight balancing rotor centered around the aircraft propeller shaft rotating machine member. The system/method utilizes a first control system controller to control the coils and position the mass concentrations to balance the first aircraft propeller. The system/method includes a third counterweight rotating balancing rotor mass concentration, and a fourth counterweight rotating balancing rotor mass concentration to balance a second aircraft propeller which positioned and controlled by a second control system controller.

Abstract: Reovirus can be used to selectively remove ras-mediated neoplastic cells from a cellular composition. It is of particular interest to purge autographs which may contain neoplastic cells with reovirus before transplanting the autographs back into the recipient, thereby reducing the risk of introducing or reintroducing neoplastic cells into the recipient.