Abstract: An automotive vehicle having a power-actuated ramp includes a vehicle body having a roof, front portion, rear portion, opposed side portions, and a floor that cooperate to define a passenger area. At least one door provides boarding and alighting relative to the passenger area, which defines a flat area of the floor adapted to receive a mobility device. A ramp cartridge is operatively supported by and received within a recessed section of the floor and includes a frame assembly having a main deck and cooperating with and being substantially coplanar with the flat area to provide a substantial flatness of the floor, a ramp assembly having a ramp that is adapted to be retained in a stored position below the main deck, and a drive assembly adapted to actuate the ramp between the stored position and a first ramp position and between the stored position and a second ramp position.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle having a power-actuated ramp including 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.

Abstract: A taxicab or other vehicle is designed specifically for persons with disabilities, although it can have other uses, e.g., a delivery vehicle. A ramp, stored in a cartridge under the vehicle floor, is extended to the curb to accommodate a wheelchair or other mobility aid. The floor is low enough that the slope of the ramp does not exceed regulations. The floor is lowered by providing a joint in the drive shaft to lower the drive shaft and eliminate the drive-train hump. An enclosure with a rotating window is provided to separate the driver from the front passenger area. The driver can unlock the doors on only one side to prevent a passenger from opening a door into traffic.

Abstract: In a continuous loop restraint system wherein one end of a length of webbing is anchored near the vehicle seat and the other end of the webbing is anchored near the roof of the automobile, a releasable anchor for releasably anchoring a central portion of the webbing is provided so that the portion of the webbing from the floor anchor to the releasable anchor becomes a lap belt and the portion from the roof mounted anchor to the releasable anchor becomes a shoulder belt. A retractor is provided for winding one end of the webbing therearound. The webbing can slide relative to the releasable anchor to allow respective webbing sections to be of desired lengths. The restraint system has been improved by providing drive means associated with the releasable anchor for urging the webbing through the releasable anchor toward the retractor so that excess webbing is wound about the retractor and so that the portion of the webbing between the stationary anchor and the releasable anchor is tight.